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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Test Analysis Guidelines

Development of analysis guidelines for Exploration Life Support (ELS) technology tests was completed. The guidelines were developed based on analysis experiences gained from supporting Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) technology development in air revitalization systems and water recovery systems. Analyses are vital during all three phases of the ELS technology test: pre-test, during test and post test. Pre-test analyses of a test system help define hardware components, predict system and component performances, required test duration, sampling frequencies of operation parameters, etc. Analyses conducted during tests could verify the consistency of all the measurements and the performance of the test system. Post test analyses are an essential part of the test task. Results of post test analyses are an important factor in judging whether the technology development is a successful one. In addition, development of a rigorous model for a test system is an important objective of any new technology development. Test data analyses, especially post test data analyses, serve to verify the model. Test analyses have supported development of many ECLSS technologies. Some test analysis tasks in ECLSS technology development are listed in the Appendix. To have effective analysis support for ECLSS technology tests, analysis guidelines would be a useful tool. These test guidelines were developed based on experiences gained through previous analysis support of various ECLSS technology tests. A comment on analysis from an experienced NASA ECLSS manager (1) follows: "Bad analysis was one that bent the test to prove that the analysis was right to begin with. Good analysis was one that directed where the testing should go and also bridged the gap between the reality of the test facility and what was expected on orbit."

Jeng, Frank F.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Comparisons of Observations with Results from 3D Simulations and Implications for Predictions of Ozone Recovery

Although chemistry and transport models (CTMs) include the same basic elements (photo- chemical mechanism and solver, photolysis scheme, meteorological fields, numerical transport scheme), they produce different results for the future recovery of stratospheric ozone as chlorofluorcarbons decrease. Three simulations will be contrasted: the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) CTM driven by a single year\'s winds from a general circulation model; the GMI CTM driven by a single year\'s winds from a data assimilation system; the NASA GSFC CTM driven by a winds from a multi-year GCM simulation. CTM results for ozone and other constituents will be compared with each other and with observations from ground-based and satellite platforms to address the following: Does the simulated ozone tendency and its latitude, altitude and seasonal dependence match that derived from observations? Does the balance from analysis of observations? Does the balance among photochemical processes match that expected from observations? Can the differences in prediction for ozone recovery be anticipated from these comparisons?

Douglass, Anne R.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Recyclable Design for Retaining High Solar Absorptivity of the Media in CSP

Efficient thermal energy storage is pivotal to lowering the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants. In solid-particle systems, however, prolonged high-temperature service degrades particle solar absorptivity, eroding overall efficiency. This project demonstrates a hydrogen-assisted recovery process that reliably restores absorptivity to >90 %, offering a practical route to sustain long-term CSP performance. Bench-scale investigations mapped the reduction kinetics of optically faded particles across hydrogen concentrations, temperatures, and residence times. Coupling mass-spectrometric monitoring with machine-learning optimization minimized energy demand while maximizing absorptivity gain. The resulting process window—moderate hydrogen partial pressures, 15–30 min dwell times, and temperatures well below initial calcination levels—cuts energy consumption well below that of incumbent re-blackening methods. A prototype recovery reactor processed multiple 2 kg batches with repeatable outcomes, confirming scalability and operational robustness. Integrated techno-economic analysis indicates material and operating cost reductions exceeding 15 % relative to conventional particle replacement or chemical re-coating, translating directly into lower LCOE for next-generation CSP facilities. By uniting fundamental reaction-kinetics insight with pragmatic engineering, this work advances the solid-particle pathway, delivering a cost-effective, field-deployable solution to one of CSP’s key durability challenges and strengthening the commercial outlook for high-temperature renewable power.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Genesis Solar Wind Sample Return Mission

The Genesis spacecraft was launched on August 8 from Cape Canaveral on a journey to become the first spacecraft to return from interplanetary space. The fifth in NASA's line of low-cost Discovery-class missions, its goal is to collect samples of solar wind and return them to Earth for detailed isotopic and elemental analysis. The spacecraft is to collect solar wind for over two years, while circling the L1 point 1.5 million km sunward of the earth, before heading back for a capsule-style re-entry in September, 2004. After parachute deployment, a mid-air helicopter recovery will be used to avoid a hard landing. The mission has been in the planning stages for over ten years. Its cost, including development, mission operations, and sample analysis, is approximately $209M. The Genesis science team, headed by principal investigator Donald Burnett of Caltech, consists of approximately 20 co-investigators from universities and science centers around the country and internationally. The spacecraft consists of a relatively flat spacecraft bus containing most of the subsystem components, situated below a sample return capsule (SRC) which holds the solar-wind collection substrates and an electrostatic solar wind concentrator. Some of the collectors are exposed throughout the collection period, for a sample of bulk solar wind, while others are exposed only to certain solar wind regimes, or types of flow. Ion and electron spectrometers feed raw data to the spacecraft control and data-handling (C&DH) unit, which determines ion moments and electron flux geometries in real time. An algorithm is used to robotically decide between interstream (IS), coronal hole (CH), and coronal mass ejection (CME) regimes, and to control deployment of the proper arrays to sample these wind regimes independently. This is the first time such a solar-wind decision algorithm has been used on board a spacecraft.

Wiens, Roger C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Integrated utility system design concept

Conceptual design studies are performed to investigate the feasibility of the MIUS concept as an alternate method of providing utility services to communities and/or community facilities having advantages over current practices. Procured and operated is a large scale testbed of the MIUS concept in order to evaluate and test those integrated system technical details that do not lend themselves to analysis. These include materials compatibility, process instrumentation and control, predictability of water and air effluents, techniques of heat recovery, method of thermal distribution, etc.

Hays, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effects of processing and dopant on radiation damage removal in silicon solar cells

Gallium and boron doped silicon solar cells, processed by ion-implantation followed by either laser or furnace anneal were irradiated by 1 MeV electrons and their post-irradiation recovery by thermal annealing determined. During the post-irradiation anneal, gallium-doped cells prepared by both processes recovered more rapidly and exhibited none of the severe reverse annealing observed for similarly processed 2 ohm-cm boron doped cells. Ion-implanted furnace annealed 0.1 ohm-cm boron doped cells exhibited the lowest post-irradiation annealing temperatures (200 C) after irradiation to 5 x 10 to the 13th e(-)/sq cm. The drastically lowered recovery temperature is attributed to the reduced oxygen and carbon content of the 0.1 ohm-cm cells. Analysis based on defect properties and annealing kinetics indicates that further reduction in annealing temperature should be attainable with further reduction in the silicon's carbon and/or divacancy content after irradiation.

Weinberg, I.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An autonomous Nimbus Doppler positioning system

A single-pass Doppler positioning system was developed at the GSFC in support of the Nimbus-6 mission. The system was designed to satisfy the following requirements: compatibility with the PDP 11/70 minicomputer; single-pass recovery of up to 250 positions with a two-sigma accuracy of 5 km; high reliability with a minimum of human interaction; and near real-time responsiveness. The system consists of a numerical integrator which includes only the J2 term (earth flattening) of the earth's gravity field, an editing routine, a first guess algorithm, a least squares position recovery program, and a routine for generating a 95% confidence circle based on a computer covariance matrix. An analysis and quantification of the following error sources that limit system accuracy are presented: orbit error, radial aliasing, computational difficulties with overhead passes, oscillator drift, and ambiguity problems. Results of system reliability tests and sample outputs are included.

Garza-Robles, R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effects of processing and dopant on radiation damage removal in silicon solar cells

Gallium and boron doped silicon solar cells, processed by ion implantation followed by either laser or furnace anneal were irradiated by 1 MeV electrons and their postirradiation recovery by thermal annealing was determined. During the postirradiation anneal, gallium doped cells prepared by both processes recovered more rapidly and exhibited none of the severe reverse annealing observed for similarly processed 2 ohm-cm boron doped cells. Ion implanted furnace annealed 0.1 ohm-cm boron doped cells exhibited the lowest post-irradiation annealing temperatures after irradiation. The drastically lowered recovery temperature is attributed to the reduced oxygen and carbon content of the 0.1 ohm-cm cells. Analysis based on defect properties and annealing kinetics indicates that further reduction in annealing temperature is attainable with further reduction in the silicon's carbon and/or divacancy content after irradiation.

Weinberg, I.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Potential Surface Improvements by Bump Removal for 64-m Antenna

The surface panels of the main reflector of the 64-m antenna are initially set at an elevation angle of 45 deg, where most tracking occurs, to ideally match a prescribed praboloid. As the antenna is rotated about the elevation axis, distortions are introduced at the surface panel's supporting nodes as well as at the main reflector backup structure by changes in the direction of the gravity forces relative to the reflector symmetric axis. Major bump displacements could be corrected by controlling the position of the surface panel corners using adjustable mechanical jacks that change in length with the antenna elevation angle. The analysis of two bump-removal configurations is presented and one unique adjustment mechanism is proposed. A gain recovery of 0.2 dB at X-band would be available if the reflector structure distortion rms were reduced from 0.63 mm (0.025 in.) to 0.15 mm (0.006 in.).

Katow, S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Post flight analysis of NASA standard star trackers recovered from the solar maximum mission

The flight hardware returned after the Solar Maximum Mission Repair Mission was analyzed to determine the effects of 4 years in space. The NASA Standard Star Tracker would be a good candidate for such analysis because it is moderately complex and had a very elaborate calibration during the acceptance procedure. However, the recovery process extensively damaged the cathode of the image dissector detector making proper operation of the tracker and a comparison with preflight characteristics impossible. Otherwise, the tracker functioned nominally during testing.

Newman, P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Robustness of solutions to a benchmark control problem

The robustness of 10 solutions to a benchmark control design problem presented at the 1990 American Control Conference has been evaluated. The 10 controllers have second-to-eighth-order transfer functions and have been designed using several different methods, including H-infinity optimization, loop-transfer recovery, imaginary-axis shifting, constrained optimization, structured covariance, game theory, and the internal model principle. Stochastic robustness analysis quantifies the controllers' stability and performance robustness with structured uncertainties in up to six system parameters. The analysis provides insights into system response that are not readily derived from other robustness criteria and provides a common ground for judging controllers produced by alternative methods. One important conclusion is that gain and phase margins are not reliable indicators of the probability of instability. Furthermore, parameter variations actually may improve the likelihood of achieving selected performance metrics, as demonstrated by results for the probability of settling-time exceedance.

Stengel, Robert F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) modeling

Attention is given to CELSS, a critical technology for the Space Exploration Initiative. OCAM (object-oriented CELSS analysis and modeling) models carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen recycling. Multiple crops and plant types can be simulated. Resource recovery options from inedible biomass include leaching, enzyme treatment, aerobic digestion, and mushroom and fish growth. The benefit of using many small crops overlapping in time, instead of a single large crop, is demonstrated. Unanticipated results include startup transients which reduce the benefit of multiple small crops. The relative contributions of mass, energy, and manpower to system cost are analyzed in order to determine appropriate research directions.

Drysdale, Alan↗
NASA NTRS1993

A comparison between coherent and noncoherent mobile systems in large Doppler shift, delay spread, and C/I environment

The performance and implementation complexity of coherent and of noncoherent QPSK and GMSK modulation/demodulation techniques in a complex mobile satellite systems environment, including large Doppler shift, delay spread, and low C/I, are compared. We demonstrate that for large f(sub d)T(sub b) products, where f(sub d) is the Doppler shift and T(sub b) is the bit duration, noncoherent (discriminator detector or differential demodulation) systems have a lower BER floor than their coherent counterparts. For significant delay spreads, e.g., tau(sub rms) greater than 0.4 T(sub b), and low C/I, coherent systems outperform noncoherent systems. However, the synchronization time of coherent systems is longer than that of noncoherent systems. Spectral efficiency, overall capacity, and related hardware complexity issues of these systems are also analyzed. We demonstrate that coherent systems have a simpler overall architecture (IF filter implementation-cost versus carrier recovery) and are more robust in an RF frequency drift environment. Additionally, the prediction tools, computer simulations, and analysis of coherent systems is simpler. The threshold or capture effect in low C/I interference environment is critical for noncoherent discriminator based systems. We conclude with a comparison of hardware architectures of coherent and of noncoherent systems, including recent trends in commercial VLSI technology and direct baseband to RF transmit, RF to baseband (0-IF) receiver implementation strategies.

Feher, Kamilo↗
NASA NTRS2016

NASA Advanced Explorations Systems: Advancements in Life Support Systems

The NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS) project strives to develop reliable, energy-efficient, and low-mass spacecraft systems to provide environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) critical to enabling long duration human missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Highly reliable, closed-loop life support systems are among the capabilities required for the longer duration human space exploration missions assessed by NASA's Habitability Architecture Team (HAT). The LSS project is focused on four areas: architecture and systems engineering for life support systems, environmental monitoring, air revitalization, and wastewater processing and water management. Starting with the international space station (ISS) LSS systems as a point of departure (where applicable), the mission of the LSS project is three-fold: 1. Address discrete LSS technology gaps 2. Improve the reliability of LSS systems 3. Advance LSS systems towards integrated testing on the ISS. This paper summarized the work being done in the four areas listed above to meet these objectives. Details will be given on the following focus areas: Systems Engineering and Architecture- With so many complex systems comprising life support in space, it is important to understand the overall system requirements to define life support system architectures for different space mission classes, ensure that all the components integrate well together and verify that testing is as representative of destination environments as possible. Environmental Monitoring- In an enclosed spacecraft that is constantly operating complex machinery for its own basic functionality as well as science experiments and technology demonstrations, it's possible for the environment to become compromised. While current environmental monitors aboard the ISS will alert crew members and mission control if there is an emergency, long-duration environmental monitoring cannot be done in-orbit as current methodologies rely largely on sending environmental samples back to Earth. The LSS project is developing onboard analysis capabilities that will replace the need to return air and water samples from space for ground analysis. Air Revitalization- The air revitalization task is comprised of work in carbon dioxide removal, oxygen generation and recovery and trace contamination and particulate control. The CO2 Removal and associated air drying development efforts under the LSS project are focused both on improving the current SOA technology on the ISS and assessing and examining the viability of other sorbents and technologies available in academia and industry. The Oxygen Generation and Recovery technology development area encompasses several sub-tasks in an effort to supply O2 to the crew at the required conditions, to recover O2 from metabolic CO2, and to recycle recovered O2 back to the cabin environment. Current state-of-the-art oxygen generation systems aboard space station are capable of generating or recovering approximately 40% of required oxygen; for exploration missions this percentage needs to be greatly increased. A spacecraft cabin trace contaminant and particulate control system serves to keep the environment below the spacecraft maximum allowable concentration (SMAC) for chemicals and particulates. Both passive (filters) and active (scrubbers) methods contribute to the overall TC & PC design. Work in the area of trace contamination and particulate control under the LSS project is focused on making improvements to the SOA TC & PC systems on ISS to improve performance and reduce consumables. Wastewater Processing and Water Management- A major goal of the LSS project is the development of water recovery systems to support long duration human exploration beyond LEO. Current space station wastewater processing and water management systems distill urine and wastewater to recover water from urine and humidity condensate in the spacecraft at a approximately 74% recovery rate. For longer, farther missions into deep space, that recovery rate must be greatly increased so that astronauts can journey for months without resupply cargo ships from Earth.

Shull, Sarah A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

ISS Expeditions 16 Thru 20: Chemical Analysis Results for Potable Water

This slide presentation reviews the results of the chemical analysis of the potable water supply from the International Space Station (ISS) expeditions 16 thru 20. Both Russian ground water and shuttle-transferred water are available for the use of the ISS crew's requirements. This is supplemented with condensate water and water form the Water Recovery System (WRS). An overview of the condensate H2O recovery system is given and the WRS is described and diagrammed. The water quality requirements, the handling, and analytical methods for the inorganic and organic tests are reviewed. The chemical analysis results for expeditions 16-20 archival water samples collected from the various water sources indicate that all of the ISS potable water supplies were acceptable for crew consumption.

Straub, John E., II↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of a high-throughput method for processing sponge-stick samples to detect viable, non-spore-forming biothreat agents

After a bioterrorism incident, surface sampling is often used to determine the extent of contamination and exposure, guiding decontamination efforts and decisions for re-occupancy of affected sites. The sponge-stick (SS) is a preferred and commonly used device for sample collection to detect both spore-forming and non-spore-forming biothreat agents from non-porous surfaces. Here, in this study, a recently developed high-throughput method (HTM) for processing SS samples to detect viable Bacillus anthracis spores was adapted for detection of non-spore-forming biothreat agents, Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis. The scalable HTM was used to process up to 20 SS samples simultaneously, compared to the current stomacher-based method which processes one SS at a time. Comparisons of the HTM and the stomacher-based method were statistically indistinguishable for most experiments (P > 0.05) with HTM recoveries of 37–60 % for Y. pestis inoculated at 102–103 cells/SS and held 48 h at 4 °C to mimic sample transport/storage. The HTM was integrated with Rapid Viability-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RV-PCR) analysis to detect viable Y. pestis in the presence of particulate contamination (Arizona Test Dust, ATD). This approach detected Y. pestis inoculated at 20 cells/SS and ATD did not impact detection (P > 0.05). F. tularensis showed significantly lower recoveries between no-hold time and 48-h hold time (4 °C, P < 0.05) using the HTM, which further testing showed could be due to toxicity of the neutralizing buffer used for SS pre-wetting. With modifications, this method could enhance throughput capacity while maintaining similar recovery efficiencies to current methods for other non-spore-forming bacterial pathogens.

Biological and medical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2024

Intensified biogas to liquid (IBGTL) Process: Experimental validation and modeling analysis

The Intensified Biogas to Liquid (IBGTL) process aims to overcome traditional economy-of-scale barriers in biogas-to-liquid fuel production by integrating bi-reforming and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) in a single IBGTL reactor. This reactor operates at uniform pressure with different optimized temperatures across two zones for efficient conversion, utilizing multifunctional bi-reforming catalysts and high-temperature FTS catalysts. Bench scale experiments were carried out using landfill gas (LFG) in a single pass process, and the yield data from these experiments were fed into process scale-up design and techno-economic analysis (TEA) across four scenarios: (1) a single pass process, (2) a process with material recycling, (3) a process with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) co-product recovery, and (4) a process with electricity generation from the fuel gas produced. TEA identified Scenario 2 as the most cost-effective, achieving a Minimum Fuel Selling Price (MFSP) of $\$4.59$ per gallon, competitive with the current national diesel price of $\$4.7$ per gallon. However, comparison with the conventional two-reactor system highlights the need for catalyst performance improvements. Sensitivity analysis emphasized the importance of manufacturing cost, liquid fuel yield, and biogas flow rate. Further analysis determined that the IBGTL process must achieve a diesel mass yield beyond 11.7% to surpass the economic viability of the conventional TriFTS (Tri-reforming followed by Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis) process. If the IBGTL process attains the TriFTS yield of up to 17%, the resulting MFSP could be approximately 31% lower than the current TriFTS MFSP. Furthermore, renewable energy credits and carbon credits can further enhance the economic viability of BGTL processes.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Energy and economic analysis of total energy systems for residential and commercial buildings

Energy and economic analyses were performed for an on-site power-plant with waste heat recovery. The results show that for any specific application there is a characteristic power conversion efficiency that minimizes fuel consumption, and that efficiencies greater than this do not significantly improve fuel consumption. This type of powerplant appears to be a reasonably attractive investment if higher fuel costs continue.

Maag, W. L.↗