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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 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Behavioral, Brain Imaging and Genomic Measures to Predict Functional Outcomes Post - Bed Rest and Spaceflight

Astronauts experience sensorimotor disturbances during their initial exposure to microgravity and during the re-adaptation phase following a return to an Earth-gravitational environment. These alterations may disrupt crewmembers' ability to perform mission critical functional tasks requiring ambulation, manual control and gaze stability. Interestingly, astronauts who return from spaceflight show substantial differences in their abilities to readapt to a gravitational environment. The ability to predict the manner and degree to which individual astronauts would be affected would improve the effectiveness of countermeasure training programs designed to enhance sensorimotor adaptability. For such an approach to succeed, we must develop predictive measures of sensorimotor adaptability that will allow us to foresee, before actual spaceflight, which crewmembers are likely to experience the greatest challenges to their adaptive capacities. The goals of this project are to identify and characterize this set of predictive measures. Our approach includes: 1) behavioral tests to assess sensory bias and adaptability quantified using both strategic and plastic-adaptive responses; 2) imaging to determine individual brain morphological and functional features, using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging, resting state functional connectivity MRI, and sensorimotor adaptation task-related functional brain activation; and 3) assessment of genotypic markers of genetic polymorphisms in the catechol-O-methyl transferase, dopamine receptor D2, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes and genetic polymorphisms of alpha2-adrenergic receptors that play a role in the neural pathways underlying sensorimotor adaptation. We anticipate that these predictive measures will be significantly correlated with individual differences in sensorimotor adaptability after long-duration spaceflight and exposure to an analog bed rest environment. We will be conducting a retrospective study, leveraging data already collected from relevant ongoing or completed bed rest and spaceflight studies. These data will be combined with predictor metrics that will be collected prospectively (as described for behavioral, brain imaging and genomic measures) from these returning subjects to build models for predicting post-mission (bed rest - non-astronauts or space flight - astronauts) adaptive capability as manifested in their outcome measures. To date we have completed a study on 15 normal subjects with all of the above measures. In this presentation we will discuss the optimized set of tests for predictive metrics to be used for evaluating post mission adaptive capability as manifested in their outcome measures. Comparisons of model performance will allow us to better design and implement sensorimotor adaptability training countermeasures against decrements in post-mission adaptive capability that are customized for each crewmember's sensory biases, adaptive capacity, brain structure and functional capacities, and genetic predispositions. The ability to customize adaptability training will allow more efficient use of crew time during training and will optimize training prescriptions for astronauts to ensure expected outcomes.

Mulavara, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Multipurpose Cargo Transfer Bags fro Reducing Exploration Mission Logistics

The Logistics Reduction (LR) project within the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) division is tasked with reducing logistical mass and repurposing logistical items. Multipurpose Cargo Transfer Bags (MCTB) have been designed such that they can serve the same purpose as a Cargo Transfer Bag (CTB), the common logistics carrying bag for the International Space Station (ISS). After use as a cargo carrier, a regular CTB becomes trash, whereas the MCTB can be unfolded into a flat panel for reuse. Concepts and potential benefits for various MCTB applications will be discussed including partitions, crew quarters, solar radiation storm shelters, acoustic blankets, and forward osmosis water processing. Acoustic MCTBs are currently in use on ISS to reduce the noise generated by the T2 treadmill, which reaches the hazard limit at high speeds. The development of the AMCTB included identification of keep out zones, acoustic properties, deployment considerations, and structural testing. Features developed for these considerations are applicable to MCTBs for all crew outfitting applications.

Baccus, Shelley↗
NASA NTRS2016

Reducing Mission Logistics with Multipurpose Cargo Transfer Bags

The Logistics Reduction (LR) project within Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) is tasked with reducing logistical mass and repurposing logistical items. Multipurpose Cargo Transfer Bags (MCTB) have been designed such that they can serve the same purpose as a Cargo Transfer Bag (CTB), the common logistics carrying bag for the International Space Station (ISS). After use as a cargo carrier, a regular CTB becomes trash, whereas the MCTB can be unfolded into a flat panel for reuse. Concepts and potential benefits for various MCTB applications will be discussed including partitions, crew quarters, solar radiation storm shelters, acoustic blankets, and forward osmosis water processing. Acoustic MCTBs are currently in use on ISS to reduce the noise generated by the T2 treadmill, which reaches the hazard limit at high speeds. The development of the AMCTB included identification of keep-out zones, acoustic properties, deployment considerations, and structural testing. Features developed for these considerations are applicable to MCTBs for all crew outfitting applications.

Baccus, Shelley↗
NASA NTRS2017

Behavioral, Brain Imaging and Genomic Measures to Predict Functional Outcomes Post-Bed Rest and Space Flight

Astronauts experience sensorimotor disturbances during their initial exposure to microgravity and during the re-adaptation phase following a return to an Earth-gravitational environment. These alterations may disrupt crewmembers' ability to perform mission critical functional tasks requiring ambulation, manual control and gaze stability. Interestingly, astronauts who return from spaceflight show substantial differences in their abilities to readapt to a gravitational environment. The ability to predict the manner and degree to which individual astronauts are affected will improve the effectiveness of countermeasure training programs designed to enhance sensorimotor adaptability. For such an approach to succeed, we must develop predictive measures of sensorimotor adaptability that will allow us to foresee, before actual spaceflight, which crewmembers are likely to experience greater challenges to their adaptive capacities. The goals of this project are to identify and characterize this set of predictive measures. Our approach includes: 1) behavioral tests to assess sensory bias and adaptability quantified using both strategic and plastic-adaptive responses; 2) imaging to determine individual brain morphological and functional features, using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging, resting state functional connectivity MRI, and sensorimotor adaptation task-related functional brain activation; and 3) assessment of genetic polymorphisms in the catechol-O-methyl transferase, dopamine receptor D2, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes and genetic polymorphisms of alpha2-adrenergic receptors that play a role in the neural pathways underlying sensorimotor adaptation. We anticipate that these predictive measures will be significantly correlated with individual differences in sensorimotor adaptability after long-duration spaceflight and exposure to an analog bed rest environment. We will be conducting a retrospective study, leveraging data already collected from relevant ongoing or completed bed rest and spaceflight studies. This data will be combined with predictor metrics that will be collected prospectively (as described for behavioral, brain imaging and genomic measures) from these returning subjects to build models for predicting post spaceflight and bed rest adaptive capability. In this presentation we will discuss the optimized set of tests for predictive metrics to be used for evaluating post mission adaptive capability as manifested in their outcome measures. Comparisons of model performance will allow us to better design and implement sensorimotor adaptability training countermeasures against decrements in post-mission adaptive capability that are customized for each crewmember's sensory biases, adaptive ability, brain structure, brain function, and genetic predispositions. The ability to customize adaptability training will allow more efficient use of crew time during training and will optimize training prescriptions for astronauts to mitigate the deleterious effects of spaceflight.

Mulavara, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS2017

High-Resolution IR Absorption Spectroscopy of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the 3-micrometers Region: Role of Periphery

In this work we report on high-resolution IR absorption studies that provide a detailed view on how the peripheral structure of irregular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) affects the shape and position of their 3-micrometers absorption band. To this purpose we present mass-selected, high-resolution absorption spectra of cold and isolated phenanthrene, pyrene, benz[a]antracene, chrysene, triphenylene, and perylene molecules in the 2950-3150 per cm range. The experimental spectra are compared with standard harmonic calculations, and anharmonic calculations using a modified version of the SPECTRO program that incorporates a Fermi resonance treatment utilizing intensity redistribution. We show that the 3-micrometers region is dominated by the effects of anharmonicity, resulting in many more bands than would have been expected in a purely harmonic approximation. Importantly, we find that anharmonic spectra as calculated by SPECTRO are in good agreement with the experimental spectra. Together with previously reported high-resolution spectra of linear acenes, the present spectra provide us with an extensive dataset of spectra of PAHs with a varying number of aromatic rings, with geometries that range from open to highly-condensed structures, and featuring CH groups in all possible edge configurations. We discuss the astrophysical implications of the comparison of these spectra on the interpretation of the appearance of the aromatic infrared 3-micrometers band, and on features such as the two-component emission character of this band and the 3-micrometers emission plateau.

techniques: spectroscopic↗
NASA NTRS2017

RTAPS (Research and Technology for Aerospace Propulsion Systems): Simulation of Structural Loads within a Hybrid Gear Resulting From Loading at the Gear Teeth

This report investigates the practical usage of hybrid structures for rotorcraft gearing. The primary driver for utilizing hybrid structures for rotorcraft gearing is to reduce the drive system weight. The hybrid structure concept featured in this study for rotorcraft gearing consists of a metallic gear tooth-rim, a web section manufactured from composite materials, and a metallic hub. The metallic gear tooth-rim is manufactured from conventional gear steel alloys, such as AISI 9310. The gear tooth-rim attaches to the outer diameter of the web section made from composite materials. The inner diameter of the composite web can then attach to a metallic hub, completing the assembly. It is assumed that areas of the shafting or hub where rolling element bearings may ride must remain as gear steel alloys for this study.

Naffin, Richard K.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Gravity Degree-Depth Relationship Using Point Mass Spherical Harmonics

Relationships between the degree of a spherical harmonic model of the gravitational field of a body and the depth of a source expressed as a density contrast can be used to study the structure of features. Here, we show that the gravitational acceleration per spherical harmonic degree of a constant density source has an extremum that depends on the depth of the source. Using the spherical harmonics expansion for a point mass source, we use this to derive a degree-depth relationship. Our relationship resembles an earlier one derived by Bowin (1983), with substantial differences at the lower degrees. We also find that a recent relationship derived by Deng et al. (2022) over-estimates the source depth. The relationship that we derive relates spherical harmonic degree n to depth d for a planet of radius R according to d = (1 - e -1/n+1 )R, which simplifies to d = R/(n + 1) for high degrees. We support our new relationship with synthetic models of a density contrast in a planet. We also show how the differences between our relationship and that of Bowin (1983) affect band-filtered gravity, for example when inspecting the upper 100 km of the Moon. Using point masses in our modeling results in an approximate relationship where in reality sources can be deeper than estimated, since any source contributes to all spherical harmonic degrees. The use of the contribution per individual degree however provides an intuitive relationship between spherical harmonic degree and depth that can be used to place relative bounds on source depths or to determine the bounds on spherical harmonic expansions when band-filtering gravity field models.

Geopotential theory↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The PCM is Dead! Long Live O-PCM!

The ability to reconfigure the optical behavior of a device enables free-space applications ranging from imaging to sensing and signal control. Such optical devices can be compacted via meta-surfaces, patterned structures with feature sizes below the incident wavelength. Leveraging geometry in addition to material properties and CMOS fabrication techniques has allowed meta-surfaces for lenses, holograms, beam steerers and more. To incorporate multiple optical functions into one device, various methods of device control have been implemented, such as stretching of flexible substrates, tuning the refractive index of the comprising meta-atoms via the electro-optic or the thermo-optic effects, phase transition materials such as VO2 and more. Chalcogenide glasses used as optical phase change materials, such as Ge¬2Sb2Te5 (GST), have gained increased traction in the optics community for potential use in the near infrared (NIR) and mid infrared (MIR) bands, including the telecom bands. Various chalcogenides such as Sb2Se3, Sb2S3, Ge2Sb¬2Se5 and Ge2Sb2Se4Te (GSST) have been investigated due to their broad NIR or MIR transparency window and large changes in refractive index. In their amorphous phase, these materials usually display a lower refractive index and low absorption when compared to their crystalline state which display a higher refractive index and typically larger extinction coefficients. The amorphous-crystalline reversible switching can be done via fast melt-quenching thermal processes triggered by laser or electrical impulses, relying on a substrate as a heat sink. The potential of PCMs in photonic devices can be limited by intrinsic material limitations as well as by device fabrication issues. To explore the cyclability of GSST, a PCM with large refractive index contrast and on-chip electrothermal switching on a silicon-on-insulator platform has been done to analyze potential failure mechanisms from both a material and device perspective. A brief outline of the instrumentation and phase change contrast analysis is provided. Dewetting of the PCM, delamination of and damage in the PECVD SiNx protective layer, elemental migration in the PCM and optical contrast decay have been observed in cycled GSST devices. Guidelines for device performance improvement are proposed, and an improved design with larger endurance is shown in progress.

reconfigurable photonics↗
NASA NTRS1989

Spectral structure near the 11.3 micron emission feature

If the 11.3 micron emission feature seen in the spectra of many planetary nebulae, H II regions, and reflection nebulae is attributable to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), then additional features should be present between 11.3 and 13.0 microns. Moderate resolution spectra of NGC 7027, HD 44179, BD+30 deg 3639, and IRAS 21282+5050 are presented which show evidence for new emission features centered near 12.0 and 12.7 microns. These are consistent with an origin from PAHs and can be used to constrain the molecular structure of the family of PAHs responsible for the infrared features. There is an indication that coronene-like PAHs contribute far more to the emission from NGC 7027 than to the emission from HD 44179. The observed asymmetric profile of the 11.3 micron band in all the spectra is consistent with the slight anharmonicity expected in the C-H out-of-plane bending mode in PAHs. A series of repeating features between 10 and 11 microns in the spectrum of HD 44179 suggests a simple hydride larger than 2 atoms is present in the gas phase in this object.

Witteborn, Fred C.↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-resolution ion mobility based on traveling wave structures for lossless ion manipulation resolves hidden lipid features

Abstract High-resolution ion mobility (resolving power > 200) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical tool for resolving isobars and isomers in complex samples. High-resolution ion mobility is capable of discerning additional structurally distinct features, which are not observed with conventional resolving power ion mobility (IM, resolving power ~ 50) techniques such as traveling wave IM and drift tube ion mobility (DTIM). DTIM in particular is considered to be the “gold standard” IM technique since collision cross section (CCS) values are directly obtained through a first-principles relationship, whereas traveling wave IM techniques require an additional calibration strategy to determine accurate CCS values. In this study, we aim to evaluate the separation capabilities of a traveling wave ion mobility structures for lossless ion manipulation platform integrated with mass spectrometry analysis (SLIM IM-MS) for both lipid isomer standards and complex lipid samples. A cross-platform investigation of seven subclass-specific lipid extracts examined by both DTIM-MS and SLIM IM-MS showed additional features were observed for all lipid extracts when examined under high resolving power IM conditions, with the number of CCS-aligned features that resolve into additional peaks from DTIM-MS to SLIM IM-MS analysis varying between 5 and 50%, depending on the specific lipid sub-class investigated. Lipid CCS values are obtained from SLIM IM ( TW(SLIM) CCS) through a two-step calibration procedure to align these measurements to within 2% average bias to reference values obtained via DTIM ( DT CCS). A total of 225 lipid features from seven lipid extracts are subsequently identified in the high resolving power IM analysis by a combination of accurate mass-to-charge, CCS, retention time, and linear mobility-mass correlations to curate a high-resolution IM lipid structural atlas. These results emphasize the high isomeric complexity present in lipidomic samples and underscore the need for multiple analytical stages of separation operated at high resolution. Graphical abstract

Reardon, Allison R. (ORCID:0000000165830134)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Venturing into Unexplored Phase Space: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of MgCo 3 B 2 Featuring a Rumpled Kagomé Network

MgCo 3 B 2 , a novel ternary boride in a previously unexplored phase space, was synthesized using the hydride route. In situ powder X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations aided in the discovery of this compound, whose structure was then determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Like the closely related CeCo 3 B 2 , MgCo 3 B 2 crystallizes in centrosymmetric space group P6/mmm (a = 4.883(2) Å, c = 2.926(2) Å at 210 K, Z = 1). Unlike CeCo 3 B 2 , however, it adopts a disordered structure that features a rumpled Kagomé network of Co atoms, and Mg atoms fill the channels of a Co–B framework. Although the structural disorder leads to motifs that are similar to those observed in MgNi 3 B 2 and other related ternary borides, no evidence of an ordered superstructure was found by single-crystal X-ray diffraction or high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction. In the case of CeCo 3 B 2 , boron atoms occupy the center of regular Co 6 trigonal prisms; in MgCo 3 B 2 , boron atoms are shifted from the center of the prism to form B–B dimers with roughly the same length as those found in MgNi 3 B 2 . Magnetic susceptibility data exhibit an unusual temperature dependence that cannot be convincingly modeled by the modified Curie–Weiss equation, consistent with DFT calculations predicting a nonmagnetic ground state. Intrinsic susceptibility at 300 K is 1.42 × 10 –3 emu/mol Oe, which is comparable to that of paramagnetic YCo 3 B 2 and CeCo 3 B 2 with a similar structure and composition. Here, this study showcases the efficacy of combining several methodologies to discover new solids in unexplored phase spaces. This approach includes in situ PXRD data to monitor reactions of precursors upon heating, a diffusion-enhanced synthesis method, and DFT assessment of compound stability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1980

Applications of radar imagery to arctic and subarctic problems

Radar imagery provides year around data acquisition of areas in the Arctic and the Subarctic. The foremost factor influencing the choice of radar imagery as the major data source was the demand for neotric data. The weather is so adverse in parts of Alaska that radar imagery was the only remote sensing technique which could meet the demand. The major map products derived from radar imagery are landform maps and lineament maps. These maps are used to make environmental assessments of areas and to reconstruct the geomorphic history of certain regions or features. Since radar imagery provides information about geologic structure and geomorphic features, it can be used to determine the relationship which exists between geologic structure and geomorphology. Important geologic information related to surface roughness can be obtained through a dry snow cover. Radar imagery is the only remote sensing technique which can provide information needed about sea ice through a cloud cover and dry snow, during strong wind conditions, and throughout the Arctic night.

Cannon, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Processing technology for high efficiency silicon solar cells

Recent advances in silicon solar cell processing have led to attainment of conversion efficiency approaching 20%. The basic cell design is investigated and features of greatest importance to achievement of 20% efficiency are indicated. Experiments to separately optimize high efficiency design features in test structures are discussed. The integration of these features in a high efficiency cell is examined. Ion implantation has been used to achieve optimal concentrations of emitter dopant and junction depth. The optimization reflects the trade-off between high sheet conductivity, necessary for high fill factor, and heavy doping effects, which must be minimized for high open circuit voltage. A second important aspect of the design experiments is the development of a passivation process to minimize front surface recombination velocity. The manner in which a thin SiO2 layer may be used for this purpose is indicated without increasing reflection losses, if the antireflection coating is properly designed. Details are presented of processing intended to reduce recombination at the contact/Si interface. Data on cell performance (including CZ and ribbon) and analysis of loss mechanisms are also presented.

Spitzer, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Geometric and chronologic evolution of the Verde and Payson Basins of Central Arizona and possible relationships to detachment faulting

The Transition Zone of Arizona and the structural basins therein have been poorly understood features from a structural standpoint. This is true both of their overall geometry as well as their formation. Yet these basins have developed within the last 13 million years and thus represent perhaps the most recent phase of development related to the extensional tectonics of the Basin and Range province. Recent work (Smith, 1984; Vance, 1983) as well as some older studies (Anderson and Creasy, 1985; Pedersen and Royce, 1970) provide data on the geometry of the Verde and Payson basins which can be used to constrain some hypotheses related to the development of these basins. The work of Cloos (1868), Anderson et. al. (1983), Wernicke and Burchfiel (1982) and Davis et. al. (l980) suggest a spatial and chronologic relation exists between planar high angle normal faults and low angle detachment faults. Perhaps one of the clearest examples from the Basin and Range area appears to be from seismic reflection profiles of the Sevier Desert Basin area of Utah (Fig. 1). These profiles suggest the existence fault-controlled extension basin development above it. Faults that appear either listric or planar intersect it from above.

Brumbaugh, D. S.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Feature engineering descriptors, transforms, and machine learning for grain boundaries and variable-sized atom clusters

Abstract Obtaining microscopic structure-property relationships for grain boundaries is challenging due to their complex atomic structures. Recent efforts use machine learning to derive these relationships, but the way the atomic grain boundary structure is represented can have a significant impact on the predictions. Key steps for property prediction common to grain boundaries and other variable-sized atom clustered structures include: (1) describing the atomic structure as a feature matrix, (2) transforming the variable-sized feature matrix to a fixed length common to all structures, and (3) applying a machine learning algorithm to predict properties from the transformed matrices. We examine how these steps and different combinations of engineered features impact the accuracy of grain boundary energy predictions using a database of over 7000 grain boundaries. Additionally, we assess how different engineered features support interpretability, offering insights into the physics of the structure-property relationships.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1988

Soft X-ray images of the solar corona with a normal-incidence Cassegrain multilayer telescope

High-resolution images of the sun in the soft X-ray to EUV regime have been obtained with normal-incidence Cassegrain multilayer telescopes operated from a sounding rocket in space. The inherent energy-selective property of multilayer-coated optics allowed distinct groups of emission lines to be isolated in the solar corona and the transition region. The Cassegrain telescopes provided images in bands centered at 173 and 256 A. The bandpass centered at 173 A is dominated by emission from the ions Fe IX and Fe X. This emission is from coronal plasma in the temperature range (8-14) x 10 to the 6th K. The images have angular resolution of about 1.0-1.5 arcsec and show no degradation because of X-ray scattering. Many features of coronal structure, including magnetically confined loops of hot plasma, coronal plumes, polar coronal holes, faint structures on the size scale of supergranulation and smaller, and features due to everlying cool prominences are visible in the images. The density structure of polar plumes, which are thought to contribute to the solar wind, has been derived from the observations out to 1.7 solar radii.

Walker, Arthur B. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1973

SIRU development. Volume 1: System development

A complete description of the development and initial evaluation of the Strapdown Inertial Reference Unit (SIRU) system is reported. System development documents the system mechanization with the analytic formulation for fault detection and isolation processing structure; the hardware redundancy design and the individual modularity features; the computational structure and facilities; and the initial subsystem evaluation results.

Gilmore, J. P.↗