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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 37 records · Page 2

Reactivity of organism in prolonged space flights

An analysis of published data are presented as well as the results of experiments which show that the state of weightlessness and hypodynamia result in a reduced orthostatic and vestibular resistance, increased sensitivity to infections, decreased endurance of accelerations and physical exercises, and altered reactivity of the organism to drugs. Various consequences of weightlessness on the human body, especially weightlessness combined with other factors linked to long space flights are also considered.

Vasilyev, P. V.↗

Waves on Seas of Mars and Titan: Wind-Tunnel Experiments on Wind-Wave Generation in Extraterrestrial Atmospheres

The generation of waves by winds across Earth's water oceans is a topic of enduring fascination. However, the physics of the problem are rather forbidding and thus the relationships between real-world windspeed and sea state tend to be empirical. Such empirical relations are of limited utility in environments where the physical parameters are different, such as the surfaces of other planets. These environments have only recently come to oceanographers attention, with the discovery of ancient shorelines and lakes on Mars, and the prospects for and recent evidence of lakes and seas of liquid hydrocarbons on Saturn's moon Titan. We are aware of only one other published experimental wind-water tunnel study where the fluid parameters have been varied. This used artificially-generated mm-scale waves at 3.8-7.6 Hz in water, glycerol solutions (higher viscosity) and surfactant solutions (lower surface tension). Lower viscosity solutions had higher wave growth rates: surprisingly, higher surface tension led to more rapid wave growth. The liquid density was not appreciably varied, and 1 bar air was used throughout.We used the MARSWIT (Mars Wind Tunnel) operated by ASU at NASA Ames. A fiberglass tray (5 cm x 120 cm x 75 cm) was installed in the tunnel, with an approx. 1:5 ramp to prevent strong flow separation. The tray was filled to a depth of about 4 cm. Sensors were clamped to the tray itself or held by a steel and aluminium frame just above the water level. A towel was draped on the water surface at the downwind end of the tray to act as a damper to suppress wave reflection. Position-sensitive infrared (IR) reflection sensors (Sharp GP12D02) and ultrasonic rangers (Devantech DF-04) used in mobile robotics were used as water level sensors. The tray was observed with a video camera, whose output could be viewed on a monitor and recorded on VHS tape.

Lorenz, R. D.↗

High Power Targetry R&D and support for future generation accelerator

A high-power target system is a key beam element to complete future High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments. The target endures high power pulsed beam, leading to high cycle thermal stresses/pressures and thermal shocks. The increased beam power will also create significant challenges such as corrosion and radiation damage that can cause harmful effects on the material and degrade their mechanical and thermal properties during irradiation. This can eventually lead to the failure of the material and drastically reduce the lifetime of targets and beam intercepting devices. Designing a reliable target is already a challenge for MW class facilities today and has led several major accelerator facilities to operate at lower power due to target concerns. With present plans to increase beam power for next generation accelerator facilities in the next decade and the multi-year time-scale to acquire the knowledge on material behavior under such extreme environment, timely R&D of robust high-power targets is critical to fully secure the physics benefits of ambitious accelerator power upgrades. The next generation of high-power targets for future accelerators will use more complex geometries, novel materials, and new concepts allowing better high heat flux cooling methods. Advanced numerical simulations need to be developed to satisfy the physical design requirements of reliable beam-intercepting devices. In parallel, radiation hardened beam instrumentation irradiation methods for high-power targets must be further developed. Additional irradiation facilities are needed since only a few facilities worldwide offer beams for target testing, and the beam provided may not be appropriate for the specific facility or project. Thus, a comprehensive research and development program must be implemented to address the challenges that multi-MW targets face.

Pellemoine, F.↗

Transient Studies of Nonequilibrium Transport in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors

The overarching objective of research under DOE support has been to investigate emergent carrier phenomena in different two-dimensional (2D) systems, under conditions where they are driven far from equilibrium. The description of nonequilibrium transport has long represented one of the most enduring challenges in condensed-matter physics, in large part due to the need to invoke the role of complex many-body phenomena (electron-phonon and electron-electron coupling) in this regime. In this project, we have explored aspects of this problem in a variety of different two-dimensional systems. These include the modulation-doped two-dimensional electrons gas, or 2DEG, in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures; the electron and hole systems in graphene and its related hetero-structures, and; the strongly-confined electron layers in transition-metal dichalcogenide (MoS 2 and WS 2 ) and trichalcogenide (TiS 3 ) materials. Significant understanding has been achieved in a number of different areas, as we elaborate upon in subsequent sections of this proposal: Nanoscale spectroscopy of defect-related barriers in MoS2 Negative differential conductance due to inter-valley scattering in WS 2 under high fields Incipient localization due to scattering from frozen-phonon disorder in quantum point contacts High-field transient transport in graphene/hexagonal BN heterostructures Universal voltage scaling of quantum corrections in graphene under nonequilibrium A defining feature of much of this research has been an approach to problem solving in which novel experimental techniques (such as transient electrical pulsing and scanning-probe microscopy) are combined with the development (in collaboration with colleagues from condensed-matter theory) of sophisticated models, a strategy that we propose to continue in our future research. In recent years, we have developed an increasing capacity for handling atomically-thin materials, and their van der Waals systems, a capacity that is reflected in the balance of topics listed above.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Temporal Changes in Astronauts’ Muscle and Cardiorespiratory Physiology Before, During and After Spaceflight

Background: NASA’s planned space exploration missions will require astronauts to safely perform extravehicular activity (EVA) and to safely egress vehicles in a variety of landing scenarios. Prolonged exposure to spaceflight can diminish tolerance for physical activity, decrease cardiovascular and sensorimotor function, and cause loss of bone mineral density, and reduced muscle mass and strength. Although exercise can mitigate these spaceflight-induced physiological decrements, little is known regarding the time-course of changes in muscle and aerobic performance during spaceflight. Furthermore, these exercise countermeasures are not fully protective. For example, maximal aerobic capacity (VO2pk), lower body muscle cross-sectional area, and strength decrease by about 10% to 15% after short- (~ 14 days) and long-duration (~ 6 months) missions on the International Space Station (ISS). Future space missions that are longer in duration and further from Earth will employ exploration vehicles that will have exercise hardware with less robust and more constrained exercise capabilities than of those available on the ISS. Thus, countermeasures will need to be optimized to protect crew health and performance on exploration-class missions that will last up to 3 years. This will require a more detailed understanding of the dynamic effects of spaceflight on human health and performance, and the ability of exercise to protect against this deconditioning, and the interaction of exercise with interrelated factors like nutrition, sleep, and environmental conditions. Methods: We will use standardized research and medical testing protocols previously validated in 1-G and 0-G to quantify the time course and the inter-individual variability of changes in physical performance, including cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscle strength, and endurance, before, during and after spaceflight missions lasting 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Additionally, we will use an extrapolation model to predict changes associated with 2–3-year exploration missions. Additionally, we will monitor in-flight exercise, nutrition, and sleep using in-flight assessment tools. Significance: Our testing protocols will provide valuable information for determining time course of change and the interindividual variability of spaceflight-induced deconditioning of aerobic capacity and muscle strength and endurance over the course of spaceflight missions up to and beyond 1 year. This information will be vital to assess whether humans can be physically ready for deep space exploration, such as on a mission to Mars, using current technology, or if additional mitigation strategies are necessary.

countermeasures↗

Temporal Changes in Astronauts’ Muscle and Cardiorespiratory Physiology Before, During, and After Spaceflight

Background: NASA’s planned space exploration missions will require astronauts to safely perform extravehicular activity (EVA) and to safely egress vehicles in a variety of landing scenarios. Prolonged exposure to spaceflight can diminish tolerance for physical activity, decrease cardiovascular and sensorimotor function, cause loss of bone mineral density, as well as reduced muscle mass and strength. Although exercise can mitigate these spaceflight-induced physiological decrements, little is known regarding the time-course of changes in muscle and aerobic performance during spaceflight. Furthermore, these exercise countermeasures are not fully protective. For example, maximal aerobic capacity (VO2pk), lower body muscle cross-sectional area, and strength decrease by about 10% to 15% after short- (≈14 days) and long-duration (≈6 months) missions on the International Space Station (ISS). Future space missions longer in duration and further from Earth will employ exploration vehicles that will have exercise hardware with less robust and more constrained exercise capabilities than of those available on the ISS. Thus, countermeasures will need to be optimized to protect crew health and performance on exploration-class missions lasting up to 3 years. This requires a more detailed understanding of the dynamic effects of spaceflight on human health and performance, the ability of exercise to protect against this deconditioning, and the interaction of exercise with interrelated factors like nutrition, sleep, and environmental conditions. Methods: We will use standardized research and medical testing protocols previously validated in 1g and microgravity to quantify the time course and the inter-individual variability of changes in physical performance, including cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength and endurance, before, during, and after spaceflight missions lasting 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Additionally, we will use an extrapolation model to predict changes associated with multi-year exploration missions. Additionally, we will monitor in-flight exercise, nutrition, and sleep using in-flight assessment tools. Significance: Our testing protocols will provide valuable information for determining time course of change and the interindividual variability of spaceflight-induced deconditioning of aerobic capacity and muscle strength and endurance over the course of spaceflight missions up to and beyond 1 year. This information will be vital to assess whether humans can be physically ready for deep space exploration, such as on a mission to Mars, using current technology, or if additional mitigation strategies are necessary.

N Strock↗

Exercise during long term exposure to space: Value of exercise during space exploration

There appear to be two general physiological reasons why exercise will be beneficial to space travelers who will experience a weightless and isolated environment for many months or a few years: (1) to alleviate or prevent tissue atrophy (principally bone and muscle), to maintain cardiovascular function, and to prevent deleterious changes in extracellular and cellular fluid volumes and plasma constituents, especially electrolytes; and (2) to maintain whole organism functional physical and physiological status with special reference to neuromuscular coordination (physical skill) and physical fitness (muscle strength and power, flexibility, and aerobic endurance). The latter reason also relates well to the ability of the crew members to resist both general and local fatigue and thus ensure consistent physical performance. Various forms of exercise, performed regularly, could help alleviate boredom and assist the travelers in coping with stress, anxiety, and depression. The type, frequency, duration and intensity of exercise and ways of ensuring that crew members engage in it are discussed.

Source record↗

Solid Lubrication Fundamentals and Applications

This chapter focuses attention on the friction and wear properties of selected solid lubricating films to aid users in choosing the best lubricant, deposition conditions, and operational variables. For simplicity, discussion of the tribological properties of concern is separated into two parts. The first part of the chapter discusses the different solid lubricating films selected for study including commercially developed solid film lubricants: (1) bonded molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), (2) magnetron-sputtered MoS2, (3) ion-plated silver, (4) ion-plated lead, (5) magnetron-sputtered diamondlike carbon (MS DLC), and (6) plasma-assisted, chemical-vapor-deposited diamondlike carbon (PACVD DEC) films. Marked differences in the friction and wear properties of the different films resulted from the different environmental conditions (ultrahigh vacuum, humid air, and dry nitrogen) and the solid film lubricant materials. The second part of the chapter discusses the physical and chemical characteristics, friction behavior, and endurance life of the magnetron-sputtered MoS2 films. The role of interface species and the effects of applied load, film thickness, oxygen pressure, environment, and temperature on the friction and wear properties are considered.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Assessment of Individualizing lactobacillus plantarum Supplementation with Precision Health to Preserve Muscle Health in Astronauts During Long Duration Spaceflight

Muscle atrophy is an unfortunate reality seen after spending time in microgravity. Decreases in muscle strength, size, and endurance can negatively impact mission productivity and increase the risk of injury in astronauts. In preparing for long-duration spaceflight aboard future orbiting stations and interplanetary vessels, supplementation with lactobacillus plantarum has been suggested as a possible countermeasure for crew members. Early clinical trials have shown the probiotic to improve muscle strength, endurance, and associated biomarkers, even without significant physical exercise by influencing the gut-muscle-axis. While current onboard exercise protocols have significantly helped limit degradation (as seen below), individualized implementation of this supplement could not only add another layer of protection but also protect against inadequate exercise equipment on future missions due to payload constraints

Precision Health↗

Effects of Three-Day Bed Rest on Physiological Responses to Graded Exercise in Endurance Athletes, Body Builders and Sedentary Men

To test the hypotheses that short-term bed rest (BR) deconditioning influences metabolic, cardiorespiratory and neurohormonal responses to exercise and that these effects depend on the subjects' training status, 12 sedentary men, and 10 endurance- and 10 strength-trained athletes were submitted to three-day BR. Before and after BR they performed incremental exercise tests until volitional exhaustion. Respiratory gas exchange and HR were recorded continuously and stroke volume (SV) was measured at submaximal loads. Blood was taken for lactate [LA], adrenaline [A], noradrenaline [NA], renin activity (PRA), growth hormone [hGH], testosterone and cortisol determination. Reduction of peak oxygen uptake (V02peak) after BR was greater in the endurance athletes than in the remaining groups (17 % vs. 10%). Decrements in VO2peak correlated positively with the initial values (r = 0.73, p is less than 0.001). Resting and exercise respiratory exchange ratios were increased in athletes. Cardiac output was unchanged by BR in all groups, but exercise HR was increased and SV diminished in the sedentary subjects. The submaximal [LA] and [LA] thresholds were decreased the in endurance athletes from 71 to 60% V02 peak (p is less than0.001), they also had an earlier increase in [NA], an attenuated increase in [hGH], and accentuated PRA and cortisol elevations during exercise. These effects were insignificant in the remaining subjects. In conclusion: reduction of exercise performance and modifications in neurohormonal response to exercise after BR depend on the previous level and mode of physical training, being the most pronounced in the endurance athletes.

Smorawinski, J.↗

Effects of Three-Day Bed Rest on Physiological Responses to Graded Exercise in Endurance Athletes, Body Builders and Sedentary Men

To test the hypotheses that short-term bed rest (BR) deconditioning influences metabolic, cardiorespiratory and neurohormonal responses to exercise and that these effects depend on the subjects' training status 12 sedentary men, and 10 endurance- and 10 strength-trained athletes were submitted to three-day BR. Before and after BR they performed incremental exercise test until volitional exhaustion. Respiratory gas exchange and HR were recorded continuously and stroke volume (SV) was measured at submaximal loads. Blood was taken for lactate [LA], adrenaline [A], noradrenaline, [NA], renting activity (PRA), growth hormone [hGH], testosterone and cortisol determination. Reduction of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) after BR was greater in the endurance athletes (than in the remaining groups (17 % vs. 100%). Decrements in VO2peak correlated positively with the initial values (r = 0.73, p less than 0.001). Resting and exercise respiratory exchange ratios were increased in athletes. Cardiac output was unchanged by BR in all groups, but exercise HR was increased and SV diminished in the sedentary subjects. The submaximal [LA] and [LA] thresholds were decreased the in endurance athletes from 71 to 60 %VO2 peak (p less than 0.001); they also had an earlier increase in [NA], and an attenuated increase in [hGH), and accentuated PRA and cortisol elevations during exercise. These effects were insignificant in the remaining subjects. In conclusion: reduction of exercise performance and modifications in neurohormonal response to exercise after BR depend on the previous level and mode of physical training, being the most pronounced in the endurance athletes.

Smorawinski, J.↗

2014 Bone and Muscle Risks Standing Review Panel

The 2014 Bone and Muscle Risks Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on December 17 - 18, 2014. The SRP reviewed the updated research plans for the Risk of Impaired Performance Due to Reduced Muscle Mass, Strength and Endurance (Muscle Risk) and the Risk of Reduced Physical Performance Capabilities Due to Reduced Aerobic Capacity (Aerobic Risk). The SRP also received a status update on the Risk of Bone Fracture (Bone Risk), the Risk of Early Onset Osteoporosis Due To Spaceflight (Osteo Risk), the Risk of Intervertebral Disc Damage (IVD Risk), and the Risk of Renal Stone Formation (Renal Risk).

Steinberg, Susan↗

Behavioral Health Factors in Long Duration Space Flight: Lessons Learned From Apollo And Their Implications For Artemis

Behavioral health will be a critical factor in future Long Duration Spaceflights (LDSF). As humans venture further from Earth, astronauts will face greater isolation and need to be more autonomous than ever before. Astronauts will face a plethora of stressors, both internally and externally, and it will be mission critical to optimize their mind and bodies to endure and overcome these challenges. Personalities, environmental and physical factors will affect each individual and crew in different ways and it will be important to look at these factors independently and as a whole to maximize the chances of a successful mission. By analyzing environments analogous to space and building upon the lessons learned from the Apollo missions and over 50 years of Low Earth Orbit spaceflight, we hypothesize that a general framework can be developed to optimize crew mental wellbeing.

Nicolas Heft↗

Effect of exercise training on cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of forearm vascular resistance in humans

We studied the stimulus-response characteristics of cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of forearm vascular resistance (FVR) in four groups of male volunteer subjects: i) unfit, ii) physically fit, iii) before and after 10 wk of endurance training (chronic blood volume expansion), and iv) before and after acute blood volume expansion. We assessed the relationship between reflex stimulus, i.e., changes in central venous pressure and response, i.e., FVR, during unloading of cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors with lower body negative pressure (LBNP, 0 to -20 mm Hg). The slope of the linear relationship between FVR and CVP, the index of the responsiveness of this baroreflex, was significantly diminished (> 50%) in the fit subjects compared with the unfit. The slope of the FVR-CVP relationship was inversely correlated with the subject's total blood volume, suggesting that blood volume expansion was related to the attenuated CP baroreflex. In the exercise training study, maximal oxygen consumption and blood volume increased following 10 wk of endurance training (N = 14) but were unchanged in the time control group (N = 7). The slope of the FVR-CVP relationship was significantly reduced (32%) following 10 wk of training but was unchanged in the time control group. The reduction in slope of the FVR-CVP relationship was inversely related to the increase in blood volume associated with exercise training. Acute blood volume expansion 8 ml.kg-1 body weight with 5% human serum albumin solution) significantly reduced the slope of the FVR-CVP relationship. These data support the hypothesis that the attenuated forearm vascular reflex in physically fit individuals is related to a training-induced hypervolemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS).

Review↗

New physics in rare B decays after Moriond 2021

Abstract The anomalies in rare B decays endure. We present results of an updated global analysis that takes into account the latest experimental input – in particular the recent results on $$R_K$$ R K and BR $$(B_s \rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)$$ ( B s → μ + μ - ) – and that qualitatively improves the treatment of theory uncertainties. Fit results are presented for the Wilson coefficients of four-fermion contact interactions. We find that muon specific Wilson coefficients $$C_9 \simeq -0.73$$ C 9 ≃ - 0.73 or $$C_9 = -C_{10} \simeq -0.39$$ C 9 = - C 10 ≃ - 0.39 continue to give an excellent description of the data. If only theoretically clean observables are considered, muon specific $$C_{10} \simeq 0.60$$ C 10 ≃ 0.60 or $$C_9=-C_{10} \simeq -0.35$$ C 9 = - C 10 ≃ - 0.35 improve over the Standard Model by $$\sqrt{\Delta \chi ^2} \simeq 4.7\sigma $$ Δ χ 2 ≃ 4.7 σ and $$\sqrt{\Delta \chi ^2} \simeq 4.6\sigma $$ Δ χ 2 ≃ 4.6 σ , respectively. In various new physics scenarios we provide predictions for lepton flavor universality observables and CP asymmetries that can be tested with more data. We update our previous combination of ATLAS, CMS, and LHCb data on BR $$(B_s \rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)$$ ( B s → μ + μ - ) and BR $$(B^0\rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-)$$ ( B 0 → μ + μ - ) taking into account the full two-dimensional non-Gaussian experimental likelihoods.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Analysis of Hard Thin Film Coating

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is interested in developing hard thin film coating for bearings. The wearing of the bearing is an important problem for space flight engine. Hard thin film coating can drastically improve the surface of the bearing and improve the wear-endurance of the bearing. However, many fundamental problems in surface physics, plasma deposition, etc, need further research. The approach is using Electron Cyclotron Resonance Chemical Vapor Deposition (ECRCVD) to deposit hard thin film on stainless steel bearing. The thin films in consideration include SiC, SiN and other materials. An ECRCVD deposition system is being assembled at MSFC.

Shen, Dashen↗

Analysis of Hard Thin Film Coating

MSFC is interested in developing hard thin film coating for bearings. The wearing of the bearing is an important problem for space flight engine. Hard thin film coating can drastically improve the surface of the bearing and improve the wear-endurance of the bearing. However, many fundamental problems in surface physics, plasma deposition, etc, need further research. The approach is using electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition (ECRCVD) to deposit hard thin film an stainless steel bearing. The thin films in consideration include SiC, SiN and other materials. An ECRCVD deposition system is being assembled at MSFC.

Shen, Dashen↗

Temporal multi-omic analysis uncovers sex-biased molecular programs underlying skeletal muscle adaptation to endurance training

Background. Exercise training is known to benefit health and reduce disease risk. While adaptations in skeletal muscles are fundamental to many of the health benefits of exercise training, the common and sex-specific molecular regulators that mediate these adaptations remain to be fully elucidated. Methods. To this end, we leveraged skeletal muscle multi-omics data generated by the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC), where 6 month-old male and female rats endurance trained for 1, 2, 4, or 8 weeks. Our objective was to identify shared and sex-specific multi-omic molecular responses to endurance training in skeletal muscle, and relate them to phenotypic adaptations. Results. We identified largely sexually-conserved transcriptomic and proteomic enrichments in the gastrocnemius, which correlated with skeletal muscle responses from a published exercise study in humans. We uncovered sex-consistent post-translational modifications, including decreased oxidation of MYH2 and deacetylation of the ß-oxidation enzyme HADHA. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed sex-specific remodeling across the acetylome, redox proteome, and phosphoproteome; females decreased mitochondrial protein oxidation and increased mitochondrial cristae proteins, indicative of enhanced redox buffering and mitochondrial efficiency. Despite observed decreases in the oxidation of key mitochondrial proteins, females displayed increases in the oxidation of proteins involved in glucose catabolism relative to males after 8 weeks of training, suggestive of sex-biased subcellular reactive oxygen species generation. Conclusions. This work shows a large portion of the adaptive response to endurance training in skeletal muscle is shared between females and males, while there are distinct and nuanced sex-specific adaptations that are evident, particularly at the level of post-translational regulation.

Many, Gina M.↗