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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

Project Minerva: A low-cost manned Mars mission based on indigenous propellant production

Project Minerva is a low-cost manned Mars mission designed to deliver a crew of four to the Martian surface, using only two sets of two launches. Key concepts which make this mission realizable are the use of near-term technologies and in-situ propellant production, following the senario originally proposed by R. Zubrin of Martin Marietta. The first set of launches delivers two unmanned payloads into low earth orbit (LEO): one consists of an Earth Return Vehicle (ERV), a propellant production plant, and a set of robotic vehicles, and the second consists of the upper stage/trans-Mars injection (TMI) booster. In LEO, the two payloads are joined and inserted into a Mars transfer orbit. The landing on Mars is performed with the aid of multiple aerobraking maneuvers. On the Martian surface, the propellant production plant uses a Sabatier/electrolysis-type process to combine six tons of hydrogen brought from earth with carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere to produce 100 tons of liquid oxygen and methane, which are later used as the propellants for the rover expeditions and the manned return journey of the ERV. Once the in-situ propellant production is completed, approximately two years after the first set of launches, the manned portion of the mission leaves earth. This set of two launches is similar to that of the unmanned vehicles; the two payloads are the Manned Transfer Vehicle (MTV) and the upper stage/TMI booster. The MTV contains the manned rover and the habitat which houses the astronauts enroute to Mars and on the Martian surface. During the 180-day trip to Mars, artificial gravity is created by tethering the MTV to the TMI booster and inducing rotation. Upon arrival the MTV performs aerobraking maneuvers to land near the fully-fueled ERV, which will be used by the crew a year and a half later to return to earth. The mission entails moderate travel times with relatively low-energy conjunction-class trajectories and allows ample time for scientific exploration. This set of missions can be repeated every two years in order to continue exploration at a variety of sites and gradually establish the infrastructure for a permanent base on Mars.

Bruckner, Adam P.↗

Uranium–Molybdenum Alloy Critical Experiments for the Design of the Health Physics Research Reactor

Clean critical experiments with a uranium-molybdenum alloy (average of 10.1616 wt. % Mo with a density of 17.08 g/cm 3 ) were performed at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility in 1961 to support the design of the Health Physics Research Reactor (HPRR). The HPRR was similar to the Godiva burst reactor at Los Alamos National Laboratory and was designed to produce 50 microseconds burst of 10 17 fission pulses of radiation for dosimetry measurements, initially in support of the determination of the doses from the nuclear detonations in Japan during World War II. These experiments reported here were used to verify the calculational methods used to design the HPRR. These delayed critical measurements were:1) a solid unreflected and unmoderated 8-in.-dimeter U-Mo cylinder, 2) an unmoderated and unreflected annulus with 8-in.-outside diameter, 2-in.-inside diameter cylinder with a central void, 3) an unmoderated and unreflected annulus with 8-in.-outside diameter, 2-in.-inside diameter cylinder with a central void filled with stainless steel, 4) Same as 3) but with 3-in-thick Plexiglas reflector on top with and without cadmium between the reflector and the U-Mo alloy assembly with steel in the center, and 5) an unmoderated and unreflected annulus which was a modification of the second but with the lower 5 inches of the central hole enlarged to 3.5 in. with various reflector conditions. The reflector conditions were: 1-in.-thick Plexiglas on all outer surfaces-void in the center; 1-in.-thick Plexiglas on all outer surfaces-Plexiglas in the center; 2-in.- thick Plexiglas on radial surface-void in the center; 6-in.-thick Plexiglas on the bottom only-Plexiglas in the center; and 6-in.-thick Plexiglas on bottom, 1-in.-thick on top and on the lower 8.25-cm.-section of the radial surface-void in the center. For some of these reflector conditions 0.025-cm.thick cadmium was located between the reflector and the U-Mo alloy. The uranium contained 93.17 wt. % 235 U. Reflection was a safety concern for this unmoderated and unreflected reactor and reduction of reflection effects was also investigated by insertion of neutron absorber around the U-Mo alloy. The stainless steel 304 contained 18% nickel and 8% chromium and the rest iron. The reflector material was a methacrylate plastic (Plexiglas) containing 5.8 x 10 22 atoms/cm 3 of hydrogen and 3.6 x 10 22 atoms/cm 3 of carbon with a density of 1.20 g/cm 3 . The purpose of this report is to document the experimental information for the measurements performed so that at a later date researchers could perform the required uncertainty and calculational analyses and documentation to use these data for an International Nuclear Criticality Safety Benchmark Program (ICSBEP) or a EURATON Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) benchmark. The data from the experiments described should be acceptable for use as criticality safety benchmark experiments for the ICSBEP and the NEA nuclear criticality safety benchmark program, once the uncertainty analysis is completed. Based on previous ICSBEP benchmarks with this enriched uranium metal at ORCEF, the uncertainties in k eff could be as low as ±0.0002 for some configurations.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Tuning the Solvation Structure in Aqueous Zinc Batteries to Maximize Zn-Ion Intercalation and Optimize Dendrite-Free Zinc Plating

Aqueous zinc batteries are recognized to suffer from H + /Zn 2+ coinsertion in the cathode, but few approaches have been reported to suppress deleterious H + intercalation. We realize this goal by tuning the solvation structure, using LiV 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (LVP) as a model cathode. Phase conversion of LVP induced by H + intercalation is observed in 4 m Zn(OTf) 2 , whereas dominant Zn 2+ insertion is confirmed in a ZnCl 2 water-in-salt electrolyte (WiSE). This disparity is ascribed to the complete absence of free water and a strong Zn 2+ –H 2 O interaction in the latter that interrupts the H 2 O hydrogen bonding network, thus suppressing H + intercalation. On the basis of this strategy, a novel PEG-based hybrid electrolyte is designed to replace the corrosive ZnCl2 WiSE. This system exhibits an optimized Zn 2+ solvation sheath with a similar low free water content, showing not only much better suppression of H + intercalation but also highly reversible Zn plating/stripping with a CE of ~99.7% over 150 cycles.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Fibre-Optic Semiconductor Temperature Gage

"Safe" temperature gage for explosive liquids is based on optical transmission. Semiconductor crystal inserted between input and output optical fibers is temperature-sensing element in a new approach to measuring temperature of cryogens. Since no electrical components are immersed in liquid, new sensor minimizes danger of electrically ignited explosions in hazardous cryogens such as oxygen and hydrogen. Gage also useful for handling noncryogenic liquids in aircraft, automobiles, boats and water tanks.

Sharma, M.↗

Uniform hydrogen fuel layers for inertial fusion targets by microgravity

A critical concern in the fabrication of targets for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is ensuring that the hydrogenic (D(sub 2) or DT) fuel layer maintains spherical symmetry. Solid layered targets have structural integrity, but lack the needed surface smoothness. Liquid targets are inherently smooth, but suffer from gravitationally induced sagging. One method to reduce the effective gravitational field environment is freefall insertion into the target chamber. Another method to counterbalance field gravitational force is to use an applied magnetic field combined with a gradient field to induce a magnetic dipole force on the liquid fuel layer. Based on time dependent calculations of the dynamics of the liquid fuel layer in microgravity environments, we show that it may be possible to produce a liquid layered ICF target that satisfies both smoothness and symmetry requirements.

Parks, P. B.↗

Minor groove RNA triplex in the crystal structure of a ribosomal frameshifting viral pseudoknot

Many viruses regulate translation of polycistronic mRNA using a -1 ribosomal frameshift induced by an RNA pseudoknot. A pseudoknot has two stems that form a quasi-continuous helix and two connecting loops. A 1.6 A crystal structure of the beet western yellow virus (BWYV) pseudoknot reveals rotation and a bend at the junction of the two stems. A loop base is inserted in the major groove of one stem with quadruple-base interactions. The second loop forms a new minor-groove triplex motif with the other stem, involving 2'-OH and triple-base interactions, as well as sodium ion coordination. Overall, the number of hydrogen bonds stabilizing the tertiary interactions exceeds the number involved in Watson-Crick base pairs. This structure will aid mechanistic analyses of ribosomal frameshifting.

Non-NASA Center↗

Pulse Detonation Engine Test Bed Developed

A detonation is a supersonic combustion wave. A Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE) repetitively creates a series of detonation waves to take advantage of rapid burning and high peak pressures to efficiently produce thrust. NASA Glenn Research Center's Combustion Branch has developed a PDE test bed that can reproduce the operating conditions that might be encountered in an actual engine. It allows the rapid and cost-efficient evaluation of the technical issues and technologies associated with these engines. The test bed is modular in design. It consists of various length sections of both 2- and 2.6- in. internal-diameter combustor tubes. These tubes can be bolted together to create a variety of combustor configurations. A series of bosses allow instrumentation to be inserted on the tubes. Dynamic pressure sensors and heat flux gauges have been used to characterize the performance of the test bed. The PDE test bed is designed to utilize an existing calorimeter (for heat load measurement) and windowed (for optical access) combustor sections. It uses hydrogen as the fuel, and oxygen and nitrogen are mixed to simulate air. An electronic controller is used to open the hydrogen and air valves (or a continuous flow of air is used) and to fire the spark at the appropriate times. Scheduled tests on the test bed include an evaluation of the pumping ability of the train of detonation waves for use in an ejector and an evaluation of the pollutants formed in a PDE combustor. Glenn's Combustion Branch uses the National Combustor Code (NCC) to perform numerical analyses of PDE's as well as to evaluate alternative detonative combustion devices. Pulse Detonation Engine testbed.

Breisacher, Kevin J.↗

Assembly of the MOLLER Toroidal Magnets at Jefferson Lab

The MOLLER experiment at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) aims to precisely measure the weak interaction between electrons. This experiment leverages the 12 GeV electron beam and will run for three years. A crucial component of MOLLER is a system of five uniquely shaped water-cooled toroidal magnets. These magnets, possessing seven-fold symmetry, are designed to focus particles by separating electrons scattered off hydrogen in a liquid hydrogen target. The five magnets separate electrons scattered off electrons (Møller scattering) and protons (elastic e-p scattering) within target into approximately circular rings at the detector. Here, this paper presents the assembly process for these five toroidal magnets, detailing critical steps including epoxy application, pin insertion, soldering and brazing, coil assembly, and alignment, all performed to meet stringent magnet specifications. Additionally, it discusses challenges encountered during construction and highlights lessons learned, offering insights for future magnet development projects.

Lamont, Joseph [Thomas Jefferson National Accelera↗

Peptides at Membrane Surfaces and their Role in Prebiotic Evolution

Protocells had to transport ions and organic matter across membranes separating the interior of the cell from the environment, capture and utilize energy and transduce environmental signals. In a series of detailed, molecular-level computer simulations we show how these peptides in contact with membranes can acquire ordered structures and functions. We have investigated the stability of a simple alpha-helical peptide containing Leucine (L) and Serine (S) of the form (LSLLLSL)3 in a model membrane system. The parallel in-plane state is the most stable configuration. The transmembrane state is metastable, and about 15 kcal/mol is required to insert the peptide into the membrane. We investigated dimes of both (LSLLLSL)3 and glycophorin A, and show how the free energy of helix association can, at least partially, offset the free energy of insertion. We have also investigated the transmembrane pore of the influenza M2 protein. This aggregate of four identical alpha-helices, each built of 25 amino acids, forms an efficient and selective voltage-gated proton channel. Our simulations explain the gating mechanism, which can involve strands of hydrogen-bonded water through the pore or proton transfer through tautomerization of protein residues. The channel can be re-engineered to act as a simple proton pump.

Pohorille, Andrew↗

Molecular modeling of polymer composite-analyte interactions in electronic nose sensors

We report a molecular modeling study to investigate the polymer-carbon black (CB) composite-analyte interactions in resistive sensors. These sensors comprise the JPL electronic nose (ENose) sensing array developed for monitoring breathing air in human habitats. The polymer in the composite is modeled based on its stereoisomerism and sequence isomerism, while the CB is modeled as uncharged naphthalene rings with no hydrogens. The Dreiding 2.21 force field is used for the polymer, solvent molecules and graphite parameters are assigned to the carbon black atoms. A combination of molecular mechanics (MM) and molecular dynamics (NPT-MD and NVT-MD) techniques are used to obtain the equilibrium composite structure by inserting naphthalene rings in the polymer matrix. Polymers considered for this work include poly(4-vinylphenol), polyethylene oxide, and ethyl cellulose. Analytes studied are representative of both inorganic and organic compounds. The results are analyzed for the composite microstructure by calculating the radial distribution profiles as well as for the sensor response by predicting the interaction energies of the analytes with the composites. c2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

NASA Center JPL↗

Printed graphene oxide-based membranes for gas separation and carbon capture

Graphene oxide (GO)-based separation membranes have demonstrated the great potential to separate molecules and ions by the interlayer spacing with tunable nano-sized channels. The scalable fabrication of GO-based gas separation membranes, however, remains challenging, although a few preparation approaches have been reported. Here in this work, we present for the first time that the co-solvent ink-jet printing, as a fast and scalable method, can be utilized for scalable GO-based gas separation membrane preparation. Large-area (>100 cm 2 ), ultrathin, and high-quality GO membrane was successfully deposited on commercial polysulfone (PS) support, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, et al., Selective hydrogen (H 2 ) and helium (He) transport over carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrogen (N 2 ) was demonstrated for the printed GO membrane. To further explore the separation potential of the printed GO-based gas membrane, additives for facilitated molecular transport were incorporated during the membrane printing process. By inserting CO 2 -philic agents into the printed GO membrane, highly efficient separation of CO 2 from N 2 was achieved with CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 70 and CO 2 permeance as high as 2,500 GPU. The strategy proposed here may provide guidance for large-scale GO-based gas separation membrane production and a versatile approach for applying other functional 2-dimensional materials towards the membrane separation application.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Molecular modeling of polymer composite interactions with analytes in electronic nose sensors for environmental monitoring in International Space Station

We report a molecular modeling study to investigate the polymer-carbon black (CB) composite-analyte interactions in resistive sensors. These sensors comprise the JPL Electronic Nose (ENose) sensing array developed for monitoring breathing air in human habitats. The polymer in the composite is modeled based on its stereisomerism and sequence isomerism, while the CB is modeled as uncharged naphthalene rings (with no hydrogens). The Dreiding 2.21 force field is used for the polymer and solvent molecules and graphite parameters are assigned to the carbon black atoms. A combination of molecular mechanics (MM) and molecular dynamics (NPT-MD and NVT-MD) techniques are used to obtain the equilibrium composite structure by inserting naphthalene rings in the polymer matrix. Polymers considered for this work include poly(4- vinylphenol), polyethylene oxide, and ethyl cellulose. Analytes studied are representative of both inorganic (ammonia) and organic (methanol, toluene, hydrazine) compounds. The results are analyzed for the composite microstructure by calculating the radial distribution profiles as well as for the sensor response by predicting the interaction energies of the analytes with the composites.

electronic noise environmental monitoring polymer ↗

Chemistry of Sugar Formation in the Gas Phase: Following the Activated Aldehyde

Sugars are produced by living organisms, and are required building blocks for life as we know it, which raises the foundational question of how sugars formed in a prebiotic environment. The abiotic formose reaction produces sugars from formaldehyde, but our understanding of its initiation step remains murky, with chemists invoking the concept of an “activated aldehyde” to seed this reaction. Singlet hydroxycarbenes, high-energy isomers of aldehydes, were recently reported to facilitate sugar formation under cold, nonaqueous conditions relevant to interstellar environments. Here, we generate singlet methylhydroxycarbene ( 1 CH 3 –C̈–OH) from the photodissociation of pyruvic acid and experimentally measure its gas-phase reaction with d 4 -acetaldehyde using multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. The C 4 H 4 D 4 O 2 isomer d 4 -acetoin is the sole product, which we kinetically link to the reactant CH 3 –C̈–OH, and attribute to a carbonyl-ene formation mechanism. We see no evidence of 3-hydroxybutanal, the C–H insertion product expected in carbene chemistry. Using automated exploration we calculate stationary points on the potential energy surface and report master equation rate coefficients from T = 20–600 K, providing quantitative kinetics of this fast reaction for use in chemical models. The prereactive complex in this reaction is stabilized by both hydrogen bonding and electrophilic carbene C═O interactions. These effects create a short-range dynamical bottleneck for the reaction besides the long- and midrange barrierless bottlenecks. Combined with recent reports of 1 HC̈OH production from methanol photodissociation and pyruvic acid production in cold irradiated ices, this work provides evidence that singlet hydroxycarbene + aldehyde chemistry is a feasible path to prebiotic sugar formation.

aldehydes↗

Low-temperature etching of silicon oxide and silicon nitride with hydrogen fluoride

Etching of high aspect ratio features into alternating SiO 2 and SiN layers is an enabling technology for the manufacturing of 3D NAND flash memories. In this paper, we study a low-temperature or cryo plasma etch process, which utilizes HF gas together with other gas additives. Compared with a low-temperature process that uses separate fluorine and hydrogen gases, the etching rate of the SiO 2 /SiN stack doubles. Both materials etch faster with this so-called second generation cryo etch process. Pure HF plasma enhances the SiN etching rate, while SiO 2 requires an additional fluorine source such as PF 3 to etch meaningfully. Further, the insertion of H 2 O plasma steps into the second generation cryo etch process boosts the SiN etching rate by a factor of 2.4, while SiO 2 etches only 1.3 times faster. We observe a rate enhancing effect of H 2 O coadsorption in thermal etching experiments of SiN with HF. Ammonium fluorosilicate (AFS) plays a salient role in etching of SiN with HF with and without plasma. AFS appears weakened in the presence of H 2 O. Density functional theory calculations confirm the reduction of the bonding energy when NH 4 F in AFS is replaced by H 2 O.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Biocatalytic Synthesis of α-Amino Esters via Nitrene C–H Insertion

α-Amino esters are precursors to noncanonical amino acids used in developing small-molecule therapeutics, biologics, and tools in chemical biology. α-C–H amination of abundant and inexpensive carboxylic acid esters through nitrene transfer presents a direct approach to α-amino esters. Methods for nitrene-mediated amination of the protic α-C–H bonds in carboxylic acid esters, however, are underdeveloped. This gap arises because hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) of protic C–H bonds by electrophilic metal-nitrenoids is slow: metal-nitrenoids preferentially react with polarity-matched, hydridic C–H bonds, even when weaker protic C–H bonds are present. This study describes the discovery and evolution of highly stable protoglobin nitrene transferases that catalyze the enantioselective intermolecular amination of the α-C–H bonds in carboxylic acid esters. We developed a high-throughput assay to evaluate the activity and enantioselectivity of mutant enzymes together with their sequences using the Every Variant Sequencing (evSeq) method. Furthermore, the assay enabled the identification of enantiodivergent enzymes that function at ambient conditions in Escherichia coli whole cells and whose activities can be enhanced by directed evolution for the amination of a range of substrates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Damping of thermal acoustic oscillations in hydrogen systems

Acoustic waves initiated by a large temperature gradient along a tube are defined as thermal acoustic oscillations (TAOs). These oscillations have been damped by introducing such sound absorbing techniques as acoustic filters, resonators, etc.. These devices serve as an acoustic sink that is used to absorb or dissipate the acoustic energy thereby eliminating or damping such oscillations. Several empirical damping techniques, such as attaching a resonator as a side branch or inserting a wire in the tube, have been developed in the past and have provided reasonable success. However, the effect of connecting tube radius, length, and resonator volume on the damping of thermal acoustic oscillations has not been evaluated quantitatively. Further, these methods have not been effective when the oscillating tube radius was relatively large. Detailed theoretical analyses of these techniques including a newly developed method for damping oscillations in a tube of relatively large radius are provided in this presentation.

Gu, Youfan↗

Multiphysics Modeling of Microreactors with NEAMS codes, and Validation Based on KRUSTY Reactivity Insertion

The NEAMS Multiphysics Applications team continues to assess code usability and functionality for microreactor design and safety analyses, while demonstrating that NEAMS tools capture both steady-state and transient behavior across distinct microreactor concepts. In FY2025, the team advanced full-core, high-fidelity, multiphysics models that solve more complex problems and strengthen verification/validation for several microreactor systems: heat-pipe microreactor (HPMR), gas-cooled microreactor (GCMR), and the KRUSTY experiment. These models employ the MOOSE MultiApp/Transfers architecture with Griffin for neutronics, BISON for heat conduction/thermomechanics, Sockeye for heat pipes, SAM/THM for coolant channels and loops, and SWIFT for hydride behavior, with meshes generated via the MOOSE Reactor Module. The graphite models available in the Grizzly code were also investigated for future analyses. For the HPMR, a Na-HPMR variant was constructed to align with recently validated heat-pipe experiments and Sockeye’s LCVF capability, enabling mechanistic heat-pipe transients and startup modeling. The Na-HPMR will serve as the primary model for HPMR investigations in upcoming tasks. The load-following and single heat-pipe failure scenarios (Griffin/BISON/Sockeye), which were previously modeled for the K-HPMR, were replicated for the Na-HPMR, showing strong negative temperature feedback and highly localized thermal effects, respectively, while the startup case captured vapor-front progression and heat-removal activation. Solid mechanics was added to the previously built K-HPMR full-core model in BISON, showing minimal impact on steady-state reactivity yet enabling stress-field predictions that prepare the path for full-core TRISO performance analyses. For the GCMR, automated steady-state and four transient scenarios were executed using Griffin/BISON/SAM/SWIFT. Results confirm robust inherent safety: power collapses promptly in loss-of-cooling events, the inlet-temperature drop settles to a new equilibrium, and a single-channel blockage yields only a ~30 K local fuel-temperature rise with <0.4% power decrease. SWIFT-predicted hydrogen redistribution affects reactivity during both steady-state and transient conditions, underscoring its importance. A Brayton-cycle balance of plant (BOP) model in SAM/THM demonstrated stable startup behavior, and xenon-driven reactivity during load following was analyzed. To improve TRISO-compact temperature fidelity, a fast multiscale Heat Source Decomposition (HSD) treatment was implemented. Against heterogeneous benchmarks, HSD reduces underprediction of kernel temperatures and lowers predicted peak powers in reactivity-insertion transients compared to previous homogenized models. KRUSTY warm-critical validation progressed from FY2024 baselines: the 15Ȼ insertion shows excellent agreement in peak power (~2% high) and temperature trends, and the 30Ȼ case was automated via a feedback controller that maintained power near 3 kW for ~150 s with close agreement to data. The successful modeling of the warm critical tests has laid a strong foundation for simulating more complex nuclear system tests in the years ahead. Throughout FY2025, developer feedback was provided (e.g., MOOSE batch mesh generation, distributed pre-split meshes, Griffin sweeper on displaced meshes), several new models were contributed to the Virtual Test Bed, and an OECD-NEA WPRS multiphysics benchmark based on the HPMR was initiated to enable broader cross-comparison and best-practice development with the nuclear community at large.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Kinetics of CH(X 2Pi) radical reactions with cyclopropane, cyclopentane, and cyclohexane

Rate constants have been obtained for CH(X 2Pi) radical reactions with cyclopropane, cyclopentane, and cyclohexane in order to establish the rate of CH insertion into secondary C-H bonds in alkanes. Data indicate that there is no measurable dependence on photolysis laser energy. The reactions all exhibited rate constants that decrease with increasing temperature. It is suggested that a possible set of pathways for the cycloalkane reactions is a ring-opening process where the excited adduct decomposes to a hydrogen atom and a diene.

Zabarnick, S.↗