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Collected software engineering papers, volume 9

This document is a collection of selected technical papers produced by participants in the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) from November 1990 through October 1991. The purpose of the document is to make available, in one reference, some results of SEL research that originally appeared in a number of different forums. This is the ninth such volume of technical papers produced by the SEL. Although these papers cover several topics related to software engineering, they do not encompass the entire scope of SEL activities and interests. For the convenience of this presentation, the eight papers contained here are grouped into three major categories: (1) software models studies; (2) software measurement studies; and (3) Ada technology studies. The first category presents studies on reuse models, including a software reuse model applied to maintenance and a model for an organization to support software reuse. The second category includes experimental research methods and software measurement techniques. The third category presents object-oriented approaches using Ada and object-oriented features proposed for Ada. The SEL is actively working to understand and improve the software development process at GSFC.

Source record↗

Collected Software Engineering Papers, Volume 10

This document is a collection of selected technical papers produced by participants in the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) from Oct. 1991 - Nov. 1992. The purpose of the document is to make available, in one reference, some results of SEL research that originally appeared in a number of different forums. Although these papers cover several topics related to software engineering, they do not encompass the entire scope of SEL activities and interests. Additional information about the SEL and its research efforts may be obtained from the sources listed in the bibliography at the end of this document. For the convenience of this presentation, the 11 papers contained here are grouped into 5 major sections: (1) the Software Engineering Laboratory; (2) software tools studies; (3) software models studies; (4) software measurement studies; and (5) Ada technology studies.

Source record↗

Collected software engineering papers, volume 11

This document is a collection of selected technical papers produced by participants in the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) from November 1992 through November 1993. The purpose of the document is to make available, in one reference, some results of SEL research that originally appeared in a number of different forums. This is the 11th such volume of technical papers produced by the SEL. Although these papers cover several topics related to software engineering, they do not encompass the entire scope of SEL activities and interests. Additional information about the SEL and its research efforts may be obtained from the sources listed in the bibliography at the end of this document.

Source record↗

Collected software engineering papers, volume 12

This document is a collection of selected technical papers produced by participants in the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) from November 1993 through October 1994. The purpose of the document is to make available, in one reference, some results of SEL research that originally appeared in a number of different forums. This is the 12th such volume of technical papers produced by the SEL. Although these papers cover several topics related to software engineering, they do not encompass the entire scope of SEL activities and interests. Additional information about the SEL and its research efforts may be obtained from the sources listed in the bibliography at the end of this document.

Source record↗

Age affects severity of venous gas emboli on decompression from 14.7 to 4.3 psia

INTRODUCTION: Variables that define who we are, such as age, weight and fitness level influence the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) and venous gas emboli (VGE) from diving and aviation decompressions. We focus on age since astronauts that perform space walks are approximately 10 yr older than our test subjects. Our null hypothesis is that age is not statistically associated with the VGE outcomes from decompression to 4.3 psia. METHODS: Our data are from 7 different NASA tests where 188 men and 50 women performed light exercise at 4.3 psia for planned exposures no less than 4 h. Prebreathe (PB) time on 100% oxygen ranged from 150-270 min, including ascent time, with exercise of different intensity and length being performed during the PB in four of the seven tests with 150 min of PB. Subjects were monitored for VGE in the pulmonary artery using a Doppler ultrasound bubble detector for a 4-min period every 12 min. There were six design variables; the presence or absence of lower body adynamia and five PB variables; plus five concomitant variables on physical characteristics: age, weight height, body mass index, and gender that were available for logistic regression (LR). We used LR models for the probability of DCS and VGE, and multinomial logit (ML) models for the probability of Spencer VGE Grades 0-IV at exposure times of 61, 95, 131, 183 min, and for the entire exposure. RESULTS: Age was significantly associated with VGE in both the LR and ML models, so we reject the null hypothesis. Lower body adynamia was significant for all responses. CONCLUSIONS: Our selection of tests produced a wide range of the explanatory variables, but only age, lower body adynamia, height, and total PB time was helpful in various combinations to model the probability of DCS and VGE.

Clinical Trial↗

Development of a Thin-Film Solar Cell Interconnect for the Powersphere Concept

Dual junction amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells produced on polyimide substrate have been selected as the best candidate to produce a lightweight solar array for the PowerSphere program. The PowerSphere concept features a space-inflatable, geodetic solar array approximately 0.6 meters in diameter and capable of generating about 20W of electrical power. Trade studies of various wiring concepts and connection methods led to an interconnect design with a copper contact that wraps around the edge, to the back of the solar cell. Applying Plasma Vapor Deposited (PVD) copper film to both sides and the edge of the solar cell produces the wrap around contact. This procedure results in a contact pad on the back of the solar cell, which is then laser welded to a flex circuit material. The flex circuit is constructed of copper in a custom designed routing pattern, and then sandwiched in a Kapton insulation layer. The flex circuit then serves as the primary power distribution system between the solar cells and the spacecraft. Flex circuit material is the best candidate for the wiring harness because it allows for low force deployment of the solar cells by the inflatable hinges on the PowerSphere. An additional frame structure, fabricated and assembled by ILC Dover, will reinforce the wrap around contact-flex blanket connection, thus providing a mechanically robust solar cell interconnect for the PowerSphere multifunctional program. The PowerSphere team will use the wraparound contact design approach as the primary solution for solar cell integration and the flex blanket for power distribution.

Simburger, Edward J.↗

Ares Project Technology Assessment: Approach and Tools

Technology assessments provide a status of the development maturity of specific technologies. Along with benefit analysis, the risks the project assumes can be quantified. Normally due to budget constraints, the competing technologies are prioritized and decisions are made which ones to fund. A detailed technology development plan is produced for the selected technologies to provide a roadmap to reach the desired maturity by the project s critical design review. Technology assessments can be conducted for both technology only tasks or for product development programs. This paper is primarily biased toward the product development programs. The paper discusses the Ares Project s approach to technology assessment. System benefit analysis, risk assessment, technology prioritization, and technology readiness assessment are addressed. A description of the technology readiness level tool being used is provided.

Hueter, Uwe↗

Exploring the Use of Alfven Waves in Magnetometer Calibration at Geosynchronous Orbit

An Alfven wave is a type magnetohydrodynamicwave that travels through a conducting fluid under the influence of a magnetic field. Researchers have successfully calculated offset vectors of magnetometers in interplanetary space by optimizing the offset to maximize certain Alfvenic properties of observed waves (Leinweber, Belcher). If suitable Alfven waves can be found in the magnetosphere at geosynchronous altitude then these techniques could be used to augment the overall calibration plan for magnetometers in this region such as on the GOES spacecraft, possibly increasing the time between regular maneuvers. Calibration maneuvers may be undesirable because they disrupt the activities of other instruments. Various algorithms to calculate an offset using Alfven waves were considered. A new variation of the Davis-Smith method was derived because it can be mathematically shown that the Davis-Smith method tolerates filtered data, which expands potential applications. The variant developed was designed to find only the offset in the plane normal to the main field because the overall direction of Earth's magnetic field rarely changes, and theory suggests the Alfvenic disturbances occur transverse to the main field. Other variations of the Davis-Smith method encounter problems with data containing waves that propagate in mostly the same direction. A searching algorithm was then designed to look for periods of time with potential Alfven waves in GOES 15 data based on parameters requiring that disturbances be normal to the main field and not change field magnitude. Final waves for calculation were hand-selected. These waves produced credible two-dimensional offset vectors when input to the Davis-Smith method. Multiple two-dimensional solutions in different planes can be combined to get a measurement of the complete offset. The resulting three dimensional offset did not show sufficient precision over several years to be used as a primary calibration method, but reflected changes in the offset fairly well, suggesting that the method could be helpful in monitoring trends of the offset vector when maneuvers cannot be used.

calibration↗

Mechanical Properties and Interfacial Bonding of Overmolded Polymer Composite Lattice Structures

This study investigates the mechanical properties and interfacial bonding of Polyamide 12 filled with Glass Fiber (PA12/GF) lattice structures overmolded with Nylon 66 (PA66) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). The PA12/GF lattices, designed in Gyroid, Isotruss, and Octahedral geometries, were produced using the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technique. The thermal characteristics of both the lattice and overmolding materials were analyzed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The mechanical performance and interfacial bonding were evaluated through mechanical testing and microstructural analysis. The results indicate that overmolding improved flexural strength and impact resistance of the PA12/GF lattices. For instance, the plain PA12/GF Isotruss lattice exhibited a flexural strength of 15.5 MPa. By overmolding it with TPU the flexural strength increased by up to 137%, while PA66-overmolding resulted in an increase of 371%, achieving a flexural strength of 73 MPa. In terms of impact resistance, TPU-overmolding improved performance significantly, with an increase of 1800% (Gyroid) compared to the plain lattice. Microstructural analysis revealed good adhesion at the interface, especially when both the lattice and overmolding materials were thoroughly dried prior to the overmolding process to minimize interfacial porosity. This study highlights the potential of using overmolding to enhance lattice structures performance, offering lightweight and cost-efficient solutions for automotive applications.

Talabi, Isaac [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000340215594)↗

Resource Recovery and Environmental Protection in Wyoming’s Greater Green River Basin Using Selective Nanostructured Membranes (Final Report)

Produced water (PW) represents a sizable waste stream that is co-generated with oil and natural gas production. In 2021 Wyoming ranked 8th and 9th, respectively in domestic oil and natural gas production. In 2017 Wyoming ranked as the 4th highest generator of PW in the U.S, accounting for 7% of the total volume generated. In the context of being the 3rd most arid state in the U.S., the value of water reuse becomes obvious. PW reuse, and resource recovery, in any form requires some level of treatment to remove particulates, residual (free, dispersed) hydrocarbons, organics, and salts. The level of treatment depends on the requirements of the reuse, or resource recovery, application. PW management systems in Wyoming employ in order of volume of PW managed the following management strategies: reinjection for enhanced oil recovery, surface discharge, deep well injection, evaporation ponds (impoundments), and commercial management/treatment. Complicating treatment efforts are the relatively high concentrations of organics (natural and synthetic), dispersed/free hydrocarbons, benzene-toluene-ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) compounds, biologicals, salts, and minerals. Hydrocarbons (dispersed/dissolved crude oils) and BTEX compounds, as well as synthetic organics, present economic and environmental concerns. The former represents lost revenue, while the latter results in negative environmental impacts like emissions from surface impoundments. The overall objective of this proposal was to synthesize superhydrophilic/oleophobic and superhydrophobic/oleophilic membranes for selectively concentrating and then separating BTEX compounds and oil and grease (O&G) from PW originating from the Greater Green River Basin (GGRB) in Wyoming. Three specific research aims were pursued to accomplish this overall objective. This final report details the development of the superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic membranes, as well as the design of the membrane module prototypes specifically. The technoeconomic assessment is separately reported in another document. 1. Aim #1 – Material optimization and performance evaluation of superhydrophilic/oleophobic and superhydrophobic/oleophilic membranes made by electrospinning/spraying. 2. Aim #2 – Design and construction of cross-flow membrane modules for selectively concentrating and then separating BTEX/oil from GGRB produced water. 3. Aim #3 – Techno-economic assessment of BTEX/oil recovery, and clean water production, using superhydrophilic/oleophobic and superhydrophobic/oleophilic membrane separation for GGRB PW. Superhydrophobic membranes were synthesized by electrospinning poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers onto polyester (PET) substrates and electrospraying nano-carbon black/PVDF-HFP onto the nanofibrous layer. These membranes were characterized by high (>8000 liters per square meter per hour per bar (LMH/bar)) permeance values for pure hydrocarbon phases and a high hydrocarbon selectivity (>96%) when treating GGRB PW. All results were obtained when operating the membrane in a crossflow configuration representative of actual field operating conditions. Solvent/oil properties, specifically viscosity and total surface energy/tension, affected permeance across the membrane, which resulted in light mineral oil (394 LMH/bar) and o-xylene (1834 LMH/bar) being characterized by lower permeance values in the pure phase tests. Mixed phase fluxes between 40 to 80 LMH were obtained for the PW when operating the membrane at a feed pressure of 0.3 bar. Flux decreased as the mixed phase concentration in the feed decreased pointing to the importance of maximizing the collision efficiency between the emulsion and the membrane surface and maximizing the emulsion concentration in the feed and the turbulence within the feed channel. These tests demonstrated that the superhydrophobic membranes developed here are a viable hydrocarbon recovery method for GGRB PWs and should be pursued for testing in pilot-scale trials. Superhydrophilic membranes were successfully synthesized via electrospinning/spraying using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers as a base nanofibrous matrix. Integration of polyaniline (PANI) into the nanofibrous matrix produced a superior membrane, for water filtration applications, relative to PAN alone and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) when integrated into the nanofibrous matrix. This conclusion was based on the PANI-PAN resistance to flux loss (fouling) when treating model solvent/oil solutions representative of GGRB PWs and field collected PW from the GGRB. The synthesized PAN membranes outperformed a commercially available PAN membrane designed for oil/water separation. This finding indicates that the surface chemical and physical characteristics of the electrospun membranes presents improved properties for filtration of challenging waters like GGRB PWs. The electrospun membranes therefore show promise overall as a substitute for conventionally polymerized membranes in PW treatment applications. The PANI-PAN membrane specifically presents superior performance characteristics for concentration O&G prior to treatment by the hydrocarbon recovery membrane and producing high-quality filtrate for reuse and/or additional treatment (desalination).

02 PETROLEUM↗

Data selection techniques in the interpretation of MAGSAT data over Australia

The MAGSAT data require critical selection in order to produce a self-consistent data set suitable for map construction and subsequent interpretation. Interactive data selection techniques are described which involve the use of a special-purpose profile-oriented data base and a colour graphics display. The careful application of these data selection techniques permits validation every data value and ensures that the best possible self-consistent data set is being used to construct the maps of the magnetic field measured at satellite altitudes over Australia.

Johnson, B. D.↗

Mechanistic insights into carbon–carbon coupling on NiAu and PdAu single-atom alloys

Carbon–carbon coupling is an important step in many catalytic reactions, and performing sp 3 –sp 3 carbon–carbon coupling heterogeneously is particularly challenging. It has been reported that PdAu single-atom alloy (SAA) model catalytic surfaces are able to selectively couple methyl groups, producing ethane from methyl iodide. In this work, we extend this study to NiAu SAAs and find that Ni atoms in Au are active for C–I cleavage and selective sp 3 –sp 3 carbon–carbon coupling to produce ethane. Furthermore, we perform ab initio kinetic Monte Carlo simulations that include the effect of the iodine atom, which was previously considered a bystander species. We find that model NiAu surfaces exhibit a similar chemistry to PdAu, but the reason for the similarity is due to the role the iodine atoms play in terms of blocking the Ni atom active sites. Specifically, on NiAu SAAs, the iodine atoms outcompete the methyl groups for occupancy of the Ni sites leaving the Me groups on Au, while on PdAu SAAs, the binding strengths of methyl groups and iodine atoms at the Pd atom active site are more similar. These simulations shed light on the mechanism of this important sp 3 –sp 3 carbon–carbon coupling chemistry on SAAs. Furthermore, we discuss the effect of the iodine atoms on the reaction energetics and make an analogy between the effect of iodine as an active site blocker on this model heterogeneous catalyst and homogeneous catalysts in which ligands must detach in order for the active site to be accessed by the reactants.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Methane Remediation using Biocatalysts in Gas-Solid Reactor – Challenges and Prospects

One of the engineering grand challenges of the 21 st century is to develop carbon sequestration methods due to human activities. Carbon dioxide and methane are the two most abundant greenhouse gases with methane having a higher global warming potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide. Methanotrophs are a time of bacteria that consumes methane and can produce different kinds of organic acids. Wild methanotrophs produce a range of products and can be specifically selected and genetically engineered to produce a specific product. Improvement of bioreactor design for a solid-gas mass transfer is necessary for this technology to move forward. Poor solubility of methane requires high energy input for the conversion of methane. This paper reviews some relevant technology in bioreactor design of gas and liquid/solid interfaces and describes the scope of the project here at LLNL and the objectives it seeks to achieve in the geometric design of reactor of methanotroph.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Predictive Features of a Cockpit Traffic Display: A Workload Assessment

Eighteen pilots flew a series of traffic avoidance maneuvers in an experiment designed to assess the support offered and workload imposed by different levels of traffic display information in a free flight simulation. Three display prototypes were compared which differed in traffic information provided. A BASELINE (BL) display provided current and (2nd order) predicted information regarding ownship and current information of an intruder aircraft, represented on lateral and vertical displays in a coplanar suite. An INTRUDER PREDICTOR (IP) display, augmented the baseline display by providing lateral and vertical prediction of the intruder aircraft. A THREAT VECTOR (TV) display added to the IP display a vector that indicates the direction from ownship to the intruder at the predicted point of closest contact (POCC). The length of the vector corresponds to the radius of the protected zone, and the distance of the intersection of the vector with ownship predictor, corresponds to the time available till POCC or loss of separation. Pilots time shared the traffic avoidance task with a secondary task requiring them to monitor the top of the display for faint targets. This task simulated the visual demands of out-of-cockpit scanning, and hence was used to estimate the head-down time required by the different display formats. The results revealed that both display augmentations improved performance (safety) as assessed by predicted and actual loss of separation (i.e., penetration of the protected zone). Both enhancements also reduced workload, as assessed by the NASA TLX scale. The intruder predictor display produced these benefits with no substantial impact on the qualitative nature of the avoidance maneuvers that were selected. The threat vector produced the safety benefits by inducing a greater degree of (effective) lateral maneuvering, thus partially offsetting the benefits of reduced workload. The three displays did not differ in terms of their effect on performance of the monitoring task, used to infer head-down time, nor in the extent of vertical or airspeed maneuvering. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for 19 cognitive engineering design features.

Wickens, Christopher D.↗

One Step Block-like Copolymers from an Upcycled Monomer Using Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Block-like copolymers can be readily synthesized in one step using monomers with widely separated reactivity ratios. Here, we show that trans,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene (CDT), produced from polybutadiene via cyclodepolymerization (CDP), undergoes gradient copolymerization via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with a selected norbornene monomer to produce a block-like copolymer that exhibits bulk nanophase separation and excellent thermomechanical performance. These data highlight a new ROMP copolymerization system with a sharp compositional drift and introduce a simple pathway to convert waste plastic into a valuable building block for high-value thermoplastic materials.

block copolymer↗

Selective dehydra-decyclization of cyclic ethers to conjugated dienes over zirconia

ZrO 2 provides high selectivity (>90%) to conjugated pentadienes through the dehydra-decyclization of C-5 cyclic ethers, even at high conversions. 1,3-Pentadiene was the major product in both reaction of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran over ZrO 2 . The reaction of 3-methyltetrahydrofuran produced nearly stoichiometric amounts of isoprene. Other catalysts, including TiO 2 , γ-Al 2 O 3 , and H-ZSM-5, were generally much less selective and produced a mixture of diene isomers. A combination of TPD and steady-state measurements revealed that both piperylenes are exclusively produced through primary catalytic pathways from 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, avoiding any isomerization once formed. First-principle calculations on ZrO 2 imply the presence of an energetically favored, surface isomerization of ring-opened intermediates to conjugated alkenolates that selectively dehydrate to conjugated dienes, providing high selectivity to the desired products. Finally, the stabilization of the conjugated alkenolate is key for understanding the ability of ZrO 2 to selectively produce conjugated dienes from cyclic ethers, without the need for the thermo-limited diene isomerization.

1,3 -pentadiene↗

Potential defect structure effects in the volatility separation of sub-picogram quantities of fission and activation products from an irradiated UO2 matrix

Here, the use of fluorination as a rapid separation technique for quantification of trace-mass, short-lived isotopes is illustrated. Single crystal 238 UO 2 was exposed to a 14 MeV neutron source to produce mixed fission and activation products. Selective removal of trace volatile fluorides from non-volatile ones produced two results of interest. A decrease in background produced better detection and quantification of select analytes across the gamma spectrum. Second, at the very low burnup condition described, the volatility behaviors of common isotopes were altered relative to their well-established behaviors in higher burnup metal and metal oxide fuels.

Fission and activation product separations↗

Diacylglycerol enantiomer selectivity of diacylglycerol acyltransferases highlights metabolic specialization in triacylglycerol synthesis across the tree of life

Triacylglycerols are the major energy storage lipids in plants, animals, and microorganisms, and are predominantly produced by acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol (DAG) acyltransferases (DGATs). Two enantiomers of the DAG substrate, sn -1,2 and sn -2,3, can be produced by different biological mechanisms; however, little is known about which species produce each enantiomer, the selectivity of DGAT isoforms for either enantiomer, or whether DGAT enantiomer selectivity varies across organisms. Here, DAG enantiomer selectivity of DGAT1 and DGAT2 was measured from eight seed plants, two mammals, one oleaginous yeast, and one photosynthetic microalga using enantiomer-specific in vitro DGAT assays. Across most plants, DGAT1 favored sn -1,2-DAG, whereas DGAT2 preferentially utilized sn -2,3-DAG. However, there were several exceptions. Mammalian DGAT1, DGAT2, and microbial DGAT1s efficiently used both DAG enantiomers, while microbial DGAT2s had unique selectivity. The selectivity of several DGATs for combined acyl-CoA and DAG enantiomer molecular species were also evaluated for biotechnical applications. Therefore, DGAT DAG enantiomer selectivity is common yet strongly dependent on lineage and isoform and likely shaped in part by species-specific metabolic context of triacylglycerol synthesis, turnover, and remodeling. This work expands our understanding of DGAT function and establishes a foundation for leveraging enantiomer-selective acyltransferases in metabolic engineering of tailored lipid products.

Arabidopsis thaliana↗