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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 451 records · Page 25

Phase-Sensing Guidance for Wire-Following Vehicles

Guidance system for wire-following vehicles tested successfully at speeds exceeding 50 mi/h (80 km/h) on difficult 1 mile (1.6km) course. Unlike previous sensors that compare amplitudes of signals picked up from guide wire, new system compares signal phases. Array of coils is mounted in line along front bumper of vehicle and monitors electromagnetic signal radiating from wire. Guide wire on ground beneath vehicle carrier 6- to 7-kHz alternating current.

Hansen, G. R.↗

Magnesium Hall Thruster

This Phase II project is developing a magnesium (Mg) Hall effect thruster system that would open the door for in situ resource utilization (ISRU)-based solar system exploration. Magnesium is light and easy to ionize. For a Mars- Earth transfer, the propellant mass savings with respect to a xenon Hall effect thruster (HET) system are enormous. Magnesium also can be combusted in a rocket with carbon dioxide (CO2) or water (H2O), enabling a multimode propulsion system with propellant sharing and ISRU. In the near term, CO2 and H2O would be collected in situ on Mars or the moon. In the far term, Mg itself would be collected from Martian and lunar regolith. In Phase I, an integrated, medium-power (1- to 3-kW) Mg HET system was developed and tested. Controlled, steady operation at constant voltage and power was demonstrated. Preliminary measurements indicate a specific impulse (Isp) greater than 4,000 s was achieved at a discharge potential of 400 V. The feasibility of delivering fluidized Mg powder to a medium- or high-power thruster also was demonstrated. Phase II of the project evaluated the performance of an integrated, highpower Mg Hall thruster system in a relevant space environment. Researchers improved the medium power thruster system and characterized it in detail. Researchers also designed and built a high-power (8- to 20-kW) Mg HET. A fluidized powder feed system supporting the high-power thruster was built and delivered to Busek Company, Inc.

Szabo, James J.↗

A study of environmental characterization of conventional and advanced aluminum alloys for selection and design. Phase 1: Literature review

A review of the literature is presented with the objectives of identifying relationships between various accelerated stress corrosion testing techniques, and for determining the combination of test methods best suited to selection and design of high strength aluminum alloys. The following areas are reviewed: status of stress-corrosion test standards, the influence of mechanical and environmental factors on stress corrosion testing, correlation of accelerated test data with in-service experience, and procedures used to avoid stress corrosion problems in service. Promising areas for further work are identified.

Sprowls, D. O.↗

Some instrumentation requirement issues for the Space Station structural characterization experiment

The Space Station will provide unique opportunities to the research and technology community as a national in-space research facility. Opportunities will exist for technology experiments in a variety of disciplines, including dynamics and control of large space structures (LSS). The Space Station Structural Characterization Experiment (SSSCE) is an early space station technology experiment now under development. The objective of the experiment is to instrument and use the Space Station as a generic research test article, in support of research and technology activities in the areas of structural dynamics and control/structure interaction (CSI). Tests will be conducted, potentially, on each assembly flight configuration, as well as on the phase 1 configuration. Structural dynamic response data will be measured and transferred to the ground for analysis. These measurements will support the development and in-space verification of system identification and analytical modeling techniques for future LSS, including the evolutionary Space Station. The paper begins by restating the principal objective of SSSCE, along with the basic approach that will be used. The body of the paper deals with instrumentation requirement issues. The paper closes with several questions concerning modal-testing objectives and limitations, a brief review of a previous on-orbit experiment, the Solar Array Flight Experiment, and concluding remarks.

Pappa, Richard S.↗

Ultra Efficient Light Duty Powertrain with Gasoline Low Temperature Combustion (Final Report)

This document details the work completed during Project DE-EE0006839 ‘Ultra Efficient Light Duty Powertrain with Gasoline Low Temperature Combustion’. All tasks from the project’s Statement of Project Objectives are discussed. Final demonstration data is also presented and discussed. Further project details can be found in the Quarterly Technicial Reports that were submitted during the course of the project and are stored on the EERE Project Management Center Website. The goal of this project was to develop, implement and demonstrate a low temperature combustion approach called Gasoline Direct Injection Compression Ignition (GDCI) that provides high thermal efficiency with low NOx and PM emissions. The project target was to demonstrate a 35% fuel economy improvement over the baseline vehicle while meeting Tier 3 emissions levels. At the start of this project, GDCI was a moderately mature combustion technology, due in large part to advances made during a Delphi Technologies program funded through an earlier Department of Energy Advanced Technology Powertrains (ATP) opportunity; under that earlier contract, DE-EE0003258, Delphi Technologies assembled a team with complementary industrial and academic experience, and led this team to advance the technology from the original fundamental work to the state of art embodied by a first-generation (Gen 1) multi-cylinder GDCI engine. Key activities during that project centered on engine and combustion chamber design, and development of fuel injection equipment, valvetrain and advanced controls. Performance results with the Gen 1 engine in a development vehicle demonstrated that GDCI had the capability to operate using Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) over a broad speed-load range. Based on benchmarking work, efficiency for the Gen 1 GDCI engine compared favorably overall to production light-duty diesel engines. The second DOE funded project, DE-EE0006839, focused on a number of technical risks and issues that were left to be resolved for GDCI to become a production-viable technology. These risks were:GDCI combustion system refinement to achieve near-ideal air/fuel mixture preparation for high efficiency and low HC and CO emissions; Transient control development for low temperature combustion with high EGR levels during real-world transient driving maneuvers and over a broader range of ambient conditions; Aftertreatment system design that is effective in dealing with the low-temperature challenges of a highly efficient engine. The project was executed in two phases. Phase 1 leveraged the development vehicle from the Advanced Technologies Powertrain 1 (ATP1) project, DE-EE0003258. That vehicle was used as an initial test bed in the development of a high performance low temperature exhaust aftertreatment system. The vehicle was also used to develop calibration refinements for improved exhaust emissions and fuel efficiency. Samples of a new GDCI development level engine, called Gen2 GDCI (and developed outside of the first DOE funded project), were also used during Phase 1 to develop refined controller hardware and control algorithms, as well as improved sensors and actuators. The Gen2 engine was then retrofitted into the development vehicle from the ATP1 project and used for controls refinement and calibration of GDCI to achieve improved cold start, drivability and robustness to real world environments and fuel variations. During Phase 2 of the project, Gen3 versions of the GDCI engine were designed and built specifically for this project based on experience from the earlier engines. These engines were designed to be production-like in construction and, when combined with refined control systems and project specific low temperature exhaust aftertreatment, were intended to support the goal of meeting Tier 3 emissions levels at a vehicle level. Though great progress had been made advancing the GDCI combustion process, and despite extensive presentations of our work on the technology at various conferences and in direct meetings with automotive companies, none of the US domestic automotive OEMs had shown an interest in adopting this combustion process as part of their technology planning as the project approached the Go/No-Go point at the end of Budget Period 3. As a result of this low-level of interest both the US Department of Energy and Delphi Technologies received in this technology from domestic auto manufactures, Delphi Technologies elected a ‘No-Go’ status for the gate between Budget Period 3 and Budget Period 4 which terminated the project without spending any Budget Period 4 funds. The project team concluded that the dynamometer mapping of the most recent level of hardware, combined with the vehicle level simulation by Argonne National Laboratory, was sufficient to document the capabilities and potential of the combustion process without spending the time and money to do the controls development and full calibration necessary for a demonstration vehicle.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

β-arrestins negatively control human adrenomedullin type 1-receptor internalization

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent hypotensive peptide that exerts a powerful variety of protective effects against multiorgan damage through the AM type 1 receptor (AM{sub 1} receptor), which consists of the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein 2 (RAMP2). Two β-arrestin (β-arr) isoforms, β-arr-1 and β-arr-2, play a central role in the agonist-induced internalization of many receptors for receptor resensitization. Notably, β-arr-biased agonists are now being tested in phase II clinical trials, targeting acute pain and acute heart failure. Here, we examined the effects of β-arr-1 and β-arr-2 on human AM{sub 1} receptor internalization. We constructed a V5-tagged chimera in which the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail (C-tail) of CLR was replaced with that of the β{sub 2}-adrenergic receptor (β{sub 2}-AR), and it was transiently transfected into HEK-293 cells that stably expressed RAMP2. The cell-surface expression and internalization of the wild-type or chimeric receptor were quantified by flow cytometric analysis. The [{sup 125}I]AM binding and the AM-induced cAMP production of these receptors were also determined. Surprisingly, the coexpression of β-arr-1 or -2 resulted in significant decreases in AM{sub 1} receptor internalization without affecting AM binding and signaling prior to receptor internalization. Dominant-negative (DN) β-arr-1 or -2 also significantly decreased AM-induced AM{sub 1} receptor internalization. In contrast, the AM-induced internalization of the chimeric AM{sub 1} receptor was markedly augmented by the cotransfection of β-arr-1 or -2 and significantly reduced by the coexpression of DN-β-arr-1 or -2. These results were consistent with those seen for β{sub 2}-AR. Thus, both β-arrs negatively control AM{sub 1} receptor internalization, which depends on the C-tail of CLR. - Highlights: • We found that β-arrestins 1 and 2 negatively control agonist-induced GPCR internalization. • β-arrestins 1 and 2 significantly inhibits the AM-induced internalization of human CLR/RAMP2. • The inhibitory effects of both β-arrestins are dependent on the C-terminal tail of CLR.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Abstract for CRADA between NETL and Praxair, Inc. (AGMT-0879)

Praxair is interested in evaluating chemical looping technology for industrial gas production. Recent advances in oxygen carrier materials have sparked Praxair’s interest in this technology. Praxair has defined process schemes that leverage recent advances in chemical looping technology. NETL has developed expertise/capabilities in several aspects of chemical looping technology including oxygen carrier materials suitable for different chemical looping reactions, moving/fluidized bed reactors to carry out chemical looping reactions, bench and pilot scale testing, attrition measurement, and reactor modeling. Praxair and NETL will evaluate the potential of chemical looping technology based on oxygen carrier materials recommended by NETL in two phases. Phase 1 will focus on a preliminary technoeconomic feasibility assessment by making assumptions for performance of chemical looping reactors, and Phase 2 will focus on experimental tests as well as detailed modeling to update the assumptions and technoeconomic assessment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Enhanced Electrocatalytic and Cathode‐Electrolyte Interfacial Properties With a Pr‐Based Simple Perovskite/Ruddlesden‐Popper Nanocomposite Cathode in Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

The sluggish kinetics and poor stability of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remain the primary bottleneck for achieving high performance in protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) at intermediate temperatures (400–650°C). In this work, a Pr-based nanocomposite cathode comprised of simple perovskite phase (PrNi 0.7 Co 0.3 O 3-δ ) and Ruddlesden-Popper phase (Co-doped Pr 4 Ni 3 O 10+δ ) is developed. Although PrNi 0.7 Co 0.3 O 3-δ solely stands as a good cathode with facile proton transfer, combining the superior catalytic activity against oxygen on the Ruddlesden-Popper phase boosts the ORR performance further. The designed nanocomposite cathode outperforms the simple perovskite cathode, attributed to enhanced oxygen absorption and surface diffusion with the Ruddlesden-Popper phase. A precursor-based cathode deposition technique is also developed to achieve cathode grain sizes of ∼100 nm. A single cell with the nanocomposite cathode delivers a peak power density of 1.38 W cm −2 at 650°C, among the highest in reported PCFCs with Pr-based cathodes, with a small degradation rate of 0.145 mV h −1 during 250 h stability test. Further investigation of cathode-electrolyte interface revealed interfacial PrO 2 phase formation, promoted by abundant Pr 6 O 11 in the nanocomposite precursor powder, thereby improving both ohmic resistance and stability. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the nanocomposite cathode and underscore its advantages on interfacial properties.

08 - HYDROGEN↗

Development and Evaluation of a Performance Modeling Flight Test Approach Based on Quasi Steady-State Maneuvers

The development, implementation and flight test evaluation of a performance modeling technique which required a limited amount of quasisteady state flight test data to predict the overall one g performance characteristics of an aircraft. The concept definition phase of the program include development of: (1) the relationship for defining aerodynamic characteristics from quasi steady state maneuvers; (2) a simplified in flight thrust and airflow prediction technique; (3) a flight test maneuvering sequence which efficiently provided definition of baseline aerodynamic and engine characteristics including power effects on lift and drag; and (4) the algorithms necessary for cruise and flight trajectory predictions. Implementation of the concept include design of the overall flight test data flow, definition of instrumentation system and ground test requirements, development and verification of all applicable software and consolidation of the overall requirements in a flight test plan.

Yechout, T. R.↗

High-efficiency, air-stable manganese–iron oxide nanoparticle-pigmented solar selective absorber coatings toward concentrating solar power systems operating at 750 °C

Solar selective absorber coating with long-term thermal stability at high temperatures ≥750 °C in air is an important component to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems toward 50% power efficiency and dispatchable solar electricity. Conventionally, solar spectral selectivity requires multilayer-interference coatings implemented by stringently controlled vacuum deposition, and these coatings degrade significantly at >700 °C in air. Herein, we established a quantitative design approach and demonstrated a proof-of-concept air-stable, manganese–iron oxide nanoparticle (NP)-pigmented solar selective coatings with a high solar absorptance of ~93%, a relatively low thermal emittance of ~52%, and an optical-to-thermal energy conversion efficiency >89% under 1,000× solar concentration at 750 °C toward Generation 3 CSP systems. These coatings demonstrate spectral selectivity using cost-effective spray coating approach, a notable improvement over conventional vacuum-deposited, multilayer solar selective coatings for low-cost, high-efficiency solar thermal receivers. In contrast to the thermal degradation of spectrally non-selective benchmark Pyromark 2500 coatings at 750 °C in air, the solar absorptance of the MnFe 2 O 4 -pigmented coatings on stainless steel 310 (SS 310) substrates is increased to ~92.9% and the optical-to-thermal energy conversion efficiency is improved to 89.7% after serving at 750 °C in air for 700 h. X-ray diffraction results reveal that this improvement is due to the transformation of MnFe 2 O 4 NPs into more thermodynamically stable, non-stoichiometric manganese-rich manganese ferrite and iron-rich manganese–iron oxide phases after 500 h aging at 750 °C. For >1,000 h-endurance testing at 750 °C in air and the subsequent 19 day-night thermal cycling between 750 °C (12 h/cycle) and 25 °C (12 h/cycle) on SS 310 substrates, the thermal degradation is mainly due to the CrO x microflake formation from SS 310 substrates rather than the coatings, which can be suppressed by preoxidizing the surface of SS 310. With lower emittance matrix material and further optimization of pigment NP stoichiometry, concentration, and coating thickness, it is promising to achieve an optimized thermal efficiency ≥92.5% with long-term thermal stability at 750 °C for Generation 3 CSP systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Low latency optical-based mode tracking with machine learning deployed on FPGAs on a tokamak

Active feedback control in magnetic confinement fusion devices is desirable to mitigate plasma instabilities and enable robust operation. Optical high-speed cameras provide a powerful, non-invasive diagnostic and can be suitable for these applications. Here, in this study, we process high-speed camera data, at rates exceeding 100 kfps, on in situ field-programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware to track magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mode evolution and generate control signals in real time. Our system utilizes a convolutional neural network (CNN) model, which predicts the n = 1 MHD mode amplitude and phase using camera images with better accuracy than other tested non-deep-learning-based methods. By implementing this model directly within the standard FPGA readout hardware of the high-speed camera diagnostic, our mode tracking system achieves a total trigger-to-output latency of 17.6 μs and a throughput of up to 120 kfps. This study at the High Beta Tokamak-Extended Pulse (HBT-EP) experiment demonstrates an FPGA-based high-speed camera data acquisition and processing system, enabling application in real-time machine-learning-based tokamak diagnostic and control as well as potential applications in other scientific domains.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

NiCd battery electrodes

The objective of this research program was to develop and evaluate electrodes for a negative limited nickel-cadmium cell and to prove its feasibility. The program consisted of three phases: (1) the development of cadmium electrodes with high hydrogen overvoltage characteristics, (2) the testing of positive and negative plates, and (3) the fabrication and testing of complete negative limited NiCd cells. The following electrode structures were manufactured and their physical and electrochemical characteristics were evaluated: (1) silver sinter-based Cd electrodes, (2) Teflon-bonded Cd electrodes, (3) electrodeposited Cd sponge, and (4) Cd-sinter structures. All cadmium electrode structures showed a sharp increase in potential at the end of charge, with the advent of hydrogen evolution occurring at approximately -1.3 V versus Hg/HgO. The hydrogen advent potentials on pure cadmium structures were 50 to 70 mV more cathodic than those of their silver-containing counterparts.

Holleck, G.↗

Design and fabrication of a high temperature leading edge heating array, phase 1

Progress during a Phase 1 program to design a high temperature heating array is reported for environmentally testing full-scale shuttle leading edges (30 inch span, 6 to 15 inch radius) at flight heating rates and pressures. Heat transfer analyses of the heating array, individual modules, and the shuttle leading edge were performed, which influenced the array design, and the design, fabrication, and testing of a prototype heater module.

Source record↗

Block 1, phase 1 very long baseline interferometry implementation

The Block 1, phase 1 VBLI System, implemented in the Deep Space Network and currently undergoing system testing, is discussed. The system can be characterized as the modification of existing equipment and the addition of new software in the 64 m subnet and the addition of new hardware and software in the Network Operations and Control Center. It is to be operational to support Voyager project navigation requirements and is to provide, on a weekly basis, the information related to station clock synchronization, UT1, and polar motion.

Wilcher, J. H.↗

Space shuttle status

Technology problems relating to the shuttle thermal protection system and the auxiliary power units for flight control of engine gimbaling and aero surfaces are examined as well as yet unresolved difficulties associated with the main engine, external tank doors, and the payload bay doors. Concepts for launch crew escape and for flight inspection are discussed, and the orbital flight test drivers are identified. The majority of OFT objectives can be accomplished in a success oriented four flight program. Carry over will be accommodated in the operational phase with a mini-DFI package. Primary shuttle systems requiring additional testings are (1) aerodynamics (forward CG); (2) thermal control system (high beta); (3) payload deployment and retrieval system (retrieval, a maximum weight, and proximity operations); (4) SSME throttling to 109%; and (5) SSME nozzle entry aerodynamic heating (up elevon/body flap position at hypersonic velocities).

Slayton, D. K.↗

High-intensity sound in air saturated fibrous bulk porous materials

The interaction high-intensity sound with bulk porous materials in porous materials including Kevlar 29 is reported. The nonlinear behavior of the materials was described by dc flow resistivity tests. Then acoustic propagation and reflection were measured and small signal broadband measurements of phase speed and attenuation were carried out. High-intensity tests were made with 1, 2, and 3 kHz tone bursts to measure harmonic generation and extra attenuation of the fundamental. Small signal standing wave tests measured impedence between 0.1 and 3.5 kHz. High level tests with single cycle tone bursts at 1 to 4 kHz show that impedance increases with intensity. A theoretical analysis is presented for high-porosity, rigid-frame, isothermal materials. One dimensional equations of motion are derived and solved by perturbation. The experiments show that there is excess attenuation of the fundamental component and in some cases a close approach to saturation. A separate theoretical model, developed to explain the excess attenuation, yields predictions that are in good agreement with the measurements. Impedance and attenuation at high intensities are modeled.

Kuntz, H. L., II↗

Developmental Cryogenic Active Telescope Testbed, a Wavefront Sensing and Control Testbed for the Next Generation Space Telescope

As part of the technology validation strategy of the next generation space telescope (NGST), a system testbed is being developed at GSFC, in partnership with JPL and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), which will include all of the component functions envisioned in an NGST active optical system. The system will include an actively controlled, segmented primary mirror, actively controlled secondary, deformable, and fast steering mirrors, wavefront sensing optics, wavefront control algorithms, a telescope simulator module, and an interferometric wavefront sensor for use in comparing final obtained wavefronts from different tests. The developmental. cryogenic active telescope testbed (DCATT) will be implemented in three phases. Phase 1 will focus on operating the testbed at ambient temperature. During Phase 2, a cryocapable segmented telescope will be developed and cooled to cryogenic temperature to investigate the impact on the ability to correct the wavefront and stabilize the image. In Phase 3, it is planned to incorporate industry developed flight-like components, such as figure controlled mirror segments, cryogenic, low hold power actuators, or different wavefront sensing and control hardware or software. A very important element of the program is the development and subsequent validation of the integrated multidisciplinary models. The Phase 1 testbed objectives, plans, configuration, and design will be discussed.

Leboeuf, Claudia M.↗

Performance Analysis of a Cost-Effective Electret Condenser Microphone Directional Array

Microphone directional array technology continues to be a critical part of the overall instrumentation suite for experimental aeroacoustics. Unfortunately, high sensor cost remains one of the limiting factors in the construction of very high-density arrays (i.e., arrays containing several hundred channels or more) which could be used to implement advanced beamforming algorithms. In an effort to reduce the implementation cost of such arrays, the authors have undertaken a systematic performance analysis of a prototype 35-microphone array populated with commercial electret condenser microphones. An ensemble of microphones coupling commercially available electret cartridges with passive signal conditioning circuitry was fabricated for use with the Langley Large Aperture Directional Array (LADA). A performance analysis consisting of three phases was then performed: (1) characterize the acoustic response of the microphones via laboratory testing and calibration, (2) evaluate the beamforming capability of the electret-based LADA using a series of independently controlled point sources in an anechoic environment, and (3) demonstrate the utility of an electret-based directional array in a real-world application, in this case a cold flow jet operating at high subsonic velocities. The results of the investigation revealed a microphone frequency response suitable for directional array use over a range of 250 Hz - 40 kHz, a successful beamforming evaluation using the electret-populated LADA to measure simple point sources at frequencies up to 20 kHz, and a successful demonstration using the array to measure noise generated by the cold flow jet. This paper presents an overview of the tests conducted along with sample data obtained from those tests.

Humphreys, William M., Jr.↗