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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

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NASA NTRS2015

Optimization for Load Alleviation of Truss-Braced Wing Aircraft with Variable Camber Continuous Trailing Edge Flap

This paper focuses on load alleviation optimization for a high aspect ratio truss braced wing (TBW) aircraft. The TBW aircraft model is based on the Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) concept developed by Boeing, with the wing structures of the model modified to include a novel aerodynamic control surface known as the Variable Camber Continuous Trailing Edge Flap (VCCTEF). The purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of a Performance Adaptive Aeroelastic Wing (PAAW) technology, specifically the VCCTEF, for alleviating load on the TBW wing during flight maneuver. The specific flight maneuver under consideration in this study is a 2.5g pull-up maneuver. Constrained gradient-based optimization is conducted to tailor the deflections of the VC- CTEF such that bending moment along the wing is minimized at the 2.5g pull-up flight condition. Aerodynamic modeling for this study is conducted using a vortex-lattice method code called Vorlax. A non-linear finite element analysis (FEA) method is constructed for analyzing the structural deformation and resulting bending moment along the wing of the aircraft with the inclusion of effects from tension-stiffening due to axial loading in the truss. This study is the first phase of several, and involves optimization of a rigid wing aircraft for preliminary analysis. Future studies will incorporate flexible wing structures with aeroelastic interactions and deformations. The results of this first phase positively demonstrate the potential of utilizing the novel control surface on modern aircraft wing designs for shaping control in order to provide load alleviation during flight maneuver.

Lebofsky, Sonia↗

NASA NTRS2021

Additive Component Manufacturing

State-of-the-art technology like additive manufacturing has not yet been thoroughly applied to fluid control valves. Many valve manufacturing issues such as flow passage machining, deep hole boring, and bi-metallic joining could successfully be addressed with this new technology. The goal of this project was to apply additive manufacturing technology specifically to the problems that fluid control valves present. In order to properly apply additive manufacturing processes to the design of control valves, the plan was to manufacture samples using metals compatible with low temperature, high pressure oxygen service and then tested. While vetting this project with manufacturers, it was determined that the materials chosen were not ideal for additive manufacturing due to their high reflectivity. Therefore, materials for this project were currently undergoing reevaluation and materials that are better suited for additive manufacturing may be substituted. During FY20, additional alloys were selected that would be both appropriate for high pressure oxygen environments as well appropriate for additive manufacturing processes. However, final bid for manufacturing was six times larger than the available funding for this project. Based on previous additive manufacturing projects, the scope and funding for this project were appropriate, but a suitable manufacturer willing to provide a reasonable proposal, was not found. Therefore, funds were de-obligated for this project, and then re-obligated to augment another FY20 CIF project.

Jonathan Dickey↗

NASA NTRS2023

Missed Approach Procedures in Advanced Air Mobility: Conceptual Exploration

The High Density Vertiplex Sub-Project, as part of NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Project, has been in collaboration with a team from Wisk Aero focusing on vertiport operations, procedures, and concept development. A particular area of focus has been on the development of missed approach scenarios and procedures that highlight the potential changes in the nearer- and further-term operational time frames. Such changes relate to topic areas such as airspace design, automation and autonomy, roles and responsibilities of actors and stakeholders, airspace management services and systems, as well as technologies specific to vertiport operations management. This paper presents the current state of joint concept development through the established collaboration and the application of elements in ongoing testing as part of NASA’s High Density Vertiplex Sub-Project’s research strategy.

vertiport↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Missed Approach Procedures in Advanced Air Mobility: Conceptual Exploration

The High Density Vertiplex Sub-Project, as part of NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Project, has been in collaboration with a team from Wisk Aero focusing on vertiport operations, procedures, and concept development. A particular area of focus has been on the development of missed approach scenarios and procedures that highlight the potential changes in the nearer- and further-term operational time frames. Such changes relate to topic areas such as airspace design, automation and autonomy, roles and responsibilities of actors and stakeholders, airspace management services and systems, as well as technologies specific to vertiport operations management. This presentation encompasses the content of the associated paper that presents the current state of joint concept development through the established collaboration and the application of elements in ongoing testing as part of NASA’s High Density Vertiplex Sub-Project’s research strategy.

vertiport↗

NASA NTRS2024

Temporary Atmospheres Produced By Human Activities on the Moon

Outgassing from materials, whether through the ascent/descent stages of lunar vehicles, airlock depressurizing, rover or astronaut suit outgassing, may cause an effect of unwanted accumulation of volatiles at the surface and exosphere. This is especially important at (or proximal) to permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) at the lunar poles. Herein, we provide estimates of expected outgassing from various human-landed objects on the Moon, including backpacks, airlocks, rovers, landers, trash and mining operations. Astronaut suits produce some level of oxygen outgassing (Helou et al., 2022), which may transport and condense in these PSRs, even in micro- cold traps (Glavin et al., 2010).We estimate the outgassing from drill mining and trash-to-gas conversion assuming a specific technology is operating. These outgassing systems can create local, temporary atmospheres in the vicinity (∼100 km radius) of the sources. The atmosphere may be particularly high within meters of the source. To obtain column densities for these temporary atmospheres, we first bracket ranges for the gas number loss as a function of time. We then derive the maximum distance traveled and the time the released molecules remain in the exosphere for a single ballistic hop, assuming the molecules are ejected from the surface of the object at its surface temperature. In some cases, such as the astronaut backpack and the rover, the temperature is that of the source. Given this information, an average and peak local exospheric density and column density can be estimated. We find that backpacks, airlock releases, and the Starship lander can create relatively high-density local atmospheres, with local near-lander outgassing water densities exceeding 107/cm3. This local water exosphere is over 106 times greater than the LADEE-derived lower limit of the natural water exosphere at ∼3/cm3. Thus, the anthropogenic temporary water exosphere will likely dominate the environment near the lander, making an assessment of the natural exospheric water environment difficult.

Rosemary M Killen↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Status and Predicted Performance for the AstroPIC Integrated Photonic Coronagraph

Integrated photonics is a promising coronagraph technology option for exoplanet-imaging missions like NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory flagship. It is theoretically capable of achieving better performance than traditional bulk-optic coronagraphs because arrays of integrated interferometers can be combined to implement any linear operator. However, photonic coronagraphs require significant maturation to be ready for a space telescope mission. The AstroPIC project is advancing this technology by developing a proof-of-concept integrated photonic coronagraph based on silicon photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology. Specifically, the AstroPIC program is investigating the impact of a PIC coronagraph on the predicted scientific yield of the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) mission concept. In this talk, we will present the current status of the AstroPIC design, including the layout of the most recent PIC. We will also present on the status of simulations that predict the performance of the instrument and feed into scientific yield estimations for HWO Exoploratory Analytic Cases (EACs) 1-3. Finally, we will present the status of the development of a PIC testbed at NASA Ames and results from preliminary PIC laboratory testing at Stanford.

Photonics↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Next-Generation Hard X-ray Missions: SuperHERO and HEROIX

High-energy X-ray observations have transformed our understanding of astrophysical systems where non-thermal processes dominate, from shock-accelerated particles in supernova remnants to relativistic jets and hot coronae in active galactic nuclei. NuSTAR’s pioneering focusing images of the hard X-ray sky have demonstrated the immense scientific potential of this band, while also highlighting how limited angular resolution constrains our ability to fully characterize complex physical processes in faint extended sources and resolving faint sources in crowded sky regions. In this presentation, I will discuss a pathway to overcome these challenges through NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s replicated NiCo full-shell X-ray mirror technology. Specifically, I will discuss the SuperHERO hard X-ray telescope to achieve better than 10-arcsecond half-power diameter (HPD) angular resolution on a balloon flight observing the Crab Nebula, and the High EneRgy Observatory for Imaging X-rays (HEROIX) Medium-Class Mission concept to achieve an integrated effective area of 570 cm2 at 30 keV with 5 arcsec HPD angular resolution.

AGN↗

DOE OSTI2020

From Atom to Engine: Understanding Fundamental Effects of Structure on Combustion Using Tandem Experiment and Computation

The ability to tie structural features to a fuel candidate’s ignition properties provides a path for rational design of advantaged fuels that facilitate higher-efficiency, lower-emitting combustion in engines. The time evolution of a fuel’s radical population directly correlates with global combustion parameters, and because the generated radicals depend on the initial structure and reaction pathways of the fuel molecule, it follows that the molecular structure of a fuel has a direct impact on this cascade, and therefore salient ignition-tied fuel properties. This work aims to understand the impact of structural features in the context of global combustion properties for direct application to emerging engine technologies. Specifically, we highlight the ability to identify potential fuel blendstocks for specific engine strategies by examining and elucidating the radical cascade tied to ignition. A representative subset of alcohols possessing a variety of structural features (e.g. branching, chain length) was selected for study using a robust combination of experimental and computational methods. The approach begins with identifying short-lived radicals and likely abstraction sites upon pyrolysis in a microreactor coupled with photoionization mass spectrometry for direct detection of product species. In tandem, electronic structure calculations were performed to calculate the relevant potential energy surfaces for fuel pyrolysis as well as the subsequent O2 addition-isomerization reactions, which govern ignition behavior. Furthermore, the theoretical energetic and ro-vibrational data are used to calculate rate constants for direct ignition modeling to explore how structural effects impact NTC behavior. The microreactor data combined with electronic structure theory calculations provide a well-informed picture of the reactions relevant to ignition for each fuel in this study, as well as the most likely radicals generated under engine conditions. This thorough fundamental picture of fuel decomposition and ignition chemistry is used to correlate the observed ignition behavior to molecular structural effects.

advanced biofuels↗

DOE OSTI2021

Working With Your Utility Series: Interconnection Basics

This training provided information on interconnection basics for federal agencies developing distributed energy projects. Considerations covered included: Understanding interconnection processes and timelines, interconnection siting considerations, technology-specific interconnection issues, and interconnect agreements. This webinar is the first in a multi-part series on working with electric utilities to develop distributed energy projects on federal sites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

The Qualification of Sealability and Creep Relaxation of Additively Manufactured Zytel Gaskets for PEM Fuel Cells

The purpose of this thesis is to study the feasibility of low-cost additive manufacturing of gaskets for proton exchange membrane fuel cells exposed to extreme temperature conditions ranging from -55°C to 100°C. With the growing popularity and decreasing costs of additive manufacturing technologies, specifically Material Extrusion (ME), research is being conducted to determine the feasibility of ME components. Thermally cycled PEMFCs may exhibit accelerated gasket deterioration, therefore, the mechanical stability of material extruded gaskets following a harsh thermal cycle must be assessed. The feasibility of the material extruded gaskets will be proven by manufacturing optimization and mechanical testing. The target material for this study is Zytel by DuPont Chemical. The mechanical stability will be assessed via sealability and creep relaxation testing according to ASTM F37B and ASTM F38B respectively. Because the capabilities to conduct sealability testing at temperature were not available, each specimen was thermally soaked and allowed to return to room temperature prior to testing. As a result of sealability experiments, the 100°C-soaked specimens resulted in lower leak rates with a higher precision when compared to specimens soaked at -55°C and 22°C at across all compressive loads. It was observed from results from creep relaxation testing that there is thermal contraction and expansion occurring at 55°C and 100°C respectively, which can be observed by the resultant graphs. The recoverability of thermally cycled specimens are better than those that just experienced a high temperature hold. After the seven-day thermal cycle, the samples stabilized and maintained their structure.

Lazarin, Robert↗

DOE OSTI2023

Development Principles for Thermal-Spectrum Molten-Salt Breeder Reactors

Thermal-spectrum molten-salt breeder reactors (MSBRs) have potentially highly advantageous characteristics. This paper provides guiding principles to increase the probability of realizing their potential in future deployments. The guiding principles range from specific technology recommendations, to means to minimize the impact of current nuclear supply chain issues, to approaches to decreasing the difficulty of safety adequacy assessment, to methods to minimize proliferation vulnerability. The most substantial overall recommendation, however, is to initiate a modern, thermal-spectrum MSBR development program.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Safe Operations at Roadway Junctions: Intelligent Roadway Infrastructure as Functional Interlocking

Automated vehicle (AV) technology is quickly maturing, and the corresponding infrastructure systems that evaluate traffic and communicate to vehicles requires sophisticated sensing and perception technologies, referred to as intelligent roadway infrastructure (IRI), to complement emerging AV capabilities. IRI provides signals to vehicles, indicating right-of-way for vehicles and communicating to approaching AVs that no other vehicle is failing to yield. This capability, denoted as safety-affirmative signaling, provides a green light or a green arrow as appropriate and affirms through communication links to connected vehicles when it is safe to proceed. About 36% of collisions occur at intersections, with most occurring upon left turns (22.2%) or crossing over (12.6%), and only a small percentage (1.2%) while turning right at an intersection. Of all intersection crashes about half (52.5%) of those vehicles were traveling through a signalized intersection 2. Safety-affirmative signaling would guarantee safety of AV fleet vehicles, by providing the interlocking principle, a term from automated train control that only allows progression through a railway intersection after affirming no opportunity for a crash exists. IRI through safety-affirmative signaling would bring performance and safety to complex roadway intersections where AV transit fleet service is most needed, as well as safety benefits to traditional, non-automated vehicles and vulnerable road users. The implementation of IRI has functional, programmatic, and technical challenges. Research work performed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in an integrative approach encapsulating these themes, and termed infrastructure perception and control (IPC) is motivated by improved performance (travel time), improved safety (reduced collisions), and improved energy efficiency (less fuel burned and minimized production of greenhouse gases). IPC is intended not only for roadway and intersection applications but also in extension to inform complementary buildings and grid systems to enable better co-management, as vehicles and their charging needs become increasingly integrated into the built environment. The NREL IPC project presents an open-source framework, architecture, and supporting technology to implement IRI, addressing critical issues such as fusion of data, reliability, standardization of data interfaces, and confidence of detection. The framework is informed by previous experience in U.S. Department of Defense research technology, specifically in the use of radar to detect, identify, and track aerial threats. These principles combined with multi-sensor fusion provides for a complete digital twin with known and measurable confidence and accuracy from which safety-affirmative signaling can be developed and deployed.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,MATHEMATICS AND COMPUT↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measuring the Muon Neutrino Magnetic Moment in the NOvA Near Detector

Measuring an enhanced neutrino magnetic moment would be a clear indication of physics beyond the Standard Model, shedding light on the correct beyond Standard Model theory or the potential Majorana nature of neutrinos. It would manifest in the NOvA near detector as an excess of neutrino-on-electron elastic scattering interactions at low electron recoil energies. Leveraging an intense and highly pure muon neutrino beam, along with a finely segmented liquid scintillator detector technology specifically designed for electromagnetic shower separation, enables NOvA to achieve a potentially world-leading sensitivity in probing the effective muon neutrino magnetic moment. This analysis, based on neutrino data collected between 2014 and 2021, corresponding to an exposure of $13.8\times10^{20}$ protons-on-target, yields a result consistent with the Standard Model-only hypothesis with a p-value of 0.31. An upper limit on the effective muon neutrino magnetic moment is set at $\mu_{\nu_\mu}<19.1\times 10^{-10}\mu_B$ at $90\%$ confidence level. Despite facing statistical limitations stemming from low cross section of the signal process, systematic uncertainties have a significant impact on this result. To address these challenges, the NOvA Test Beam experiment focuses on mitigating some of the largest systematic uncertainties within NOvA by investigating particle interactions and energy deposition in a small-scale replica NOvA detector. This thesis describes the calibration of the NOvA Test Beam detector, which is a crucial step in analysing the Test Beam data before they can be utilised to reduce NOvA systematic uncertainties.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

DOE provides targeted technical assistance for manufacturers pursuing energy and resource efficiency

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to providing the industrial sector with resources and funding to support the development of innovative new technologies and processes. Previously, DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office was the front door of the department for many manufacturers. This office focused on two main missions: driving innovation in manufacturing technologies, and reducing energy and emissions related to manufacturing. These missions complemented each other in many ways, but as attention in these areas grew, so too did the need for specialization. In October 2022, the Advanced Manufacturing Office was reorganized into two new offices: the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) and the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO). For emissions-heavy industries, such as ceramics and glass, the latter office provides research and development funding, technical assistance, and demonstration support to help manufacturers along their journey to reduce emissions and increase resource efficiency. This article overviews the portfolio of resources applicable to ceramic and glass manufacturers through IEDO, including programs that were portioned into this office during the split and new offerings that were added since then. These programs and resources include energy management support, technology-specific guidance, and in-plant technical assistance.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

NASA Broad Specification Fuels Combustion Technology program - Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Phase I results and status

In connection with increases in the cost of fuels and the reduced availability of high quality petroleum crude, a modification of fuel specifications has been considered to allow acceptance of poorer quality fuels. To obtain the information upon which a selection of appropriate fuels for aircraft can be based, the Broad Specification Fuels Combustion Technology program was formulated by NASA. A description is presented of program-related investigations conducted by an American aerospace company. The specific objective of Phase I of this program has been to evaluate the impact of the use of broadened properties fuels on combustor design through comprehensive combustor rig testing. Attention is given to combustor concepts, experimental evaluation, results obtained with single stage combustors, the stage combustor concept, and the capability of a variable geometry combustor.

Lohmann, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS2000

New Millennium EO3

The New Millennium Program (NMP) is a NASA technology program that focuses on the validation of advanced spacecraft and instrumentation technologies in space. This program specifically seeks technologies that could significantly benefit future space and Earth science missions by enabling new science capabilities and reducing life cycle costs. These technologies must also require a validation in space to mitigate risks to the first science users, and provide cross-cutting benefits to both NASA's Earth and Space Science enterprises. The NASA Office of Earth Science (OES) directed the NMP to focus the third Earth Observing mission, E03, on innovative measurement concepts that would facilitate remote sensing observations from orbits beyond conventional low-Earth orbit (LEO). These orbits include geosynchronous orbits, highly elliptical orbits, mid-Earth and high-Earth orbits, and other unique vantage points such as L1 and L2. To maximize the input from the Earth science community, a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) was released to solicit innovative measurement concepts for this NMP flight. Because the NMP is a technology validation program, rather than a conventional science program, the NRA required that these measurement concepts employ revolutionary technologies and/or measurement strategies that will enable future science missions from orbits beyond LEO. Another requirement was that a validation in space was needed to reduce real or perceived risks of this concept to future science users. The proposals submitted in response to this NRA were peer reviewed by the NASA OES. The measurement concepts selected through this process will be summarized in this presentation. The E03 measurement concept NRA did not solicit complete mission concepts or flight hardware. Instead, the selected investigators will join integrated project formulation teams to define the mission for the demonstration of the measurement technique and participate in mission design trades and implementation planning. The teams will define and document the measurement approach, the required technologies, the validation plan, the scalability of the design to future science missions, and the infusion path for the completely validated instrument. During this project formulation phase, the specific technologies required to implement each measurement concept will be solicited through an open technology solicitation, and the technology providers will be added to the integrated teams. Once a complete candidate mission concept has been formulated for each measurement concept, these concepts will be subjected to a comprehensive review. The Associate Administrator of the OES will use the results of this review to select a single concept for the E03 flight opportunity. That mission concept will enter its implementation phase, which is expected to last for less than 36 months before launch. During this phase, and after launch, the implementation team will work with the NMP to document and disseminate the information gathered during the flight qualification testing and operations of the measurement concept and its component technologies. This information will be archived and published, where appropriate, to encourage the rapid infusion of these validated technologies into future space and Earth science missions. I

Li, Fuk K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Broad Specification Fuels Combustion Technology Program, Phase 2

An experimental evaluation of two advanced technology combustor concepts was conducted to evolve and assess their capability for operation on broadened properties fuels. The concepts were based on the results of Phase 1 of the Broad Specification Fuel Combustor Technology Program which indicated that combustors with variable geometry or staged combustion zones had a flexibility of operation that could facilitate operation on these fuels. Emphasis in defining these concepts included the use of single pipe as opposed to duplex or staged fuels systems to avoid the risk of coking associated with the reduction in thermal stability expected in broadened properties fuels. The first concept was a variable geometry combustor in which the airflow into the primary zone could be altered through valves on the front while the second was an outgrowth of the staged Vorbix combustor, evolved under the NASA/P&W ECCP and EEE programs incorporating simplified fuel and air introduction. The results of the investigation, which involved the use of Experimental Referee Broad Specification (ERBS) fuel, indicated that in the form initially conceived, both of these combustor concepts were deficient in performance relative to many of the program goals for performance emissions. However, variations of both combustors were evaluated that incorporated features to simulate conceptual enhancement to demonstrate the long range potential of the combustor. In both cases, significant improvements relative to the program goals were observed.

Lohmann, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The broadened-specification fuels combustion technology program at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft

The impact of the use of broadened specification fuels on combustor design was investigated. Particular emphasis was placed on establishing the viability of various combustor modifications to permit the use of broadened specification fuels while meeting exhaust emissions and performance specifications and maintaining acceptable combustor operational and durability characteristics. Three different combustor concepts will be evaluated. Various design modifications on the operating capability of each of the combustor concepts with experimental referee broadened specification Fuel. The modifications that were evaluated included perturbations of the combustor airflow schedules to alter local stoichiometry and residence time histories revisions to the fuel injectors, and variations in liner cooling including the use of thermal barrier coatings and/or advanced cooling concepts.

Lohmann, R. P.↗