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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Structure, dynamics, and redox reactivity of an all-purpose flavodoxin

The flavodoxin of Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 (Rp9Fld) supplies highly reducing equivalents to crucial en- zymes such as hydrogenase, especially when the organism is iron-restricted. By acquiring those electrons from photodriven electron flow via the bifurcating electron transfer flavoprotein, Rp9Fld provides solar power to vital metabolic processes. To understand Rp9Fld’s ability to work with diverse partners, we solved its crystal structure. We observed the canonical fla- vodoxin (Fld) fold and features common to other long-chain Flds but not all the surface loops thought to recognize part- ner proteins. Moreover, some of the loops display alternative structures and dynamics. To advance studies of protein– protein associations and conformational consequences, we assigned the 19F NMR signals of all five tyrosines (Tyrs). Our electrochemical measurements show that incorporation of 3- 19 F-Tyr in place of Tyr has only a modest effect on Rp9Fld’s redox properties even though Tyrs flank the flavin on both sides. Meanwhile, the 19 F probes demonstrate the expected paramagnetic effect, with signals from nearby Tyrs becoming broadened beyond detection when the flavin semiquinone is formed. However, the temperature dependencies of chemical shifts and linewidths reveal dynamics affecting loops close to the flavin and regions that bind to partners in a variety of systems. These coincide with patterns of amino acid type conservation but not retention of specific residues, arguing against detailed specificity with respect to partners. We pro- pose that the loops surrounding the flavin adopt altered con- formations upon binding to partners and may even participate actively in electron transfer.

19F NMR↗
NASA NTRS1996

From Stardust to Planetesimals: Contributed Papers

On June 24 through 26, 1996, a scientific conference entitled From Stardust to Planetesimals was held at the Westin Hotel, Santa Clara, California, as part of the 108th annual meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Over the last decade, our understanding of the formation and early evolution of the solar system has advanced considerably due to progress that has been made simultaneously on many fronts. Stardust has been isolated in meteorites and interplanetary dust particles (IDP's), providing us with sample materials which predate the solar system and which offer clues to the processing that has occurred. At the same time, infrared studies have led to a better characterization of the composition of interstellar dust, which is now readily accepted as an important component of the interstellar medium infrared observations have also provided a much better view of the star-formation process and the role of dust therein. Recently, the presence of Kuiper Belt planetesimals has been confirmed and spectroscopy of these rather pristine objects may soon become available. Analysis of spacecraft data from the Comet Halley flybys has yielded a wealth of information on the composition of this comet. These observational advances have changed our understanding of planetesimal processing. The launch of the Infrared Space Observatory, the opening of 10-meter class telescopes, and, in the longer term, the Rosetta mission, promise to continue to broaden and deepen our understanding of the evolution from stardust to planetesimals. For these reasons we considered it timely to organize a meeting focused on the processes that connect stardust and planetesimals. The goal of this meeting was, therefore, to bring together astronomers interested in star- and planet-formation, planetary scientists studying early solar system relics, laboratory scientists studying the processing of analogs, and scientists analyzing meteorites and interplanetary dust particles, grain by grain. As a result of this endeavor, over 200 participants, including 153 scientists from 14 different countries, gathered to discuss the origin and evolution of stardust. We hope that this encounter in Santa Clara will foster an ongoing interchange of information and ideas within this diverse group of scientists. A major aim of this meeting was to produce conference proceedings which reflect the current situation regarding the evolution from stardust to planetesimals.

Kress, M. E.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Abstract for CRADA between National Energy Technology Laboratory and TOPTICA Photonics, Inc.

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Toptica Photonics (Participant) will collaborate to demonstrate the application of a frequency-comb laser (dual-comb spectroscopy) in an optically accessible rotating detonation engine (RDE). RDEs are a next-generation energy conversion technology which are well-suited to hydrogen usage and have the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of gas turbine engine power cycles. However, critical information is needed about the high temperature and pressure detonation wave, which represents an extremely challenging diagnostic environment. Dual-comb spectroscopy can be used to characterize the pressure-broadened IR absorption features at MHz rates, providing information not possible with conventional tunable diode laser (TDL) technologies. This collaboration will, for the first time, demonstrate application of dual-comb spectroscopy within the combustion annulus of a hydrogen-air RDE. If successful, the data generated will help to accelerate commercialization of RDE technologies in support of decarbonizing our nation’s energy sector.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1986

Energetic Phenomena on the Sun: The Solar Maximum Mission Flare Workshop. Proceedings

The general objectives of the conference were as follows: (1) Synthesize flare studies after three years of Solar Maximum Mission (SSM) data analysis. Encourage a broader participation in the SMM data analysis and combine this more fully with theory and other data sources-data obtained with other spacecraft such as the HINOTORI, p78-1, and ISEE-3 spacecrafts, and with the Very Large Array (VLA) and many other ground-based instruments. Many coordinated data sets, unprecedented in their breadth of coverage and multiplicity of sources, had been obtained within the structure of the Solar Maximum Year (SMY). (2) Stimulate joint studies, and publication in the general scientific literature. The intended primary benefit was for informal collaborations to be started or broadened at the Workshops with subsequent publications. (3) Provide a special publication resulting from the Workshop.

Kundu, Mukul↗
NASA NTRS1991

Second National Space Grant Conference report, 1991

The conference goals were: (1) to provide a setting for Space Grant College/Consortia leaders to meet and discuss program plans; (2) to provide participants with updates on major NASA science and engineering programs and educational affairs activities; and (3) to hold workshops on themes of critical importance to the program. The conference agenda focused primarily on a series of 15 workshops in which program directors or their designees discussed components of the Space Grant Program. These components - outreach, pre-college education, publicity, and organization - were earlier incorporated in very specific ways within individual program plans. The conference, thus, afforded those attending an opportunity to exchange information and concerns regarding program elements while exploring ways to structure, enhance and perhaps broaden their program plans. Space Grant representatives also discussed with headquarters officials ways in which the Space Grant Program itself should be evaluated.

Heimsoth, Jeffrey T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Early Career Perspectives to Broaden the Scope of Critical Zone Science

Abstract Critical Zone (CZ) scientists have advanced understanding of Earth's surface through process‐based research that quantifies water, energy, and mass fluxes in predominantly undisturbed systems. However, the CZ is being increasingly altered by humans through climate and land use change. Expanding the scope of CZ science to include both human‐ and non‐human controls on the CZ is important for understanding anthropogenic impacts to Earth's surface processes and ecosystem services. Here, we share perspectives from predominantly U.S.‐based, early career CZ scientists centered around broadening the scope of CZ science to focus on societally relevant science through a transdisciplinary science framework. We call for increased training on transdisciplinary methods and collaboration opportunities across disciplines and with stakeholders to foster a scientific community that values transdisciplinary science alongside physical science. Here, we build on existing transdisciplinary research frameworks by highlighting the need for institutional support to include and educate graduate students throughout the research processes. We also call for graduate‐student‐led initiatives to increase their own exposure to transdisciplinary science through activities such as transdisciplinary‐focused seminars and symposiums, volunteering with local conservation groups, and participating in internships outside academia.

Warix, Sara [University of Utah Department of Geol↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Review of Recent and Emerging Machine Learning Applications for Climate Variability and Weather Phenomena

Abstract Climate variability and weather phenomena can cause extremes and pose significant risk to society and ecosystems, making continued advances in our physical understanding of such events of utmost importance for regional and global security. Advances in machine learning (ML) have been leveraged for applications in climate variability and weather, empowering scientists to approach questions using big data in new ways. Growing interest across the scientific community in these areas has motivated coordination between the physical and computer science disciplines to further advance the state of the science and tackle pressing challenges. During a recently held workshop that had participants across academia, private industry, and research laboratories, it became clear that a comprehensive review of recent and emerging ML applications for climate variability and weather phenomena that can cause extremes was needed. This article aims to fulfill this need by discussing recent advances, challenges, and research priorities in the following topics: sources of predictability for modes of climate variability, feature detection, extreme weather and climate prediction and precursors, observation–model integration, downscaling, and bias correction. This article provides a review for domain scientists seeking to incorporate ML into their research. It also provides a review for those with some ML experience seeking to broaden their knowledge of ML applications for climate variability and weather.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Civil Procedure for the Anthropocene

Climate considerations must become an element of procedural analysis. Scholars, rule makers, legislators, and judges have historically prioritized procedural values including cost, speed, and accuracy. More recent waves of scholarship—including critical perspectives—have emphasized participation as a further procedural goal. Yet this list has grown stale. Current environmental realities force all areas of law, including civil procedure, to reckon with climate change. In the future, proceduralists will be forced to integrate climate-aware thinking into their analyses, proposals, and discussions. Predictably, minds will disagree on how to accomplish this and the kinds of trade-offs that are warranted. Yet the fundamental point of this article remains: climate change resilience is a procedural concern that has not been recognized but must be. This signals not the genesis of a new branch of procedural scholarship but an opportunity to broaden the discussion for all procedural scholarship. In addition, this Article serves as a guide for rule makers and legislators who have just recently begun to show interest in climate-aware procedures. It directs them to procedural topics that require urgent attention, provides implementation strategies for developing resilient procedures, and considers the attendant costs and benefits of different approaches ranging from laissez-faire to aggressive engagement. Just as civil procedural innovations contributed to the emergence and success of the civil rights movement, our collective response to climate change will also be shaped by civil procedure. This Article prepares for this future and offers a corrective to the field’s failure to anticipate and respond to climate change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

Strategies for recruiting additional African Americans into the NASA JSC summer faculty fellows program

African Americans have participated sporadically in the NASA JSC Summer Faculty Fellows Program--none in 1992 and four in 1993. There is a pool of African Americans who are both qualified to provide services and willing to participate in initiatives which support technologies required for future JSC programs. They can provide human support and handle mission operations, spacecraft systems, planet surface systems, and management tools. Most of these faculty teach at historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's). This research will document the current recruitment system, critique it, and develop a strategy which will facilitate the diversification of the NASA JSC Summer Faculty Fellows Program. While NASA currently mails notices to HBCU's, such notices have generated few applications from, and fewer selections of, targeted faculty. To increase the participation of African Americans in the NASA JSC Summer Faculty Fellows Program, this participant will prepare a strategy which includes a document which identifies HBCU-targeted faculty and enumerates more formally extensive and intensive communication procedures. A fifteen-minute panel discussion, which will include a video, will be delivered during the annual meeting of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) to be held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, June 26-29, 1994. An announcement letter will be mailed to targeted faculty; follow-up telephone calls and personal visits will be made and a checklist flowchart will be completed by key NASA personnel or designee. Although initially limited to NASA JSC's recruitment of African Americans, this strategy may be broadened to include other NASA sites and other targeted minority groups.

Hyman, Ladelle M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ab initio quantum scattering calculations and a new potential energy surface for the HCl( X 1Σ+)–O2(X3Σg−) system: Collision-induced line shape parameters for O2-perturbed R(0) 0–0 line in H35Cl

The remote sensing of abundance and properties of HCl—the main atmospheric reservoir of Cl atoms that directly participate in ozone depletion—is important for monitoring the partitioning of chlorine between “ozone-depleting” and “reservoir” species. Such remote studies require knowledge of the shapes of molecular resonances of HCl, which are perturbed by collisions with the molecules of the surrounding air. In this work, we report the first fully quantum calculations of collisional perturbations of the shape of a pure rotational line in H35Cl perturbed by an air-relevant molecule [as the first model system we choose the R(0) line in HCl perturbed by O2]. The calculations are performed on our new highly accurate HCl(X1Σ+)–O2(X3Σg−) potential energy surface. In addition to pressure broadening and shift, we also determine their speed dependencies and the complex Dicke parameter. This gives important input to the community discussion on the physical meaning of the complex Dicke parameter and its relevance for atmospheric spectra (previously, the complex Dicke parameter for such systems was mainly determined from phenomenological fits to experimental spectra and the physical meaning of its value in that context is questionable). We also calculate the temperature dependence of the line shape parameters and obtain agreement with the available experimental data. We estimate the total combined uncertainties of our calculations at 2% relative root-mean-square error in the simulated line shape at 296 K. This result constitutes an important step toward computational population of spectroscopic databases with accurate ab initio line shape parameters for molecular systems of terrestrial atmospheric importance.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2021

Influence of Disorder and State Filling on Charge-Transfer-State Absorption and Emission Spectra

We conduct comprehensive temperature-dependent measurements of the charge-transfer-(CT) state photocurrent and emission spectra for two organic small molecule donor:fullerene (C 60 ) acceptor bulk heterojunction solar cells. We reveal that the CT spectral width and position are affected by static energetic disorder in the blend, especially evident at low temperatures. The relative contributions of the static and dynamic disorder broadening in the CT spectra are effectively extracted through consideration of a Gaussian CT energetic distribution. However, electroluminescence (EL) spectra can only be interpreted when injected carriers reach thermal equilibrium sites within the disordered density of states and emission occurs from the lowest possible CT energy. For the blend with the smaller energetic disorder, this is the case near room temperature; for the other blend with larger static disorder, carriers fail to reach thermal equilibrium sites even at room temperature and EL spectra need to be interpreted with care. For example, in the latter case, the effect of energetic disorder might not be apparent from EL spectra because the lowest energy sites are not participating. Nonetheless, these states contribute to the photocurrent generation-recombination and energy-loss processes and thus demand accurate characterization, which we show is feasible through temperature-dependent external quantum-efficiency measurements.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hemp fiber reinforced dual dynamic network vitrimer biocomposites with direct incorporation of amino silane

Natural fiber composites are inexpensive and renewable alternatives to traditional fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs). However, existing natural fiber composites primarily rely on petrochemical based thermosetting matrices, which are difficult to recycle due to their stable crosslinked network structures. To address this challenge, it is desirable to develop natural fiber composites with inherently recyclable biobased matrices. In this study, we developed a dual dynamic network vitrimer matrix from hempseed oil and limonene derivatives and demonstrated its application in hemp fiber reinforced composites. To improve the weak interface between hemp fiber and the polymer matrix, a common challenge in the realm of natural fiber composites, we directly incorporated amino silane into the vitrimer matrix. The amino silane participated in the polymer network, increasing the crosslink density and toughening the matrix, as evidenced by a significantly improved impact strength from 3.5 kJ/m 2 to 10.3 kJ/m 2 . Moreover, the incorporation of amino silane resulted in a lower water absorption by 11% in 7-day soaking for the composites, demonstrating improved fiber/matrix interfacial interaction. Furthermore, our biobased vitrimer matrix exhibits both imine and hydroxy-ester dynamic bonds, which enable the recycling of the biocomposite through a mild and cost-effective aminolysis process (100°C, 3h, ambient pressure). The decomposed polymer matrix was successfully reused as a polyol for polyurethane adhesives, and the surface morphology of recovered hemp fibers was analyzed and compared with that of the original fibers. Furthermore, these findings will help broaden the use of vitrimers for practical natural fiber composite applications, raise awareness of the problem of recycling natural fiber composite waste, and shed light on the interfacial challenge of natural fiber reinforced vitrimer composites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Assessment of Sandia's 2021 Pilot Program for Research Traineeships to Broaden and Diversify Fusion Energy Science: Development and Rapid Screening of Refractory Multi-Principal Elemental Composites for Plasma Facing Components

The Fusion Energy Sciences office supported “A Pilot Program for Research Traineeships to Broaden and Diversify Fusion Energy Sciences” at Sandia National Laboratories during the summer of 2021. This pilot project was motivated in part by the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee report observation that “The multidisciplinary workforce needed for fusion energy and plasma science requires that the community commit to the creation and maintenance of a healthy climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which will benefit the community as a whole and the mission of FES”. The pilot project was designed to work with North Carolina A&T (NCAT) University and leverage SNL efforts in FES to engage underrepresented students in developing and accessing advanced material solutions for plasma facing components in fusion systems. The intent was to create an environment conducive to the development of a sense of belonging amongst participants, foster a strong sense of physics identity among the participants, and provide financial support to enable students to advance academically while earning money. The purpose of this assessment is to review what worked well and lessons that can be learned. We reviewed implementation and execution of the pilot, describe successes and areas for improvement and propose a no-cost extension of the pilot project to apply these lessons and continue engagement activities in the summer of 2022.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Geometry and Strings 2023

The proposal details plans for an upcoming meeting as part of the annual Geometry and Strings conference series. This series was formerly known as the ``F-theory'' conference series and has since broadened to include more general approaches to high energy physics centered on geometry, quantum field theory and string theory. The University of Pennsylvania has agreed to host the 2023 installment of the conference, which will take place on the UPenn campus in March 2023. The main thrust of the activities will center on several interconnected areas within the subject, including: The Swampland Program in quantum gravity and its geometric manifestations. The Geometric Engineering Program in string theory and its application to numerous question in quantum field theory. The Generalized Symmetries Program in quantum field theory and string theory. The Machine Learning Program aimed at understanding the large number of vacua present in string theory. The conference will adhere to a code of conduct aimed at making the event accessible to all participants. Additionally, particular attention will be paid to having a balanced mix of junior, mid-level and senior speakers from diverse backgrounds.

Lust, Dieter↗
NASA NTRS1992

Atmospheric and spectroscopic research in the far infrared

The University of Oregon (UO) has been a major participant in the development of far infrared spectroscopic research of the stratosphere for the purpose of understanding the ozone layer processes. The UO has had a 15-year collaboration with the Italian group of B. Carli, and have participated in the 1978/79 Sub-millimeter Infrared Balloon Experiment (SIBEX), in the Balloon Intercomparison Campaign, (BIC), in the Infrared Balloon Experiment (IBEX), and in the recently concluded Far Infrared Experiment for UARS Correlative Measurements (FIREX). Both IBEX and FIREX programs were conducted in collaboration with NASA Langley, and were designed as validation flights in support of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) Program. The technique of atmospheric far infrared spectroscopy offers two important advantages. First, many chemically important species can be measured simultaneously and co-spatially in the atmosphere. Second, far infrared atmospheric spectra can be obtained in thermal emission without reference to the sun's position, enabling full diurnal and global coverage. Recent improvements in instrumentation, field measurements, and molecular concentration retrieval techniques are now making the far infrared a mature measurement technology. This work to date has largely focused on balloon-based studies, but the future efforts will focus also on satellite-based experiments. A program of research in the following general areas was proposed: Laboratory Pressure broadening coefficient studies; specialized detector system assembly and testing; and consultation and assistance with instrument and field support. The proposal was approved and a three-year research grant titled 'Atmospheric and Spectroscopic Research in the Far Infrared' was awarded. A summary of technical accomplishments attained during the grant period are presented.

Park, Kwangjai↗
NASA NTRS2001

Dynamics of the spatial scale of visual attention revealed by brain event-related potentials

The temporal dynamics of the spatial scaling of attention during visual search were examined by recording event-related potentials (ERPs). A total of 16 young participants performed a search task in which the search array was preceded by valid cues that varied in size and hence in precision of target localization. The effects of cue size on short-latency (P1 and N1) ERP components, and the time course of these effects with variation in cue-target stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA), were examined. Reaction time (RT) to discriminate a target was prolonged as cue size increased. The amplitudes of the posterior P1 and N1 components of the ERP evoked by the search array were affected in opposite ways by the size of the precue: P1 amplitude increased whereas N1 amplitude decreased as cue size increased, particularly following the shortest SOA. The results show that when top-down information about the region to be searched is less precise (larger cues), RT is slowed and the neural generators of P1 become more active, reflecting the additional computations required in changing the spatial scale of attention to the appropriate element size to facilitate target discrimination. In contrast, the decrease in N1 amplitude with cue size may reflect a broadening of the spatial gradient of attention. The results provide electrophysiological evidence that changes in the spatial scale of attention modulate neural activity in early visual cortical areas and activate at least two temporally overlapping component processes during visual search.

Non-NASA Center↗
DOE OSTI2021

Flavonoids naringenin chalcone, naringenin, dihydrotricin, and tricin are lignin monomers in papyrus

Recent studies demonstrate that several polyphenolic compounds produced from beyond the canonical monolignol biosynthetic pathways can behave as lignin monomers, participating in radical coupling reactions and being incorporated into lignin polymers. Here, we show various classes of flavonoids, the chalconoid naringenin chalcone, the flavanones naringenin and dihydrotricin, and the flavone tricin, incorporated into the lignin polymer of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus L.) rind. These flavonoids were released from the rind lignin by Derivatization Followed by Reductive Cleavage (DFRC), a chemical degradative method that cleaves the β-ether linkages, indicating that at least a fraction of each was integrated into the lignin as β-ether-linked structures. Due to the particular structure of tricin and dihydrotricin, whose C-3' and C-5' positions at their B-rings are occupied by methoxy groups, these compounds can only be incorporated into the lignin through 4'–O–β bonds. However, naringenin chalcone and naringenin have no substituents at these positions and can therefore form additional carbon–carbon linkages, including 3'– or 5'–β linkages that form phenylcoumaran structures not susceptible to cleavage by DFRC. Furthermore, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analysis indicated that naringenin chalcone can also form additional linkages through its conjugated double bond. The discovery expands the range of flavonoids incorporated into natural lignins, further broadens the traditional definition of lignin, and enhances the premise that any phenolic compound present at the cell wall during lignification could be oxidized and potentially integrated into the lignin structure, depending only on its chemical compatibility. This study indicates that papyrus lignin has a unique structure, as it is the only lignin known to date that integrates such a diversity of phenolic compounds from different classes of flavonoids. This discovery will open up new ways to engineer and design lignins with specific properties and for enhanced value.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2017

Increasing Small Satellite Reliability- A Public-Private Initiative

At present, CubeSat components and buses are generally not appropriate for missions where significant risk of failure, or the inability to quantify risk or confidence, is acceptable. However, in the future we anticipate that CubeSats will be used for missions requiring reliability of 1-3 years for Earth-observing missions and even longer for Planetary, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics missions. Their growing potential utility is driving an interagency effort to improve and quantify CubeSat reliability, and more generally, small satellite mission risk. The Small Satellite Reliability Initiative (SSRI)—an ongoing activity with broad collaborative participation from civil, DoD, and commercial space systems providers and stakeholders—targets this challenge. The Initiative seeks to define implementable and broadly-accepted approaches to achieve reliability and acceptable risk postures associated with several SmallSat mission risk classes—from “do no harm” missions, to those associated with missions whose failure would result in loss or delay of key national objectives. These approaches will maintain, to the extent practical, cost efficiencies associated with small satellite missions and consider constraints associated with supply chain elements, as appropriate. The SSRI addresses this challenge from two architectural levels—the mission- or system-level, and the component- or subsystem-level. The mission- or system-level scope targets assessment approaches that are efficient and effective, with mitigation strategies that facilitate resiliency to mission or system anomalies while the component- or subsystem-level scope addresses the challenge at lower architectural levels. The initiative does not limit strategies and approaches to proven and traditional methodologies, but is focused on fomenting thought on novel and innovative solutions. This paper discusses the genesis of and drivers for this initiative, how the public-private collaboration is being executed, findings and recommendations derived to date, and next steps towards broadening small satellite mission potential.

SmallSat↗