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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 OSTI2020

Analysis of Tank 38H (HTF-38-20-62, -63) and Tank 43H (HTF-43-20-60, -61) Samples for Support of the Enrichment Control and Corrosion Control Programs

SRNL analyzed samples from Tank 38H and Tank 43H to support ECP and CCP. The results indicate the concentrations of most species in the Tank 38H surface sample increased from the previous surface sample. The Tank 38H sub-surface sample shows only small changes in concentration for most major species in the solution from the previous sample. The large differences in the concentrations of major components between the Tank 38H surface and sub-surface samples indicate significant stratification of solution species within the tank. The Tank 38H surface and sub-surface samples both contained a small amount of sludge solids (<1 wt%). The Tank 43H surface and sub-surface samples are slightly more dilute than the previous samples. The Tank 43H sub-surface sample exhibits a composition more concentrated than the surface sample indicating some stratification within the tank. The Tank 38H surface and sub-surface sample both show large increases in the concentrations of uranium and plutonium likely due to the presence of sludge solids in both samples. (Note: the samples were digested and analyzed without filtration.) The total uranium concentrations of the two Tank 43H samples are similar to the previous sample results. The plutonium concentration in both Tank 43H samples appear to have decreased from the previous samples; however, the surface sample concentrations are close to the detection limit.

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NASA NTRS1973

Interaction of gases with lunar materials - Apollo 12, 14, and 16 samples

Surface properties of lunar fines samples from the Apollo 12, 14, and 16 missions have been investigated by studying the adsorption of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon monoxide (all at 77 K), and water vapor (at 20 or 22 C) on the samples. Initially the samples were all nonporous and had a uniformly low specific surface area (0.3 to 0.6 sq m/g). Water interacts strongly with the surface of lunar fines, chemisorbing at low pressures followed by a massive adsorption at high pressures. Nitrogen adsorption measurements after the interaction with water showed that the surface properties had undergone a severe alteration as a result of the attack by water vapor. This alteration consisted of a marked increase in the specific surface area and the creation of a pore system. The results are interpreted on the basis of a penetration of water into the damage tracks.

Holmes, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Assessing Relay Communications for Mars Sample Return Surface Mission Concepts

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign would be a 3-mission campaign concept supported by NASA and ESA to return samples from the Mars surface. MSR would, for the first time ever, present a need to communicate with multiple surface assets that are co-located on Mars in a coordinated effort to accomplish the unified objective of fetching, transporting, and returning samples from Mars. Currently, Mars surface assets relay data to and from Earth using a number of orbiters in what’s known as the Mars Relay Network (MRN). This network is characterized by a small number of surface assets distributed across the Martian globe and a larger number of orbiters to provide relay services. As of June 2020, there are two surface assets for which five orbiters are providing relay. During the MSR Campaign, there would be two rovers and a lander that all would require relay communication from a small number of Mars orbiters to meet the aggressive MSR timeline. The inversion of the current MRN paradigm, a system of many surface assets requiring relay and few orbiters to provide relay, necessitates the unique challenge of optimally allocating relay passes to maximize the operational capability of all assets. The allocation must consider a large number of trade variables including Mars asset operational requirements and Earth ground system constraints, including staffing schedules, operations planning across time zones, and more. To address these telecommunication challenges, the Mars Asset Relay Mission Link Allocation Design Environment (MARMLADE) tool was developed. It is a MATLAB-based tool to assign orbiter passes or Direct-From-Earth (DFE) links to each of the three surface assets and quantify the operational efficiency of each surface asset.MARMLADE uses a data set of simulated Mars relay orbiter geometry and telecommunication capabilities provided by JPL’s Telecom Orbit Analysis and Simulation Tool (TOAST) software to compute which asset should get each pass based on a series of heuristics and predictions of all assets’ states. Within MARMLADE, the user can provide inputs including the option for time-based pass splitting, fixed FWD data rate capabilities, DFE communication capabilities, and link parameters allowing for the assessment of complex operations and hardware trades using surface mission operational efficiency as a primary figure of merit. As the MSR mission concepts continue to mature, MARMLADE is being used to assess ability of all MSR elements to meet the surface mission timeline requirements and to provide relay link allocations to each of the MSR surface assets.This paper will describe the motivation and design of the MARMLADE tool and how it is being used to perform campaign and mission level trades, generate requirements, and support development of the MSR surface mission scenarios.

Lee, Charles↗
NASA NTRS2021

Assessing Relay Communications for Mars Sample Return Surface Mission Concepts

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign is a 3-mission campaign concept supported by NASA and ESA to return samples from the Mars surface. MSR will, for the firsttime ever, present a need to communicate with multiple surfaceassets that are co-located on Mars in a coordinated effort toaccomplish the unified objective of fetching, transporting, andreturning samples from Mars. Currently, Mars surface assetsrelay data to and from Earth using a number of orbiters inwhat’s known as the Mars Relay Network (MRN). This networkis characterized by a small number of surface assets distributedacross the Martian globe and a larger number of orbiters toprovide relay services. As of June 2020, there are two surfaceassets for which five orbiters are providing relay. During theMSR Campaign, there will be two rovers and a lander that allwill require relay communication from a small number of Marsorbiters to meet the aggressive MSR timeline. The inversion ofthe current MRN paradigm, a system of many surface assetsrequiring relay and few orbiters to provide relay, necessitatesthe unique challenge of optimally allocating relay passes tomaximize the operational capability of all assets. The allocationmust consider a large number of trade variables includingMars asset operational requirements and Earth ground systemconstraints, including staffing schedules, operations planningacross time zones, and more. To address these telecommunicationchallenges, the Mars Asset Relay Mission Link AllocationDesign Environment (MARMLADE) tool was developed. Itis a MATLAB-based tool to assign orbiter passes or Direct-From-Earth (DFE) links to each of the three surface assets andquantify the operational efficiency of each surface asset.MARMLADE uses a data set of simulated Mars relay orbitergeometry and telecommunication capabilities provided by JPL’sTelecom Orbit Analysis and Simulation Tool (TOAST) softwareto compute which asset should get each pass based on a seriesof heuristics and predictions of all assets’ states. WithinMARMLADE, the user can provide inputs including the optionfor time-based pass splitting, fixed FWD data rate capabilities,DFE communication capabilities, and link parameters allowingfor the assessment of complex operations and hardware tradesusing surface mission operational efficiency as a primary figureof merit. As the MSR mission concepts continue to mature,MARMLADE is being used to assess ability of all MSR elementsto meet the surface mission timeline requirements and to provide relay link allocations to each of the MSR surface assets.

Lee, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1974

Automated life-detection experiments for the Viking mission to Mars

As part of the Viking mission to Mars in 1975, an automated set of instruments is being built to test for the presence of metabolizing organisms on that planet. Three separate modules are combined in this instrument so that samples of the Martian surface can be subjected to a broad array of experimental conditions so as to measure biological activity. The first, the Pyrolytic Release Module, will expose surface samples to a mixture of C-14O and C-14O2 in the presence of Martian atmosphere and a light source that simulates the Martian visible spectrum. The assay system is designed to determine the extent of assimilation of CO or CO2 into organic compounds. The Gas Exchange Module will incubate surface samples in a humidified CO2 atmosphere. At specified times, portions of the incubation atmosphere will be analyzed by gas chromatography to detect the release or uptake of CO2 and several additional gases. The Label Release Module will incubate surface samples with a dilute aqueous solution of simple radioactive organic substrates in Martian atmosphere, and the gas phase will be monitored continuously for the release of labeled CO2.

Klein, H. P.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Distributed Fiber Optics Measurements of Rock Deformation and Failure in Triaxial Tests

The implementation of distributed strain measurement methods in triaxial and uniaxial tests have demonstrated the development of strain localization, even at early stages. This implies that single point measurement methods are location dependent. The use of distributed methods is required not only to improve the interpreted constitutive parameters obtained from triaxial tests, but also to understand the implications of strain localization in the failure process. Here, this work uses optical fibers in triaxial tests. The developed distributed measurement method was implemented on granite, gabbro, and sandstone samples and tested under different confining pressures, reaching 200 MPa on the granite sample. Using a temporal resolution of 0.25 Hz and 5 mm of spatial resolution, the strain evolution at over 300 locations at the sample surface was measured during testing. When compared to point sensing methods, the use of optical fiber greatly increases the number of measurements at the surface of the sample, and their interpolation provides the entire deformation of the sample surface. In all the tests performed, strain localizations were revealed before failure. A three-dimensional interpretation of a test, combining an optical scan of the sample and the distributed measurements, show good correlation between the fractures and the strain localization.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2010

Nonlinear Dynamics of Cantilever-Sample Interactions in Atomic Force Microscopy

The interaction of the cantilever tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) with the sample surface is obtained by treating the cantilever and sample as independent systems coupled by a nonlinear force acting between the cantilever tip and a volume element of the sample surface. The volume element is subjected to a restoring force from the remainder of the sample that provides dynamical equilibrium for the combined systems. The model accounts for the positions on the cantilever of the cantilever tip, laser probe, and excitation force (if any) via a basis set of set of orthogonal functions that may be generalized to account for arbitrary cantilever shapes. The basis set is extended to include nonlinear cantilever modes. The model leads to a pair of coupled nonlinear differential equations that are solved analytically using a matrix iteration procedure. The effects of oscillatory excitation forces applied either to the cantilever or to the sample surface (or to both) are obtained from the solution set and applied to the to the assessment of phase and amplitude signals generated by various acoustic-atomic force microscope (A-AFM) modalities. The influence of bistable cantilever modes of on AFM signal generation is discussed. The effects on the cantilever-sample surface dynamics of subsurface features embedded in the sample that are perturbed by surface-generated oscillatory excitation forces and carried to the cantilever via wave propagation are accounted by the Bolef-Miller propagating wave model. Expressions pertaining to signal generation and image contrast in A-AFM are obtained and applied to amplitude modulation (intermittent contact) atomic force microscopy and resonant difference-frequency atomic force ultrasonic microscopy (RDF-AFUM). The influence of phase accumulation in A-AFM on image contrast is discussed, as is the effect of hard contact and maximum nonlinearity regimes of A-AFM operation.

Cantrell, John H.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Laser ablation sampling system and method

A method and system for sampling a solid sample material can include the step of mounting the sample material on a support. A sample surface is coated with a surface treatment composition in a dry deposition process. A solvent supply conduit for supplying solvent to the sample surface and a solvent exhaust conduit for withdrawing solvent from the sample surface can be provided. Solvent is flowed from the solvent supply conduit to the surface treatment composition and the sample surface such that the solvent contacts the surface treatment composition. A laser beam is directed from a laser source to the sample and the surface treatment composition. The laser beam will ablate the sample and the surface treatment composition in portions intersected by the laser beam. Ablated sample material enters the solvent liquid and will be transported with the solvent away from the sample surface through the solvent exhaust conduit.

Kertesz, Vilmos↗
DOE OSTI2023

Laser ablation sampling system and method

A method and system for sampling a solid sample material can include the step of mounting the sample material on a support. A sample surface is coated with a surface treatment composition in a dry deposition process. A solvent supply conduit for supplying solvent to the sample surface and a solvent exhaust conduit for withdrawing solvent from the sample surface can be provided. Solvent is flowed from the solvent supply conduit to the surface treatment composition and the sample surface such that the solvent contacts the surface treatment composition. A laser beam is directed from a laser source to the sample and the surface treatment composition. The laser beam will ablate the sample and the surface treatment composition in portions intersected by the laser beam. Ablated sample material enters the solvent liquid and will be transported with the solvent away from the sample surface through the solvent exhaust conduit.

Kertesz, Vilmos↗
DOE OSTI2022

Analysis of Tank 38H (HTF-38-22-31, -32) and Tank 43H (HTF-43-22-33, -34) Samples for Support of the Enrichment Control and Corrosion Control Programs

SRNL analyzed samples from Tank 38H and Tank 43H to support ECP and CCP. The results indicate the concentrations of most soluble species in the Tank 38H surface sample increased from the previous surface sample. The Tank 38H sub-surface sample shows changes in concentration for soluble species in the solution with some increasing and some decreasing. The current Tank 38H sub-surface sample contains less sludge solids than the previous sample based on visual appearance. The small differences in the concentrations of major components between the Tank 38H surface and sub-surface samples indicate only minimal stratification of solution species within the tank.

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DOE OSTI2020

Analysis of Tank 38H (HTF-38-20-7, -8) and tank 43H (HTF-43-20-9, -10) samples for Support of the Enrichment Control and Corrosion Control Programs

SRNL analyzed samples from Tank 38H and Tank 43H to support ECP and CCP. The results indicate the concentrations of most species in the Tank 38H surface sample decreased significantly from the previous surface sample. The Tank 38H sub-surface sample shows only small changes in concentration for most major species in the solution from the previous sample. The large differences in the concentrations of major components between the Tank 38H surface and sub-surface samples indicate significant stratification of solution species within the tank. The Tank 38H sub-surface sample contained a small amount of sludge solids (<1 wt%).

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DOE OSTI2024

Reliability of Copper Inverse Opal Surfaces for Extreme-Heat-Flux Micro-Coolers in Low-Global-Warming-Potential Refrigerant R-1233zd Pool Boiling Experiments

This presentation provides a brief snapshot of the InterPACK paper InterPACK2023-113781. The paper explores copper inverse opal (CIO) surface reliability in pool boiling experiments in water and a new, low-global-warming-potential (GWP = 1) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant R-1233zd. The CIO-based structure is intended to develop enhanced two-phase heat transfer surfaces for extreme-heat-flux (approximately 1 kW/cm2) micro-coolers. In this study, a limited number of pool boiling experiments were performed using water and HFO-1233zd fluid, and the reliability of the CIO-based surfaces was evaluated. Critical heat flux (CHF) values in HFO-1233zd at 40 Degrees Celsius to 45 Degrees Celsius saturation temperatures and the corresponding saturation pressures were also measured. The CHF values with the refrigerant are significantly lower compared to those with water, but the refrigerant allows for a wider usable temperature range in the end application of the micro-coolers and is not limited to data centers with controlled ambient conditions. Reliability experiments with CIO surface samples - involving pool boiling with water on the CIO surfaces for approximately 48 hours and with HFO-1233zd for 144 hours - showed no structural degradation of the enhanced surface or any significant performance drop in heat transfer coefficients. The CIO surface samples in water were oxidized, most likely due to the presence of air in water and in the experimental vessel.

critical heat flux↗
DOE OSTI2021

Analysis of Tank 38H (HTF-38-20-103, -104) and Tank 43H (HTF-43-20-105, -106) Samples for Support of the Enrichment Control and Corrosion Control Programs

SRNL analyzed samples from Tank 38H and Tank 43H to support ECP and CCP. The results indicate the concentrations of most species in the Tank 38H surface sample decreased from the previous surface sample. The Tank 38H sub-surface sample shows only minor changes in concentration for soluble species in the solution (e.g., Na, Al, Cs-137) but a large drop in concentrations for species typically associated with sludge solids (e.g., U, Pu, Fe, Si) likely because of a decrease in sludge solids from the previous sample. The large differences in the concentrations of major components between the Tank 38H surface and sub-surface samples indicate significant stratification of solution species within the tank.

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DOE OSTI2021

Analysis of Tank 38H (HTF-38-21-95, -96) and Tank 43H (HTF-43-21-97, -98) Samples for Support of the Enrichment Control and Corrosion Control Programs

SRNL analyzed samples from Tank 38H and Tank 43H to support ECP and CCP. The results indicate the concentrations of most species in the Tank 38H surface sample increased from the previous surface sample. The Tank 38H sub-surface sample shows only minor changes in concentration for soluble species in the solution (e.g., Na, Al, Cs-137) relative to the previous sample, but a small decrease in concentrations for species typically associated with sludge solids (e.g., U, Pu, Fe, Si) likely because of a decrease in sludge solids from the previous sample. The large differences in the concentrations of major components between the Tank 38H surface and sub-surface samples indicate significant stratification of solution species within the tank.

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DOE OSTI2022

Characterization of Tank 9H Salt Dissolution Batch 2B in Support of Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) 1A Batch 2 Preparations

Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) is currently preparing the second batch of material to be processed through the Tank Closure Cesium Removal (TCCR) 1A system. The feed for TCCR 1A consists of dissolved saltcake from Tank 9H. The second batch of salt to make up processing Batch 2 (Batch 2B) has recently been dissolved in Tank 9H and transferred to Tank 10H where it was composited with the first part of the batch (Batch 2A) in preparation for processing through the TCCR 1A unit. Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) received samples from the recent batch (2B) of dissolved salt for characterization. Two samples from Batch 2B were received for characterization, a surface sample and a variable depth sample (VDS). Neither sample contained significant solids, although the VDS appeared slightly cloudy as compared to the surface sample. The sodium concentrations of both the surface and VDS filtrate samples were approximately 5.8 M, and the 137 Cs activity was 9.8E+07 dpm/mL in the surface sample and 9.5E+07 dpm/mL in the VDS. The total Cs concentrations were 2.5 mg/L and 2.4 mg/L in the surface sample and VDS, respectively, using the gamma activity and the Cs isotopic ratios determined by ICP-MS. The alpha activity was below the detection limit in both samples. Nitrate was the dominant anion present, and the samples were primarily concentrated sodium nitrate solutions with hydroxide, nitrite, and carbonate present at 0.1 – 0.2 M. In general, the Batch 2B samples were more dilute than the previously characterized Batch 2A samples.

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