SEARCH · Search NASA
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.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
This presentation will be presented at FY 2020 SDRD Annual (Webex) Meeting scheduled for September 23–24, 2020. Micro-Ion Traps for Real-Time Chemical Analysis in Harsh Environments STL-002-20, Year 1
The results of analyses by ESCA (Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis) on several Nuclepore filters which were exposed during air pollution studies are presented along with correlative measurements by Neutron Activation Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Samples were exposed during air pollution studies at Norfolk, Virginia and the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). It was demonstrated that with the ESCA technique it was possible to identify the chemical (bonding) state of elements contained in the atmospheric particulate matter collected on Nuclepore filters. Sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, chlorine, alkali, and alkaline earth metal species were identified in the Norfolk samples. ESCA binding energy data for aluminum indicated that three chemically different types of aluminum are present in the launch and background samples from NASA-KSC.
Moon surface chemical analysis by Surveyor 6 indicating resemblance to basalt in composition
This paper introduces a novel optical cell design that integrates ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for comprehensive vapor phase chemical analysis at temperatures up to 450 °C.
Lunar surface chemical composition analysis by Surveyor-borne instrument based on alpha interaction with matter
The Performance Monitoring Report presents the Year 2 operations, maintenance, and monitoring (OM&M) activities for the hydraulic containment system (HCS) Interim Measures (IM) at the Components Refurbishment and Chemical Analysis (CRCA) Facility located at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. Year 2 operations extended from September 2020 to August 2021 and included: operation, maintenance and monitoring of the HCS; performance monitoring through collection of groundwater samples; and sub-slab gas and ambient air sampling. The existing hydrogeologic model was also updated. The system is performing as designed, and groundwater data demonstrate contaminant reduction.
During the 2-year span from Expedition 16 through Expedition 20, the chemical quality of the potable water onboard the International Space Station (ISS) was verified safe for crew consumption through the return and chemical analysis of archival water samples by the Water and Food Analytical Laboratory (WAFAL) at Johnson Space Center (JSC). Reclaimed cabin humidity condensate and Russian ground-supplied water were the principal sources of potable water for Expeditions 16 through 18. During Expedition 18 the U.S. water processor assembly was delivered, installed, and tested during a 90-day checkout period. Beginning with Expedition 19, U.S. potable water recovered from a combined waste stream of humidity condensate and pretreated urine was also available for ISS crew use. A total of 74 potable water samples were collected using U.S. sampling hardware during Expeditions 16 through 20 and returned on both Shuttle and Soyuz vehicles. The results of JSC chemical analyses of these ISS potable water samples are presented in this paper. Eight potable water samples collected in flight with Russian hardware were also received for analysis, as well as 5 preflight samples of Rodnik potable water delivered to ISS on Russian Progress vehicles 28 to 34. Analytical results for these additional potable water samples are also reported and discussed.
This invention relates to non-contact spectroscopic methods and apparatus for performing chemical analysis and the ideal wavelengths and sources needed for this analysis. It employs deep ultraviolet (200- to 300-nm spectral range) electron-beam-pumped wide bandgap semiconductor lasers, incoherent wide bandgap semiconductor lightemitting devices, and hollow cathode metal ion lasers. Three achieved goals for this innovation are to reduce the size (under 20 L), reduce the weight [under 100 lb (.45 kg)], and reduce the power consumption (under 100 W). This method can be used in microscope or macroscope to provide measurement of Raman and/or native fluorescence emission spectra either by point-by-point measurement, or by global imaging of emissions within specific ultraviolet spectral bands. In other embodiments, the method can be used in analytical instruments such as capillary electrophoresis, capillary electro-chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, flow cytometry, and related instruments for detection and identification of unknown analytes using a combination of native fluorescence and/or Raman spectroscopic methods. This design provides an electron-beampumped semiconductor radiation-producing method, or source, that can emit at a wavelength (or wavelengths) below 300 nm, e.g. in the deep ultraviolet between about 200 and 300 nm, and more preferably less than 260 nm. In some variations, the method is to produce incoherent radiation, while in other implementations it produces laser radiation. In some variations, this object is achieved by using an AlGaN emission medium, while in other implementations a diamond emission medium may be used. This instrument irradiates a sample with deep UV radiation, and then uses an improved filter for separating wavelengths to be detected. This provides a multi-stage analysis of the sample. To avoid the difficulties related to producing deep UV semiconductor sources, a pumping approach has been developed that uses ballistic electron beam injection directly into the active region of a wide bandgap semiconductor material.
During the twelve month span of Expeditions 16 and 17 beginning October of 2007, the chemical quality of the potable water onboard the International Space Station (ISS) was verified safe for crew consumption through the return and chemical analysis of water samples by the Water and Food Analytical Laboratory (WAFAL) at Johnson Space Center (JSC). Reclaimed cabin humidity condensate and Russian ground-supplied water were the principle sources of potable water and for the first time, European groundsupplied water was also available. Although water was transferred from Shuttle to ISS during Expeditions 16 and 17, no Shuttle potable water was consumed during this timeframe. A total of 12 potable water samples were collected using U.S. hardware during Expeditions 16 and 17 and returned on Shuttle flights 1E (STS122), 1JA (STS123), and 1J (STS124). The average sample volume was sufficient for complete chemical characterization to be performed. The results of JSC chemical analyses of these potable water samples are presented in this paper. The WAFAL also received potable water samples for analysis from the Russian side collected inflight with Russian hardware, as well as preflight samples of Rodnik potable water delivered to ISS on Russian Progress vehicles 28 to 30. Analytical results for these additional potable water samples are also reported and discussed herein. Although the potable water supplies available during Expeditions 16 and 17 were judged safe for crew consumption, a recent trending of elevated silver levels in the SVOZV water is a concern for longterm consumption and efforts are being made to lower these levels.
Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is a promising technique for laser radar applications. Laser radar using LIF has already been applied to algae blooms and oil slicks. Laser radar using LIF has great potential for remote chemical analysis because LIF spectra are extremely sensitive to chemical composition. However, most samples in the real world contain mixtures of fluorescing components, not merely individual components. Multicomponent analysis of laser radar returns from mixtures is often difficult because LIF spectra from solids and liquids are very broad and devoid of line structure. Therefore, algorithms for interpreting LIF spectra from laser radar returns must be able to analyze spectra that overlap in multicomponent systems. This paper analyzes the possibility of using factor analysis-rank annihilation (FARA) to analyze emission-time matrices (ETM) from laser radar returns instead of excitation-emission matrices (EEM). The authors here define ETM as matrices where the rows (or columns) are emission spectra at fixed times and the columns (or rows) are temporal profiles for fixed emission wavelengths. Laser radar usually uses pulsed lasers for ranging purposes, which are suitable for measuring temporal profiles. Laser radar targets are hard instead of diffuse; that is, a definite surface emits the fluorescence instead of an extended volume. A hard target would not broaden the temporal profiles as would a diffuse target. Both fluorescence lifetimes and emission spectra are sensitive to chemical composition. Therefore, temporal profiles can be used instead of excitation spectra in FARA analysis of laser radar returns. The resulting laser radar returns would be ETM instead of EEM.
Both, the search for evidence of life on Mars and the assessment of the Martian environment in respect to its compatibility with human explorers, will require the ability to measure and understand the aqueous chemistry of the Martian regolith. Direct in-situ chemical analysis is the only method by which chemical biosignatures can be reliably recognized and the toxicity of the regolith accurately assessed. Qualitative and quantitative determination of the aqueous ionic constituents and their concentrations is critical in developing kinetic and thermodynamic models that can be used to accurately predict the potential of the past or present Martian geochemical environment to have either generated or still sustain life. In-situ chemical characterization could provide evidence as to whether the chemical composition of the regolith or evaporates in suspected ancient water bodies have been biologically influenced.
Analytical methods were established in which the critical variables were controlled, with the result that acceptable interlaboratory agreement was demonstrated for the chemical analysis of uranium mononitride. This was accomplished by using equipment readily available to laboratories performing metallurgical analyses. Agreement among three laboratories was shown to be very good for uranium and nitrogen. Interlaboratory precision of + or - 0.04 percent was achieved for both of these elements. Oxygen was determined to + or - 15 parts per million (ppm) at the 170-ppm level. The carbon determination gave an interlaboratory precision of + or - 46 ppm at the 320-ppm level.
The development of liquid cells for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have enabled breakthroughs in the study of nanoscale structural, morphological, or chemical changes during materials growth and applications [1]. The challenges of achieving high resolution imaging and chemical analysis through liquids often arise from the liquid cells being too thick. Making ultra-thin freestanding membranes and controlling the liquid thickness are some of the key attributes to the recent liquid cell developments.
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is leading an effort to develop a Miniaturized Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (MVP-SEM) for in-situ imaging and chemical analysis of uncoated samples. This instrument development will be geared towards operation on Mars and builds on a previous MSFC design of a mini-SEM for the moon (funded through the NASA Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program). Because Mars has a dramatically different environment than the moon, modifications to the MSFC lunar mini-SEM are necessary. Mainly, the higher atmospheric pressure calls for the use of an electron gun that can operate at High Vacuum, rather than Ultra-High Vacuum. The presence of a CO2-rich atmosphere also allows for the incorporation of a variable pressure system that enables the in-situ analysis of nonconductive geological specimens. Preliminary testing of Mars meteorites in a commercial Environmental SEM(Tradmark) (FEI) confirms the usefulness of lowcurrent/low-accelerating voltage imaging and highlights the advantages of using the Mars atmosphere for environmental imaging. The unique capabilities of the MVP-SEM make it an ideal tool for pursuing key scientific goals of NASA's Flagship Mission Max-C; to perform in-situ science and collect and cache samples in preparation for sample return from Mars.
This PFAS Site Assessment (SA) Report presents the activities and results associated with PFAS investigations at the Components Refurbishment and Chemical Analysis (CRCA) facility located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. In 2022, CRCA was identified as an Area of Potential Concern because the facility stores several potential PFAS-containing chemicals. A groundwater sample collected from an onsite monitoring well detected PFOA and PFOS at concentrations greater than State of Florida provisional Groundwater Cleanup Target Levels (pGCTLs). PFAS SA activities were conducted between March 2022 and February 2024. During this timeframe, a total of 16 direct-push technology (DPT) locations and 82 discrete samples were collected from these locations, along with 90 monitoring well samples. The analytical data screening process focused on State of Florida pGCTLs and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Regional Screening Level (RSLs) from November 2023 to evaluate the data. Analytical results identified PFOS, PFOA, and PFBA at concentrations exceeding their respective RSLs at each depth interval (shallow, intermediate, and deep). PFOS and PFOA had the largest footprint of RSL exceedances in each depth interval, but pGCTL exceedances were only observed at limited locations in the shallow and intermediate intervals. PFBA had the highest detections of any PFAS compound, with concentrations exceeding 180,000 nanograms per liter (ng/L), which is 100-times the RSL of 1,800 ng/L in the shallow and intermediate intervals and 10-times the RSL in the deep interval. The maximum PFBA detection was 841,000 ng/L at shallow monitoring well, MW0006. The PFAS SA also included samples collected from the onsite hydraulic containment system (HCS) which was installed to control and treat the onsite chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) plume. Influent and effluent aqueous samples were collected monthly from the system. PFAS concentrations were relatively the same for both influent and effluent samples, indicating that while the HCS has been effective for CVOC treatment, it does not provide any additional treatment for PFAS compounds. Since the HCS has achieved its objectives, the system was shut down in December 2024. PFAS data gaps still exist, to include surface water and soil, which were not sampled during this SA. Soil sampling near the Chemical Process Area is recommended. Surface water and soil sampling at select stormwater outfalls is also recommended. Additionally, further groundwater sampling is recommended (DPT and monitoring well) in all depth intervals to delineate the extent of PFAS impacts at CRCA.
This Year 3 Annual Performance Monitoring Report (PMR) presents the operations, maintenance, and monitoring activities for the Hydraulic Containment System (HCS) Interim Measure (IM) at the Components Refurbishment and Chemical Analysis (CRCA) facility located at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. The primary objective of the HCS is to attain hydraulic control of the dissolved-phase chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) plume, with the secondary objective to reduce concentrations of CVOCs in the high-concentration plume to support transition to monitored natural attenuation (MNA). CRCA has been designated Solid Waste Management Unit 041 under the KSC Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action Program. The timeframe for activities documented in this Year 3 PMR extends from September 2021 through October 2022. Baseline sampling activities were completed in June 2019, and full-scale startup of the HCS IM was completed in July-August 2019. The operational runtime of the HCS for the Year 3 reporting period was approximately 91%, with the majority of downtime attributed to system maintenance and repair. This is generally consistent with Year 1 and Year 2 runtimes of 85% and 92%, respectively. To help reduce downtime, an anti-scaling amendment, Redux 390, has been used to reduce scaling and help maintain system design parameters. Over nine million gallons of groundwater were treated during Year 3 of HCS operations, and concentrations of the site’s contaminants of concern (trans-1,2-dichloroethene and vinyl chloride) have been reduced by over 97%. This PMR describes the activities that were performed during Year 3 to operate and monitor the HCS IM, which includes three extraction wells, seven injection wells, and conveyance piping to a modular structure containing the control panel and an air stripper. Influent and effluent sampling results from the air stripper show that the system is operating as designed and is reducing concentrations of contaminants of concern to below detection limits. In addition to HCS operation, this PMR also discusses performance monitoring that has been implemented to assess progress of the HCS IM and overall plume conditions through scheduled groundwater (quarterly and semi-annual) and sub-slab soil gas (quarterly) sampling and analysis. Two ambient air samples were also collected on a quarterly basis in the vicinity of the modular structure and the paved driveway east of the Solvent Reclamation Area during routine operation and maintenance (O&M) activities to ensure safe breathing zone air quality for on-site personnel. All sub-slab soil gas and ambient air sampling conducted during the Year 3 operational period showed results below applicable regulatory air screening limits. Predictions made during the Year 2 groundwater model updates were in close correlation to post Year 3 plume conditions. Therefore, it can be assumed that the projected path remains valid for transition to MNA in one to two years of continuous HCS operation. The contents of this Year 3 PMR were presented during the February 2023 KSC Remediation Team meeting, where Team consensus was reached on several items including continued O&M of the HCS, and continued monitoring of groundwater, ambient air, and sub-slab soil gas. Replacement of MW0019 and VMP04 was also recommended, as well as additional direct-push technology sampling to further delineate the downgradient plume and confirm overall site-wide low-concentration plume boundaries. Sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances at CRCA is ongoing and will be submitted under separate cover.
The level of nitric oxide contamination in the test gas of the Langley Research Center Arc-Heated Scramjet Test Facility and the effect of the contamination on scramjet test engine performance were investigated analytically. A finite rate chemical analysis was performed to determine the levels of nitric oxide produced in the facility at conditions corresponding to Mach 6 to 8 flight simulations. Results indicate that nitric oxide levels range from one to three mole percent, corroborating previously obtained measurements. A three-stream combustor code with finite rate chemistry was used to investigate the effects of nitric oxide on scramjet performance. Results indicate that nitric oxide in the test gas causes a small increase in heat release and thrust performance for the test conditions investigated. However, a rate constant uncertainty analysis suggests that the effect of nitric oxide ranges from no net effect, to an increase of about 10 percent in thrust performance.
This Year 4 Annual Performance Monitoring Report (PMR) presents the operations, maintenance, and monitoring activities for the Hydraulic Containment System (HCS) Interim Measure (IM) at the Components Refurbishment and Chemical Analysis (CRCA) facility located at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. The primary objective of the HCS is to attain hydraulic control of the dissolved-phase chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) plume, with the secondary objective to reduce concentrations of CVOCs in the high-concentration plume to support transition to monitored natural attenuation (MNA). CRCA has been designated Solid Waste Management Unit 041 under the KSC Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action Program. The timeframe for activities documented in this Year 4 PMR extends from November 2022 through September 2023. Baseline sampling activities were completed in June 2019, and full-scale startup of the HCS IM was completed in July-August 2019. The operational runtime of the HCS for the Year 4 reporting period was approximately 94%, with the majority of downtime attributed to associated groundwater sampling events, maintenance, and Hurricane Nicole. Almost five million gallons of groundwater were treated during Year 4 of HCS operations, and concentrations of the site’s contaminants of concern (trans-1,2-dichloroethene and vinyl chloride) have been reduced by over 99%. This PMR describes the activities that were performed during Year 4 to operate and monitor the HCS IM, which includes three extraction wells, seven injection wells, and conveyance piping to a modular structure containing the control panel and an air stripper. Influent and effluent sampling results from the air stripper show that the system is operating as designed and is reducing concentrations of contaminants of concern to below detection limits. In addition to HCS operation, this PMR also discusses performance monitoring that has been implemented to assess progress of the HCS IM and overall plume conditions through scheduled groundwater (quarterly and semi-annual) and sub-slab soil gas (quarterly) sampling and analysis. Two ambient air samples were also collected on a quarterly basis in the vicinity of the modular structure and the paved driveway east of the Solvent Reclamation Area during routine operation and maintenance (O&M) activities to ensure safe breathing zone air quality for on-site personnel. All sub-slab soil gas and ambient air sampling conducted during the Year 4 operational period showed results below applicable regulatory air screening limits. Predictions made during the Year 2 groundwater model updates were in close correlation to post Year 4 plume conditions. A supplemental DPT study conducted in 2022 and 2023. This study indicated that low-concentration plume conditions, where concentrations exceed State of Florida Groundwater Cleanup Target Levels, expanded westward to Kennedy Parkway North and northward to the vicinity of the railroad tracks. Based on these results, recommendations were made to install 14 wells to monitor the downgradient and boundary conditions of the expanded LCP. The contents of this Year 4 PMR were presented during the November 2023 KSC Remediation Team meeting, where Team consensus was reached on several items including continued O&M of the HCS, and continued monitoring of groundwater, ambient air, and sub-slab soil gas. Sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances at CRCA is ongoing and will be submitted under separate cover.