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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
DOE OSTI2021

Ka-band linearizer for the Ultra-Compact X-ray free-electron laser at UCLA

There is a strong demand for accelerating structures able to achieve higher gradients and more compact dimensions for the next generation of linear accelerators for research, industrial and medical applications. Notably innovative technologies will permit compact and affordable advanced accelerators as the linear collider and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with accelerating gradients over twice the value achieved with current technologies. In particular XFELs are able to produce coherent X-ray pulses with peak brightness 10 orders of magnitude greater than preceding approaches, which has revolutionized numerous research fields through imaging of the nanoscopic world at the time and length scale of atom-based systems, that is of femtosecond and Angstrom. There is a strong interest for combining these two fields, to form a proper tool with the goal of producing a very compact XFEL in order to investigate multi-disciplinary topics in chemistry, biology, materials science, medicine and physics. In the framework of the Ultra-Compact XFEL project under study at the University of California, Los Angeles, a high gradient radio-frequency accelerating structure for the longitudinal phase-space linearization with an integrated voltage of at least 15 MV working on 6th harmonic of the main Linac frequency is required. We here present the electromagnetic design of a cryogenic normal-conducting 8 cm long Ka-band standing-wave linearizer working on π mode with a target accelerating gradient beyond 100 MV/m. The studies have been performed analytically and numerically to investigate the beam dynamics and electromagnetic issues.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

SEM Grid Testing at NLCTA in BeamNetUS Program

We report on the performance of a secondary electron monitor (SEM) grid used to measure the transverse profile of an MeV range electron beam at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory’s Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA) facility. When inserted into the path of the electron beam, secondary electron emission results in a measurable current on the wires that make up the grid. We present measurements using this technique to reconstruct the beam profile. The SEM grid was designed and manufactured by a team of undergraduate students at Harvey Mudd College (HMC) and was tested at SLAC’s NLCTA facility in collaboration with NCLTA staff as part of the BeamNetUS program. Developed for real-time diagnostics of MeV-range electron beams, this SEM grid has potential applications in both industrial and medical contexts.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electron scattering processes: fundamentals, challenges, advances, and opportunities

Much effort has been devoted to describing qualitatively and quantitatively electron scattering processes due to their ever-increasing importance in many industrial and medical applications. We present achievements made in the last years, focusing on some of the advancements and recent progress in the field. Particular reference is made on concrete case studies to probe the level of accord in cross-section data obtained from experiments and theory, as well as on selected instrumentation developments to probe dynamics of dissociative processes induced by electron impact. We stress that the purpose of this colloquium paper is not to be a comprehensive review but rather to provide a snapshot of different research topics in electron scattering by pointing out certain challenges and, therefore, indicating opportunities to facilitate further experimental and theoretical work.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ion Channel Laser Based on Direct Laser Acceleration of a Shaped Beam Driver (Final Technical Report)

The main focus of our research was to understand the synergies between an electron bunch and a laser pulse when the two co-propagate through the plasma. We have clearly demonstrated using theoretical and computational modeling that the propagation distance of both the bunch and the laser pulse could be extended. The ability of the combined bunch/pulse system to extend the propagation distance and the size of the plasma bubble enables highly-efficient sources of relativistic electrons. As pointed out by the Plasma Decadal Study, such electron sources can be used for generating extremely bright x-rays for a variety of applications can serve as probes and diagnostics for other plasma experiments: high energy density (HED) sciences, inertial confinement fusion (ICF), and potentially Fusion Materials and Technology (FM&T). Development of advanced diagnostics of plasma-based accelerators is yet another key area identified by recent reports. Even broader security and medical applications of compact accelerator-based radiation sources, such as very high energy electron (VHEE) sources for FLASH radiobiology, have been identified by a recent multi-agency panel. A number of key technical issues were considered and successfully resolved during the course of the grant. Those include: beam loading effect of both the driver and witness bunches on the wake, laser channeling by the bunch, and the direct laser acceleration (DLA) of the driver bunch by the laser pulse. To demonstrate clear synergy, we were able to ascertain that the total energy gain of a witness bunch in the wake of the combined bunch/laser complex is large than the sum of the energy gains in the wake of the laser pulse alone, and the driver bunch alone. We have also demonstrated that not only the energy gain is improved, but the energy spread is not sacrificed. To carry out these simulations, we have to develop a range of in-house computational tools, including a fully-3D code WAND-PIC.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS2021

AIAA Ascend 2021 Conference On Demand Manufacturing of Electronics Panel Abstract

1. Session Proposal o Session Title NASA’s In Space Manufacturing and the On Demand Manufacturing of Electronics o Session Topic Primary -- Space Logistics, Autonomy, and Robotics; Secondary – Transformative Research and Technologies o Session Format: Panel Discussion. o Requested Session Duration: 60 minutes o Short Session Description: The goal of NASA’s On Demand Manufacturing of Electronics project is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a low-gravity, on-demand manufacturing system for flexible hybrid electronic devices on the International Space Station. This panel will feature several key collaborators and team members from the commercial sector, academia, and internal to NASA, each of which are contributing an unique and vital role to the design and implementation of this new technology system. o Extended Session Description (Please describe in detail the activity proposed, including how you intend to use the requested session duration. This session description will be provided to the reviewers for consideration and will not be displayed in the online agenda.): The session will be moderated by Curtis Hill, the Project Lead for the On Demand Manufacturing of Electronics (ODME), and he will start by giving a brief introduction to the ODME project which is working to produce a demo system for the manufacturing of electronic devices on the International Space Station. Panelists consisting of collaborators and team members to the ODME project will then give a brief (~5 min) introduction highlighting their contributions to the project, followed by time for Q&A from the audience. The panel will consist of: 1. Kenneth Church, nScrypt. nScrypt is a leader in multi-material printing with a modular system that incorporates a direct write thick film print head, a polymer fused filament fabrication print head, a laser sintering attachment, a drill head attachment for milling, and a pick and place. The system can print a layer and scan for accuracy of prints. The combination of multiple print heads and scanning allows for the on-demand production of intricate electronic components. 2. Andy Kurk, TechShot, Inc. Techshot, Inc. has collaborated extensively with NASA on the in space manufacturing of both printed electronics and fused metal materials. They are currently working to develop and integrate a test system for printed electronics, and a flight demonstration on the International Space Station is anticipated in 2024. 3. Ed Hendricks, NextFlex. NextFlex has the goal of advancing the manufacture of flexible hybrid electronics in the U.S. They are working with ODME on the development of AstroSense, an additively manufactured, wireless, flexible, and wearable health sensor. 4. Dr. Pradeep Lall, Auburn University. Professor Lall is the MacFarlane Endowed Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering with a Courtesy Joint Appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Courtesy Joint Appointment in the Department of Finance. He is collaborating with NASA’s ODME project to develop multilayer printable devices and to develop techniques to test the quality of a printed electronic device. 5. Dr. Wei Gao, California Institute of Technology. Professor Gao is an Assistant Professor of Medical Engineering. His group is developing fully printed, flexible, and wearable biosensors for crew health monitoring in collaboration with NASA’s ODME project. In addition, they are working on using sweat to power biofuel cells for wearable, self-powered electronic devices. 6. Beth Paquette, NASA Goddard. The ODME branch at NASA Goddard is spearheading a sounding rocket flight demo to prove the capability of a printed electronic device with multiple sensors. In addition, they focus on thin film and flexible energy storage evaluations. o Session Goal(s)/Outcome(s): Please list the learning objectives and/or tangible outcomes (technical paper or other publication). The goal of this session is to highlight the internal and collaborative efforts of NASA’s On Demand Manufacturing of Electronics project to develop a system for printing electronics that will be tested on the International Space Station in 2024. In addition, the session with facilitate discussion with the community on the state of the art of printable electronics, current challenges, and new avenues for collaboration.

Jennifer McInnis Jones↗
DOE OSTI2020

Wearable radio-frequency sensing of respiratory rate, respiratory volume, and heart rate

Abstract Many health diagnostic systems demand noninvasive sensing of respiratory rate, respiratory volume, and heart rate with high user comfort. Previous methods often require multiple sensors, including skin-touch electrodes, tension belts, or nearby off-the-body readers, and hence are uncomfortable or inconvenient. This paper presents an over-clothing wearable radio-frequency sensor study, conducted on 20 healthy participants (14 females) performing voluntary breathing exercises in various postures. Two prototype sensors were placed on the participants, one close to the heart and the other below the xiphoid process to couple to the motion from heart, lungs and diaphragm, by the near-field coherent sensing principle. We can achieve a satisfactory correlation of our sensor with the reference devices for the three vital signs: heart rate ( r = 0.95), respiratory rate ( r = 0.93) and respiratory volume ( r = 0.84). We also detected voluntary breath-hold periods with an accuracy of 96%. Further, the participants performed a breathing exercise by contracting abdomen inwards while holding breath, leading to paradoxical outward thorax motion under the isovolumetric condition, which was detected with an accuracy of 83%.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2005

Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Flight Software (FSW): A Unique Approach to Exercise in Long Duration Habitats

ARED flight instrumentation software is associated with an overall custom designed resistive exercise system that will be deployed on the International Space Station (ISS). This innovative software application fuses together many diverse and new technologies into a robust and usable package. The software takes advantage of touchscreen user interface technology by providing a graphical user interface on a Windows based tablet PC, meeting a design constraint of keyboard-less interaction with flight crewmembers. The software interacts with modified commercial data acquisition (DAQ) hardware to acquire multiple channels of sensor measurment from the ARED device. This information is recorded on the tablet PC and made available, via International Space Station (ISS) Wireless LAN (WLAN) and telemetry subsystems, to ground based mission medics and trainers for analysis. The software includes a feature to accept electronically encoded prescriptions of exercises that guide crewmembers through a customized regimen of resistive weight training, based on personal analysis. These electronically encoded prescriptions are provided to the crew via ISS WLAN and telemetry subsystems. All personal data is securely associated with an individual crew member, based on a PIN ID mechanism.

Mangieri, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1994

Thin membrane sensor with biochemical switch

A modular biosensor system for chemical or biological agent detection utilizes electrochemical measurement of an ion current across a gate membrane triggered by the reaction of the target agent with a recognition protein conjugated to a channel blocker. The sensor system includes a bioresponse simulator or biochemical switch module which contains the recognition protein-channel blocker conjugate, and in which the detection reactions occur, and a transducer module which contains a gate membrane and a measuring electrode, and in which the presence of agent is sensed electrically. In the poised state, ion channels in the gate membrane are blocked by the recognition protein-channel blocker conjugate. Detection reactions remove the recognition protein-channel blocker conjugate from the ion channels, thus eliciting an ion current surge in the gate membrane which subsequently triggers an output alarm. Sufficiently large currents are generated that simple direct current electronics are adequate for the measurements. The biosensor has applications for environmental, medical, and industrial use.

Case, George D.↗
NASA NTRS1999

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1999

Topics include: special coverage sections on sensors and composites and plastics, and sections on electronic components and systems, software, materials, mechanics, machinery and automation, bio-medical, physical sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs and Rapid Product Development Tech Briefs.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2020

Replacement of Cobalt in Medical Device Sterilization: Current Trends, Opportunities and Barriers to Adoption of X-ray and E-Beam Within the Medical Device Sterilization Market

Radioactive sources, specifically Co-60, are crucially important to the medical device sterilization industry; however, their benefits must be balanced against the need to ensure that the materials are secure. Accelerator-based sterilization methods, including X-ray and E-Beam, can in many cases sufficiently replace Co-60 and ethylene oxide, the dominant modalities currently in use; however, a lack of hands-on experience with accelerators, regulations, and a lack of capacity have hampered faster adoption of these technologies. The market is likely to change, however, given public pressures against ethylene oxide and concerns over the cost and long-term supply chain robustness of Co-60. This may provide an opportunity for growth for accelerator capabilities. Current research at Sandia National Laboratories and Argonne National Laboratory, on behalf of the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Radiological Security, is focused on developing an understanding of the medical device sterilization marketplace, the different modalities that are used to sterilize goods, and the drivers that affect the actors within it. Research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in conjunction with the medical device sterilization industry, has focused on expanding the industry’s understanding of the capabilities of X-ray sterilization and developing data that can inform the industry’s consideration of a transition towards accelerator-based devices.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Photonic curing of solution-deposited ZrO 2 dielectric on PEN: a path towards high-throughput processing of oxide electronics

High-throughput manufacturing of oxide electronics will enable new applications ranging from large-area displays to flexible medical devices and low-cost solar panels. However, high quality oxide films from solution-based precursors typically require 20 minutes or more of thermal annealing at high temperature (> 250 °C) for each layer, severely limiting both the throughput and substrate choice. Here, we report high speed photonic curing of ZrO 2 dielectric thin films on flexible plastic substrates. The curing and patterning processes can be achieved simultaneously by using shadow mask patterning or adjusting conditions to convert oxide only on top of underlying metal contacts, i.e. self-aligned patterning. Metal-insulator-metal capacitors using two layers of ZrO 2 films photonically cured in just 100 seconds per layer show non-dispersive capacitance-frequency behavior from 10 2 to 10 6 Hz, high areal capacitance of 200 nF/cm 2 and low dissipation factor of 0.03 at 10 5 Hz, leakage current density of ~ 10 -7 A/cm 2 at an applied field of 2 MV/cm, and a breakdown field of nearly 8 MV/cm. Using an upgraded tool, similar dielectric properties are achieved in as short as 100 milliseconds using a single pulse of light, revealing a pathway to oxide film processing beyond 30 m/min.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1999

Low-Temperature Electronic Components Being Developed

In many future NASA missions, such as deep space planetary exploration and the Next Generation Space Telescope, electrical components and systems must operate reliably and efficiently in extremely low temperature environments. Most modern electronic components cannot operate below moderately low operating temperatures (-40 to -55 C). The low-temperature electronics program at the NASA Lewis Research Center is focusing on the development and characterization of low-temperature components and the integration of the developed devices into demonstrable very low-temperature (-200 C) power systems such as dc-dc converters. Such low-temperature electronics will not only tolerate hostile environments but also will reduce system size and weight by eliminating radioisotope heating units, thereby reducing launch cost, improving reliability and lifetime, and increasing energy densities. Low-temperature electronic components will also have a great influence on terrestrial applications such as medical instrumentation, magnetic levitation transportation systems, and arctic and antarctic exploration. Lewis researchers are now performing extensive evaluations of commercially available as well as custom-made devices. These include various types of energy storage and signal capacitors, power switching devices, magnetic and superconducting materials, and primary lithium batteries, to name a few.

Patterson, Richard L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Automated Monitoring with a BSP Fault-Detection Test

The figure schematically illustrates a method and procedure for automated monitoring of an asset, as well as a hardware- and-software system that implements the method and procedure. As used here, asset could signify an industrial process, power plant, medical instrument, aircraft, or any of a variety of other systems that generate electronic signals (e.g., sensor outputs). In automated monitoring, the signals are digitized and then processed in order to detect faults and otherwise monitor operational status and integrity of the monitored asset. The major distinguishing feature of the present method is that the fault-detection function is implemented by use of a Bayesian sequential probability (BSP) technique. This technique is superior to other techniques for automated monitoring because it affords sensitivity, not only to disturbances in the mean values, but also to very subtle changes in the statistical characteristics (variance, skewness, and bias) of the monitored signals.

Bickford, Randall L.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Strong ultrafast nonlinear optical response from megaelectronvolt electrons in semiconductors

Understanding radiation–matter interactions on ultrafast timescales is essential for radiation detection technologies, particularly those requiring precise timing, such as plasma monitoring, synchrotron diagnostics and medical imaging. However, the detection of highly ionizing radiation is challenging due to the stochastic nature of the interactions, resulting in dispersed energy deposition. Here we show a nonlinear optical response in semiconductors induced by 150-fs, 4.2-MeV electrons that generate highly localized charge carriers. The induced sub-10-ps optical modulation reached up to 24.5%, accompanied by a blueshift in the absorption edge consistent with band filling and carrier densities of 10 18 cm −3 . These carrier densities are 100-fold higher than expected from the deposited energy, indicating the extreme spatial localization of carriers at inelastic collisions along the ionization trajectories, thereby leading to the observed modulation. The strong nonlinearity of the MeV-electron-induced optical response enables the precise spatiotemporal detection of ionizing radiation at room temperature using common semiconductors and laser systems.

Jeong, D. [Stanford Univ., CA (United States)] (OR↗
DOE OSTI2023

Insights into the physiological and genomic characterization of three bacterial isolates from a highly alkaline, terrestrial serpentinizing system

The terrestrial serpentinite-hosted ecosystem known as “The Cedars” is home to a diverse microbial community persisting under highly alkaline (pH ~ 12) and reducing (Eh < -550 mV) conditions. This extreme environment presents particular difficulties for microbial life, and efforts to isolate microorganisms from The Cedars over the past decade have remained challenging. Herein, we report the initial physiological assessment and/or full genomic characterization of three isolates: Paenibacillus sp. Cedars (‘Paeni-Cedars’), Alishewanella sp. BS5-314 (‘Ali-BS5-314’), and Anaerobacillus sp. CMMVII (‘Anaero-CMMVII’). Paeni-Cedars is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, mesophilic facultative anaerobe that grows between pH 7–10 (minimum pH tested was 7), temperatures 20–40°C, and 0–3% NaCl concentration. The addition of 10–20 mM CaCl 2 enhanced growth, and iron reduction was observed in the following order, 2-line ferrihydrite > magnetite > serpentinite ~ chromite ~ hematite. Genome analysis identified genes for flavin-mediated iron reduction and synthesis of a bacillibactin-like, catechol-type siderophore. Ali-BS5-314 is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, mesophilic, facultative anaerobic alkaliphile that grows between pH 10–12 and temperatures 10–40°C, with limited growth observed 1–5% NaCl. Nitrate is used as a terminal electron acceptor under anaerobic conditions, which was corroborated by genome analysis. The Ali-BS5-314 genome also includes genes for benzoate-like compound metabolism. Anaero-CMMVII remained difficult to cultivate for physiological studies; however, growth was observed between pH 9–12, with the addition of 0.01–1% yeast extract. Anaero-CMMVII is a probable oxygen-tolerant anaerobic alkaliphile with hydrogenotrophic respiration coupled with nitrate reduction, as determined by genome analysis. Based on single-copy genes, ANI, AAI and dDDH analyses, Paeni-Cedars and Ali-BS5-314 are related to other species (P. glucanolyticus and A. aestuarii, respectively), and Anaero-CMMVII represents a new species. The characterization of these three isolates demonstrate the range of ecophysiological adaptations and metabolisms present in serpentinite-hosted ecosystems, including mineral reduction, alkaliphily, and siderophore production.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Motivation and Development of a Compact Superconducting Accelerator for X-ray Medical Device Sterilization

Fermilab is developing a compact superconducting (CSRF) accelerator as a source of a high-power, high-energy electron beam to produce an x-ray beam comparable to $\geq$ 2 MCi of cobalt-60. As part of this development, we are presently assembling a 20 kW, 1.6 MeV prototype that incorporates the four enabling technologies described below. These technologies support a heat budget that is within the capacity of commercially available cryocoolers and eliminate the need for liquid cryogens. The use of superconducting technologies promises efficiencies, wall-plug to beam, of 80% or greater. A summary of the design and progress to date will be given. In addition, we will present a review of developments within the medical device sterilization industry that are motivating the development of this technology.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Free-electron crystals for enhanced X-ray radiation

Abstract Bremsstrahlung—the spontaneous emission of broadband radiation from free electrons that are deflected by atomic nuclei—contributes to the majority of X-rays emitted from X-ray tubes and used in applications ranging from medical imaging to semiconductor chip inspection. Here, we show that the bremsstrahlung intensity can be enhanced significantly—by more than three orders of magnitude—through shaping the electron wavefunction to periodically overlap with atoms in crystalline materials. Furthermore, we show how to shape the bremsstrahlung X-ray emission pattern into arbitrary angular emission profiles for purposes such as unidirectionality and multi-directionality. Importantly, we find that these enhancements and shaped emission profiles cannot be attributed solely to the spatial overlap between the electron probability distribution and the atomic centers, as predicted by the paraxial and non-recoil theory for free electron light emission. Our work highlights an unprecedented regime of free electron light emission where electron waveshaping provides multi-dimensional control over practical radiation processes like bremsstrahlung. Our results pave the way towards greater versatility in table-top X-ray sources and improved fundamental understanding of quantum electron-light interactions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Sequential Inference of Hospitalization Electronic Health Records Using Probabilistic Models

In the dynamic hospital setting, decision support can be a valuable tool for improving patient outcomes. Data-driven inference of future outcomes is challenging in this dynamic setting, where long sequences such as laboratory tests and medications are updated frequently. This is due in part to heterogeneity of data types and mixed-sequence types contained in variable length sequences. In this work we design a probabilistic unsupervised model for multiple arbitrary-length sequences contained in hospitalization Electronic Health Record (EHR) data. The model uses a latent variable structure and captures complex relationships between medications, diagnoses, laboratory tests, neurological assessments, and medications. It can be trained on original data, without requiring any lossy transformations or time binning. Inference algorithms are derived that use partial data to infer properties of the complete sequences, including their length and presence of specific values. We train this model on data from subjects receiving medical care in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated healthcare delivery system. The results are evaluated against held-out data for predicting the length of sequences and presence of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in hospitalization bed sequences. Our method outperforms a baseline approach, showing that in these experiments the trained model captures information in the sequences that is informative of their future values.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗