Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “demonstrations”

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.

At least 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Demonstrating autonomous controls on hardware test beds is a necessity for successful missions to Mars and beyond

NASA and the Department of Defense are planning for a mission to Mars in the 2030s–2040s using nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP). NTP uses a nuclear reactor to heat flowing hydrogen and create thrust. A serious concern for crewed and uncrewed missions to Mars is the loss of reactor control. The reactor startup and initial rocket impulse are initiated in cislunar or near-earth orbital regions; therefore, radio communications between ground control and the NTP engine should occur in real time. However, radio communications can take more than 20 min, depending on planet positions, to reach Mars orbiters from ground control. To address this delay, local autonomous controls are implemented onboard the NTP engine to ensure acceptable operation. However, autonomous controls have not been demonstrated or implemented in research or power reactor contexts because of safety and reliability concerns. To enable autonomous controls development, demonstration, and validation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has created a nonnuclear hardware-in-the-loop test bed. Sensors throughout the test bed relay system status and hardware response to the user control algorithm, including measurements of temperature, flow, pressure of a loop, control drum position, and drum speed. This paper discusses the development of this facility and user accessibility.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS2016

Charlotte - EDC Evaluation and Demonstration (CEED) Human-in-the-Loop Results Briefing to ATD-2 FAA Partners

The Charlotte EDC Evaluation and Demonstration (CEED) was the first Human-In-The-Loop experiment under the Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration-2 (ATD-2) project. The purpose of the study was fourfold: 1) to establish a simulation environment (Charlotte) for airspace operations for ATD-2 technology, 2) to simulate current-day departures and arrival operations, 3) to assess the impact of current Traffic Management Initiatives (TMI) on Charlotte (CLT) departure flows and en route operations in Washington (ZDC) and Atlanta Centers (ZTL), and 4) to assess the impact of departure takeoff time compliance on airspace operations. The experimental design compared 3 TMIs and 2 compliance levels. Fourteen FAA retired controllers participated in the simulation. In addition, two Traffic Management Coordinators from ZTL and ZDC managed traffic flows. Surface and airborne delays, control efficiency, throughput, realism, workload, and acceptability were assessed and will be compared across the experimental conditions. Participants rated the simulation as very realistic. Results indicate that different TMIs have different impacts on surface and airspace delay. Departure compliance indicates partial benefits to sector complexity and controller workload. This simulation will provide an initial assessment of the tactical scheduling problems that the ATD-2 technology will address in the near term.

airspace technology demonstration 2↗
NASA NTRS2016

Fission Surface Power Technology Demonstration Unit Test Results

The Fission Surface Power (FSP) Technology Demonstration Unit (TDU) is a system-level demonstration of fission power technology intended for use on manned missions to Mars. The Baseline FSP systems consists of a 190 kWt UO2 fast-spectrum reactor cooled by a primary pumped liquid metal loop. This liquid metal loop transfers heat to two intermediate liquid metal loops designed to isolate fission products in the primary loop from the balance of plant. The intermediate liquid metal loops transfer heat to four Stirling Power Conversion Units (PCU), each of which produce 12 kWe (48 kW total) and reject waste heat to two pumped water loops, which transfer the waste heat to titanium-water heat pipe radiators. The FSP TDU simulates a single leg of the baseline FSP system using an electrically heater core simulator, a single liquid metal loop, a single PCU, and a pumped water loop which rejects the waste heat to a Facility Cooling System (FCS). When operated at the nominal operating conditions (modified for low liquid metal flow) during TDU testing the PCU produced 8.9 kW of power at an efficiency of 21.7 percent resulting in a net system power of 8.1 kW and a system level efficiency of 17.2 percent. The reduction in PCU power from levels seen during electrically heated testing is the result of insufficient heat transfer from the NaK heater head to the Stirling acceptor, which could not be tested at Sunpower prior to delivery to the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The maximum PCU power of 10.4 kW was achieved at the maximum liquid metal temperature of 875 K, minimum water temperature of 350 K, 1.1 kg/s liquid metal flow, 0.39 kg/s water flow, and 15.0 mm amplitude at an efficiency of 23.3 percent. This resulted in a system net power of 9.7 kW and a system efficiency of 18.7 percent.

Facility Cooling System↗
NASA NTRS2016

Fission Surface Power Technology Demonstration Unit Test Results

The Fission Surface Power (FSP) Technology Demonstration Unit (TDU) is a system-level demonstration of fission power technology intended for use on manned missions to Mars. The Baseline FSP systems consists of a 190 kWt UO2 fast-spectrum reactor cooled by a primary pumped liquid metal loop. This liquid metal loop transfers heat to two intermediate liquid metal loops designed to isolate fission products in the primary loop from the balance of plant. The intermediate liquid metal loops transfer heat to four Stirling Power Conversion Units (PCU), each of which produce 12 kWe (48 kW total) and reject waste heat to two pumped water loops, which transfer the waste heat to titanium-water heat pipe radiators. The FSP TDU simulates a single leg of the baseline FSP system using an electrically heater core simulator, a single liquid metal loop, a single PCU, and a pumped water loop which rejects the waste heat to a Facility Cooling System (FCS). When operated at the nominal operating conditions (modified for low liquid metal flow) during TDU testing the PCU produced 8.9 kW of power at an efficiency of 21.7% resulting in a net system power of 8.1 kW and a system level efficiency of 17.2%. The reduction in PCU power from levels seen during electrically heated testing is the result of insufficient heat transfer from the NaK heater head to the Stirling acceptor, which could not be tested at Sunpower prior to delivery to GRC. The maximum PCU power of 10.4 kW was achieved at the maximum liquid metal temperature of 875 K, minimum water temperature of 350 K, 1.1 kg/s liquid metal flow, 0.39 kg/s water flow, and 15.0 mm amplitude at an efficiency of 23.3%. This resulted in a system net power of 9.7 kW and a system efficiency of 18.7 %.

fission power technology↗
NASA NTRS2017

Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD-2): ATD-2 CLT Pilot Community Engagement

The Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD-2) project conducted a pilot community workshop at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The goal was to familiarize pilots with the ATD-2 project, with an emphasis on procedures that may affect pilots during the Phase 1 Field Demonstration (beginning September 30, 2017). At this workshop, the high-level goals and objectives of ATD-2, expected benefits for pilots, changes to procedures, training requirements, and data sharing elements were presented.

pilot procedures↗
NASA NTRS1994

Overview of the Optical Communications Demonstrator

The Optical Communications Demonstrator is a laboratory-based lasercom demonstration instrument designed to validate effective beacon acquisition, high bandwidth tracking, precision beam pointing, and point ahead compensation functions. The instrument is designed using an array detector for both spatial acquisition and high bandwidth tracking, and a fiber coupled laser transmitter. The array detector tracking concept provides wide field of view acquisition as well as high update rate using a single output channel device. At the same time, it permits effective platform jitter compensation and point ahead control using only one steering mirror. The use of fiber coupled transmitter further modularizes transmitter design and de-couples the thermal management problem. The reduction in design complexity can lead to a reduced system cost and an improved system reliability. Furthermore, it can permit the implementation of a new generation of lasercom instruments capable of realizing the inherent advantages of optical frequency communication systems.

laser↗
NASA NTRS2021

Bell Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration and Operationalization (SIO) Demonstration: Final Report, Summary of Research

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiated the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration and Operationalization (SIO) demonstration as a partnership between NASA and Industry with the goal of accelerating routine unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations in the national airspace (NAS). In order to accomplish this goal, NASA partnered separately with Bell and two other industry teams each pioneering the development, integration, and testing of their UAS, with the intent to make progress towards type certification. The program culminated in flight demonstrations representing future commercial operations by each partner.

Flight Demonstration↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Overview of NASA's Low Boom Flight Demonstration

NASA will soon begin a series of tests that will collect nationally representative data on how people perceive low noise supersonic overflights. For half a century, civilian aircraft have been required to fly slower than the speed of sound over land to prevent “creating an unacceptable situation” on the ground due to sonic booms. However, new aircraft shaping techniques have led to dramatic changes in how shockwaves from supersonic flight merge together as they travel to the ground. What used to sound like a boom on the ground will be transformed into a thump. NASA is now building a full-scale, piloted demonstration aircraft called the X-59 to demonstrate low noise supersonic flight. In 2024, the X-59 aircraft will commence a national series of community overflight tests to collect data on how people perceive “sonic thumps.” The community response data will be provided to national and international noise regulators as they consider creating new standards that allow supersonic flight over land at acceptably low noise levels.

Sonic Boom↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

OSAM-2: Plans and Progress for the First Demonstration of Structural Manufacturing in Space

OSAM-2 began as a NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate Tipping Point project in 2016 in which an investment made in ground development and demonstration and/or flight demonstration will result in: Significant advancement of technology’s maturation High likelihood for utilization of technology in commercially fielded space application Significant improvement in ability to successfully bring space technology to market Topic area was “Robotic In-Space Manufacturing and Assembly of Spacecraft and Space Structures” Made In Space, Inc. (now Redwire) proposed Archinaut One, an in-space robotic precision manufacturing and assembly system for larger-than-deployable structures Manufacturing / assembly in the operational environment allows manufactured parts to be designed for that environment (and not for launch loads and need to deploy) In 2020 NASA budget language, NASA began using On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing Mission 2 (OSAM-2) for Archinaut One Restore-L + SPIDER (SPace Infrastructure DExterous Robot) became OSAM-1 Note: Slide 7 contains video animation, best viewed in presentation mode, run time 2 mins 25 secs.

In-Space Manufacturing↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advanced 2030 Single Aisle Aircraft Modeling for the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration Program

The NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration Program is aimed at advancing electrified powertrains for future aircraft platforms through flight demonstrations for various passenger classes and power levels. The objective of this paper is to establish non-electrified reference models for 2030 aircraft with advanced technologies for the large single aisle (150 passenger) and small single aisle (100 passenger) vehicle classes. Current state-of-art aircraft are first identified and modeled using a proprietary design tool called Environmental Design Space. Next, through a comprehensive literature review, engine, airframe and composite material technologies that are expected to be available by 2030 are identified, and their respective benefits are applied to the 2030 vehicles. The engine cycle and the aircraft design are then optimized to provide the maximum fuel burn benefit while meeting all the specified aircraft requirements. While the large single aisle aircraft range requirement is kept the same as the current state-of-art aircraft, the small single aisle aircraft is optimized for a reduced range of 1000 nmi. Expected fuel burn benefit from these technologies along with any propulsive, aerodynamic and weight benefit will be summarized in this paper.

single aisle aircraft↗
NASA NTRS2024

The CapiSorb Visible System (CVS) Demonstrations on ISS

Falling liquid film amine sorbent reactors have been successfully employed to scrub CO 2 aboard submarines for decades. However, applying such proven methods aboard orbiting and coast spacecraft is significantly challenged by the nearly weightless environment, where liquid sprays and films do not fall, and vapor bubbles and gases do not rise. The Capillary Sorbent (CapiSorb) Visible System (CVS) is a technology demonstration experiment performed aboard the ISS April 18 – 21, 2023. The system establishes stable steady thin liquid film flows in Contactor (absorber) and Degasser (desorber/stripper) replacing the passive role of gravity with the combined passive roles of surface tension, wetting, and system geometry. A TOX-0 fructose ersatz liquid sorbent is employed enabling ‘transparent’ experiments performed and filmed by the crew safely in the open cabin of the ISS. Completed objectives include demonstrations of stable passive ‘massively’ parallel planar thin film capillary flows across atmospheric pressure Contactor and sealed heated Degasser. The impacts of varying flow rate, flow direction, heat input, viscosity, positive and negative Degasser pressures, condensate collection and return, fluid distribution, interfacial stability, and others are reported. At least 49 diagnostics are recorded for digitization and subsequent thermal-fluids model validation by a single HD video downlink during the nearly 22 hours of operations. An overview of the flight hardware including description of the components, diagnostics, crew procedures, flight operations, and summary of accomplishments is reported in Ref. 1. Further details of the diagnostics, tests performed, and data reduction is reported in Ref. 2. This report collects both1,2 into a single report adding methods of data digitization, reduction, and archive along with analyses and discussions of technology impacts.

microgravity↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Demonstrations: A Path to the Future of Aviation

These slides were given as part of Panel 7: “Electric Flight Demonstrations: Test Results, Upcoming Tests, and Certification” a part of iTEC+EATS 2026 held in Novi MI. The presentation represents NASA’s recent and current investments in demonstrating megawatt and multi-megawatt electrified aircraft propulsion

demonstrator↗
DOE OSTI2024

High Temperature Test Facility At Scale Testing, Validation, and Demonstration

Theses slides will be used to brief the Tribal DOE and Council Chairman for the project listed below. The High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) is a demonstration-scale high temperature electrolysis (HTE) system that provides the ability to produce, process, store, and dispense electrolytically produced hydrogen. The system will be designed to accommodate electrolysis systems from various industry partners. The HTTF will be supplied up to 10 MW of power for electrolysis at 5 separate test article locations, each up to 2MW. The system will include post-processing and compression, storage, and capabilities to provide hydrogen for consumption by future end users. The HTTF will also provide the ability to test and demonstrate an HTE system in a configuration that would simulate the use of a nuclear generated steam supply for the high temperature heat source. The HTTF will be located at the Central Facilities Area (CFA) adjacent to CFA-686 on the INL site, 45 miles west of Idaho Falls.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Poster: Hardware-Based Demonstration of Temperature Control Functions for Reactor Systems

Autonomous thermal regulation in nuclear reactors remains crucial for maintaining stable operation and ensuring the integrity of fuel. To alleviate public skepticism of the safety of nuclear reactors, demonstrating control over this key factor is pivotal. Utilizing electric heat pads to simulate the heat released in a reactor core, thermocouples for temperature monitoring, and an Arduino micro programmable logic controller (PLC) with an embedded proportional-integral-derivative (PID) algorithm for control, a hardware-based demonstration of a reactor heating system will validate the efficacy of reactor control over this key parameter.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Accelerating Nuclear-Integrated Data Centers in the USA: SWOT Analysis, Power-Thermal Management Strategies, and Industrial-Scale Demonstration and Potential Deployment

Driven by the growth in digital services, cloud computing, AI, and manufacturing, data centers face rising energy demands that challenge traditional power sources and cooling efficiency. This study explores using nuclear power to meet these demands, focusing on accelerated reactor technology deployment and highlighting needs such as N+1/N+2 power supplies and integrated power-thermal management. A SWOT analysis addresses grid connectivity, reactors, and site selection, particularly DOE sites. Reactor technology demonstration and deployment could be accelerated by leveraging test facilities such as MARVEL, MAGNET, TED, FAS, DOME, LOTUS, ATR, Energy System Proving Grounds, and upcoming Energy Launch Pads, along with modeling and simulation tools such as RELAP5, MOOSE, VERA, RAVEN, and FORCE. The potential power and thermal management options, including various cooling technologies, waste-heat utilization, and an industrial-scale demonstration plan, aim to accelerate the integration of nuclear power and data centers in the USA, while emphasizing community and stakeholder engagement and synergistic efforts.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗
DOE OSTI2021

Systematic Design and Experimental Demonstration of Transmission-Type Multiplexed Acoustic Metaholograms

Acoustic holograms have promising applications in sound-field reconstruction, particle manipulation, ultrasonic haptics, and therapy. This study reports on the theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigation of multiplexed acoustic holograms at both audio and ultrasonic frequencies via a rationally designed transmission-type acoustic metamaterial. The proposed metahologram is composed of two Fabry–Pérot resonant channels per unit cell, which enables the simultaneous modulation of the transmitted amplitude and phase at two desired frequencies. In contrast to conventional acoustic metamaterial-based holograms, the design strategy proposed here provides a new degree of freedom (frequency) that can actively tailor holograms that are otherwise completely passive and significantly enhances the information encoded in acoustic metamaterials. To demonstrate the multiplexed acoustic metamaterial, the projection of two different high-quality metaholograms is first shown at 14 and 17 kHz, with the patterns of the letters N and S. Then, two-channel ultrasound focusing and annular beams generation for the incident ultrasonic frequencies of 35 and 42.5 kHz are demonstrated. Furthermore, these multiplexed acoustic metaholograms offer a technical advance to tackle the rising challenges in the fields of acoustic metamaterials, architectural acoustics, and medical ultrasound.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗