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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Independent Confirmatory Survey Summary and Results for the Ford Nuclear Reactor, Revision 1, Ann Arbor, Michigan

At the NRC's request, ORAU conducted confirmatory surveys of the FNR during the period of December 4 through 6, 2012. The survey activities included visual inspections and measurement and sampling activities. Confirmatory activities also included the review and assessment of UM's project documentation and methodologies. Surface scans identified elevated activity in two areas. The first area was on a wall outside of Room 3103 and the second area was in the southwest section on the first floor. The first area was remediated to background levels. However, the second area was due to gamma shine from a neighboring source storage area. A retrospective analysis of UM's FSS data shows that for the SUs investigated by the ORAU survey team, UM met the survey requirements set forth in the FSSP. The total mean surface activity values were directly compared with the mean total surface activity reported by UM. Mean surface activity values determined by UM were within two standard deviations of the mean determined by ORAU. Additionally, all surface activity values were less than the corresponding gross beta DCGL W . Laboratory analysis of the soil showed that COC concentrations were less than the respective DCGL W values. For the inter-lab comparison, the DER was above 3 for only one sample. However, since the sum of fractions for each of the soil samples was below 1, thus none of the samples would fail to meet release guidelines. Based on the findings of the side-by-side direct measurements, and after discussion with the NRC and ORAU, UM decided to use a more appropriate source efficiency in their direct measurement calculations and changed their source efficiency from 0.37 to 0.25.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Independent Verification Survey Summary and Results for Sub-Slab Soils Associated with the Former Building K-33, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Final Report)

At DOE’s request, ORAU conducted confirmatory surveys of the K-33 sub-slab soil during the period of August 2011 through May 2012. The survey activities included visual inspections and measurement and sampling activities. LSRS was forthcoming with information relating to surface scan results. Scans performed by the contractor were of adequate coverage and overall data appear to represent actual site conditions. However, the LSRS technicians failed to identify several areas of elevated direct gamma radiation. Most of the samples taken by ORAU at locations of elevated instrument response were above the remediation concentration for one or more radionuclides of concern (ROC). The contractor was, however, quick to perform additional remediation of areas identified to have contamination above the guidelines. Further investigation by ORAU was not requested once additional remediation was completed. It is presumed the remediation contractor’s future PCCR will present detailed and conclusive evidence that K-33 sub-slab soils either comply or do not comply with record of decision (ROD) criteria. However, ORAU concludes, based on both independent verification (IV) data and data provided by LSRS, that the remediation contractor followed appropriate and applicable procedures and that the associated data adequately represent site conditions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fabricating and Testing Additively Manufactured Components for Tritium Service Consideration

This SRTE PDRD sponsored project produced test articles, tooling, and training articles for evaluation. In addition, the hydrogen compatibility of the alloys that can be readily produced by the Arcam A2X was tested. During the evaluation it was determined that the mechanical properties were more sensitive to build plate location than hydrogen exposure. Hydrogen pressure – volume-temperature experiments showed that the as-fabricated samples did not absorb hydrogen readily, but activated samples did.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1991

Study of activation of metal samples from LDEF-1 and Spacelab-2

The activation of metal samples and other material orbited onboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) and Spacelab-2 were studied. Measurements of the radioactivities of spacecraft materials were made, and corrections for self-absorption and efficiency were calculated. Activation cross sections for specific metal samples were updated while cross sections for other materials were tabulated from the scientific literature. Activation cross sections for 200 MeV neutrons were experimentally determined. Linear absorption coefficients, half lives, branching ratios and other pertinent technical data needed for LDEF sample analyses were tabulated. The status of the sample counting at low background facilities at national laboratories is reported.

Laird, C. E.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Influence of the pore size in multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the hydrogen storage behaviors

Activated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (A-MWCNTs) were prepared using a chemical activation method to obtain well-developed pore structures for use as hydrogen storage materials. The microstructure and crystallinity of the A-MWCNTs were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. The textural properties of the A-MWCNTs were investigated by nitrogen gas sorption analysis at 77 K. The hydrogen storage capacity of the A-MWCNTs was evaluated at 77 K and 1 bar. The results showed that the specific surface area of the MWCNTs increased from 327 to 495 m{sup 2}/g as the activation temperature was increased. The highest hydrogen storage capacity was observed in the A-MWCNTs sample activated at 900 Degree-Sign C (0.54 wt%). This was attributed to it having the narrowest microporosity, which is a factor closely related to the hydrogen storage capacity. This shows that the hydrogen storage behaviors depend on the pore volume. Although a high pore volume is desirable for hydrogen storage, it is also severely affected if the pore size in the A-MWCNTs for the hydrogen molecules is suitable for creating the activation process. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The AT-800 and AT-900 samples were prepared by a chemical activation method at activation temperature of 800 and 900 Degree-Sign C, respectively. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The AT-900 sample has the narrowest peak in comparison with the AT-800 sample, resulting from the overlap of the two peaks (Peak I and Peak II). Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer This overlapping effect is due to the newly created micropores or shrinkages of pores in Peak II. So, these determining characteristics are essential for designing materials that are suitable for molecular hydrogen storage.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Enhanced NIF neutron activation diagnostics

The NIF neutron activation diagnostic suite relies on removable activation samples, leading to operational inefficiencies and a fundamental lower limit on the half-life of the activated product that can be observed. A neutron diagnostic system measuring activation of permanently installed samples could remove these limitations and significantly enhance overall neutron diagnostic capabilities. The physics and engineering aspects of two proposed systems are considered: one measuring the {sup 89}Zr/{sup 89m}Zr isomer ratio in the existing Zr activation medium and the other using potassium zirconate as the activation medium. Both proposed systems could improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the current system by at least a factor of 5 and would allow independent measurement of fusion core velocity and fuel areal density.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2024

Wilson Corners, Solid Waste Management Unit 001(SWMU 01) 2023 Annual Long-Term Monitoring Report

This report presents a summary of the long-term monitoring (LTM) activities that occurred in 2023 at Wilson Corners, Solid Waste Management Unit 001, at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. Annual LTM of groundwater is being conducted at the site. Based on results from groundwater sampling activities performed during the 2019 through 2020 LTM reporting period and the 2020 and 2021 DPT groundwater sampling, it was determined that the LTM sampling plan was no longer meeting the goal of LTM because delineation was not verified and the installation of an air sparge (AS) system to treat the area of the High Concentration Plume was recommended. The AS System was installed in late 2022 and early 2023. System start-up activities were initiated in April 2023. Following system startup, several site wells required retrofitting to equip wellheads for withstanding the air pressure released from air sparge wells during system operation. Some site wells also required repair or abandonment, and replacement. Survey of location and top-of-casing of newly installed monitoring wells was combined with scheduled AS system survey activities and was completed in January 2024. The activities presented in this report include the February and April 2023 LTM monitoring well installations; March and April 2023 LTM and performance monitoring well water level gauging and sampling; November 2023 LTM well retrofits and repairs; a summary of December 2023 LTM well abandonments and installations (complete site well abandonment activities will be presented under a separate cover); and January 2024 LTM well survey. During the March and April 2023 sampling events, the low-flow sampling method was used, and samples were analyzed for a select list of volatile organic compounds. In March 2023, groundwater flow for the site was generally to the west was generally consistent with historical observations at the site. The Low Concentration Plume (LCP) continues to extend both horizontally and vertically beyond the terminal depth of the current monitoring well network. Data, inclusive of the 2023 LTM and baseline performance monitoring sampling events, indicate that the LCP encompasses an estimated 19.5 acres, compared to the 2021 LCP footprint, inclusive of the 2020 and 2021 DPT sampling events of 20.7 acres. The vertical extent of VOCs was historically delineated by monitoring wells screened greater than 48 feet below land surface (bls). The results from the three vertical extent monitoring wells screened below 48 feet bls that were sampled during the 2023 LTM indicate that groundwater vinyl chloride concentrations in these three wells are greater than the GCTL. As presented in the 2021 Long-Term Monitoring Report (NASA 2022), the KSCRT agreed to delay deeper investigations in this area to prevent the creation of additional pathways for vertical migration. Based on groundwater sampling activities performed in 2023, recommendations are to perform the next annual LTM sampling event, scheduled for April 2024 and to conduct quarterly performance monitoring of the AS System. The current selection of monitoring wells in the recommended 2024 LTM plan will provide an adequate data set for monitoring groundwater plume behavior; however, the LTM monitoring well network will be evaluated and refined based on 2024 LTM and year one performance monitoring data.

King Linnea↗
NASA NTRS2000

Characterization of Electronic Materials HgZnSe and HgZnTe Using Innovative and Conventional Techniques

HgZnSe and HgZnTe are electronic materials of interest for potential IR detector and focal plane array applications due to their improved strength and compositional stability over HgCdTe, but they are difficult to grow on Earth and to fully characterize. Conventional contact methods of characterization, such as Hall and van der Paw, although adequate for many situations are typically labor intensive and not entirely suitable where only very small samples are available. To adequately characterize and compare properties of electronic materials grown in low earth orbit with those grown on Earth, innovative techniques are needed that complement existing methods. This paper describes the implementation and test results of a unique non-contact method of characterizing uniformity, mobility, and carrier concentration together with results from conventional methods applied to HgZnSe and HgZnTe. The innovative method has advantages over conventional contact methods since it circumvents problems of possible contamination from alloying electrical contacts to a sample and also has the capability to map a sample. Non- destructive mapping, the determination of the carrier concentration and mobility at each place on a sample, provides a means to quantitatively compare, at high spatial resolution, effects of microgravity on electronic properties and uniformity of electronic materials grown in low-Earth orbit with Earth grown materials. The mapping technique described here uses a 1mm diameter polarized beam of radiation to probe the sample. Activation of a magnetic field, in which the sample is placed, causes the plane of polarization of the probe beam to rotate. This Faraday rotation is a function of the free carrier concentration and the band parameters of the material. Maps of carrier concentration, mobility, and transmission generated from measurements of the Faraday rotation angles over the temperature range from 300K to 77K will be presented. New information on band parameters, obtained by combining results from conventional Hall measurements of the free carrier concentration with Faraday rotation measurements, will also be presented. One example of how this type of information was derived is illustrated in the following figure which shows Faraday rotation vs wavelength modeled for Hg(l-x)ZnxSe at a temperature of 300K and x=0.07. The plasma contribution, total Faraday rotation, and interband contribution to the Faraday rotation, are designated in the Figure as del(p), FR tot, and del(i) respectively. Experimentally measured values of FR tot, each indicated by + , agree acceptably well with the model at the probe wavelength of 10.6 microns. The model shows that at the probe wavelength, practically all the rotation is due to the plasma component, which can be expressed as delta(sub p)= 2pi(e(sup 3))NBL/c(sup 2)nm*(sup 2) omega(sup 2). In this equation, delta(sub p) is the rotation angle due to the free carrier plasma, N is the free carrier concentration, B the magnetic field strength, L the thickness of the sample, n the index of refraction, omega the probe radiation frequency, c the speed of light, e the electron charge, and m* the effective mass. A measurement of N by conventional techniques, combined with a measurement of the Faraday rotation angle allows m* to be accurately determined since it is an inverse square function.

Tanton, George↗
NASA NTRS2023

Morpheus Test Area SWMU #119 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Site Assessment Work Plan

This Work Plan documents the proposed field sampling activities for a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Site Assessment at the Morpheus Test Area (MTA) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The Work Plan provides a background of the historical activities that occurred at the MTA, and the limited environmental investigations performed at the MTA. The proposed Site Assessment activities at MTA includes the collection of soil samples from seven locations, the installation of a staff gauge in site surface water, the installation of four monitoring wells, perform direct push groundwater sampling at ten locations, and collect one surface water sample. Sampling details, depths, and locations are presented in the Work Plan. The Work Plan was presented to the KSC Remediation Team in the form of an Advance Data Package in February 2023. Following STRIVES approval, the SLF FRB PFAS Site Assessment Work Plan will be formally submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Howard Franklin Fowler↗
DOE OSTI2016

High pressure Marinelli for counting low activity compressed gas samples

Quantification of low-activity noble gases in air is typically accomplished through separation of the noble gas from air followed by radiometric assay. Here, this work is aimed at quantification of radioactive noble gas in air without extraction. A high pressure aluminum Marinelli counting vessel was designed and fabricated that can be placed on a coaxial high purity germanium detector for gamma counting. Characterization of the performance of this Marinelli using MCNP modeling, large excesses of activity, and low-activity noble gas in air is discussed. Minimum detectable concentrations achieved during a 24 h count are: 5, 10, 50, and 1 Bq/m 3 for 133 Xe, 133m Xe, 131m Xe, and 135 Xe, respectively.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
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 NTRS2023

Contractors Road Heavy Equipment Area (SWMU 055) 2022 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 June through December 2022. The activities conducted at the CRHE Area include: - Annual groundwater sampling activities associated with sitewide 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; - Semiannual 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 (RCRA) Corrective Action program. HydroGeoLogic, Inc. (HGL) prepared this report for the National Aeronautics and Space NASA) under contract number 80KSC019F0096/80KSC019D0012, Technical Directive-03. An Advance Data Package (ADP) presentation of the elements of this report received Team (KSCRT) agreement at the April 5, 2023, KSCRT meeting. The chlorinated volatile organic compound plume appears to be stable vertically and horizontally. Additional DPT groundwater sampling will be completed to support a remedial alternatives evaluation for potential means to expedite groundwater cleanup. There are per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in site groundwater, and assessment is planned in the future. Sub-slab soil gas monitoring results do not indicate any concerns with indoor vapor intrusion. Based on the 2022 annual groundwater sampling results, it is recommended that annual sampling continue to alternate with the wet and dry season, with the next sampling event planned for December 2023.

groundwater↗
DOE OSTI2016

BROAD Hβ EMISSION-LINE VARIABILITY IN A SAMPLE OF 102 LOCAL ACTIVE GALAXIES

A sample of 102 local (0.02 ≤ z ≤ 0.1) Seyfert galaxies with black hole masses M{sub BH} > 10{sup 7}M{sub ⊙} was selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and observed using the Keck 10 m telescope to study the scaling relations between M{sub BH} and host galaxy properties. We study profile changes of the broad Hβ emission line within the three to nine year time frame between the two sets of spectra. The variability of the broad Hβ emission line is of particular interest, not only because it is used to estimate M{sub BH}, but also because its strength and width are used to classify Seyfert galaxies into different types. At least some form of broad-line variability (in either width or flux) is observed in the majority (∼66%) of the objects, resulting in a Seyfert-type change for ∼38% of the objects, likely driven by variable accretion and/or obscuration. The broad Hβ line virtually disappears in 3/102 (∼3%) extreme cases. We discuss potential causes for these changing look active galactic nuclei. While similar dramatic transitions have previously been reported in the literature, either on a case-by-case basis or in larger samples focusing on quasars at higher redshifts, our study provides statistical information on the frequency of Hβ line variability in a sample of low-redshift Seyfert galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2023

Former SLF Fire and Rescue Building SWMU #120 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Site Assessment Work Plan

This Work Plan documents the proposed field sampling activities for a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Site Assessment at the Former Space Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) Fire and Rescue Building (FRB) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The Work Plan provides a background of the historical activities that occurred at the SLF FRB, and the limited environmental investigations performed at the SLF FRB. The proposed Site Assessment activities at SLF FRB includes the collection of soil samples from eight locations, the advancement of a soil lithologic boring to 60 feet below ground surface, the installation of a staff gauge in site surface water, the installation of four monitoring wells, perform direct push groundwater sampling at seven locations, and collect one surface water sample. Sampling details, depths, and locations are presented in the Work Plan. The Work Plan was presented to the KSC Remediation Team in the form of an Advance Data Package in February 2023. Following STRIVES approval, the SLF FRB PFAS Site Assessment Work Plan will be formally submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Howard Franklin Fowler↗
DOE OSTI2023

Plasmonic Nonlinear Energy Transfer Enhanced Second Harmonic Generation Nanoscopy

Nonlinear optical response is a fingerprint of various physicochemical properties of materials related to symmetry, including crystallography, interfacial configuration, and carrier dynamics. However, the intrinsically weak nonlinear optical susceptibility and the diffraction limit of far-field optics restrict probing deep-subwavelength-scale nonlinear optics with measurable signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we propose an alternative approach toward efficient second harmonic generation (SHG) nanoscopy for SHG-active sample (zinc oxide nanowire; ZnO NW) using an SHG-active plasmonic nanotip. Our full-wave simulation suggests that the experimentally observed high near-field SHG contrast is possible when the nonlinear response of ZnO NW is enhanced and/or that of the tip is suppressed. Here, this result suggests possible evidence of quantum mechanical nonlinear energy transfer between the tip and the sample, modifying the nonlinear optical susceptibility. Further, this process probes the nanoscale corrosion of ZnO NW, demonstrating potential use in studying various physicochemical phenomena in nanoscale resolution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Smaller and faster: a review of conventional and nanocalorimetry techniques for determining thermophysical properties of nuclear materials

Thermal analysis of nuclear materials is critical for the advancement of nuclear technology. The heat effects associated with heat capacity, phase transformation, and radiation damage can be measured with conventional calorimeters. However, conventional calorimetric techniques are often restricted in terms of heating rate and sample mass, especially when studying the limited amounts of materials subject to extreme conditions. In this review, we summarize conventional calorimetric studies of critical thermophysical and thermochemical properties of pure actinide metals (U, Np, Am, Pu), fast reactor metallic fuel alloy systems (U–Zr, U–Pu–Zr, Pu–U, Pu–Zr), and actinide oxides that are primary constituents or transmutation products in light water reactor fuel rods (U–O, Np–O, Am–O, Pu–O, Pu–U–O). Adiabatic and drop calorimetry have been the primary techniques used for these studies, however the development of fast scanning calorimetry using micro-electro-mechanical-based systems allows determination of thermodynamic properties from smaller sample masses. We report recent investigations that leverage the fast heating rates of nanocalorimetry by itself or combined with other characterization techniques. Furthermore, we then discuss opportunities for nanocalorimetry to provide solutions to some of the technical challenges inherent in thermal analysis of nuclear materials, namely a reduction in sample activity, emulating heating transients, investigation of phase evolution in irradiated samples, and characterization of radiation damage evolution. Nanocalorimetry has the potential to significantly advance the understanding of thermophysical properties in nuclear materials and thus accelerate the development of nuclear technology.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Pilot Implementation of a Field Study Design to Evaluate the Impact of Source Control Measures on Indoor Air Quality in High Performance Homes

To improve the indoor air quality in new, high performance homes, a variety of standards and rating programs have been introduced to identify building materials that are designed to have lower emission rates of key contaminants of concern and a number of building materials are being introduced that are certified to these standards. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home program requires certification under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indoor airPLUS (IaP) label, which requires the use of PS1 or PS2 certified plywood and OSB; low-formaldehyde emitting wood products; low- or no-VOC paints and coatings as certified by Green Seal Standard GS-11, GreenGuard, SCS Indoor Advantage Gold Standard, MPI Green Performance Standard, or another third party rating program; and Green Label-certified carpet and carpet cushions. However, little is known regarding the efficacy of the IAP requirements in measurably reducing contaminant exposures in homes. The goal of this project is to develop a robust experimental approach and collect preliminary data to support the evaluation of indoor air quality (IAQ) measures linked to IAP-approved low-emitting materials and finishes in new residential homes. To this end, the research team of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) developed a detailed experimental plan to measure IAQ constituents and other parameters, over time, in new homes constructed with materials compliant with IAP’s low-emitting material and ventilation requirements (i.e., section 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 7.2) and similar homes constructed to the state building code with conventional materials. The IAQ in IAP and conventional homes of similar age, location, and construction style is quantified as the differences in the speciated VOC and aldehyde concentrations, normalized to dilution rates. The experimental plan consists of methods to evaluate the difference between low-emitting and “conventional” materials as installed in newly constructed residential homes using both (1) highly controlled, short-term active samples to precisely characterize the building-related chemical emissions and building contents and (2) a week-long passive sample designed to capture the impact of occupant behavior and related activities on measured IAQ contaminant levels indoors. The combination of detailed short-term measurements with the home under controlled/consistent conditions during pre- and post-occupancy and the week-long passive sampling data provide the opportunity to begin to separate the different emission sources and help isolate and quantify variability in the monitored homes. Between April and August 2014, the research team performed pre-occupancy and post-occupancy sampling in one conventional home and two homes built with low-emitting materials that were generally consistent with EPA’s Indoor airPLUS guidelines. However, for a number of reasons, the full experimental plan was not implemented. The project was intended to continue for up to three years to asses long-term changes in IAQ but the project was limited to one calendar year. As a result, several of the primary research questions related to seasonal impacts and the long-term trends in IAQ could not be addressed. In addition, there were several unexpected issues related to recruiting, availability of home types, and difficulty coordinating with builders/realtors/homeowners. Several field monitoring issues also came up that provide “lessons learned” that led to improvements to the original monitoring plan. The project produced a good experimental plan that is expected to be be useful for future efforts collecting data to support answering these same or similar research questions.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗