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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 55 records · Page 3

Infusing Software Engineering Technology into Practice at NASA

We present an ongoing effort of the NASA Software Engineering Initiative to encourage the use of advanced software engineering technology on NASA projects. Technology infusion is in general a difficult process yet this effort seems to have found a modest approach that is successful for some types of technologies. We outline the process and describe the experience of the technology infusions that occurred over a two year period. We also present some lessons from the experiences.

software assurance↗

A Fast Technology Infusion Model for Aerospace Organizations

A multi-year Fast Technology Infusion initiative proposes a model for aerospace organizations to improve the cost-effectiveness by which they mature new, in-house developed software and hardware technologies for space mission use. The first year task under the umbrella of this initiative will provide the framework to demonstrate and document the fast infusion process. The viability of this approach will be demonstrated on two technologies developed in prior years with internal Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) funding. One hardware technology and one software technology were selected for maturation within one calendar year or less. The overall objective is to achieve cost and time savings in the qualification of technologies. At the end of the recommended three-year effort, we will have demonstrated for six or more in-house developed technologies a clear path to insertion using a documented process that permits adaptation to a broad range of hardware and software projects.

technology readiness level↗

Evaluation of RTM370 Polyimide Composites by Resin Film Infusion (RFI)

RTM370 imide oligomer based on 2,3,3',4'-biphenyl dianhydride (a-BPDA), 3,4'-oxydianiline (3,4'-ODA) and terminated with the 4-phenylethynylphthalic (PEPA) endcap has been shown to exhibit a low melt viscosity (10-30 poise) at 280 C with a pot-life of 1-2 h and a high cured glass-transition temperature (Tg) of 370 C. RTM370 resin has been successfully infused into fiberglass-stitched T650-35 carbon-fabric preforms (ranged from 3- to 6-mm thick) by resin film infusion (RFI). The resulting composite panels were inspected by ultrasonic C-scan and by photomicrographs before and after post-curing as a quality control. Mechanical tests such as unnotched compression (UNC), open-hole compression (OHC), and short-beam shear strength (SBS) at ambient and elevated temperatures were performed before and after isothermal aging at 288 C for 1000 h to assess high-temperature performance. Thermal cycling of RTM370 stitched composites was also conducted from -54 C to 288 C for up to 1600 cycles to evaluate the microcrack resistance of RTM370 polyimide composites fabricated by RFI.

Polyimide↗

Open-Hole Testing of Resin Infused Carbon Composite Laminates to Facilitate Damage Growth and Failure Analysis Tools for Structural Design

In manufacturing of carbon-fiber reinforced composite aircraft structures, resin infusion offers a highly repeatable process for manufacturing structural components with resin content control, low labor requirements, and complex curvatures. To further understand the structural capabilities of res-in infused composites (RIC), this study – as part of the NASA-led Hi-Rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing project efforts – performed open hole tension (OHT) and open hole compression (OHC) testing on RIC laminates. This testing provides information on the damage morphology and growth characteristics of RICs, which fuels the development and evaluation of analysis tools for progressive damage growth and failure responses. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was implemented on each OHC and OHT specimen prior to mechanical testing to identify preexisting damage and/or defects. Two OHT and OHC specimens were loaded monotonically to failure and an additional OHT and OHC specimen were loaded intermittently at defined conditions and XCT scanned after each run. From the data obtained in this study, damage mechanisms leading to failure were identified, damage morphology and size were assessed, and damage initiation and failure loads were measured.

HiCAM↗

Advancing molecular machine learning representations with stereoelectronics-infused molecular graphs

Molecular representation is a critical element in our understanding of the physical world and the foundation for modern molecular machine learning. Previous molecular machine learning models have used strings, fingerprints, global features and simple molecular graphs that are inherently information-sparse representations. However, as the complexity of prediction tasks increases, the molecular representation needs to encode higher fidelity information. This work introduces a new approach to infusing quantum-chemical-rich information into molecular graphs via stereoelectronic effects, enhancing expressivity and interpretability. Learning to predict the stereoelectronics-infused representation with a tailored double graph neural network workflow enables its application to any downstream molecular machine learning task without expensive quantum-chemical calculations. We show that the explicit addition of stereoelectronic information substantially improves the performance of message-passing two-dimensional machine learning models for molecular property prediction. We show that the learned representations trained on small molecules can accurately extrapolate to much larger molecular structures, yielding chemical insight into orbital interactions for previously intractable systems, such as entire proteins, opening new avenues of molecular design. Finally, we have developed a web application (simg.cheme.cmu.edu) where users can rapidly explore stereoelectronic information for their own molecular systems.

Boiko, Daniil A↗

Slippery liquid infused porous surface (SLIPS) condensers for high efficiency air gap membrane distillation

Abstract To address growing water scarcity, we must improve the energy efficiency of thermal desalination technologies such as air gap membrane distillation. However, promising functional materials such as slippery liquid infused porous surfaces have not yet implemented for any desalination technology. Here, we fabricate and test slippery liquid infused porous surfaces (using Krytox 16,256 lubricant and CuO nanostructures) in an air gap membrane distillation apparatus. System-level transport models, validated by experimental data, establish a framework for improving performance through enhanced condensation surfaces. Results are obtained across a range of temperatures (50–80 °C), salinities (5–105 g/kg), and module lengths. We find that small air gap thickness and efficient droplet shedding significantly improves performance. The CuO Krytox process achieves these with a conductive-self-limiting coating, high nanostructure rugosity, strong covalent and metallic bonding, high hydrophobicity, minimal droplet pinning sites, and ultra-low contact angle hysteresis. The greatest efficiency enhancement from SLIPS is derived from the improved droplet shedding, which allows for reduced gap sizes without flooding, and is further augmented by the increased permeate flux.

Yogi, Yashwant S.↗

Advancing Fusion Research and Development at TAE Technologies Through INFUSE Program

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program serves as a crucial catalyst by fostering public-private partnership that accelerates technological innovation for fusion energy research and development (R&D) in the private sector. Further, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the technical goals and accomplishments of projects awarded to TAE Technologies through the INFUSE program since 2019. We offer high-level perspectives on how these projects have contributed to fusion energy R&D, and we address key challenges encountered during these collaborations.

field-reversed configuration↗

Programmable physiological infusion

A programmable physiological infusion device and method are provided wherein a program source, such as a paper tape, is used to actuate an infusion pump in accordance with a desired program. The system is particularly applicable for dispensing calcium in a variety of waveforms.

Howard, W. H.↗

Fluid infusion system

Performance testing carried out in the development of the prototype zero-g fluid infusion system is described and summarized. Engineering tests were performed in the course of development, both on the original breadboard device and on the prototype system. This testing was aimed at establishing baseline system performance parameters and facilitating improvements. Acceptance testing was then performed on the prototype system to verify functional performance. Acceptance testing included a demonstration of the fluid infusion system on a laboratory animal.

Source record↗

Effect of hypovolemia, infusion, and oral rehydration on plasma electrolytes, ADH, renin activity, and +G/z/ tolerance

Effects on plasma volume, electrolyte shifts, and +G(z) tolerance induced by: (1) blood withdrawal; (2) blood infusion; and (3) oral fluid intake, were determined at 0.5 G/min in centrifugation tests of six ambulatory male patients, aged 21 to 27 yrs. Hypovolemia induced by withdrawal of 400 ml blood, blood infusion followed by repeated centrifugation, effects of consuming an isotonic drink (0.9% NaCl) to achieve oral rehydration, and donning of red adaptation goggles were studied for effects on acceleration tolerance, pre-acceleration and post-acceleration plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma vasopressin levels. No significant changes in post-acceleration PRA compared to pre-acceleration PRA were found, and administration of oral rehydration is found as effective as blood replacement in counteracting hypovolemic effects.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Effect of chronic intracerebroventricular angiotensin II infusion on vasopressin release in rats

The effects of the chronic infusion of angiotensin II into the lateral cerebral ventricle on the release of arginine vasopressin in rats are investigated. Rats were subjected to a continuous infusion of angiotensin at a rate of 1 microgram/h for five days, during which they were offered water, isotonic saline or hypertonic saline ad libitum or 40 ml water/day, and fluid intake, changes in body weight, plasma sodium ion concentrations and plasma and pituitary arginine vasopressin levels were measured. Angiotensin II is found to increase the fluid intake of rats given isotonic saline and decrease plasma sodium ion levels with no changes in plasma or pituitary arginine vasopressin in those given water or isotonic saline. However, in rats given hypertonic saline, plasma sodium concentrations remained at control levels while plasma vasopressin increased, and in water-restricted rats the effects of angiotensin II were intermediate. Results thus demonstrate that angiotensin II-stimulated arginine vasopressin release is reduced under conditions in which plasma sodium ion concentration becomes dilute, compatible with a central role of angiotensin in the regulation of salt and water balance.

Sterling, G. H.↗

Infusion of instrumentation technology (engine plume diagnostics) into operational test programs

The following subject areas are covered: hierarchy of civil space technology program; evolution of technology development; technology validation process; potential impacts; impacts of technology infusion into flight certifications; potential solutions; examples of current technology infusion into flight certification; OAET-CSTI health monitoring and controls; and challenges for future space vehicle propulsion systems.

Woods, E. G.↗

An infiltration/cure model for manufacture of fabric composites by the resin infusion process

A 1-D infiltration/cure model was developed to simulate fabrication of advanced textile composites by the resin film infusion process. The simulation model relates the applied temperature and pressure processing cycles, along with the experimentally measured compaction and permeability characteristics of the fabric preforms, to the temperature distribution, the resin degree of cure and viscosity, and the infiltration flow front position as a function of time. The model also predicts the final panel thickness, fiber volume fraction, and resin mass for full saturation as a function of compaction pressure. Composite panels were fabricated using the RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) film infusion technique from knitted, knitted/stitched, and 2-D woven carbon preforms and Hercules 3501-6 resin. Fabric composites were fabricated at different compaction pressures and temperature cycles to determine the effects of the processing on the properties. The composites were C-scanned and micrographed to determine the quality of each panel. Advanced cure cycles, developed from the RTM simulation model, were used to reduce the total cure cycle times by a factor of 3 and the total infiltration times by a factor of 2.

Weideman, Mark H.↗

Software Engineering Technology Infusion Within NASA

Abstract technology transfer is of crucial concern to both government and industry today. In this paper, several software engineering technologies used within NASA are studied, and the mechanisms, schedules, and efforts at transferring these technologies are investigated. The goals of this study are: 1) to understand the difference between technology transfer (the adoption of a new method by large segments of an industry) as an industry-wide phenomenon and the adoption of a new technology by an individual organization (called technology infusion); and 2) to see if software engineering technology transfer differs from other engineering disciplines. While there is great interest today in developing technology transfer models for industry, it is the technology infusion process that actually causes changes in the current state of the practice.

Zelkowitz, Marvin V.↗

Developing An Autonomy Infusion Infrastructure for Robotic Exploration

Future robotic exploration missions will require autonomy in order to accomplish mission goals for operational efficiency and science return. For example, it will require three communication cycles for the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, to place an instrument on a science target. Reducing this time necessitates highly accurate navigation, obstacle avoidance, target tracking, target analysis, manipulation, and fault diagnosis. Technologies to address these and other operational elements are currently being developed at NASA and within academia. However, infusion into missions has always been a difficult task for researchers. In order to keep risk down, mission managers are reluctant to include new technologies unless they have undergone extensive testing and verification under flight-realistic conditions. Furthermore, infusion of new technologies into missions is made more difficult by the variety of software frameworks under which these technologies are developed. Missions would like to see competing solutions demonstrated on a common platform so that they can compare performance and choose the solution best suited to their application.

Bualat, Maria G.↗

The chronic infusion of nicotine into the developing chick embryo does not alter the density of (-)-[3H]nicotine-binding sites or vestibular function

(-)-Nicotine (1.2 mg/day) or saline was infused into chick embryos (Gallus domesticus) for 10 days beginning 12 h beyond the eight day of incubation (E8 + 12 h). Twelve h beyond the eighteenth day of incubation (E18 + 12 h), the eggs were opened to access the embryos and subcutaneous skull electrodes placed. Short latency vestibular response thresholds and input/output functions were determined to assess neurophysiological consequences of chronic nicotine administration. Samples of serum and extraembryonic (amniotic and albumen) fluid were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the levels of nicotine and its major metabolite, cotinine. The brains were removed and divided into diencephalon and mesencephalon and the density of (-)-[3H]nicotine binding sites in each brain area was measured. Nicotine and cotinine were found in the serum and extraembryonic fluid, but nicotinic receptors were not up-regulated in the brains of animals infused with nicotine in comparison to controls. Vestibular response thresholds also did not differ between nicotine-treated and control animals.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗

Infusing Software Assurance Research Techniques into Use

Research in the software engineering community continues to lead to new development techniques that encompass processes, methods and tools. However, a number of obstacles impede their infusion into software development practices. These are the recurring obstacles common to many forms of research. Practitioners cannot readily identify the emerging techniques that may benefit them, and cannot afford to risk time and effort evaluating and trying one out while there remains uncertainty about whether it will work for them. Researchers cannot readily identify the practitioners whose problems would be amenable to their techniques, and, lacking feedback from practical applications, are hard-pressed to gauge the where and in what ways to evolve their techniques to make them more likely to be successful. This paper describes an ongoing effort conducted by a software engineering research infusion team established by NASA s Software Engineering Initiative to overcome these obstacles. .

Pressburger, Thomas↗

Using Existing NASA Satellites as Orbiting Testbeds to Accelerate Technology Infusion into Future Missions

One of the shared problems for new space mission developers is that it is extremely difficult to infuse new technology into new missions unless that technology has been flight validated. Therefore, the issue is that new technology is required to fly on a successful mission for flight validation. We have been experimenting with new technology on existing satellites by retrofitting primarily the flight software while the missions are on-orbit to experiment with new operations concepts. Experiments have been using Earth Observing 1 (EO-1), which is part of the New Millennium Program at NASA. EO-1 finished its prime mission one year after its launch on November 21,2000. From November 21,2001 until the present, EO-1 has been used in parallel with additional science data gathering to test out various sensor web concepts. Similarly, the Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS) satellite was also a one year mission flown by the University of Berkeley, sponsored by NASA and whose prime mission ended August 30,2005. Presently, CHIPS is being used to experiment with a seamless space to ground interface by installing Core Flight System (cFS), a "plug-and-play" architecture developed by the Flight Software Branch at NASA/GSFC on top of the existing space-to-ground Internet Protocol (IP) interface that CHIPS implemented. For example, one targeted experiment is to connect CHIPS to a rover via this interface and the Internet, and trigger autonomous actions on CHIPS, the rover or both. Thus far, having satellites to experiment with new concepts has turned out to be an inexpensive way to infuse new technology for future missions. Relevant experiences thus far and future plans will be discussed in this presentation.

Mandl, Daniel↗