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Summary of Stirling Convertor Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been testing free-piston Stirling convertors for potential use in radioisotope power systems. These convertors tend to be in the 35 to 80 W electric power output range. Tests at GRC have accumulated over 80,000 hr of operation. Test articles have been received from Infinia Corporation of Kennewick, Washington and from Sunpower of Athens, Ohio. Infinia designed and built the developmental Stirling Technology Demonstration Convertors (TDC) in addition to the more advanced Test Bed and Engineering Unit convertors. GRC has eight of the TDC's under test including two that operate in a thermal vacuum environment. Sunpower designed and developed the EE-35 and the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). GRC has six of the EE- 35 s and is preparing for testing multiple ASC s. Free-piston Stirling convertors for radioisotope power systems make use of non-contacting operation that eliminates wear and is suited for long-term operation. Space missions with radioisotope power systems are often considered that extend from three to 14 years. One of the key capabilities of the GRC test facility is the ability to support continuous, unattended operation. Hardware, software, and procedures for preparing the test articles were developed to support these tests. These included the processing of the convertors for minimizing the contaminants in the working fluid, developing a helium charging system for filling and for gas sample analysis, and the development of new control software and a high-speed protection circuit to insure safe, round-the-clock operation. Performance data of Stirling convertors over time is required to demonstrate that a radioisotope power system is capable of providing reliable power for multi-year missions. This paper will discuss the status of Stirling convertor testing at GRC.

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.↗

Summary of Stirling Convertor Testing at GRC

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been testing free-piston Stirling convertors for potential use in radioisotope power systems. These convertors tend to be in the 35 to 80 watt electric power output range. Tests at GRC have accumulated over 80,000 hours of operation. Test articles have been received from Infinia Corporation of Kennewick, WA and from Sunpower of Athens, OH. Infinia designed and built the developmental Stirling Technology Demonstration Convertors (TDC) in addition to the more advanced Test Bed and Engineering Unit convertors. GRC has eight of the TDC's under test including two that operate in a thermal vacuum environment. Sunpower designed and developed the EE- 35 and the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). GRC has six of the EE-35's and is preparing for testing multiple ASC's. Free-piston Stirling convertors for radioisotope power systems make use of non-contacting operation that eliminates wear and is suited for longterm operation. Space missions with radioisotope power systems are often considered that extend from three to 14 years. One of the key capabilities of the GRC test facility is the ability to support continuous, unattended operation. Hardware, software, and procedures for preparing the test articles were developed to support these tests. These included the processing of the convertors for minimizing the contaminants in the working fluid, developing a helium charging system for filling and for gas sample analysis, and the development of new control software and a high-speed protection circuit to insure safe, round-the-clock operation. Performance data of Stirling convertors over time is required to demonstrate that a radioisotope power system is capable of providing reliable power for multi-year missions. This paper will discuss the status of Stirling convertor testing at GRC.

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.↗

Tracking of Cells with a Compact Microscope Imaging System with Intelligent Controls

A Microscope Imaging System (CMIS) with intelligent controls is disclosed that provides techniques for scanning, identifying, detecting and tracking microscopic changes in selected characteristics or features of various surfaces including, but not limited to, cells, spheres, and manufactured products subject to difficult-to-see imperfections. The practice of the present invention provides applications that include colloidal hard spheres experiments, biological cell detection for patch clamping, cell movement and tracking, as well as defect identification in products, such as semiconductor devices, where surface damage can be significant, but difficult to detect. The CMIS system is a machine vision system, which combines intelligent image processing with remote control capabilities and provides the ability to autofocus on a microscope sample, automatically scan an image, and perform machine vision analysis on multiple samples simultaneously

McDowell, Mark↗

Wavespace-Based Coherent Deconvolution

Array deconvolution is commonly used in aeroacoustic analysis to remove the influence of a microphone array's point spread function from a conventional beamforming map. Unfortunately, the majority of deconvolution algorithms assume that the acoustic sources in a measurement are incoherent, which can be problematic for some aeroacoustic phenomena with coherent, spatially-distributed characteristics. While several algorithms have been proposed to handle coherent sources, some are computationally intractable for many problems while others require restrictive assumptions about the source field. Newer generalized inverse techniques hold promise, but are still under investigation for general use. An alternate coherent deconvolution method is proposed based on a wavespace transformation of the array data. Wavespace analysis offers advantages over curved-wave array processing, such as providing an explicit shift-invariance in the convolution of the array sampling function with the acoustic wave field. However, usage of the wavespace transformation assumes the acoustic wave field is accurately approximated as a superposition of plane wave fields, regardless of true wavefront curvature. The wavespace technique leverages Fourier transforms to quickly evaluate a shift-invariant convolution. The method is derived for and applied to ideal incoherent and coherent plane wave fields to demonstrate its ability to determine magnitude and relative phase of multiple coherent sources. Multi-scale processing is explored as a means of accelerating solution convergence. A case with a spherical wave front is evaluated. Finally, a trailing edge noise experiment case is considered. Results show the method successfully deconvolves incoherent, partially-coherent, and coherent plane wave fields to a degree necessary for quantitative evaluation. Curved wave front cases warrant further investigation. A potential extension to nearfield beamforming is proposed.

Bahr, Christopher J.↗

NH4-Smectite, a Potential Source of N Compounds (NO) in SAM Analyses

Recent detection of nitrate by Curiosity's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite in Gale Crater sediments on Mars at abundances up to ~600 mg/kg indicates that nitrogen fixation processes occurred in early Martian history. But little is known about other possible N reservoirs on Mars, including those that may contain reduced forms of fixed N (i.e., NH3, NH4+) in the mantle, crust and sediments. Specifically, fixed nitrogen (i.e. NH3, NH4+, NOx or N that is chemically bound to either inorganic or organic molecules and can be released by hydrolysis to form NH3 or NH4+) is useful to terrestrial living organisms Therefore, understanding whether reduced N compounds such as NH4+ are present in surface materials is important to assess habitability in the Martian environment. While these species generally have short photochemical lifetimes, nitrogen in this form may be sequestered and stabilized in the soil by inclusion of NH4+ in certain phyllosilicates.

Andrejkovičová, S.↗

VESIcal Part I: An open-source thermodynamic model engine for mixed volatile (H2O-CO2) solubility in silicate melts

Thermodynamics has been fundamental to the interpretation of geologic data and modeling of geologic systems for decades. However, more recent advancements in computational capabilities and a marked increase in researchers’ accessibility to computing tools has outpaced the functionality and extensibility of currently available modeling tools. Here we present VESIcal (Volatile Equilibria and Saturation Identification calculator): the first comprehensive modeling tool for H 2 O, CO 2 , and mixed (H 2 O-CO 2 ) solubility in silicate melts that: a) allows users access to seven commonly used models, plus easy inter-comparison between models; b) provides universal functionality for all models (e.g., functions for calculating saturation pressures, degassing paths, etc.); c) can process large datasets (1,000’s of samples) automatically; d) can output computed data into an excel spreadsheet for simple post-modeling analysis; e) integrates advanced plotting capabilities directly within the tool; and f) provides all of these within the framework of a python library, making the tool extensible by the user and allowing any of the model functions to be incorporated into any other code capable of calling python. The tool is presented within this manuscript, which is a Jupyter notebook containing worked examples accessible to python users with a range of skill levels. The basic functions of VESIcal can also be access via a web app (https://vesical.anvil.app). The VESIcal python library is open-source and available for download at https://github.com/kaylai/VESIcal.

K. Iacovino↗

Is a Linear or a Walkabout Protocol More Efficient When Using a Rover to Choose Biologically Relevant Samples in a Small Region of Interest?

We conducted a field test at a potential Mars analog site to provide insight into planning for future robotic missions such as Mars 2020, where science operations must facilitate efficient choice of biologically relevant sampling locations. We compared two data acquisition and decision-making protocols currently used by Mars Science Laboratory: (1) a linear approach, where sites are examined as they are encountered and (2) a walkabout approach, in which the field site is first examined with remote rover instruments to gain an understanding of regional context followed by deployment of time- and power-intensive contact and sampling instruments on a smaller subset of locations. The walkabout method was advantageous in terms of both the time required to execute and a greater confidence in results and interpretations, leading to enhanced ability to tailor follow-on observations to better address key science and sampling goals. This advantage is directly linked to the walkabout method's ability to provide broad geological context earlier in the science analysis process. For Mars 2020, and specifically for small regions to be explored (e.g., <1 sq. km), we recommend that the walkabout approach be considered where possible, to provide early context and time for the science team to develop a coherent suite of hypotheses and robust ways to test them.

R. Aileen Yingst↗

Development of Analytical Protocols For Organics and Isotopes Analysis on the 2009 MARS Science Laboratory.

The Mars Science Laboratory, under development for launch in 2009, is designed explore and quantitatively asses a local region on Mars as a potential habitat for present or past life. Its ambitious goals are to (1) assess the past or present biological potential of the target environment, (2) to characterize the geology and geochemistry at the MSL landing site, and (3) to investigate planetary processes that influence habitability. The planned capabilities of the rover payload will enable a comprehensive search for organic molecules, a determination of definitive mineralogy of sampled rocks and fines, chemical and isotopic analysis of both atmospheric and solid samples, and precision isotope measurements of several volatile elements. A range of contact and remote surface and subsurface survey tools will establish context for these measurements and will facilitate sample identification and selection. The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) suite of MSL addresses several of the mission's core measurement goals. It includes a gas chromatograph, a mass spectrometer, and a tunable laser spectrometer. These instruments will be designed to analyze either atmospheric samples or gases extracted from solid phase samples such as rocks and fines. We will describe the range of measurement protocols under development and study by the SAM engineering and science teams for use on the surface of Mars.

Mahaffy, P. R.↗

Analysis of defect structure in silicon. Characterization of SEMIX material. Silicon sheet growth development for the large area silicon sheet task of the low-cost solar array project

Statistically significant quantitative structural imperfection measurements were made on samples from ubiquitous crystalline process (UCP) Ingot 5848 - 13C. Important correlation was obtained between defect densities, cell efficiency, and diffusion length. Grain boundary substructure displayed a strong influence on the conversion efficiency of solar cells from Semix material. Quantitative microscopy measurements gave statistically significant information compared to other microanalytical techniques. A surface preparation technique to obtain proper contrast of structural defects suitable for quantimet quantitative image analyzer (QTM) analysis was perfected and is used routinely. The relationships between hole mobility and grain boundary density was determined. Mobility was measured using the van der Pauw technique, and grain boundary density was measured using quantitative microscopy technique. Mobility was found to decrease with increasing grain boundary density.

Natesh, R.↗

Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of graphene on copper substrates

A plasma enhanced vapor deposition process is used to synthesize graphene from a hydrogen/methane gas mixture on copper samples. The graphene samples were transferred onto SiO{sub 2} substrates and characterized by Raman spectroscopic mapping and atomic force microscope topographical mapping. Analysis of the Raman bands shows that the deposited graphene is clearly SLG and that the sheets are deposited on large areas of several mm{sup 2}. The defect density in the graphene sheets is calculated using Raman measurements and the influence of the process pressure on the defect density is measured. Furthermore the origin of these defects is discussed with respect to the process parameters and hence the plasma environment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Solidification Furnace for In Situ Observation of Bulk Transparent Systems and Image Analysis Methods

This paper aims to describe the experimental framework of the Directional Solidification Insert (DSI), installed onboard the International Space Station (ISS), dedicated to the in situ and real-time characterization of the dynamic selection of the solid-liquid interface morphology in bulk samples of transparent materials under diffusive growth conditions. The in situ observation of the solid-liquid interface is an invaluable tool for gaining knowledge on the time-evolution of the interface pattern because the initial morphological instability evolves nonlinearly and undergoes a reorganization process. The result of each experiment, characterized by the sample concentration, a thermal gradient and a pulling rate, is a large number of images. Interpretation of these images necessitates a robust identification of each cell/dendrite position and size during the entire solidification. Several image analysis methods have been developed to achieve this goal reliably despite varying contrast and noise levels, and are described in details. Typical solidification experiments are presented and the dynamics of the pattern formation are analyzed to illustrate the application of the image analysis methods.

Programming languages↗

Influence of nano-dispersive modified additive on cement activity

In the work the influence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) on the cement activity and the processes of structure formation of the hardened cement paste in different periods of hydration are studied. The changes in the kinetic curves of the sample strength growth modified with SWCNT in amount of 0.01 and 0.0005 % are stipulated by the results of differential scanning colorimetry, scanning electronic and ionic microscopy, X-ray-phase analysis. It was found that the nano-modified additive may increase in the axis compressive strength of the system by 1.4–6.3 fold relatively to the reference samples and may reach 179.6 MPa. It may intensify the hydration process of calcium silicates as well as influence on the matrix of hardened cement paste. The studies are conducted on the structural changes in the hardened cement paste, the time periods of increase and decrease of the compressive strength of the samples, the amount of the calcium hydroxide and tobermorite-like gel as well as the degree of hydration C{sub 3}S and β-C{sub 2}S.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

What’s Driving Uncertainty? The Model or the Model Parameters (What’s Driving Uncertainty? The influences of model and model parameters in data analysis)

Here, one of the substantial improvements to the practice of data analysis in recent decades is the change from reporting just a point estimate for a parameter or characteristic, to now including a summary of uncertainty for that estimate. Understanding the precision of the estimate for the quantity of interest provides better understanding of what to expect and how well we are able to predict future behavior from the process. For example, when we report a sample average as an estimate of the population mean, it is good practice to also provide a confidence interval (or credible interval, if you are doing a Bayesian analysis) to accompany that summary. This helps to calibrate what ranges of values are reasonable given the variability observed in the sample and the amount of data that were included in producing the summary.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Global patterns of diversity and metabolism of microbial communities in deep-sea hydrothermal vent deposits

When deep-sea hydrothermal fluids mix with cold oxygenated fluids, minerals precipitate out of solution and form hydrothermal deposits. These actively venting deep-sea hydrothermal deposits support a rich diversity of thermophilic microorganisms which are involved in a range of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen metabolisms. Global patterns of thermophilic microbial diversity in deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems have illustrated the strong connectivity between geological processes and microbial colonization, but little is known about the genomic diversity and physiological potential of these novel taxa. Here we explore this genomic diversity in 42 metagenomes from four deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields and a deep-sea volcano collected from 2004 to 2018 and document their potential implications in biogeochemical cycles. Our dataset represents 3635 metagenome-assembled genomes encompassing 511 novel and recently identified genera from deep-sea hydrothermal settings. Some of the novel bacterial (107) and archaeal genera (30) that were recently reported from the deep-sea Brothers volcano were also detected at the deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields, while 99 bacterial and 54 archaeal genera were endemic to the deep-sea Brothers volcano deposits. We report some of the first examples of medium- (≥ 50% complete, ≤ 10% contaminated) to high-quality (> 90% complete, < 5% contaminated) MAGs from phyla and families never previously identified, or poorly sampled, from deep-sea hydrothermal environments. We greatly expand the novel diversity of Thermoproteia, Patescibacteria (Candidate Phyla Radiation, CPR), and Chloroflexota found at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and identify a small sampling of two potentially novel phyla, designated JALSQH01 and JALWCF01. Metabolic pathway analysis of metagenomes provides insights into the prevalent carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and hydrogen metabolic processes across all sites and illustrates sulfur and nitrogen metabolic “handoffs” in community interactions. We confirm that Campylobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria occupy similar ecological guilds but their prevalence in a particular site is driven by shifts in the geochemical environment. Our study of globally distributed hydrothermal vent deposits provides a significant expansion of microbial genomic diversity associated with hydrothermal vent deposits and highlights the metabolic adaptation of taxonomic guilds. Collectively, our results illustrate the importance of comparative biodiversity studies in establishing patterns of shared phylogenetic diversity and physiological ecology, while providing many targets for enrichment and cultivation of novel and endemic taxa.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Bias Voltage-Dependent Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis of Hydrothermally Synthesized ZnS Nanoparticles

In this report, bias voltage-dependent dielectric and electron transport properties of ZnS nanoparticles were discussed. ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized by introducing a modified hydrothermal process. The powder XRD pattern indicates the phase purity, and field emission scanning electron microscope image demonstrates the morphology of the synthesized sample. The optical band gap energy (E{sub g }= 4.2 eV) from UV measurement explores semiconductor behavior of the synthesized material. The electrical properties were performed at room temperature using complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique as a function of frequency (40 Hz-10 MHz) under different forward dc bias voltages (0-1 V). The CIS analysis demonstrates the contribution of bulk resistance in conduction mechanism and its dependency on forward dc bias voltages. The imaginary part of the impedance versus frequency curve exhibits the existence of relaxation peak which shifts with increasing dc forward bias voltages. The dc bias voltage-dependent ac and dc conductivity of the synthesized ZnS was studied on thin film structure. A possible hopping mechanism for electrical transport processes in the system was investigated. Finally, it is worth to mention that this analysis of bias voltage-dependent dielectric and transport properties of as-synthesized ZnS showed excellent properties for emerging energy applications.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Method Development for In-situ Detection of Latent Herpesvirus DNA from Saliva using Nanopore Sequencing

Research toward latent herpesvirus reactivation has been intensively addressed through Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) investigations. This work has provided the understanding that persistent reactivation of herpesviruses from asymptomatic crew can be detected through viral shedding in saliva, urine, and blood. Occasionally, viral reactivation from the latency stage can pose a threat to crew health (clinical manifestation) before, during, and after flight missions. Furthermore, previous work detailing correlations with immunity indicate that monitoring viral reactivation could be implemented to assess potential immune dysfunction. While in-flight monitoring is desirable, there is no well-established procedure or method for real-time evaluations, and research to date has relied on postflight, ground-based analysis. The development of portable molecular technologies like the miniPCR™ (miniPCR Bio) thermal cycler and the MinION™ sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) have confirmed that real-time monitoring is possible in extreme and low resource environments. These devices, combined with simple sample preparation methods, have been used to demonstrate bacterial identification onboard the ISS, as well as rapid viral detection in remote locations on Earth. The work here builds upon previous molecular advancements onboard the ISS toward the development and validation of a spaceflight-compatible method for viral detection from crew samples. Several herpesviruses can be detected in saliva, which provides a non-invasive means to collect samples for monitoring. While the basis for this method lies in previous spaceflight investigations, key points for method optimization include DNA extraction from saliva, viral primer selection, and bioinformatic processes for data analysis. To increase viral yield, numerous DNA extraction methods have been evaluated and will be discussed in detail. For initial development and testing, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is being targeted though open reading frame 51 and 63 (ORF51, ORF63), as the replication origin-binding protein is highly expressed during latency. Optimization of the thermal cycling parameters has resulted in the ability to test the entire process. The full method has been tested with both viral VZV DNA standards and saliva spiked with varying concentrations of VZV. Viral sequence data were mapped to the reference sequence using minimap2. Prior to mapping, DNA sequencing reads were filtered for length and quality, barcodes were removed, and alignment identity calculated. Following further assessments, statistics were compared across multiple sequencing experiments and are being used to determine the success of the protocols. Forward work will include the incorporation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) primers as well as the validation of results to the terrestrial qPCR standard assay. Upon full validation of the developed method, saliva will be collected from 20 healthy subjects and spiked with viral DNA. These samples will be split and assayed with the MinION and standard qPCR assay.

Hang N Nguyen↗

The Role of (Delta)C-13 in the Search for Reduced Organics on the Surface of Mars

The capabilities of the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) to detect trace amounts of organic carbon compounds are unprecedented, and MSL may be the first mission to reveal the presence of organic carbon on Mars. The search for reduced organic carbon on Mars is inextricably tied to: a) the preservation potential of the environment from which we take a solid sample, and b) the evolved gas analysis (EGA) techniques used by SAM to release volatiles from this solid sample. Several prospective targets have been identified for sample analysis at Gale Crater. Stratigraphic sequences of phyllosilicates and sulfates at Gale are thought to represent a period of global climate transition from a moderate pH lacustrine environment to an evaporitic environment, both of which could sequester organic carbon (Thomson et al. 2011). The sediment mound in Gale Crater contains a range of lithologies suggesting changes in redox conditions, and evidence of both lacustrine and fluvial depositional processes, which may have transported organic carbon from the layer in which it formed and resulted in its preservation elsewhere within the crater (Anderson and Bell, 2010). Inverted channel fills suggest erosion resistant material that could serve to preserve organics originally deposited in a low energy aqueous environment. The lithology sampled will affect not only the preservation of organics, but also our ability to detect organics during our evolved gas analysis, based on the sample matrix. For example, reduced organics may be trapped in the mineral structure, and thermal evolution of these organics will occur during thermal decomposition of the host mineral. If organics are occluded in minerals that have very high thermal decomposition temperatures, they may be, in effect, "too well preserved," and difficult to detect during EGA. Alternatively, the possible presence of perchlorate, or other strong oxidants in surface regolith, may result in destruction of structural information identifying organic molecules before reaching the QMS on SAM via oxidation to C02 during heating. If this is the case, the stable carbon isotopic composition (delta 13C) of the C02 evolved and measured by the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) on SAM may help identify the presence of organics. On Earth, biological activity can cause large fractionations of 13C/12C, which can preserved in sedimentary deposits and distinguish the organic products of biotic processes from inorganic atmospheric and geological reservoirs. It is plausible that similar fractionations could occur on Mars and be preserved in reduced organic matter in sediments. Bulk delta 13C measurements alone may not reveal a signature of trace organic carbon that may be present along with inorganic carbon. If both organic and inorganic carbon compounds are present, it may be possible to detect the organic carbon by comparing the 013C of pyrolysis and combustion experiments. The TLS on SAM is capable of obtaining high precision measurements of delta13C from C02 evolved during pyrolysis and combustion of solid regolith samples. Because carbonates are expected to be present at abundances of 0.1-1 % in Martian soil, and organics in the ppb range (Webster and Mahaffy, 2011), analog samples must represent this mix of reduced organic carbon and carbonate. The work presented here will examine the use of delta13C of C02 produced during combustion of bulk Mars analog samples as a proxy for detection of reduced organic carbon.

Stern, J. C.↗

Magnetic Properties of Electroformed Ni and Ni-Fe for Micromagnetic MEMS Applications

This paper reports a new technique which is based on electroforming process for high permeability Ni and Ni-Fe alloy. The magnetic properties of Ni and Ni-Fe alloy are investigated as a function of plating current density via scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Concentration-dependent kinetics is used to formulate the deposition rate and also the same is verified by using finite element analysis tool COMSOL Multiphysics. Several experiments are performed to derive the relation between electroplating parameters and magnetic properties. The process conditions are optimized to develop high permeability (∼16000) Ni-Fe alloy (85.71–14.29 %). The higher current density shows a monotonically increasing behavior of relative permeability (μ{sub r}). In addition, the B-H curves indicate that the saturation magnetization (B{sub sat}) increases and coercivity decreases with increasing plating current density. Our experimental data confirms that the higher current density increase the softness of Ni. The observed properties of Ni and Ni-Fe based on experimental results can be used to study the magnetic behavior of micromagnetic sensors and large force actuators.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗