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NASA NTRS1971

Design and Performance of a Gas Chromatograph for Automatic Monitoring of Pollutants in Ambient Air

In recent years, interest in air pollution constituents has focused on carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons as prime components of polluted air. Instrumental methods have been developed, and commercial instruments for continuous monitoring of these components have been available for a number of years. For the measurement of carbon monoxide, non-dispersive infrared spectroscopy has been the accepted tool, in spite of its marginal sensitivity at low parts-per-million levels. For continuously monitoring total hydrocarbons, the hydrogen flame ionization analyzer has been widely accepted as the preferred method. The inadequacy of this latter method became evident when it was concluded that methane is non-reactive and cannot be considered a contaminant even though present at over 1 ppm in the earth's atmosphere. Hence, the need for measuring methane separately became apparent as a means of measuring the reactive and potentially harmful non-methane hydrocarbons fraction. A gas chromatographic method for the measurement of methane and total hydrocarbons which met these requirements has been developed. In this technique, methane was separated on conventional gas chromatographic columns and detected by a hydrogen flame ionization detector (FID) while the total hydrocarbons were obtained by introducing a second sample directly into the FID without separating the various components. The reactive, or non-methane hydrocarbons, were determined by difference. Carbon monoxide was also measured after converting to methane over a heated catalyst to render it detectable by the FID. The development of this method made it possible to perform these measurements with a sensitivity of as much as 1 ppm full scale and a minimum detectability of 20 ppb. Incorporating this technique, criteria were developed by APCO for a second generation continuous automatic instrument for atmospheric monitoring stations.

Villalobos, R.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Wide Band Gap Radiation Detectors for Deep Space Science

Understanding how the Sun, Earth, and other objects in the solar system interact with the space radiation environment is crucial for improving activities of humans on Earth and in space. Low-power, low-noise, multidirectional robust detectors for detecting ions with a wide range of mass and energies will provide a more complete understanding of space environment physics. To meet these challenges, new ion detectors based on wide band gap (WBG) semiconductors are being developed for integration on a variety of deep space platforms. NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is applying its expertise and facilities in harsh environment instrumentation to develop supporting technologies to enable improved instruments for space science missions. New detector technologies being developed at GRC include SiC solid-state devices as practical robust, thermally stable large area detectors for LET measurements in compact, stacked charged particle telescope. The low-noise, thermally stable nature of the WBG detectors allows a small multidirectional array of charged particle telescopes to be packed in a 6U CubeSat without active cooling for operation in lunar orbit or deep space. Using a full variety of different WBG detectors, an extremely compact instrument to provide multi-directional, comprehensive (composition, velocity, and direction) in-situ measurements of heavy ions in space plasma environments can be realized.

ion detectors↗

NASA NTRS2001

Langley 16- Ft. Transonic Tunnel Pressure Sensitive Paint System

This report describes the NASA Langley 16-Ft. Transonic Tunnel Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) System and presents results of a test conducted June 22-23, 2000 in the tunnel to validate the PSP system. The PSP system provides global surface pressure measurements on wind tunnel models. The system was developed and installed by PSP Team personnel of the Instrumentation Systems Development Branch and the Advanced Measurement and Diagnostics Branch. A discussion of the results of the validation test follows a description of the system and a description of the test.

Sprinkle, Danny R.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Acute Effects of Simulated Space Radiation and Micro-Gravity on Cancellous Bone Loss in Mice Tibiae

Space radiation and micro-gravity are the two major obstacles impeding human exploration of Mars and beyond. Long-duration space flights expose astronauts to high doses of high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation as well as prolonged periods of skeletal disuse due to weightlessness. One important consequence of both radiation exposure and micro-gravity is acute bone loss. However, biological responses to different radiation types and combined radiation and micro-gravity environments remain unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study is to compare the acute effects of different radiation species and simulated weightlessness on bone degeneration for the purpose of developing accurate risk assessments of prolonged space flight. Mouse models were used to simulate space flight-relevant doses of different radiation types as well as weightlessness via hind-limb unloading. Three groups of mice (n 9) were irradiated with 1 Gy (Gray) H+, 1 Gy 56Fe, and 1 Gy combined H+ and 56Fe (dual ion) respectively and compared to sham irradiated (n 9) and 2 Gy 56Fe irradiated positive controls (n 6). Two groups of mice (n 9) were hind-limb unloaded for three days and then either sham irradiated or dual ion irradiated respectively, followed by subsequent hind-limb unloading for 11 days. Cancellous tissue from tibiae metaphyses were harvested 11 days post-irradiation for ex vivo micro-computed tomography analysis. Microarchitecture parameters including bone volume to total volume ratio (BVTV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular spacing (Tb.S), and connectivity density (Conn.D) will be quantified using a novel automated segmentation procedure developed in our lab. The anticipated results will be instrumental in developing counter-measures against micro-gravity and radiation-induced bone loss. Moreover, possible synergistic effects may provide insight into underlying mechanisms mediating biological response.

Micro-Gravity↗

NASA NTRS2024

Synthetic Biology to Support Human Exploration of Deep Space

The International Space Station (ISS) has enabled a continuous human presence in space since November 2000. The ISS is in low Earth orbit, facilitating regular resupply missions to deliver air, water, food, spare parts, and science experiments. NASA’s Moon to Mars campaign seeks to return humans to the Moon and prepare for crewed missions to Mars. Increased distance from Earth poses logistical challenges to provide all resources needed by humans for deep space missions. NASA Ames Research Center is conducting a series of synthetic biology projects to test the use of microbes for on-demand biosynthesis of human micronutrients. The BioNutrients spaceflight experiments test an implementation concept to produce fermented food products in which microbe growth enhances micronutrient content. On-demand production of carotenoids was engineered into two yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strains that have been tested in nearly 5 years of storage. One of the BioNutrients strains will be incorporated into the Lunar Explorer Instrument for Space Biology Applications (LEIA) project. LEIA is developing an instrument suite to be delivered to the lunar south pole region by the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The LEIA instrument suite will be used to measure multiple yeast strains for growth, metabolic activity, and synthetic biology-enabled production of carotenoids, while taking real time measurements of biologically relevant radiation exposure on the lunar surface. LEIA data will be used to assess the impact of lunar surface radiation and reduced gravity on the production of engineered traits.

Synthetic Biology↗

NASA NTRS2008

An Instrument to Enable Identification of Anthropogenic CO2 Emissions Using Concurrent CO Measurements

We have developed an instrument concept that will enable the measurement of CO from the top of the atmosphere to the Earth's surface with very high sensitivity and at the high spatial and temporal resolutions required by the NRC Decadal Survey mission Active Sensing of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) over Nights, Days and Seasons (ASCENDS). We are developing an innovative CO sensor that will enable the ASCENDS mission to differentiate between anthropogenic and natural sources and sinks of global carbon. The NRC Decadal Survey places particular emphasis on retrieving CO information for the planetary boundary layer. Measurement made using both the 2.3 micron and 4.7 micron channels are needed to achieve the sensitivity required in the lower atmosphere where the degree of CO - CO2 correlation is indicative of anthropogenic sources of CO2. Measurements made using only the 4.7 micron channel cannot provide sufficient sensitivity to CO in the very lowest layers of the atmosphere. The fundamental method we use is Gas Filter Correlation Radiometry (GFCR), a highly successful technique used in other airborne and space-based missions for detecting trace species in the Earth's atmosphere. Our version of GFCR overcomes many of the limitations encountered by prior and existing instruments, allowing us to measure weak signals from small targets very quickly and with extremely high specificity by employing a new dual beam radiometer concept using a focal plane array. Our design will provide a means to make the desired CO measurements for the ASCENDS mission. A simple change in gas filter cell contents would allow the same hardware to measure CH4 with high precision under the nominal ASCENDS mission spatial and temporal constraints. All critical components in the sensor design are mature, many subsystems tested, and the system has been extensively modeled, bringing it to a present Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 (though some individual components are at TRLs 6-9). We are presently developing critical components for the new spectrometer and advancing our understanding of the measurement requirements for both CO and CH4. This new GFCR technique/sensor will enable measurements of trace gases with high sensitivity while maintaining the inherent robustness and simplicity of the more traditional radiometer hardware. Initial estimates of cost/risk of a spacebased 2-channel GFCR indicate that our design is extremely cost effective and will fit within existing ASCENDS mission budget constraints as determined by the NRC Decadal Survey and a NASA-sponsored mission study.

Cook, William B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Advanced Moisture and Temperature Sounder (AMTS) baseline 5 study report

An Advanced Moisture and Temperature Sounder (AMTS) passive infrared atmospheric sounding system is described. Instrument requirements are developed. Parametric and scaling equations for a grating spectrometer instrument approach are developed which define detector noise limited performance in terms of instrument, orbit, and spatial coverage parameters. Instrument design criteria are developed and a baseline instrument design is presented. Error sources are identified and corresponding system error component values are estimated. Within narrow limits, the highest level of performance achievable with a stand alone infrared sounder using current state of the art technology is established. Additional trade offs necessary to establish a reasonably optimal system design in terms of performance, cost, and risk are identified.

Evans, N. L., Jr.↗

DOE OSTI2026

TCF Base Technology-Specific: Real-time soil core scanner for carbon and other elements (Final Report)

The aim of this project was to commercialize an instrument that will accurately and precisely measure carbon in soil, providing a breakthrough in scalable soil core analysis and enabling a robust measurement of the total amount of carbon per acre. The instrument will measure the whole soil core, rather than just a few sub-samples, and provide data for carbon depth profiling, as well as other key soil elements such as Al, Si, O, Fe. This instrument will provide faster turnaround times and more precise results than current methods (such as loss on ignition), facilitating the analysis of many soil cores per acre. Ultimately, this will enable farmers to improve their carbon-in-soil content, thus contributing to an improved soil health and product yield. To achieve this goal, we divided the project into three main tasks: 1) commercialization research, 2) technical development, and 3) instrument development, demonstration, and benchmarking.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2019

Development of an Electrochemical Impedance Instrument for Monitoring Corrosion Formation (Oxide and Hydride) on Cladding Materials

The objective of this work package is to develop electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) techniques for the in pile measurement of changes in cladding materials in coupling with model simulation and material characterization. This work package will involve the initial development of electrochemical sensing technologies for measuring spatial and time resolved changes in cladding chemistry. Specific attention will be paid to monitoring changes in monitor cladding corrosion including oxide and hydride formation and deformation. The planned work during this period was focused on cladding material zirconium alloy corrosion, oxide and hydride development, and to characterize samples using EIS under controlled gas atmosphere, atom probe tomography (APT), Raman Spectroscopy, and Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). The corrosion, including oxide and hydride of zirconium alloy samples, was tested in this study. The samples were treated at a gas environment containing 3% H2 (vol%) balanced with N2 gas at various temperatures (100 – 500°C) and different times (up to 60 hours) and were characterized by in situ EIS. After treatment, various characterization techniques were applied to measure the samples, including TGA, Ramen, XRD, and APT. This study found that impedance spectra can be affected significantly with (furnace/environment) temperature. Higher temperature resulted in higher overall impedance, and longer exposure time exerted similar effects. Proof of concept characterization of oxidized samples, including TGA, Raman, XRD, and APT, were accomplished on samples exposed to 700 oC gas environment containing 20% O2 and 80% N2. TGA provides observable breakaway and bulk oxide growth measurements. High-temperature, in-situ Raman provides observation of oxidation stress at the surface of the oxide. Additionally, a transition from tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia can be seen early in the oxidation experiment. Specifically, tetragonal-rich zirconia is seen at the metal/oxide interface, where a transition to monoclinic-rich zirconia is seen in the bulk of the oxide. It has also been confirmed that highly compressive residual stresses are seen near the metal/oxide interface. It is concluded that the transition from tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia is induced by massive shifts in stress as the oxide grows. APT has supplied evident differences in the distribution of zirconium and oxygen at the metal/oxide interface. On the pre-breakaway sample, the metastable Zr(O) region at the boundary is relatively thin, interfaced by Zr-rich (i.e., metal) and O-rich (i.e., ZrO2) on either side. In contrast, it has been seen on a post-breakaway sample that the Zr(O) metastable region is much greater in thickness, with evidence of four “zones” showing slightly contrasting composition between 49-54% Zr. In addition, it can be seen from the Zr-2.65Nb post-breakaway sample that secondary element concentrations are considerably different than bulk composition measurements show. Specifically, Nb concentration is much lower than expected, whereas Fe concentration is much higher than expected. These differences could play a role in each element’s contribution to oxide growth mechanisms, as well as causation for breakaway. Future work is focused on analyzing EIS spectra of hydride and its correlation with characterization features, finite element (FE) modeling of cladding materials, electrochemical sensor development, targeting cladding oxides/hydrides under thermodynamic equilibria, during transients and under irradiation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2018

A Mass Spectrometer in Every Fume Hood

Since their inception, mass spectrometers have played a pivotal role in the direction and application of synthetic chemical research. The ability to develop new instrumentation to solve current analytical challenges in this area has always been at the heart of mass spectrometry, although progress has been slow at times. Herein, we briefly review the history of how mass spectrometry has been used to approach challenges in organic chemistry, how new developments in portable instrumentation and ambient ionization have been used to open novel areas of research, and how current techniques have the ability to expand on our knowledge of synthetic mechanisms and kinetics. Lastly, we discuss the relative paucity of work done in recent years to embrace the concept of improving benchtop synthetic chemistry with mass spectrometry, the disconnect between applications and fundamentals within these studies, and what hurdles still need to be overcome. .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS2003

Advanced Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems (AMAMS) Being Developed

The Advanced Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems (AMAMS) project is part of NASA s Instrument Technology Development program to develop advanced sensor systems. The primary focus of the AMAMS project is to develop microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for acceleration sensor systems to replace existing electromechanical sensor systems presently used to assess relative gravity levels aboard spacecraft. These systems are used to characterize both vehicle and payload responses to low-gravity vibroacoustic environments. The collection of microgravity acceleration data is useful to the microgravity life sciences, microgravity physical sciences, and structural dynamics communities. The inherent advantages of semiconductor-based systems are reduced size, mass, and power consumption, with enhanced long-term calibration stability.

Sicker, Ronald J.↗

NASA NTRS2004

A Miniature Solid-State Spectrometer for Space Applications: Field Tests

A solid state infrared spectrometer has been developed under the Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program PIDDP to implement a small rugged spectrometer principally for landed applications. The instrument uses the high index of refraction and waveguide properties of a silicon slab to achieve good spectral resolution and high throughput in a small instrument footprint (less than 25 cm). Light enters the silicon slab and is reflected off a grating (Ebert configuration), utilizing the silicon index of refraction to achieve high dispersion. An array of microthermopiles is used to measure the amplitude of the dispersed light. Input optics are typically utilized to focus light on the input aperture and a chopper is used to compensate system drift.

Smythe, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Updates of the KArLE Experiment: New Libs Calibration Under High Vacuum for the Quantification of Potassium in Basalt for In Situ Geochronology

In planetary exploration, in situ absolute geochronology is one of the main important measurements that needs to be accomplished. Until now, on Mars, the age of the surface is only determined by crater density counting, which gives relative ages. These ages can have a lot of uncertainty as they depend on many parameters. More than that, the curves must be ties to absolute ages. Thus far, only the lost lander Beagle 2 was designed to conduct absolute geochronology measurements, though some recent attempts using MSL Curiosity show that this investigation is feasible and should be strongly encouraged for future flight. Experimental: The Potassium (K)-Argon Laser Experiment (KArLE) is being developed at MSFC through the NASA Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program (PIDDP). The goal of this experiment is to provide in situ geochronology based on the K-Ar method. A laser ablates a rock under high vacuum, creating a plasma which is sensed by an optical spectrometer to do Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The ablated material frees gases, including radiogenic 40Ar,which is measured by a mass spectrometer (MS). As the potassium is a content and the 40Ar is a quantity, the ablated mass needed in order to relate them. The mass is given by the product of the ablated volume by the density of this material. So we determine the mineralogy of the ablated material with the LIBS spectra and images and calculate its density. The volume of the pit is measured by using microscopy. LIBS measurement of K under high vacuum: Three independant projects [1, 2, 3] including KArLE, are developing geochronological instruments based on this LA-LIBS-MS method. Despite several differences in their setup, all of them have validated the methods with analyses and ages. However, they all described difficulties with the LIBS measurements of K [3,4]. At ambient pressure, the quantification of K by LIBS on geological materials can be accurate [5]. However the protocol of the LA-LIBS-MS experiment required hundreds of shots under high vacuum in order to free enough 40Ar* to be measured by the QMS. This long duration of ablation may induces significant changes in the LIBS spectra. The pressure may increases by orders of magnitudewithin the chamber and the laser pit geometry can change the effectiveness of ablation and intensity of plasma light received. These effects introduce variation between the first and last spectra and so the quantification of K is more complex. The ablation of one crater can give, depending on the protocol of acquisition, from tens to hundreds of spectra. Protocol and results: We are in the process of further characterizing the variation introduced into LIBS spectra by the use of hundreds of laser shots, and definining a protocol that can be used to ensure accuracy and reporoducibility in the results.We are using natural rock powder standards fused in a furnace, as well as mars analog samples with known K content. We will show the result of the calibration and some new statistical approaches in order to apprehend the effects of the long time ablation on rocks under high vacuum.

Devismes, D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Detecting Trace Contaminants in the Atmosphere

Sensitive instrument uses two low-energy electron beams to detect certain molecules. Experimental instrument identifies and measures trace contaminants in atmosphere. When fully developed, portable instrument expected to measure contaminant concentrations of certain halogen containing molecules as low as one part per trillion. Instrument employs electron beams to ionize contaminant molecules by dissociative attachment of electrons.

Srivastava, S. K.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Virtual Framework for Development and Testing of Federation Software Stack

Softwarization of networked infrastructures combined with containerization of codes promises unprecedented computing capabilities distributed across the federations of computing systems and physical instruments. The development and testing of a software stack that implements these capabilities over an expensive physical production infrastructure is not cost-effective, and in the early stages, may potentially cause service disruptions. To address these aspects, we develop the Virtual Federated Science Instrument Environment (VFSIE), a digital twin of the physical infrastructure that emulates a multi-site federation. Each federated site is emulated using containers and virtual hosts that are connected over local-area networks, and the sites, in turn, are connected over an emulated wide-area network. We describe the framework design and implementation details. We also illustrate its application by emulating a federation of four laboratories that use Jupyter Notebook for computations and the EPICS software system for instrument control.

Al Najjar, Anees↗

NASA NTRS2012

Development of the ECOSAR P-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar

This paper describes objectives and recent progress on the development of the EcoSAR, a new P-band airborne radar instrument being developed at the NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the polarimetric and interferometric measurements of ecosystem structure and biomass. These measurements support science requirements for the study of the carbon cycle and its relationship to climate change. The instrument is scheduled to be completed and flight tested in 2013. Index Terms SAR, Digital Beamforming, Interferometry.

Rincon, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Develop real-time dosimetry concepts and instrumentation for long term missions

The development of a rugged portable dosimetry system, based on microdosimetry techniques, which will measure dose and evaluate dose equivalent in a mixed radiation field is described. Progress in the desired dosimetry system can be divided into three distinct areas: development of the radiation detector, and electron system are presented. The mathematical techniques required are investigated.

Braby, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Plume spectrometry for liquid rocket engine health monitoring

An investigation of Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) testing failures identified optical events which appeared to be precursors of those failures. A program was therefore undertaken to detect plume trace phenomena characteristic of the engine and to design a monitoring system, responsive to excessive activity in the plume, capable of delivering a warning of an anomalous condition. By sensing the amount of extraneous material entrained in the plume and considering engine history, it may be possible to identify wearing of failing components in time for a safe shutdown and thus prevent a catastrophic event. To investigate the possibilities of safe shutdown and thus prevent a monitor to initiate the shutdown procedure, a large amount of plume data were taken from SSME firings using laboratory instrumentation. Those data were used to design a more specialized instrument dedicated to rocket plume diagnostics. The spectral wavelength range of the baseline data was about 220 nanometers (nm) to 15 micrometer with special attention given to visible and near UV. The data indicates that a satisfactory design will include a polychromator covering the range of 250 nM to 1000 nM, along with a continuous coverage spectrometer, each having a resolution of at least 5A degrees. The concurrent requirements for high resolution and broad coverage are normally at odds with one another in commercial instruments, therefore necessitating the development of special instrumentation. The design of a polychromator is reviewed herein, with a detailed discussion of the continuous coverage spectrometer delayed to a later forum. The program also requires the development of applications software providing detection, variable background discrimination, noise reduction, filtering, and decision making based on varying historical data.

Powers, William T.↗