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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

Controlled Environmental Effects on Creep Test Data of Woven Fabric Webbings for Inflatable Space Modules

eveloping technologies for proposed lunar and Mars space exploration missions. Enhanced habitation sy g studied as potential habitats due to their inherent low mass and small launch volume. One goal of inflatable module research is quantification of the safe-life and end-of-life creep-strain spectrum. Full-scale pressurized inflatable modules are large, costly, and difficult to experimentally study. Therefore, material subcomponents are often studied as an alternative. An experimental thermally controlled long-term creep study of VectranTM webbings for application to inflatable modules is presented. Vectran fibers have high strength and low creep properties. High strength webbing materials are desirable for the load bearing restraint layer of inflatable modules because they are strong, flexible, and lightweight. Characterization of the creep behavior, safe-life, and end-of- life of webbing specimens will help quantify comparable life properties for inflatable modules. Several experimental multiple-year creep studies of webbing specimens in uncontrolled thermal environments have been conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. Experimental data obtained exhibits the classic creep-strain curve due to load, coupled with unique sinusoidal variation due to variation in temperature and humidity over daily and annual time periods. Results also have indicated that specimens fail within a year if the applied load is greater than 50 percent of the rated load. The primary goal of this study is to eliminate thermal effects from the creep data for a group of webbing specimens, and to allow uncontrolled thermal effects to influence the creep data of a second group of webbing specimens. Comparison of both sets of data will define how temperature influences creep data. A unique creep test facility was fabricated to facilitate the generation and comparison of the two sets of data. The facility consists of five creep test stands with an integrated heating and cooling system, and four creep test stands exposed to external environmental or ambient conditions. The facility contains displacement, temperature, humidity, and load sensors. Test specimens consist of one- inch wide, 48-inch long Vectran webbings rated at 12,500 pounds-per-inch. Experimental thermally controlled creep-strain data has been generated for two groups of webbing specimens. Applied load for all test stands was above 9000 lbs and greater than 50 percent of the rated load. Temperatures varied between 58˚F and 83˚F for the four test stands exposed to ambient conditions. Associated creep data exhibited the classic creep- strain profiles. The temperature was set to 72˚F for the five test stands in the controlled temperature environment. Creep data for tests with temperature control also exhibited the classic strain profiles. Data indicated that if the load is greater n thermal effects do not manifest. Therefore, creep tests with loads less than 50 percent of the rated load are planned for in the near future.

Kenner, Winfred S.↗

Noninvasive Breath Analysis Using NASA E-Nose Technology for Health Assessment

Clinical breath analysis is based on the fact that many important metabolites and biomarker molecules are present at detectable levels in exhaled breath, and many of these molecules correlate with human disease or correlate with physiological states that could lead to a decline in health. Presented is a technology that utilizes an array of chemical sensors combined with humidity, temperature and pressure for real time breath analysis to correlate the chemical information in the breath with the state and functioning of different human organs. For example, a marker for pulmonary inflammation processes of the lower respiratory tract, e.g. asthma, is the increase of the nitrogen oxide (NO) concentration in breath. Other volatile biomarkers may correlate with infectious process, metabolic conditions and inflammatory diseases, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). This technology is also called "electronic nose" (E-Nose) in the sense that the device can mimic human nose to smell odors using a pattern recognition technique to analyze the sensor array data. Breath sampling is non-invasive and can be analyzed in real-time.

Li, Jing↗

Trends in best-in-class energy-efficient technologies for room air conditioners

Improving the efficiency of room air conditioners (RACs) could provide significant energy and associated emissions savings, particularly in emerging economies with hot climates where the cooling demand is expected to increase dramatically. To help accelerate efficiency improvements, this study identifies “best-in-class” high-efficiency RAC components and products. The findings show that manufacturers tend to minimize manufacturing costs by using RAC designs that are readily available or standardized to their production, and they share components across various models. High-efficiency RAC models use advanced compressor technologies optimized at a low frequency, large heat exchangers with thermodynamically effective materials and designs, highly efficient direct current fan motors, advanced metering devices, and smart sensors for temperature and humidity control. Recently RAC manufacturers have been improving seasonal efficiency – better reflecting part-load operation – especially via variable-speed (inverter) drives for compressor motors. Recent highest-efficiency RAC models use low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, having transitioned from conventional high-GWP refrigerants, in regions where RACs that use these low-GWP refrigerants are commercially available. Recently demonstrated innovative technologies show trends toward smart hybrid designs, evaporative cooling, and solid-state materials beyond the conventional vapor-compression technology. This information could help policymakers improve their RAC market-transformation programs to align with the most-efficient global technology.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

NARAC Meteorological Monitoring Tower Maintenance Report: Submarine Base Group Two, Sub Base New London NEWLBASE2 Tower

Comments: The roof-based tower is located on Building 17 on Naval Submarine Base New London. Tower installation date is unknown. A second GFCI outlet in-line with the standard GFCI in the logger enclosure is mounted on conduit out of the tower base pedestal. The roof surface has been replaced and is now safe to walk on. The tower was not climbed during this maintenance visit. After the maintenance visit in 2018, the tower was deemed unsafe to climb due to age, corrosion, and deterioration of the tower components. The wind, air temperature, and relative humidity sensors located on the upper part of the tower require climbing of the tower for servicing and could not be accessed for inspection and maintenance. The tower is scheduled for replacement in FY2023. Tasks to be Completed: Tower system replacement / relocation. Consider replacement or bypassing of the suspect precipitation gauge signal connector.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

IoT-Based Comfort Control and Fault Diagnostics System for Energy-Efficient Homes

This project studies an Internet of Things (IoT)-based comfort control and fault diagnostics system (referred as iComfort in this report) for energy-efficient homes. The system delivers an occupant-comfort-oriented thermal environment adaptive to fault scenarios and achieves HVAC energy savings in a cost-effective and straightforward way. This smart iComfort home system consists of the following key features. 1) Cost-effectiveness and scalability of the entire hardware and software system: The system includes low-cost temperature, humidity, and airflow sensors, and a Raspberry Pi-based local hub that interfaces with the cloud and IoT-enabled devices. The cost is low, not only for sensors, but also the costs associated with sensor installation, system setup and commissioning, data communication and storage, and data analytics (e.g., the development of automated fault detection and diagnosis (AFDD), as well as adaptive control strategies that are both computationally efficient and practical to implement). 2) Energy performance and user satisfaction: The system delivers user satisfaction and energy savings. This includes a) ease of use, b) optimal occupant thermal comfort, and c) accurate system feedback (e.g., low false alarm of AFDD strategies). 3) Favorable demonstrated prototype performance: The prototype tested at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Lab Homes demonstrates the accuracy of fault detections and diagnoses and shows thermal comfort improvement and energy savings through adaptive and optimal HVAC operations.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Sorbent-Bed Crop-Drying System

Proposed aeration system helps reduce spoilage of stored grain or other crop stored in bulk. Air circulates through bin, sorbent bed, and heat exchanger. Outside air cools circulating air in heat exchanger. Sensors measure temperature and humidity, and adjust dampers to obtain requisite temperature and humidity. Suitable for grain bins and shipping barges.

Roberts, Barry C.↗

IGARSS '91; Proceedings of the 11th Annual International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo, Finland, June 3-6, 1991. Vols. 1, 2, 3, & 4

The papers presented at the symposium focus on global monitoring of the earth with emphasis on the solution of environmental problems and utilization of natural resources. Topics discussed include radar forestry modeling, hydrological remote sensing, polarimetric SAR observations of sea ice, optical and IR oceanography, and satellite remote sensing of precipitation and related phenomena. Other subject areas covered are microwave sensing of trace gases; atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity; spaceborne sensor technology; geodynamic and geophysical remote sensing; space radar missions; remote sensing of vegetation and crops; and remote sensing of weather systems.

Source record↗

Algorithm Determines Wind Speed and Direction from Venturi-Sensor Data

An algorithm computes the velocity of wind from the readings of an instrument like the one described in another Tech Brief. To recapitulate: The sensor has no moving parts and is a compact, rugged means of measuring wind vectors having magnitudes of as much as 300 mph (134 m/s). The sensor includes a Venturi gap bounded by a curved upper and a curved lower surface that are axisymmetric with respect to a vertical axis and mirror-symmetric with respect to a horizontal midplane. One of the curved surfaces is instrumented with multiple ports for measuring dynamic pressures. The sensor also incorporates auxiliary sensors for measuring temperature, relative humidity, and static atmospheric pressure. The design and operation of the sensor are based on the concepts of (1) using Bernoulli's equation (which expresses the relationship among variations of speed, density, and pressure along a streamline) to calculate the speed of the wind from differences among the pressure readings at the various ports; and (2) calculating the direction of the wind from the angular positions of ports selected according to comparisons among their pressure readings. The present algorithm performs these calculations.

Zysko, Jan A.↗

Ground Test Stand Development for One-step Electrochemical Production of High-Pressure Oxygen

NASA designed a test rig, High-Pressure Oxygen Generation Assembly (HPOGA) to test a novel method of electrolysis as an alternative technology to the state-of-the-art Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) currently on the International Space Station (ISS). This approach involves utilizing a specialized electrolysis cell stack designed to both generate and compress high-pressure oxygen up to 3600 PSIG. The design eliminates the need for an external compressor and hydrogen separator, streamlining the oxygen generation process. HPOGA tests the viability of an electrolysis cell stack for extended life usage. Within the system, there are several key subsystems: nitrogen, high/low pressure oxygen, hydrogen, water recirculation, and water injection. The water injection subsystem supplies deionized (DI) water to a centralized reservoir for consumption. Subsequently, a water recirculation loop transfers the DI water across the cathode side of the electrolysis cell stack with constant flow rate. The result is a supply of hydrogen in the water loop and oxygen accumulation on the anode side of the cell stack. Hydrogen is evaporated out as part of the hydrogen sub-system which also measures hydrogen/oxygen concentration for safety. The oxygen subsystem is responsible for managing high pressure oxygen, O2 exhaust, and conducting hydrogen/oxygen concentration measurements. The nitrogen subsystem serves dual functions, purging the hydrogen/oxygen subsystems, and regulating pressure in both high/low-pressure O2 sections via pneumatic back pressure regulators. Various sensors monitor pressure, temperature, humidity, gas concentration and flow rate in each subsystem. This paper presents the design and testing of a comprehensive test stand, which serves to operate and functionally verify the performance of the electrolysis cell while offering valuable lessons learned.

electrolysis↗

TAMDAR Sensor Validation in 2003 AIRS II

This study entails an assessment of TAMDAR in situ temperature, relative humidity and winds sensor data from seven flights of the UND Citation II. These data are undergoing rigorous assessment to determine their viability to significantly augment domestic Meteorological Data Communications Reporting System (MDCRS) and the international Aircraft Meteorological Data Reporting (AMDAR) system observational databases to improve the performance of regional and global numerical weather prediction models. NASA Langley Research Center participated in the Second Alliance Icing Research Study from November 17 to December 17, 2003. TAMDAR data taken during this period is compared with validation data from the UND Citation. The data indicate acceptable performance of the TAMDAR sensor when compared to measurements from the UND Citation research instruments.

Daniels, Taumi S.↗

Ground-based temperature and humidity profiling: combining active and passive remote sensors

Abstract. Thermodynamic profiles in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) are important observations for a range of atmospheric research and operational needs. These profiles can be retrieved from passively sensed spectral infrared (IR) or microwave (MW) radiance observations or can be more directly measured by active remote sensors such as water vapor differential absorption lidars (DIALs). This paper explores the synergy of combining ground-based IR, MW, and DIAL observations using an optimal-estimation retrieval framework, quantifying the reduction in the uncertainty in the retrieved profiles and the increase in information content as additional observations are added to IR-only and MW-only retrievals. This study uses ground-based observations collected during the Perdigão field campaign in central Portugal in 2017 and during the DIAL demonstration campaign at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Southern Great Plains site in 2017. The results show that the information content in both temperature and water vapor is higher for the IR instrument relative to the MW instrument (thereby resulting in smaller uncertainties) and that the combined IR + MW retrieval is very similar to the IR-only retrieval below 1.5 km. However, including the partial profile of water vapor observed by the DIAL increases the information content in the combined IR + DIAL and MW + DIAL water vapor retrievals substantially, with the exact impact vertically depending on the characteristics of the DIAL instrument itself. Furthermore, there is a slight increase in the information content in the retrieved temperature profile using the IR + DIAL relative to the IR-only; this was not observed in the MW + DIAL retrieval.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) Sensor Validation and Verification on National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Lockheed WP-3D Aircraft

As part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Aviation Safety and Security Program, the Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting project (TAMDAR) developed a low-cost sensor for aircraft flying in the lower troposphere. This activity was a joint effort with support from Federal Aviation Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and industry. This paper reports the TAMDAR sensor performance validation and verification, as flown on board NOAA Lockheed WP-3D aircraft. These flight tests were conducted to assess the performance of the TAMDAR sensor for measurements of temperature, relative humidity, and wind parameters. The ultimate goal was to develop a small low-cost sensor, collect useful meteorological data, downlink the data in near real time, and use the data to improve weather forecasts. The envisioned system will initially be used on regional and package carrier aircraft. The ultimate users of the data are National Centers for Environmental Prediction forecast modelers. Other users include air traffic controllers, flight service stations, and airline weather centers. NASA worked with an industry partner to develop the sensor. Prototype sensors were subjected to numerous tests in ground and flight facilities. As a result of these earlier tests, many design improvements were made to the sensor. The results of tests on a final version of the sensor are the subject of this report. The sensor is capable of measuring temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and icing. It can compute pressure altitude, indicated air speed, true air speed, ice presence, wind speed and direction, and eddy dissipation rate. Summary results from the flight test are presented along with corroborative data from aircraft instruments.

Tsoucalas, George↗

A Microinstrumentation System for Remote Environmental Monitoring

This paper reports on a hybrid micro-instrumentation system that includes a embedded micro-controller, transducers for monitoring environmental parameters, interface/readout electronics for linking the controller and the transducers, and custom circuitry for system power management. Sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, humidity, and acceleration are included in the initial system, which operates for more than 180 days and dissipates less than 700 microW from a 6V battery supply. The sensor scan rate is adaptive and can be event triggered. The system communicates internally over a 1 MHz, nine-line intramodule sensor bus and outputs data over a hard-wired serial interface or a 315MHz wireless link. The use of folding platform packaging allows an internal system volume as small as 5 cc.

Mason, Andrew↗

DECOVALEX-2023: Task C Final Report

The Full-scale Emplacement (FE) heater experiment at the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (URL) was designed and conducted by Nagra to replicate an emplacement tunnel of Nagra’s reference repository design at 1:1 scale. Alongside testing the technical feasibility of constructing disposal tunnels, emplacing waste containers in the tunnels and then backfilling them, the main goals of the FE experiment are (1) to obtain a better understanding of the coupled effects of induced thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes that may occur and (2) to validate existing coupled THM models (Müller et al., 2017). A key aspect of ensuring safety for repositories located in low-permeability rock involves minimizing any damage to the rock itself, thereby preserving its integrity and promoting a stable environment Amongst a number of processes that could damage the rock is the increase in pore pressure due to thermal loading caused by heat emitted from the waste. To reduce the potential damage of the rock, it is important to analyse the evolution of heat over time due to the heat load of the containers and assess possible consequences by coupled THM models. The aim of Task C of DECOVALEX-2023 was to build 3D numerical models of the FE experiment, focussing in particular on the heating induced pore pressure change in the Opalinus Clay. Data from a large number of sensors were available from the FE experiment for model comparison. These sensors measured temperature and relative humidity in the bentonite around the heaters, and temperature, pressure and displacement/strain in the surrounding Opalinus clay. Data were available from the start of excavation (April 2012) up to August 2020 for most sensors (more than 5 years from the start of heating in December 2014). To fulfil the overall aim of the task, the work was broken down into a number of steps, starting with simpler models to build confidence in each team’s approach and then moving to more complex models that better represent the FE experiment. Step 0 consisted of 2D benchmark models, gradually increasing the number of processes that are represented from thermal (T) only models in Step 0a, to coupled thermal hydraulic (TH) models in Step 0b with a representation of changing porosity, to coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) models in Step 0c, where porosity changes are calculated by the mechanical model. A detailed specification of processes, parameters, initial and boundary conditions was provided for this step, with the ambition that all teams would work towards close agreement in their model results, thus building confidence in the model implementations. vi It was not straightforward to achieve agreement between the teams, so additional steps (Step 0b2, 0b3, 0c2, 0c3) were added along with derivation of some analytical solutions against which the models could be compared. The reasons for the differences between teams were investigated and found to be caused primarily by different conceptual model assumptions (including temperature dependence of the thermal expansion of water), different model formulations (including porosity evolution) and differences in modelled domain sizes, boundary conditions and grid discretisation. This demonstrates that comparisons between multiple modelling teams and/or comparison with analytical results and experimental data are highly beneficial in providing an indication of uncertainty in model predictions. At the conclusion of Step 0, almost all teams had achieved a close agreement in model results and those that had not achieved an agreement knew the reason for this. Step 1 moved from 2D models to 3D models of the FE experiment without adding technical features like shotcrete or EDZ, and only considering the heating phase. Initially the 3D model was tightly specified to continue to build confidence in the model implementations (Step 1a). The results of Step 1a were compared to the data from the FE-experiment without the teams seeing the data. The teams were then provided with a sub-set of the data from the FE-experiment and invited to consider how best to use the large dataset for model comparison (Step 1b). Teams were then asked to use the data provided to calibrate their models, only changing material property values rather than adding features or processes to their models (Step 1c). In Step 1, teams were asked to only model the heating phase of the experiment, so pressure in the Opalinus Clay was reported as change in pressure since the initial conditions were specified rather than modelled. The change from 2D to 3D models was accompanied by an increase in the dispersion of results between the teams. Some of this was resolved during the task, but some remained and is potentially due to model discretisation. Calibration of parameters was useful in improving the fit of the models to the data but the remaining differences indicated that the models were missing features or processes. In Step 2, the teams were asked to update their models with additional features and processes as well as calibrating parameters to try and improve the fit of the models to the data. Teams were encouraged to represent ventilation of the open FE tunnel prior to backfilling with heaters and bentonite and in Step 2, the absolute pressure in the Opalinus Clay was compared between the teams. Teams took different approaches, but there was consideration of adding shotcrete and an EDZ into the model, representing stress change during excavation and different approaches to modelling ventilation of the FE tunnel. Overall, the documented results showed a very good agreement for temperature. The results for porewater pressure evolution showed a significant improvement for most teams compared to Step 1c with a good agreement to the measurements for several teams whereas some teams overpredicted the pressure increase and others overpredicted the drainage effect especially for the sensors close to the heater. Step 3 was an opportunity for teams to use the models developed in Step 1 and Step 2 to make predictions about the temperature and pressure changes that will be expected at the FE experiment over the next few years in light of the planned changes in thermal output of the heaters.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Meteodrone data

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Meteodrone (model SSE MM-641) is a small (1.1 kg GTOW, ~40 cm across) hexcopter UAS manufactured by Meteomatics. Maximum endurance is approximately 30 min and estimated maximum operating altitude of 1500 m. Profiles can be executed at ascent/descent rates up to 10 m/s. The Meteodrone is capable of measuring temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity and GPS position time-stamped with GPS time. Temperature and dual relative humidity sensors are shielded from solar exposure by a housing with a vertically oriented air intake and hoirizontal exhaust. Sensor aspiration is driven by rotorwash across the horizontal exhaust. In its current configuration data are recorded only when executing vertical profiles. Attitude and position are updated at a data rate of 20 Hz while meteorological observations are updated at 10 Hz.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Aerosol-Jet Printed Sensors for Environmental, Safety, and Health Monitoring: A Review

An emergent direct-write approach, aerosol-jet printing (AJP), is gaining attention for the deployment of rapid and affordable microadditively manufactured energy-efficient sensors and printed electronics. AJP enables a broad range of ink viscosities (0.001–1 Pa s) for printing diverse materials ranging from ceramics and metals to polymers and biological matter. Reproducible, high-spatial-resolution features (≈10 µm), and wide standoff distances (1–11 mm) between the nozzle and the substrate facilitate conformal printing of complex geometrical designs on nonplanar—e.g., stepped or curved—surfaces. Here this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art AJP-based sensors (e.g., strain and temperature gauges, biosensors, photosensors, humidity and surface acoustic wave sensors, dielectric elastomer actuators, and motion, smoke, and hazardous gas detectors) and to discuss prospective applications. The drive toward cost-effective devices that are smaller, lighter, and better-performing remains a frontier challenge in the field of printed electronics. Consequently, as AJP becomes increasingly utilized in the high-volume manufacturing of miniaturized active and passive sensors, it opens a pathway for facile large-scale fabrication of devices for a wide range of consumer and industrial applications, including transportation, agriculture, infrastructure, aerospace, national defense, and healthcare.

3-dimensional↗