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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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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2023

Clean Cities Coalitions: Advancing Affordable, Efficient, and Clean Transportation Fuels and Technologies

A collaborative network of more than 75 Clean Cities coalitions boosts the country's economic vitality, energy security, and quality of life by advancing the deployment of affordable, efficient, and clean transportation fuels and technologies. Coalitions provide the technical expertise local decision makers and fleets need to understand and implement alternative and renewable fuels, electric vehicles, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, new mobility choices, and emerging transportation technologies.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Clean Cities Coalitions: Advancing Affordable, Efficient, and Clean Transportation Fuels and Technologies

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

NASA NTRS1982

Multifuel evaluation of rich/quench/lean combustor

The fuel flexible combustor technology was developed for application to the Model 570-K industrial gas turbine engine. The technology, to achieve emission goals, emphasizes dry NOx reduction methods. Due to the high levels of fuel-bound nitrogen (FBN), control of NOx can be effected through a staged combustor with a rich initial combustion zone. A rich/quench/lean variable geometry combustor utilizes the technology presented to achieve low NOx from alternate fuels containing FBN. The results focus on emissions and durability for multifuel operation.

Notardonato, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Alternative Solvents and Technologies for Precision Cleaning of Aerospace Components

Precision cleaning solvents for aerospace components and oxygen fuel systems, including currently used Vertrel-MCA, have a negative environmental legacy, high global warming potential, and have polluted cleaning sites. Thus, alternative solvents and technologies are being investigated with the aim of achieving precision contamination levels of less than 1 mg/sq ft. The technologies being evaluated are ultrasonic bath cleaning, plasma cleaning and supercritical carbon dioxide cleaning.

Green solvents↗

NASA NTRS2001

A Survey of Alternative Oxygen Production Technologies

Utilization of the Martian atmosphere for the production of fuel and oxygen has been extensively studied. The baseline fuel production process is a Sabatier reactor, which produces methane and water from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The oxygen produced from the electrolysis of the water is only half of that needed for methane-based rocket propellant, and additional oxygen is needed for breathing air, fuel cells and other energy sources. Zirconia electrolysis cells for the direct reduction of CO2 arc being developed as an alternative means of producing oxygen, but present many challenges for a large-scale oxygen production system. The very high operating temperatures and fragile nature of the cells coupled with fairly high operating voltages leave room for improvement. This paper will survey alternative oxygen production technologies, present data on operating characteristics, materials of construction, and some preliminary laboratory results on attempts to implement each. Our goal is to significantly improve upon the characteristics of proposed zirconia cells for oxygen production. To achieve that goal we are looking at electrolytic systems that operate at significantly lower temperatures, preferably below 31C to allow the incorporation of liquid CO2 in the electrolyte. Our preliminary results indicate that such a system will have much higher current densities and have simpler cathode construction than a porous gas feed electrode system. Such a system could be achieved based on nonaqueous electrolytes or ionic liquids. We are focusing our research on the anode reaction that will produce oxygen from a product generated at the cathode using CO2 as the feed. Operation at low temperatures also will open up the full range of polymer and metal materials, allowing a more robust system design to withstand the rigors of flight, landing, and long term unattended operation on the surface of Mars.

Lueck, Dale E.↗

NASA NTRS2000

A Survey of Alternative Oxygen Production Technologies

Lueck, Dale E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Systems Analysis Of Advanced Coal-Based Power Plants

Report presents appraisal of integrated coal-gasification/fuel-cell power plants. Based on study comparing fuel-cell technologies with each other and with coal-based alternatives and recommends most promising ones for research and development. Evaluates capital cost, cost of electricity, fuel consumption, and conformance with environmental standards. Analyzes sensitivity of cost of electricity to changes in fuel cost, to economic assumptions, and to level of technology. Recommends further evaluation of integrated coal-gasification/fuel-cell integrated coal-gasification/combined-cycle, and pulverized-coal-fired plants. Concludes with appendixes detailing plant-performance models, subsystem-performance parameters, performance goals, cost bases, plant-cost data sheets, and plant sensitivity to fuel-cell performance.

Ferrall, Joseph F.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Analyzing School Bus Electrification in Richmond, Virginia

School buses are an essential component of the transportation infrastructure, serving as a lifeline for students across the globe. However, the widespread use of diesel school buses has raised concerns about the health impact on millions of students exposed to harmful emissions daily. Recognizing this issue, school districts worldwide are urgently seeking cleaner energy alternatives. Electric school buses emerge as an environmentally friendly and sustainable option, fostering a healthier environment for both students and communities. However, school bus electrification faces the challenges of high upfront cost, cumbersome charging management, and constraints from power grids. To help school bus operators address those challenges, this study presents a data-driven analysis for school bus electrification. This study considered a real-world school bus system in Richmond, VA, and developed a mathematical programming model to analyze the system design, charging strategies, and charging load profiles for the electrification scenario. The study evaluated different charging strategies based on model outcomes, aiming to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Ultimately, this research generated electric school bus charging demand profiles under various scenarios, shedding light on the feasibility and implications of transitioning to electric-powered school buses.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Primer on the Cost of Marine Fuels Compliant with IMO 2020 Rule

This report aims to provide information for owners and operators of U.S. ocean-going marine cargo vessels on the cost of different approaches to compliance with the IMO mandate to reduce the sulfur content of marine fuels (outside emission control areas) to no more than 0.5%. The IMO 2020 rule came into effect on January 1, 2020. The report discusses a suite of options for compliance including low-sulfur petroleum-based fuels and alternative fuels. Since fuel prices are a primary factor in determining the cost of the various alternatives, the document also includes a discussion of the main drivers of marine fuel prices. The cost analysis compares the average annual costs (capital and fuel) out to 2050 of each compliance approach under alternative scenarios regarding fuel prices, policy, and technology innovation. The cost calculations focus on representative U.S. fleet vessels for containership and tanker types. Even though the analysis focuses on average cost of approaches to comply with IMO 2020, the comparison of approaches also acknowledges other benefits or risks including fuel price risk and the contribution of the approach to achieving other potential environmental performance objectives or regulations.

02 PETROLEUM↗

NASA NTRS1976

Cost/benefit trade-offs for reducing the energy consumption of commercial air transportation (RECAT)

A study has been performed to evaluate the opportunities for reducing the energy requirements of the U.S. domestic air passenger transport system through improved operational techniques, modified in-service aircraft, derivatives of current production models, or new aircraft using either current or advanced technology. Each of the fuel-conserving alternatives has been investigated individually to test its potential for fuel conservation relative to a hypothetical baseline case in which current, in-production aircraft types are assumed to operate, without modification and with current operational techniques, into the future out to the year 2000.

Gobetz, F. W.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Alternative Fuels Data Center

This presentation provides an overview of the Alternative Fuels Data Center for the 2026 Transportation Technologies Annual Merit Review, including project objectives, milestone, approach to developing and maintaining the website, project accomplishments and progress, and collaboration with other national labs and external partners.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

NASA NTRS1984

Fuel system research and technology: An overview of the NASA program

The interactions between the design and operation of aircraft fuel systems and the properties of alternative aircraft fuels are discussed. An overview of fuels system research and technology in terms of its rationale, its progress, and future plans is given. The measurement of ambient air temperatures for a wide range of seasonal and geographic variations, design studies on the use of fuels with increased as well as conventional freezing temperatures, the evaluation of fuel heating systems, and the low temperature behavior of fuels are among the topics discussed.

Phillips, B. R.↗

DOE OSTI2021

FY2020 Technology Integration Annual Progress Report

The 2020 Technology Integration Annual Progress Report covers 46 multi-year projects funded by the Vehicle Technologies Office. The report includes information on competitively awarded projects, ranging from rural shared mobility demonstration projects to medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle deployment to statewide alternative fuel resiliency planning. It also includes projects conducted by several of the Vehicle Technologies Office’s (VTO) National Laboratory partners, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. These projects range from a Technical Assistance project for business, industry, government and individuals, to the EcoCar Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition, and the Fuel Economy Information Project.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2024

Integrated assessment modeling of a zero-emissions global transportation sector

Currently responsible for over one fifth of carbon emissions worldwide, the transportation sector will need to undergo a substantial technological transition to ensure compatibility with global climate goals. Few studies have modeled strategies to achieve zero emissions across all transportation modes, including aviation and shipping, alongside an integrated analysis of feedbacks on other sectors and environmental systems. Here, we use a global integrated assessment model to evaluate deep decarbonization scenarios for the transportation sector consistent with maintaining end-of-century warming below 1.5 °C, considering varied timelines for fossil fuel phase-out and implementation of advanced alternative technologies. We highlight the leading low carbon technologies for each transportation mode, finding that electrification contributes most to decarbonization across the sector. Biofuels and hydrogen are particularly important for aviation and shipping. Our most ambitious scenario eliminates transportation emissions by mid-century, contributing substantially to achieving climate targets but requiring rapid technological shifts with integrated impacts on fuel demands and availability and upstream energy transitions.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

NASA NTRS1978

A study of some economic factors relating to the development and implementation of a satellite power system

Areas are examined relating to the design, development and implementation of a satellite power system (SPS): an analysis of the effect of energy R&D programs in general and SPS in particular on optimal fossil fuel consumption patterns, a study of alternative uses of SPS technologies, and a study of the electric power market penetration potential for SPS. It is shown that a credible program of R&D on long-range energy alternatives leads to lower optimal prices for fossil fuels, resulting in large short-term benefits accruing to the specific program elements. Several alternative uses of SPS technologies were identified; however the markets for these technologies are generally quite diffuse and difficult to assess. The notable exception is solar array technology which has, potentially, a very large non-SPS market. It is shown that the market for SPS units derives from two components of demand: the demand created by growth in the electrical energy demand which leads to an increased demand for baseload generating capacity, and a demand created by the need to replace retiring capacity.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2024

Role of water in fracture of modified silicate glasses

Decarbonizing the glass industry requires alternative melting technology, as current industrial melting practices rely heavily on fossil fuels. Hydrogen has been proposed as an alternative to carbon-based fuels, but the ensuing consequences on the mechanical behavior of the glass remain to be clarified. A critical distinction between hydrogen and carbon-based fuels is the increased generation of water during combustion, which raises the equilibrium solubility of water in the melt and alters the behavior of the resulting glass. A series of five silicate glasses with 80% silica and variable [Na 2 O]/([H 2 O] + [Na 2 O]) ratios were simulated using molecular dynamics to elucidate the effects of water on fracture. Several fracture toughness calculation methods were used in combination with atomistic fracture simulations to examine the effects of hydroxyl content on fracture behavior. Here, this study reveals that the crack propagation pathway is a key metric to understanding fracture toughness. Notably, the fracture propagation path favors hydrogen sites over sodium sites, offering a possible explanation of the experimentally observed effects of water on fracture properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Clean Cities Coalitions: Advancing Affordable, Domestic Transportation Fuels and Technologies Across the Country

A coordinated group of more than 75 active coalitions serve as the foundation of Clean Cities, working in communities across the country to help local decision makers and fleets understand and implement alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, new mobility choices, and emerging transportation technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) facilitates national coordination of the coalitions through its Technology Integration Program. Together, Clean Cities coalitions and VTO focus on advancing affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction: End-of-Project Report

This document is a close-out report for two Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) projects funded by the Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (formerly the Bioenergy Technologies Office) of the Department of Energy (DOE). The two projects are: • Thermochemical Interface (DOE ref. no. 1.3.4.101, PNNL ref. no. 64490) • HTL Model Development (DOE ref. no. 1.3.5.202, PNNL ref. no. 71612) At the end of fiscal year 2025, both projects ended. Additional activities related to the topics of algae, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), and the techno-economic assessment of HTL of algal feedstocks will be studied in other projects. Key technical findings of the projects were published in early 2025 and highlights will be summarized in this document. A summary of recent technical findings from 2025 are also included herein. This close-out report summarizes key outcomes from both projects highlighting the value and technical impact achieved.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗