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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Proceedings of the 1993 Conference on Intelligent Computer-Aided Training and Virtual Environment Technology, Volume 1

These proceedings are organized in the same manner as the conference's contributed sessions, with the papers grouped by topic area. These areas are as follows: VE (virtual environment) training for Space Flight, Virtual Environment Hardware, Knowledge Aquisition for ICAT (Intelligent Computer-Aided Training) & VE, Multimedia in ICAT Systems, VE in Training & Education (1 & 2), Virtual Environment Software (1 & 2), Models in ICAT systems, ICAT Commercial Applications, ICAT Architectures & Authoring Systems, ICAT Education & Medical Applications, Assessing VE for Training, VE & Human Systems (1 & 2), ICAT Theory & Natural Language, ICAT Applications in the Military, VE Applications in Engineering, Knowledge Acquisition for ICAT, and ICAT Applications in Aerospace.

Hyde, Patricia R.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Exploration Clinical Decision Support System: Medical Data Architecture

The Exploration Clinical Decision Support (ECDS) System project is intended to enhance the Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) Element for extended duration, deep-space mission planning in HRP. A major development guideline is the Risk of "Adverse Health Outcomes & Decrements in Performance due to Limitations of In-flight Medical Conditions". ECDS attempts to mitigate that Risk by providing crew-specific health information, actionable insight, crew guidance and advice based on computational algorithmic analysis. The availability of inflight health diagnostic computational methods has been identified as an essential capability for human exploration missions. Inflight electronic health data sources are often heterogeneous, and thus may be isolated or not examined as an aggregate whole. The ECDS System objective provides both a data architecture that collects and manages disparate health data, and an active knowledge system that analyzes health evidence to deliver case-specific advice. A single, cohesive space-ready decision support capability that considers all exploration clinical measurements is not commercially available at present. Hence, this Task is a newly coordinated development effort by which ECDS and its supporting data infrastructure will demonstrate the feasibility of intelligent data mining and predictive modeling as a biomedical diagnostic support mechanism on manned exploration missions. The initial step towards ground and flight demonstrations has been the research and development of both image and clinical text-based computer-aided patient diagnosis. Human anatomical images displaying abnormal/pathological features have been annotated using controlled terminology templates, marked-up, and then stored in compliance with the AIM standard. These images have been filtered and disease characterized based on machine learning of semantic and quantitative feature vectors. The next phase will evaluate disease treatment response via quantitative linear dimension biomarkers that enable image content-based retrieval and criteria assessment. In addition, a data mining engine (DME) is applied to cross-sectional adult surveys for predicting occurrence of renal calculi, ranked by statistical significance of demographics and specific food ingestion. In addition to this precursor space flight algorithm training, the DME will utilize a feature-engineering capability for unstructured clinical text classification health discovery. The ECDS backbone is a proposed multi-tier modular architecture providing data messaging protocols, storage, management and real-time patient data access. Technology demonstrations and success metrics will be finalized in FY16.

Biomedical support↗
DOE OSTI2026

Evaluation of Howard A. Hanson Dam Juvenile Fish Passage and Survival Study Live Fish Injury Assessment, Sensor Fish, and BioPA Modeling Tasks

The live fish injury assessment, Sensor Fish, and BioPA modeling study tasks were conducted by researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The four tasks were part of the larger Evaluation of Howard A. Hanson Dam (HAHD) Juvenile Fish Passage and Survival study, which had six total tasks. To achieve study objectives for each of the four tasks, field work occurred at Green Peter Dam (GPR) to evaluate the highest elevation steep slope bypass pipe, at HAHD to evaluate baseline conditions of the horseshoe tunnel, and at PNNL’s Aquatic Research Laboratory (ARL) to evaluate simulated dam passage conditions (i.e., shear forces and collision). Each of these evaluations utilized live fish injury assessment, Sensor Fish, and BioPA modeling. Live fish injury assessment and survival (tagged with and without balloon or passive integrated transponder [PIT] tags) was correlated with Sensor Fish to determine thresholds. The CFD analyses were then performed, and the computed values were compared to the corresponding measured values of Sensor Fish data. The results of the overall injury and survival of fish was also used in the validation of the CFD modeling method. Collectively, the results will aid in future modeling of fish passage at HAHD. Results from these tasks can be used by biologists, engineers, resource managers, and regional decision-makers to inform baseline conditions under current operations and the engineering design of the new FPF at HAHD. This draft report contains initial data and results from the four tasks. Table 8 1, Table 8 2, and Table 8 3, and Figure 8 1, Figure 8 2, and Figure 8 3 depict the CFD modeling findings for the GPR steep slope bypass, HAHD horseshoe tunnel, and laboratory testing. Table 8 4, Table 8 5, and Table 8 6 depict the Sensor Fish findings for the GPR steep slope bypass and HAHD horseshoe tunnel testing. The Mv values observed in the HAHD were significantly lower compared to the laboratory experiments conducted at PNNL. Currently, investigations are underway to understand the reasons for this disparity and to establish an appropriate threshold value for Mv. Survival predictions presented in the tables below should be considered preliminary and should not be used until further analyses and adjustments are completed. The next steps for modeling will include the flow regime, (i.e., density of flow regimes due to water and air mixing ) to continue to improve on the threshold value for Mv.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1974

Some propulsion system noise data handling conventions and computer programs used at the Lewis Research Center

Methods of handling one-third-octave band noise data originating from the outdoor full-scale fan noise facility and the engine acoustic facility at the Lewis Research Center are presented. Procedures for standardizing, retrieving, extrapolating, and reporting these data are explained. Computer programs are given which are used to accomplish these and other noise data analysis tasks. This information is useful as background for interpretation of data from these facilities appearing in NASA reports and can aid data exchange by promoting standardization.

Montegani, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

GIS and RDBMS Used with Offline FAA Airspace Databases

A geographic information system (GIS) and relational database management system (RDBMS) were used in a Macintosh environment to access, manipulate, and display off-line FAA databases of airport and navigational aid locations, airways, and airspace boundaries. This proof-of-concept effort used data available from the Adaptation Controlled Environment System (ACES) and Digital Aeronautical Chart Supplement (DACS) databases to allow FAA cartographers and others to create computer-assisted charts and overlays as reference material for air traffic controllers. These products were created on an engineering model of the future GRASP (GRaphics Adaptation Support Position) workstation that will be used to make graphics and text products for the Advanced Automation System (AAS), which will upgrade and replace the current air traffic control system. Techniques developed during the prototyping effort have shown the viability of using databases to create graphical products without the need for an intervening data entry step.

air traffic control↗
NASA NTRS2022

Rapid Model Import Tool (RMIT) User Guide

The NASA Rapid Model Import Tool (RMIT) is designed to import 3D models built in commercially available Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Digital Content Creation (DCC) development software such as; Catia, Creo, 3DS Max, Maya, etc. Upon import, RMIT processes the models to reduce file size and exports the results in a format compatible with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) development software applications. RMIT intends to make CAD models directly accessible to engineers from local AR/VR compatible laptops and desktops.

Joseluis Chavez↗
NASA NTRS2004

Multipurpose Crew Restraints for Long Duration Space Flights

With permanent human presence onboard the International Space Station (ISS), a crew will be living and working in microgravity, interfacing with their physical environment. Without optimum restraints and mobility aids (R&MA' s), the crewmembers may be handicapped for perfonning some of the on-orbit tasks. In addition to weightlessness, the confined nature of a spacecraft environment results in ergonomic challenges such as limited visibility and access to the activity area and may cause prolonged periods of unnatural postures. Thus, determining the right set of human factors requirements and providing an ergonomically designed environment are crucial to astronauts' well-being and productivity. The purpose of this project is to develop requirements and guidelines, and conceptual designs, for an ergonomically designed multi-purpose crew restraint. In order to achieve this goal, the project would involve development of functional and human factors requirements, design concept prototype development, analytical and computer modeling evaluations of concepts, two sets of micro gravity evaluations and preparation of an implementation plan. It is anticipated that developing functional and design requirements for a multi-purpose restraint would facilitate development of ergonomically designed restraints to accommodate the off-nominal but repetitive tasks, and minimize the performance degradation due to lack of optimum setup for onboard task performance. In addition, development of an ergonomically designed restraint concept prototype would allow verification and validation of the requirements defined. To date, we have identified "unique" tasks and areas of need, determine characteristics of "ideal" restraints, and solicit ideas for restraint and mobility aid concepts. Focus group meetings with representatives from training, safety, crew, human factors, engineering, payload developers, and analog environment representatives were key to assist in the development of a restraint concept based on previous flight experiences, the needs of future tasks, and crewmembers' preferences. Also, a catalog with existing IVA/EVA restraint and mobility aids has been developed. Other efforts included the ISS crew debrief data on restraints, compilation of data from MIR, Skylab and ISS on restraints, and investigating possibility of an in-flight evaluation of current restraint systems. Preliminary restraint concepts were developed and presented to long duration crewmembers and focus groups for feedback. Currently, a selection criterion is being refined for prioritizing the candidate concepts. Next steps include analytical and computer modeling evaluations of the selected candidate concepts, prototype development, and microgravity evaluations.

Whitmore, Mihriban↗
NASA NTRS1986

Development of a knowledge acquisition tool for an expert system flight status monitor

Two of the main issues in artificial intelligence today are knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation. The Dryden Flight Research Facility of NASA's Ames Research Center is presently involved in the design and implementation of an expert system flight status monitor that will provide expertise and knowledge to aid the flight systems engineer in monitoring today's advanced high-performance aircraft. The flight status monitor can be divided into two sections: the expert system itself and the knowledge acquisition tool. This paper discusses the knowledge acquisition tool, the means it uses to extract knowledge from the domain expert, and how that knowledge is represented for computer use. An actual aircraft system has been codified by this tool with great success. Future real-time use of the expert system has been facilitated by using the knowledge acquisition tool to easily generate a logically consistent and complete knowledge base.

Disbrow, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Computational Diagnostic Techniques for Electromagnetic Scattering: Analytical Imaging, Near Fields, and Surface Currents

This paper presents three techniques and the graphics implementations which can be used as diagnostic aides in the design and understanding of scattering structures: Imaging, near fields, and surface current displays. The imaging analysis is a new bistatic k space approach which has potential for much greater information than standard experimental approaches. The near field and current analysis are implementations of standard theory while the diagnostic graphics displays are implementations exploiting recent computer engineering work station graphics libraries.

Hom, Kam W.↗
DOE OSTI2025

SigTime: Learning and Visually Explaining Time Series Signatures

Understanding and distinguishing temporal patterns in time series data is essential for scientific discovery and decision-making. For example, in biomedical research, uncovering meaningful patterns in physiological signals can improve diagnosis, risk assessment, and patient outcomes. However, existing methods for time series pattern discovery face major challenges, including high computational complexity, limited interpretability, and difficulty in capturing meaningful temporal structures. Here, to address these gaps, we introduce a novel learning framework that jointly trains two Transformer models using complementary time series representations: shapelet-based representations to capture localized temporal structures and traditional feature engineering to encode statistical properties. The learned shapelets serve as interpretable signatures that differentiate time series across classification labels. Additionally, we develop a visual analytics system—SigTime—with coordinated views to facilitate exploration of time series signatures from multiple perspectives, aiding in useful insights generation. We quantitatively evaluate our learning framework on eight publicly available datasets and one proprietary clinical dataset. Additionally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our system through two usage scenarios along with the domain experts: one involving public ECG data and the other focused on preterm labor analysis.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of a 5kW Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell Stack

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are a developing technology for hydrogen production. They are promising due to their utilization of thermal energy to reduce their electricity consumption. The Department of Energy (DOE) has set goals to reduce the price per kilogram of hydrogen, and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is conducting research to develop and demonstrate advanced methods and technologies to achieve making hydrogen a more affordable, efficient, and sustainable energy source. In this project, INL is collaborating with a vendor to evaluate and validate the design of a 5kW SOEC stack. The test aims to demonstrate a safe startup, operation, and shutdown on INL’s 5kW test stand, providing third-party validation in a different environment. A successful 50-hour test with stable hydrogen production will pave the way for a subsequent 1000-hour test. This project emphasized learning about electrolysis and the various support systems, referred to as balance of plant (BOP) equipment. These systems required modification while swapping to the vendor 5kW SOEC stack, most prominently the furnace door design and the controls system. It also included gaining skills in creating computer-aided design (CAD) drawings for the new door while using available materials and ensuring it met high-temperature requirements. Upon completion of modifications to the test stand, the SOEC will be test-fitted with respective wiring and piping. Instrumentation and piping will be checked for leaks and quality. This must be completed before the vendor’s engineers arrive to observe the test plan, startup, and a collection of 50 hours of data. The vendor’s engineers will ensure their stack performed sufficiently in the 50-hour test to enable the progression to a 1000-hour test.

08 - HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1981

The CELSS program - An overview of its structure and use of computer modelling

NASA has initiated a research program, CELSS, directed at the acquisition of the knowledge and technology required for the development of an autonomous, regenerative life support system. The program is structured to promote effective, cooperative research in fundamental, applied and engineering science. The initial research thrusts involve investigations into problems of food production, waste processing and system control and integration. In the area of food production both conventional, higher plant-based processes as well as chemosynthetic food production technologies are being investigated. Alternative waste processing procedures, both biological and physicochemical, are being examined. Computer based modelling as an aid to design and analysis is an integral part of the approach to system control and management. A mass balance model depicting the flow of elemental mass in a conceptualized closed, regenerative life support system is described.

Averner, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Overview of NASA/OAST efforts related to manufacturing technology

Activities of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) in a number of areas related to manufacturing technology are considered. In the computer-aided design area improved approaches are developed for the design of specific classes of components or structural subsystems. A generalized approach for the design of a complete aerospace vehicle is also developed. Efforts directed toward an increased use of composite materials in aerospace structures are also discussed and attention is given to projects concerned with the manufacture of turbine engine components.

Saunders, N. T.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Computer based human-centered display system

A human centered informational display is disclosed that can be used with vehicles (e.g. aircraft) and in other operational environments where rapid human centered comprehension of an operational environment is required. The informational display integrates all cockpit information into a single display in such a way that the pilot can clearly understand with a glance, his or her spatial orientation, flight performance, engine status and power management issues, radio aids, and the location of other air traffic, runways, weather, and terrain features. With OZ the information is presented as an integrated whole, the pilot instantaneously recognizes flight path deviations, and is instinctively drawn to the corrective maneuvers. Our laboratory studies indicate that OZ transfers to the pilot all of the integrated display information in less than 200 milliseconds. The reacquisition of scan can be accomplished just as quickly. Thus, the time constants for forming a mental model are near instantaneous. The pilot's ability to keep up with rapidly changing and threatening environments is tremendously enhanced. OZ is most easily compatible with aircraft that has flight path information coded electronically. With the correct sensors (which are currently available) OZ can be installed in essentially all current aircraft.

Still, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An integrated approach to spacecraft control design

Flight opreation of numerous spacecraft over the years has clearly demonstrated the inherant coupling between the vehicle structure and its control system. Even early missions, such as Explorer I, have experienced this coupling phenomenon. More recent and vivid examples are the Hubble Telescope and the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS). In an effort to mitigate these problems and to aid the engineer in his task of achieving maximum performance from this design, even in the presence of structural flexibility, NASA has undertaken a program to provide the methodology for the optimal and integrated design of the vehicle structure and its control system. The analysis and design methodology developed is described. Anticipated performance gains to be realized from this methodology are demonstrated through computer simulation and supported by experimental validations of the design approach.

Keckler, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS2020

March of the Interns

Summer 2019 brought 70 interns — from Puerto Rico, 44 continental US states, Sweden, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago — into the NASA Ames Aeromechanics Branch. Some were high school students learning engineering for the first time, while most were mechanical and aerospace engineering students, though two physics majors and a math major jumped into the mix to provide balance. This year’s interns completed work on 30 different projects with a collective of 30,000 dedicated hours of work. The projects this year were on urban air mobility (UAM), search and rescue vehicle design, all things Mars, Titan exploration concept designs, 3D modeling (i.e. computer aided design, CAD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and much more. Last year we addressed the question of what to do with an army of interns. This year, we are following its path to change the world.

Dromiack, Hannah↗
NASA NTRS1977

Comparison of Estimated with Measured Maximum Instantaneous Distortion Using Flight Data from an Axisymmetric Mixed Compression Inlet

YF-12C flight-measured inlet dynamic distortion data are compared with predictions made on the basis of the method reported by Melick et al. (1976). The YF-12C aircraft is a twin engine aircraft capable of speeds above 3. The inlets have a translating spike to control the inlet throat area. A bypass system is used to control the terminal shock of the inlet for operation in the mixed compression mode. The dynamic data were obtained with the aid of 24 high frequency response total pressure sensors. The model of Melick et al. is discussed along with the computer program used to implement the model. It is found that the predictions of maximum instantaneous distortion are within 20 percent of the measured values, which had been obtained at Mach numbers of 1.8, 2.1, 2.5, and 3.0.

Brilliant, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Translators between CADD and section 5 of the ANSI Y14.26M standard

The American National Standard, Engineering Drawing and Related Documentation Practices, Digital Representation for Communication of Product Definition Data (ANSI Y14.26M-1981) comprises an introduction, three sections corresponding to IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) Version 1.0, and Section 5, a constructive, relational, language-based representation for geometric and topological entities. This presentation discusses the design and development of two-way translators between Section 5 (herein, ANSI5) and CADD (Computer-Aided Design Drafting).

Emnett, R. F.↗