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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 361 records · Page 20

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1997

Remote sensing and characterization of anomalous debris

The analysis of orbital debris data shows a band of anomalously high debris concentration in the altitude range between 800 and 1000 km. Analysis indicates that the origin is the leaking coolant fluid from nuclear power sources that powered a now defunct Soviet space-based series of ocean surveillance satellites. A project carried out to detect, track and characterize a sample of the anomalous debris is reported. The nature of the size and shape of the sample set, and the possibility of inferring the composition of the droplets were assessed. The technique used to detect, track and characterize the sample set is described and the results of the characterization analysis are presented. It is concluded that the nature of the debris is consistent with leaked Na-K fluid, although this cannot be proved with the remote sensing techniques used.

Sridharan, R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The TAME Project: Towards improvement-oriented software environments

Experience from a dozen years of analyzing software engineering processes and products is summarized as a set of software engineering and measurement principles that argue for software engineering process models that integrate sound planning and analysis into the construction process. In the TAME (Tailoring A Measurement Environment) project at the University of Maryland, such an improvement-oriented software engineering process model was developed that uses the goal/question/metric paradigm to integrate the constructive and analytic aspects of software development. The model provides a mechanism for formalizing the characterization and planning tasks, controlling and improving projects based on quantitative analysis, learning in a deeper and more systematic way about the software process and product, and feeding the appropriate experience back into the current and future projects. The TAME system is an instantiation of the TAME software engineering process model as an ISEE (integrated software engineering environment). The first in a series of TAME system prototypes has been developed. An assessment of experience with this first limited prototype is presented including a reassessment of its initial architecture.

Basili, Victor R.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Calcium/calmodulin-mediated signal network in plants

Various extracellular stimuli elicit specific calcium signatures that can be recognized by different calcium sensors. Calmodulin, the predominant calcium receptor, is one of the best-characterized calcium sensors in eukaryotes. In recent years, completion of the Arabidopsis genome project and advances in functional genomics have helped to identify and characterize numerous calmodulin-binding proteins in plants. There are some similarities in Ca(2+)/calmodulin-mediated signaling in plants and animals. However, plants possess multiple calmodulin genes and many calmodulin target proteins, including unique protein kinases and transcription factors. Some of these proteins are likely to act as "hubs" during calcium signal transduction. Hence, a better understanding of the function of these calmodulin target proteins should help in deciphering the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-mediated signal network and its role in plant growth, development and response to environmental stimuli.

NASA Discipline Plant Biology↗

NASA NTRS2017

Characterizing DebriSat Fragments: So Many Fragments, So Much Data, and So Little Time

To improve prediction accuracy, the DebriSat project was conceived by NASA and DoD to update existing standard break-up models. Updating standard break-up models require detailed fragment characteristics such as physical size, material properties, bulk density, and ballistic coefficient. For the DebriSat project, a representative modern LEO spacecraft was developed and subjected to a laboratory hypervelocity impact test and all generated fragments with at least one dimension greater than 2 mm are collected, characterized and archived. Since the beginning of the characterization phase of the DebriSat project, over 130,000 fragments have been collected and approximately 250,000 fragments are expected to be collected in total, a three-fold increase over the 85,000 fragments predicted by the current break-up model. The challenge throughout the project has been to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the characteristics of each fragment. To this end, the post hypervelocity-impact test activities, which include fragment collection, extraction, and characterization, have been designed to minimize handling of the fragments. The procedures for fragment collection, extraction, and characterization were painstakingly designed and implemented to maintain the post-impact state of the fragments, thus ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the characterization data. Each process is designed to expedite the accumulation of data, however, the need for speed is restrained by the need to protect the fragments. Methods to expedite the process such as parallel processing have been explored and implemented while continuing to maintain the highest integrity and value of the data. To minimize fragment handling, automated systems have been developed and implemented. Errors due to human inputs are also minimized by the use of these automated systems. This paper discusses the processes and challenges involved in the collection, extraction, and characterization of the fragments as well as the time required to complete the processes. The objective is to provide the orbital debris community an understanding of the scale of the effort required to generate and archive high quality data and metadata for each debris fragment 2 mm or larger generated by the DebriSat project.

Shiotani, B.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Utah FORGE 3-2514: Strain Sensing Array for Deformation Characterization - 2024 Annual Workshop Presentation

This is a presentation on the Strain Sensing Array to characterize deformation at the FORGE site project by Clemson University, presented by Lawrence Murdoch. The project's objective was to evaluate the feasibility of measuring and interpreting tensor strain data to improve the performance of EGS. This presentation was featured in the Utah FORGE R&D Annual Workshop on August 23, 2024.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Raw Lidar and Camera Data Synchronized with Precipitation and Present Weather Data

As part of the sensor characterization task of the SMART 2.0 project, this dataset includes raw data from three spinning lidars ([Ouster OS2-128](https://ouster.com/products/scanning-lidar/os2-sensor/), [Velodyne Puck (VLP-16)](https://velodynelidar.com/products/puck/), and [Velodyne Ultra Puck (VLP-32)](https://velodynelidar.com/products/ultra-puck/)), one camera ([Mako G-319](https://www.alliedvision.com/en/camera-selector/detail/mako/g-319/)), and one present weather sensor ([Vaisala FD-70](https://www.vaisala.com/en/products/weather-environmental-sensors/forward-scatter-fd70)). All data were synchronized, with the log start time indicated in the file name (HHMMSS). The data can be filtered by date, log time (HHMMSS), sensor, frame ID, and weather classification. These data were gathered statically at the Argonne Testbed for Multiscale Observational Science (ATMOS). Two target stop signs were placed in view of the sensors to contribute a target for comparing sensor data under different conditions. The weather data for each day are stored in netCDF “.nc” files. The lidar data contain the X, Y, Z, intensity, reflectivity, and ring from Ouster OS2-128 rev6, Velodyne VLP-16, and Velodyne VLP-32 lidars. ![raw lidar image](LiDAR_pointcloud_ATMOS.png)

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

Evaluating Variable-Impedance Magnetically-Insulated Transmission Lines as a Risk-Mitigation Measure for Next-Generation Pulsed Power

This project has produced the first detailed characterizations of power flow resulting from applying the “variable-impedance MITL” concept to real-life systems in Sandia’s pulsed power program (Z and next-generation pulsed power (NGPP)). We present simulation results and analyses for constant-impedance versions of both Z and NGPP and survey the operational viability of several variable-impedance re-designs in the parameter space of linear tapers. Circuit modeling (SCREAMER/Bertha) was used to pinpoint promising candidate designs, and EM-PIC (Empire) simulations were used to evaluate these candidates more rigorously. This approach was particularly successful in the Z regime which resulted in the identification of several viable variable-impedance MITL designs for each level. The approach was more challenged in the operating space NGPP occupies, producing data points that speak to a more restrictive design space due to anode plasma turn-on. In the end, we were able to converge on one viable variable-impedance design for the highest inductance line (level “F”) and one for the highest current line (level “A”). Altogether, the body of simulation evidence presented in this report suggest there does exist flexibility in operating space for magnetically-insulated transmission lines (MITLs) having variable geometric impedance to be a potential enabling technology for safely increasing current delivery (and potentially lowering stack voltage) in pulsed-power drivers by manipulating electron losses; however, operating points for a particular design must be carefully screened. Circuit and EM-PIC modeling provided consistent verdicts in safe operating regimes for operational viability, but additional physics such as anode plasma turn-on which is included in Empire but not in SCREAMER/Bertha was found to be a critical factor affecting power flow that lead to different assessments between the codes. It is not always the case that the occurrence of anode plasma caused a design to fail (some designs turned on anode plasma yet still delivered load currents meeting design targets); the details matter such as how early in the pulse anode surfaces break down (and how large a region). However, in every case that it did fail it was found that the feedback from anode plasma was the cause (i.e., turning off the anode plasma model in Empire restored agreement with the circuit model prediction). As circuit simulations represent an efficient and practical means of surveying design space compared to more computationally-expensive approaches such as EM-PIC, it could be prudent to invest in the research and development of models to include the effects of anode plasma such as ion emission in circuit codes. The variable-impedance MITL design is a new concept that enables controlled manipulation of the initial electron losses in the outer MITL and can be tested on Z today. We encourage follow-on work to explore further optimization (including alternative variable-impedance profiles, e.g., having constant dZ/dR), and to confirm the major findings presented in this report by fielding test hardware on actual Z shots.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Integrated Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Assessments of Central Appalachian Legacy Mine Sites for Biomass Development and Waste Coal Utilization

This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy – National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL) under award DE-FE0032212, evaluated how legacy coal mine lands and coal refuse piles in Central Appalachia (West Virginia and Pennsylvania) can be reclaimed and repurposed to support biomass development and beneficial utilization of waste coal, with the long-term goal of supporting net-zero or net-negative greenhouse gas (GHG) pathways. The project had two primary objectives: 1. Characterize legacy mine sites (including site conditions, waste coal/refuse resources, and soil/ecosystem indicators) and develop reclamation and best management practices (BMPs) for biomass cultivation; and 2. Conduct integrated machine learning (ML)-assisted life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) to quantify environmental and economic outcomes for multiple biomass and waste-coal utilization pathways. Across West Virginia, the team identified ~625 coal refuse sites covering ~19,705 acres, and developed methods to estimate refuse pile volume using digital elevation models (DEMs) and geospatial workflows. A large subset of sites received volume estimates totaling ~1.6 billion m³.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

DOE OSTI2026

From Ensemble Climate to Ensemble Impacts

Many climate-risk tools rely on ensemble mean projections or endpoint climate snapshots to characterize future hazards. Although convenient for communication, these representations remove the statistical, temporal, and physical information that real infrastructure systems respond to. Infrastructure degradation and failure arise from extremes, sequences, cumulative stress, compound hazards, and nonlinear fragility relationships, none of which survive ensemble averaging or temporal compression. Power-system failure statistics and cascading failure models further show that infrastructure risk is dominated by tail events and path-dependent dynamics rather than by mean conditions. This paper demonstrates why ensemble mean or endpoint-only climate representations are mathematically and physically inconsistent with engineering-grade risk analysis. We outline a model-resolved, time-series-based workflow that preserves extremes, variability, and sequencing by propagating each climate-model realization independently through hazard formation, exposure, fragility, and cascading failure mechanisms. Taking the ensemble of impacts—rather than the ensemble of climate—provides a defensible, physically coherent foundation for infrastructure resilience planning, regulatory compliance, and long-term investment decisions.

54 - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES/GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ↗

NASA NTRS1974

Manual actuator

An actuator for an exercising machine employable by a crewman aboard a manned spacecraft is presented. The actuator is characterized by a force delivery arm projected from a rotary imput shaft of an exercising machine and having a force input handle extended orthogonally from its distal end. The handle includes a hand-grip configured to be received within the palm of the crewman's hand and a grid pivotally supported for angular displacement between a first position, wherein the grid is disposed in an overlying juxtaposition with the hand-grip, and a second position, angularly displaced from the first position, for affording access to the hand-grip, and a latching mechanism fixed to the sole of a shoe worn by the crewman for latching the shoe to the grid when the grid is in the first position.

Gause, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Space industrialization. Volume 1: An overview

Benefits accruing to the United States from the investment of public and private resources in space industralization are projected. The future was examined to characterize resource pressures, requirements and supply (population, energy, materials, food). The backdrop of probable events, attitudes, and trends against which space industralization will evolve were postulated. The opportunities for space industry that would benefit earth were compiled and screened against terrestrial alternatives. A cursory market survey was conducted for the selected services and products provided by these initiatives.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1980

Air speed and attitude probe

An air speed and attitude probe characterized by a pivot shaft normally projected from a data boom and supported thereby for rotation about an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft is described. The probe is a tubular body supported for angular displacement about the axis of rotation and has a fin mounted on the body for maintaining one end of the body in facing relation with relative wind and has a pair of transducers mounted in the body for providing intelligence indicative of total pressure and static pressure for use in determining air speed. A stack of potentiometers coupled with the shaft to provide intelligence indicative of aircraft attitude, and circuitry connecting the transducers and potentiometers to suitable telemetry circuits are described.

Baker, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Microgravity Silicon Zoning Investigation

This research program is directed toward the understanding of the float zone crystal growth process, the melt interactions which lead to crystal inhomogeneities, and the influence of microgravity on reducing these inhomogeneities. Silicon was selected as the model crystal because its inhomogeneities lead to known variations in device performance, and because the mechanisms involved in its growth are understood better than for other high temperature crystals. The objective of the program is to understand the growth mechanisms in float zone growth and thereby determine the feasibility and advantages of float zone growth of silicon under microgravity conditions. This will be done by characterizing the growth at g = 1, projecting the changes in melt flows due to microgravity, observing these in space growth and determining the effects on defective inhomogeneities. A Thin Rod Zoner was constructed as a laboratory prototype for flight growth of 5 mm diameter silicon crystals, which can be done within the power and cooling capabilities of shuttle flights. A new method of zoning silicon, using resistance heating, has resulted in melting 5 mm diameter ingots.

E L Kern↗

NASA NTRS1997

The Contribution of Ionizing Stars to the Far-Infrared and Radio Emission in the Galaxy

This is the first report of a new contract. However, this project represents ongoing work, so there are completed tasks as well as newly started tasks to report. The project involves the completion of the IRAS Galaxy Atlas (IGA), a large image database produced using data from the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). In this phase, the project switches from the production and characterization of the IGA to its use in astronomical research studies of massive star formation. The research utilizes the IGA as well as two other large data sets being produced by research partners.

Cao, Yu↗

NASA NTRS2000

Technology Development for a Stirling Radioisotope Power System for Deep Space Missions

NASA Glenn Research Center and the Department of Energy (DOE) are developing a Stirling convertor for an advanced radioisotope power system to provide spacecraft on-board electric power for NASA deep space missions. NASA Glenn is addressing key technology issues through the use of two NASA Phase 2 SBIRs with Stirling Technology Company (STC) of Kennewick, WA. Under the first SBIR, STC demonstrated a 40 to 50 fold reduction in vibrations, compared to an unbalanced convertor, with a synchronous connection of two thermodynamically independent free-piston Stirling convertors. The second SBIR is for the development of an Adaptive Vibration Reduction System (AVRS) that will essentially eliminate vibrations over a mission lifetime, even in the unlikely event of a failed convertor. This paper discusses the status and results for these two SBIR projects and also presents results for characterizing the friction factor of high-porosity random fiber regenerators that are being used for this application.

Thieme, Lanny G.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Photochemically and Thermally Cross-Linkable Polyconjugated Systems

This project focused on the synthesis and characterization of water soluble and/or water-borne electrically conducting polymer systems that could be cross-linked thermally or photochemically. The development of these materials was carried out so that they could be applied as metal and fabric coatings. Polyaniline and polypyrrole were the polymers under investigation. The main impediment preventing commercial development of these polymers is their inherent insolubility. Methods employed to enhance polymer solubility were monomer or polymer modifications. Some post-polymerization modifications were attempted to derivatize the parent polymers, These involved attachment of suitable pendant groups that would enhance polar solvent solubility. The pendant groups of these derivatized polymers were then further reacted to cross-link, rendering the polymer insoluble. The other modifications involved polymerization of monomers in the presence of polyelectrolytic polymers. The acid functionalities of the electrolyte served as a template/dopant for monomer alignment/complexation before polymerization, resulting in a water-borne composite or complex.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2000

[Characteristics of Waves Generated Beneath the Solar Convection Zone by Penetrative Overshoot]

The goal of this project was to theoretically and numerically characterize the waves generated beneath the solar convection zone by penetrative overshoot. Three dimensional model simulations were designed to isolate the effects of rotation and shear. In order to overcome the numerically imposed limitations of finite Reynolds numbers (Re) below solar values, series of simulations were designed to elucidate the Reynolds-number dependence (hoped to exhibit mathematically simple scaling on Re) so that one could cautiously extrapolate to solar values.

Julien, Keith↗

NASA NTRS2000

An early ethylene up-regulated gene encoding a calmodulin-binding protein involved in plant senescence and death

35S-Labeled calmodulin (CaM) was used to screen a tobacco anther cDNA library. A positive clone (NtER1) with high homology to an early ethylene-up-regulated gene (ER66) in tomato, and an Arabidopsis homolog was isolated and characterized. Based on the helical wheel projection, a 25-mer peptide corresponding to the predicted CaM-binding region of NtER1 (amino acids 796-820) was synthesized. The gel-mobility shift assay showed that the peptide formed a stable complex with CaM only in the presence of Ca(2+). CaM binds to NtER1 with high affinity (K(d) approximately 12 nm) in a calcium-dependent manner. Tobacco flowers at different stages of development were treated with ethylene or with 1-methylcyclopropene for 2 h before treating with ethylene. Northern analysis showed that the NtER1 was rapidly induced after 15 min of exposure to ethylene. However, the 2-h 1-methylcyclopropene treatment totally blocked NtER1 expression in flowers at all stages of development, suggesting that NtER1 is an early ethylene-up-regulated gene. The senescing leaves and petals had significantly increased NtER1 induction as compared with young leaves and petals, implying that NtER1 is developmentally regulated and acts as a trigger for senescence and death. This is the first documented evidence for the involvement of Ca(2+)/CaM-mediated signaling in ethylene action.

Non-NASA Center↗