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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 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2009

A Summary of Closed Brayton Cycle Development Activities at NASA

NASA has been involved in the development of Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) power conversion technology since the 1960's. CBC systems can be coupled to reactor, isotope, or solar heat sources and offer the potential for high efficiency, long life, and scalability to high power. In the 1960's and 1970's, NASA and industry developed the 10 kW Brayton Rotating Unit (BRU) and the 2 kW mini-BRU demonstrating technical feasibility and performance, In the 1980's, a 25 kW CBC Solar Dynamic (SD) power system option was developed for Space Station Freedom and the technology was demonstrated in the 1990's as part of the 2 kW SO Ground Test Demonstration (GTD). Since the early 2000's, NASA has been pursuing CBC technology for space reactor applications. Before it was cancelled, the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (HMO) mission was considering a 100 kWclass CBC system coupled to a gas-cooled fission reactor. Currently, CBC technology is being explored for Fission Surface Power (FSP) systems to provide base power on the moon and Mars. These recent activities have resulted in several CBC-related technology development projects including a 50 kW Alternator Test Unit, a 20 kW Dual Brayton Test Loop, a 2 kW Direct Drive Gas Brayton Test Loop, and a 12 kW FSP Power Conversion Unit design.

Mason, Lee S.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Disk transport rates from Ti isotopic signatures of refractory inclusions

Abstract The early solar system was a dynamic period during which the formation of early solids set into motion the process of planet building. Although both astrophysical observations and theoretical modeling demonstrate the presence of widespread transport of material, we lack concrete quantitative constraints on timings, distances, and mechanisms thereof. To trace these transport processes, one needs objects of known early formation times and these objects would need to be distributed throughout parent bodies with known accretion times and distances. Generally, these criteria are met by “regular” (i.e., non–fractionated and unidentified nuclear and excluding hibonite‐rich) Ca‐Al‐rich inclusions (CAIs) as these objects formed very early and close to the young Sun and contain distinctive nucleosynthetic isotope anomalies that permit provenance tracing. However, nucleosynthetic isotopic signatures of such refractory inclusions have so far primarily been analyzed in chondritic meteorites that formed within ~4 AU from the Sun. Here, we investigate Ti isotopic signatures of four refractory inclusions from the ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite WIS 91600 that was previously suggested to have formed beyond ~10 AU from the Sun. We show that these inclusions exhibit correlated excesses in 50 Ti and 46 Ti and lack large Ti isotopic anomalies that would otherwise be indicative of more enigmatic refractory materials with unknown formation ages. Instead, these isotope systematics suggest the inclusions to be genetically related to regular CAIs commonly found in other chondrites that have a broadly known formation region and age. Collectively, this implies that a common population of CAIs was distributed over the inner ~10 AU within ~3.5 Myr, yielding an average (minimum) speed for the transport of millimeter‐scale material in the early solar system of ~1 cm s −1 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2012

PHOBOS Exploration using Two Small Solar Electric Propulsion Spacecraft

Primitive bodies are exciting targets for exploration as they provide clues to the early Solar system conditions and dynamical evolution. The two moons of Mars are particularly interesting because of their proximity to an astrobiological target. However, after four decades of Mars exploration, their origin and nature remain enigmatic. In addition, when considering the long-term objectives of the flexible path for the potential human exploration to Mars, Phobos and Deimos present exciting intermediate opportunities without the complication and expense of landing and ascending from the surface. As interest in these targets for the next frontier of human exploration grows, characterization missions designed specifically to examine surface properties, landing environments, and surface mapping prior to human exploration are becoming increasingly important. A precursor mission concept of this sort has been developed using two identical spacecraft designed from low cost, flight proven and certified off-the-shelf component and utilizing Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) to orbit both targets as secondary payloads launched aboard any NASA or GTO launch. This precursor mission has the potential to address both precursor measurements that are strategic knowledge gaps and decadal science, including soil physical properties at the global and local (human) scale and the search for in situ resources.

Phobos↗
DOE OSTI2020

Dynamical Classification of Trans-Neptunian Objects Detected by the Dark Energy Survey

The outer solar system contains a large number of small bodies (known as trans-Neptunian objects or TNOs) that exhibit diverse types of dynamical behavior. The classification of bodies in this distant region into dynamical classes—subpopulations that experience similar orbital evolution—aids in our understanding of the structure and formation of the solar system. In this work, we propose an updated dynamical classification scheme for the outer solar system. This approach includes the construction of a new (automated) method for identifying mean motion resonances. We apply this algorithm to the current data set of TNOs observed by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and present a working classification for all of the DES TNOs detected to date. Our classification scheme yields 1 inner centaur, 19 outer centaurs, 21 scattering disk objects, 47 detached TNOs, 48 securely resonant objects, 7 resonant candidates, and 97 classical belt objects. Among the scattering and detached objects, we detect 8 TNOs with semimajor axes greater than 150 au.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1971

The 2-8 GHz solar dynamic spectra and polarization measurement feasibility study

The preliminary system design of a Solar Microwave Spectrograph (SMS) is presented. This design resulted from a study to determine the feasibility of measuring solar polarization and dynamic spectra over the range of two to eight GHz, using broadband radio frequency instrumentation and rapid recording equipment in conjunction with radio telescopes. The scientific value of the proposed SMS instrument is discussed, with remarks concerning data reduction and analysis and a presentation of the engineering plan to implement the SMS system.

Haddock, F. T.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Demonstration of photoreactor platform for on-sun unassisted photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation with tandem III–V photoelectrodes

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a direct solar-driven technology that converts solar energy to storable chemical energy in the form of hydrogen. In addition to semiconductor and catalyst development for improved photoelectrodes, designing reactors for testing and operation of PEC systems under inherently dynamic outdoor solar illumination is necessary to further the commercial viability of PEC technology. Herein, we present a versatile photoreactor system mounted on a solar tracker for outdoor PEC testing and demonstrate unassisted PEC water splitting under real world on-sun conditions. GaInP 2 /GaAs tandem absorber photoelectrodes with a MoS 2 catalyst were fabricated and exhibit >8% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency. On-sun efficiency and stability of the photoelectrodes were characterized on both sunny and partly cloudy days with continuous monitoring of insolation and weather conditions. Furthermore, the versatile photoreactor and outdoor PEC testing capabilities and methods presented here can accelerate the development of other solar fuel generating systems and technologies.

solar fuels↗
DOE OSTI2020

Black hole perturbations and quasinormal modes in hybrid metric-Palatini gravity

The rapid advancement of gravitational wave astronomy in recent years has paved the way for the burgeoning development of black hole spectroscopy, which enhances the possibility of testing black holes by their quasinormal modes (QNMs). In this paper, the axial gravitational perturbations and the QNM frequencies of black holes in the hybrid metric-Palatini gravity (HMPG) are investigated. Additionally, the HMPG theory is characterized by a dynamical scalar degree of freedom and is able to explain the late-time accelerating expansion of the universe without introducing any ad hoc screening mechanism to preserve the dynamics at the Solar System scale. We obtain the master equation governing the axial gravitational perturbations of the HMPG black holes and calculate the QNM frequencies. Moreover, in the scrutiny of the black holes and their QNMs, we take into account the constraints on the model parameters based on the post-Newtonian analysis, and show how the QNM frequencies of the HMPG black holes would be altered in the observationally consistent range of parameter space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1966

Scientific exploration of the moon and planets

Dynamical development of solar system, rotation of planets, and planetary interiors and magnetic fields discussed in relation to scientific exploration of moon and planets

PLANETARY EXPLORATION↗
NASA NTRS1987

Fluoride salts and container materials for thermal energy storage applications in the temperature range 973 to 1400 K

Multicomponent fluoride salt mixtures were characterized for use as latent heat of fusion heat storage materials in advanced solar dynamic space power systems with operating temperatures in the range of 973 to 1400 K. The melting points and eutectic composition for many systems with published phase diagrams were verified, and several new eutectic compositions were identified. Additionally, the heats of fusion of several binary and ternary eutectics and congruently melting intermediate compounds were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The extent of corrosion of various metals by fluoride melts was estimated from thermodynamic considerations, and equilibrium conditions inside a containment vessel were calculated as functions of the initial moisture content of the salt and free volume above the molten salt. Preliminary experimental data on the corrosion of commercial, high-temperature alloys in LiF-19.5CaF2 and NaF-27CaF2-36MgF2 melts are presented and compared to the thermodynamic predictions.

Misra, Ajay K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Fluoride salts and container materials for thermal energy storage applications in the temperature range 973 - 1400 K

Multicomponent fluoride salt mixtures were characterized for use as latent heat of fusion heat storage materials in advanced solar dynamic space power systems with operating temperatures in the range of 973 to 1400 K. The melting points and eutectic composition for many systems with published phase diagrams were verified, and several new eutectic compositions were identified. Additionally, the heats of fusion of several binary and ternary eutectics and congruently melting intermediate compounds were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The extent of corrosion of various metals by fluoride melts was estimated from thermodynamic considerations, and equilibrium conditions inside a containment vessel were calculated as functions of the initial moisture content of the salt and free volume above the molten salt. Preliminary experimental data on the corrosion of commercial, high-temperature alloys in LiF-19.5CaF2 and NaF-27CaF2-36MgF2 melts are presented and compared to the thermodynamic predictions.

Misra, Ajay K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Development of composite facets for the surface of a space-based solar dynamic concentrator

An account is given of the composite fabrication techniques envisioned for the production of mirror-quality substrates furnishing the specular reflectance required for the NASA Space Station's solar dynamic concentrator energy system. The candidate materials were graphite fiber-reinforced glass, aluminum, and polymer matrices whose surfaces would be coated with thin metal layers and with atomic oxygen degradation-inhibiting protective coatings to obtain the desired mirror surface. Graphite-epoxy mirror substrate samples have been found to perform satisfactorily for the required concentrator lifetime.

Ayers, Schuyler R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Indium phosphide solar cell research in the US: Comparison with nonphotovoltaic sources

Highlights of the InP solar cell research program are presented. Homojunction cells with AMO efficiences approaching 19 percent were demonstrated while 17 percent was achieved for indium tin oxide (ITO)/InP cells. The superior radiation resistance of these latter two cell configurations over both Si and GaAs were demonstrated. InP cells on board the LIPS III satellite show no degradation after more than a year in orbit. Computer modeling calculations were directed toward radiation damage predictions and the specification of concentrator cell parameters. Computed array specific powers, for a specific orbit, are used to compare the performance of an InP solar cell array to solar dynamic and nuclear systems.

Weinberg, I.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Hot filament technique for measuring the thermal conductivity of molten lithium fluoride

Molten salts, such as lithium fluoride, are attractive candidates for thermal energy storage in solar dynamic space power systems because of their high latent heat of fusion. However, these same salts have poor thermal conductivities which inhibit the transfer of heat into the solid phase and out of the liquid phase. One concept for improving the thermal conductivity of the thermal energy storage system is to add a conductive filler material to the molten salt. High thermal conductivity pitch-based graphite fibers are being considered for this application. Although there is some information available on the thermal conductivity of lithium fluoride solid, there is very little information on lithium fluoride liquid, and no information on molten salt graphite fiber composites. This paper describes a hot filament technique for determining the thermal conductivity of molten salts. The hot filament technique was used to find the thermal conductivity of molten lithium fluoride at 930 C, and the thermal conductivity values ranged from 1.2 to 1.6 W/mK. These values are comparable to the slightly larger value of 5.0 W/mK for lithium fluoride solid. In addition, two molten salt graphite fiber composites were characterized with the hot filament technique and these results are also presented.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Radio astrometry from the Moon

An array of three radio telescopes on the Moon, separated by 100-1000 km, could measure the positions of compact radio sources 50-100 times more accurately than can be done on Earth. These measurements would form an all-sky reference frame of extreme precision (5-10 micro-arcsec) and stability, with applications to the dynamics of the solar system, our galaxy, and nearby galaxies.

Linfield, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Atomic Oxygen Durability of Second Surface Silver Microsheet Glass Concentrators

Second surface silver microsheet glass concentrators are being developed for potential use in future solar dynamic space power systems. Traditional concentrators are aluminum honeycomb sandwich composites with either aluminum or graphite epoxy face sheets, where a reflective aluminum layer is deposited onto an organic leveling layer on the face sheet. To protect the underlying layers, a SiO2 layer is applied on top of the aluminum reflective layer. These concentrators may be vulnerable to atomic oxygen degradation due to possible atomic oxygen attack of the organic layers at defect sites in the protective and reflective coatings. A second surface microsheet glass concentrator would be inherently more atomic oxygen durable than these first surface concentrators. In addition, a second surface microsheet glass concentrator design provides a smooth optical surface and allows for silver to be used as a reflective layer, which would improve the reflectivity of the concentrator and the performance of the system. A potential threat to the performance of second surface microsheet glass concentrators is atomic oxygen attack of the underlying silver at seams and edges or at micrometeoroid and debris (MMD) impacts sites. Second surface silver microsheet glass concentrator samples were fabricated and tested for atomic oxygen durability. The samples were iteratively exposed to an atomic oxygen environment in a plasma asher. Samples were evaluated for potential degradation at fabrication seams, simulated MMD impact sites, and edges. Optical microscopy was used to evaluate atomic oxygen degradation. Reflectance was obtained for an impacted sample prior to and after atomic oxygen exposure. After an initial atomic oxygen exposure to an effective fluence of approx. 1 x 10(exp 21) atoms/cm(exp 2), oxidation of the silver at defect sites and edges was observed. Exposure to an additional approx. 1 x 10(exp 21) atoms/cm(exp 2) caused no observed increase in oxidation. Oxidation at an impact site caused negligible changes in reflectance. In all cases oxidation was found to be confined to the vicinity of the seams, impact sites, edges or defect sites. Asher to in-space atomic oxygen correlation issues will be addressed.

deGroh, Kim K.↗