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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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35 records · Page 2

The Suitport's Progress

NASA-Ames Research Center developed the Suitport as an advanced space suit airlock to support a Space Station suit based on the AX-5 hard suit. Several third parties proposed their own variations of the Suitport on the moon and Mars. The Suitport recently found its first practical use as a terrestrial application in the NASA-Ames Hazmat vehicle for the clean-up of hazardous and toxic materials. In the Hazmat application, the Suitport offers substantial improvements over conventional hazard suits by eliminating the necessity to decontaminate before doffing the suit.

Cohen, Marc M.↗

Decision Support Tool Evaluation Report for General NOAA Oil Modeling Environment(GNOME) Version 2.0

NASA's Earth Science Applications Directorate evaluated the potential of NASA remote sensing data and modeling products to enhance the General NOAA Oil Modeling Environment (GNOME) decision support tool. NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Response Division is interested in enhancing GNOME with near-realtime (NRT) NASA remote sensing products on oceanic winds and ocean circulation. The NASA SeaWinds sea surface wind and Jason-1 sea surface height NRT products have potential, as do sea surface temperature and reflectance products from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and sea surface reflectance products from Landsat and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflectance Radiometer. HAZMAT is also interested in the Advanced Circulation model and the Ocean General Circulation Model. Certain issues must be considered, including lack of data continuity, marginal data redundancy, and data formatting problems. Spatial resolution is an issue for near-shore GNOME applications. Additional work will be needed to incorporate NASA inputs into GNOME, including verification and validation of data products, algorithms, models, and NRT data.

Spruce, Joseph P.↗

Joint Test Protocol for Validation of Alternative Low-Emission Surface Preparation/Depainting Technologies for Structural Steel

Headquarters National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) chartered the Acquisition Pollution Prevention (AP2) Office to coordinate agency activities affecting pollution prevention issues identified during system and component acquisition and sustainment processes. The primary objectives of the AP2 Office are to: (1) Reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous materials (HazMats) or hazardous processes at manufacturing, remanufacturing, and sustainment locations. (2) A void duplication of effort in actions required to reduce or eliminate HazMats through joint center cooperation and technology sharing. This project will identify, evaluate and approve alternative surface preparation technologies for use at NASA and Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) installations. Materials and processes will be evaluated with the goal of selecting those processes that will improve corrosion protection at critical systems, facilitate easier maintenance activity, extend maintenance cycles, eliminate flight hardware contamination and reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated. This Joint Test Protocol (JTP) contains the critical requirements and tests necessary to qualify alternative Low-Emission Surface Preparation/Depainting Technologies for Structural Steel Applications. These tests were derived from engineering, performance, and operational impact (supportability) requirements defined by a consensus of NASA and Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) participants. The Field Test Plan (FTP), entitled Joint Test Protocol for Validation of Alternative Low Emission Surface Preparation/Depainting Technologies for Structural Steel, prepared by ITB, defines the field evaluation and testing requirements for validating alternative surface preparation/depainting technologies and supplements the JTP.

Lewis, Pattie↗

Field Evaluations Test Plan for Validation of Alternative Low-Emission Surface Preparation/Depainting Technologies for Structural Steel

Headquarters National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) chartered the Acquisition Pollution Prevention (AP2) Office to coordinate agency activities affecting pollution prevention issues identified during system and component acquisition and sustainment processes. The primary objectives of the AP2 Office are to: (1) Reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous materials (HazMats) or hazardous processes at manufacturing, remanufacturing, and sustainment locations. (2) Avoid duplication of effort in actions required to reduce or eliminate HazMats through joint center cooperation and technology sharing. To achieve a substrate condition suitable for the application of a coating system, both new and old (in-situ) substrates must undergo some type of surface preparation and/or depainting operation to ensure adhesion of the new coating system. The level of cleanliness or anchor profile desired is typically a function of the type of coating to be applied and the specification being adhered to. In high performance environments, cleanliness and surface profile requirements for carbon steel (the dominant substrate for facilities, structures and equipment) dictates the use of abrasive media. Many of the abrasive media currently used across NASA and Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) installations generate large quantities of fugitive particulate emissions and waste. The high quantities of airborne dust and waste generated from these operations pose significant environmental concern. Efforts to contain emissions and the reduce quantity of waste generated have significant implications on project cost; this is often a deterrent to engaging in maintenance activities. In response to recent technological developments and NASA's and AFSPC's need to undertake environmentally conscious corrosion prevention projects, a review of the industry needs to be undertaken to evaluate surface preparation technologies (materials and processes) for embrace. This project will identify, evaluate and approve alternative surface preparation technologies for use at NASA and AFSPC installations. Materials and processes will be evaluated with the goal of selecting those processes that will improve corrosion protection at critical systems, facilitate easier maintenance activity, extend maintenance cycles, eliminate flight hardware contamination and reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated. This Field Evaluations Test Plan defines the field evaluation and testing requirements for validating alternative surface preparation/depainting technologies and supplements the JTP. The field evaluations will be performed at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, under the oversight of the Project Engineer. Additional field evaluations may be performed at other NASA centers or AFSPC facilities.

Lewis, Pattie↗

A Mobile Robot for Remote Response to Incidents Involving Hazardous Materials

This paper will describe a teleoperated mobile robot system being developed at JPL for use by the JPL Fire Department/HAZMAT Team. The project, which began in October 1990, is focused on prototyping a robotic vehicle which can be quickly deployed and easily operated by HAZMAT Team personnel allowing remote entry and exploration of a hazardous material incident site. The close involvement of JPL Fire Department personnel has been critical in establishing system requirements as well as evaluating the system. The current robot, called HAZBOT III, has been especially designed for operation in environments that may contain combustible gases. Testing of the system with the Fire Department has shown that teleoperated robots can successfully gain access to incident sites allowing hazardous material spills to be remotely located and identified. Work is continuing to enable more complex missions through enhancement of the operator interface and by allowing tetherless operation.

robots teleoperator hazardous materials HAZMAT HAZ↗

HMPT: Basic Radioactive Material Transportation

Hazardous Materials and Packaging and Transportation (HMPT): Basic Radioactive Material Transportation Live (#30462, suggested one time) and Test (#30463, required initially and every 36 months) address the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) function-specific [required for hazardous material (HAZMAT) handlers, packagers, and shippers] training requirements of the HMPT Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Labwide training. This course meets the requirements of 49 CFR 172, Subpart H, Section 172.704(a)(ii), Function-Specific Training.

42 ENGINEERING↗

HMPT: Introduction: Live #27916, Test 27917

This course, HMPT: Introduction Live 27916, addresses the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) general awareness, transportation security awareness, and safety training requirements for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in the Hazardous Materials Packaging and Transportation (HMPT) training. Although the course itself is suggested to be taken one time only, the accompanying test (27917) is required initially and then every 36 months. This course is intended to help you learn how to navigate the regulations found in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 107–178, Transportation. These regulations change frequently, and it is your responsibility to keep up to date with these changes. This course will give you tools to perform your hazardous materials (HAZMAT) tasks according to the most current regulations.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Bridging the Radiation Science Divide Between Scientists and First Responders

To be prepared for a response to a complex radiological or nuclear emergency, the first responder community must incorporate radiation protection principles, and be able to conduct tactical operational measurements, assess data, and determine associated health risks. While these actions must occur promptly in the first hours of an unfolding crisis, the on-scene responders must do so with no scientific support from radiation protection experts, such as from the central government. To further the challenges to effectively perform these actions, local hazardous material (HAZMAT) response teams, which are usually the source of technical expertise at the scene of a hazardous materials release, rarely encounter radiological materials or respond to large-scale radiological or nuclear emergencies.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Development of an Active, Man-Portable, Cooling System with Dehumidification Capabilities for Personal Protective Clothing/Equipment

Mainstream Engineering Corporation completed a highly successful SBIR program, during which we developed and commercialized products for microclimate cooling systems (MCS) and the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry. We are marketing the MCS family of products for use with personal protective clothing/equipment (PPC/PPE) for firefighters, workers in clean rooms, HAZMAT response and other contamination/remediation teams, and military personnel that are required to wear Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) suits and bomb disposal suits. Workers in these industries risk heat stress when confined within protective garments while in hot and humid environments. Our family of MCS and HVAC/R products that resulted from this SBIR program includes: 1. Active, Man-Portable, MCS for PPC/E—Our active system provides 350 W cooling of personal cooling for workers in thermally stressed environments. Although industrially hardened, this system is compact (0.69 ft 3 ) and lightweight (22.9 lbs). The MSC is easily decontaminated or disposed of between uses. 2. Miniature Screw Compressor for MCS—Our 350 Wcooling miniature screw compressor was originally designed for MCS and personal cooling systems. Occupying only 11 in 3 and weighing 1.4 lbs, the size and weight are less than any commercially available compressor with a similar cooling capacity. This miniature screw compressor is marketable as a low-pressure compressor or refrigerant pump. 3. Miniature Sliding Vane Compressor and Drive for MCS—Our 350 Wcooling compressor subassembly consists of a commercial miniature sliding vane compressor packaged with our motor controller. At 29.4 in3 and 1.5 lbs, this compressor is larger and heavier than the miniature screw but is lower cost and capable of producing higher head pressure. 4. Small Screw Compressor for HVAC/R—Our 50 kW cooling small screw compressor is for commercial HVAC/R applications. This compressor is extremely power dense at 0.34 ft 3 and 43 lbs and has a specific cooling capacity (kW/lb) five times greater than existing commercial compressors. We demonstrated high reliability (>5,100 hrs of operation and >3,400 on/off cycles), and we are currently discussing commercialization opportunities with laser manufacturers for cooling of their high-power devices. This final report summarizes the design, fabrication, testing, features, and benefits of each product. The commercialization potential and recommendations for the future are included.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Rapid Radiological/Nuclear Consequence Assessment Tools

The goal of this work is to design a tool for rapid assessment of the areas impacted by airborne plumes and fallout from a radiological/nuclear incident, such as an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) detonation or Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) release, for use by state and local technical specialists and emergency responders. The tool would produce information on the distances and areas near an incident location in which hazards may exist. This would inform consequence management decisions by state and local responders in the critical minutes following an event, as well as assist in emergency planning before an incident. The products would be intended for use before more detailed products are available from non-local assets, such as the federal Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center (IMAAC) and the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC). The tool’s products could provide, for example, predictions of damage zones and dangerous fallout areas to help guide the emergency response, including protection of emergency responders and the public. The initial focus of this effort is on the more difficult IND decision support tools. Existing HAZMAT tools and RDD guidance, described in this report, can also be integrated into the decision support tool.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

My Summer Experience as an Administrative Officer Assistant

The motto of the Safety and Assurance Directorate (SAAD) at NASA Glenn Research Center is "mission success starts with safety." SAAD has the functions of providing reliability, quality assurance, and system safety management to all GRC projects, programs and offices. Product assurance personnel within SAAD supervise the product assurance efforts by contractors on major contracts within GRC. The directorate includes five division offices and the Plum brook Decommissioning Office. SAAD oversees Glenn's Emergency Preparedness Program which handles security, hazmat, and disaster response and supervision.

Jones, Janelle C.↗

Phase II Testing of Liquid Cooling Garments Using a Sweating Manikin, Controlled by a Human Physiological Model

An Advanced Automotive Manikin (ADAM) developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is used to evaluate NASA's liquid cooling garments (LCGs) used in advanced space suits for extravehicular applications. The manikin has 120 separate heated/sweating zones and is controlled by a finite element physiological model of the human thermoregulatory system. Previous testing showed the thermal sensation and comfort followed the expected trends as the LCG inlet fluid temperature was changed. The Phase II test data demonstrates the repeatability of ADAM by retesting the baseline LCG. Skin and core temperature predictions using ADAM in an LCG/Arctic suit combination are compared to NASA physiological data to validate the manikin/model. Additional LCG configurations are assessed using the manikin and compared to the baseline LCG. Results can extend to other personal protective clothing, including HAZMAT suits, nuclear/biological/chemical protective suits, and fire protection suits.

Paul, Heather↗

Potential Alternatives Report for Validation of Alternative Low-Emission Surface PreparationlDepainting Technologies for Structural Steel

For this project, particulates and solvents used during the depainting process of steel structures were the identified hazardous material (HazMat) targeted for elimination or reduction. This Potential Alternatives Report (PAR) provides technical analyses of identified alternatives to the current coating removal processes, criteria used to select alternatives for further analysis, and a list of those alternatives recommended for testing. The initial coating removal alternatives list was compiled using literature searches and center participant recommendations. The involved project participants initially considered fifteen (15) alternatives. In late 2004, stakeholders down-selected the list and identified specific processes as potential alternatives to the current depainting methods. The selected alternatives were: 1. Plastic Blast Media 2. Hard Abrasive Media 3. Sponge Blast Media 4. Mechanical Removal with Vacuum Attachment 5. Liquid Nitrogen 6. Laser Coating Removal Available information about these processes was used to analyze the technical merits and the potential environmental, safety, and occupational health (ESOH) impacts of these methods. A preliminary cost benefit analysis will be performed to determine if implementation of alternative technologies is economically justified. NASA AP2

Lewis, Pattie↗

Utilization of Local Law Enforcement Aerial Resources in Consequence Management (CM) Response

During the past decade the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was instrumental in enhancing the nation’s ability to detect and prevent a radiological or nuclear attack in the highest risk cities. Under the DHS Securing the Cities initiative, nearly 13,000 personnel in the New York City region have been trained in preventive radiological and nuclear detection operations, and nearly 8,500 pieces of radiological detection equipment have been funded. As part of the preventive radiological/nuclear detection (PRND) mission, several cities have received funding to purchase commercial aerial radiation detection systems. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Aerial Measuring System (AMS) program started providing Mobile Aerial Radiological Surveillance (MARS) training to such assets, resulting in over 150 HAZMAT teams’ officers and pilots from 10 law enforcement organizations and fire departments being trained in the aerial radiation detection. From the beginning, the MARS training course covered both the PRND and consequence management (CM) missions. Even if the law enforcement main focus is PRND, their aerial assets can be utilized in the collection of initial radiation data for post-event radiological CM response. Based on over 50 years of AMS operational experience and information collected during MARS training, this presentation will focus on the concepts of CM response using aerial assets as well as utilizing law enforcement/fire department aerial assets in CM. Also discussed will be the need for establishing closer relationships between local jurisdictions’ aerial radiation detection capabilities and state and local radiation control program directors, radiological health department managers, etc. During radiological events these individuals may become primary experts/advisers to Incident Commanders for radiological emergency response, especially in the early stages of a response. The knowledge of the existence, specific capabilities, and use of local aerial radiation detection systems would be critical in planning the response, even before federal assets arrive on the scene. The relationship between local and federal aerial assets and the potential role for the further use of the MARS training and expanded AMS Reachback capabilities in facilitating such interactions will be discussed.

consequence management, CM, local law enforcement,↗

The Heroes' Problems: Exploring the Potentials of Google Glass for Biohazard Handling Professionals

In “white powder incidents” or other suspicious and risky situations relating to deadly diseases or chemicals (e.g., Ebola investigation), those who handle the potentially hazardous materials are the heroes who spearhead the first responder’s operations. Although well trained, these heroes need to manage complex problems and make life-or-death decisions while handling the unknown and dangerous. We are motivated to explore how Google Glass can facilitate those heroes’ missions. To this end, we conducted contextual inquiry on six biohazard-handling, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-wearing professionals. With an inductive thematic analysis, we summarized the heroes’ workflow and four groups of “Heroes’ Problems”. A unique “A3 Model” (Awareness, Analysis, Action) was generated to encapsulate our qualitative findings and proposed Glass features. The findings serve as the groundwork for our future development.

contextual inquiry↗

Examining Rail Transportation Route of Crude Oil in the United States Using Crowdsourced Social Media Data

Safety issues associated with transporting crude oil by rail have been a concern since the boom of the U.S. domestic shale oil production in 2012. During the last decade, over 300 crude-oil-by-rail incidents have occurred in the United States. Some of them have caused adverse consequences including fire and hazardous materials leakage. However, only limited information on crude-on-rail routes and their associated risks is available to the public. To this end, this study proposed an unconventional way to reconstruct crude-on-rail routes using geotagged photos harvested from the Flickr website. The proposed method linked the geotagged photos of crude oil trains posted online with national railway networks to identify potential railway segments that those crude oil trains were traveling on. Here, a shortest path-based method was applied to infer the complete crude-on-rail routes, by utilizing the confirmed railway segments as well as their directional information. Validation of the inferred routes was performed using a public map and official crude oil incident data. The results suggested that the inferred routes based on geotagged photos had high coverage, with approximately 96% of the documented crude oil incidents aligned with the reconstructed crude-on-rail network. The inferred crude oil train routes were found to pass through several metropolitan areas of high population density, who were exposed to potential risk. These findings could improve situational awareness for policy makers and transportation planners. In addition, with the inferred routes, this study has established a good foundation for future crude oil train risk-analyses along the rail route.

42 ENGINEERING↗

INL@Work Firefighter

Did you know INL has its own firefighting team? Its members help protect our remote 890-square-mile site from range fires and other incidents. Meet firefighter Wendy Baron, who was recently named Idaho's firefighter of the year.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗