Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Emergencies”

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.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Fast Evaluation of Viral Emerging Risks (FEVER): A computational tool for biosurveillance, diagnostics, and mutation typing of emerging viral pathogens

Viral pathogens can rapidly evolve, adapt to novel hosts, and evade human immunity. The early detection of emerging viral pathogens through biosurveillance coupled with rapid and accurate diagnostics are required to mitigate global pandemics. However, RNA viruses can mutate rapidly, hampering biosurveillance and diagnostic efforts. Here, we present a novel computational approach called FEVER (Fast Evaluation of Viral Emerging Risks) to design assays that simultaneously accomplish: 1) broad-coverage biosurveillance of an entire group of viruses, 2) accurate diagnosis of an outbreak strain, and 3) mutation typing to detect variants of public health importance. We demonstrate the application of FEVER to generate assays to simultaneously 1) detect sarbecoviruses for biosurveillance; 2) diagnose infections specifically caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); and 3) perform rapid mutation typing of the D614G SARS-CoV-2 spike variant associated with increased pathogen transmissibility. These FEVER assays had a high in silico recall (predicted positive) up to 99.7% of 525,708 SARS-CoV-2 sequences analyzed and displayed sensitivities and specificities as high as 92.4% and 100% respectively when validated in 100 clinical samples. The D614G SARS-CoV-2 spike mutation PCR test was able to identify the single nucleotide identity at position 23,403 in the viral genome of 96.6% SARS-CoV-2 positive samples without the need for sequencing. This study demonstrates the utility of FEVER to design assays for biosurveillance, diagnostics, and mutation typing to rapidly detect, track, and mitigate future outbreaks and pandemics caused by emerging viruses.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Tale of Two Emergences: Sunrise II Observations of Emergence Sites in a Solar Active Region

In 2013 June, the two scientific instruments on board the second Sunrise mission witnessed, in detail, a small-scale magnetic flux emergence event as part of the birth of an active region. The Imaging Magnetograph Experiment (IMaX) recorded two small (∼5{sup ′′}) emerging flux patches in the polarized filtergrams of a photospheric Fe i spectral line. Meanwhile, the Sunrise Filter Imager (SuFI) captured the highly dynamic chromospheric response to the magnetic fields pushing their way through the lower solar atmosphere. The serendipitous capture of this event offers a closer look at the inner workings of active region emergence sites. In particular, it reveals in meticulous detail how the rising magnetic fields interact with the granulation as they push through the Sun’s surface, dragging photospheric plasma in their upward travel. The plasma that is burdening the rising field slides along the field lines, creating fast downflowing channels at the footpoints. The weight of this material anchors this field to the surface at semi-regular spatial intervals, shaping it in an undulatory fashion. Finally, magnetic reconnection enables the field to release itself from its photospheric anchors, allowing it to continue its voyage up to higher layers. This process releases energy that lights up the arch-filament systems and heats the surrounding chromosphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Emergency Management of Tomorrow Research – Task 3B Research and Development Community Awareness: Eliciting Emergency Management Stakeholder Input

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is partnering with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to execute the Emergency Management (EM) of Tomorrow Research (EMOTR) program to identify current EM research, elicit capability needs from EM practitioners, and identify where technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), may benefit the future of EM and emergency operations centers. This report details the methodology, analysis, and insights of interviews and focus groups conducted as part of the task to elicit stakeholder input.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Plant‐mediated methane transport in emergent and floating‐leaved species of a temperate freshwater mineral‐soil wetland

Abstract Methane flux from freshwater mineral‐soil (FWMS) wetlands and its variability among sites is largely modulated by plant‐mediated transport. However, plant‐mediated transport processes are rarely resolved in land surface models and are poorly parametrized for plants commonly found in FWMS wetlands. Here, relationships between methane flux and CO 2 uptake, as well as plant conductance of methane were evaluated for three plant species and two characteristic functional types: emergent (narrow‐leaved cattail) and floating‐leaved (American lotus and water lily). We found significant but contrasting correlations between methane flux and CO 2 uptake in cattails ( r 2 = 0.51, slope = −0.16, during morning) and water lily ( r 2 = 0.32, slope = 0.064, after midday). This relationship was not significant in American lotus, showing that stomata regulation of methane fluxes is species‐specific and not generalizable across the floating‐leaved plant functional type. Conductance of methane per leaf area showed distinct seasonal dynamics across species. Conductance was similar among the floating‐leaved species (6.2 × 10 −3 m d −1 in lotus and 7.2 × 10 −3 m d −1 in water lily) and higher than conductance in the emergent species (2.7 × 10 −3 m d −1 ). Our results provide direct observations of plant conductance rates and identify the vegetation parameters (leaf area, stomatal conductance) that modify them. Our results further suggest that models of methane emissions from FWMS should parameterize plant‐mediated transport in different plant functional types, scaled by leaf area and with variable seasonal phenological dynamics, and consider possible species‐specific mechanisms that control methane transport through plants.

Villa, Jorge A.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enhanced nutrient uptake is sufficient to drive emergent cross-feeding between bacteria in a synthetic community

Abstract Interactive microbial communities are ubiquitous, influencing biogeochemical cycles and host health. One widespread interaction is nutrient exchange, or cross-feeding, wherein metabolites are transferred between microbes. Some cross-fed metabolites, such as vitamins, amino acids, and ammonium (NH4+), are communally valuable and impose a cost on the producer. The mechanisms that enforce cross-feeding of communally valuable metabolites are not fully understood. Previously we engineered a cross-feeding coculture between N2-fixing Rhodopseudomonas palustris and fermentative Escherichia coli. Engineered R. palustris excretes essential nitrogen as NH4+ to E. coli, while E. coli excretes essential carbon as fermentation products to R. palustris. Here, we sought to determine whether a reciprocal cross-feeding relationship would evolve spontaneously in cocultures with wild-type R. palustris, which is not known to excrete NH4+. Indeed, we observed the emergence of NH4+ cross-feeding, but driven by adaptation of E. coli alone. A missense mutation in E. coli NtrC, a regulator of nitrogen scavenging, resulted in constitutive activation of an NH4+ transporter. This activity likely allowed E. coli to subsist on the small amount of leaked NH4+ and better reciprocate through elevated excretion of fermentation products from a larger E. coli population. Our results indicate that enhanced nutrient uptake by recipients, rather than increased excretion by producers, is an underappreciated yet possibly prevalent mechanism by which cross-feeding can emerge.

Fritts, Ryan K.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Semiclassical wave-packets emerging from interaction with an environment

We study the quantum evolution in dimension three of a system composed by a test particle interacting with an environment made of N harmonic oscillators. At time zero the test particle is described by a spherical wave, i.e., a highly correlated continuous superposition of states with well localized position and momentum, and the oscillators are in the ground state. Furthermore, we assume that the positions of the oscillators are not collinear with the center of the spherical wave. Under suitable assumptions on the physical parameters characterizing the model, we give an asymptotic expression of the solution of the Schrödinger equation of the system with an explicit control of the error. The result shows that the approximate expression of the wave function is the sum of two terms, orthogonal in L{sup 2}(R{sup 3(N+1)}) and describing rather different situations. In the first one, all the oscillators remain in their ground state and the test particle is described by the free evolution of a slightly deformed spherical wave. The second one consists of a sum of N terms where in each term there is only one excited oscillator and the test particle is correspondingly described by the free evolution of a wave packet, well concentrated in position and momentum. Moreover, the wave packet emerges from the excited oscillator with an average momentum parallel to the line joining the oscillator with the center of the initial spherical wave. Such wave packet represents a semiclassical state for the test particle, propagating along the corresponding classical trajectory. The main result of our analysis is to show how such a semiclassical state can be produced, starting from the original spherical wave, as a result of the interaction with the environment.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Profiling microbial lignocellulose degradation and utilization by emergent omics technologies

The use of plant materials to generate renewable biofuels and other high-value chemicals is the sustainable and preferable option, but will require considerable improvements to increase the rate and efficiency of lignocellulose depolymerization. This review highlights novel and emergent technologies that are being developed and deployed to characterize the process of lignocellulose degradation. The review will also illustrate how microbial communities deconstruct and metabolize lignocellulose by identifying the necessary genes and enzyme activities along with the reaction products. These technologies include multi-omic measurements, cell sorting and isolation, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), activity-based protein profiling, and direct measurement of enzyme activity. The recalcitrant nature of lignocellulose necessitates the need to characterize the methods microbes employ to deconstruct lignocellulose to inform new strategies on how to greatly improve biofuel conversion processes. New technologies are yielding important insights into microbial functions and strategies employed to degrade lignocellulose, providing a mechanistic blueprint to advance biofuel production.

Rosnow, Joshua J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Perspective—Emergent Phases in Rare Earth Nickelate Heterostructure

The prediction of high T c superconductivity in layers of LaNiO 3 through orbital engineering has led to extensive research efforts over the last fifteen years. During this period, a plethora of thin films and heterostructures based rare-earth nickelate family with perovskite structure has been synthesized and explored. Here, in this short perspective, we briefly review the complexity of bulk RENiO 3 , spotlighting several recent findings of emergent phenomena in heterostructures containing the interface between RENiO 3 and another transition metal oxide. Finally, we outline potentially interesting future directions linked to time-domain dynamics to harness new Mott and topological phases in artificial structures of RENiO 3 .

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

DEPRECATED EMeRGE (Emerging technologies Management and Risk evaluation on distribution Grids Evolution) [SWR-20-40]

DEPRECATED This repository was archived by the owner on Jun 30, 2026. It is now read-only. EMeRGE (Emerging technologies Management and Risk evaluation on distribution Grids Evolution) is a collection of mini-tools to help users develop openDSS feeder model from GIS (.shp) file and perform risk analysis at various PV scenarios and visulize results in an interactive dashboard made using Dash.

Duwadi, Kapil↗
DOE OSTI2015

Emerging In Situ and Operando Nanoscale X‐Ray Imaging Techniques for Energy Storage Materials

Electrical vehicles (EVs) are an attractive option for moving towards a CO 2 neutral transportation sector, but in order for widespread commercial use of EVs, the cost of electrical energy storage (i.e., batteries) must be reduced and the energy storage capacity must be increased. New, higher performing but Earth abundant electrodes are needed to accomplish this goal. To aid the development of these materials, in situ characterization to understand battery operation and failure is essential. Since electrodes are inherently heterogeneous, with a range of relevant length scales, imaging is a necessary component of the suite of characterization methods. In this Feature Article, the rapidly growing and developing field of X‐ray based microscopy (XM) techniques is described and reviewed focusing on in situ and operando adaptations. Further, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is briefly discussed in this context and its complement to XM is emphasized. Finally, a perspective is given on some emerging X‐ray based imaging approaches for energy storage materials.

Nelson Weker, Johanna↗
DOE OSTI2016

State of practice and emerging application of analytical techniques of nuclear forensic analysis: highlights from the 4th Collaborative Materials Exercise of the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG)

Founded in 1996 upon the initiative of the “Group of 8” governments (G8), the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG) is an ad hoc organization of official nuclear forensics practitioners (scientists, law enforcement, and regulators) that can be called upon to provide technical assistance to the global community in the event of a seizure of nuclear or radiological materials. The ITWG is supported by and is affiliated with roughly 40 countries and international partner organizations including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), EURATOM, INTERPOL, EUROPOL, and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Besides providing a network of nuclear forensics laboratories that are able to assist law enforcement during a nuclear smuggling event, the ITWG is also committed to the advancement of the science of nuclear forensic analysis, largely through participation in periodic table top and Collaborative Materials Exercises (CMXs). Exercise scenarios use “real world” samples with realistic forensics investigation time constraints and reporting requirements. These exercises are designed to promote best practices in the field and test, evaluate, and improve new technical capabilities, methods and techniques in order to advance the science of nuclear forensics. The ITWG recently completed its fourth CMX in the 20 year history of the organization. This was also the largest materials exercise to date, with participating laboratories from 16 countries or organizations. Three samples of low enriched uranium were shipped to these laboratories as part of an illicit trafficking scenario, for which each laboratory was asked to conduct nuclear forensic analyses in support of a fictitious criminal investigation. An objective review of the State Of Practice and Art of international nuclear forensic analysis based upon the outcome of this most recent exercise is provided.

ITWG CMX-4↗
DOE OSTI2014

First-order quantum phase transitions: Test ground for emergent chaoticity, regularity and persisting symmetries

We present a comprehensive analysis of the emerging order and chaos and enduring symmetries, accompanying a generic (high-barrier) first-order quantum phase transition (QPT). The interacting boson model Hamiltonian employed, describes a QPT between spherical and deformed shapes, associated with its U(5) and SU(3) dynamical symmetry limits. A classical analysis of the intrinsic dynamics reveals a rich but simply-divided phase space structure with a Hénon–Heiles type of chaotic dynamics ascribed to the spherical minimum and a robustly regular dynamics ascribed to the deformed minimum. The simple pattern of mixed but well-separated dynamics persists in the coexistence region and traces the crossing of the two minima in the Landau potential. A quantum analysis discloses a number of regular low-energy U(5)-like multiplets in the spherical region, and regular SU(3)-like rotational bands extending to high energies and angular momenta, in the deformed region. These two kinds of regular subsets of states retain their identity amidst a complicated environment of other states and both occur in the coexistence region. A symmetry analysis of their wave functions shows that they are associated with partial U(5) dynamical symmetry (PDS) and SU(3) quasi-dynamical symmetry (QDS), respectively. The pattern of mixed but well-separated dynamics and the PDS or QDS characterization of the remaining regularity, appear to be robust throughout the QPT. Effects of kinetic collective rotational terms, which may disrupt this simple pattern, are considered.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Boltzmann equation solver adapted to emergent chemical non-equilibrium

We present a novel method to solve the spatially homogeneous and isotropic relativistic Boltzmann equation. We employ a basis set of orthogonal polynomials dynamically adapted to allow for emergence of chemical non-equilibrium. Two time dependent parameters characterize the set of orthogonal polynomials, the effective temperature T(t) and phase space occupation factor ϒ(t). In this first paper we address (effectively) massless fermions and derive dynamical equations for T(t) and ϒ(t) such that the zeroth order term of the basis alone captures the particle number density and energy density of each particle distribution. We validate our method and illustrate the reduced computational cost and the ability to easily represent final state chemical non-equilibrium by studying a model problem that is motivated by the physics of the neutrino freeze-out processes in the early Universe, where the essential physical characteristics include reheating from another disappearing particle component (e{sup ±}-annihilation)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Emergent ferromagnetism and T -linear scattering in USb 2 at high pressure [Emergent ferromagnetism in USb 2 under pressure]

The material USb 2 is a correlated, moderately heavy-electron compound within the uranium dipnictide (UX 2 ) series. It is antiferromagnetic with a relatively high transition temperature T N = 204K and a large U-U separation. While the uranium atoms in the lighter dipnictides are considered to be localized, those of USb 2 exhibit hybridization and itineracy, promoting uncertainty as to the continuity of the magnetic order within the UX 2 . We have explored the evolution of the magnetic order by employing magnetotransport measurements as a function of pressure and temperature. We find that the T N in USb 2 is enhanced, moving towards that of its smaller sibling UAs 2 . But, long before reaching a T N as high as UAs 2 , the antiferromagnetism of USb 2 is abruptly destroyed in favor of another magnetic ground state. We identify this pressure-induced ground state as being ferromagnetic based on the appearance of a strong anomalous Hall effect in the transverse resistance in magnetic field. At last with pressure, this emergent ferromagnetic state is suppressed and ultimately destroyed in favor of a non-Fermi-liquid ground state.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗