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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 379 records · Page 21

Systems Engineering of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Technical paper notes systems engineering principles applied to development of electric and hybrid vehicles such that system performance requirements support overall program goal of reduced petroleum consumption. Paper discusses iterative design approach dictated by systems analyses. In addition to obvious peformance parameters of range, acceleration rate, and energy consumption, systems engineering also considers such major factors as cost, safety, reliability, comfort, necessary supporting infrastructure, and availability of materials.

Kurtz, D. W.↗

Airplane takeoff and landing performance monitoring system

The invention is a real-time takeoff and landing performance monitoring system which provides the pilot with graphic and metric information to assist in decisions related to achieving rotation speed (V sub R) within the safe zone of the runway or stopping the aircraft on the runway after landing or take off abort. The system processes information in two segments: a pretakeoff segment and a real-time segment. One-time inputs of ambient conditions and airplane configuration information are used in the pretakeoff segment to generate scheduled performance data. The real-time segment uses the scheduled performance data, runway length data and transducer measured parameters to monitor the performance of the airplane throughout the takeoff roll. An important feature of this segment is that it updates the estimated runway rolling friction coefficient. Airplane performance predictions also reflect changes in headwind occurring as the takeoff roll progresses. The system displays the position of the airplane on the runway, indicating runway used and runway available, summarizes the critical information into a situation advisory flag, flags engine failures and off-nominal acceleration performance, and indicates where on the runway particular events such as decision speed (V sub 1), rotation speed (V sub R) and expected stop points will occur based on actual or predicted performance. The display also indicates airspeed, wind vector, engine pressure ratios, second segment climb speed, and balanced field length (BFL). The system detects performance deficiencies by comparing the airplane's present performance with a predicted nominal performance based upon the given conditions.

Middleton, David B.↗

A Fast-Pass, Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Strategy for Untargeted Metabolic Phenotyping

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) provides direct analytical readouts of small molecules that can be used to characterize the metabolic phenotypes of genetically engineered bacteria. In an effort to accelerate the time frame associated with the screening of mutant libraries, we have developed a high-throughput DESI-MSI analytical workflow implementing a single raster line-scan strategy that facilitates the collection of location-resolved molecular information from engineered strains on a subminute time scale. Evaluation of this “Fast-Pass” DESI-MSI phenotyping workflow on analytical standards demonstrated the capability of acquiring full metabolic profiling information with a throughput of ~40 s per sample. This Fast-Pass strategy was implemented in the analysis of genetically edited Escherichia coli strains that have been engineered to produce various free-fatty acids (FFAs) for applications relevant to biofuels. Due to the untargeted nature of DESI-MSI, the investigation of these strains yielded molecular information for both global metabolites and targeted detection of accumulated bioproducts, allowing simultaneous readouts of strain-specific chemical profiles and comparative measurements of FFA production levels.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Failure Mechanisms and Life Prediction of Thermal and Environmental Barrier Coatings under Thermal Gradients

Ceramic thermal and environmental barrier coatings (TEBCs) will play an increasingly important role in gas turbine engines because of their ability to further raise engine temperatures. However, the issue of coating durability is of major concern under high-heat-flux conditions. In particular, the accelerated coating delamination crack growth under the engine high heat-flux conditions is not well understood. In this paper, a laser heat flux technique is used to investigate the coating delamination crack propagation under realistic temperature-stress gradients and thermal cyclic conditions. The coating delamination mechanisms are investigated under various thermal loading conditions, and are correlated with coating dynamic fatigue, sintering and interfacial adhesion test results. A coating life prediction framework may be realized by examining the crack initiation and propagation driving forces for coating failure under high-heat-flux test conditions.

Zju, Dongming↗

The plasma separator ion engine.

Plasma separator ion engine allowing optimization of ion source and accelerator system independently, showing gains in thrust and less propellant consumption

PLASMA ENGINE↗

HyTEC Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core

As part of the NASA Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP), a new project is being formulated called Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) in which NASA intends to accelerate the development of small turbofan engine core technologies, culminating in an advanced core demonstration in the 2026 timeframe. NASA Glenn Research Center plans to issue a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for HyTEC Small Core Technology Demonstration, in preparation the HyTEC Project is holding an industry day February 24, 2021. The HyTEC goal is to demonstrate increased thermal efficiency with integrated high power-density core engine technologies achieving a 5- to 10-percent fuel burn benefit, versus 2020 best in class, for early 2030s entry into service (EIS) single-aisle aircraft. In order to accomplish this, NASA intends to collaborate with industry in a cost sharing arrangement on key technologies that NASA can accelerate to strengthen the US industry position on highly efficient, power dense small cores for a future single aisle aircraft.

Anthony Nerone↗

Effect of buoyancy on fuel containment in an open-cycle gas-core nuclear rocket engine.

Analysis aimed at determining the scaling laws for the buoyancy effect on fuel containment in an open-cycle gas-core nuclear rocket engine, so conducted that experimental conditions can be related to engine conditions. The fuel volume fraction in a short coaxial flow cavity is calculated with a programmed numerical solution of the steady Navier-Stokes equations for isothermal, variable density fluid mixing. A dimensionless parameter B, called the Buoyancy number, was found to correlate the fuel volume fraction for large accelerations and various density ratios. This parameter has the value B = 0 for zero acceleration, and B = 350 for typical engine conditions.

Putre, H. A.↗

Electron Linear Accelerator Additive Manufacturing

Superconducting electron linear accelerators open up new opportunities for advanced materials processing. High energy electrons penetrate deeper within materials, increase the processing depth and rate and enables production of far-from-equilibrium materials and selective processing within a material surface and subsurface. With support from the Office of Naval Research, NASA, and DoE, Mainstream Engineering commissioned a superconducting linear electron accelerator to investigate advanced materials processing and additive manufacturing. The goal of Mainstream's Electron Beam Enabled Advanced Manufacturing (EBEAM) center is to develop unique, far-from-equilibrium materials and alleviate significant technological deficiencies. We will present results of irradiating various metals and their unique material properties. Monte Carlo simulations electron beam and sample interaction were used to optimize the processing parameters and study far-from-equilibrium processing conditions. Applications include stainless steel additive manufacturing for small modular nuclear reactors and dissimilar metal bonding of corrosion-resistant cladding for next-generation molten salt reactors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spatial motion without material propulsion

The retrograde system of a space vehicle is described which permits motion in space without the projection of gas by rotor or jet engine. It is composed of masses, which accelerate, decelerate and guide the center of gravity in space in an ordered actuation. The invention may be used to replace rotors and jet engines of our present space vehicles. In space, it may use electrical solar energy and develop indefinitely in the solar system.

Fenioux, A.↗

Core–shell PdPb@Pd aerogels with multiply-twinned intermetallic nanostructures: facile synthesis with accelerated gelation kinetics and their enhanced electrocatalytic properties

Delicately engineering well-defined noble metal aerogels with favorable structural and compositional features is of vital importance for wide applications. Here, we reported a one-pot and facile method for synthesizing core–shell PdPb@Pd hydrogels/aerogels with multiply-twinned grains and an ordered intermetallic phase using sodium hypophosphite as a multifunctional reducing agent. Due to the accelerated gelation kinetics induced by increased reaction temperature and the specific function of sodium hypophosphite, the formation of hydrogels can be completed within 4 h. As a result, owing to their unique porous structure and favorable geometric and electronic effects, the optimized PdPb@Pd aerogels exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance towards ethylene glycol oxidation with a mass activity of 5.8 times higher than Pd black.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Model-driven prediction for accelerator magnet diagnostics to improve operation reliability

Reliability is one of the most critical metrics for accelerator operation, especially in user facilities. To reduce costly facility downtime and provide an operational environment where system performance can be reliably predicted in support of scientific studies, we are developing a model-driven approach for prediction and anomaly detection. Here, in this study, we present the application of a model-driven method that employs a linear regression model to predict the future temperature, in real time, of accelerator magnets at the NSLS-II light source. This approach enables proactive identification of magnet-heating issues, facilitating magnet flushing prior to the occurrence of permanent damage without interrupting machine operation. The implementation of this method in the NSLS-II control room is described and the analysis of the online results is presented. The results demonstrate the model’s effectiveness in providing early alerts to engineers and improving the reliability of accelerator operations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Breakup of Droplets in an Accelerating Gas Flow

A study of droplet breakup phenomena by an accelerating gas flow is described. The phenomena are similar to what propellant droplets experience when exposed to accelerating combustion gas flow in a rocket engine combustion zone. Groups of several dozen droplets in the 100-10 750-micron-diameter range were injected into a flowing inert gas in a transparent rectangular nozzle. Motion photography of the behavior of the droplets at various locations in the accelerating gas flow has supplied quantitative and qualitative data on the breakup phenomena which occur under conditions similar to those found in large rocket engine combustors. A blowgun injection device, used to inject very small amounts of liquid at velocities of several hundred feet per second into a moving gas stream, is described. The injection device was used to inject small amounts of liquid RP-1 and water into the gas stream at a velocity essentially equal to the gas velocity where the group of droplets was allowed to stabilize its formation in a constant area section before entering the convergent section of the transparent nozzle. Favorable comparison with the work of previous investigators who have used nonaccelerating gas flow is found with the data obtained from this study with accelerating gas flow. The criterion for the conditions of minimum severity required to produce shear-type droplet breakup in an accelerating gas flow is found to agree well with the criterion previously established at Rocketdyne for breakup in nonaccelerating flow. An extension of the theory of capillary surface wave effects during droplet breakup is also presented. Capillary surface waves propagating in the surface of the droplet, according to classical hydrodynamical laws, are considered. The waves propagate tangentially over the surface of the droplet from the forward stagnation point to the major diameter. Consideration of the effects of relative gas velocity on the amplitude growth of these waves allows conclusions to be made regarding rates of the droplet breakup processes and total time of the breakup process.

Dickerson, R. A.↗

JGI Plant Transformation Workshop, May 20-21, 2025

Domestic biomass crops such as sorghum, switchgrass, Miscanthus, and poplar can provide United States industries with renewable feedstocks while also supporting low-input farming systems and strengthening supply chains for biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials. The U.S. leads globally in biomass crop genomics, yet progress in engineering traits is constrained by slow, genotype-dependent transformation methods and lengthy Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycles. At a May 2025 workshop, a panel of experts recommended establishing a DOE Plant Transformation Capability (PTC) to overcome these barriers. The PTC would unite two missions: advancing research to achieve genotype-independent, automated methods, and delivering scalable transformation services through a user-facility model. With expected gains of 10–100x in efficiency, including transformation and cost reduction, the PTC would accelerate the path from discovery to engineered plants, expand community access and training, and support downstream applications and workflows including field trials and regulatory navigation. By enabling rapid and predictable crop engineering, the PTC would strengthen U.S. supply chains, enhance industrial competitiveness, and ensure that DOE’s genomic investments deliver national impact.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Performance of a High-Fidelity 4kW-Class Engineering Model PPU and Integration with HiVHAc System

The High Voltage Hall Accelerator (HiVHAc) propulsion system consists of a thruster, power processing unit (PPU), and propellant feed system. An engineering model PPU was developed by Colorado Power Electronics, Inc. funded by NASA's Small Business Innovative Research Program. This PPU uses an innovative 3-phase resonant converter to deliver 4 kW of discharge power over a wide range of input and output voltage conditions. The PPU includes a digital control interface unit that automatically controls the PPU and a xenon flow control module (XFCM). It interfaces with a control computer to receive highlevel commands and relay telemetry through a MIL-STD-1553B interface. The EM PPU was thoroughly tested at GRC for functionality and performance at temperature limits and demonstrated total efficiencies a high as 95 percent. Integrated testing of the unit was performed with the HiVHAc thruster and the XFCM to demonstrate closed-loop control of discharge current with anode flow. Initiation of the main discharge and power throttling were also successfully demonstrated and discharge oscillations were characterized.

Power Processing Unit↗

Performance of a High-Fidelity 4kW-Class Engineering Model PPU and Integration with HiVHAc System

The High Voltage Hall Accelerator (HiVHAc) propulsion system consists of a thruster,power processing unit (PPU), and propellant feed system. An engineering model PPU was developed by Colorado Power Electronics, Inc. funded by NASA's Small Business Innovative Research Program. This PPU uses an innovative 3-phase resonant converter to deliver 4 kW of discharge power over a wide range of input and output voltage conditions.The PPU includes a digital control interface unit that automatically controls the PPU and a xenon flow control module (XFCM). It interfaces with a control computer to receive high level commands and relay telemetry through a MIL-STD-1553B interface. The EM PPU was thoroughly tested at GRC for functionality and performance at temperature extremes and demonstrated total efficiencies a high as 95 percent. It was integrated with the HiVHAc thruster and the XFCM to demonstrate closed-loop control of discharge current with anode flow. Initiation of the main discharge and power throttling were also successfully demonstrated and discharge oscillations were characterized.

Electric Propulsion↗