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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Same Goal, Different Pathways for Energy Transition: A More Holistic, Multisector, Community-Driven Approach

Low- and zero-carbon power systems are central to global decarbonization efforts. Costs for renewable energy (RE) and storage have fallen significantly, and advances in technologies and practices have improved the grid flexibility and stability needed to maintain the reliability of high-RE systems. Zero-carbon power systems, in turn, enable deep decarbonization through the electrification of other sectors, including transportation, buildings, and industry.

100% clean electricity↗
DOE OSTI2021

DOE's National Solar Thermal Test Facility Operations and Maintenance (Final Report FY19-21)

Sandia National Laboratories has been tasked to operate and maintain the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) located in Kirtland Airforce Base near Albuquerque, NM. The NSTTF provides established test platforms and experienced researchers and technologists in the field of Concentrating Solar Technologies (CST) and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). This three-year project seeks to maintain the NSTTF for development, testing, and application of new CSP technologies that are instrumental in advancing the state-of-the-art in support of SunShot and Generation 3 CSP technology goals. In turn, these technologies will form the foundation of the global CSP industry and continue to advance the technology to new levels of efficiency, higher temperatures, lower costs, lower risk, and higher reliability. The NSTTF provides established test platforms and highly experienced researchers and technologists in the CSP field.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Cost and Performance Requirements for Flexible Advanced Nuclear Plants in Future U.S. Power Markets

Advanced reactor developers are at various stages of commercializing new products and must design for future market environments that will exist when their plants are available. It is therefore critical to have a clear understanding about what plants will need to cost to be attractive investments, and what performance characteristics will create the most value for plant owners. This study is among the first to model the substantial contribution that flexible advanced reactors can make towards reliable, responsive, affordable, and clean future energy systems by supplying clean dispatchable generating capacity. Advanced reactor technologies could make a major contribution to lowering the overall system cost while reducing emissions and improving the performance of future energy systems. Depending on specific market conditions, it may also be beneficial to co-locate thermal energy storage systems (ESS).

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Advanced Thin Film Core Technology: CIGS Final Technical Report (FTR)

Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaics are a high-efficiency and reliable technology. This project completed research in two important areas and was designed to work collaboratively with industrial partners. Task 1: Alkali Science focused on alkali post-deposition treatments (PDT). PDTs have been instrumental in the dramatic voltage improvements that have moved CIGS device efficiencies from 20% to 23.35% [1]. Based on a survey of CIGS companies at the beginning of the project, the single biggest breakthrough for the CIGS community would be a mechanistic understanding of the role of alkalis in the material system. Significant accomplishments of Task 1: Alkali Science: 1) KF post-deposition treatments were shown to improve lifetime, open-circuit voltage (VOC), and efficiency of industrial partner samples, even when done as a later step, separate from the original CIGS deposition. 2) KF boosted efficiency when incorporated at the end of the third stage of NREL CIGS growth. 3) XPS characterization of CIGS surfaces with and without PDTs led to a proposed mechanism whereby K drives structural transformation at 350 degrees C that is locked in at room temperature even after K is rinsed away. 4) Published recipes for KF and RbF PDTs. Literature to date did not provide enough detail to quickly reproduce experimental results. 5) Identified most important parameters (RbF cell temperature and lamp setpoint temperature) and set boundaries for successful RbF PDTs. The purpose of Task 2: Cell-level Reliability was to overcome the largest challenges to investor confidence and long product lifetime in CIGS-based photovoltaic products: metastability, shading-induced hot spots, and potential-induced degradation (PID). Key findings were made in each of these areas by studying CIGS reliability at the cell level: 1) Published NREL's cell-level reliability testing procedures along with challenges that were encountered while developing them. These were also distributed to the community through an MRS conference presentation. 2) Decreased metastability by adding a CdS hole-injection layer between the CIGS and Zn(O,S) in the device stack. It also improved device performance. Materials other than CdS can be used for the same purpose. 3) Reduced front-glass PID by replacing soda-lime glass with low-Na borosilicate glass. 4) Found that PID depends on leakage current and light/electrical bias. This will help labs avoid test-specific degradation. 5) Discovered that CIGS can suffer from two different types of PID with different mechanisms. Front is slower and leads to shunting ZnO. Back is faster and degrades the p-n junction. 6) Holding cells at open circuit slows PID compared to short circuit. This affects testing protocols for glass/glass modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1980

Shuttle-era experiments in the area of plasma flow interactions with bodies in space

A new experimental approach is discussed that can be adopted for studies in the area of plasma flow interactions with bodies in space. The potential use of the Space Shuttle/Orbiter as a near-earth plasma laboratory for studies in space plasma physics and particularly in solar system plasmas is discussed. This new experimental approach holds great promise for studies in the supersonic and sub-Alfvenic flow regime which has applications to the motion of natural satellites around their mother planets in the solar-system (e.g., the satellite Io around the planet Jupiter). A well conceived experimental and theoretical program can lead to a better physical understanding regarding the validity and range of applicability of using gasdynamic, kinetic, and fluid approaches in describing collisionless plasma flow interactions with bodies in a variety of flow regimes. In addition to the above scientific aspects of the program, significant technological advances can be achieved regarding the interaction of space probes in planetary atmospheres/ionospheres and the reliability of using various plasma diagnostic devices on board spacecraft and large space platforms.

Samir, U.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Models for evaluating the performability of degradable computing systems

Recent advances in multiprocessor technology established the need for unified methods to evaluate computing systems performance and reliability. In response to this modeling need, a general modeling framework that permits the modeling, analysis and evaluation of degradable computing systems is considered. Within this framework, several user oriented performance variables are identified and shown to be proper generalizations of the traditional notions of system performance and reliability. Furthermore, a time varying version of the model is developed to generalize the traditional fault tree reliability evaluation methods of phased missions.

Wu, L. T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A new look at oxygen production on Mars - In situ propellant production (ISPP)

Consideration is given to the technique of producing oxygen on Mars from CO2 in the Martian atmosphere via in situ propellent production (ISPP). Mission implications of ISPP for both manned and unmanned Mars missions are described as well as ways to improve system reliability. Technology options that improve reliability and reduce power requirements include the use of adsorption pumps and advanced zirconia membranes. It is concluded that both manned and unmanned missions will benefit greatly from ISPP, especially in the context of a permanent manned base on Mars.

Frisbee, Robert H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The decay of NASA's technical culture

Changes in the organization structure and technical research activities of NASA since 1970 are evaluated. The creation of NASA and the original organizational structure and operation of NASA are reviewed. The relationship between organization and advanced technology is discussed and suggestions are given for ways of maintaining NASA as a high reliability organization.

Mccurdy, Howard E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Probabilistic design of advanced composite structure

Advanced composite technology offers potentials for sizable improvements in many areas: weight savings, maintainability, durability, and reliability. However, there are a number of inhibitors to these improvements. One of the biggest inhibitors is the imposition of traditional metallic approaches to design of composite structure. This is especially detrimental in composites because new materials technology demands new design approaches. Of particular importance are the decisions made regarding structural criteria. Significant changes cannot be implemented without careful consideration and exploration. This new approach is to implement changes on a controlled, verifiable basis. Probabilistic design is the methodology and the process to accomplish this. Its foundation is to base design criteria and objectives on reliability targets instead of arbitrary factors carried over from metallic structural history. The background is discussed of probabilistic design and the results are presented of a side-by-side comparison to generic aircraft structure designed the 'old' way and the 'new'. Activities are also defined that need to be undertaken to evolve available approaches to probabilistic design followed by summary and recommendations.

Gray, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1999

X-33 Program Overview

An X-33 program overview is presented in viewgraph form. The objective of the research was to build and test a 50% scale prototype of an operational Reusable Launch Vehicle in a realistic flight environment. Technologies to be demonstrated include reusable cryogenic tankage, composite structures, durable thermal protection systems, advanced avionics, reliable propulsion systems, and aircraft-like operations.

Naftel, J. Chris↗
NASA NTRS2011

Experimental Testing and Modeling of a Pneumatic Regolith Delivery System for ISRU

Excavating and transporting planetary regolith are examples of surface activities that may occur during a future space exploration mission to a planetary body. Regolith, whether it is collected on the Moon, Mars or even an asteroid, consists of granular minerals, some of which have been identified to be viable resources that can be mined and processed chemically to extract useful by-products, such as oxygen, water, and various metals and metal alloys. Even the depleted "waste" material from such chemical processes may be utilized later in the construction of landing pads and protective structures at the site of a planetary base. One reason for excavating and conveying planetary regolith is to deliver raw regolith material to in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) systems. The goal of ISRU is to provide expendable supplies and materials at the planetary destination, if possible. An in-situ capability of producing mission-critical substances such as oxygen will help to extend the mission and its success, and will greatly lower the overall cost of a mission by either eliminating, or significantly reducing, the need to transport the same expendable materials from the Earth. In order to support the goals and objectives of present and future ISRU projects, NASA seeks technology advancements in the areas of regolith conveying. Such systems must be effective, efficient and provide reliable performance over long durations while being exposed to the harsh environments found on planetary surfaces. These conditions include contact with very abrasive regolith particulates, exposure to high vacuum or dry (partial) atmospheres, wide variations in temperature, reduced gravity, and exposure to space radiation. Regolith conveying techniques that combine reduced failure modes and low energy consumption with high material transfer rates will provide significant value for future space exploration missions to the surfaces of the moon, Mars and asteroids. Pneumatic regolith conveying has demonstrated itself to be a viable delivery system through testing under terrestrial and reduced gravity conditions in recent years. Modeling and experimental testing have been conducted at NASA Kennedy Space Center to study and advance pneumatic planetary regolith delivery systems in support of NASA's ISRU project. The goal of this work is to use the model to predict solid-gas flow patterns in reduced gravity environments for ISRU inlet gas line allowing the eductor inlet gas flow to vary and depend on the flow pattern developed at the eductor as inferred by the experimental observations.

Santiago-Maldonado, Edgardo↗
NASA NTRS2001

Carbon Dioxide Collection and Purification System for Mars

One of the most abundant resources available on Mars is the atmosphere. The primary constituent, carbon dioxide, can be used to produce a wide variety of consumables including propellants and breathing air. The residual gases can be used for additional pressurization tasks including supplementing the oxygen partial pressure in human habitats. A system is presented that supplies pure, high-pressure carbon dioxide and a separate stream of residual gases ready for further processing. This power-efficient method freezes the carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere using a pulse-tube cryocooler. The resulting CO2 mass is later thawed in a closed pressure vessel, resulting in a compact source of liquefied gas at the vapor pressure of the bulk fluid. Results from a demonstration system are presented along with analysis and system scaling factors for implementation at larger scales. Trace gases in the Martian atmosphere challenge the system designer for all carbon dioxide acquisitions concepts. The approximately five percent of other gases build up as local concentrations of CO2 are removed, resulting in diminished performance of the collection process. The presented system takes advantage of this fact and draws the concentrated residual gases away as a useful byproduct. The presented system represents an excelient volume and mass solution for collecting and compressing this valuable Martian resource. Recent advances in pulse-tube cryocooler technology have enabled this concept to be realized in a reliable, low power implementation.

Clark, D. Larry↗
DOE OSTI2026

Playa de Ponce's Advancements in Energy Affordability and Reliability (Spanish Translation)

Un Nuevo Amanecer Inc. (UNA), a community-based nonprofit organization, partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) to develop a Strategic Energy Plan (SEP) for the community of Playa de Ponce on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. The SEP provides a community-driven roadmap to improve local energy systems by identifying shared priorities, strategies, and actions that support a more reliable, affordable, and resilient energy future. Over a seven-month period, researchers from the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) worked with UNA, the Puerto Rico Hispanic Federation, community leaders, and residents to gather input through engagement workshops held in March and June 2025. These discussions helped define the community's energy vision and identify key challenges, including high electricity costs, unreliable service during extreme weather events, and risks to public health and safety - particularly for the community's aging population. This fact sheet summarizes the key elements of the Strategic Energy Plan, including four priority strategies organized around three focus areas identified by the community: energy reliability, safety and security, and stakeholder participation, education, and capacity building. Together, these strategies outline actionable pathways to strengthen Playa de Ponce's energy resilience and support long-term community goals. The plan serves as a shared reference for community members, local organizations, and government partners working to advance energy solutions in Playa de Ponce and complements broader municipal and island-wide planning efforts. This is the Spanish translation of NLR/FS-7A40-99609.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Demonstrating Advanced Nuclear Energy Solutions for Net Zero

Background/Objectives. The aggressive goals being set by nation states, communities, and private industry for decarbonization of grid electricity, industrial heat sources, and transportation around the world are imperative to mitigating the devastating effects that we are seeing from climate change. Although many of these goals focus on accomplishments by 2035 or 2050, the decisions that we make today won’t just impact the landscape of energy systems for the next 20 or 30 years—they will shape the world’s environment for centuries to come. That means that we can’t just focus on technologies that will get us to 2050, but technologies that will withstand our energy demands over that long-ranging future. Success will require us to utilize all of the clean energy resources that we have available to meet demands for electricity, heat, and steam, and we will need energy carriers such as hydrogen that do not emit additional greenhouse gases at the point of use. Nuclear energy, ranging from technologies in service today to advanced, higher temperature and modular systems that will be in service this decade, will provide a robust complement to renewable energy resources that operate variably. Researchers across the U.S. Department of Energy laboratory complex are working to advance multiple aspects of these clean energy solutions, with many focusing on integrated energy system solutions that leverage all available clean energy assets to meet wide-ranging energy demands. Approach/Activities. Nuclear energy is a proven, zero-emission option during operation that can provide consistent, dispatchable power to meet electricity demands while also providing high-quality heat that can meet energy demands beyond the electricity sector. Energy system design should seek to maximize these assets. As a dispatchable energy source with a small land utilization footprint, nuclear energy can be collocated with renewable resources, and the smaller systems that will be deployed this decade (ranging from a few megawatts to hundreds of megawatts) can be installed right where that energy is needed. Integrated nuclear and renewable systems will enhance power grid reliability and resilience, and they will help stabilize the grid through their increasingly flexible operation. Licensing, installation, and broad adoption of these advanced nuclear energy systems are expected to progress significantly in the 2020s, but this may be longer than desired by some stakeholders wishing to implement impactful clean energy decisions today. However, one must recall that nuclear energy systems will operate for 80 or more years, as is being demonstrated by current fleet nuclear systems. The nuclear community is extremely thorough in reviewing these systems with regard to safety and security; these efforts ensure that the deployed systems will continue to provide reliable, resilient energy over that operational lifetime. That investment of time up front will ensure that we can support energy demands over the centuries to come. While advanced nuclear technologies move through this process, communities and private industry may choose to install renewable generation systems that can later be coupled to the complementary nuclear systems as they become available—thus moving closer to the net zero goals in the near term. Choosing technologies and deployment configurations that allow small modular nuclear powerhouses to be added to these “energy parks” as they become available will ensure that advanced technologies can be readily adopted to support growing demands for clean energy. Results/Lessons Learned. The primary focus of integrated energy systems (IES) research is to assess the technical and economic potential of novel multi-input, multioutput solutions that are expected to enhance energy system flexibility, reliability, and resilience as we pursue a clean energy transition. Various energy applications and product streams beyond electricity are being evaluated, ranging from generation of potable water to production of hydrogen, fertilizers, synthetic fuels, and various chemicals. In early FY23 Idaho National Laboratory (INL) will commission thermal energy generation systems that emulate nuclear fission energy input using electric heating and will allow for integrated system testing with thermal energy storage, hydrogen production via high temperature electrolysis (HTE), and power systems hardware to demonstrate operation of a clean energy park within a microgrid or larger grid infrastructure, supporting up to 450 kW of heat input via electric heating and demonstrating operation of HTE systems at the multi-hundred kW scale. This presentation will highlight the wide array of RD&D being conducted at INL and partner laboratories to develop and deploy nuclear and renewable-based IES that will be key to achieving our net zero goals, including both computational and experimental demonstrations. By working with key collaborators in industry, analytical st

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1990

ALS turbomachinery technology

Advanced Development Programs are being pursued by Rocketdyne, Aerojet, and Pratt and Whitney to define and validate design approaches toward producing low-cost, reliable liquid-hydrogen and liquid-oxygen turbopumps for a 2580 kN (580 klb) thrust Advanced Launch System. The generic approach, which is evolving after 18 months of trade studies and conceptual and preliminary design efforts, is explained. In addition, the preliminary liquid-hydrogen turbopump designs produced in parallel tasks by Rocketdyne and Aerojet and the liquid-oxygen turbopump design produced by Pratt and Whitney are described, and technology features and issues are discussed.

Csomor, A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Transmission research activities at NASA Lewis Research Center

A joint research program, to advance the technology of rotorcraft transmissions, consists of analytical and experimental efforts to achieve the overall goals of reducing transmission weight and noise, while increasing life and reliability. Recent activities in the areas of transmission and related component research are highlighted. Current areas include specific technologies in support of military rotary wing aviation, gearing technology, transmission noise reduction studies, a recent interest in gearbox diagnostics, and advanced transmission system studies. Results of recent activities are presented along with near term research plans.

Lewicki, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Body of Knowledge (BOK) for Leadless Quad Flat No-Lead/Bottom Termination Components (QFN/BTC) Package Trends and Reliability

Bottom terminated components and quad flat no-lead (BTC/QFN) packages have been extensively used by commercial industry for more than a decade. Cost and performance advantages and the closeness of the packages to the boards make them especially unique for radio frequency (RF) applications. A number of high-reliability parts are now available in this style of package configuration. This report presents a summary of literature surveyed and provides a body of knowledge (BOK) gathered on the status of BTC/QFN and their advanced versions of multi-row QFN (MRQFN) packaging technologies. The report provides a comprehensive review of packaging trends and specifications on design, assembly, and reliability. Emphasis is placed on assembly reliability and associated key design and process parameters because they show lower life than standard leaded package assembly under thermal cycling exposures. Inspection of hidden solder joints for assuring quality is challenging and is similar to ball grid arrays (BGAs). Understanding the key BTC/QFN technology trends, applications, processing parameters, workmanship defects, and reliability behavior is important when judicially selecting and narrowing the follow-on packages for evaluation and testing, as well as for the low risk insertion in high-reliability applications.

Ghaffarian, Reza↗