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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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Status of Regenerative Life Support Research and Technology Program at NASA Ames Research Center

Future long duration manned space missions will require life support systems that minimize resupply requirements and ultimately approach self-sufficiency in space. This presentation will provide an overview of the Advanced Life Support program unclassified fundamental research and technology development activities being conducted at NASA Ames Research Center. Top level program goals and technical objectives, and the role of NASA-Ames within the Advanced Life Support program, will be reviewed. The presentation will focus on FY97 and FY98 research tasks that were directed at physicochemical processes with emphasis on system closure and self-sufficiency. Research areas include solid waste processing and resource recovery, water recycling, air regeneration, and regenerative system dynamics. Proposed future work and potential applications of this research to both terrestrial and space closed ecology experimentation in space will be addressed.

Kliss, Mark↗

U.S. Department of Energy Free-Air CO 2 Enrichment Experiments: FACE Results, Lessons, and Legacy

In the 1970s, growing concern about potential long-range consequences of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels prompted the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to begin developing a CO 2 research program. The goal was to obtain the scientific information needed to reduce uncertainty and develop a knowledgebase for decision-making. At its start in 1980, this program had three components: the global carbon cycle, climate effects, and vegetation effects. The vegetation effects component recognized that increased atmospheric CO 2 could be a potential benefit to vegetation and crops because CO 2 is an essential resource for plant growth. In addition to increasing crop yield, program developers and researchers recognized that this fertilizer effect could also result in greater storage of fossil fuel CO 2 by forests. Initial experiments were small in scale and scope and focused on the photosynthesis, physiology, and water use of crop plants, but the focus shifted toward responses of plants in natural systems, as needed for connections to the global carbon cycle. Program research investigated CO 2 interactions with other environmental variables, emphasizing field research whenever possible and recognizing that exposure to elevated CO 2 concentrations under realistic field conditions should lead to better predictions of plant response. Whole-ecosystem field experiments were instituted in low-stature ecosystems, but experiments to address forest responses necessarily relied on tree seedlings or saplings in open-top chambers (OTCs) and not within intact forest ecosystems. The need for larger-scale, longer-duration experiments in each of the world’s six major biomes (tundra, boreal forest, temperate forest, tropical forest, grassland, and desert) became clear, and for these experiments, free-air CO 2 exposure facilities were necessary. This report summarizes the objectives and main results of DOE-sponsored experiments employing such facilities, along with the outcomes from research on ecosystem responses using field chambers (see Fig. ES.1, p. x). Additionally, this report highlights the many successes of DOE CO 2 enrichment studies and considers the lessons learned that can be used to guide future initiatives.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The NASA hypersonic research engine program

An overview is provided of the NASA Hypersonic Research Engine Program. The engine concept is described which was evolved, and the accomplishments of the program are summarized. The program was undertaken as an in-depth program of hypersonic airbreathing propulsion research to provide essential inputs to future prototype engine development and decision making. An airbreathing liquid hydrogen fueled research oriented scramjet was to be developed to certain performance goals. The work was many faceted, required aerodynamic design evaluation, structures development, and development of flight systems such as the fuel and control system, but the main objective was the study of the internal aerothermodynamics of the propulsion system.

Rubert, Kennedy F.↗

Welcome to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise

There are strong scientific indications that natural change in the Earth system is being accelerated by human intervention. As a result, planet Earth faces the possibility of rapid environmental changes that would have a profound impact on all nations. However, we do not fully understand either the short-term effects of our activities, or their long-term implications - many important scientific questions remain unanswered. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is working with the national and international scientific communities to establish a sound scientific basis for addressing these critical issues through research efforts coordinated under the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program, and the World Climate Research Program. The Earth Science Enterprise is NASA's contribution to the U.S. Global Change Research Program. NASA's Earth Science Enterprise will use space- and surface-based measurement systems to provide the scientific basis for understanding global change. The space-based components will provide a constellation of satellites to monitor the Earth from space. A major component of the Earth Science Enterprise is the Earth Observing System (EOS). The overall objective of the EOS Program is to determine the extent, causes, and regional consequences of global climate change. EOS will provide sustained space-based observations that will allow researchers to monitor climate variables over time to determine trends. A constellation of EOS satellites will acquire global data, beginning in 1998 and extending well into the 21st century.

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Translational Science for Energy and Beyond

A clear challenge for the coming decades is decreasing the carbon intensity of the global energy supply while simultaneously accommodating a rapid worldwide increase in power demand. Meeting this challenge of providing abundant, clean energy undoubtedly requires synergistic efforts between basic and applied researchers in the chemical sciences to develop and deploy new technologies. Among the available options, solar energy is one of the promising targets because of the high abundance of solar photons over much of the globe. Similarly, decarbonization of the global energy supply will require clean sources of hydrogen to use as reducing equivalents for fuel and chemical feedstocks. In this report, we discuss the importance of translational research -- defined as work that explicitly targets basic discovery as well as technology development -- in the context of photovoltaics and solar fuels. We focus on three representative research programs encompassing translational research in government, industry, and academia. We then discuss more broadly the benefits and challenges of translational research models and offer recommendations for research programs that address societal challenges in the energy sector and beyond.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

NOAA/National Hurricane and Experimental Meteorological Laboratory

National Hurricane and Experimental Meteorological Laboratory (NHEML) research programs concentrate on two atmospheric phenomena of the tropical troposphere: hurricanes and cumulus convection, together with the atmospheric environments in which they occur and with which they interact. These programs include basic research in the description of these phenomena and applied research in their prediction and potential beneficial modification. NHEML is partitioned into four working groups. Two important and logical parts of the research programs are the experimental program in hurricane modification (STORMFURY) and the program in cumulus modification (FACE). The ultimate goal of STORMFURY is the reduction of the maximum winds associated with the eyewall of hurricanes; the goal of FACE is to acquire a thorough understanding of cumulus cloud behavior that will enable NHEML to increase precipitation from cumulus clouds. The operational structure of NHEML and related agencies are presented.

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Vulnerability Research Development Program Guide v.1

SAND2021-15515 O The Vulnerability Research Development Program (VRDP) Guide is a training program developed to help general purpose computer science staff become independently capable vulnerability researchers. VRDP Guide is both a course description and curriculum for the program. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Salim, Nasser↗

Path to a Research Plan

This viewgraph presentation discusses the status and goals for the NASA OBPR Physical Science Research Program. The following text was used to summarize the presentation. The OBPR Physical Sciences Research program has been comprehensively reviewed and endorsed by National Research Council. The value and need for the research have been re-affirmed. The research program has been prioritized and resource re-allocations have been carried out through an OBPR-wide process. An increasing emphasis on strategic, mission-oriented research is planned. The program will strive to maintain a balance between strategic and fundamental research. A feasible ISS flight research program fitting within the budgetary and ISS resource envelopes has been formulated for the near term (2003-2007). The current ISS research program will be significantly strengthened starting 2005 by using discipline dedicated research facility racks. A research re-planning effort has been initiated and will include active participation from the research community in the next few months. The research re-planning effort will poise PSR to increase ISS research utilization for a potential enhancement beyond ISS IP Core Complete. The Physical Sciences research program readily integrates the cross-disciplinary requirements of the NASA and OBPR strategic objectives. Each fundamental research thrust will develop a roadmap through technical workshops and Discipline Working Groups (DWGs). Most fundamental research thrusts will involve cross-disciplinary efforts. A Technology Roadmap will guide the Strategic Research for Exploration thrust. The Research Plan will integrate and coordinate fundamental Research Thrusts Roadmaps with the Technology Roadmap. The Technology Roadmap will be developed in coordination with other OBPR programs as well as other Enterprise (R,S,M,N). International Partners will contribute to the roadmaps and through research coordination. The research plan will be vetted with the discipline working groups, the BPRAC subcommittees, and with the BPRAC. Recommendations from NRC past and current committees will be implemented whenever appropriate.Proposed theme element content will be "missionized" around planned content and potential new projects (facilities, modules, initiatives) on approximately a five-year horizon, with the approval of PSRD management. Center/science working group teams will develop descriptions of "mission" objectives, value, and requirements. Purpose is to create a competitive environment for concept development and to stimulate community ownership/advocacy. Proposed theme elements reviewed and approved by PSRD management. Strawman roadmaps for themes developed. Program budget and technology requirements verified. Theme elements are prioritized with the input of advisory groups. Integration into program themes (questions) and required technology investments are defined by science and technology roadmaps. Review and assessment by OBPR management.

Chiaramonte, Fran↗

Detailed analysis of low energy plasma data under the Voyager Uranus data analysis program

Research effort included the PLS data analysis program where modifications to the data fitting procedure and elimination of possible noise and electron contamination were made. The analysis code corrections were used in checking the Neptune data gathered during the Voyager 2 encounter and for analyzing selected plasma spectra from the warm Io torus. A major task accomplished was the summary of Uranus-related research in the U.S. National Report to the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics for the 1987 - 1990 quadrennium. A limited amount of work was accomplished on assessing the Pedersen conductivity of the ionosphere and comparing it with inferred values from shielding by the Uranian ring current. Under this grant there has been a great deal of effort expended on identifying and classifying plasma waves and oscillations in the magnetosheath and solar wind downstream from Uranus. Large amplitude oscillations in plasma parameters are found in the magnetosheath, with density changes of up to a factor of ten occurring on times scales of minutes. New algorithms developed for analyzing the inbound bow shock crossing of Neptune will probably be applied to a more detailed analysis of the Uranus shock in the near future.

Mcnutt, Ralph L., Jr.↗

NASA Space Biology Research Associate Program for the 21st Century

The Space Biology Research Associate Program for the 21st Century provided a unique opportunity to train individuals to conduct biological research in hypo- and hyper-gravity, and to conduct ground-based research. This grant was developed to maximize the potential for Space Biology as an emerging discipline and to train a cadre of space biologists. The field of gravitational and space biology is rapidly growing at the future of the field is reflected in the quality and education of its personnel. Our chief objective was to train and develop these scientists rapidly and in a cost effective model.

Sonnenfeld, Gerald↗

A Program of Research and Education in Astronautics at the NASA Langley Research Center

The objectives of the Program were to conduct research at the NASA Langley Research Center in the area of astronautics and to provide a comprehensive education program at the Center leading to advanced degrees in Astronautics. We believe that the program has successfully met the objectives and has been of significant benefit to NASA LaRC, the GWU and the nation.

Tolson, Robert H.↗

DOE/UCAR Cooperative Agreement for the Regional and Global Climate Modeling Program

This progress report describes research supported by Cooperative Agreement between the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER). The purpose of the Cooperative Agreement is to provide support for an integrated research program to address key science questions relevant to the DOE Regional and Global Climate Modeling Program as part of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). The Cooperative Agreement funds four tasks that address key aspects of climate science, and this report provides a summary of activities for each task during the past year. As part of the Cooperative Agreement supported science, the Climate Change Prediction (CCP) group at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), provides leadership to the Community Earth System Model (CESM) Climate Variability and Change Working Group (CVCWG) through co-chairs Gerald Meehl and Susan Bates (with DOE-funded co-chair Peter Gleckler, along with Clara Deser and Shang-Ping Xie). Over the past year CCP has played a leadership role in performing climate change simulations and analyses with the Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4) and CESM version 1. These simulations and analyses made strong contributions to the federal USGCRP in several high priority areas. We have also been involved in planning for the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) which started in 2015. Simulations from CMIP6 will form the basis for ongoing U.S. National Assessment activities, and the IPCC AR6.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Norfolk State University Research Experience in Earth System Science

The truly interdisciplinary nature of Earth System Science lends itself to the creation of research teams comprised of people with different scientific and technical backgrounds. In the annals of Earth System Science (ESS) education, the lack of an academic major in the discipline might be seen as a barrier to the involvement of undergraduates in the overall ESS-enterprise. This issue is further compounded at minority-serving institutions by the rarity of departments dedicated to Atmospheric Science, Oceanography or even the geosciences. At Norfolk State University, a Historically Black College, a six week, NASA-supported, summer undergraduate research program (REESS - Research Experience in Earth System Science) is creating a model that involves students with majors in diverse scientific disciplines in authentic ESS research coupled with a structured education program. The project is part of a wider effort at the University to enhance undergraduate education by identifying specific areas of student weaknesses regarding the content and process of science. A pre- and post-assessment test, which is focused on some fundamental topics in global climate change, is given to all participants as part of the evaluation of the program. Student attitudes towards the subject and the program's approach are also surveyed at the end of the research experience. In 2002, 11 undergraduates participated in REESS and were educated in the informed use of some of the vast remote sensing resources available through NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE). The program ran from June 3rd through July 12, 2002. This was the final year of the project.

Chaudhury, Raj↗

Ion beam applications research - A 1981 summary of Lewis Research Center programs

In 1975 the NASA's Lewis Research Center initiated a technology specific spinoff program to more broadly utilize benefits resulting from ion thruster technology. An Ion Beam Applications Research (IBAR) program was organized to enable the development of new or improved materials, products, and processes through the nonpropulsive application of ion thruster technology. Focused efforts to identify, evaluate, develop and transfer applications to the user community were conducted. A summary of the NASA Lewis Research Center's in-house, grant, and contract projects involving IBAR is given. Specific application efforts utilizing ion beam sputter etching, deposition, and texturing are discussed as well as ion source and component technology applications.

Banks, B. A.↗

Aerial and Ground-Based Remote Sensing In Central America

Remote sensing of archaeological features is most successful when instrumentation and imagery are carefully selected bearing in mind the nature of the remains and the local context. Instruments need to be calibrated to local conditions, and extensive field verification studies are necessary. This is illustrated by remote sensing in two research programs in Central America: the Arena1 Research Program in Costa Rica and the Ceren Research Program in El Salvador. Satellite and aircraft remote sensing was successful in the former, while the Ceren site required the development of ground-based geophysical exploration techniques. In both cases, remote sensing contributed information that was not available by any other means, thus allowing new interpretations and a fuller understanding of ancient societies.

Sheets, Payson↗

Joint Institute for Advancement of Flight Sciences

The program objectives were defined in the original proposal entitled "Program of Research in Flight Dynamics in the JIAFS at NASA Langley Research Center" which was originated March 20, 1975, and in yearly renewals of the research program dated December 1, 1979 to December 1, 1998. The program included three major topics: 1) Improvement of existing methods and development of new methods for flight and wind tunnel data analysis based on system identification methodology. 2) Application of these methods to flight and wind tunnel data obtained from advanced aircraft. 3) Modeling and control of aircraft, space structures and spacecraft. The principal investigator of the program was Dr. Vladislav Klein, Professor at The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.. Thirty-seven Graduate Research Scholar Assistants, two of them doctoral students, also participated in the program. The results of the research conducted during nineteen years of the total co-operative period were published in 23 NASA technical reports, 2 D.Sc. Dissertations, 14 M.S. Theses and 33 papers. The list of these publications is included. The results were also reported in more than 30 seminar lectures presented at various research establishments world-wide. For contributions to the research supported by the co-operative agreement, three NASA Awards were received: 1) NASA LARC Group Achievement Award, May 30, 1990, to Dr. V. Klein as a member of the X-29 Drop Model Team. 2) NASA Medal for Exceptional Engineering Achievement, March 27, 1992, to Dr. V. Klein for innovative contributions in the development of advanced techniques and computer programs in the field of system identification. 3) NASA LaRC Team Excellence Award, May 7, 1994, to Dr. V. Klein as a member of the X-31 Drop Model Team.

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Fuel Safety Research Plan for Accident Tolerant Fuels

This document outlines a strategic plan for a safety research program for accident tolerant fuels. Accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) are nuclear fuel materials and designs for existing and future light water reactors. This effort is under the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Technology Research and Development Advanced Fuels Campaign. The development of ATF is an industry lead initiative with fuel designs being championed by Westinghouse, Framatome, and General Electric. Industry goals for ATF deployment include implementing the first batch reloads of coated cladding and doped fuel designs into commercial reactors by 2023 and having the first batch reloads of more advanced designs into commercial reactors by 2026. Follow on goals include implementing the first full cores of coated cladding and doped fuel designs into commercial reactors by 2026 and implementing full cores of more advanced designs by 2030. The objectives of the national laboratory research programs within the Advanced Fuels Campaign related to ATF are: 1. Develop and maintain of unique nuclear testing infrastructure, which includes test reactors, hot cell PIE equipment, and unique out of pile separate effects testing facilities. 2. Respond directly to industry requests for support by partnering with the ATF vendors and executing experiments and/or analysis on their behalf. 3. Conduct independent scientific investigations into the performance of the different ATF concepts that are relevant to Industry designs. To achieve these objectives, the safety research program will execute transient irradiation experiments at the TREAT facility at Idaho National Laboratory with the aim of identifying the relevant transient fuel behaviors for each fuel design in order to establish appropriate fuel safety criteria and thresholds. Two test series are described in this plan, (1) an Integral Test Series, and (2) a Focused Effects Test Series. In fulfillment of the first objective for the safety research program, Integral Effects Tests will be developed and demonstrated using standard UO2 Zircaloy fuel designs in both the fresh and previously irradiated case. The Integral Test Series will consist of three campaigns to evaluate transient fuel performance in Reactivity Initiated Accidents, Loss of Coolant Accidents, and in generalized Power Cooling Mismatch scenarios. Development of these test programs also enables the safety research program to fulfill its second objective by making these three test programs available to each industry team. Initially, priority will be given in the integral test series to the coated cladding and doped fuel concepts as their deployment schedule is the most aggressive. To fulfill the third objective of the safety research program, a Focused Effects Test Series is also being developed which will examine specific transient fuel behaviors that are of general interest to all the ATF designs under development. These tests look at transient fuel behavior related to pellet cladding mechanical interaction, coated cladding swelling, rupture, and time at temperature behavior, non oxide fuel melting and mechanical interaction with Silicon Carbide cladding, UO2 and doped UO2 fuel fragmentation and transient fission gas release, and finally fuel coolant interaction. This document provides a general overview of the objectives of the safety research program as well as providing background into how programs like this have been used in the past to develop the criteria necessary for the safe operation of the present fuel designs. An overview of the materials and methods used for safety testing is presented. Finally the Integral and Focused Effects tests series are introduced and described. This document will be maintained as a “living” document with annual updates to reflect evolving requirements and needs.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗