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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Tool-Enabled Changes in Terminal Air Traffic Controller Task and Workload Distribution

A human-in-the-loop simulation was conducted that examined an approach to adjusting airport arrivals in such a way as to enable higher departure throughput while maintaining arrival throughput. This approach, referred to as Departure-Sensitive Arrival Spacing (DSAS), leverages the capabilities of the Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSS) system with an additional Decision Support Tool (DST) to assign more precise arrival spacing interval. This presentation will focus on the changes observed in the task distribution and control strategies among three Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) controller participants and the workload associated with those changes across three conditions: Baseline, TSS, and DSAS. Results showed that the application of the DSTs in the TSS condition and those in the DSAS condition enabled a progressive reduction in the number of clearances issued and for the clearances to be issued earlier, further away from the airport. In doing so, there was also a greater use of speed control versus vectoring and altitude for schedule conformance in the TSS and DSAS conditions respectively and relative to Baseline. Workload also shifted in conjunction with the clearance distribution with an overall reduction across conditions. The changes in task and workload distribution enabled a shift from tactical to strategic control, which allowed for a more predictable and efficient delivery of arrivals.

task↗
NASA NTRS2025

Trade Space Analyses: Balancing Crew and Mission Design Parameters-Candidate Mars Master Task List

In 2020, the Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations and the Agency’s Federated Board requested an assessment to develop a methodology for trade space analysis comparing crew size for Mars missions against mission design parameters. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) conducted an assessment to develop a methodology for systematic, repeatable trade space analysis for crew size and developed an initial set of human performance models and a list of candidate crew tasks for NASA’s first mission to Mars. This report contains list of candidate crew tasks for Mars.

Crew Duties and Tasks↗
DOE OSTI2026

Multi-task Parallelism for Robust Pre-training of Graph Foundation Models on Multi-source, Multi-fidelity Atomistic Modeling Data

Graph foundation models using graph neural networks promise sustainable, efficient atomistic modeling. To tackle challenges of processing multi-source, multi-fidelity data during pre-training, recent studies employ multi-task learning, in which shared message passing layers initially process input atomistic structures regardless of source, then route them to multiple decoding heads that predict data-specific outputs. This approach stabilizes pre-training and enhances a model’s transferability to unexplored chemical regions. Preliminary results on approximately four million structures are encouraging, yet questions remain about generalizability to larger, more diverse datasets and scalability on supercomputers. We propose a multi-task parallelism method that distributes each head across computing resources with GPU acceleration. Implemented in the open-source HydraGNN architecture, our method was trained on over 24 million structures from five datasets and tested on the Perlmutter, Aurora, and Frontier supercomputers, demonstrating efficient scaling on all three highly heterogeneous super-computing architectures.

Lupo Pasini, Massimiliano [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000249↗
DOE OSTI2026

Online task-space motion control for positioner-coordinated multi-robot manufacturing systems

Incorporating multiple robotic manipulators into large-scale manufacturing systems enhances production efficiency and expands manufacturing capabilities beyond those of single-robot systems. Workpiece positioners in robotic manufacturing have demonstrated significant benefits for process optimization, but coordination strategies for multi-robot systems with shared positioners have received limited attention. This work presents a task-space coordinated trajectory-tracking control framework for multi-robot manufacturing systems, in which robots coordinate their motions within a shared, dynamic workpiece positioning frame. A workpiece positioner actively adjusts the pose of the manufactured component to enable greater operational concurrency and improve overall production efficiency. The proposed motion-coordination scheme employs a distributed and scalable architecture, supporting coordination across heterogeneous multi-robot systems. Two optimization methodologies are introduced to manage kinematic redundancies and maintain continuous, near-optimal operation throughout the manufacturing process. The first strategy exploits a task-space dimensionality reduction to achieve locally optimal configurations by leveraging symmetry-axis rotations of the tool. The second strategy utilizes the workpiece positioner to drive the coordinated robots toward stable and kinematically favorable configurations. For both optimization strategies, multiple objectives are defined to improve key performance metrics, including manipulability, configuration consistency, proximity to mechanical limits, and motion efficiency. Addressing a key limitation of existing coordination approaches, the framework is designed around online setpoint modification, allowing coordinated robots to respond effectively to in-situ process feedback. The proposed control framework is validated using the Robot Operating System (ROS) middleware on a combination of physical and simulated multi-robot system hardware.

Arbogast, Alex [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000154740723)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Task-oriented machine learning surrogates for tipping points of agent-based models

We present a machine learning framework bridging manifold learning, neural networks, Gaussian processes, and Equation-Free multiscale approach, for the construction of different types of effective reduced order models from detailed agent-based simulators and the systematic multiscale numerical analysis of their emergent dynamics. The specific tasks of interest here include the detection of tipping points, and the uncertainty quantification of rare events near them. Our illustrative examples are an event-driven, stochastic financial market model describing the mimetic behavior of traders, and a compartmental stochastic epidemic model on an Erdös-Rényi network. We contrast the pros and cons of the different types of surrogate models and the effort involved in learning them. Importantly, the proposed framework reveals that, around the tipping points, the emergent dynamics of both benchmark examples can be effectively described by a one-dimensional stochastic differential equation, thus revealing the intrinsic dimensionality of the normal form of the specific type of the tipping point. This allows a significant reduction in the computational cost of the tasks of interest.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Foundation model framework for all tasks involving jet physics

Foundation models use large datasets to build an effective representation of data that can be deployed on diverse downstream tasks. Previous research developed the omnilearn foundation model for jet physics, using unique properties of particle physics, and showed that it could significantly advance discovery potential across collider experiments. This paper introduces a major upgrade, resulting in the omnilearned framework. This framework has three new elements: (1) updates to the model architecture and training, (2) using over 1 × 10 9 jets used for training, and (3) providing well-documented software for accessing all datasets and models. We demonstrate omnilearned with three representative tasks: top-quark jet tagging with the community delphes-based benchmark dataset, b tagging with ATLAS full simulation, and anomaly detection with CMS experimental data. In each case, omnilearned is the state of the art, further expanding the discovery potential of past, current, and future collider experiments.

Bhimji, Wahid [Lawrence Berkeley National Laborato↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multi-Task with Procter and Gamble (CRADA No. NFE-10-02672)

The purpose of this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between UT-Battelle, LLC (the “Contractor) and Procter & Gamble Company (the “Participant”) is the development of a research partnership to create new tools, tests and analytical methods to improve the performance, safety and/or environmental quality of chemicals, advanced materials, food products and manufacturing processes. The Participant operates in three global business units: Beauty, Health and Well-Being and Household Care. Some of its worldwide products include Head and Shoulders®, Pantene®, Gillette® razors and personal care products, Crest®, Dawn®, Tide®, Bounty®, Duracell® batteries; and Iams® pet food among others. At its core, however, the Participant is a science driven company. It supports one of the most robust industrial research and development (R&D) programs in the world. The Participant uses this rich foundation of science to drive innovation across all of its product lines. But the innovation process is not confined in-house The Participant pursues an “open innovation” policy, seeking partnerships with scientists and researchers in universities and national laboratories where it can contribute its extensive knowledge assets and collaborate to advance scientific understanding. The research under this multi-task CRADA was directed under the following general task areas and, throughout the duration of this CRADA the work statement was modified to match the needs of the Parties and the direction of the research. (1) Software modeling, simulation and development; (2) Manufacturing Technologies; (3) Supply Chain Optimization, (4) Advanced Materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1969

A model for task interference

Task interference model for interference among two or more continuous manual control tasks, suggesting metric for pilot mental work load

Levison, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Motion effects on an IFR hovering task: Analytical predictions and experimental results

An analytical pilot model incorporating the effects of motion cues and display scanning and sampling is tested by comparing predictions against experimental results on a moving base simulator. The simulated task is that of precision hovering of a VTOL having varying amounts of rate damping, and using separated instrument displays. Motion cue effects are investigated by running the experiment under fixed and moving base conditions, the latter in two modes; full motion, and angular motion only. Display scanning behavior is measured on some of the runs. The results of the program show that performance is best with angular motion only, most probably because a g-vector tilt cue is available to the pilot in this motion condition. This provides an attitude indication even when not visually fixating the attitude display. Vestibular threshold effects are also present in the results because of the display scaling used to permit hovering position control within the motion simulator limits; no washouts are used in the simulator drive signals. The IFR nature of the task results in large decrements in pilot opinion and performance relative to VFR conditions because of the scanning workload. Measurements of scanning behavior are sensitive to motion conditions and show more attention to attitude control under fixed base conditions.

Ringland, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Development of flight experiment task requirements. Volume 2: Technical Report. Part 1: Program report and Appendices A-G

Activities are documented of the study to determine skills required of on-orbit crew personnel of the space shuttle. The material is presented in four sections that include: (1) methodology for identifying flight experiment task-skill requirements, (2) task-skill analysis of selected flight experiments, (3) study results and conclusions, and (4) new technology.

Hatterick, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Human strength simulations for one and two-handed tasks in zero gravity

A description is given of a three dimensional hand force capability model for the seated operator and a biomechanical model for analysis of symmetric sagittal plane activities. The models are used to simulate and study human strengths for one and two handed tasks in zero gravity. Specific conditions considered include: (1) one hand active, (2) both hands active but with different force directions on each, (3) body bracing situations provided by portable foot restraint when standing and lap belt when seated, (4) static or slow movement tasks with maximum length of 4 seconds and a minimum rest of 5 minutes between exertions, and (5) wide range of hand positions relative to either the feet or bisection of a line connecting the hip centers. Simulations were also made for shirt sleeved individuals and for the male population strengths with anthropometry matching that of astronauts.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

A pilot's opinion - VTOL control design requirements for the instrument approach task.

This paper presents pilot opinion supported by test data concerning flight control and display concepts and control system design requirements for VTOL aircraft in the instrument approach task. Material presented is drawn from research flights in the following aircraft: Dornier DO-31, Short SC-1, LTV XC-142A, and Boeing-Vertol CH-46. The control system concepts and mechanizations employed in the above aircraft are discussed, and the effect of control system augmentation is shown on performance. Operational procedures required in the instrument approach task are described, with comments on need for automation and combining of control functions.

Patton, J. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The elusive tradeoff - Speed vs accuracy in visual discrimination tasks.

Explicit payoffs were used to control pressures for speed and accuracy in experiments seeking tradeoffs for difficult visual discrimination tasks. The experiments involved stimuli on a cathode ray tube display controlled by a PDP-1 computer, with the subjects performing increasingly complex discrimination tasks and their earnings increasing with their performance. Models for discrimination under time pressure are proposed on the basis of the results.

Swensson, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Visual motor response of crewmen during a simulated 90 day space mission as measured by the critical task battery

In order to test various components of a regenerative life support system and to obtain data on the physiological and psychological effects of long-duration exposure to confinement in a space station atmosphere, four carefully screened young men were sealed in space station simulator for 90 days. A tracking test battery was administered during the above experiment. The battery included a clinical test (critical instability task) related to the subject's dynamic time delay, and a conventional steady tracking task, during which dynamic response (describing functions) and performance measures were obtained. Good correlation was noted between the clinical critical instability scores and more detailed tracking parameters such as dynamic time delay and gain-crossover frequency. The comprehensive data base on human operator tracking behavior obtained in this study demonstrate that sophisticated visual-motor response properties can be efficiently and reliably measured over extended periods of time.

Allen, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Prediction and analysis of human performance in a VTOL hover task

An optimal control model is used to predict pilot performance in a series of longitudinal hovering tasks. Configurational changes are considered that alter significantly the system response to both control and disturbance inputs. Model predictions of mean-squared performance are compared with measurements obtained in an independent experimental study of the task. In addition, the optimal control model is used to predict describing functions that correspond to the loop closing pilot transfer functions frequently employed in classical multiloop manual control analyses.

Baron, S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Visual-motor response of crewmen during a simulated 90-day space mission as measured by the critical task battery

In order to test various components of a regenerative life support system and to obtain data on the physiological and psychological effects of long duration exposure to confinement in a space station atmosphere, four carefully screened young men were sealed in a space station simulator for 90 days and administered a tracking test battery. The battery included a clinical test (Critical Instability Task) designed to measure a subject's dynamic time delay, and a more conventional steady tracking task, during which dynamic response (describing functions) and performance measures were obtained. Good correlation was noted between the clinical critical instability scores and more detailed tracking parameters such as dynamic time delay and gain-crossover frequency. The levels of each parameter span the range observed with professional pilots and astronaut candidates tested previously. The chamber environment caused no significant decrement on the average crewman's dynamic response behavior, and the subjects continued to improve slightly in their tracking skills during the 90-day confinement period.

Allen, R. W.↗