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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 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Grain boundary relaxation in doped nano-grained aluminum

Here, simulation studies are done to understand the role of dopants that segregate preferentially to grain boundaries on the stability of nanocrystalline aluminum. A dopant design framework based on thermodynamic principles, is used to identify the specific dopant type with the highest potential to segregate to grain boundaries in nanocrystalline aluminum. Various elements are evaluated as potential dopants and magnesium is identified to have the highest tendency to segregate to grain boundaries and release the excess free energyleading to the relaxation of the grain boundaries. A systematic combination of atomic structure analysis is then done to correlate grain boundary relaxation and the mechanical response of the magnesium-doped nanocrystalline aluminum at ambient temperature. The atomistic simulations reveal that the preferential partitioning of magnesium dopants to the grain boundaries reduces the excess volume within this region which stabilizes the nanostructure. At low contents, the magnesium dopants are observed initially partition to the grain boundaries, but once saturation of the grain boundaries is reached, excess dopants are accommodated in the crystalline interiors. It is found that the addition of the magnesium dopants even in the dilute limit, enhances the strength of the nanocrystalline aluminum. The formation of large, disordered GBs in doped nanocrystalline aluminum under tensile load allowed it to accommodate the deformation and prohibit crack growth.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1977

Benefit evaluation of space processing of biological materials

A rational analytical basis for the evaluation of potential benefits of space processing of biological materials is described. A preliminary evaluation of three candidate space processed biological materials was accomplished. Materials investigated were human lymphocytes, urokinase, and Beta cells. Separation of lymphocyte groups was considered in order to improve the matching of donors and recipients for kidney transplantation, while urokinase was examined in regard to treatment of thromboembolic diseases. Separation of Beta cells was studied since it could provide a highly effective means for the treatment of juvenile-onset diabetes.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2010

NASA 14 Day Undersea Missions: A Short-Duration Spaceflight Analog for Immune System Dysregulation

BACKGROUND Spaceflight-associated immune dysregulation (SAID) occurs during spaceflight and may represent specific clinical risks for exploration-class missions. An appropriate ground analog for spaceflight-associated immune dysregulation would offer a platform for ground-evaluation of various potential countermeasures. This study evaluated the NASA Undersea Mission Operations ( NEEMO ), consisting of 14 day undersea deployment at the Aquarius station, as an analog for SAID. Sixteen Aquanauts from missions NEEMO-12, 13 and 14 participated in the study. RESULTS Mid-mission alterations leukocyte distribution occurred, including granulocytosis and elevations in central-memory CD8+ T-cells. General T cell function was reduced during NEEMO missions in roughly 50% of subjects. Secreted cytokines profiles were evaluated following whole blood stimulation with CD3/CD28 (T cells) or LPS (monocytes). T cell production of IFNg, IL-5, IL-10, IL-2, TNFa and IL-6 were all reduced before and during the mission. Conversely, monocyte production of TNFa, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1b and IL-8 were elevated during mission, moreso at the MD-14 timepoint. Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen and early antigen were increased in approximately 40% of the subjects. Changes in EBV tetramer-positive CD8+ T-cells exhibited a variable pattern. Antibodies against Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were marginally increased during the mission. Herpesvirus reactivation was determined by PCR. EBV viral load was generally elevated at L-6. Higher levels of salivary EBV were found during the NEEMO mission than before and after as well as than the healthy controls. No VZV or CMV was found in any pre, during and after NEEMO mission or control samples. Plasma cortisol was elevated at L-6. CONCLUSION Unfortunately, L-6 may be too near to mission start to be an appropriate baseline measurement. The general immune changes in leukocyte distribution, T cell function, cytokine production, virus specific immunity and viral reactivation are similar to those observed during or following spaceflight. The NEEMO platform may thus have utility for short-duration, ground-based spaceflight-immune research, such as investigations of mechanism or countermeasures validation.

Crucian, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS2014

International Space Station (ISS) Orbital Replaceable Unit (ORU) Wet Storage Risk Assessment

The International Space Station (ISS) Program requested the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) to evaluate the risks posed by the practice of long-term wet storage of ISS Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) regeneration system orbital replacement units (ORUs). The ISS ECLS regeneration system removes water from urine and humidity condensate and converts it into potable water and oxygen. A total of 29 ORUs are in the ECLS system, each designed to be replaced by the ISS crew when necessary. The NESC assembled a team to review the ISS ECLS regeneration system and evaluate the potential for biofouling and corrosion. This document contains the outcome of the evaluation.

Squire, Michael D.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Contractors Road Heavy Equipment Area (SWMU 055) 2021 Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report

This document presents a summary of activities completed at the Contractors Road Heavy Equipment (CRHE) Area, located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, from January through December 2021. The activities conducted at the CRHE Area include: - Annual groundwater sampling activities associated with site-wide plume monitoring and Underground Injection Control (UIC) monitoring in the former bioremediation Interim Measures (IM) Hot Spot 1 (HS1) area; - Direct push technology (DPT) groundwater investigation; and - Semi-annual vapor intrusion (VI) evaluation activities. This facility is designated Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) Number 055 (SWMU 055) under KSC’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action program. This report was prepared by HydroGeoLogic, Inc. (HGL) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under contract number 80KSC019F0096. The annual groundwater sampling results demonstrated that the footprint where chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC) are present above their State of Florida groundwater cleanup target levels (GCTLs) is not expanding overall. One non-chlorinated VOC (1,4-dioxane) is found above its GCTL at isolated points within the chlorinated VOC plume. The DPT groundwater investigation is being used to delineate the horizontal and vertical boundaries where chlorinated VOCs are present at levels above natural attenuation default concentrations. That data supports an evaluation of potential additional remedial actions. The potential for VI into the CRHE Area Office (K6-1996H) is evaluated by collected sub-slab vapor samples from four locations twice a year (once in the wet season and once in the dry season). The results for 2021 were all below the Environmental Protection Agency's vapor intrusion screening levels (VISLs) for both commercial and residential settings. The path forward for the site is to continue annual monitoring for chlorinated VOCs and 1,4-dioxane until additional remedies are implemented or the site is transitioned to long-term monitoring.

Contractors Road Heavy Equipment↗
NASA NTRS2003

Observing System Simulation Experiments to Determine the Potential Impact of Space-Based Lidar Wind Profiles on Weather Prediction

Observing system simulation experiments (OSSE's) provide an effective means to evaluate the potential impact of a proposed observing system, as well as to determine tradeoffs in their design, and to evaluate data assimilation methodology. Great care must be taken to ensure realism of the OSSE's, and in the interpretation of OSSE results. All of the OSSE's that have been conducted to date have demonstrated tremendous potential for space-based wind profile data to improve atmospheric analyses, forecasts, and research. This has been true for differing data assimilation systems, analysis methodology, and model resolutions. OSSE's clearly show much greater potential for observations of the complete wind profile than for single-level wind data or observations of the boundary layer alone.

Atlas, Robert↗
DOE OSTI2018

Instrumentation for Hanford Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Real-Time, In-Line Process Monitoring - 18339

The direct-feed low-activity waste (DFLAW) process will utilize facilities in the Hanford tank farms to stage tank waste feed, a new facility to pretreat the tank waste feed, and facilities in the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) to immobilize the low-activity waste (LAW) and disposition effluents from the vitrification process. Process sampling is used extensively throughout the DFLAW process to qualify waste feeds, control the process, and demonstrate compliance with regulatory and contractual commitments. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of River Protection (ORP) has started a program to evaluate the potential benefits of replacing some sample collection requirements with realtime, in-line monitoring (RTIM). The program will identify, develop, and evaluate technologies that can reduce the number of samples required for WTP operation. Potential benefits of RTIM include elimination of process holds for sample analysis, a reduction in worker exposure to radiation and chemical hazards, decreased secondary waste volume, reducing the cost for sample collection and analysis, an improvement in product quality, and timely indication of process anomalies. In order to incorporate RTIM, the process control strategy for the overall process, as well as each unit operation, was reviewed and revisions to the strategies proposed. The following items were identified for incorporation of RTIM: - Real-time material balance calculations linked to the process control system; - Use of RTIM instruments to validate the material balance for selected analytes; - Anion analysis for determination of selected semi-volatile species (e.g., chlorine, sulfur, and fluorine) in the recycle stream. Based on the proposed process control strategy, a preliminary list of potential analytical equipment was developed. This was followed by a preliminary survey of instrument technologies currently on the market building on surveys performed for ORP, literature reviews, vendor web sites, and subject matter experts from the Savannah River National Laboratory and other U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. Each technology was evaluated for measurement capability, operations and maintenance requirements, space requirements, and potential for application as process control instrumentation. The instrument technologies were chosen based on the following criteria: - Ability to perform analyses needed; - Potential to be used or adapted for use as process control instruments; - Potential to be adapted to size and operational constraints of standard WTP sample cabinets; - Operational and maintenance requirements. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

ISRU Potential Water Mine Sites; Preliminary Evaluation for NASA Artemis Campaign

The NASA Artemis Campaign aims to return to the Moon to maintain a sustainable presence [1], and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)is a key part of sustainability. The regions of interest for the Artemis campaign, as outlined in [1] and shown in Fig 1, are at Lunar the South Pole where water ice has been identified. The potential use of this water, and oxygen/hydrogen, for NASA and commercial applications such as refueling vehicles and power systems, and supplying life support consumables is one of the considerations the NASA Artemis team is using to evaluate these regions. As such, analyses are underway to evaluate the ISRU ice mining potential of these regions of interest. To do so, a set of ground rules for ISRU sites have been developed to align with current assumptions for customer needs, hardware capabilities, initially limited infrastructure, and lunar environments/terrain. The customer could be a lander, habitat, or other asset that makes use of ISRU product within the Artemis architecture. At this time, four of the regions of influence (the ‘western’ cluster in Fig. 1) have undergone preliminary ISRU evaluation. It should be noted that variety of other efforts have done similar evaluations of this nature with different assumptions or viewpoints, such as the most recent[2]. However, most evaluations focus on large permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) and craters due to orbital data resolution limitations, whereas early ice mining operations will likely occur in much smaller PSRs

In situ resource utilization↗
DOE OSTI2025

The potential for New Mexico basalts to sequester CO 2 with a focus on critical element mobility

This study evaluates the potential of New Mexico basaltic rocks and mafic mine waste for CO₂ sequestration via mineral carbonation. Batch experiments up to 200 days at 40°C simulated CO₂-bearing fluid interactions with various crushed basaltic materials at different grain sizes. Results showed that 70–80% of injected CO₂ was mineralized, with the finest grain sizes showing the most rapid and effective drawdown. The experiments also assessed the mobility of critical metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Co), revealing trends tied to mineral dissolution and secondary mineral formation. The findings support the dual potential of mine waste for CO₂ sequestration and critical element recovery, informing future carbon capture and resource upcycling strategies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2003

Defining the Relationship Between Human Error Classes and Technology Intervention Strategies

The modus operandi in addressing human error in aviation systems is predominantly that of technological interventions or fixes. Such interventions exhibit considerable variability both in terms of sophistication and application. Some technological interventions address human error directly while others do so only indirectly. Some attempt to eliminate the occurrence of errors altogether whereas others look to reduce the negative consequences of these errors. In any case, technological interventions add to the complexity of the systems and may interact with other system components in unforeseeable ways and often create opportunities for novel human errors. Consequently, there is a need to develop standards for evaluating the potential safety benefit of each of these intervention products so that resources can be effectively invested to produce the biggest benefit to flight safety as well as to mitigate any adverse ramifications. The purpose of this project was to help define the relationship between human error and technological interventions, with the ultimate goal of developing a set of standards for evaluating or measuring the potential benefits of new human error fixes.

Wiegmann, Douglas A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Investigation of Test Methods, Material Properties and Processes for Solar Cell Encapsulants

The evaluation of potentially useful low cost encapsulation materials is discussed. The goal is to identify, evaluate, test and recommend encapsulant materials and processes for the production of cost effective, long life solar cell modules. Technical investigations concerned the development of advanced cure chemistries for lamination type pottants; the continued evaluation of soil resistant surface treatment, and the results of an accelerated aging test program for the comparison of material stabilities. New compounds were evaluated for efficiency in curing both ethylene/vinyl acetate and ethylene/methyl acrylate pottants intended for vacuum bag lamination of solar cells. Two component aliphatic urethane casting syrups were evaluated for suitability as solar module pottants on the basis of optical, physical and fabrication characteristics.

Willis, P.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Calculating Potential Radiological Emissions for Waste Management Activities at INL - 20068

At Idaho National Laboratory (INL), work involving radionuclides is evaluated for potential emissions from a project in order to comply with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations, 40 CFR 61 Subpart H. Emission calculations are documented in an Air Permitting Applicability Determination (APAD) to analyze unmitigated and mitigated emissions and determine if an Application to Construct (ATC) or continuous monitoring is required. To calculate the unmitigated and mitigated emissions, a spreadsheet was developed to provide ease in determining potential emissions by providing the maximum operating temperature and the material being used. The spreadsheet aids in determining the potential emissions for research projects and waste management activities at Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) and other locations across the INL site. Furthermore, it can also be used for periodic confirmatory measurements (PCM) to justify low emissions. Elements that factor into the unmitigated and mitigated calculations include the amount of each radionuclide used (in curies or grams), specific activity (if amount is given in grams), the temperature the material is heated to in Celsius, the dose conversion factor which is derived from Clean Air Act Assessment Package - 1988 (CAP-88) modeling, and the number of HEPA filters used for mitigated measures. The main drivers for calculating the unmitigated emissions for a project are the amount used per radionuclide, the maximum operating temperature, and the location of the work. The maximum operating temperature determines the airborne release factor which is dependent on the physical state of the radionuclide. Prior to October 2017, if the radionuclide was heated to greater than 100 deg. C, the radionuclide was assumed to be a gas, which has the highest airborne release factor. This assumption would be overly conservative for radionuclides with high melting and boiling points, which provided a challenge to demonstrate low emissions. In October 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved an alternative method for INL. This method allows the airborne release factor to be determined by using the melting point and 90% of the boiling point of the radionuclide. This methodology was included in the spreadsheet to allow unmitigated emission calculations for APADs to be completed more efficiently and effectively. Results show a reduction in time completing air emission calculations as well as lower total emissions across all facilities at INL. MFC annual emissions were reduced by 62% from the previous year and Research and Education Campus (REC) facilities were reduced by 38% due to implementation of the approved alternative method. Time spent on APADs, PCMs, and documentation for the annual NESHAP report was also reduced significantly. The spreadsheet provided in Table I provides the potential emission calculations for the 'Advanced Retrieval and Disposition Techniques for Remote Handled Mixed Low Level Waste (RH MLLW) at the Radioactive Scrap and Waste Facility (RSWF)' project. Calculations show the Potential Effective Dose Equivalent (PEDE) at RSWF to be 7.27 E-04 mrem/yr (7.27 E-09 Sv/yr) which is well below the 0.1 mrem/yr threshold. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1999

The Aviation System Analysis Capability Air Carrier Cost-Benefit Model

To meet its objective of assisting the U.S. aviation industry with the technological challenges of the future, NASA must identify research areas that have the greatest potential for improving the operation of the air transportation system. Therefore, NASA is developing the ability to evaluate the potential impact of various advanced technologies. By thoroughly understanding the economic impact of advanced aviation technologies and by evaluating how the new technologies will be used in the integrated aviation system, NASA aims to balance its aeronautical research program and help speed the introduction of high-leverage technologies. To meet these objectives, NASA is building the Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC). NASA envisions ASAC primarily as a process for understanding and evaluating the impact of advanced aviation technologies on the U.S. economy. ASAC consists of a diverse collection of models and databases used by analysts and other individuals from the public and private sectors brought together to work on issues of common interest to organizations in the aviation community. ASAC also will be a resource available to the aviation community to analyze; inform; and assist scientists, engineers, analysts, and program managers in their daily work. The ASAC differs from previous NASA modeling efforts in that the economic behavior of buyers and sellers in the air transportation and aviation industries is central to its conception. Commercial air carriers, in particular, are an important stakeholder in this community. Therefore, to fully evaluate the implications of advanced aviation technologies, ASAC requires a flexible financial analysis tool that credibly links the technology of flight with the financial performance of commercial air carriers. By linking technical and financial information, NASA ensures that its technology programs will continue to benefit the user community. In addition, the analysis tool must be capable of being incorporated into the wide-ranging suite of economic and technical models that comprise ASAC. This report describes an Air Carrier Cost-Benefit Model (CBM) that meets these requirements. The ASAC CBM is distinguished from many of the aviation cost-benefit models by its exclusive focus on commercial air carriers. The model considers such benefit categories as time and fuel savings, utilization opportunities, reliability and capacity enhancements, and safety and security improvements. The model distinguishes between benefits that are predictable and those that occur randomly. By making such a distinction, the model captures the ability of air carriers to reoptimize scheduling and crew assignments for predictable benefits. In addition, the model incorporates a life-cycle cost module for new technology, which applies the costs of nonrecurring acquisitions, recurring maintenance and operation, and training to each aircraft equipment type independently.

Gaier, Eric M.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Experimental Study of a Hydrophobic Solvent for Natural Gas Sweetening Based on the Solubility and Selectivity for Light Hydrocarbons (CH 4 , C 2 H 6 ) and Acid Gases (CO 2 and H 2 S) at 298–353 K

The Henry’s constants of H 2 S, CO 2 , CH 4 , and C 2 H 6 in a hydrophobic solvent (HPS) were determined to evaluate the potential use of the HPS for natural gas sweetening applications. The gas solubilities were evaluated at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 298-353 K. The Henry’s constant of N 2 O in the HPS was also determined and used to differentiate the physical absorption of the acid gases from the chemical absorption. The temperature-dependent Henry’s constant correlations of these gases were developed and used to determine the separation performance of the HPS in a simple absorber process simulation. Here, the simulation results suggest that HPS can remove acid contaminants and achieve the targeted quality of natural gas for liquid natural gas (LNG) production. The HPS exhibits rather high CH 4 and C 2 H 6 absorption, and consequently, has low acid gas selectivity compared to the commercially available physical solvent. the acid gas selectivity can be optimized with the inclusion a limited quantity of a hydrophilic component to enhance H 2 S and CO 2 while still minimizing the hydrocarbons solubilities.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Comparative Study of Direct and Indirect Additive Manufacturing Approaches for the Production of a Wind Energy Component

Additive manufacturing (AM) was developed in the 1980s to create three-dimensional prototypes through layer-wise approaches to fabrication. Since then, these approaches have seen improvements in both materials and processing technologies. To date, there are now 7 types of additive manufacturing processes and hundreds of materials, which can be directly printed – going directly from digital design to fabricated components. In this project, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Vestas Wind Systems, and The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) collaborated to evaluate the effectiveness of state-of-the-art large-scale AM processes in the production of a structural component for use in a wind turbine nacelle, through both direct and indirect manufacturing approaches. Here, experienced AM design engineers detail techniques for AM design, including topology optimization (TO), support minimization, reverse engineering, and techniques for mitigating poor interlaminar performance. Fabrication of the components is presented, including printing parameters and postprocessing, and followed with full-scale component testing by a 3rd party testing laboratory. To evaluate the potential of the developed approaches, a complete techno-economic analysis is provided which evaluates the cost of these techniques given current and near to long-term projections of AM system capabilities.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Assessing the Solar Photovoltaic Potential in Puerto Rican Brownfields and Reservoirs: Analysis and Modeling [Slides]

This study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluates the potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) development on brownfields and reservoirs in Puerto Rico. Redeveloping these sites offers significant benefits, such as expanding energy infrastructure, supporting environmental remediation, and enhancing community revitalization. The study identifies up to 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity, including 213 megawatts (MW) on closed landfills, 1-2.5 GW on contaminated sites, 78 MW on decommissioned plants, 21-50 MW on transmission line rights-of-way, and 636 MW on waterbodies for floating PV. This research highlights the strategic importance of investments and regulatory support to achieve Puerto Rico's goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1980

Carbon/graphite fiber risk analysis and assessment study: Assessment of risk to the Lockheed Model L-1011 commercial transport aircraft

The risk associated with the accidental release of carbon/graphite fibers (CF) from fires on commercial transport aircraft incorporating composite materials was assessed. Data are developed to evaluate the potential for CF damage to electrical and electronic equipment, assess the cost risk, and evaluate the hazard to continued operation. The subjects covered include identification of susceptible equipments, determination of infiltration transfer functions, analysis of airport operations, calculation of probabilities of equipment failures, assessment of the cost risk, and evaluation of the hazard to continued operation. The results show the risks associated with CF contamination are negligible through 1993.

Daniledes, J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Small Scale Polygons and the History of Ground Ice on Mars

Recent progress on polygon modeling has focused on the diameter and surface relief that we expect of thermal-contraction polygons in martian permafrost. With this in mind, we developed a finite-element model of thermal-contraction-crack behavior in permafrost in a martian climate. This model was generated from a finite element code by Jay Melosh (called TECTON) originally developed for terrestrial and planetary crustal-deformation studies. We adapted this model to martian permafrost by including time (and temperature) dependent rheologies, boundary conditions, and isotropic thermal-contraction, as well as several small adaptations to a martian environment. We tested our model extensively, including comparison to an analytic solution of pre-fracture stress. We recently published an analysis of two potential sources of water for forming the recent gullies. In this work we first evaluated the potential for near-surface ground ice (in the top meter or so of soil) to melt under conditions of solar heating on sloped surfaces at high obliquity, utilizing both thermal and diffusion-based ground-ice-stability models; our results suggested that the ground ice will sublimate, and the ice table will recede to greater depths before the melting temperature can be reached. An exception can occur only for extremely salt-rich ice, depressing the freezing point.

Mellon, Michael T.↗