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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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At least 199 records · Page 11

Internal Model-Based Active Damping Strategy for a Back-to-Back Modular Multilevel Converter System for Advanced Grid Support: Preprint

The proposed work focuses on the possibility of achieving the reduction in the size of the interfacing filter for the grid connection for a back-to-back modular multilevel converter system with the use of third order LCL filters. To achieve the same attenuation, it is possible to reduce the size of the interfacing filters by the usage of third order filters. However, this kind of filtering comes with the limitation of having sustained oscillations due to lack of damping especially during transient changes. Therefore, in this work, a methodology has been proposed based on the principle of internal model to cater for this unwanted oscillations. The third order system is modeled inside the microcontroller with the damping enabled. The error between the output from the model and the actual are compared and the error is utilized to accomplish the active damping strategy. The proposed architecture is verified via computer simulations based on MATLAB/Simulink domain and various case study results along with their discussion is presented in this paper.

dq control↗

Role of the ionic environment in enhancing the activity of reacting molecules in zeolite pores

Tailoring the molecular environment around catalytically active site allows the enhancement of catalytic reactivity via a hitherto unexplored pathway. In zeolites, the presence of water creates an ionic environment via the formation of hydrated hydronium ions and the negatively charged framework Al tetrahedra. The high density of cation-anion pairs determined by the aluminum concentration of a zeolite induces a high local ionic strength that increases the excess chemical potential of sorbed and uncharged organic reactants. Charged transition states (as for example, the carbenium ions in the discussed alcohol dehydration) are stabilized, reducing the energy barrier and leading to a higher reaction rate. Using the intramolecular dehydration of cyclohexanol on H-MFI in water, we show quantitatively the enhancement of the reaction rate by the presence of high ionic strength as well as potential limitations of this strategy. The approach opens a new pathway to systematically enhance catalytic reactivity rates and has wide-ranging implications for understanding catalysis in condensed phase.

Pfriem, Niklas↗

Nanopore Activity Assays for Detection of Biomarker Protease Activity: Design and Testing of Substrates for Both Nanopore Sequencing and PCR-Based Detection Methods

The work performed in this project has demonstrated the ability to construct proteolytic enzyme substrates that are PCR and sequencing-readable reporter molecules. Specifically, the goal was to detect those reporter molecules via PCR and Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencing methods following exposure to the biomarker protease thrombin. The assay development focused on binding the constructed peptide-oligonucleotide chimera to immobilized streptavidin. The action of thrombin on the peptide portion of the molecule released the oligonucleotide for detection. Detection of protease activity was demonstrated in a concentration-dependent manner using MALDI-MS, RT-PCR and DNA sequencing. Additional steps to remove background release of reporter molecules during the assay was used to improve the difference in detected oligonucleotide reporter following protease activity. Additional steps in assay development will be to (1) test the assay in an appropriate matrix, (2) investigate detection using additional DNA sequencing platforms and (3) demonstrate multiplexed detection of multiple protease markers in a single reaction.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Health-care district management information system plan: Review of operations analysis activities during calendar year 1975 and plan for continued research and analysis activities

Operations research activities developed to identify the information required to manage both the efficiency and effectiveness of the Veterans Administration (VA) health services as these services relate to individual patient care are reported. The clinical concerns and management functions that determine this information requirement are discussed conceptually. Investigations of existing VA data for useful management information are recorded, and a diagnostic index is provided. The age-specific characteristics of diseases and lengths of stay are explored, and recommendations for future analysis activities are articulated. The effect of the introduction of new technology to health care is also discussed.

Nielson, G. J.↗

Dynamics of erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and catalase activity in rat blood in hypokinesia, muscular activity and restoration

Tests were conducted to prove that muscular exertion (in this instance swimming) of different duration and intensity, as well as hypodynamia, result in an increase of hemoglobin and number of red blood cells in peripheral blood rats. Catalase activity increased with an increase in the duration of swimming, but only up to 6 hr; with 7-9 hr of swimming as well as in hypodynamia, catalase activity decreased. It was also observed that under hypodynamia as well as in 3, 5 and 6 hr exertion (swimming) the color index of blood decreased. Pressure chamber treatment (for 8 min each day for one week), alternating a 2 min negative pressure up to 35 mm Hg with 1 min positive pressure, increased the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin content.

Taneyeva, G. V.↗

Solar Activities Predictions: Long-Term Solar Activity

The need for long term solar activity predictions is addressed. The spatial organization of solar activity is described including applications for predictions, and ancient evidence for solar variability. Methods of predicting sunspot numbers are discussed. The inherent accuracy of the methods varies considerably, but a typical error bar 20%. The accuracy of sunspot cycle predictions is considered along with long term predictions of great solar events.

P S Mcintosh↗

Energetic particle activity at 5-min and 10-s time resolution in the magnetotail and its relation to auroral activity

The paper examines several energetic particle bursts associated with substorm events in the magnetotail using data from the Imp 7 and 8 spacecraft experiments. Individual proton and electron bursts observed by the spacecraft do not always coincide nor does magnetotail activity correlate strongly with auroral activity on time scales less than 1 hr. The pitch angle distributions were determined with a time resolution of 10 s by combining magnetic field and particle measurements on Imp 8; during intense particle bursts the 0.3-MeV protons exhibit unidirectional or bidirectional anisotropies along the magnetic field. The data suggest the presence of small localized acceleration regions in the magnetotail observable when magnetically connected to the spacecraft; little evidence is found for a single neutral line extending across the width of the magnetotail.

Carbary, J. F.↗

Luminescence induced by dehydration of kaolin - Association with electron-spin-active centers and with surface activity for dehydration-polymerization of glycine

Experimental data concerning emission of light upon dehydration as a function of preheating and pre-gamma-irradiation are correlated with reported studies of electron-spin resonance (ESR) activity after similar pretreatments. The effect of these pretreatments on the kaolin-promoted incorporation of glycine into peptide oligomers in a wet/cold, hot/dry fluctuating environment is compared to their effect on the ESR and luminescent signals. The existence of spectroscopically active centers appears to be loosely anticorrelated with reaction yield; these yields are increased by increasing the overall energy content of the material. It is concluded that some part of the chemical yield is produced by a mechanism involving intrinsic, excited electronic states of the clay crystal lattice. These states may be derived from thermally, interfacially, and/or mechanically induced charge reorganization within interspersed energy levels in the band structure of the material.

Coyne, L.↗

The relationship between low activity comets and more active comets

Low activity comets were observed to see if they are normal, or if they show intrinsic differences. The comets were selected because they have no C2 or C3 emissions and sometimes no emissions were detected at all. It is shown that the low activity comets are intrinsically different from normal comets in that they are depleted in C2 and C3 relative to the observed CN, or that they are without any emissions at small heliocentric distances. Possible causes for the differences between the two groups of comets are suggested. Observational effects are discounted, since the same observational set-up and reduction procedure was used in all cases. Discrepancies may be due to differences at the time of formation, or during evolution, or a combination of both.

Cochran, A. L.↗

The solar activity measurements experiments (SAMEX) for improved scientific understanding of solar activity

The Solar Activity Measurements Experiments (SAMEX) mission is described. It is designed to provide a look at the interactions of magnetic fields and plasmas that create flares and other explosive events on the sun in an effort to understand solar activity and the nature of the solar magnetic field. The need for this mission, the instruments to be used, and the expected benefits of SAMEX are discussed.

Source record↗

Design of an active flutter suppression system for the Active Flexible Wing

The design of an active flutter suppression controller and wind tunnel validation test results are presented. This controller, designed using Nyquist methods and traditional root locus, is applied to the Active Flexible Wing (AFW) wind tunnel model. Wind tunnel tests were conducted to validate the design and demonstrate flutter suppression at a fixed altitude while performing aggressive rolling maneuvers representative of high-performance military aircraft. The controller succeeded in simultaneous suppression of two distinct flutter modes by significantly increasing the flutter dynamic pressure in spite of errors in the mathematical model.

Waszak, Martin R.↗

Active vibrations and noise control for turboprop application research program activities

The objectives of this work include the following: (1) development of active noise control techniques to alleviate inefficiencies and drawbacks of passive noise control approach especially at low frequencies; (2) reduction of structurally radiated noise applying external forces to the vibrating structure by means of force actuators made of piezoelectric material; and (3) reduction of fuselage vibration levels in propeller driven aircraft by means of distributed piezoelectric actuators that are actively controlled.

Paonessa, A.↗

Modeling the Benchmark Active Control Technology Wind-Tunnel Model for Active Control Design Applications

This report describes the formulation of a model of the dynamic behavior of the Benchmark Active Controls Technology (BACT) wind tunnel model for active control design and analysis applications. The model is formed by combining the equations of motion for the BACT wind tunnel model with actuator models and a model of wind tunnel turbulence. The primary focus of this report is the development of the equations of motion from first principles by using Lagrange's equations and the principle of virtual work. A numerical form of the model is generated by making use of parameters obtained from both experiment and analysis. Comparisons between experimental and analytical data obtained from the numerical model show excellent agreement and suggest that simple coefficient-based aerodynamics are sufficient to accurately characterize the aeroelastic response of the BACT wind tunnel model. The equations of motion developed herein have been used to aid in the design and analysis of a number of flutter suppression controllers that have been successfully implemented.

Waszak, Martin R.↗

Assessment and Accommodation of Thermal Expansion of the Internal Active Thermal Control System Coolant During Launch to On-Orbit Activation of International Space Station Elements

The International Space Station (ISS) employs an Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS) comprised of several single-phase water coolant loops. These coolant loops are distributed throughout the ISS pressurized elements. The primary element coolant loops (i.e., US Laboratory module) contain a fluid accumulator to accommodate thermal expansion of the system. Other element coolant loops are parasitic (i.e., Airlock), have no accumulator, and require an alternative approach to insure that the system Maximum Design Pressure (MDP) is not exceeded during the Launch to Activation phase. During this time the element loop is a stand alone closed individual system. The solution approach for accommodating thermal expansion was affected by interactions of system components and their particular limitations. The mathematical solution approach was challenged by the presence of certain unknown or not readily obtainable physical and thermodynamic characteristics of some system components and processes. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief description of a few of the solutions that evolved over time, a novel mathematical solution to eliminate some of the unknowns or derive the unknowns experimentally, and the testing and methods undertaken.

Edwards, J. Darryl↗

Assessment and Accommodation of Thermal Expansion of the Internal Active Thermal Control System Coolant During Launch to On-Orbit Activation of International Space Station Elements

The International Space Station (ISS) employs an Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS) comprised of several single-phase water coolant loops. These coolant loops are distributed throughout the ISS pressurized elements. The primary element coolant loops (i.e. U.S. Laboratory module) contain a fluid accumulator to accomodate thermal expansion of the system. Other element coolant loops are parasitic (i.e. Airlock), have no accumulator, and require an alternative approach to insure that the system maximum design pressure (MDP) is not exceeded during the Launch to Activation (LTA) phase. During this time the element loops is a stand alone closed system. The solution approach for accomodating thermal expansion was affected by interactions of system components and their particular limitations. The mathematical solution approach was challenged by the presence of certain unknown or not readily obtainable physical and thermodynamic characteristics of some system components and processes. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief description of a few of the solutions that evolved over time, a novel mathematical solution to eliminate some of the unknowns or derive the unknowns experimentally, and the testing and methods undertaken.

Edwards, Darryl↗

Food-anticipatory activity and liver per1-luc activity in diabetic transgenic rats

The mammalian Per1 gene is an important component of the core cellular clock mechanism responsible for circadian rhythms. The rodent liver and other tissues rhythmically express Per1 in vitro but typically damp out within a few cycles. In the liver, the peak of this rhythm occurs in the late subjective night in an ad lib-fed rat, but will show a large phase advance in response to restricted availability of food during the day. The relationship between this shift in the liver clock and food-anticipatory activity (FAA), the circadian behavior entrained by daily feeding, is currently unknown. Insulin is released during feeding in mammals and could serve as an entraining signal to the liver. To test the role of insulin in the shift in liver Per1 expression and the generation of FAA, per-luciferase transgenic rats were made diabetic with a single injection of streptozotocine. Following 1 week of restricted feeding and locomotor activity monitoring, liver was collected for per-luc recording. In two separate experiments, FAA emerged and liver Per1 phase-shifted in response to daytime 8-h food restriction. The results rule out insulin as a necessary component of this system.

NASA Discipline Space Human Factors↗