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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 1,009 records · Page 56
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Space Station accommodation of life sciences in support of a manned Mars mission

Results of a life science impact analysis for accommodation to the Space Station of a manned Mars mission are discussed. In addition to addressing such issues as on-orbit vehicle assembly and checkout, the study also assessed the impact of a life science research program on the station. A better understanding of the effects on the crew of long duration exposure to the hostile space environment and to develop controls for adverse effects was the objective. Elements and products of the life science accommodation include: the identification of critical research areas; the outline of a research program consistent with the mission timeframe; the quantification of resource requirements; the allocation of functions to station facilities; and a determination of the impact on the Space Station program and of the baseline configuration. Results indicate the need at the Space Station for two dedicated life science lab modules; a pocket lab to support a 4-meter centrifuge; a quarantine module for the Mars Sample Return Mission; 3.9 man-years of average crew time; and 20 kilowatts of electrical power.

Meredith, Barry D.↗
DOE OSTI2019

The Orson Anderson Era of Mineral Physics at Lamont in the 1960s

From 1964 to the early 1970s, Orson Anderson led a research program at the Lamont Geological Observatory in the newly-emerging field of “mineral physics”. In collaboration with colleagues Edward Schreiber and Naohiro Soga, Orson exploited the techniques of physical acoustics to study the behavior of the sound velocities of minerals at elevated pressures and temperatures. This research program also included semi-empirical studies of the relationships between the bulk modulus and the molar volume of solids, the use of lattice dynamics to calculate the elastic moduli of cubic structures as a function of pressure to predict instabilities, and theoretical investigations of the Lagrangian and Eulerian formulations of finite strain equations of state.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1988

Flight research and testing

Flight research and testing form a critical link in the aeronautic R and D chain. Brilliant concepts, elegant theories, and even sophisticated ground tests of flight vehicles are not sufficient to prove beyond doubt that an unproven aeronautical concept will actually perform as predicted. Flight research and testing provide the ultimate proof that an idea or concept performs as expected. Ever since the Wright brothers, flight research and testing have been the crucible in which aeronautical concepts have advanced and been proven to the point that engineers and companies have been willing to stake their future to produce and design new aircraft. This is still true today, as shown by the development of the experimental X-30 aerospace plane. The Dryden Flight Research Center (Ames-Dryden) continues to be involved in a number of flight research programs that require understanding and characterization of the total airplane in all the aeronautical disciplines, for example the X-29. Other programs such as the F-14 variable-sweep transition flight experiment have focused on a single concept or discipline. Ames-Dryden also continues to conduct flight and ground based experiments to improve and expand the ability to test and evaluate advanced aeronautical concepts. A review of significant aeronautical flight research programs and experiments is presented to illustrate both the progress made and the challenges to come.

Putnam, Terrill W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Flight research and testing

Flight research and testing form a critical link in the aeronautic research and development chain. Brilliant concepts, elegant theories, and even sophisticated ground tests of flight vehicles are not sufficient to prove beyond a doubt that an unproven aeronautical concept will actually perform as predicted. Flight research and testing provide the ultimate proof that an idea or concept performs as expected. Ever since the Wright brothers, flight research and testing were the crucible in which aeronautical concepts were advanced and proven to the point that engineers and companies are willing to stake their future to produce and design aircraft. This is still true today, as shown by the development of the experimental X-30 aerospace plane. The Dryden Flight Research Center (Ames-Dryden) continues to be involved in a number of flight research programs that require understanding and characterization of the total airplane in all the aeronautical disciplines, for example the X-29. Other programs such as the F-14 variable-sweep transition flight experiment have focused on a single concept or discipline. Ames-Dryden also continues to conduct flight and ground based experiments to improve and expand the ability to test and evaluate advanced aeronautical concepts. A review of significant aeronautical flight research programs and experiments is presented to illustrate both the progress being made and the challenges to come.

Putnam, Terrill W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Helicopter transmission research at NASA Lewis Research Center

A joint helicopter transmission research program between NASA Lewis Research Center and the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command has existed since 1970. Program goals are to reduce weight and noise and to increase life and reliability. Reviewed are significant advances in technology for gears and transmissions and the experimental facilities at NASA Lewis for helicopter transmission testing are described. A description of each of the rigs is presented along with some significant results from the experiments.

Coy, John J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A novel reverse-osmosis wash water recycle system for manned space stations

The preliminary development of a wash water recycle system utilizing an inside-skinned hollow-fiber membrane is described. This module configuration is based on tube-side feed and is highly resistant to fouling with a minimum of pretreatment. During an ongoing research program for NASA, these modules were operated on actual wash waters with no significant fouling for a period of 40 days. Due to the tube-side-feed flow in these hollow-fiber membranes, the fibers themselves become the pressure vessels, allowing the development of extremely lightweight membrane modules. During the NASA research program, a pre-prototype membrane module capable of processing 6 gallons per day of wash water at 97 percent recovery was developed that can be dry-stored and that weighs 120 g.

Ray, R. J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Load Mitigation on Floating Offshore Wind Turbines with Advanced Controls and Tuned Mass Dampers

General Electric, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass), and Glosten have recently completed a US Department of Energy (DOE)-funded research program to study technologies for mitigating loads on floating offshore wind turbines through the use of advanced turbine controls and tuned mass dampers (TMDs). The analysis was based upon the Glosten PelaStar tension leg platform (TLP) with GE Haliade 150 turbine, a system developed in a previous front end engineering design (FEED) study funded by the Energy Technology Institute (ETI) in the UK. The platform was designed for the WaveHub wave energy research site, with a mean water depth of 59-m. Loads were analyzed by running time-domain simulations in four 50-year return period (50-YRP) ultimate load state (ULS) conditions and 77 fatigue load state (FLS) environmental conditions. In 50-YRP conditions advanced controls are not active. The influence of TMDs on ULS loads have been reported previously (Park et al. [2]). In FLS conditions advanced controls and TMDs afford dramatic reductions in fatigue damage, offering the potential of significant savings in tower structural requirements. Simulations in turbine idling conditions were run in OrcaFlex, and simulations in operating conditions were run in FAST. Simulations were run with a baseline turbine controller, representative of the current state of the art, and an advanced controller developed by NREL to use collective and individual blade pitch control to maintain rotor speed and reduce tower loads. UMass developed a number of TMD types, with varying system configurations, including passive nonlinear dampers and semi-actively controlled dampers with an inverse velocity groundhook control algorithm. Loads and accelerations in FLS conditions were evaluated on the basis of damage equivalent loads (DELs), and fatigue damage was computed by Miner's summations of stress cycles at the tower base. To study sensitivity to water depth, loads were analyzed at both the 59-m WaveHub depth and a more commercially realistic depth of 100 m. TMDs reduce fatigue damage at the tower-column interface flange by up to 52% in 59-m water depth and up to 28% in 100 m water depth. Advanced controls reduce fatigue damage at the tower-column flange by up to 22% in 59-m water depth and up to 40% in 100 m water depth. The most effective load-mitigation strategy is combining advanced controls with TMDs. This strategy affords a 71% reduction in fatigue damage in both 59-m and 100-m water depths.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1988

Investigation of acoustic emission coupling techniques

A three-phase research program was initiated by NASA in 1983 to investigate the use of acoustic monitoring techniques to detect incipient failure in turbopump bearings. Two prototype acoustic coupler probes were designed and evaluated, and four units of the final probe design were fabricated. Success in this program could lead to development of an on-board monitor which could detect bearing damage in flight and reduce or eliminate the need for disassembly after each flight. This final report reviews the accomplishments of the first two phases and presents the results of fabrication and testing completed in the final phase of the research program.

Jolly, W. D.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dynamics of X-pinches Powered by a Capacitor Bank

X-pinches are formed by crossing two metal wires in the shape of the letter ‘X’ between the electrodes of a pulsed power device. The plasma generated then evolves in complex ways and has been the subject of many experiments and simulations, both as a plasma object and for its use as a source of intense soft x-rays, of interest to high energy density plasma (HEDP) studies. The dynamics of the x-pinch that lead to the emission x-ray photons begin soon after this initial explosive phase, resulting in the formation of a micro z-pinch (≤ 300 µm long, ~100 µm diameter) at the crossing point. If the current is high enough, then a subsonic plasma implosion in the micro z-pinch begins, which creates a high density, high temperature plasma. These x-pinches have been typically studied at the nanosecond time scale (rise-time $τ_r ≤ 100 ns, dI/dt > 1 kA/ns$). The microsecond x-pinch ($I_p~350 kA, τ_{1/4} = 1 µs, 0.3 kA/ns$) allows a different parameter space to be studied that compliments HEDP studies in the nanosecond regime (with an attendant lower hard-radiation hazard) but it also creates plasma conditions that are interesting in their own right, with features that make it a good model for studying the hydrodynamics of astrophysical jets, for example. With high electron density and temperatures pushing close to 0.5 keV, it is relevant for high energy density studies and provides a suitable test bed for the spectroscopy of highly ionized atoms. The aim of the original proposal was to initiate a new experimental plasma research program at Florida A&M University with three main objectives: (1) To create x-pinch plasmas from different materials using a direct capacitor bank discharge and to study the dynamics of the high-density plasmas and their associated soft x-ray emission properties and potential applications. (2) Understanding the nature of the supersonic plasma jets observed in the mid-plane of the microsecond x-pinch and their relevance as a laboratory model for studying astrophysical jets. (3) To provide a research platform to support the education of under-represented undergraduate and graduate students at Florida A&M University and to provide training in high energy density laboratory plasma physics. Each of the main objectives has been met and results of the work have been published in refereed journals or presented at several scientific meetings. A number of students both undergraduate and graduate have participated in the research program in a hands-on way and have thereby acquired training in high energy density physics. The success of the work can also be measured in two PhD dissertations (one of which is still in progress). The acquisition of important research equipment and instrumentation means that the work can continue in some fashion.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2008

Status Update Report for the Peregrine 100km Sounding Rocket Project

The Peregrine Sounding Rocket Program is a joint basic research program of NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Wallops, Stanford University and the Space Propulsion Group, Inc. (SPG). The goal is to determine the applicability of liquifying hybrid technology to a small launch system. The approach is to design, build, test and y a stable, efficient liquefying fuel hybrid rocket vehicle to an altitude of 100 km. The program was kicked o in October of 2006 and has seen considerable progress in the subsequent 18 months. Two virtually identical vehicles will be constructed and own out of the NASA Sounding Rocket Facility at Wallops Island. This paper presents the current status of the project as of June 2008. For background on the project, the reader is referred to last year's paper.

Dyer, Jonny↗
NASA NTRS1981

Commercial aviation icing research requirements

A short range and long range icing research program was proposed. A survey was made to various industry and goverment agencies to obtain their views of needs for commercial aviation ice protection. Through these responsed, other additional data, and Douglas Aircraft icing expertise; an assessment of the state-of-the-art of aircraft icing data and ice protection systems was made. The information was then used to formulate the icing research programs.

Koegeboehn, L. P.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Earth Microbiome Project and Global Systems Biology

Recently, we published the first large-scale analysis of data from the Earth Microbiome Project (1, 2), a truly multidisciplinary research program involving more than 500 scientists and 27,751 samples acquired from 43 countries. These samples represent myriad specimen types and span a wide range of biotic and abiotic factors, geographic locations, and physicochemical properties. The database (https://qiita.ucsd.edu/emp/) is still growing, with over 90,000 amplicon datasets, >500 metagenomic runs, and metabolomics datasets from a similar number of samples. Importantly, the techniques, data and analytical tools are all standardized and publicly accessible, providing a framework to support research at a scale of integration that just 7 years ago seemed impossible.

Gilbert, Jack A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Reduced-Order Blade Mistuning Analysis Techniques Developed for the Robust Design of Engine Rotors

The primary objective of this research program is to develop vibration analysis tools, design tools, and design strategies to significantly improve the safety and robustness of turbine engine rotors. Bladed disks in turbine engines always feature small, random blade-to-blade differences, or mistuning. Mistuning can lead to a dramatic increase in blade forced-response amplitudes and stresses. Ultimately, this results in high-cycle fatigue, which is a major safety and cost concern. In this research program, the necessary steps will be taken to transform a state-of-the-art vibration analysis tool, the Turbo-Reduce forced-response prediction code, into an effective design tool by enhancing and extending the underlying modeling and analysis methods. Furthermore, novel techniques will be developed to assess the safety of a given design. In particular, a procedure will be established for using eigenfrequency curve veerings to identify "danger zones" in the operating conditions--ranges of rotational speeds and engine orders in which there is a great risk that the rotor blades will suffer high stresses. This work also will aid statistical studies of the forced response by reducing the necessary number of simulations. Finally, new strategies for improving the design of rotors will be pursued. Several methods will be investigated, including the use of intentional mistuning patterns to mitigate the harmful effects of random mistuning, and the modification of disk stiffness to avoid reaching critical values of interblade coupling in the desired operating range. Recent research progress is summarized in the following paragraphs. First, significant progress was made in the development of the component mode mistuning (CMM) and static mode compensation (SMC) methods for reduced-order modeling of mistuned bladed disks (see the following figure). The CMM method has been formalized and extended to allow a general treatment of mistuning. In addition, CMM allows individual mode mistuning, which accounts for the realistic effects of local variations in blade properties that lead to different mistuning values for different mode types (e.g., mistuning of the first torsion mode versus the second flexural mode). The accuracy and efficiency of the CMM method and the corresponding Turbo-Reduce code were validated for an example finite element model of a bladed disk.

Min, James B.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Establishment of new design criteria for GlidCop ® X-ray absorbers

Here, an engineering research program has been conducted at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) in order to determine the thermomechanical conditions that lead to crack formation in GlidCop ® , a material commonly used to fabricate X-ray absorbers at X-ray synchrotron facilities. This dispersion-strengthened copper alloy is a proprietary material and detailed technical data of interest to the synchrotron community is limited. The results from the research program have allowed new design criteria to be established for GlidCop ® X-ray absorbers based upon the thermomechanically induced fatigue behavior of the material. X-ray power from APS insertion devices was used to expose 30 GlidCop ® samples to 10000 thermal loading cycles each under various beam power conditions, and all of the samples were metallurgically examined for crack presence/geometry. In addition, an independent testing facility was hired to measure temperature-dependent mechanical data and uniaxial mechanical fatigue data for numerous GlidCop ® samples. Data from these studies support finite element analysis (FEA) simulation and parametric models, allowing the development of a thermal fatigue model and the establishment of new design criteria so that the thermomechanically induced fatigue life of X-ray absorbers may be predicted. It is also demonstrated how the thermal fatigue model can be used as a tool to geometrically optimize X-ray absorber designs.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1990

Adaptive truss structure

This paper discusses the research in adaptive structures conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. The objective in the research program on adaptive truss structures is to develop an integrated approach for the design, test, and evaluation of adaptive trusses. An adaptive structure must include sensors for measuring some of the states of the mechanism, a controller that processes the sensor information and generates command signals, and a device that will cause the struts in the mechanism to change length. Based on the results of the research program, it is concluded that alternative designs for future space applications are offered, and adaptive truss has been demonstrated to be effective for vibration suppression.

Horner, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Potential spin-offs of the carbon dioxide observational platform system (CO-OPS) for remote sensing opportunities

Alternate remote sensing techniques that could utilize the slight losses of energy from the microwave beam which powers the NASA/MSFC Carbon Dioxide Observational Platform System (CO-OPS) to achieve the objectives of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Carbon Dioxide Research Program's regional observational data requirements, ODRs, are addressed heuristically. The opportunity for regional remote sensing of the carbon dioxide and water vapor constituents in the atmosphere are discussed as a potential spin off of the CO-OPS. The CO-OPS is envisioned as a high altitude (approx. 25 km) observational platform system powered by microwave energy for regional observational use by the DOE in their Carbon Dioxide Research Program.

Stephens, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Life Sciences Implications of Lunar Surface Operations

The purpose of this report is to document preliminary, predicted, life sciences implications of expected operational concepts for lunar surface extravehicular activity (EVA). Algorithms developed through simulation and testing in lunar analog environments were used to predict crew metabolic rates and ground reaction forces experienced during lunar EVA. Subsequently, the total metabolic energy consumption, the daily bone load stimulus, total oxygen needed, and other variables were calculated and provided to Human Research Program and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate stakeholders. To provide context to the modeling, the report includes an overview of some scenarios that have been considered. Concise descriptions of the analog testing and development of the algorithms are also provided. This document may be updated to remain current with evolving lunar or other planetary surface operations, assumptions and concepts, and to provide additional data and analyses collected during the ongoing analog research program.

Chappell, Steven P.↗