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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Acute Exposure to Aerosolized Nanoplastics Modulates Redox-Linked Immune Responses in Human Airway Epithelium

Micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants detected in aquatic ecosystems, with emerging evidence suggesting their presence in airborne particles generated by water body motion. Inhalation exposure to airborne MPs and NPs remains understudied despite documented links between occupational exposure to these particles and adverse respiratory outcomes, including airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic respiratory diseases. This study explored the effects of acute NP exposure on a fully differentiated 3D human airway epithelial model derived from 14 healthy donors. Airway epithelium was exposed to aerosolized 50 nm polystyrene NPs at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 2500 µg/mL for three minutes per day over three days. Functional assays revealed no significant alterations in tissue integrity, cell survival, mucociliary clearance, or cilia beat frequency, suggesting intact epithelial function post-exposure. However, cytokine and chemokine profiling identified a significant five-fold increase in CCL3 (MIP-1α), a neutrophilic chemoattractant, in NP-exposed samples compared to controls. This was corroborated by increased neutrophil chemotaxis in response to conditioned media from NP-exposed tissues, indicating a pro-inflammatory neutrophilic response. Conversely, levels of interleukins (IL-21, IL-2, IL-15), CXCL10, and TGF-β were significantly reduced, suggesting immunomodulatory effects that may impair adaptive immune responses and tissue repair mechanisms. These findings demonstrate that short-term exposure to NP-containing aerosols induces a distinct pro-inflammatory response in airway epithelium, characterized by enhanced neutrophil recruitment and reduced secretion of key immune modulators. These findings underscore the potential for aerosolized NPs to induce oxidative and inflammatory stress, raising concerns about their long-term impact on respiratory health and redox regulation.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology↗
NASA NTRS2026

Performance Evaluation of Intravehicular Activity Spacesuit Without the Use of a Liquid Cooling Garment

The Orion Crew Survival Systems (OCSS) suit is equipped with safety technology that protects the crew during launch and re-entry and Intravehicular Activities (IVA). It was designed to be used with a Liquid Cooling Garment (LCG), an undergarment with tubes that circulate water to remove excess heat from a crew member. The objective of this study is to determine if the Modified Advanced Crew Escape Suit (MACES), which has very similar material, assembly, and pressure characteristics as the OCSS suit, can be used without the LCG to maintain the crew within their heat storage requirements where exceedances can lead to cognitive and physiological impairment. Testing was completed for both hot and cold environments where test subjects wore varying configurations of the MACES suit ensemble without the LCG. The tests were conducted in a temperature and humidity-controlled chamber with four test subjects ranging from extra small to large. Target metabolic rates were reached using an arm ergometer. To represent the different suit configurations seen in the concept of operations, the suit was tested with visor-down, visor-up, and without helmet and gloves. The test data was analyzed to determine how the environment, test subject size, metabolic rate, and suit configuration affected heat storage. Furthermore, the test data was used to correlate the METMAN model, a transient metabolic man program that simulates the heat transfer within a crew member’s body and from a crew member to the surrounding environment. The METMAN correlation showed good agreement between predicted heat storage and test data at the end of the test duration, with a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) value of 0.8999 for visor-down cases and R 2 of 0.8902 for visor-up and helmet off cases. A correlated METMAN model allows for the analysis and prediction of IVA suit performance without an LCG in additional scenarios.

Human Thermal Modeling↗
DOE OSTI2026

Selectivity mechanisms of ion intercalation in Prussian blue analogs

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) are a family of materials with facile, reversible, and selective ion transport capability for various ions via electrochemical intercalation, owing to their vacancy structure. The large tunable compositional space of PBAs allows for manipulation of intercalation behavior and selectivity by controlling structural vacancy level through choice of transition metal centers and modifications to the synthesis process. However, a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of ion selectivity hinders the material’s design process. Here, for this work, we investigated the origins of ion selectivity using a model PBA, copper hexacyanoferrate, and focused on eight technologically and biologically prominent ions, for which we determined a sequence of selectivity: Rb + > K + > Na + > Ba 2+ > Sr 2+ ≈ Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ > Li + . We provide electrochemical, structural, and redox evidence of strong correlation between the ion identity, the dominant charge-compensating redox, and preferred occupancy site. Specifically, using synchrotron anomalous X-ray diffraction (AXRD), we reveal that monovalent ions exhibit significant association with the corner sites of the unit cell and iron redox, whereas divalent ions display affinity toward the center site with higher ratios of copper redox. Informed by selectivity results, we applied CuHCFe to Li purification and achieved 99.9% purity. Our findings demonstrate an approach to elucidating ion intercalation behavior in order to distinguish and manipulate material properties to optimize separation performance.

Prussian blue analog↗
DOE OSTI2026

Coalition for Community-Supported Affordable Geothermal Energy Systems (C2SAGES)

The C2SAGES project evaluated the feasibility of a community geothermal system for the planned Windy Ridge affordable housing development in Hinesburg, Vermont. Led by GTI Energy with Vermont Gas Systems, LN Consulting, NREL, and Frontier Energy, the work assessed technical design, energy performance, costs, business models, community engagement, maintenance, workforce development, and permitting. The proposed system was designed to serve 100% of the development’s heating, cooling, and domestic hot water loads. Compared with a baseline using air-source heat pumps and natural gas water heating, the geothermal system was estimated to reduce HVAC and domestic hot water energy use by about 45% to 48%, lower operating and maintenance costs, and reduce 30-year life-cycle costs by 37% for Phase 1 and 10% for Phase 2. Technical testing and modeling indicated that the Windy Ridge site is suitable for a community-scale geothermal system. The project also developed borehole field layouts, piping concepts, pump house designs, controls, maintenance plans, and supporting engineering drawings. The business model analysis found that first cost, ownership structure, and customer affordability remain major deployment challenges. Utility-led maintenance and operation were viewed favorably, but traditional utility cost-recovery models may require subsidy or revised financing structures to be practical for affordable housing. Community engagement highlighted the need for clear public education, transparent financing, reliable long-term maintenance, trained technicians, and the potential to pair geothermal systems with weatherization. Overall, the report concludes that community geothermal is technically feasible and offers meaningful energy, emissions, and life-cycle cost benefits, but broader deployment will depend on workable financing models and workforce readiness.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Transient histone deacetylase inhibition reveals cell type invariant and specific effects of chromatin decondensation on irradiation response

Radiation therapy plays a prominent role in breast cancer treatment, but the high doses of radiation damage both healthy and cancerous cells. Therefore, additional research is needed into combination therapies that could preferentially radiosensitize cancer cells compared to surrounding healthy tissue without causing deleterious side effects. Histone deacetylase inhibitor drugs (HDACis) have been tested as radiosensitizers in both basic research and clinical trials, but the long exposure time typically used in these treatments and the lack of matched healthy cell controls often leave aspects of their mechanism of action unclear. Here, we show that transient (2 h) trichostatin A (TSA) treatment of cancerous and non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cell lines increases immediate DNA damage and decreases long term cell viability in both cell types at high radiation doses. Transient TSA treatment also causes an increase in DNA damage signals after 5 Gy X-rays in other cancer and healthy cell types: A375 melanoma cells and BJ5-ta fibroblasts. This suggests that chromatin decompaction acts to increase cellular vulnerability to initial DNA damage from high doses of radiation in a cell type independent manner that does not rely on changes to DNA repair pathways caused by longer TSA treatment. However, responses to lower doses of radiation and long term survival are more cell type specific: only MCF7 cells experience an effect of TSA on DNA damage after 1 Gy X-ray radiation while MCF10a cells experience somewhat more evident cell viability effects of combined TSA and radiation treatment long term.

Li, Heng [Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Bi↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

LES-Based Analysis of Film Cooling in a High-Pressure Turbine Rotor Including Effects of Purge and Tip Flow

Accurate modeling of coolant airflows, which form protective films over turbine blades, is essential for designing fuel-efficient and environmentally sustainable gas turbine engines. Excessive coolant reduces thermal efficiency, while insufficient coolant leads to blade overheating and causes damage. Therefore, precise prediction of flow field interactions with cooling air is critical for optimizing turbine performance. This study numerically investigates the cooling effectiveness of purge and film cooling flows within a high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor using Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The study utilizes NASA Glenn Research Center’s Glenn-HT solver. The simulation models ethe conditions of the Penn State University START rotating rig. A high-fidelity structured mesh comprising up to 800 million cells is employed to resolve high-Reynolds number flow (Re ≈ 350,000) and to capture intricate secondary flow structures, including tip leakage and purge-induced vortices. Film cooling effectiveness computations are highly sensitive to boundary conditions at the cooling holes and to grid resolution. Even with well-resolved grids and included plena, strong mixing challenges traditional eddy viscosity models. To address this, a simplified configuration is simulated: a truncated row of shaped holes on the suction side near the leading edge and a row on the pressure side, both fed from internal plena while the purge slot and tip clearance are also modeled. Two isothermal LES cases are conducted at two distinct wall temperatures, which yield the adiabatic wall temperature and the heat transfer coefficient. The definition and means of computation of the effectiveness is discussed in this paper. The simulations reveal detailed three-dimensional unsteady flow features, including coherent vortical structures and secondary flows originating from the purge cavity. Film cooling effectiveness and Nusselt number distributions are presented for both the blade surface and tip, highlighting regions of elevated heat transfer and complex thermal behavior. These findings underscore the importance of high-resolution LES and realistic boundary conditions in capturing the dynamics of purge and film cooling, offering valuable insights for improving turbine blade design and thermal management strategies.

Secondary Flows↗
DOE OSTI2026

Thermally Stable Co@C3N4 Single-Atom Catalysts for CO Oxidation: Atomic-Level Insights into Structure and Activity

Single Co atoms supported on C3N4 (Co@C3N4) have demonstrated high activity and selectivity in photocatalysis. However, the investigation of structure–function relationships and reaction mechanisms under photocatalytic conditions is very challenging due to the complex conditions of light absorption, charge transfer, and catalysis. In this study, we employed thermal CO oxidation as a prototypical probe reaction to benchmark the intrinsic catalytic performance and track the active-site evolution of Co@C3N4. Single Co atoms were identified and shown to be the catalytically active sites for CO oxidation based on control experiments and isotope-labeling experiments. The Co sites remained atomically dispersed before, during, and after the reaction with temperatures up to 400 °C, as established by in situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) combined with density functional theory (DFT), FDMNES simulations, and dynamic-time-warping (DTW)-assisted X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) matching. Together with theoretical calculations, the integrated analysis reveals a stable coordination environment under reaction conditions, which correlates with sustained activity, establishing Co@C3N4 single-atom catalysts as thermally stable CO oxidation catalysts. Beyond these findings, the current study provides a workflow for unambiguously assigning active sites in Co@C3N4 for thermal CO oxidation. This workflow will aid the understanding of their behavior in photocatalysis in the future, where light-driven dynamics obscure direct structure–function links. Notably, this study provides fundamental insights for the rational design of robust single-atom catalysts and a foundation for the broader application of Co@C3N4 catalysts in oxidation reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Physicochemical and biological characterization of a bispecific antibody in a CrossMab/KIH format that targets EGFR and VEGF-A

Introduction Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are a class of antibody therapeutics engineered in various molecular formats to bind two distinct antigens and potentially mediate multiple biological effects. These molecular formats are tailored to mediate specific mechanisms of action and possess unique physicochemical and biological properties that are necessary to assure product quality. In ovarian cancer (OC), both EGFR- and VEGF-A-mediated signaling pathways are often upregulated and cooperate to promote tumor growth and angiogenesis. Thus, inhibiting of EGFR- and VEGF-A pathways with a BsAb may provide synergistic anti-tumor activity. Methods Using publicly available sequences and applying immunoglobulin domain crossover (CrossMab) and knobs-into-holes (KIH) technologies, we generated a BsAb to simultaneously bind EGFR and VEGF-A (designated as anti-EGFR/VEGF-A BsAb). This BsAb served as a model for physiochemical and biological characterization of quality attributes that would be critical for the BsAb’s mechanisms of action. Our goal was to gain fundamental insights into BsAbs designed to target a receptor with one arm and a soluble ligand with the other, to support bioassay development and inform quality control strategies. Results Our data demonstrated that the CrossMab/KIH platform successfully produced a correctly assembled BsAb during cell culture. Characterization confirmed that the anti-EGFR/VEGF-A BsAb bound both EGFR and VEGF-A with comparable activity and affinity to the respective parental monoclonal antibodies. Functionally, the BsAb disrupted both EGF/EGFR and VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signaling pathways in OC and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) models. Furthermore, the BsAb effectively blocked angiogenic signaling driven by VEGF-A secreted from OC cells in a paracrine manner. Discussion Based on the combinatorial mechanism of action and our characterization findings, we concluded that two or more bioassays may be needed to accurately assess the activity of both arms of this type of BsAb.

Immunology↗
DOE OSTI2026

Physical Modeling and Design of a Nonvolatile Optically Gated High‐Power Diamond Transistor

In this work, we present the theory and modeling framework of a diamond optically gated junction field‐effect transistor (DOGFET). The device utilizes nitrogen substitutional centers in type‐1b diamond to optically modulate a p‐ boron doped diamond channel. Using sub‐gap lasers with intensities as low as 100 W/cm 2 , electrons are optically excited from substitutional nitrogen sites to the conduction band of the diamond substrate, thus enabling the optical gate to exercise control on modulating the space‐charge region at the junction and therefore the channel conductivity. We show that the device can deliver a current of 7 μA/μm, or equivalently 1750 A/cm 2 , while switching at a frequency greater than 100 kHz, in a form factor of 5 μm 2 . The breakdown voltage is found to be greater than 1850 V, with a breakdown field strength of ~13 MV/cm. Moreover, the device supports nonvolatile operation with a “memory effect” enabling single transistor state retention. The presented simulation framework provides a physically grounded insight into the limits and opportunities of optoelectronic diamond systems.

Engineering - Electronic and electrical engineerin↗
DOE OSTI2026

Henry’s Solubility and Diffusion Coefficients for 29 Volatile Organic Compounds in Polydimethylsiloxane Sylgard 184 at 293 K

Two-dimensional (2D) inverse gas chromatography (IGC) enables simultaneous determination of Henry’s solubility and Fickian diffusion coefficients for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in polymer films. This technique offers a significant advantage over traditional cylindrical column IGC by providing precise control and measurement of the film thickness (here, 0.064 ± 0.002 mm), which is the critical length scale for accurate diffusivity determination. We apply this methodology to characterize VOC transport in Sylgard 184, a widely used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based polymer containing substantial silica filler content. At room temperature (20 °C), we measured solubility and diffusion coefficients for 29 common VOCs spanning diverse chemical functionalities, including alkanes, aromatics, chlorinated solvents, ketones, esters, and alcohols. Comparison with literature data for pure PDMS reveals that VOC solubility in Sylgard 184 is generally higher; for most non-hydrogen-bonding compounds it remains within a factor of 2 of pure PDMS, whereas alcohols are enhanced by roughly 1.8 to 3.7 times, which we attribute to favorable interactions with residual silanol groups on the silanized silica filler. Diffusion coefficients range from 1.0 × 10 –6 cm 2 /s (n-undecane) to 8.9 × 10–5 cm 2 /s (acetonitrile) and align well with extrapolated literature values for PDMS. This study provides essential thermodynamic and transport data for predicting VOC permeation in Sylgard 184 while demonstrating the utility of 2D IGC as a robust technique for characterizing rubbery polymer membranes across diverse industrial applications.

organic↗
DOE OSTI2026

Conceptual design study of neutron detectors for safeguards measurement of an irradiated pebble

Nuclear material control and accounting (MC&A) of pebble-bed reactors (PBRs) is challenging because a PBR utilizes hundreds of thousands of identical, unmarked pebbles that are continuously recirculated through the core. To develop tools that enable the implementation of international safeguards, especially in the context of MC&A of spent pebbles, we designed and simulated three neutron detection concepts to determine fissile content in individual pebbles: a differential die-away (DDA) detector, a californium interrogation prompt neutron (CIPN) detector, and a passive neutron albedo reactivity (PNAR) detector using Monte Carlo calculations. Burnup calculations were performed on the spent pebbles from the PBMR-400 classic PBR. The varying neutron and gamma source terms, and isotopic compositions in the spent pebbles calculated at various burnup levels were used in the neutron detector models. DDA was found to be sensitive to the number of passes a pebble has had through the core and to the fissile content contained in a spent pebble. Optimization in the DDA design further increased the neutron count rates and thus reduced counting uncertainty. Meanwhile, passive neutron counting using the same detector body could distinguish pebbles with different numbers of passes, but its response was dominated by neutron-emitting actinides and was not sensitive to fissile content. On the other hand, the PNAR technique was not viable for a single pebble but performed reasonably for a 27-pebble array, which suggested potential use for verification measurements of containers filled with 27 or more spent pebbles.

CIPN↗
DOE OSTI2025

From Pollutant Removal to Renewable Energy: MoS2-Enhanced P25-Graphene Photocatalysts for Malathion Degradation and H2 Evolution

The widespread presence of pesticides—especially malathion—in aquatic environments presents a major obstacle to conventional remediation strategies, while the ongoing global energy crisis underscores the urgency of developing renewable energy sources such as hydrogen. In this context, photocatalytic water splitting emerges as a promising approach, though its practical application remains limited by poor charge carrier dynamics and insufficient visible-light utilization. Herein, we report the design and evaluation of a series of TiO2-based ternary nanocomposites comprising commercial P25 TiO2, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), with MoS2 loadings ranging from 1% to 10% by weight. The photocatalysts were fabricated via a two-step method: hydrothermal integration of rGO into P25 followed by solution-phase self-assembly of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets. The composites were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was assessed through two key applications: the degradation of malathion (20 mg/L) under simulated solar irradiation and hydrogen evolution from water in the presence of sacrificial agents. Quantification was performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and thermal conductivity detection (GC-TCD). Results showed that the integration of rGO significantly enhanced surface area and charge mobility, while MoS2 served as an effective co-catalyst, promoting interfacial charge separation and acting as an active site for hydrogen evolution. Nearly complete malathion degradation (~100%) was achieved within two hours, and hydrogen production reached up to 6000 µmol g−1 h−1 under optimal MoS2 loading. Notably, photocatalytic performance declined with higher MoS2 content due to recombination effects. Overall, this work demonstrates the synergistic enhancement provided by rGO and MoS2 in a stable P25-based system and underscores the viability of such ternary nanocomposites for addressing both environmental remediation and sustainable energy conversion challenges.

Chemistry↗
NASA NTRS2026

Scientific Highlights and Status of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission, Years 9 through 12

We present the scientific highlights and status from years 9-12 of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission, with its Curiosity rover. A thermochemolysis-based sample analysis revealed a variety of organic molecules preserved in clay mineral-rich lake/lake margin deposits of the Glen Torridon region. The stratigraphically higher clay-sulfate mineral transition on Aeolis Mons was found to be associated with a lithological change from lacustrine to dry aeolian depositional environments. Water intermittently returned to the surface after the increase in aridity, including during the deposition of wave ripple strata which indicate a climate capable of sustaining an ice-free lake in the early Hesperian. The overlying Mg sulfate-bearing unit has both poly- and monohydrated Mg sulfates and is also enriched in iron carbonate of a purity consistent with chemical sedimentation and therefore atmospheric sequestration. A channel-incised canyon within Gediz Vallis and distal alluvial deposits recorded numerous fluvial and debris flow events after the deposition, lithification, and erosion of the clay- and sulfate-bearing units. Bright clasts found in Gediz Vallis canyon are composed of native sulfur. The investigation of the modern atmosphere and environment focused on the influence of the crater and mountain topography and captured high-altitude noctilucent and iridescent clouds. Radiation monitoring now spans an 11-year solar cycle. Rover systems and science instruments remain capable of addressing mission scientific objectives. All ten scientific instruments continue to return high-value data despite degradation of the Chemistry and Camera instrument’s high-voltage system, loss of multispectral imaging capability, and loss of active neutron spectroscopy. The mission has mitigated the loss of redundant brakes on two arm joints, additional wheel wear, and highly reduced capability of the redundant flight computer. Efficiency improvements in rover energy utilization and operations staffing have allowed the mission team to maintain a high level of productivity despite declining rover power generation and funding.

Mars↗
DOE OSTI2024

Block copolymer self-assembly derived mesoporous magnetic materials with three-dimensionally (3D) co-continuous gyroid nanostructure

Magnetic nanomaterials are gaining interest for their many applications in technological areas from information science and computing to next-generation quantum energy materials. While magnetic materials have historically been nanostructured through techniques such as lithography and molecular beam epitaxy, there has recently been growing interest in using soft matter self-assembly. In this work, a triblock terpolymer, poly(isoprene-block-styrene-block-ethylene oxide) (ISO), is used as a structure directing agent for aluminosilicate sol nanoparticles and magnetic material precursors to generate organic–inorganic bulk hybrid films with co-continuous morphology. After thermal processing into mesoporous materials, results from a combination of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are consistent with the double gyroid morphology. Nitrogen sorption measurements reveal a type IV isotherm with H1 hysteresis, and yield a specific surface area of around 200 m 2 g −1 and an average pore size of 23 nm. The magnetization of the mesostructured material as a function of applied field shows magnetic hysteresis and coercivity at 300 K and 10 K. Comparison of magnetic measurements between the mesoporous gyroid and an unstructured bulk magnetic material, derived from the identical inorganic precursors, reveals the structured material exhibits a coercivity of 250 Oe, opposed to 148 Oe for the unstructured at 10 K, and presence of remnant magnetic moment not conventionally found in bulk hematite; both of these properties are attributed to the mesostructure. This scalable route to mesoporous magnetic materials with co-continuous morphologies from block copolymer self-assembly may provide a pathway to advanced magnetic nanomaterials with a range of potential applications.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Permanently Porous Chalcogen-Bonded Organic Framework

The nature of connectivity between constituent atomic or molecular building blocks is fundamental in shaping the properties and functionality of materials. The extrapolation of emergent interatomic interactions to enable functional materials has driven transformative technological advancements. However, the bonding interactions used in material design have been largely static since the emergence of dynamic covalent chemistry ~30 years ago. Here we demonstrate that non-covalent chalcogen bonding (Ch-bonding) is a distinct mode of interatomic connectivity for constructing functional materials by design. This is established by leveraging self-complementary assembly of 1,2,5-telluradiazole moieties to construct a honeycomb-type permanently porous Ch-bonded organic framework, assembled and stabilized solely through non-covalent Te...N contacts. Empirical and computational studies of electronic structure, structural healing and lattice dynamics highlight the pi-type electronic communication, controlled assembly and modulated lattice dynamics in Trip3Tez-I arising directly from the unique nature of the Te...N Ch-bonding that holds substantial implications for next generation crystalline semiconductors. In addition to introducing a distinct class of permanently porous frameworks, this work establishes Ch-bonding as a programmable molecular tool for constructing functional materials with distinct properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Revisiting the Soyuz-1 Parachute Failure in the Context of Safety in the Modern Era

The Soyuz‑1 accident remains one of the most consequential parachute related failures in human spaceflight history and provides enduring lessons for modern Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) system design. Occurring during the height of the Cold War and the Space Race, the mission unfolded under extraordinary political and schedule pressure as the Soviet Union sought to maintain its early leadership in space achievements following the death of chief designer Sergei Korolev. Despite unresolved propulsion, electrical, and parachute system deficiencies, Soyuz‑1 proceeded to launch and immediately encountered critical inflight anomalies, including a failed solar panel deployment, attitude control issues, and communication dropouts. Upon reentry, a malfunction in the parachute system, driven by a primary main canopy that failed to deploy, and subsequent entanglement of the reserve main canopy with the primary drogue parachute, resulted in insufficient deceleration and the fatal crash of cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov. Subsequent investigations revealed deep rooted cultural and organizational issues within the Soviet space program, including inadequate testing, suppression of dissent, undocumented last minute design changes, and the absence of integrated parachute system verification. More than 200 design flaws were identified after the accident, and firsthand accounts, including those from Yuri Gagarin, highlighted widespread concern prior to launch. Over time, the Soviet program implemented substantial reforms: systematic design corrections, rigorous process documentation, and an extensive series of drop tests that ultimately transformed the Soyuz system into one of the world’s most reliable human-rated return vehicles. This paper examines the technical architecture of the Soyuz‑1 parachute system, reconstructs the likely deployment sequence and failure mechanism, and analyzes the cultural contributors that shaped the accident. The study draws parallels to modern spacecraft parachute development, emphasizing the critical importance of integrated system testing, transparent engineering culture, and continuous hardware surveillance. These lessons remain directly relevant to today’s NASA and Commercial Crew Programs (CCP), where the Government continues to refine its understanding of aggregate risk and strengthen overall astronaut safety in the face of increasingly complex parachute systems.

Aaron L Morris↗
DOE OSTI2023

Smart Droplets Stabilized by Designer Surfactants: From Biomimicry to Active Motion to Materials Healing

The science and technologies of emulsion droplets have been a long‐term focus of extensive research endeavors for their practical utility across a breadth of industries, including pharmaceutical products, oil recovery processes, and the food sciences. However, with advances in materials chemistry and characterization tools, new emerging areas are arising with a focus on “smart droplets”. The versatility of emulsion droplets across is based on their ability to partition and create isolated systems with properties defined by the liquid–liquid interface, while preparative routes allow manipulation of droplet size, stability, and encapsulated contents. As described in this article, significant efforts are being devoted to creating new types of droplets by “activating” this interface through the incorporation of reactive structures that trigger droplet response to applied or environmental stimuli (e.g., pH, temperature, salt, or external fields). Moreover, parallels between droplets and live cells inspire efforts to conceive systems that resemble biological motifs or that can produce cellular behaviors that imitate biology (e.g., swarming, communication, or motion). Here, the authors highlight recent advances in smart droplets, with emphasis on organic, polymer, and/or particle surfactants that give rise to inter‐droplet communication (via aggregation, fusion, division, or mass transfer), droplet vehicles for controlled delivery, autonomous droplet motion, and tunable emulsion inversion. Especially emphasized is the macromolecular design to produce reactive and functional surfactants, which are crucial to responsive droplet behavior and their underlying mechanisms. More generally, the exquisite interplay between materials science and biology inspires the review of this research area that provides unique opportunities for insight and inspiration into the capabilities of new droplet designs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Systematic Construction of Time-Dependent Hamiltonians for Microwave-Driven Josephson Circuits

Time-dependent electromagnetic drives are fundamental for controlling complex quantum systems, including superconducting Josephson circuits. In these devices, accurate time-dependent Hamiltonian models are imperative for predicting their dynamics and designing high-fidelity quantum operations. Existing numerical methods, such as black-box quantization (BBQ) and energy-participation ratio (EPR), excel at modeling the static Hamiltonians of Josephson circuits. However, these techniques do not fully capture the behavior of driven circuits stimulated by external microwave drives, nor do they include a generalized approach to account for the inevitable noise and dissipation that enter through microwave ports. Here, we introduce numerical techniques that leverage classical microwave simulations, efficiently executable in finite-element solvers, to obtain the time-dependent Hamiltonian of microwave-driven superconducting circuits with arbitrary geometries under charge, flux, or mixed electromagnetic modulation. Importantly, our techniques do not rely on a lumped-element description of the superconducting circuit, in contrast to previous approaches to tackling this problem. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach by characterizing the driven properties of realistic circuit devices in complex electromagnetic environments, including coherent dynamics due to charge and flux modulation, as well as drive-induced relaxation and dephasing. Our techniques offer a powerful toolbox for optimizing circuit designs and advancing practical applications in superconducting quantum computing.

Lu, Yao [Yale U.; Yale U. (main); Fermilab] (ORCID↗