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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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

Airspace Technology Demonstration 3 (ATD-3): Multi-Flight Common Route (MFCR) Technology Transfer Document Summary Version 1.0

This summary document and accompanying technology artifacts satisfy the second of three Research Transition Products (RTPs) defined in the ATD-3 Applied Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) Research Transition Team (RTT) Plan. This transfer consists of NASA's Multi-Flight Common Route (MFCR) research for efficient route corrections for en-route weather avoidance. The MFCR concept builds on the experience of the legacy Dynamic Weather Routes (DWR) and focuses on a better balance of potential savings with ATC acceptability, common route corrections options for multiple flights on similar routings, and better use of existing and/or modern automation for communication and coordination of route change options. All of these capabilities are expected to improve system performance significantly in terms of actual delay-reducing clearances issued to flights compared to that of the DWR tool and operating concept.

tech transfer↗
NASA NTRS2018

Managing Variability: A Cognitive Ethnography of the Work of Airline Dispatchers

Airline dispatchers' workflow is often described in broad terms like 'flight planning' and 'flight following'. Such high-level descriptions fail to recognize the number and complexity of tasks involved in these activities. An ethnographic study was conducted at three US airlines to understand the cognitive workload involved in flight planning. Fuel planning was identified as one of five key flight planning tasks. Fuel planning was conducted concurrently with other planning and monitoring tasks which often led to interruptions. Planning fuel was dynamic, with recalculations required whenever other factors varied (e.g., payload, route, alternates). This rework increased workload and opportunities for error while reducing efficiency. Four main factors contributed variability to fuel planning: contingency planning, load planning, pilots, and station operations. Strategies for managing variability included pattern identification, use of buffers, rounding up, and leveraging software tools. Software design often added to workload by forcing dispatchers to attend to low level tasks.

dispatcher↗
DOE OSTI2020

Demand-adaptive Transit Design for Urban Transportation Hubs

In this study, we proposed a novel three-stage framework for planning the optimal demand-adaptive transit (DAT) at urban transportation hubs. Given the potential trip demand and road traffic condition, the proposed framework sequentially generates the optimal set of candidate routes, combines the outgoing routes and incoming routes at the hub, and derives the optimal fleet size and corresponding route frequency under the fixed budget. In particular, we build the route generation algorithm which maximizes passenger demand coverage with travel time deviation constraint. And a heuristic algorithm is further developed which yields near-optimal operation routes for real-time demand. The fleet optimization problem is formulated to minimize the weighted cost of energy savings, operation cost and trip revenue. We conduct comprehensive numerical experiments for planning DAT with electric buses at JFK airport in NYC using NYC taxi and for-hire vehicle trip data and GoogleMap speed data. The results show the superior performance of the proposed route generation algorithm which is able to cover citywide passenger demand with only 61 DAT routes. The results also suggest that the proposed DAT planning framework may serve over 47% of existing taxi and FHV demand by operating 18 routes using the fleet of 62 electric buses.

demand adaptive↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Physical and Engineering Limits of Coupled In situ TEM Experiments

Almost all future energy systems (advanced nuclear reactors, fusion energy system, concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), and wind technologies) are limited by degradation of key material systems exposed to multiple environmental stressors. The degradation during exposure to high temperatures, radiation, mechanical loading, and chemical attack is often dictated by mechanisms active at the microstructural level. The nature of these mechanisms and the associated variations between sequential and concurrent interplay can be explored if the transmission electron microscope (TEM) is utilized as a toolbox for exploration [1]. One such tool developed at Sandia National Laboratories to couple several of these environments is the In situ Ion Irradiation TEM (I3TEM) [2]. Several studies over the last decade utilizing this tool have shown that the scientific intuition developed over decades of sequential experiments is not always a good indicator of concurrent mechanisms or failure routes. This presentation will highlight the recent and planned additions into the I3TEM facility of a Waviks gas injection system and Raman system, respectively, as can be seen in Fig. 1, permitting environmental degradation from gas species leaked into the pole piece region during quantitative mechanical loading (indentation, monotonic loading, high temperature creep, irradiation induced creep, and high-cycle fatigue); multi-beam ion irradiation (energies ranging from 1 keV to 48 MeV and species from H to Au); laser exposure (20 W and 1064 nm), or various combinations thereof that are already possible [3]. This addition permits the facility to explore both sequential or concurrently the four axes of stressors: thermal, mechanical, radiation, and chemical. This information can be directly coupled to modeling, expediting the refinement and validation of both atomistic and mesoscale models.

degradation↗
NASA NTRS1988

Developing a global aeronautical satellite system

Arinc, an airline industry-owned and operated company in the United States, has taken steps toward establishing a global aeronautical satellite communications system. Plans call for initiation of a thin-route data operation in 1989, upgrading to establish voice communications via shared spot-beam transponders carried on other satellites, and deploying a worldwide network using dedicated satellites by 1994.

Dement, Donald K.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Design and Evaluation of the Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing System

This paper describes the design, development and results from a high fidelity human-in-the-loop simulation of an integrated set of trajectory-based automation tools providing precision scheduling, sequencing and controller merging and spacing functions. These integrated functions are combined into a system called the Terminal Area Precision Scheduling and Spacing (TAPSS) system. It is a strategic and tactical planning tool that provides Traffic Management Coordinators, En Route and Terminal Radar Approach Control air traffic controllers the ability to efficiently optimize the arrival capacity of a demand-impacted airport while simultaneously enabling fuel-efficient descent procedures. The TAPSS system consists of four-dimensional trajectory prediction, arrival runway balancing, aircraft separation constraint-based scheduling, traffic flow visualization and trajectory-based advisories to assist controllers in efficient metering, sequencing and spacing. The TAPSS system was evaluated and compared to today's ATC operation through extensive series of human-in-the-loop simulations for arrival flows into the Los Angeles International Airport. The test conditions included the variation of aircraft demand from a baseline of today's capacity constrained periods through 5%, 10% and 20% increases. Performance data were collected for engineering and human factor analysis and compared with similar operations both with and without the TAPSS system. The engineering data indicate operations with the TAPSS show up to a 10% increase in airport throughput during capacity constrained periods while maintaining fuel-efficient aircraft descent profiles from cruise to landing.

Swenson, Harry N.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Integration of High-Z Converter into Full-scale Production Target for Accelerator-based Production of 99 Mo

NorthStar Medical Technologies is planning to produce the 99Mo isotope via the photonuclear route. The Rhodotron accelerator designed by IBA will be used as an electron-beam source. The Rhodotron is an efficient recirculating accelerator, providing low energy dispersion and a low-emittance electron beam. The nominal beam power is assumed to be 120 kW at 40 MeV. In photonuclear production of 99 Mo, a high-power electron beam impinges on a helium-cooled Mo disk target. Electrons are converted into photons through the Bremsstrahlung process. Consequently, high-energy photons interact with the target nuclei, producing 99 Mo through the 100 Mo(γ, n) 99 Mo reaction. Traditionally, photonuclear production is realized using high-Z material as the electron-to-photon converter. NorthStar plans not to use a high-Z converter in the initial production target design, but it may be interested in the increased production capabilities a high-Z converter can provide. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating a high-Z converter into the target design.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

AIRSAR South American deployment: Operation plan, version 3.0

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Brazilian Commission for Space Activities (COBAE) are undertaking a joint experiment involving NASA's DC-8 research aircraft and the Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) system during late May and June 1993. The research areas motivating these activities are: (1) fundamental research in the role of soils, vegetation, and hydrology in the global carbon cycle; and (2) in cooperation with South American scientists, airborne remote sensing research for the upcoming NASA Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR)-C/X-SAR flights on the Space Shuttle. A flight schedule and plans for the deployment that were developed are included. Maps of the site locations and schematic indications of flight routes and dates, plots showing swath locations derived from the flight requests and generated by flight planning software, and, most importantly, a calendar showing which sites will be imaged each day are included.

Kobrick, M.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA) Impact on the National Airspace System (NAS) Work Package: Automation Impacts of ROA's in the NAS

The purpose of this document is to analyze the impact of Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA) operations on current and planned Air Traffic Control (ATC) automation systems in the En Route, Terminal, and Traffic Flow Management domains. The operational aspects of ROA flight, while similar, are not entirely identical to their manned counterparts and may not have been considered within the time-horizons of the automation tools. This analysis was performed to determine if flight characteristics of ROAs would be compatible with current and future NAS automation tools. Improvements to existing systems / processes are recommended that would give Air Traffic Controllers an indication that a particular aircraft is an ROA and modifications to IFR flight plan processing algorithms and / or designation of airspace where an ROA will be operating for long periods of time.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2024

Optimizing Air Traffic - Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Flight Path Planning and 3D Airspace Visualization for Air Traffic Control

Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems are vital components of the National Airspace System (NAS). ATC, Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCT), and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) are responsible for directing all flights departing from and arriving at airports, managing our nation’s airspace, preventing potential accidents, and ensuring that every flight is accounted for. However, these systems often face challenges in effectively monitoring the skies. Issues such as poor communication between operators, difficulty in performing operations, and the constant need for vigilance frequently burden ATC operators. Additionally, the projected increase in air traffic in the coming years will only exacerbate the stress associated with this role. To address these issues, we propose a system that assists ATC operators in situations such as handovers, emergencies, and routing aircraft to avoid weather hazards. Our solution includes an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)-based Flight Pathways Planning System (FPPS) designed to find the fastest and most optimal routes for aircraft, taking into account weather conditions, restricted terrain, and Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) ratings. The proposed Predictive Weather Planning Model, included in FPPS, adjusts routes based on real-time and forecasted weather conditions. Additionally, our NVIDIA Omniverse 3D Visualization System offers a highly interactive environment for better visualization and a clear view of the airspace. By incorporating these systems, the roles of ATC, ATCT, and TRACON operators will become more manageable and less stressful, equipping them to efficiently handle the growing density of airspace.

Regina Ayoubi↗
NASA NTRS1984

Contradictory results in interferon research

Several reports on immunologically related interferon research, both in the areas of basic science and clinical research, are briefly reviewed, and it is noted that in many cases the results obtained are contradictory. It is argued, however, that the contradictory results are not surprising since interferon is a biological response modifier and has been known to produce opposite results even when the same interferon prepartion is used. It is emphasized that dosage, timing, route, and other experimental conditions are essential factors in planning immunological studies with interferon. Careful planning of future experiments with interferon should be required to prevent the possible generation of effects that are opposite to those expected.

Sonnenfeld, G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A transportation system for routine visits to Mars

A conceptual transportation system designed for routing visits to Mars is described. The system is planned to provide routine support for a base population of roughly 20 people on Mars. The system utilizes in situ resource production to support Mars missions and generates artificial gravity while delivering additional consumables. The system uses cycling space stations for support. Possible lunar resource capabilities, taxi vehicles, and technology and human issues are examined.

Roberts, Barney B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

NASA/SPAN and DOE/ESnet-DECnet transition strategy for DECnet OSI/phase 5

The technical issues are examined involved with the transition of very large DECnet networks from DECnet phase IV protocols to DECnet OSI/Phase V protocols. The networks involved are the NASA's Science Internet (NSI-DECnet) and the DOE's Energy Science network (ESnet-DECnet). These networks, along with the many universities and research institutions connected to them, combine to form a single DECnet network containing more than 20,000 transitions and crossing numerous organizational boundaries. Discussion of transition planning, including decisions about Phase V naming, addressing, and routing are presented. Also discussed are transition issues related to the use of non-DEC routers in the network.

Porter, Linda↗
NASA NTRS1992

A domain-specific design architecture for composite material design and aircraft part redesign

Advanced composites have been targeted as a 'leapfrog' technology that would provide a unique global competitive position for U.S. industry. Composites are unique in the requirements for an integrated approach to designing, manufacturing, and marketing of products developed utilizing the new materials of construction. Numerous studies extending across the entire economic spectrum of the United States from aerospace to military to durable goods have identified composites as a 'key' technology. In general there have been two approaches to composite construction: build models of a given composite materials, then determine characteristics of the material via numerical simulation and empirical testing; and experience-directed construction of fabrication plans for building composites with given properties. The first route sets a goal to capture basic understanding of a device (the composite) by use of a rigorous mathematical model; the second attempts to capture the expertise about the process of fabricating a composite (to date) at a surface level typically expressed in a rule based system. From an AI perspective, these two research lines are attacking distinctly different problems, and both tracks have current limitations. The mathematical modeling approach has yielded a wealth of data but a large number of simplifying assumptions are needed to make numerical simulation tractable. Likewise, although surface level expertise about how to build a particular composite may yield important results, recent trends in the KBS area are towards augmenting surface level problem solving with deeper level knowledge. Many of the relative advantages of composites, e.g., the strength:weight ratio, is most prominent when the entire component is designed as a unitary piece. The bottleneck in undertaking such unitary design lies in the difficulty of the re-design task. Designing the fabrication protocols for a complex-shaped, thick section composite are currently very difficult. It is in fact this difficulty that our research will address.

Punch, W. F., III↗
NASA NTRS2016

Flight Test Assessments of Pilot Workload, System Usability, and Situation Awareness of TASAR

Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR) is an onboard automation concept intended to identify trajectory optimizations, in terms of fuel and time saving objectives, clear of known traffic, weather, and airspace restrictions prior to the aircrew initiating a route-change request to Air Traffic Control (ATC). The software implementation of the TASAR concept is the Traffic Aware Planner (TAP). TASAR analysis and development is being executed by the NASA Langley Research Center's Crew Systems and Aviation Operations Branch (CSAOB) under the sponsorship of the Airspace Technology Demonstration (ATD) Project of the NASA Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP). The TASAR Flight Trial-2 (FT-2) was conducted in June, 2015 out of the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. This flight trial was conducted using a Piaggio Avanti flight test aircraft and consisted of 12 Evaluation Flights with airline commercial pilots participating as the Evaluation Pilots, three destination airports in Atlanta and Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Centers, and one pair of flight plans associated with each destination airport. The primary goal of FT-2 was to reduce risk for upcoming operational trials with NASA partner airlines, Alaska Airlines and Virgin America. To accomplish this primary goal, six independent objectives were conducted during FT-2, however, this paper will report only the findings of Objective 5; the assessment of system usability, pilot perceived workload, and the degree of pilot acceptability of the TAP Human Machine Interface (HMI) during flight operations, via the administration of several subjective measures.

TASAR↗
DOE OSTI2021

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Biological Upgrading of Sugars (BUS) 2.3.2.105

The Biological Upgrading of Sugars (BUS) project directly targets the anaerobic conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks into intermediate molecules readily upgradeable to fuel precursors. Recent efforts on the BUS project have a particular emphasis on the biological production of butyric acid, an intermediate that can be readily upgraded to sustainable aviation fuel, diesel blend-stocks, and high value chemicals. The BUS project approaches this direction through a combination of strain engineering, fermentation process engineering, development of novel separations technologies, and the design and build of pilot scale systems. Our ultimate project goal is to develop an integrated cost-effective process at pilot scale to achieve DOE's MYPP targets of $2.50/GGE. The major thrust of the BUS project over the last project cycle was on the development of integrated processes surrounding the anaerobic production of carboxylic acids using diverse Clostridium species. We developed and expanded genetic tools for several Clostridium species and rewired microbial metabolism in an attempt to maximize substrate utilization and flux towards butyric acid. We designed and built novel bioreactors with an in situ product recovery system enabling the biological production and recovery of highly purified acids. We leveraged this system to generate 100s of grams of acid from corn stover hydrolysate. In this presentation we highlight data surrounding our proposed process and accompanying results from technoeconomic and life-cycle analyses of our integrated process. Finally, we detail plans of our pilot scale reactor system that is in process and discuss our future routes towards achieving economically viable and sustainable diesel and jet blendstocks.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Grid-Enhanced, Mobility-Integrated Network Infrastructures for Extreme Fast Charging (GEMINI-XFC)

GEMINI-XFC will use first-of-a-kind integrated high-fidelity grid and transport modeling to identify effective pathways for widespread electrification, to design and evaluate integrated vehicle-grid control schemes, and to optimize electric vehicle integration at a full regional scale with individual customer resolution. Control variables will include: Charging station design and planning (where and what kind of charging stations); EV route scheduling considering grid "status"; and Dispatch of behind-the-meter energy storage and legacy voltage control actuators (on-load tap changes, voltage regulators, capacitors).

DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION,POWER TRANSMISSION AND DI↗
NASA NTRS2015

Strategic Planning of Efficient Oceanic Flights

The efficiency of oceanic flights is low due to limited navigational and communication equipment, congestion and airspace restrictions. The availability of Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and other improvements provides opportunity for better strategic planning of trajectories. Transatlantic flights between US and Europe constitute one of the busiest oceanic airspace regions in the world. This paper examines the benefits of a wind-optimal trajectory concept with a strategic de-confliction component compared to the current flight planning using the North Atlantic Tracks. The methodology generates a wind-optimal route for each aircraft and a strategic reduction in the potential conflicts between aircraft by a combination of small adjustments to departure times and rerouting. The de-confliction is achieved by optimization techniques involving simulated annealing with local gradient searching. The fuel burn for the tracks in today's Organized Track System are compared with the corresponding quantities for the wind-optimized routes to evaluate the potential benefits of flying wind-optimal routes in North Atlantic Airspace. The analysis is based on air traffic between US and Europe during July 2012. The potential fuel savings depend on existing inefficiencies in current flight plans, atmospheric conditions and location of the city-pairs. The paper provides both aggregate results and detailed examination of some of the most popular city-pairs. Results show that strategic planning can improve the efficiency of flight trajectories by 3 to 5 depending on city-pairs and aircraft type. This translates into a potential fuel savings in the range of (420-970) kg per flight for a Boeing 767-300, the most widely used aircraft between the city-pairs in this study.

oceanic operations↗