SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “progress update”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1995

Task Analytic Models to Guide Analysis and Design: Use of the Operator Function Model to Represent Pilot-Autoflight System Mode Problems

Task-analytic models structure essential information about operator interaction with complex systems, in this case pilot interaction with the autoflight system. Such models serve two purposes: (1) they allow researchers and practitioners to understand pilots' actions; and (2) they provide a compact, computational representation needed to design 'intelligent' aids, e.g., displays, assistants, and training systems. This paper demonstrates the use of the operator function model to trace the process of mode engagements while a pilot is controlling an aircraft via the, autoflight system. The operator function model is a normative and nondeterministic model of how a well-trained, well-motivated operator manages multiple concurrent activities for effective real-time control. For each function, the model links the pilot's actions with the required information. Using the operator function model, this paper describes several mode engagement scenarios. These scenarios were observed and documented during a field study that focused on mode engagements and mode transitions during normal line operations. Data including time, ATC clearances, altitude, system states, and active modes and sub-modes, engagement of modes, were recorded during sixty-six flights. Using these data, seven prototypical mode engagement scenarios were extracted. One scenario details the decision of the crew to disengage a fully automatic mode in favor of a semi-automatic mode, and the consequences of this action. Another describes a mode error involving updating aircraft speed following the engagement of a speed submode. Other scenarios detail mode confusion at various phases of the flight. This analysis uses the operator function model to identify three aspects of mode engagement: (1) the progress of pilot-aircraft-autoflight system interaction; (2) control/display information required to perform mode management activities; and (3) the potential cause(s) of mode confusion. The goal of this paper is twofold: (1) to demonstrate the use of the operator functio model methodology to describe pilot-system interaction while engaging modes And monitoring the system, and (2) to initiate a discussion of how task-analytic models might inform design processes. While the operator function model is only one type of task-analytic representation, the hypothesis of this paper is that some type of task analytic structure is a prerequisite for the design of effective human-automation interaction.

Degani, Asaf↗

DOE OSTI2021

Update on the High Precision Titration Method for Uranium Assay Supported by NBL Program Office

The NBL Program Office (NBL PO) has coordinated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to implement the High Precision Titration (HPT) method for uranium assay measurements. The measurement method has been successfully developed and qualified, therefore ORNL has progressed to performing analyzes critical to the mission of the NBL PO. The HPT method is vital to producing the next generation of certified reference materials for uranium assay and isotopic abundance. The work described here focused on establishing traceability of the method to the NIST SRM 136 potassium dichromate series, and focused on investigating small differences between SRM 136e and 136f. The NBL PO evaluated the history of all of its primary uranium reference materials, including CRM 112A natural uranium metal, and worked with NIST in investigating the small differences in the dichromate SRM’s. ORNL performed comparative experiments on SRM 136e and 136f using CRM 112A. The results of the experiment will be presented here, along with NBL PO’s plans to re-evaluate the CRM 112A certified uncertainty to comply with JCGM 100, “Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement.”

Rogers, Kayron↗

NASA NTRS2018

Automated Spacecraft Conjunction Assessment at Mars and the Moon - A Five Year Update

It is well known that the Earth has an ongoing problem with orbiting space debris. Some Earth orbiting missions have regular warnings of close approaches with debris or other satellites. At Mars and the Moon, due to the growing number of orbiter missions and the current inability to track orbital debris in these environments, the creation of a hazardous debris field must be avoided because a debris field would greatly complicate both existing and future operations. Work at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the area of automated spacecraft conjunction assessment at Mars and the Moon has been conducted over the past six years using a process called "MADCAP" ("Multimission Automated Deepspace Conjunction Assessment Process"). A paper introducing this work was presented at Space Ops in Stockholm, Sweden in 2012. In that inaugural paper, the then current state of operations was presented along with a number of items that were identified for potential future work. The fundamental design concepts of MADCAP have not materially changed in the last five years, however, since 2012 a number of the changes to MADCAP identified in the previous paper have been implemented. Some other previously planned work has not progressed appreciably; several of these items remain on a "parking lot" list. In addition to the items that were listed as prospective future work, JPL's Mars/Moon conjunction assessment efforts have also been extended in a few unplanned but important areas. This follow-up paper will provide a five year update on MADCAP operations at Mars and the Moon.

Wilson, Roby S.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Development of Monitoring Techniques for Binderjet Additive Manufacturing of Silicon Carbide Structures

The Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) program is leveraging additive manufacturing (AM) technologies to fabricate nuclear components to be assembled into a fully functional microreactor core. Compared with traditional manufacturing technologies, AM technologies allow (1) observation of the manufacturing process at a much higher resolution in real-time using in situ monitoring technologies to capture the sensor signature that scientifically describes each event occurring over time and space and (2) validation of the manufacturing process quality using domain-informed data analytics techniques as a potential qualification and certification methodology for the final component. This report provides an update on the program work on binder jetting in situ process monitoring and associated data analytics results, as well as sample placement and tracking for the subsequent chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process. Examples are provided to illustrate the progress. Elements of the Digital Thread and data management are discussed in the main document, and an extensive supplemental material section is provided detailing the Digital Platform, as well as its implementation and components. In conclusion the path forward for the next fiscal year is discussed.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Real-Time Optimization Workflow Status Update

Economically optimal and safe operation of integrated energy systems (IES) requires optimization at many different time scales. A real-time optimization (RTO) workflow will attempt to maximize revenue and minimize operational costs on a time scale of minutes to hours. Such a workflow requires the use of a digital twin (DT), which is a virtual representation of a physical system. The DT is updated using real-time data from the physical system, and serves as a model in an optimization framework. The optimization results are then sent back to the physical system to complete the loop. This report details the progress made in developing building blocks for a DT/RTO framework. The Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) platform within the Framework for Optimization of Resources and Economics (FORCE) tool suite can perform many of the tasks required for building a DT and performing RTO. The first item of this report details RAVEN enhancements that enable RAVEN workflows to be run in various environments. Data communication between the physical system and its DT is essential for successful RTO. This includes preprocessing real-time data, loading data into a data warehouse, and querying the stored data. The second section of this report describes the progress made in implementing an adapter in Python in order for Deep Lynx to handle the data communication. Typical dispatch optimization frameworks are built on linear programming (LP). The prototype RTO workflow developed in this report uses an LP problem as a part of a receding-horizon- or economic model predictive control (EMPC) based optimization. The third section of this report details the framework of an RTO workflow in which the system consists of a simple electrical storage device. A DT can be built from a reduced-order model (ROM). Integrating a ROM into a typical LP optimization framework has been challenging because most optimization packages require the user to write algebraic expressions for the system model. The final section of this report shows how an externally built RAVEN ROM can be integrated in an RTO framework by using the Python package Pyomo. This demonstrates the RTO workflow capability from a software-only perspective and is an important step in demonstrating the capability to implement an RTO workflow for a physical system.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS2014

Boron Nitride Nanotube: Synthesis and Applications

Scientists have predicted that carbon's immediate neighbors on the periodic chart, boron and nitrogen, may also form perfect nanotubes, since the advent of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991. First proposed then synthesized by researchers at UC Berkeley in the mid 1990's, the boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) has proven very difficult to make until now. Herein we provide an update on a catalyst-free method for synthesizing highly crystalline, small diameter BNNTs with a high aspect ratio using a high power laser under a high pressure and high temperature environment first discovered jointly by NASA/NIA JSA. Progress in purification methods, dispersion studies, BNNT mat and composite formation, and modeling and diagnostics will also be presented. The white BNNTs offer extraordinary properties including neutron radiation shielding, piezoelectricity, thermal oxidative stability (> 800 C in air), mechanical strength, and toughness. The characteristics of the novel BNNTs and BNNT polymer composites and their potential applications are discussed.

Tiano, Amanda L.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Update on NNL TSL Validation Efforts [Slides]

A new sub-thermal neutron transmission capability at RPI LINAC has been used to validate Be (metal). NNL transmission measurements validated NCSU Be and Be+Sd TSLs for ENDF/B-VIII.1 and showed improvements WRT ENDF/B-VII.1 and ENDF/B-VIII.0. Amplitude differences highlighted the importance of sample characterization. Additional measurement is in progress for CY2022. PNDA is being developed as an alternative to critical experiment validation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1992

ACTS propagation terminal update

The activities at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in preparation for the February 1993 launch of ACTS are summarized. ACTS propagation terminals (APT) are being constructed to receive the 20 and 27.5 GHz ACTS beacon signals. Total power radiometers operating at the same frequencies are integrated into the terminal for use in level setting. Recent progress and plans for APT's are reported.

Stutzman, Warren L.↗

NASA NTRS2008

A Computational Approach for Model Update of an LS-DYNA Energy Absorbing Cell

NASA and its contractors are working on structural concepts for absorbing impact energy of aerospace vehicles. Recently, concepts in the form of multi-cell honeycomb-like structures designed to crush under load have been investigated for both space and aeronautics applications. Efforts to understand these concepts are progressing from tests of individual cells to tests of systems with hundreds of cells. Because of fabrication irregularities, geometry irregularities, and material properties uncertainties, the problem of reconciling analytical models, in particular LS-DYNA models, with experimental data is a challenge. A first look at the correlation results between single cell load/deflection data with LS-DYNA predictions showed problems which prompted additional work in this area. This paper describes a computational approach that uses analysis of variance, deterministic sampling techniques, response surface modeling, and genetic optimization to reconcile test with analysis results. Analysis of variance provides a screening technique for selection of critical parameters used when reconciling test with analysis. In this study, complete ignorance of the parameter distribution is assumed and, therefore, the value of any parameter within the range that is computed using the optimization procedure is considered to be equally likely. Mean values from tests are matched against LS-DYNA solutions by minimizing the square error using a genetic optimization. The paper presents the computational methodology along with results obtained using this approach.

Horta, Lucas G.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Software-defined Networking for Energy Delivery Systems (SDN4EDS): An Architectural Blueprint (Final Report)

This is the initial version of a reference for suppliers and energy companies of all sizes to deploy networks based on software-defined networking technology (SDN) to improve reliability, reduce cyber security attack surface, and facilitate mitigation of adversarial behavior. It is a living document and will progress over the life cycle of the Software-Defined Networking for Energy Delivery Systems (SDN4EDS) project. Version 2 of this report provides information on the Red Team tabletop assessment performed against the initial reference architecture. Version 3 of this report updates the reference architecture with lessons learned from the Red Team tabletop assessment, as well as provides additional details for the use cases. It also provides information on the decision process that could be used by an organization when considering deploying SDN in their environment. The final version of this report consolidates all the interim reports generated by the project into a final report. It also draws from PNNL’s experience in deploying SDN to make recommendations on how SDN could be deployed in a utility environment, and provides rationale for those decisions allowing individual utilities to make risk-based and knowledge-based decisions on how to best deploy SDN in their own environment

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2021

Software-defined Networking for Energy Delivery Systems (SDN4EDS): An Architectural Blueprint (Final Summary Report)

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS1994

Active Members to Establish On-Orbit Modal Data for Modal Correlation

The paper presents an approach to experimentally determine the modal sensitivity derivitives with respect to physical parameters of a structure in space or on the ground. The information experimentally validates the Jacobian used to update the analytical model to correlate with the experimental modal data. The approach is applicable to Adaptive Structures and utilizes active members. For verification of the approach, numerical simulations of a 4.5 meter diameter truss structure and experimental verification plan and progress are presented.

space structures modal analysis dynamic models ada↗

NASA NTRS2008

Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of Planetary Geologic Mappers, Flagstaff, AZ, 2008

Topics discussed include: Merging of the USGS Atlas of Mercury 1:5,000,000 Geologic Series; Geologic Mapping of the V-36 Thetis Regio Quadrangle: 2008 Progress Report; Structural Maps of the V-17 Beta Regio Quadrangle, Venus; Geologic Mapping of Isabella Quadrangle (V-50) and Helen Planitia, Venus; Renewed Mapping of the Nepthys Mons Quadrangle (V-54), Venus; Mapping the Sedna-Lavinia Region of Venus; Geologic Mapping of the Guinevere Planitia Quadrangle of Venus; Geological Mapping of Fortuna Tessera (V-2): Venus and Earth's Archean Process Comparisons; Geological Mapping of the North Polar Region of Venus (V-1 Snegurochka Planitia): Significant Problems and Comparisons to the Earth's Archean; Venus Quadrangle Geological Mapping: Use of Geoscience Data Visualization Systems in Mapping and Training; Geologic Map of the V-1 Snegurochka Planitia Quadrangle: Progress Report; The Fredegonde (V-57) Quadrangle, Venus: Characterization of the Venus Midlands; Formation and Evolution of Lakshmi Planum (V-7), Venus: Assessment of Models using Observations from Geological Mapping; Geologic Map of the Meskhent Tessera Quadrangle (V-3), Venus: Evidence for Early Formation and Preservation of Regional Topography; Geological Mapping of the Lada Terra (V-56) Quadrangle, Venus: A Progress Report; Geology of the Lachesis Tessera Quadrangle (V-18), Venus; Geologic Mapping of the Juno Chasma Quadrangle, Venus: Establishing the Relation Between Rifting and Volcanism; Geologic Mapping of V-19, V-28, and V-53; Lunar Geologic Mapping Program: 2008 Update; Geologic Mapping of the Marius Quadrangle, the Moon; Geologic Mapping along the Arabia Terra Dichotomy Boundary: Mawrth Vallis and Nili Fossae, Mars: Introductory Report; New Geologic Map of the Argyre Region of Mars; Geologic Evolution of the Martian Highlands: MTMs -20002, -20007, -25002, and -25007; Mapping Hesperia Planum, Mars; Geologic Mapping of the Meridiani Region, Mars; Geology of Holden Crater and the Holden and Ladon Multi-Ring Impact Basins, Margaritifer Terra, Mars; Geologic Mapping of Athabasca Valles; Geologic Mapping of MTM -30247, -35247 and -40247 Quadrangles, Reull Vallis Region of Mars; Geologic Mapping of the Martian Impact Crater Tooting; Geology of the Southern Utopia Planitia Highland-Lowland Boundary Plain: First Year Results and Second Year Plan; Mars Global Geologic Mapping: Amazonian Results; Recent Geologic Mapping Results for the Polar Regions of Mars; Geologic Mapping of the Medusae Fossae Formation on Mars (MC-8 SE and MC-23 NW) and the Northern Lowlands of Venus (V-16 and V-15); Geologic Mapping of the Zal, Hi'iaka, and Shamshu Regions of Io; Global Geologic Map of Europa; Material Units, Structures/Landforms, and Stratigraphy for the Global Geologic Map of Ganymede (1:15M); and Global Geologic Mapping of Io: Preliminary Results.

Bleamaster, Leslie F., III↗

NASA NTRS2024

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Mitigating, Tracking, and Remediating Orbital Debris

Orbital debris may collide with crewed and robotic spacecraft, placing them at risk. The wide range of debris, from 9,000-kilogram rocket bodies to millions of millimeter-size debris, has led to a similarly wide range of proposed actions for addressing the risks posed by debris. However, the costs and benefits of these actions have historically been unknown. This is a challenge for decision makers who are choosing which actions to support through technology development or policy changes. NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy is addressing these technical and economic uncertainties by building a capability to (1) complete rigorous calculations of the net present value of each action, (2) identify an optimal portfolio of actions to reduce risk, and (3) quantitatively analyze policies related to space sustainability. This report describes our progress toward that capability and to solicit feedback from the space and economic communities. Our previous work, referred to here as Phase 1, assessed the costs and benefits of performing debris remediation on operationally relevant timescales. The current analysis contains major updates to the risk model used in Phase 1 and expands the breadth of actions considered to include mitigating the creation of debris, improving the ability to track debris, and more methods for cleaning up existing debris. We demonstrate that our approach of measuring risks in dollars allows for the effectiveness of seemingly incommensurate actions to be compared and generates insights that other approaches to measuring risk have missed.

Jericho Locke↗

NASA NTRS2024

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Mitigating, Tracking, and Remediating Orbital Debris

Presentation accompanying the technical report with the same name. The abstract for the report and the full study is repeated below. Orbital debris may collide with crewed and robotic spacecraft, placing them at risk. The wide range of debris, from 9,000-kilogram rocket bodies to millions of millimeter-size debris, has led to a similarly wide range of proposed actions for addressing the risks posed by debris. However, the costs and benefits of these actions have historically been unknown. This is a challenge for decision makers who are choosing which actions to support through technology development or policy changes. NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy is addressing these technical and economic uncertainties by building a capability to (1) complete rigorous calculations of the net present value of each action, (2) identify an optimal portfolio of actions to reduce risk, and (3) quantitatively analyze policies related to space sustainability. This report describes our progress toward that capability and to solicit feedback from the space and economic communities. Our previous work, referred to here as Phase 1, assessed the costs and benefits of performing debris remediation on operationally relevant timescales. The current analysis contains major updates to the risk model used in Phase 1 and expands the breadth of actions considered to include mitigating the creation of debris, improving the ability to track debris, and more methods for cleaning up existing debris. We demonstrate that our approach of measuring risks in dollars allows for the effectiveness of seemingly incommensurate actions to be compared and generates insights that other approaches to measuring risk have missed.

Jericho Locke↗

DOE OSTI2022

Status Update on the Development of Transducers and Bonding Techniques for Enabling Acoustic Measurements of Damage in Microreactor Components

This report provides an overview of potential sensors and sensor-bonding techniques to enable the online acoustic interrogation of microreactor components and enhance structural health monitoring capabilities. The report focuses primarily on optical fiber–based acoustic sensors and describes initial experimental progress toward the deployment of these sensors for microreactor applications. The general approach is to monitor the resonant frequencies of microreactor components and search for evidence of structural defects that could indicate imminent failure. If properly identified, then the components could be repaired during the next reactor outage to prevent costly unplanned shutdowns. The ability to monitor the structural health of components could also reduce the need for time-consuming visual inspections and reduce staffing to improve microreactor economic viability. Increased sensor density is also one of the first steps to moving toward eventual semiautonomous operation. The expected microreactor conditions in which acoustic sensors must survive are characterized, including temperatures, neutron fluences, thermomechanical strains, and vibrational frequencies. Optical fiber–based acoustic sensors are identified as an attractive candidate for acoustic monitoring because of their high accuracy, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and resiliency in high-temperature, high-radiation environments. Optical fiber–based intrinsic sensors, such as type-II fiber-Bragg gratings and Fabry-Pérot Cavities (FPCs), are particularly attractive for a microreactor environment because of their high temperature stability, and FPCs also enable higher frequency interrogation with a lower sensitivity to radiation-induced drift. This report describes multiple interrogation systems, but the best interrogation system for a given situation will depend on the specific microreactor application, including the desired acoustic vibrational amplitudes, modes, and resonant frequencies. Initial experiments included fabricating three FPCs, tack-welding these FPCs to stainless-steel pipes or rods and performing room-temperature acoustic sensing tests to capture the vibrational frequency content. Peaks were identified in the measured frequency spectra and compared with the theoretical fundamental frequencies obtained from Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Two of the three FPCs measured vibrational frequencies that generally matched those obtained from theory. Future work will include similar testing on pipes or other microreactor components with intentional flaws to evaluate the ability to determine changes in resonant frequencies. Finally, these tests will be repeated at high temperatures, potentially with an applied thermomechanical stress, to include environmental conditions similar to those for a microreactor application.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2022

ORNL Contributions to the ENDF/B-VIII.1 Library [Slides]

For uranium and plutonium isotopes, evaluation work is converging to a stable configuration with an overall satisfactory benchmark performance (more information on the validation tests after CSEWG). Strontium evaluation was included in the repository library and successfully tested by processing codes relative to an alternative quantification of the external function. Cerium covariance matrices were updated to address review comments on the magnitude of the uncertainty. For future uncertainty quantification, theoretical observables should be properly decoupled from current measured guidelines. Tests to correctly include LP (from resonance parameters) fitted to measured energy-averaged data are in progress. Current ENDF files contains experimental LP data.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA Update: Wildland Fire Element

As the NASA ESD, Applied Science Program, Associate Program Manager responsible for the agency's Wildland Fire Program portfolio, Vince Ambrosia manages and oversees NASA's participation in developments of Earth Observations capabilities supporting improved wildland fire management. The Wildland Fire Program has been subsumed within the ASP Disaster Program element and focuses on the NASA progress developments of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Global Wildfire Information System, where V. Ambrosia also serves as the GEO-GWIS NASA representative to the international panel. The NASA GWIS developments for the past year are highlighted in the briefing. In addition, other wildland fire-related NASA projects are also highlighted in this presentation, providing a context for the various successful developments and operationalization of Earth Observing systems data by partner entities and organizations involved in fire management.

Vince Ambrosia↗