Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Photovoltaic Power Systems”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

1,530 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1967

The heat sterilizable battery.

Sealed heat sterilizable high impact resistant battery for space missions, grafting acrylic acid and polyethylene by irradiation for separator

SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Exceedance Probabilities and Recurrence Intervals for Extended Power Outages in the United States

This report provides estimates of recurrence intervals and conditional exceedance probabilities for major power outages by U.S. region between 2015 and 2021. Additionally, we provide estimates for grid management, particularly outages caused by California’s public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), and for natural outages caused by major hurricanes. Outage recurrence intervals are the average number of years between outage events, and conditional exceedance probabilities are the likelihoods that a customer who experiences a major power outage will experience an outage exceeding a given duration. Major outage events are those that affect 10,000 or more customers, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Electric Emergency Incident and Disturbance Report, called OE-417 (DOE 2020). These results can be applied to determine the likelihood of experiencing long-duration outages, which can be integrated into cost-benefit analyses of resilience solutions and broader energy resilience studies.

Ericson, Sean [National Renewable Energy Laborator↗
NASA NTRS2026

Impacts of Reduced Pressure Atmospheres on Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) Architectures

The study found that while nine subsystems are viable without modification at 10.2 psia, only three remain acceptable at 8.2 psia. Material flammability presents the most critical hurdle in the 8.2 psia/34-40% O 2 environment, where 70% of the assessed subsystems will require material replacements, many of which have yet to be developed. Ultimately, adapting ISS heritage hardware to these exploration conditions will introduce varied mass, power (e.g., increased fan speeds), and significant schedule impacts driven by the need for extensive testing, redesign, and recertification. The report concludes with specific recommendations for targeted analysis and testing to quantify these impacts and guide necessary design modifications.

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems↗
DOE OSTI2026

Rapid Quantum Ground State Preparation via Dissipative Dynamics

Inspired by natural cooling processes, dissipation has become a promising approach for preparing low-energy states of quantum systems. However, the potential of dissipative protocols remains unclear beyond certain commuting Hamiltonians. This work provides significant analytical and numerical insights into the power of dissipation for preparing the ground state of noncommuting Hamiltonians. For quasi-free dissipative dynamics, including certain 1D spin systems with boundary dissipation, our results reveal a new connection between the mixing time in trace distance and the spectral properties of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, leading to an explicit and sharp bound on the mixing time that scales polynomially with system size. For more general spin systems, we develop a tensor network-based algorithm for constructing the Lindblad jump operator and for simulating the dynamics. Using this algorithm, we demonstrate numerically that dissipative ground state preparation protocols can achieve rapid mixing for certain 1D local Hamiltonians under bulk dissipation, with a mixing time that scales logarithmically with the system size. We then prove the rapid mixing result for certain weakly interacting spin and fermionic systems in arbitrary dimensions, extending recent results for high-temperature quantum Gibbs samplers to the zero-temperature regime. Together, these results show that dissipation can be a powerful tool for ground state preparation, with potential applications across condensed matter physics, quantum materials science, and beyond.

decoherence↗
DOE OSTI2008

Vehicle Technologies Program: Energy Storage R&D (2008 Annual Progress Report)

One of the primary objectives of the Energy Storage effort is the development of durable and affordable advanced batteries (and ultracapacitors) for use in a full range of vehicle applications, from start/stop to full-power HEVs, EVs, and PHEVs. The battery technology development activity spans three areas: system development of full battery systems; benchmark testing of emerging technologies in order to remain abreast of the latest industry developments; and Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) to fund early-stage R&D for small businesses/entrepreneurs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1982

Synthetic battery cycling techniques

Synthetic battery cycling makes use of the fast growing capability of computer graphics to illustrate some of the basic characteristics of operation of individual electrodes within an operating electrochemical cell. It can also simulate the operation of an entire string of cells that are used as the energy storage subsystem of a power system. The group of techniques that as a class have been referred to as Synthetic Battery Cycling is developed in part to try to bridge the gap of understanding that exists between single cell characteristics and battery system behavior.

Leibecki, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

WINDSAT Free Flyer Using the Advanced TIROS-N Satellite

The results of this study show the feasibility of carrying a wind measuring lidar on an ATN-derivative free flying spacecraft. The overall configuration fits within the Shuttle bay and uses the same techniques for STS Launch as the proposed SAATN spacecraft. The lidar can be made light enough that the total weight of the satellite is well within the capability of the onboard propulsion system for transfers to a Sun synchronous orbit at 833 km attitude. The principal techniques for weight minimization are the use of the Perkin Elmer proprietary HIP process for the telescope, new packaging concepts for the laser and for the optics-laser interface, and the application of current technology to the signal processing hardware. Power minimization is achieved for the lidar primarily by use of a low pulse repetition frequency, i.e., 2pps, and again by the use of current processor technology. The power capability of the spacecraft is enhanced by increasing the ATN array size 25 percent, through the addition of two more solar array panels of the present size, and by limiting the range of Sun angles over which the spacecraft is operated. The same basic concept for the lidar as proposed in the Shuttle Windsat study is recommended here, but there are some changes in details to improve weight and power. No major technology break-throughs are required for the lidar, but some technology experiments are recommended for the laser subsystem to verify isotopic gas lifetime and performance, modulator life and weight, and for space qualification. Spacecraft changes are all natural modifications or growth to accommodate the payload. Overall, the proposed system provides substantial margin for the uncertainties for the future and for potential payload change, and also demonstrates the reasonableness of the Windsat Free Flyer concept.

Herbert M Gurk↗
DOE OSTI2025

Advanced Model Development for Large Eddy Simulation of Oxy-Combustion and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Power Cycles

A joint experimental and numerical study is performed to observe the characteristics of a supercritical carbon dioxide turbulent mixing layer in the presence of strong nonlinearities in the thermodynamic and transport properties. A bespoke experimental setup is designed and employed for this purpose and provides insight into macroscopic mixing behavior. The mixing is experimentally observed using two techniques: shadowgraphy and spontaneous Raman scattering. Qualitative and quantitative intensity fields obtained via these techniques yield instantaneous and mean density data. Spanwise temperature data is also collected using analogue resistance temperature detectors. These measurements are used to quantify the level of mixed material within the field. The experimental data are supplemented by a companion high-fidelity numerical study. The numerical results are obtained through fully resolved, three-dimensional direct numerical simulation. The numerical dataset permits observation of the near-field mixing characteristics, which are difficult to measure experimentally due to the rapid dynamics and sharp thermophysical gradients in this area. Qualitative field visualizations are presented, followed by quantitative mixed material results and observations regarding thermodynamic property trends at select locations within the field. One-dimensional spectra of the turbulent kinetic energy and solenoidal dissipation are provided to observe the spectral characteristics of the flow. Reynolds stress anisotropy is analyzed graphically through anisotropy invariance maps (Lumley triangles). The mixing quantification, spectral data and anisotropy analysis of a flow at these thermodynamic conditions represent the main outcomes of the work.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI1996

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 37, No. 2, April-June 1996]

Nuclear Safety is a journal that covers significant issues in the field of nuclear safety. Its primary scope is safety in the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear power reactors worldwide and the research and analysis activities that promote this goal, but it also encompasses the safety aspects of the entire nuclear fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing and handling, and nuclear waste disposal, the handling of fissionable materials and radioisotopes, and the environmental effects of all these activities. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 97 The Nuclear Community and the Public: Cognitive and Cultural Influences on Thinking About Nuclear Risk, M. A. Meyer; 109 Twenty-Third Water Reactor Safety Information Meeting, D. A. Copinger; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 126 Analysis of a PWR LBLOCA Without SCRAM, Trevor N. Tyler, Rafael Macian-Juan and John H. Mahaffy; DESIGN FEATURES: 139 Vulnerability of Multiple-Barrier Systems, N. C. Lind; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 149 A Study of Wet Catalytic Oxidation of Radioactive Spent Ion Exchange Resin by Hydrogen Peroxide, Xingchao Jian, Tianbao Wu, and Guichun Yun; 157 A Comparison Study and Resolution of Differences Between Emergency Response and Safety Analysis Codes Used at the Savannah River Site, A. A. Simpkins; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 164 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 167 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 172 Proposed Rule Changes as of Dec. 31,1995; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 178 American Nuclear Society 1997 Annual Meeting; 178 American Nuclear Society Nuclear Criticality and Safety Division Topical Meeting; 176 The Authors.

05 NUCLEAR FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Time-dependent scenario modeling for the ST-E1 fusion power plant

ST-E1 is a low aspect ratio fusion power plant being designed by Tokamak Energy targeting 1.5 GW of fusion power. Characterization of the ST-E1 flat-top scenario is described elsewhere McNamara et al (2026 Nucl. Fusion 66 086008); here we focus on addressing the question of how to ramp-up the ST-E1 plasma from an initial state following breakdown and flux-surface formation to the target flat-top state. Being low-aspect ratio, the available solenoid flux of ST-E1 is limited. Therefore, particular consideration is placed on developing ramp-up scenarios that predominantly use inductive flux provided by external vertical field coils. Through time-dependent modeling with METIS, we show that this is possible when the ramp-up is performed at relatively high plasma density: although auxiliary current drive efficiency is reduced, this is significantly outweighed by (1) higher electron-ion collisional equilibration, (2) higher fusion power once ions become sufficiently hot, (3) higher poloidal beta for increased vertical-field flux, and (4) potentially favorable exhaust compatibilities. Ultimately, we show the target ST-E1 flat-top performance can be reached after a ramp-up period lasting 150 s using less than 40 Vs of solenoid flux (with vertical field providing ∼ 90 Vs of flux). The sensitivity to model assumptions are presented, with the general observation that deleterious effects can be mitigated through minor alterations of the auxiliary power temporal waveform and/or total auxiliary power level. The impact of a solenoid and the auxiliary power mix (electron cyclotron heating only versus electron and ion cyclotron heating) on the ST-E1 ramp-up success are also discussed in appendices. On this latter topic, we show that the effect of direct-ion heating during ramp-up is obscured by the uncertainty in the pedestal dynamics, identifying a clear line of future work required to make a definite decision on the ST-E1 auxiliary power mix.

current ramp-up↗
NASA NTRS2026

Synchronized Eruptions on Io: Possible Evidence of Interconnected Subsurface Magma Reservoirs

On 27 December 2024, Juno's JIRAM (Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper) instrument observed an unprecedented volcanic event in Io's southern hemisphere, covering a vast region of ∼65,000 km2, near 73°S, 140°E. Within the imaged region, only one hot spot was previously known (Pfd454). This feature was earlier estimated to cover an area of 300 km2 with a total power output of 34 GW. JIRAM results show that the region produces a power output of 140–260 TW, over 1,000 times higher than earlier estimates and likely exceeding the brightest eruption ever recorded on Io, that of Surt in 2001 (∼80 TW). Three adjacent hot spots also exhibited dramatic power increases: P139, PV18, and an unnamed feature south of the main one that surged to ∼1 TW, placing all of them among the top 10 most powerful hot spots observed on Io. A temperature analysis of the features supports the simultaneous onset of these brightenings and suggests a single eruptive event propagating beneath the surface across hundreds of kilometers; this is the first time this has been observed on Io. This in turn would imply a connection among the hotspots' magma reservoirs, while other nearby hotspots that have been known to be active in the recent past, such as Kurdalagon Patera, appear unaffected. The simultaneity supports models of massive, interconnected magma reservoirs. The topology of these regional magma systems may resemble that of a large-scale sponge, in which the massive reservoirs are the pores, interconnected through a largely solid outer shell.

A Mura↗
NASA NTRS2002

Hubble Space Telescope On-orbit NiH2 Battery Performance

This paper summarizes the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) battery performance from launch to the present time. Over the life of HST vehicle configuration, charge system degradation and failures together with thermal design limitations have had a significant effect on the capacity of the HST batteries. Changes made to the charge system configuration in order to protect against power system failures and to maintain battery thermal stability resulted in undercharging of the batteries. This undercharging resulted in decreased usable battery capacity as well as battery cell voltage/capacity divergence. This cell divergence was made evident during on-orbit battery capacity measurements by a relatively shallow slope of the discharge curve following the discharge knee. Early efforts to improve the battery performance have been successful. On-orbit capacity measurement data indicates increases in the usable battery capacity of all six batteries as well as improvements in the battery cell voltage/capacity divergence. Additional measures have been implemented to improve battery performance, however, failures within the HST Power Control Unit (PCU) have prevented verification of battery status. As this PCU fault prevents the execution of on-orbit capacity testing, the HST Project has based the battery capacity on trends, which utilizes previous on-orbit battery capacity test data, for science mission and servicing mission planning. The Servicing Mission 38 (SM-3B) in March 2002 replaced the faulty PCU. Following the servicing mission, on-orbit capacity test resumed. A summary of battery performance is reviewed since launch in this paper.

Rao, Gopalakrishna M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

From wide to ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors for high power and high frequency electronic devices

Abstract Wide and ultrawide-bandgap (U/WBG) materials have garnered significant attention within the semiconductor device community due to their potential to enhance device performance through their substantial bandgap properties. These exceptional material characteristics can enable more robust and efficient devices, particularly in scenarios involving high power, high frequency, and extreme environmental conditions. Despite the promising outlook, the physics of UWBG materials remains inadequately understood, leading to a notable gap between theoretical predictions and experimental device behavior. To address this knowledge gap and pinpoint areas where further research can have the most significant impact, this review provides an overview of the progress and limitations in U/WBG materials. The review commences by discussing Gallium Nitride, a more mature WBG material that serves as a foundation for establishing fundamental concepts and addressing associated challenges. Subsequently, the focus shifts to the examination of various UWBG materials, including AlGaN/AlN, Diamond, and Ga 2 O 3 . For each of these materials, the review delves into their unique properties, growth methods, and current state-of-the-art devices, with a primary emphasis on their applications in power and radio-frequency electronics.

Materials Science↗