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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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Characterization of a Regenerable Impactor Filter for Spacecraft Cabin Applications

Regenerable filters will play an important role in human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. Life Support Systems aboard crewed spacecrafts will have to operate reliably and with little maintenance over periods of more than a year, even multiple years. Air filters are a key component of spacecraft life support systems, but they often require frequent routine maintenance. Bacterial filters aboard the International Space Station require almost weekly cleaning of the pre-filter screen to remove large lint debris captured in the microgravity environment. The source of the airborne matter which is collected on the filter screen is typically from clothing fibers, biological matter (hair, skin, nails, etc.) and material wear. Clearly a need for low maintenance filters requiring little to no crew intervention will be vital to the success of the mission. An impactor filter is being developed and tested to address this need. This filter captures large particle matter through inertial separation and impaction methods on collection surfaces, which can be automatically cleaned after they become heavily loaded. The impactor filter can serve as a pre-filter to augment the life of higher efficiency filters that capture fine and ultrafine particles. A prototype of the filter is being tested at the Particulate Filtration Laboratory at NASA Glenn Research Center to determine performance characteristics, including particle cut size and overall efficiency. Model results are presented for the flow characteristics near the orifice plate through which the particle-laden flow is accelerated as well as around the collection bands.

air filters↗
NASA NTRS2015

biOrigami: A New Approach to Reduce the Cost of Space Missions

Space exploration lies at the inquisitive core of human nature, yet high costs hinder the advancement of this frontier. We are harnessing the replicative properties of biology to create biOrigamibiological, self-folding origamito reduce the mass, volume, and assembly time of materials needed for space missions. biOrigami consists of two main components: manufacturing substrates biologically and bioengineering folding mechanisms. For substrates, we are developing new BioBricks to synthesize two thermoplastics: polystyrene and polyhydroxyalkanoates. For folding mechanisms, we are using heat-induced contraction of thermoplastics and the contractile properties of bacterial spores. After consulting with experts, we believe that biOrigami could be incorporated into rovers, solar sails, and more. In addition to biOrigami, we are creating a novel method to efficiently transform bacteria by using the CRISPRCas9 system, benefitting the broader synthetic biology community. Our project integrates and improves manufacturing processes for space exploration on both the micro and macro levels.

Space Exploration↗
NASA NTRS2003

The NASA Materials Science Research Program - It's New Strategic Goals and Plans

In 2001, the NASA created a separate science enterprise, the Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR), to perform strategical and fundamental research bringing together physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to solve problems needed for future agency mission goals. The Materials Science Program is one of basic research disciplines within this new Enterprise's Division of Physical Sciences Research. The Materials Science Program participates to utilize effective use of International Space Station (ISS) experimental facilities, target new scientific and technology questions, and transfer results for Earth benefits. The program has recently pursued new investigative research in areas necessary to expand NASA knowledge base for exploration of the universe, some of which will need access to the microgravity of space. The program has a wide variety of traditional ground and flight based research related types of basic science related to materials crystallization, fundamental processing, and properties characterization in order to obtain basic understanding of various phenomena effects and relationships to the structures, processing, and properties of materials. A summary of the types and sources for this research is presented and those experiments planned for the space. Areas to help expand the science basis for NASA future missions are described. An overview of the program is given including the scope of the current and future NASA Research Announcements with emphasis on new materials science initiatives. A description of the planned flight experiments to be conducted on the International Space Station program along with the planned facility class Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR) and Microgravity Glovebox (MSG) type investigations.

Schlagheck, Ronald A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Biomimetic robots using EAP as artificial muscles - progress and challenges

Biology offers a great model for emulation in areas ranging from tools, computational algorithms, materials science, mechanisms and information technology. In recent years, the field of biomimetics, namely mimicking biology, has blossomed with significant advances enabling the reverse engineering of many animals' functions and implementation of some of these capabilities.

robotics↗
NASA NTRS2005

Miniature Laboratory for Detecting Sparse Biomolecules

A miniature laboratory system has been proposed for use in the field to detect sparsely distributed biomolecules. By emphasizing concentration and sorting of specimens prior to detection, the underlying system concept would make it possible to attain high detection sensitivities without the need to develop ever more sensitive biosensors. The original purpose of the proposal is to aid the search for signs of life on a remote planet by enabling the detection of specimens as sparse as a few molecules or microbes in a large amount of soil, dust, rocks, water/ice, or other raw sample material. Some version of the system could prove useful on Earth for remote sensing of biological contamination, including agents of biological warfare. Processing in this system would begin with dissolution of the raw sample material in a sample-separation vessel. The solution in the vessel would contain floating microscopic magnetic beads coated with substances that could engage in chemical reactions with various target functional groups that are parts of target molecules. The chemical reactions would cause the targeted molecules to be captured on the surfaces of the beads. By use of a controlled magnetic field, the beads would be concentrated in a specified location in the vessel. Once the beads were thus concentrated, the rest of the solution would be discarded. This procedure would obviate the filtration steps and thereby also eliminate the filter-clogging difficulties of typical prior sample-concentration schemes. For ferrous dust/soil samples, the dissolution would be done first in a separate vessel before the solution is transferred to the microbead-containing vessel.

Lin, Ying↗
NASA NTRS2016

Martian Atmospheric Methane Plumes from Meteor Shower Infall: A Hypothesis

Methane plumes in the martian atmosphere have been detected using Earth-based spectroscopy, the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer on the ESA Mars Express mission, and the NASA Mars Science Laboratory. The methane's origin remains a mystery, with proposed sources including volcanism, exogenous sources like impacts and interplanetary dust, aqueous alteration of olivine in the presence of carbonaceous material, release from ancient deposits of methane clathrates, and/or biological activity. To date, none of these phenomena have been found to reliably correlate with the detection of methane plumes. An additional source exists, however: meteor showers could generate martian methane via UV pyrolysis of carbon-rich infall material. We find a correlation between the dates of Mars/cometary orbit encounters and detections of methane on Mars. We hypothesize that cometary debris falls onto Mars during these interactions, depositing freshly disaggregated meteor shower material in a regional concentration. The material generates methane via UV photolysis, resulting in a localized "plume" of short-lived methane.

Fries, M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Improved BN Coatings on SiC Fibers in SiC Matrices

Modifications of BN-based coatings that are used as interfacial layers between the fibers and matrices of SiCfiber/SiC-matrix composite materials have been investigated to improve the thermomechanical properties of these materials. Such interfacial coating layers, which are also known as interphases (not to be confused with interphase in the biological sense), contribute to strength and fracture toughness of a fiber/matrix composite material by providing for limited amounts of fiber/matrix debonding and sliding to absorb some of the energy that would otherwise contribute to the propagation of cracks. Heretofore, the debonding and sliding have been of a type called inside debonding because they have taken place predominantly on the inside surfaces of the BN layers that is, at the interfaces between the SiC fibers and the interphases. The modifications cause the debonding and sliding to include more of a type, called outside debonding, that takes place at the outside surfaces of the BN layers that is, at the interfaces between the interphases and the matrix (see figure). One of the expected advantages of outside debonding is that unlike in inside debonding, the interphases would remain on the crack-bridging fibers. The interphases thus remaining should afford additional protection against oxidation at high temperature and should delay undesired fiber/fiber fusion and embrittlement of the composite material. A secondary benefit of outside debonding is that the interphase/matrix interfaces could be made more compliant than are the fiber/interphase interfaces, which necessarily incorporate the roughness of the SiC fibers. By properly engineering BN interphase layers to favor outside debonding, it should be possible, not only to delay embrittlement at intermediate temperatures, but also to reduce the effective interfacial shear strength and increase the failure strain and toughness of the composite material. Two techniques have been proposed and partially experimentally verified as candidate means to promote outside debonding in state-of-the-art SiC/SiC composites.

Morscher, Gregory N.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Nanolayered Features of Collagen-like Peptides

We have been investigating collagen-like model oligopeptides as molecular bases for complex ordered biomimetic materials. The collagen-like molecules incorporate aspects of native collagen sequence and secondary structure. Designed modifications to native primary and secondary structure have been incorporated to control the nanostructure and microstructure of the collagen-like materials produced. We find that the collagen-like molecules form a number of lyotropic rod liquid crystalline phases, which because of their strong temperature dependence in the liquid state can also be viewed as solvent intercalated thermotropic liquid crystals. The liquid crystalline phases formed by the molecules can be captured in the solid state by drying off solvent, resulting in solid nanopatterned (chemically and physically) thermally stable (to greater than 100 C) materials. Designed sequences which stabilize smectic phases have allowed a variety of nanoscale multilayered biopolymeric materials to be developed. Preliminary investigations suggest that chemical patterns running perpendicular to the smectic layer plane can be functionalized and used to localize a variety of organic, inorganic, and organometallic moieties in very simple multilayered nanocomposites. The phase behavior of collagen-like oligopeptide materials is described, emphasizing the correlation between mesophase, molecular orientation, and chemical patterning at the microscale and nanoscale. In many cases, the textures observed for smectic and hexatic phase collagens are remarkably similar to the complex (and not fully understood) helicoids observed in biological collagen-based tissues. Comparisons between biological morphologies and collagen model liquid crystalline (and solidified materials) textures may help us understand the molecular features which impart order and function to the extracellular matrix and to collagen-based mineralized tissues. Initial studies have utilized synthetic collagen-like peptides while future work will also focus on similar sequences generated via genetic engineering methods.

Valluzzi, Regina↗
NASA NTRS2001

Electroactive polymers as artificial muscles - reality and challenges

For many years, electroactive polymers (EAP) received reIatively little attention due to the small number of available materials and their limited actuation capability. The recent emergence of EAP materials with large displacement response changed the potential capability and paradigms of these materials. The main attractive characteristic of EAP is their operational similarity to biological muscles, particularly their resilience and ability to induce large actuation strains. Even though the actuation force of existing EAP materials and their robustness require further improvement, there has already been a series of reported successes. The successful applications that were demonstrated include catheter steering element, miniature manipulator, dust-wiper, miniature robotic arm, and grippers. Some of the currently considered applications may be difficult to accomplish and it is important to scope the requirements to the level that current materials can address. Using EAP to replace existing actuators may be a difficult challenge and therefore it is highly desirable to identify a niche application where it would not need to compete with existing capabilities. The application of these materials as actuators to drive various manipulation, mobility and robotic devices involves multidiscipline including materials, chemistry, electro-mechanics, computers, electronics, etc. This paper reviews the current efforts and the expectations for the future.

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph↗
NASA NTRS1983

Space Station needs, attributes and architectural options. Volume 2, book 1, part 2, task 1: Mission requirements

Mission areas analyzed for input to the baseline mission model include: (1) commercial materials processing, including representative missions for producing metallurgical, chemical and biological products; (2) commercial Earth observation, represented by a typical carry-on mission amenable to commercialization; (3) solar terrestrial and resource observations including missions in geoscience and scientific land observation; (4) global environment, including representative missions in meteorology, climatology, ocean science, and atmospheric science; (5) materials science, including missions for measuring material properties, studying chemical reactions and utilizing the high vacuum-pumping capacity of space; and (6) life sciences with experiments in biomedicine and animal and plant biology.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1971

In situ analysis of planetary surfaces for organic materials.

Discussion of the possibility of investigating the physical, chemical, and biological state of other planets in the hope of encountering one or more that is presently in a state prior to or just after the evolution of living systems. It may then be possible to observe the chemistry at and near the surface, evaluate the sources of energy available, and search for the presence or absence of living systems, and their degree of similarity to terrestrial ones. The mass spectrometry technique is considered to be the most appropriate. A system consisting of a series of sample ovens which can be consecutively attached to the gas stream of a small gas chromatograph which is in turn connected to a mass spectrometer via a carrier gas separator has been developed for the exploration of the surface of Mars.

Biemann, K.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Biology as a Key Technological Foundation for Settlement Beyond Earth

Moving materials beyond Earth, whether spacecraft, living organisms, or both, is limited by mass constraints. Yet human survival requires an extensive infrastructure, from environmental regulation to life support. In practice this means habitats, food, oxygen, waste recycling, medicine and so on. Thus, there is a mismatch between what will be required in transit and at destination to fulfill dreams of human settlements and what can realistically moved there. Further, settlement off planet with current transportation systems requires the ability to operate independently of the Earth for prolonged periods of time, requiring long-term storage of supplies and the flexibilityto satisfy new needs.

resource utilization↗
NASA NTRS1999

The Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment (MECA) Wet Chemistry Experiment on the Mars 2001 Lander

The Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment (MECA) is an instrument suite that will fly on the Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander Spacecraft. MECA is sponsored by the Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) program and will evaluate potential hazards that the dust and soil of Mars might present to astronauts and their equipment on a future human mission to Mars. Four elements constitute the integrated MECA payload: a microscopy station, patch plates, an electrometer, and the wet chemistry experiment (WCE). The WCE is the first application of electrochemical sensors to study soil chemistry on another planetary body, in addition to being the first measurement of soil/water solution properties on Mars. The chemical composition and properties of the watersoluble materials present in the Martian soil are of considerable interest to the planetary science community because characteristic salts are formed by the water-based weathering of rocks, the action of volcanic gases, and biological activity. Thus the characterization of water-soluble soil materials on Mars can provide information on the geochemical history of the planet surface. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Grannan, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Spacelab-1: An early space station for science and technology

The scientific capabilities of the Spacelab manned pallet are reviewed, together with the implications of an expansion of the research effectiveness with a free-flying platform. The premier Spacelab flight will carry out earth observations with a metric camera and SAR, atmospheric studies will be performed with imaging spectrometers, and space plasma physics will be examined by injecting particle beams or VLF waves into the near-Shuttle environment. Radiance and spectrum data will be gathered of the sun and UV and X ray information will be recorded from the stars. Experimentation will also be carried out for on-board crystal growth, metallurgy, and glassy material production, as well as the response of biological systems to zero-g conditions and hard space radiation. The telemetry, time, crewmember participation, and on-board controls required for Spacelab operations are outlined. Missions for a space platform for studying the atmosphere/space interface are described.

Knott, K.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Bioregenerative technologies for waste processing and resource recovery in advanced space life support system

The Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) for producing oxygen, water, and food in space will require an interactive facility to process and return wastes as resources to the system. This paper examines the bioregenerative techologies for waste processing and resource recovery considered for a CELSS Resource Recovery system. The components of this system consist of a series of biological reactors to treat the liquid and solid material fractions, in which the aerobic and anaerobic reactors are combined in a block called the Combined Reactor Equipment (CORE) block. The CORE block accepts the human wastes, kitchen wastes, inedible refractory plant materials, grey waters from the CELLS system, and aquaculture solids and processes these materials in either aerobic or anaerobic reactors depending on the desired product and the rates required by the integrated system.

Chamberland, Dennis↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mitochondria Dysfunction Central in Driving Health Risks Associated with Spaceflight

Background: Determining the biological impact of spaceflight through novel approaches is essential to reduce the health risks to astronauts for long-term space missions. The current established health risks due to spaceflight are only reflecting known symptomatic and physiologic responses and do not reflect early onset of other potential diseases. There are many unknown variables which still need to be identified to fully understand the health impacts due to the environmental factors in space. Materials and Methods: One method to uncover potential novel biological mechanisms responsible for health risks in astronauts is by utilizing NASA’s GeneLab platform (genelab.nasa.gov). GeneLab is public repository that hosts multiple omics datasets generated from space biology experiments that include experiments flown in space, simulated cosmic radiation experiments, and simulated microgravity experiments. This presentation will provide an example of analysis and novel hypothesis generation that is being produced with GeneLab datasets. A comprehensive multi-omics approach was implemented correlating transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and methylation analysis. Results: We found that cells have stronger overall biological response than the tissues to spaceflight, with mitochondrial activity and innate immunity pathways being heavily impacted. NASA Twin Study results are consistent with a specific alteration in mitochondrial ATP production. Our results indicate that the space environment can directly induce mitochondrial damage, with mitochondrial dysfunctions being a cause for chronic inflammation and both being involved in the development of metabolic disorders that cause changes in lipid metabolism. We also found biological changes occurring during spaceflight with cell cycle, circadian rhythm and olfactory activity pathways can also influence and be influenced by alterations on mitochondrial activity

Afshin Beheshti↗
NASA NTRS2005

In Vitro Experimental Model to Investigate the Biological Effects across the Bragg Curve of High-LET Radiation

The space environment consists of a varying field of radiation particles including high energy ions, with a spacecrafts shielding material providing the only major protection to astronauts from harmful exposure. Unlike lowLET gamma or Xrays, the presence of shielding does not always reduce the radiation risks for energetic charged particle exposure since the dose delivered by the charged particle increases sharply as the particle approaches the end of its range, a position known as the Bragg peak and the correlating spatial dose distribution identified as the Bragg curve. The Bragg curve does not necessarily represent the biological damage along the particle traversal since biological effects are influenced by the track structure of both primary and secondary particles. Therefore, the biological Bragg curve is dependent of the energy and the type of the primary particle, and may vary for different biological endpoints. Here we describe a unique irradiation geometry and experimental system to measure the biological response across the Bragg curve in one consistent biological sample. Polyethylene shielding was used to achieve a Bragg curve distribution with the beam geometry parallel to a monolayer of fibroblast cells. We present data that highlights the differential formation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and chromosomal deletions across the Bragg curve in human fibroblasts irradiated with 600 MeV/nucleon iron ion beams. Qualitative analyses of gammaH2AX fluorescence, a known marker of DSBs, indicated potentially increased clustering of DNA damage before the Bragg peak, enhanced homogenous distribution at the peak, and provided visual evidence of high linear energy transfer (LET) particle traversal of cells beyond the Bragg peak in agreement with one-dimensional transport approximations. A biological response curve generated for micronuclei induction across the Bragg curve for 600 MeV/n Fe ions did not reveal an increase in the yield of micronuclei at the Bragg peak location. Assessment of such biological parameters employing the described in vitro experimental system may provide improved platforms to measure a number of biological consequences of shielding materials across the Bragg curve for high charge and energy (HZE) ions.

Desai, N.↗