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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 505 records · Page 28

Energize New York -- Residential Energy Efficiency Market Transformation in New York

Energize New York (ENY) is focused on addressing known barriers to widespread energy efficiency (EE) adoption by property owners. In simple terms ENY works to; 1) increase homeowner trust by using known and trusted community leaders to communicate their own positive experiences with EE and ENY, 2) reduce friction points by integrating support staff and creative use of technology that ease a homeowner’s way forward through the EE upgrade process, 3) increase homeowner knowledge and trust of specific EE benefits through access to the ENY energy coach, 4) provide information on available financing options that show benefits (e.g. positive cash flow), and 5) provide tools and mechanisms that give homeowners greater comfort in evaluating and selecting the right contractor. These five fundamental program aspects are supported by a hyper-local communications and outreach model and a “lead by example” philosophy that requires community leaders to step forward and model energy efficiency behavior by example. In the communities where the program has successfully engaged local leadership and “trusted community sources” there has been a significant increase in the uptake of energy efficiency work. Quantitatively this growth translated into an increase of 240% in completed Home Performance projects from the two year pre-pilot period (2009-10) to the two year post-pilot period (2012-13). Additionally, the program has seen measureable increases in the output and performance of contractors who are members of the Energize Comfort Corps, a program innovation which included a subset of the NYSERDA approved and Building Performance Institute accredited home performance contractors. This innovation, launched in the later stages of the pilot, is paired with the Energize Contractor Ratings Index (CRI) and helps frame the provider market by giving homeowners a mechanism to provide and receive feedback on their contractor experience. The data incorporated into the CRI along with the ECC selection process, has measurably reduced a key decision barrier (“which contractor should I use”) for homeowners engaged in the EE decision making process.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

High Yield, Economical and Environmentally Benign Production of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Ash (Phase II Final Summary Report)

Fly ash stored in landfills and ponds across the United States is an attractive, abundant domestic resource for the cost-effective recovery of rare earth elements (REE) and other critical minerals (CM). Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and its team members, Winner Water Services (WWS) and University of Kentucky/Center for Applied Energy Research (UK/CAER) successfully executed a multiphase program that developed technologies and their implementation in a pilot plant. We demonstrated plant operations for cost-effective and environmentally-friendly production of rare earth element oxide (REO) concentrates, and the critical minerals scandium and aluminum (in the forms of salts or oxide products), from coal ash. We also constructed and demonstrated a research-scale (0.5 kg/day) micropilot facility to validate the key physical and chemical processing operations, predict yields, and troubleshoot process bottlenecks. The project team then designed, constructed and operated two decoupled pilot plants: (1) an operational pilot plant for physical separation processes with capacity of 0.4 metric tons per day (tpd), where we optimized processes to produce selected ash fractions as the feedstock for chemical processing and as valuable byproducts such as cenospheres, magnetic ash, and secondary fuel carbon, and (2) an operational pilot plant for chemical ash processing with a capacity of 0.5 tpd that developed optimized processes for the production of: (a) REO concentrates, (b) critical minerals (Sc, Al), and (c) beneficiated ash as a valuable byproduct suitable for cement applications. In Phase I, the project team (with Equinox Chemicals in place of WWS) developed and demonstrated the feasibility of the physical and chemical separation processes, developed the design of a pilot plant, and began the development of a preliminary techno-economic model. In the baseline (initial) Phase II program, the project team developed and demonstrated the above pilot scale plant, producing salable REE concentrates, including Y and Sc (REYSc), plus commercially viable byproducts, using environmentally safe and high-yield physical and chemical enrichment processes. The team successfully demonstrated chemical pilot design, construction, shakedown, and operations of the plant. We produced the Phase II deliverable REYSc concentrate ((50 g of >60 wt.% purity REYSc salts on elemental basis), generated the feed for the Phase II follow-on program, identified processing challenges for future optimizations, and refined the techno-economic model. In the Phase II follow-on program, the project team: (1) developed and demonstrated processes to increase the REE amount by 3X (content basis) and convert the Phase II REE salt mixture to an oxide mixture, (2) produced/delivered >38 g of REO mixture with >85 wt.% purity (elemental basis); (3) developed processes to recover critical minerals scandium and aluminum from intermediate streams; (4) produced/delivered > 1 g of scandium salt mixture with >85 wt. % purity (elemental basis); (5) produced/delivered > 100 g of aluminum oxide type material with >70% wt. purity (elemental basis); and (6) updated the techno-economic model from the baseline Phase II program to assess CAPEX and OPEX of a commercial operation. This program has developed extensive databases on process chemistry, unit operations, plant engineering, and techno-economics that will enable further scale-up toward commercial plant design. Specific future developments will be focused on achieving dramatic savings in energy, reagent usage, and operating costs. The combined results will contribute significantly for maturing the technologies of REE recovery from coal byproducts and promote the establishment of domestic REE and CM supply chains.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Investigation of High-alpha Lateral-directional Control Power Requirements for High-performance Aircraft

Designers of the next-generation fighter and attack airplanes are faced with the requirements of good high-angle-of-attack maneuverability as well as efficient high speed cruise capability with low radar cross section (RCS) characteristics. As a result, they are challenged with the task of making critical design trades to achieve the desired levels of maneuverability and performance. This task has highlighted the need for comprehensive, flight-validated lateral-directional control power design guidelines for high angles of attack. A joint NASA/U.S. Navy study has been initiated to address this need and to investigate the complex flight dynamics characteristics and controls requirements for high-angle-of-attack lateral-directional maneuvering. A multi-year research program is underway which includes ground-based piloted simulation and flight validation. This paper will give a status update of this program that will include a program overview, description of test methodology and preliminary results.

Foster, John V.↗

Radiological Soil Sorting Pilot Study Results - Middlesex Municipal Landfill - 19394

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducted a pilot scale study of radiological sorting technology at the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) Middlesex Municipal Landfill (MML) site in Middlesex, New Jersey. Residual uranium ore pieces or 'nuggets' and associated soil contamination are present at the MML site as a result of the nation's early atomic energy program. Study questions and objectives of the MML Pilot Study project were to 1) evaluate the accuracy with which contaminated soils can be separated from uncontaminated soils using a radiologic soil sorting system, 2) determine the optimal full-scale operational process throughput rate that might reasonably be achieved, 3) determine the waste volume reduction that might be expected when operating at full scale, and 4) help establish the feasibility of implementing soil sorting as a potential remedy to other areas of the site. To accomplish the objectives soils were processed through the sorting system in a series of 30 different sorting experimental (test) runs utilizing approximately 917 cubic meters [1200 cubic yards (CY)] of material. The test runs included varying parameters such as belt speeds, soil layer thicknesses, and alarm criteria, all in varying combinations. Test runs also included engineered tests to evaluate point source segregation issues. This paper presents the challenges, results, lessons learned, and recommendations of the radiological soil sorting pilot study. The technical aspects and evaluation of the results of the test runs will also be discussed. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Optimal guidance law in quantum mechanics

Following de Broglie’s idea of a pilot wave, this paper treats quantum mechanics as a problem of stochastic optimal guidance law design. The guidance scenario considered in the quantum world is that an electron is the flight vehicle to be guided and its accompanying pilot wave is the guidance law to be designed so as to guide the electron to a random target driven by the Wiener process, while minimizing a cost-to-go function. After solving the stochastic optimal guidance problem by differential dynamic programming, we point out that the optimal pilot wave guiding the particle’s motion is just the wavefunction Ψ(t,x), a solution to the Schrödinger equation; meanwhile, the closed-loop guidance system forms a complex state–space dynamics for Ψ(t,x), from which quantum operators emerge naturally. Quantum trajectories under the action of the optimal guidance law are solved and their statistical distribution is shown to coincide with the prediction of the probability density function Ψ{sup ∗}Ψ. -- Highlights: •Treating quantum mechanics as a pursuit-evasion game. •Reveal an interesting analogy between guided flight motion and guided quantum motion. •Solve optimal quantum guidance problem by dynamic programming. •Gives a formal proof of de Broglie–Bohm’s idea of a pilot wave. •The optimal pilot wave is shown to be a wavefunction solved from Schrödinger equation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Meteorological Input to General Aviation Pilot Training

The meteorological education of general aviation pilots is discussed in terms of the definitions and concepts of learning and good educational procedures. The effectiveness of the metoeorological program in the training of general aviations pilots is questioned. It is suggested that flight instructors provide real experience during low ceilings and visibilities, and that every pilot receiving an instrument rating should experience real instrument flight.

Colomy, J. R.↗

Operator modeling in commerical aviation: Cognitive models, intelligent displays, and pilot's assistants

One of the goals of the National Aviation Safety/Automation program is to address the issue of human-centered automation in the cockpit. Human-centered automation is automation that, in the cockpit, enhances or assists the crew rather than replacing them. The Georgia Tech research program focused on this general theme, with emphasis on designing a computer-based pilot's assistant, intelligent (i.e, context-sensitive) displays, and an intelligent tutoring system for understanding and operating the autoflight system. In particular, the aids and displays were designed to enhance the crew's situational awareness of the current state of the automated flight systems and to assist the crew's situational awareness of the current state of the automated flight systems and to assist the crew in coordinating the autoflight system resources. The activities of this grant included: (1) an OFMspert to understand pilot navigation activities in a 727 class aircraft; (2) an extension of OFMspert to understand mode control in a glass cockpit, Georgia Tech Crew Activity Tracking System (GT-CATS); (3) the design of a training system to teach pilots about the vertical navigation portion of the flight management system -VNAV Tutor; and (4) a proof-of-concept display, using existing display technology, to facilitate mode awareness, particularly in situations in which controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) is a potential.

Govindaraj, T.↗

Flight test experience and controlled impact of a remotely piloted jet transport aircraft

The Dryden Flight Research Center Facility of NASA Ames Research Center (Ames-Dryden) and the FAA conducted the controlled impact demonstration (CID) program using a large, four-engine, remotely piloted jet transport airplane. Closed-loop primary flight was controlled through the existing onboard PB-20D autopilot which had been modified for the CID program. Uplink commands were sent from a ground-based cockpit and digital computer in conjunction with an up-down telemetry link. These uplink commands were received aboard the airplane and transferred through uplink interface systems to the modified PB-20D autopilot. Both proportional and discrete commands were produced by the ground system. Prior to flight tests, extensive simulation was conducted during the development of ground-based digital control laws. The control laws included primary control, secondary control, and racetrack and final approach guidance. Extensive ground checks were performed on all remotely piloted systems; however, piloted flight tests were the primary method and validation of control law concepts developed from simulation. The design, development, and flight testing of control laws and systems required to accomplish the remotely piloted mission are discussed.

Horton, Timothy W.↗

X-ray properties of high-richness CAMIRA clusters in the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program field

Abstract We present the first results of a pilot X-ray study of 37 rich galaxy clusters at 0.1 < z < 1.1 in the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program field. Diffuse X-ray emissions from these clusters were serendipitously detected in the XMM-Newton fields of view. We systematically analyze X-ray images of 37 clusters and emission spectra of a subsample of 17 clusters with high photon statistics by using the XMM-Newton archive data. The frequency distribution of the offset between the X-ray centroid or peak and the position of the brightest cluster galaxy was derived for the optical cluster sample. The fraction of relaxed clusters estimated from the X-ray peak offsets in 17 clusters is 29 ± 11(±13)%, which is smaller than that of the X-ray cluster samples such as HIFLUGCS. Since the optical cluster search is immune to the physical state of X-ray-emitting gas, it is likely to cover a larger range of the cluster morphology. We also derive the luminosity–temperature relation and found that the slope is marginally shallower than those of X-ray-selected samples and consistent with the self-similar model prediction of 2. Accordingly, our results show that the X-ray properties of the optical clusters are marginally different from those observed in the X-ray samples. The implication of the results and future prospects are briefly discussed.

Ota, Naomi (ORCID:0000000227843652)↗

Exploratory flight test of advanced piloted spacecraft - Circa 1963

The NASA early experimental program for parawing and lifting body spacecraft recovery concepts is discussed. Simple hand drawings, in-house construction, and crude drop tests were used in lieu of a thorough stress analysis. The parawing (parasev) was controlled by manually shifting the center of gravity with respect to the center of pressure; the craft would take off while being towed at 40 KIAS. The M-2 lifting body was originally constructed with a 3/32 in. mahogany skin by a glider manufacturer and employed general aviation aircraft nose and main wheel assemblies. A minimum altitude of 200 ft was found acceptable for release of the parasev, allowing the pilot time to adjust for transients incurred at the tow release. A small landing assist rocket was furnished for the M-2/F-2 and X-24A lifting bodies to enhance stability, and landings at a maximum lift/drag ratio of 2.8 were successfully completed. The data gained were eventually applied in the development of the Shuttle.

Thompson, M. O.↗

Investigation of pilot's role and display requirements in automatic landings

Two experimental capabilities were developed on the PDP-12 computers. The first of these was an experimental monitor to perform experiments in the psychophysics of visual target motion prediction, discrimination, etc., and exercises the (limited) graphical capabilities of the PDP-12. The original monitor was modified to include the capability of handling more than 64 stimuli without reinitializing the program. The second experimental monitor was programmed and was used to investigate pilot decisions in low visibility approaches. The details of this experimental capability, which has great potential for exploring decisions and behavior, are described in detail.

Curry, R. E.↗

The Updated Case for a National Stellarator Program

The stellarator concept provides a compelling path to a Fusion Pilot Plant that features steady state, disruption free operation with low recirculating power. The need for a national stellarator program and a new stellarator experiment have been highlighted previously in the FESAC Long-Range Plan (LRP) and the APS Community Planning Process (CPP). There have been many advances in the stellarator field since those reports were drafted, both theoretically and experimentally, that provide an even stronger motivation for an expanded stellarator program within the US. In addition, in recent years a number of private companies have been founded (and funded) to pursue the stellarator concept, two of which are FES Milestone Program award recipients. An expanded stellarator program is needed to fully support these companies and their goals. This whitepaper aims to briefly provide an updated outlook on the need for a national stellator program including benefits to private industry and opportunities for Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The Effects of Safety Information on Aeronautical Decision Making

The importance of aeronautical decision making (ADM) has been considered one of the most critical issues of flight education for future professional pilots. Researchers have suggested that a safety information system based on information from incidents and near misses is an important tool to improve the intelligence and readiness of pilots. This paper describes a study that examines the effect of safety information on aeronautical decision making for students in a collegiate flight program. Data was collected from study participants who were exposed to periodic information about local aircraft malfunctions. Participants were then evaluated using a flight simulator profile and a pen and pencil test of situational judgment. Findings suggest that regular access to the described safety information program significantly improves decision making of student pilots.

Lee, Jang R.↗

Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology (HiMAT) flight-flutter test program

The highly maneuverable aircraft technology (HiMAT) vehicle was evaluated in a joint NASA and Air Force flight test program. The HiMAT vehicle is a remotely piloted research vehicle. Its design incorporates the use of advanced composite materials in the wings, and canards for aeroelastic tailoring. A flight-flutter test program was conducted to clear a sufficient flight envelope to allow for performance, stability and control, and loads testing. Testing was accomplished with and without flight control-surface dampers. Flutter clearance of the vehicle indicated satisfactory damping and damping trends for the structural modes of the HiMAT vehicle. The data presented include frequency and damping plotted as a function of Mach number.

Kehoe, M. W.↗

The NASA research and technology program on space power: A key element of the Space Exploration Initiative

In July 1989, President Bush announced his space exploration initiative of going back to the Moon to stay and then going to Mars. Building upon its ongoing research and technology base, NASA has established an exploration technology program to develop the technologies needed for piloted missions to the Moon and Mars. A key element for the flights and for the planned bases is power. The NASA research and technology program on space power encompasses power sources, energy storage, and power management.

Bennett, Gary L.↗

Aircrew-aircraft integration issues in future US Army helicopters

Some human factors research issues, the resolution of which will be vital to the successful operation of future military helicopters are reviewed. Understanding and reducing the helicopter pilot's workload is examined by a diverse program directed at answering some of the more fundamental questions relating to the transfer displays and interactions between pilot and automated systems. The results of three experimental studies which address the issues of display control compatibility, characteristics of integrated controllers, and voice systems are presented.

Hartzell, E. J.↗

Sequential Design of Experiments for Pilot Testing of Novel Solvent System

The CCSI2 program is supporting a six-month test campaign at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) for evaluation of a novel water-lean solvent. This presentation describes CCSI2’s efforts in process modeling of the solvent system for both coal and natural gas-based flue gas sources and initial uncertainty quantification (UQ) work to estimate parametric uncertainty in key sub-models of interest (e.g., thermodynamics, mass transfer, reaction kinetics). Moreover, perspective is provided on how UQ and sequential design of experiments (SDoE) tools are used to assess the impact of model uncertainty on projected process performance, use this information to optimize data collection during the campaign, and refine process models through data collection. This framework is expected to reduce the overall model uncertainty, and thus risk associated with scale-up as the process moves towards commercialization.

Morgan, Joshua↗