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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

A Unique Photon Bombardment System for Space Applications

The innovative Electromagnetic Radiation Collection and Concentration System (EMRCCS) described is the foundation for the development of a multiplicity of space and terrestrial system formats. The system capability allows its use in the visual, infrared, and ultraviolet ranges of the spectrum for EM collection, concentration, source/receptor tracking, and targeting. The nonimaging modular optical system uses a physically static position aperture for EM radiation collection. Folded optics provide the concentration of the radiation and source autotracking. The collected and concentrated electromagnetic radiation is utilized in many applications, e.g., solar spectrum in thermal and associative photon bombardment applications for hazardous waste management, water purification, metal hardening, hydrogen generation, photovoltaics, etc., in both space and terrestrial segment utilization. Additionally, at the high end of the concentration capability range, i.e., 60,000+, a solar-pulsed laser system is possible.

Klein, E. J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Characterization of suspended membrane waveguides towards a photonic atom trap integrated platform

We demonstrate an optical waveguide device, capable of supporting the high, in-vacuum, optical power necessary for trapping a single atom or a cold atom ensemble with evanescent fields. Our photonic integrated platform, with suspended membrane waveguides, successfully manages optical powers of 6 mW (500 μ m span) to nearly 30 mW (125 μ m span) over an un-tethered waveguide span. This platform is compatible with laser cooling and magneto-optical traps (MOTs) in the vicinity of the suspended waveguide, called the membrane MOT and the needle MOT, a key ingredient for efficient trap loading. We evaluate two novel designs that explore critical thermal management features that enable this large power handling. This work represents a significant step toward an integrated platform for coupling neutral atom quantum systems to photonic and electronic integrated circuits on silicon.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2015

An Overview of SBIR Phase 2 Communications Technology and Development

Technological innovation is the overall focus of NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The program invests in the development of innovative concepts and technologies to help NASA's mission directorates address critical research and development needs for agency projects. This report highlights innovative SBIR Phase II projects from 2007-2012 specifically addressing areas in Communications Technology and Development which is one of six core competencies at NASA Glenn Research Center. There are eighteen technologies featured with emphasis on a wide spectrum of applications such as with a security-enhanced autonomous network management, secure communications using on-demand single photons, cognitive software-defined radio, spacesuit audio systems, multiband photonic phased-array antenna, and much more. Each article in this booklet describes an innovation, technical objective, and highlights NASA commercial and industrial applications. This report serves as an opportunity for NASA personnel including engineers, researchers, and program managers to learn of NASA SBIR's capabilities that might be crosscutting into this technology area. As the result, it would cause collaborations and partnerships between the small companies and NASA Programs and Projects resulting in benefit to both SBIR companies and NASA.

secure communications software defined radio anten↗
NASA NTRS1991

Intelligent systems technology infrastructure for integrated systems

Significant advances have occurred during the last decade in intelligent systems technologies (a.k.a. knowledge-based systems, KBS) including research, feasibility demonstrations, and technology implementations in operational environments. Evaluation and simulation data obtained to date in real-time operational environments suggest that cost-effective utilization of intelligent systems technologies can be realized for Automated Rendezvous and Capture applications. The successful implementation of these technologies involve a complex system infrastructure integrating the requirements of transportation, vehicle checkout and health management, and communication systems without compromise to systems reliability and performance. The resources that must be invoked to accomplish these tasks include remote ground operations and control, built-in system fault management and control, and intelligent robotics. To ensure long-term evolution and integration of new validated technologies over the lifetime of the vehicle, system interfaces must also be addressed and integrated into the overall system interface requirements. An approach for defining and evaluating the system infrastructures including the testbed currently being used to support the on-going evaluations for the evolutionary Space Station Freedom Data Management System is presented and discussed. Intelligent system technologies discussed include artificial intelligence (real-time replanning and scheduling), high performance computational elements (parallel processors, photonic processors, and neural networks), real-time fault management and control, and system software development tools for rapid prototyping capabilities.

Lum, Henry, Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Some Notes on EPRDATA and MCNP

EPRDATA in MCNP comes in 2 libraries, EPRDATA12 and EPRDATA14. The acronym EPR stands for Electron Photon, and atomic Relaxation. The libraries are in an extended form of the ACE format. This extended data includes more physics than the more common MCPLIB photo-atomic libraries, such as MCPLIB63 and MCPLIB84.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1976

Lunar motion analysis and laser data management

Work completed in lunar motion analysis and laser data management during the period July 1, 1971 - September 30, 1975 was reported. In this context, analysis refers to theoretical or numerical studies involving real or potential applications of such observations to improvement of the physical model, and data management refers to the process by which observed photon events are turned into observations and are made available to potential users. The data analysis work included: (1) bringing to operational status of computer programs for the numerical integration of the lunar orbit motion and for the application of lunar laser time delays for the improvement of the parameters of the physical model, (2) program improvement and program integrity, (3) three-dimensional ephemeris, and (4) miscellaneous independent studies. The data management work included: (1) data identification, (2) observatory interfaces, and (3) data distribution.

Mulholland, J. D.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reflectivity Control Device (RCD) Momentum Management for Solar Cruiser and Future Solar Sail Missions

Solar sails provide propulsion from solar photonic pressure without the need for propellant. This advantage can be reduced or eliminated if propellant is required for attitude control. The current state of the art for solar sail attitude control is that of the solar sail mission Near Earth Asteroid Scout, which employs an Adjustable Mass Translator for pitch and yaw momentum management of reaction wheels, but must use a cold gas Reaction Control System for roll axis momentum management. It is highly desirable for solar sails to use an attitude control system that does not include propellant, so here we present a novel method of managing momentum on the roll axis. For the upcoming Solar Cruiser solar sail mission, for roll axis momentum management we plan to use Reflectivity Control Devices (RCDs), thin-film Polyimide Liquid Crystal Devices that are capable of changing optical properties on command, thus affording the opportunity to provide “photonic only” control if placed appropriately on the surface of the sail. RCD design for roll momentum management is multifaceted, and must include performance (degree of change in optical properties), RCD array size, locations of clusters on the sail, orientation with respect to the sail plane, and orientation out of the sail plane. Here we provide an explanation of the basic technology, optimal orientation, sizing, and location of RCDs, results of trade studies for Solar Cruiser, lessons learned from Solar Cruiser, and scalability for future solar sail missions. RCDs will dramatically improve the performance of the Solar Cruiser Momentum Management System compared to that of NEA Scout and will continue to benefit other future solar sail missions.

Daniel Tyler↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reflectivity Control Device (RCD) Roll Momentum Management for Solar Cruiser and Future Solar Sail Missions

Solar sails provide propulsion from solar photonic pressure without the need for propellant. This advantage can be reduced or eliminated if propellant is required for attitude control. The current state of the art for solar sail attitude control is that of the solar sail mission Near Earth Asteroid Scout, which employs an Adjustable Mass Translator for pitch and yaw momentum management of reaction wheels, but must use a cold gas Reaction Control System for roll axis momentum management. It is highly desirable for solar sails to use an attitude control system that does not include propellant, so here we present a novel method of managing momentum on the roll axis. For the upcoming Solar Cruiser solar sail mission, for roll axis momentum management we plan to use Reflectivity Control Devices (RCDs), thin-film Polyimide Liquid Crystal Devices that are capable of changing optical properties on command, thus affording the opportunity to provide “photonic only” control if placed appropriately on the surface of the sail. RCD design for roll momentum management is multifaceted, and must include performance (degree of change in optical properties), RCD array size, locations of clusters on the sail, orientation with respect to the sail plane, and orientation out of the sail plane. Here we provide an explanation of the basic technology, optimal orientation, sizing, and location of RCDs, results of trade studies for Solar Cruiser, lessons learned from Solar Cruiser, and scalability for future solar sail missions. RCDs will dramatically improve the performance of the Solar Cruiser Momentum Management System compared to that of NEA Scout and will continue to benefit other future solar sail missions.

Daniel Tyler↗
NASA NTRS2006

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2006

Topics covered include: Medical Signal-Conditioning and Data-Interface System; Instruments for Reading Direct-Marked Data-Matrix Symbols; Processing EOS MLS Level-2 Data; Ground Processing of Data From the Mars Exploration Rovers; Estimating Total Electron Content Using 1,000+ GPS Receivers; NASA Solar Array Demonstrates Commercial Potential; Improved Control of Charging Voltage for Li-Ion Battery; Programmable Pulse-Position-Modulation Encoder; Wavelength-Agile External-Cavity Diode Laser for DWDM; Pattern-Recognition Processor Using Holographic Photopolymer; Submicrosecond Power-Switching Test Circuit; Three-Function Logic Gate Controlled by Analog Voltage; Integrated System for Autonomous Science; Montage Version 3.0; Utilizing AI in Temporal, Spatial, and Resource Scheduling; Satellite Image Mosaic Engine; Architecture for Control of the K9 Rover; HFGMC Enhancement of MAC/GMC; Automated Activation and Deactivation of a System Under Test; Cleaning Carbon Nanotubes by Use of Mild Oxygen Plasmas; Generating Aromatics From CO2 on Mars or Natural Gas on Earth; Attaching Thermocouples by Peening or Crimping; Heat Treatment of Friction-Stir-Welded 7050 Aluminum Plates; Generating Breathable Air Through Dissociation of N2O; High-Performance Scanning Acousto-Ultrasonic System; Correction for Thermal EMFs in Thermocouple Feedthroughs; Using Quasiparticle Poisoning To Detect Photons; Estimating Resolution Lengths of Hybrid Turbulence Models; Education and Training Module in Alertness Management; Cargo-Positioning System for Next-Generation Spacecraft; Micro-Imagers for Spaceborne Cell-Growth Experiments; Holographic Solar Photon Thrusters; Plasma-Based Detector of Outer-Space Dust Particles; and Generation of Data-Rate Profiles of Ka-Band Deep-Space Links.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2022

Grassland productivity responds unexpectedly to dynamic light and soil water environments induced by photovoltaic arrays

Abstract Agrivoltaic (AV) systems are designed to coproduce photovoltaic (PV) energy on lands simultaneously supporting agriculture (food/forage production). PV infrastructure in agroecosystems alters resources critical for plant growth, and water‐limited agroecosystems such as grasslands are likely to be particularly sensitive to the unique spatial and temporal patterns of incident sunlight and soil water inherent within AV systems. However, the impact of resource alteration on forage production, the primary ecosystem service from managed grasslands, is poorly resolved. Here, we evaluated seasonal patterns of soil moisture (SM) and diurnal variation in incident sunlight (photosynthetic photon flux density [PPFD]) in a single‐axis‐tracking AV system established in a formerly managed semiarid C 3 grassland in Colorado. Our goals were to (1) quantify dynamic patterns of PPFD and SM within a 1.2 MW PV array in a perennial grassland, and (2) determine how aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and photosynthetic parameters responded to the resource patterns created by the PV array. We hypothesized that spatial variability in ANPP would be strongly related to SM patterns, typical of most grasslands. We measured significant reductions in ANPP directly beneath PV panels, where SM and PPFD were both low. However, in locations with significantly increased SM from the shedding and redistribution of precipitation by PV panels, ANPP was not increased. Instead, ANPP was greatest in locations where plants were shaded in the afternoon but received high levels of PPFD in the morning hours, when air temperatures and vapor pressure deficits were relatively low. Thus, contrary to expectations, we found relatively weak relationships between SM and ANPP despite significant spatial variability in both. Further, there was little evidence that light‐saturated photosynthesis ( A sat ) and quantum yield of CO 2 assimilation (ϕCO 2 ) differed for plants growing directly beneath (lowest PPFD) versus between (highest PPFD) PV panels. Overall, the AV system established in this semiarid managed grassland did not alter patterns of ANPP in ways predictable from past studies of controls of ANPP in open grasslands. However, our results suggest that the diurnal timing of low versus high periods of PPFD incident on plants is an important determinant of productivity patterns in grasslands.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

High thermal conductivity in wafer-scale cubic silicon carbide crystals

High thermal conductivity electronic materials are critical components for high-performance electronic and photonic devices as both active functional materials and thermal management materials. We report an isotropic high thermal conductivity exceeding 500 W m –1 K –1 at room temperature in high-quality wafer-scale cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) crystals, which is the second highest among large crystals (only surpassed by diamond). Furthermore, the corresponding 3C-SiC thin films are found to have record-high in-plane and cross-plane thermal conductivity, even higher than diamond thin films with equivalent thicknesses. Our results resolve a long-standing puzzle that the literature values of thermal conductivity for 3C-SiC are lower than the structurally more complex 6H-SiC. We show that the observed high thermal conductivity in this work arises from the high purity and high crystal quality of 3C-SiC crystals which avoids the exceptionally strong defect-phonon scatterings. Moreover, 3C-SiC is a SiC polytype which can be epitaxially grown on Si. We show that the measured 3C-SiC-Si thermal boundary conductance is among the highest for semiconductor interfaces. These findings provide insights for fundamental phonon transport mechanisms, and suggest that 3C-SiC is an excellent wide-bandgap semiconductor for applications of next-generation power electronics as both active components and substrates.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

PlasMod0 v.1.0

SAND2022-12609 O PlasMod0 is a 0-dimensional plasma modeling which approximates a plasma as a well-stirred reactor. The model uses two temperatures, one for electrons and one for ions and neutrals. This model was originally developed for laser produced plasma in single-particle aerosol mass spectrometers. As a result, there are some specialized capabilities that include spherical expansion into vacuum at a user-specified rate and photon reactions. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Lietz, Amanda↗
DOE OSTI2021

UPF and Y-12 Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) Radiation Testing Report

This report documents the experimental conditions and results for the testing of the Mirion Technologies CAAS-3S Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) for the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and Uranium Processing Facility (UPF). The testing was conducted at the Godiva IV Burst Reactor at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) during the week of January 11, 2021. The testing was conducted in accordance with 25774-QL-POA-JR00-00002-VDE-27.0, CAAS-3S Radiation Testing of Cabinet Components Test Plan. The tests subjected the CAAS-3S system to intense and short duration mixed neutron and gamma radiation fields and to high integrated radiation doses. The purpose of the test was to environmentally qualify various CAAS-3S components in a radiation environment. Successful completion of the tests was predicated on the collaborative efforts of several organizations. Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) provided dosimetry to estimate photon and neutron dose. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) manages the NCERC facility, operated the Godiva IV reactor, and provided field support for CAAS-3S placement and communications interface for data acquisition systems supplied by Mirion Technologies. Throughout the test campaign, Y-12 and UPF personnel provided technical support in determining changes to the test schedule, as needed, interpretation of the results, and comparison between the measured dosimetry data and predicted results. Throughout the test campaign, Mirion personnel provided technical support in the operation of the CAAS-3S system itself.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1998

Smart Optical RAM for Fast Information Management and Analysis

Statement of Problem Instruments for high speed and high capacity in-situ data identification, classification and storage capabilities are needed by NASA for the information management and analysis of extremely large volume of data sets in future space exploration, space habitation and utilization, in addition to the various missions to planet-earth programs. Parameters such as communication delays, limited resources, and inaccessibility of human manipulation require more intelligent, compact, low power, and light weight information management and data storage techniques. New and innovative algorithms and architecture using photonics will enable us to meet these challenges. The technology has applications for other government and public agencies.

Liu, Hua-Kuang↗
DOE OSTI2024

A nanoscale photonic thermal transistor for sub-second heat flow switching

Abstract Control of heat flow is critical for thermal logic devices and thermal management and has been explored theoretically. However, experimental progress on active control of heat flow has been limited. Here, we describe a nanoscale radiative thermal transistor that comprises of a hot source and a cold drain (both are ~250 nm-thick silicon nitride membranes), which are analogous to the source and drain electrodes of a transistor. The source and drain are in close proximity to a vanadium oxide (VO x )-based planar gate electrode, whose dielectric properties can be adjusted by changing its temperature. We demonstrate that when the gate is located close ( < ~1 µm) to the source-drain device and undergoes a metal-insulator transition, the radiative heat transfer between the source and drain can be changed by a factor of three. More importantly, our nanomembrane-based thermal transistor features fast switching times ( ~ 500 ms as opposed to minutes for past three-terminal thermal transistors) due to its small thermal mass. Our experiments are supported by detailed calculations that highlight the mechanism of thermal modulation. We anticipate that the advances reported here will open new opportunities for designing thermal circuits or thermal logic devices for advanced thermal management.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Thermal Management by Engineering the Alignment of Nanocellulose

One of the grand current research challenges is to improve the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings, which cumulatively consume more than 40% of the energy generated globally. In addition to improving the comfort of the inhabitants and mitigating the growing energy consumption problem, new building materials and technologies could provide a safe strategy for geoengineering to mitigate global climate change. Herein, recent progress in developing such advanced materials from nanocellulose, which is often derived from wood or even dirty feedstocks like waste, is reviewed. By using chemical and bacteria-enabled processing, nanocellulose can be used to fabricate broadband photonic reflectors, thermally super-insulating aerogels, solar gain regulators, and low-emissivity coatings, with potential applications in windows, roofs, walls, and other components of buildings envelopes. These material developments draw inspiration from advanced energy management found in nature, such as the nanoporous photonic structures that evolved in cuticles of beetles. Fabrication of such materials takes advantage of mesoscale liquid crystalline self-assembly, which allows for pre-designed control of cellulose nanoparticle orientations at the mesoscale. Finally, with the potential fully realized, such materials could one day transform the current energy-lossy buildings into energy plants on Earth and possibly even enable extraterrestrial habitats.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

dCache – Efficient Message Encoding For Inter-Service Communication in dCache: Evaluation of Existing Serialization Protocols as a Replacement for Java Object Serialization

As a well established, large-scale distributed storage system, dCache is used to manage and serve huge amounts of data collected by high energy physics, astrophysics and photon science experiments. Based on a microservices-like architecture, dCache is built as a modular distributed system, where each component provides a different core functionality. These services communicate by passing serialized messages to each other, a core behavior whose performance properties can consequently affect the entire system.This paper compares and evaluates different data serialization protocols in computer science with the objective of replacing and improving upon Java Object Serialization (JOS), which has increasingly presented itself as no longer being sufficiently performant for encoding messages. The criteria for choosing a new framework are collected, analyzed and formalized. The primary motivation for replacing Java serialization for encoding dCache messages is increasing the general speed of message-passing and thereby reducing the round-trip time for user requests. Emphasis is also placed on schema evolution capabilities and framework usability. Approaches for generalizing (de)serialization speed and size measurements based on data structure complexity are introduced, criteria for measuring documentation, learning curve, maintainability and introduction effort are defined. Finally, several selected serialization protocols are evaluated and compared accordingly, concluding with a recommendation for a suitable JOS replacement.

Morschel, Lea↗