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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 883 records · Page 49

Active learning path-dependent properties using a cloud-based materials acceleration platform

Solid state materials are central to many modern technologies in which a given material may be exposed to a variety of environments. The material properties often vary with the sequence of environments in an irreversible manner, resulting in a quintessential path-dependency in experimental observables. While sequential learning techniques have been effectively deployed for accelerating learning of state properties of materials, they often use a consistent environment path in all experiments. To elevate such techniques for making optimal decisions in experimental investigations of path-dependent properties, we introduce an iterated expected information gain acquisition function that optimizes over entire experimental trajectories. This approach is implemented within a cloud-based Materials Acceleration Platform architecture utilizing an event-driven stateful broker coupled with remote HELAO (Hierarchical Experimental Laboratory Automation and Orchestration) instances and an AI science manager. The platform's efficacy was demonstrated through a case study optimizing multi-step spectro-electrochemical experiments to identify optically stable potential windows in (Co–Ni–Sb)O z metal oxides. The system successfully integrated AI-driven experiment design, remote laboratory automation, and cloud-based data infrastructure, validating the platform's capability for managing complex, adaptive, path-dependent workflows in materials discovery.

Guevarra, Dan [California Institute of Technology ↗

Algorithm 1049: The Delaunay Density Diagnostic

Accurate approximation of a real-valued function depends on two aspects of the available data: the density of inputs within the domain of interest and the variation of the outputs over that domain. There are few methods for assessing whether the density of inputs is sufficient to identify the relevant variations in outputs—i.e., the “geometric scale” of the function—despite the fact that sampling density is closely tied to the success or failure of an approximation method. In this article, we introduce a general purpose, computational approach to detecting the geometric scale of real-valued functions over a fixed domain using a deterministic interpolation technique from computational geometry. The algorithm is intended to work on scalar data in moderate dimensions (2–10). Our algorithm is based on the observation that a sequence of piecewise linear interpolants will converge to a continuous function at a quadratic rate (in L 2 norm) if and only if the data are sampled densely enough to distinguish the feature from noise (assuming sufficiently regular sampling). We present numerical experiments demonstrating how our method can identify feature scale, estimate uncertainty in feature scale, and assess the sampling density for fixed (i.e., static) datasets of input–output pairs. Finally, we include analytical results in support of our numerical findings and have released lightweight code that can be adapted for use in a variety of data science settings.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Design and validation of a nanosecond short-wave infrared streak camera using gaseous detonation experiments

A custom short-wave infrared (SWIR) galvanometric streak camera was developed to provide nanosecond- scale, time-resolved optical diagnostics. The system was designed as a compact, mechanically driven alternative to traditional tube-based streak cameras, using a galvanometer mirror and multiple-reflection optical path to achieve high temporal resolution while maintaining electronic synchronization for trigger sequencing. Temporal resolution achieved 139.5 ns/px, allowing direct conversion of image-slope gradients to physical wave velocities. The instrument was validated using hydrogen-oxygen-argon detonations within a modular detonation tube, capturing transient emission structures and post-detonation decay behavior with microsecond precision. Although signal levels in filtered configurations were limited by lens transmission and detector sensitivity, the system successfully resolved intensity rise and decay characteristics across 10-60 % argon mixtures. The observed trends demonstrate the feasibility of compact galvanometer-based streak systems for high-speed SWIR imaging in reactive environments!

42 ENGINEERING↗

Vibrational relaxation of carbon monoxide studied by two-wavelength infrared emission

Experimental results are presented for the vibrational relaxation of pure carbon monoxide behind incident shock waves over the temperature range 4000 to 6300 K. The data were obtained as infrared emission from the fundamental and overtone vibrational band systems (in some of the experiments the two-band systems were recorded simultaneously). The data are consistent with present theories for the vibrational relaxation of diatomic molecules and can be interpreted in terms of an initial Boltzmann vibrational distribution relaxing toward final equilibrium via a continuous sequence of intermediate Boltzmann distributions.

Chackerian, C., Jr.↗

Long-term storage effects-up-date

The long-term effects of storing batteries over a period of years prior to their use in a synchronous orbit application are discussed. A previous experiment is discussed where life testing was performed on cells after having stored the battery for a period of three years with the cell shorted and at a temperature on the order of 5-10 C. The test consisted of performing a sequence of 10 simulated eclipse seasons (equivalent in cycling of five years in synchronous orbit). Results of this test indicated very little degradation and change in the physical and chemical conditions of the cell. The program was extended for an additional year (battery was stored for four years) under the same conditions and testing. The results of the four year storage (one exception) indicate that no further change occurred that is significant from the three year test.

Scott, W. R.↗

Viking lander imaging investigation during extended and continuation automatic missions. Volume 2: Lander 2 picture catalog of experiment data record

Images returned by the two Viking landers during the extended and continuation automatic phases of the Viking Mission are presented. Information describing the conditions under which the images were acquired is included with skyline drawings showing the images positioned in the field of view of the cameras. Subsets of the images are listed in a variety of sequences to aid in locating images of interest. The format and organization of the digital magnetic tape storage of the images are described. A brief description of the mission and the camera system is also included.

Jones, K. L.↗

Life sciences recruitment objectives

The goals of the Life Sciences Division of the Office of Space Sciences and Application are to ensure the health, well being and productivity of humans in space and to acquire fundamental scientific knowledge in space life sciences. With these goals in mind Space Station Freedom represents substantial opportunities and significant challenges to the Life Sciences Division. For the first time it will be possible to replicate experimental data from a variety of simultaneously exposed species with appropriate controls and real-time analytical capabilities over extended periods of time. At the same time, a system for monitoring and ameliorating the physiological adaptations that occur in humans subjected to extended space flight must be evolved to provide the continuing operational support to the SSF crew. To meet its goals, and take advantage of the opportunities and overcome the challenges presented by Space Station Freedom, the Life Sciences Division is developing a suite of discipline-focused sequence. The research phase of the Life Sciences Space Station Freedom Program will commence with the utilization flights following the deployment of the U.S. laboratory module and achievement of Man Tended Capability. Investigators that want the Life Sciences Division to sponsor their experiment on SSF can do so in one of three ways: submitting a proposal in response to a NASA Research Announcement (NRA), submitting a proposal in response to an Announcement of Opportunity (AO), or submitting an unsolicited proposal. The scientific merit of all proposals will be evaluated by peer review panels. Proposals will also be evaluated based on relevance to NASA's missions and on the results of an Engineering and Cost Analyses. The Life Sciences Division expects that the majority of its funding opportunities will be announced through NRA's. It is anticipated that the first NRA will be released approximately three years before first element launch (currently scheduled for late 1995). Subsequent NRA's will be released on a rotating two year cycle.

Keefe, J. Richard↗

Cellular Instabilities and Self-Acceleration of Expanding Spherical Flames

In the present investigation we aim to provide experimental information on and thereby understanding of the generation and propagation of spark-ignited, outwardly propagating cellular flames, with three major focuses. The first is to unambiguously demonstrate the influence of the four most important parameters in inducing hydrodynamic and diffusional-thermal cellularities, namely thermal expansion, flame thickness, non-unity Lewis number, and global activation energy. The second is to investigate the critical state for the onset of cellularity for the stretch-affected, expanding flame. The third is to identify and consequently quantify the phenomena of self-acceleration and possibly auto-turbulization of cellular flames. Due to space limitation the effects of activation energy and the critical state for the onset of cellularity will not be discussed herein. Experiments were conducted using C3H8-air and H2-O2-N2 mixtures for their opposite influences of non-equidiffusivity. The additional system parameters varied were the chamber pressure (p) and the mixture composition including the equivalence ratio (phi). From a sequence of the flame images we can assess the propensity of cell formation, and determine the instantaneous flame radius (R), the flame propagation rate, the global stretch rate experienced by the flame, the critical flame radius at which cells start to grow, and the average cell size.

Law, C. K.↗

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Undergraduate Education and Research Programs, Facilities, and Information Access

The titles in this section include: 1) GRIDVIEW: Recent Improvements in Research and Education Software for Exploring Mars Topography; 2) Software and Hardware Upgrades for the University of North Dakota Asteroid and Comet Internet Telescope (ACIT); 3) Web-based Program for Calculating Effects of an Earth Impact; 4) On-Line Education, Web- and Virtual-Classes in an Urban University: A Preliminary Overview; 5) Modelling Planetary Material's Structures: From Quasicrystalline Microstructure to Crystallographic Materials by Use of Mathematica; 6) How We Used NASA Lunar Set in Planetary and Material Science Studies: Textural and Cooling Sequences in Sections of Lava Column from a Thin and a Thick Lava-Flow, from the Moon and Mars with Terrestrial Analogue and Chondrule Textural Comparisons; 7) Classroom Teaching of Space Technology and Simulations by the Husar Rover Model; 8) New Experiments (In Meteorology, Aerosols, Soil Moisture and Ice) on the New Hunveyor Educational Planetary Landers of Universities and Colleges in Hungary; 9) Teaching Planetary GIS by Constructing Its Model for the Test Terrain of the Hunveyor and Husar; 10) Undergraduate Students: An Untapped Resource for Planetary Researchers; 11) Analog Sites in Field Work of Petrology: Rock Assembly Delivered to a Plain by Floods on Earth and Mars; 12) RELAB (Reflectance Experiment Laboratory): A NASA Multiuser Spectroscopy Facility; 13) Full Text Searching and Customization in the NASA ADS Abstract Service.

Source record↗

Use of the NLPQLP Sequential Quadratic Programming Algorithm to Solve Rotorcraft Aeromechanical Constrained Optimisation Problems

Optimization of the control vector, configuration and aerodynamic surface design potentially offers significant performance enhancement to rotorcraft systems. These analyses indicated that non-linear programming methods that solve a sequence of related quadratic-programming sub-problems could be used successfully to solve these problems. Accordingly, a license for one of the latest versions of Professor Schittkowski's very successful Sequential Quadratic Programming NLPQLP software was obtained and used to experiment and analyze typical optimization problems of the type encountered in various rotorcraft wind tunnel and flight tests. Emphasis was directed toward obtaining efficiency, robustness and speed in computation.

Use of the NLPQLP↗

Evidence for Chemical Processing of Precometary Icy Grains In Circumstellar Environments of Pre-Main-Sequence Stars

We report the detection of a broad absorption feature near 2166 cm-1 in the spectrum of the Taurus cloud source Elias 18. This pre-main-sequence source is the second in Taurus, the third in our survey, and the fifth known in the sky to show the broad 2166 cm-1 absorption feature. Of equal importance, this feature is not seen toward several other embedded sources in our survey, nor is it seen toward the source Elias 16, located behind the Taurus cloud. Laboratory experiments with interstellar ice analogs show that such a feature is associated with a complex C=-N containing compound [called X(C=-N)] that results from high-energy processing (ultraviolet irradiation or ion bombardment) of simple ice components into more complex, organic components, We find a nonlinear anticorrelation between the abundance of X(C=-N) and frozen CO in non- polar lattices. We find no correlation between the abundance of X(C=-N) and frozen CO in polar lattices. Because the abundances of frozen CO and H20 are strongly correlated with each other and with visual extinction toward sources embedded in and located behind the Taurus molecular cloud, these ice components usually are associated with intracloud material. Our results indicate that X(C=-N) molecules result from chemical processing of dust grains dominated by nonpolar icy mantles in the local environments of pre-main- sequence stars. Such processing of icy grains in the early solar system may be an important source of organic compounds observed in minor solar system bodies. The delivery of these organic compounds to the surface of the primitive Earth through comet impacts may have provided the raw materials for prebiotic chemistry.

Teglier, Stephen C.↗

Evidence for chemical processing of precometary icy grains in circumstellar environments of pre-main-sequence stars

We report the detection of a broad absorption feature near 2166/cm in the spectrum of the Taurus cloud cource Elias 18. This pre-main-sequence source is the second in Taurus, the third in our survey, and the fifth known in the sky to show the broad 2166/cm absorption feature. Of equal importance, this feature is not seen toward several other embedded sources in our survey, nor is it seen toward the source Elias 16, located behind the Taurus cloud. Laboratory experiments with interstellar ice analogs show that such a feature is associated with a complex C triple bonded to N containing compound (called X(C triple bonded to N)) that results from high-energy processing (ultraviolet irradiation or ion bombardment) of simple ice components into more complex, organic components. We find a nonlinear anticorrelation between the abundance of X(C triple bonded to N) and frozen CO components in nonpolar lattices. We find no correlation between the abundance of X(C triple bonded to N) and frozen CO in polar lattices. Because the abundances of frozen CO and H2O are strongly correlated with each other and with visual extinction toward sources embedded in and located behind the Taurus molecular cloud, these ice components usually are associated with intracloud material. Our results indicate that X(C triple bonded to N) molecules result from chemical processing of dust grains dominated by nonpolar icy mantles in the local environments of pre-main-sequence stars. Such processing of icy grains in the early solar system may be an important source of organic compounds observed in minor solar system bodies. The delivery of these organic compounds to the surface of the primitive Earth through comet impacts may have provided the raw materials for prebiotic chemistry.

Tegler, Stephen C.↗

Role of the methylene amidogen (H2CN) radical in the atmospheres of Titan and Jupiter

The methylene amidogen (H2CN) radical can be shown to be an important intermediate in models for the formation of HCN (via N + CH3) and the recombination of H to H2 (via H + HCN) on Titan as well as in models for the formation of HCN (via NH2 + C2H3) in the atmosphere of Jupiter. Experiments in our laboratory in a discharge flow system with mass spectrometric detection of both reactants and products have established that the major product channel (90 percent for the reaction N + CH3 is that leading to H2CN + H. The same result was obtained for N + CD3 yields D2CN + D. The rate constant for the reaction D + D2CN yields DCN + D2 was measured for the first time and k(298 K) greater than 7 x 10(exp -11) cu cm/s was found. The same result was obtained for the H atom reaction. This is the final step in the reaction sequence leading to HCN on both Titan and Jupiter and to formation of H2 from H on Titan. The first measurement of the ionization potentials for H2CN and D2CN was also made. From electron impact studies I.P. = (9.6 + or - 1.0) eV was obtained for both radicals. An upperlimit of I.P. less than 11.6 eV came from observations of the H2CN radical by photoionization mass spectrometry using an Ar resonance lamp (106.7 nm). Further photoionization experiments are planned using synchrotron radiation plus monochromator as a tunable vacuum UV light source.

Nesbitt, F. L.↗

Disruption thermal load mitigation with shattered pellet injection on the Joint European Torus (JET)

Disruption mitigation remains a critical, unresolved challenge for ITER. To aid in addressing this challenge, a shattered pellet injection (SPI) system was installed on JET and experiments conducted at a range of thermal energy fractions and stored energies in excess of 7 MJ. The primary goals of these experiments were to investigate the efficacy of the SPI on JET and the ability of the plasma to assimilate multiple pellets. Single pellet injections produced a saturation in total radiated energy (Wrad) with increasing injected neon content, suggesting total radiation of stored thermal energy. Further increases in injected neon quantities resulted in reduced cooling times and current quench (CQ) durations, indicating higher impurity assimilation. No significant variation in CQ duration or W rad was observed when varying the deuterium content at fixed neon quantities. Additionally, higher assimilation, inferred by shorter CQ durations, was measured when a mechanical punch was used to launch the pellets and this was attributed to a lower pellet velocity leading to higher solid content in the pellet plume and larger fragments penetrating deeper into the plasma. Radiation asymmetries averaged over the cooling time were inferred from Emis3D and ranged from 1.6 to 1.9. Asymmetries averaged over the entire disruption sequence were found to increase at higher thermal energy fractions. The radiated energy fractions decreased with increasing thermal energy fractions but this trend was eliminated when toroidal asymmetries were accounted for with Emis3D. Pure deuterium pellets were able to produce cooling times of up to 75 ms with a gradual loss in thermal stored energy of up to 80%. Experiments with multiple pellet injection indicated W rad can be increased through pellet superposition and density can be increased with an additional D2 injection without a reduction in W rad . KPRAD modelling accurately reproduced the cooling times and the CQ duration at high thermal energies. Assimilation estimates from KPRAD indicated CQ rates scale strongly whilst W rad scales weakly and saturates with assimilated neon content. Comparable W rad can be achieved with lower assimilated neon quantities as longer cooling times are attained. Thus reduced neon content can be preferential in a thermal load mitigation scheme as it may reduce radiation asymmetries and prevent flash melting.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The Role of Mineral Composition on the Frictional and Stability Properties of Powdered Reservoir Rocks

The growing hazard of induced seismicity driven by the boom in unconventional resources exploitation is strongly linked to fault activation. We perform laboratory measurements on simulated fault gouges comprising powdered reservoir rocks from major oil and gas production sites in China, to probe the control of mineral composition on fault friction and stability responses during reservoir stimulation. Double direct shear experiments were conducted on gouges with phyllosilicate content ranging from 0 to 30 wt.% and grain sizes <150 μm, at constant normal stresses of 10–40 MPa and conditions of room temperature and water saturation. The velocity step and slide-hold-slide sequences were employed to evaluate frictional stability and static healing, respectively. Results indicate that the mineralogy of the gouges exhibit a strong control on the frictional strength, stability, and healing. Phyllosilicate-rich samples show lower frictional strength μ and higher values of (a – b ), promoting stable sliding. For the gouges studied, the frictional strength decreases monotonically with increasing phyllosilicate content, and a transition from velocity weakening to velocity strengthening behavior is evident at 15 wt.% phyllosilicates. Intermediate healing rates are common in gouges with higher content of phyllosilicates, with high healing rates predominantly in phyllosilicate-poor gouges. As an indispensable component in reservoir rocks, the carbonates are shown to affect both the frictional stability and healing response. These findings can have important implications for understanding the effects of mineralogy on fault behavior and induced seismic potential in geoengineering activities, particularly in reservoirs in China.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

A Privacy-Preserving Distributed Control of Optimal Power Flow

Here, we consider a distributed optimal power flow formulated as an optimization problem that maximizes a nondifferentiable concave function. Solving such a problem by the existing distributed algorithms can lead to data privacy issues because the solution information exchanged within the algorithms can be utilized by an adversary to infer the data. To preserve data privacy, in this paper we propose a differentially private projected subgradient (DP-PS) algorithm that includes a solution encryption step. We show that a sequence generated by DP-PS converges in expectation, in probability, and with probability 1. Moreover, we show that the rate of convergence in expectation is affected by a target privacy level of DP-PS chosen by the user. We conduct numerical experiments that demonstrate the convergence and data privacy preservation of DP-PS.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Soil Origin and Plant Genotype Modulate Switchgrass Aboveground Productivity and Root Microbiome Assembly

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a model perennial grass for bioenergy production that can be productive in agricultural lands that are not suitable for food production. There is growing interest in whether its associated microbiome may be adaptive in low- or no-input cultivation systems. However, the relative impact of plant genotype and soil factors on plant microbiome and biomass are a challenge to decouple. To address this, a common garden greenhouse experiment was carried out using six common switchgrass genotypes, which were each grown in four different marginal soils collected from long-term bioenergy research sites in Michigan and Wisconsin. We characterized the fungal and bacterial root communities with high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the ITS and 16S rDNA markers, and collected phenological plant traits during plant growth, as well as soil chemical traits. At harvest, we measured the total plant aerial dry biomass. Significant differences in richness and Shannon diversity across soils but not between plant genotypes were found. Generalized linear models showed an interaction between soil and genotype for fungal richness but not for bacterial richness. Community structure was also strongly shaped by soil origin and soil origin × plant genotype interactions. Overall, plant genotype effects were significant but low. Random Forest models indicate that important factors impacting switchgrass biomass included NO 3 – , Ca 2+ , PO 4 3– , and microbial biodiversity. We identified 54 fungal and 52 bacterial predictors of plant aerial biomass, which included several operational taxonomic units belonging to Glomeraceae and Rhizobiaceae, fungal and bacterial lineages that are involved in provisioning nutrients to plants.

plant biomass↗

A gamma ray monitor for the OSO-7 spacecraft

A 3 in. x 3 in. NaI(Tl) gamma ray (0.3 to 10 MeV) spectrometer with a CsI(Na) charged particle and anti-Compton shield has been developed for the Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO-7) which was launched September 30, 1971. The instrument, designed for a rotating wheel compartment, utilizes a 377 channel quadratic PHA with accumulation times of 3, 1, or 0.5 minutes. Quick look and calibration data obtained via a direct data link to a minicomputer allows near real time monitoring and control of the experiment. Various commands changing the operating mode can be executed. The functions which can be commanded include: rotation of the quadrants in which data is collected by 90 deg; gain adjustment of the central detector over a 6:1 range; manual or automatic sequencing of calibrations; variations of accumulation times by telemetering selected channels; and selection of reference directions. A small X-ray detector covering the range 7.5 to 120 keV is also included.

Higbie, P. R.↗