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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Coffee-can-sized spacecraft

The current status and potential scientific applications of intelligent 1-5-kg projectiles being developed by SDIO and DARPA for military missions are discussed. The importance of advanced microelectronics for such small spacecraft is stressed, and it is pointed out that both chemical rockets and EM launchers are currently under consideration for these lightweight exoatmospheric projectiles (LEAPs). Long-duration power supply is identified as the primary technological change required if LEAPs are to be used for interplanetary scientific missions, and the design concept of a solar-powered space-based railgun to accelerate LEAPs on such missions is considered.

Jones, Ross M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Workflow to Optimize Fast Neutron Irradiation in A Thermal Neutron Spectrum Test Reactor Leveraging Open-Source Tools

The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) located at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is one of the key nuclear engineering research and testing facilities within the US Department of Energy (DOE). The ATR is one of few high-power research reactors in the world with different application including accelerated testing of nuclear fuel, materials irradiation in a very high neutron flux environment, and medical radioisotope production [1]. Also, the ATR offers opportunities for testing fast spectrum fission and fusion reactor materials. The key challenges in this area are in further detailing and optimizing a fast spectrum environment within a thermal test reactor. This challenge involves researching, developing, and testing novel concepts for the multiplying of neutron populations into ever higher energy spectra in high flux test reactors like ATR. The main objective of this work is to investigate candidate materials for establishing a fast neutron experiment irradiation in thermal neutron spectrum test reactors which can be accomplished by filtering thermal and epithermal neutrons and boosting fast neutrons at designated irradiation positions. However, adding these filters will render the neutron spectrum and the criticality of the system. The selection of the thickness and material layers should be accomplished by developing an optimization design algorithm that is applicable for ATR to enhance the fast neutron spectrum irradiation utilizing high-fidelity Monte Carlo methods along with advanced machine learning capabilities. This paper presents workflow for design optimization to enhance fast neutron irradiation in the ATR. The workflow leverages open-source tools to develop an algorithm that is viable to ATR and can be leveraged in other reactors. The following sections discuss the development of the experiment design optimization workflow and its application to ATR irradiation positions.

42 - ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Monolithic ATF MiniFuel Sample Capsules Ready for HFIR Insertion

Several advanced nuclear fuel concepts are being considered throughout the nuclear industry. Implementation of these concepts could increase accident tolerance or enhance performance beyond the capabilities of the UO₂-based nuclear fuel currently in use. Qualification and deployment of any new fuel requires rigorous irradiation testing to demonstrate performance under representative normal and off-normal operating conditions. The traditional approach for qualifying new fuels requires exhaustive execution of many integral fuel tests. However, due to the long timeframe for executing these integral tests and the limited number of available materials test reactors, this approach is becoming impractical. To accelerate fuel qualification, Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed the MiniFuel irradiation vehicle for use in conducting accelerated separate effects irradiation testing of a wide range of nuclear fuel materials in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). The first MiniFuel irradiations performed in the facility tested sol gel–derived uranium nitride kernels and tristructural isotropic (TRISO)-coated particle fuels. This report describes the preparation and assembly of the first set of monolithic MiniFuel irradiations conducted to support accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) development and accelerated fuel qualification. Two irradiation targets containing a variety of UO₂ and U₃Si₂ disk fuel specimens were fabricated and assembled for irradiation to burnups of 8-10 and 28-40 MWd/kg U. The target irradiation temperature is 450-550°C. Irradiation of U₃Si₂ will provide new data regarding the irradiation performance of a candidate ATF to complement current ATF-1 integral experiments being performed in the Advanced Test Reactor. UO₂ samples were included as a reference so that the results from the MiniFuel experiments can be compared with the extensive UO₂ fuel performance database. The monolithic MiniFuel capsules were successfully assembled, welded, and tested per HFIR requirements and are ready for insertion into the reactor. Pictures of the assembly process are included in this report. The experiment is planned for insertion into the HFIR during cycle 487 in April 2020.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Direct integration of atomic precision advanced manufacturing into middle-of-line silicon fabrication

Atomic precision advanced manufacturing (APAM) dopes silicon with enough carriers to change its electronic structure and can be used to create novel devices by defining metallic regions whose boundaries have single-atom abruptness. Incompatibility with the thermal and lithography process requirements for gated silicon transistor manufacturing have inhibited exploration of both how APAM can enhance CMOS performance and how transistor manufacturing steps can accelerate the discovery of new APAM device concepts. In this work, we introduce an APAM process that enables direct integration into the middle of a transistor manufacturing workflow. We show that a process that combines sputtering and annealing with a hardmask preserves a defining characteristic of APAM, a doping density far in excess of the solid solubility limit, while trading another, the atomic precision, for compatibility with manufacturing. The electrical characteristics of a chip combining a transistor with an APAM resistor show that the APAM module has only affected the transistor through the addition of a resistance and not by altering the transistor. This proof-of-concept demonstration also outlines the requirements and limitations of a unified APAM tool, which could be introduced into manufacturing environments, greatly expanding access to this technology and inspiring a new generation of devices with it.

Chemical vapor deposition↗
DOE OSTI2026

Optical stochastic cooling at Fermilab’s IOTA ring

Stochastic cooling (SC) constitutes one of the greatest conceptual and technological achievements in particle beam cooling. Numerous SC systems have been built in the microwave regime and used to extend the science reach of accelerator facilities worldwide. The ability to sense and correct the particle ensemble using high-bandwidth feedback systems is at the core of the concept. Here, we describe the first realization of SC at optical frequencies and bandwidths. The demonstration was recently carried out at Fermilab’s integrable optics test accelerator (IOTA) storage ring using the transit-time method of optical stochastic cooling (OSC) and achieved an integrated system bandwidth of approximately 20 THz, which is more than 2000 times that of conventional SC systems. This demonstration establishes the foundation for more advanced OSC experiments with high-gain amplification, currently underway at Fermilab, and the eventual application of OSC to colliders and other accelerator facilities.

Jarvis, Jonathan D. [Fermilab]↗
NASA NTRS1980

Conceptual design study of an improved gas turbine powertrain

The conceptual design for an improved gas turbine (IGT) powertrain and vehicle was investigated. Cycle parameters, rotor systems, and component technology were reviewed and a dual rotor gas turbine concept was selected and optimized for best vehicle fuel economy. The engine had a two stage centrifugal compressor with a design pressure ratio of 5.28, two axial turbine stages with advanced high temperature alloy integral wheels, variable power turbine nozzle for turbine temperature and output torque control, catalytic combustor, and annular ceramic recuperator. The engine was rated at 54.81 kW, using water injection on hot days to maintain vehicle acceleration. The estimated vehicle fuel economy was 11.9 km/l in the combined driving cycle, 43 percent over the 1976 compact automobile. The estimated IGT production vehicle selling price was 10 percent over the comparable piston engine vehicle, but the improved fuel economy and reduced maintenance and repair resulted in a 9 percent reduction in life cycle cost.

Chapman, W. I.↗
NASA NTRS2003

High End Computing Technologies for Earth Science Applications: Trends, Challenges, and Innovations

Earth science applications of the future will stress the capabilities of even the highest performance supercomputers in the areas of raw compute power, mass storage management, and software environments. These NASA mission critical problems demand usable multi-petaflops and exabyte-scale systems to fully realize their science goals. With an exciting vision of the technologies needed, NASA has established a comprehensive program of advanced research in computer architecture, software tools, and device technology to ensure that, in partnership with US industry, it can meet these demanding requirements with reliable, cost effective, and usable ultra-scale systems. NASA will exploit, explore, and influence emerging high end computing architectures and technologies to accelerate the next generation of engineering, operations, and discovery processes for NASA Enterprises. This article captures this vision and describes the concepts, accomplishments, and the potential payoff of the key thrusts that will help meet the computational challenges in Earth science applications.

Parks, John↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advancing Open Source Science Initiatives Through Public-Private Partnerships

Collaboration is fundamental to advancing open science within the science community. With the recent developments in technology and research, the establishment of formal partnerships between the private sector and government agencies are needed to bridge the knowledge gaps and expedite the time to actionable science. NASA’s Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) seeks to address this challenge by establishing non-reimbursable Space Act Agreements with industry leaders in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The purpose of these agreements is to advance open source science initiatives in the areas of data discovery, access and use of high value NASA science data sets on the cloud. As well as, jointly work on common research problems to accelerate the development and adoption of new AI technologies. Current success stories include co-locating NASA datasets from multiple science disciplines on one platform using Amazon Web Services Open Data Registry, developing AI Foundation Models for Science with IBM and co-hosting training workshops and tutorials for the science community aimed at providing hands-on experience with using NASA data and AI models on the cloud. In summary, we will present an overview of our partnerships supporting open source science initiatives, describe current activities and lessons learned that may be useful to others considering similar partnerships with the private sector.

Elizabeth Fancher↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Future of Safety Management

As the pace of aviation evolution accelerates, our approach to safety and risk management needs to evolve to cover expanded current day operations as well as participants not traditionally included in the airspace. To assure safety of an increasingly complex aviation system it is essential to leverage new processes and techniques that can more quickly identify and respond to emerging risks. The concept of an In-Time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) presents an advanced SMS framework designed to enable integrated safety management and assurance. To assure safety of future aviation operations and technologies, advanced SMS concepts must be designed such that they can evolve to keep pace as aviation continues to change and as new safety and risk management tools and techniques emerge.

safety↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modern and Future Colliders

Since the initial development of charged particle colliders in the middle of the 20th century, these advanced scientific instruments have been at the forefront of scientific discoveries in high energy physics over the past 60 years. Collider accelerator technology and beam physics have progressed immensely and modern facilities now operate at energies and luminosities many orders of magnitude greater than the pioneering colliders of the early 1960s. In addition, the field of colliders remains extremely dynamic and continues to develop many innovative approaches. Indeed, several novel concepts are currently being considered for designing and constructing even more powerful future colliders. In this paper, we first review the colliding beam method and the history of colliders, and then present, in detail, the major achievements of operational machines and the key features of near-term collider projects that are currently under development. We conclude with an analysis of numerous proposals and studies for far-future colliders. The evaluation of their respective potentials reveals tantalizing prospects for further significant breakthroughs in the collider field.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Wind farm flow control: prospects and challenges

Abstract. Wind farm control has been a topic of research for more than two decades. It has been identified as a core component of grand challenges in wind energy science to support accelerated wind energy deployment and to transition to a clean and sustainable energy system for the 21st century. The prospect of collective control of wind turbines in an array, to increase energy extraction, reduce structural loads, improve the balance of systems, reduce operation and maintenance costs, etc. has inspired many researchers over the years to propose innovative ideas and solutions. However, practical demonstration and commercialization of some of the more advanced concepts has been limited by a wide range of challenges, which include the complex physics of turbulent flows in wind farms and the atmosphere, uncertainties related to predicting structural load and failure statistics, and the highly multi-disciplinary nature of the overall design optimization problem, among others. In the current work, we aim at providing a comprehensive overview of the state of the art and outstanding challenges, thus identifying the key research areas that could further enable commercial uptake and success of wind farm control solutions. To this end, we have structured the discussion on challenges and opportunities into four main areas: (1) insight in control flow physics, (2) algorithms and AI, (3) validation and industry implementation, and (4) integrating control with system design (co-design).

Meyers, Johan (ORCID:0000000228284397)↗
NASA NTRS1991

An advanced hypervelocity aerophysics facility - A ground-based flight-test range

The paper discusses a concept for a ground-based flight-test facility, a large aeroballistic range capable of launching models large enough to permit the installation of significant amounts of onboard instrumentation. The large model size would also provide thick shock/boundary layers, thus providing the opportunity to measure flow-field properties via advanced offboard diagnostics. Current fabrication technology should permit the construction of a two-stage light-gas gun capable of accelerating 20 to 25 cm diameter models to velocities on the order of 6 km/sec. An electromagnetic launcher or a ram accelerator is considered as a potential means for achieving larger model sizes and/or greater launch velocities. Possible methods for obtaining and recording data are discussed as are the test chamber and model deceleration section requirements.

Witcofski, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Bringing an Effective Solar Sail Design Toward TRL 6

Solar sails reflect photons streaming from the sun and convert some of the energy into thrust. This thrust, though small, is continuous and acts for the life of the mission without the need for propellant ( I ) . Recent advances in sail materials and ultra-low mass structures have enabled a host of useful missions utilizing solar sail propulsion. The team of L Garde, Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Ball Aerospace, and Langley Research Center, under the direction of NASA, has been developing a solar sail configuration to address NASA s future space propulsion needs. Utilizing inflatably deployed and Sub Tg rigidized boom components, this 10,000 sq m sailcraft achieves an areal density of 14.1 g/sq m and a characteristic acceleration of 0.58 mm/s . The entire configuration released by the upper stage has a mass of 232.9 kg and requires just 1.7 d of volume in the booster. After deployment, 92.2 kg of non-flight required equipment is jettisoned resulting in a sailcraft mass, including payload and control system, of 140.7 kg. This document outlines the accomplishments of a Phase 1 effort to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of the concept from 3 toward a TRL of 6. The Phase 1 effort, the first of three proposed phases, addressed the design of the solar sail, its application to several missions currently under review at NASA, and developed a ground tes plan to bring the technology toward a TRL of 6.

Lichodziejewski, David↗
NASA NTRS2002

Advanced Metallic Thermal Protection System Development

A new Adaptable, Robust, Metallic, Operable, Reusable (ARMOR) thermal protection system (TPS) concept has been designed, analyzed, and fabricated. In addition to the inherent tailorable robustness of metallic TPS, ARMOR TPS offers improved features based on lessons learned from previous metallic TPS development efforts. A specific location on a single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicle was selected to develop loads and requirements needed to design prototype ARMOR TPS panels. The design loads include ascent and entry heating rate histories, pressures, acoustics, and accelerations. Additional TPS design issues were identified and discussed. An iterative sizing procedure was used to size the ARMOR TPS panels for thermal and structural loads as part of an integrated TPS/cryogenic tank structural wall. The TPS panels were sized to maintain acceptable temperatures on the underlying structure and to operate under the design structural loading. Detailed creep analyses were also performed on critical components of the ARMOR TPS panels. A lightweight, thermally compliant TPS support system (TPSS) was designed to connect the TPS to the cryogenic tank structure. Four 18-inch-square ARMOR TPS panels were fabricated. Details of the fabrication process are presented. Details of the TPSS for connecting the ARMOR TPS panels to the externally stiffened cryogenic tank structure are also described. Test plans for the fabricated hardware are presented.

Blosser, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Single stage, low noise advanced technology fan. Volume 3: Acoustic design

The acoustic design for a half-scale fan vehicle, which would have application on an advanced transport aircraft, is described. The single stage advanced technology fan was designed to a pressure ratio of 1.8 at a tip speed of 503 m/sec (1,650 ft/sec). The two basic approaches taken in the acoustic design were: (1) minimization of noise at the source, and (2) suppression of the generated noise in the inlet and bypass exhaust duct. Suppression of the generated noise is accomplished in the inlet through use of the hybrid concept (wall acoustic treatment plus airflow acceleration suppression) and in the exhaust duct with extensive acoustic treatment including a splitter. The goal of the design was attainment of twenty effective perceived noise decibels (20 EPNdB) below current Federal Air Regulation noise standards for a full-scale fan at the takeoff, cutback, and approach conditions. Predicted unsuppressed and suppressed fore and aft maximum perceived noise levels indicate that the cutback condition is the most critical with respect to the goal, which is probably unattainable for that condition. This is also true for aft radiated noise in the approach condition.

Kazin, S. B.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electrolyte-phobic Surface for the Next-Generation Nanostructured Battery Electrodes

Nanostructured electrodes are among the most important candidates rationally designed to enable high capacity battery chemistry. Nanostructures can solve issues such as the volume change and mechanical fragmentations. However, the high surface area they usually possess would decrease the Coulombic efficiencies, since the side chemical reactions scale with surface area. Moreover, electrodes comprised of nanomaterials have significant intakes of liquid electrolytes, which reduces the overall energy density and increases the cost of the battery. Here we present a new strategy of limiting effective surface area by introducing an “electrolyte-phobic surface”. In this study, a porous Si anode functions as a model material to demonstrate this concept. Silicon boasts high theoretical capacity, but experiences large volume change during its lithiation and delithiation processes. Porous Si can address this volume change problem with the buffer effect of its inner pores. However, porous silicon shows low initial Coulombic efficiencies and high irreversible lithium loss, owing to its intrinsic high surface area. In this report, a covalently linked perfluorinated surface coating layer on porous Si particles serves as an electrolyte-phobic protection layer, minimizing the accessible surface area for the electrolytes, decreasing the side reactions between the electrolyte and Si surface, and thus significantly enhancing the initial Coulombic efficiencies, up to ~88% compared to ~60% for the pristine porous silicon. Meanwhile, the electrolyte-phobic protection layer of Si particles keeps the silicon surface compatible with the conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder, which helps to stabilize the Si electrode for long-term battery cycling.

Qian, Chenxi↗
NASA NTRS2001

Accomplishments of the Advanced Reusable Technologies (ART) RBCC Project at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center

The focus of the NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Advanced Reusable Technologies (ART) project is to advance and develop Rocket-Based Combined-Cycle (RBCC) technologies. The ART project began in 1996 as part of the Advanced Space Transportation Program (ASTP). The project is composed of several activities including RBCC engine ground testing, tool development, vehicle / mission studies, and component testing / development. The major contractors involved in the ART project are Aerojet and Rocketdyne. A large database of RBCC ground test data was generated for the air-augmented rocket (AAR), ramjet, scramjet, and ascent rocket modes of operation for both the Aerojet and Rocketdyne concepts. Transition between consecutive modes was also demonstrated as well as trajectory simulation. The Rocketdyne freejet tests were conducted at GASL in the Flight Acceleration Simulation Test (FAST) facility. During a single test, the FAST facility is capable of simulating both the enthalpy and aerodynamic conditions over a range of Mach numbers in a flight trajectory. Aerojet performed freejet testing in the Pebble Bed facility at GASL as well as direct-connect testing at GASL. Aerojet also performed sea-level static (SLS) testing at the Aerojet A-Zone facility in Sacramento, CA. Several flight-type flowpath components were developed under the ART project. Aerojet designed and fabricated ceramic scramjet injectors. The structural design of the injectors will be tested in a simulated scramjet environment where thermal effects and performance will be assessed. Rocketdyne will be replacing the cooled combustor in the A5 rig with a flight-weight combustor that is near completion. Aerojet's formed duct panel is currently being fabricated and will be tested in the SLS rig in Aerojet's A-Zone facility. Aerojet has already successfully tested a cooled cowl panel in the same facility. In addition to MSFC, other NASA centers have contributed to the ART project as well. Inlet testing and parametrics were performed at NASA / Glenn Research Center (GRC) and NASA / Langley Research Center (LaRC) for both the Aerojet and Rocketdyne concepts. LaRC conducted an Air-Breathing Launch Vehicle (ABLV) study for several vehicle concepts with RBCC propulsion systems. LaRC is also performing a CFD analysis of the ramjet mode for both flowpaths based on GASL test conditions. A study was performed in 1999 to investigate the feasibility of performing an RBCC flight test on the NASA / Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) SR-71 aircraft. Academia involvement in the ART project includes parametric RBCC flowpath testing by Pennsylvania State University (PSU). In addition to thrust and wall static pressure measurements, PSU is also using laser diagnostics to analyze the flowfield in the test rig. MSFC is performing CFD analysis of the PSU rig at select test conditions for model baseline and validation. Also, Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) conducted a vision vehicle study using the Aerojet RBCC concept. Overall, the ART project has been very successful in advancing RBCC technology. Along the way, several major milestones were achieved and "firsts" accomplished. For example, under the ART project, the first dynamic trajectory simulation testing was performed and the Rocketdyne engine A5 logged over one hour of accumulated test time. The next logical step is to develop and demonstrate a flight-weight RBCC engine system.

Nelson, Karl W.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Science of Scale-Up: Accelerating chemical manufacturing technology development workshop report

The Science of Scale-Up: Accelerating chemical manufacturing technology development workshop report outlines key insights and actionable recommendations for accelerating the scale-up of disruptive chemical manufacturing technologies. Convened in October 2024, the workshop brought together approximately fifty experts from academia, industry, national laboratories, and government agencies to address the barriers and solutions for maturing technologies from proof-of-concept to commercialization. The report identifies seven critical themes for enabling faster scale-up. These themes were explored through general discussions and breakout sessions focused on three specific chemical manufacturing technologies—electrochemical, thermochemical, and biological conversion processes. The findings emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, robust funding mechanisms, and shared resources to overcome technical barriers and accelerate technology deployment. The report also highlights technology-specific challenges and opportunities, including the need for advanced materials, scalable manufacturing processes, and integrated testing environments. For electrochemical manufacturing processes, durability and material optimization are key priorities, while thermochemical processes require novel reactor designs and better supply chain integration. Biological conversion processes face hurdles in strain engineering, reactor design, and process integration. Across all technologies, the workshop emphasized the importance of leveraging computational tools, standardized protocols, and collaborative networks to address knowledge gaps and technical barriers. By acting on these insights, stakeholders can reduce the timeline for scaling up critical chemical manufacturing technologies, ensuring their timely impact on manufacturing competitiveness, and environmental sustainability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗