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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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NASA NTRS2010

Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Integrated Network Architecture Definition Document (ADD): Executive Summary - Volume 1

The SCaN Program has defined an integrated network architecture that fully meets the Administrator s mandate to the Program, and will result in a NASA infrastructure capable of providing the needed and enabling communications services to future space missions. The integrated network architecture will increase SCaN operational efficiency and interoperability through standardization, commonality and technology infusion. It will enable NASA missions requiring advanced communication and tracking capabilities such as: a. Optical communication b. Antenna arraying c. Lunar and Mars Relays d. Integrated network management (service management and network control) and integrated service execution e. Enhanced tracking for navigation f. Space internetworking with DTN and IP g. End-to-end security h. Enhanced security services Moreover, the SCaN Program has created an Integrated Network Roadmap that depicts an orchestrated and coherent evolution path toward the target architecture, encompassing all aspects that concern network assets (i.e., operations and maintenance, sustaining engineering, upgrade efforts, and major development). This roadmap identifies major NASA ADPs, and shows dependencies and drivers among the various planned undertakings and timelines. The roadmap is scalable to accommodate timely adjustments in response to Agency needs, goals, objectives and funding. Future challenges to implementing this architecture include balancing user mission needs, technology development, and the availability of funding within NASA s priorities. Strategies for addressing these challenges are to: define a flexible architecture, update the architecture periodically, use ADPs to evaluate options and determine when to make decisions, and to engage the stakeholders in these evaluations. In addition, the SCaN Program will evaluate and respond to mission need dates for technical and operational capabilities to be provided by the SCaN integrated network. In that regard, the architecture defined in this ADD is scalable to accommodate programmatic and technical changes.

Younes, Badri A.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Stabilized Oxygen Vacancy Chemistry toward High-Performance Layered Oxide Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Anionic redox has emerged as a transformative paradigm for high-energy layered transition-metal (TM) oxide cathodes, but it is usually accompanied by the formation of anionic redox-mediated oxygen vacancies (OVs) due to irreversible oxygen release. Additionally, external factor-induced OVs (defined as intrinsic OVs) also play a pivotal role in the physicochemical properties of layered TM oxides. However, an in-depth understanding of the interplay between intrinsic and anionic redox-mediated OVs and the corresponding regulation mechanism of the dynamic evolution of OVs is still missing. Herein, we disclose the strong interrelationship between these OVs and demonstrate that the presence of intrinsic OVs in the TMO2 layers could induce weak integrity of the TM-O frameworks and unlock additional diffusion paths to trigger the generation and migration of anionic redox-mediated OVs. Accordingly, an OV stabilization strategy is proposed by deliberately introducing high-valence Nb5+, which could serve as an important building block in anchoring the oxygen sublattice and preventing the formation of a percolating OV migration network, thereby suppressing the formation/diffusion of anionic redox-mediated OVs. Consequently, superb structural integrity and improved electrochemical performance with reversible anionic redox chemistry are achieved. This work advances our understanding of the role of OVs for developing high-performance energy storage systems utilizing anionic redox.

anionic redox↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Celestial Mapping System and Digital Lunar Library Initiative

We are preparing to create an interactive, global 3D lunar environment with integrated dataset and AI/ML tools to provide unique value to mission planners, scientists and the entire lunar community. This lunar environment will be based on NASA Ames Celestial Mapping System (CMS) [1] and Digital Lunar Library (DLL) Initiative. CMS provides a 3D virtual Lunar Globe with extensive user friendly tool sets, that include high resolution terrain visualization, elevation profiles, measurement kits, slope analysis, path optimization, line of sight analysis, equipment planning and placement tools and many other functionalities [1]. It has a thick client with less overhead to access hardware resources. This allows features such as terrain profiling and distance calculations to be performed on the client and on the fly. The application is developed to provide situational and domain awareness on the Lunar surface, planning capabilities for equipment placements and traverse path optimization. As data becomes available, CMS has the capabilities to integrate data sets that change dynamically in real-time, which will be useful for monitoring satellites and remotely-sensed data on the Lunar surface. CMS supports importing synthetic features in a variety of 3D, 2D, vector and raster formats. In the future, these capabilities will be enhanced by incorporating AI/ML tools and a plug-in architecture to enable customization by the user groups. With the help of DLL we will be able to : 1) Amplify the value of lunar information with AI-powered data enhancements 2) Acquire and integrate lunar data with AI-assisted georectification and homogenization 3) Analyze lunar data with advanced 3D visualization, intelligent search-by-example 4) Apply lunar data insights to specific use cases with an open plug-in architecture. The CMS-DLL initiative will have several potential use cases for NASA and the lunar community in general, including subsurface lava tube visualization and analysis, soil analysis, in-situ lunar resource visualization and representation on 3D globe, and data analytics for utilization. REFERENCES: [1] https://celestial.arc.nasa.gov/

3D Globe↗

DOE OSTI2017

15.3%-Efficient GaAsP Solar Cells on GaP/Si Templates

As single-junction Si solar cells approach their practical efficiency limits, a new pathway is necessary to increase efficiency in order to realize more cost-effective photovoltaics. Integrating III-V cells onto Si in a multijunction architecture is a promising approach that can achieve high efficiency while leveraging the infrastructure already in place for Si and III-V technology. In this Letter, we demonstrate a record 15.3%-efficient 1.7 eV GaAsP top cell on GaP/Si, enabled by recent advances in material quality in conjunction with an improved device design and a high-performance antireflection coating. Furthermore, we present a separate Si bottom cell with a 1.7 eV GaAsP optical filter to absorb most of the visible light with an efficiency of 6.3%, showing the feasibility of monolithic III-V/Si tandems with >20% efficiency. Through spectral efficiency analysis, we also compare our results to previously published GaAsP and Si devices, projecting tandem GaAsP/Si efficiencies of up to 25.6% based on current state-of-the-art individual subcells. With the aid of modeling, we further illustrate a realistic path toward 30% GaAsP/Si tandems for high-efficiency, monolithically integrated photovoltaics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1980

Design of a multivariable integrated control for a supersonic propulsion system

An inlet/engine/nozzle integrated control mode for the propulsion system of an advanced supersonic commercial aircraft was studied. Results show that integration of these control functions can result in both operational and performance benefits for the propulsion system. For example, this integrated control mode may make it possible to minimize the use of inlet bypass doors for shock position control. This may be of benefit to the aircraft as a result of minimizing: (1) bypass bleed drag effects; (2) perturbations to the aircraft resulting from the side thrust effect of the bypass bleeds; and (3) potential unstarts of the inlet. A conceptual integrated control mode was developed which makes use of many cross coupling paths between inlet and engine control variables and inlet and engine sensed variables. A multivariable control design technique based upon linear quadratic regulator theory was applied to designing the feedback gains for this control to allow a simulation evaluation of the benefits of the integrated control mode.

Beattie, E. C.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Elevating zero dimensional global scaling predictions to self-consistent theory-based simulations

In this work, we have developed an innovative workflow, Stability, Transport, Equilibrium, and Pedestal (STEP)-zero-dimensional (0D), within the OMFIT integrated modeling framework. Through systematic validation against the International Tokamak Physics Activity global H-mode confinement database, we demonstrated that STEP-0D, on average, predicts the energy confinement time with a mean relative error of less than 19%. Moreover, this workflow showed promising potential in predicting plasmas for proposed fusion reactors such as the affordable, robust, compact (ARC) reactor, the European demonstration power plant (EU-DEMO), and the China fusion engineering test reactor (CFETR) indicating moderate H-factors between 0.9 and 1.2. STEP-0D allows theory-based prediction of tokamak scenarios, beginning with 0D quantities. The workflow initiates with the PRO-create module, generating physically consistent plasma profiles and equilibrium using the same 0D quantities as the IPB98(y,2) confinement scaling. This sets the starting point for the STEP module, which further iterates between theory-based physics models of equilibrium, core transport, and pedestal to yield a self-consistent solution. Given these attributes, STEP-0D not only improves the accuracy of predicting plasma performance but also provides a path toward a novel fusion power plant design workflow. When integrated with engineering and costing models within an optimization, this new approach could eliminate the iterative reconciliation between plasma models of varying fidelity. This potential for a more efficient design process underpins STEP-0D's significant contribution to future fusion power plant development.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2018

Metrics and Benchmarks for Quantum Processors: State of Play

A compelling narrative has taken hold as quantum computing explodes into the commercial sector: Quantum computing in 2018 is like classical computing in 1965. In 1965 Gordon Moore wrote his famous paper about integrated circuits, saying: "At present, [minimum cost] is reached when 50 components are used per circuit. But... the complexity for minimum component costs has increased at a rate of roughly a factor of two per year... by 1975, the number of components per integrated circuit for minimum cost will be 65,000." This narrative is both appealing (we want to believe that quantum computing will follow the incredibly successful path of classical computing!) and plausible (2018 saw IBM, Intel, and Google announce 50-qubit integrated chips). But it is also deeply misleading. Here is an alternative: Quantum computing in 2018 is like classical computing in 1938. In 1938, John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry built the very first electronic digital computer. It had no program, and was not Turing-complete. Vacuum tubes — the standard "bit" for 20 years — were still 5 years in the future. ENIAC and the achievement of "computational supremacy" (over hand calculation) wouldn't arrive for 8 years, despite the accelerative effect of WWII. Integrated circuits and the information age were more than 20 years away. Neither of these analogies is perfect. Quantum computing technology is more like 1938, while the level of funding and excitement suggest 1965 (or later!). But the point of the cautionary analogy to 1938 is simple: Quantum computing in 2018 is a research field. It is far too early to establish metrics or benchmarks for performance. The best role for neutral organizations like IEEE is to encourage and shape research into metrics and benchmarks, so as to be ready when they become necessary. This white paper presents the evidence and reasoning for this claim. We explain what it means to say that quantum computing is a "research field", and why metrics and benchmarks for quantum processors also constitute a research field. We discuss the potential for harmful consequences of prematurely establishing standards or frameworks. We conclude by suggesting specific actions that IEEE or similar organizations can take to accelerate the development of good metrics and benchmarks for quantum computing.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2018

The BayREN Integrated Commercial Retrofits (BRICR) Project: An Introduction and Preliminary Results

BayREN Integrated Commercial Retrofits (BRICR) is a DOE-funded project which aims to enhance the capacity of energy efficiency programs to recruit participants, develop retrofits, and measure outcomes in small and medium-sized commercial buildings, a sector notoriously hard to reach and expensive to serve, that accounts for 2/3 of US commercial floor space. To address these barriers, BRICR leverages existing incentives, financing, data, and open source software to facilitate two paths for comprehensive improvements: a deep energy retrofit, or serial upgrades integrated into capital improvement and maintenance cycles. BRICR is developing an integrated workflow for iterative energy modeling of commercial buildings for city energy program managers and auditors - starting with mass building-scale simulation based on public records and proceeding through audit, retrofit, and measurement and verification stages. BRICR builds on existing tools including LBNL’s CBES, NREL’s OpenStudio, PNNL’s Audit Template, and DOE’s BuildingSync and SEED PlatformTM. At each stage, BRICR uses available information to inform simulations (starting with public records but iteratively augmented with observations from energy program staff) to improve the quality of the models that inform decision making. This paper presents initial results from energy models of 1699 office and retail buildings in San Francisco. Building stock data from public records were translated to create a BuildingSync file for each building which was stored in SEED. Each BuildingSync file was then translated to multiple OpenStudio Workflow files for EnergyPlus simulation to estimate energy savings of energy conservation measures (ECM). Energy savings predictions for each ECM were written back to an updated BuildingSync file for each building and re-uploaded to SEED. The distribution of baseline energy simulations was calibrated against the publicly disclosed distribution of energy benchmarking data to increase confidence in results.

Piette, M↗

NASA NTRS1994

Piloted Evaluation of an Integrated Methodology for Propulsion and Airframe Control Design

An integrated methodology for propulsion and airframe control has been developed and evaluated for a Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft using a fixed base flight simulator at NASA Lewis Research Center. For this evaluation the flight simulator is configured for transition flight using a STOVL aircraft model, a full nonlinear turbofan engine model, simulated cockpit and displays, and pilot effectors. The paper provides a brief description of the simulation models, the flight simulation environment, the displays and symbology, the integrated control design, and the piloted tasks used for control design evaluation. In the simulation, the pilots successfully completed typical transition phase tasks such as combined constant deceleration with flight path tracking, and constant acceleration wave-off maneuvers. The pilot comments of the integrated system performance and the display symbology are discussed and analyzed to identify potential areas of improvement.

Bright, Michelle M.↗

NASA NTRS2018

RFID-Enabled Angular Position Sensing System

An angular position sensing system includes a first support with ring-shaped elements disposed thereon and spaced apart from one another in a curvilinear arrangement. Each ring-shaped element includes an electrically-conductive ring and an RFID integrated circuit electrically coupled to its electrically-conductive ring. A second support has an antenna coupled thereto that defines an electrically-conductive path commensurate in size and shape to at least a portion of the electrically-conductive ring. An interrogator transmits a signal to the antenna wherein electric current is generated along the antenna's electrically-conductive path and electromagnetic energy emanates from the antenna. Any ring-shaped element and its RFID integrated circuit energized by the electromagnetic energy generates in response a data transmission for receipt by the interrogator. A processor coupled to the interrogator derives information related to an angular position of one of the first support and second support using the data transmission.

Fink, Patrick W.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Assessment of Crustal Leg Uncertainties for RSTT Path-dependent Uncertainty

The Regional Seismic Travel Time (RSTT) model and software were recently updated to allow for path-dependent uncertainty (PDU) estimates for travel-time (Begnaud et al. 2021; Begnaud et al. 2020). Begnaud et al. (2021) describes the process of improving the current distance-dependent uncertainty parameterization for RSTT using a random effects model (REM) to estimate slowness (inverse velocity) uncertainty as a mean squared error for each model parameter. The REM separates the error between observed slowness and model predicted slowness into bias and random components. The PDU is calculated by integrating these mean squared errors along a seismic-phase ray path.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2011

3D Orbit Visualization for Earth-Observing Missions

This software visualizes orbit paths for the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), but was designed to be general and applicable to any Earth-observing mission. The software uses the Google Earth user interface to provide a visual mechanism to explore spacecraft orbit paths, ground footprint locations, and local cloud cover conditions. In addition, a drill-down capability allows for users to point and click on a particular observation frame to pop up ancillary information such as data product filenames and directory paths, latitude, longitude, time stamp, column-average dry air mole fraction of carbon dioxide, and solar zenith angle. This software can be integrated with the ground data system for any Earth-observing mission to automatically generate daily orbit path data products in Google Earth KML format. These KML data products can be directly loaded into the Google Earth application for interactive 3D visualization of the orbit paths for each mission day. Each time the application runs, the daily orbit paths are encapsulated in a KML file for each mission day since the last time the application ran. Alternatively, the daily KML for a specified mission day may be generated. The application automatically extracts the spacecraft position and ground footprint geometry as a function of time from a daily Level 1B data product created and archived by the mission s ground data system software. In addition, ancillary data, such as the column-averaged dry air mole fraction of carbon dioxide and solar zenith angle, are automatically extracted from a Level 2 mission data product. Zoom, pan, and rotate capability are provided through the standard Google Earth interface. Cloud cover is indicated with an image layer from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) aboard the Aqua satellite, which is automatically retrieved from JPL s OnEarth Web service.

Jacob, Joseph C.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Design and Comparison of Lunar Sample Return Options

Returning lunar samples to earth is a high priority for NASA in order to better understand Lunar Geology, Lunar formation, and potential resource utilization. Core samples of frozen volatiles from permanently shadowed regions are sought after, but require intensive cryogenic cooling to preserve. Returning samples to Earth using the Orion capsule is restrictive for moderate amounts of mass/volume and thus alternate means of transport are investigated in this paper. The trade-space of potential options includes varying: sample mass amount, sample containment conditions, transfer path from Lunar surface to Earth surface, and various vehicle system trades. An integrated solver is applied with parametric estimators and known system heuristics to effectively estimate size, mass, and power of various subsystems. Modeled subsystems include sample containment, EDL technologies(heat shield, parachute, recovery), power, thermal, avionics, structures, and propulsive systems. Transfer path options include various trajectory options, transfer methods, staging points, and vehicle staging options. A Design of Experiments was conducted to explore the tradespace, to identify sensitivities, and to identify promising designs. Results are detailed for various stakeholder objectives including total mass, sample mass, science return, architecture impacts, and operational flexibility.

Lunar outpost↗

DOE OSTI2020

User Access to Scientific Facilities via 5G: A Cyber Security Thought Experiment

5G is more than an over-the-air radio technology upgrade. It is a strategy to extend Mobile Network Operator service offerings beyond traditional voice, instant messaging and Internet access. 5G Mobile Network Operators will offer new telecommunication services that include enhanced guarantees of confidentiality, integrity and availability. How could such services change the way Science collaborations connect scientists to supercomputers and other scientific facilities? Current scientific collaborations implicitly trust cloud service providers to securely store and process data. The perceived risks of outsourcing Science data security are counterbalanced by assurances that cloud providers operate at a scale that allows them to implement security measures impractical for Science collaborations (e.g. continuous system administrator behavioral monitoring and strict individual separation of duties). If that is true for a cloud service provider like Amazon Web Services (2018 revenue: $25.7 billion), could it also be true for Mobile Network Operators like Verizon Wireless (2018 revenue: $91.7 billion) or AT&T Mobility (2018 revenue: $71.3 billion)? DOE Leadership Class supercomputer facility users currently access them from the public Internet via Secure Shell. The sponsors and operators of the supercomputer facilities have determined that the public Internet path between the Scientist’s Device and the Login Node does not natively provide enough confidentiality or integrity to protect those communications. Therefore, the facilities achieve additional confidentiality and integrity by requiring Secure Shell encryption across those untrusted network paths. Using 5G Network Slice technology, a Mobile Network Operator may offer communication services between supercomputer users and facilities that natively provide confidentiality and integrity guarantees. Sponsors and operators of supercomputer facilities may determine that these guarantees provide enough confidentiality and integrity to protect those communications. If so, a 5G Network Slice could replace an SSH session running over the public Internet. Finally, this use case could be extended to other Office of Science user facility access requirements. Consider microscopy instruments at (e.g.) the Center for Nanoscale Materials or the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. The embedded systems controlling such instruments may not always support encrypted network access technologies like SSH. 5G Network Slices may offer an alternative to current VPN or SSH tunneling techniques, with additional benefits like guaranteed minimum bandwidth.

5G↗

DOE OSTI2016

Evaluating marginal likelihood with thermodynamic integration method and comparison with several other numerical methods

Evaluating marginal likelihood is the most critical and computationally expensive task, when conducting Bayesian model averaging to quantify parametric and model uncertainties. The evaluation is commonly done by using Laplace approximations to evaluate semianalytical expressions of the marginal likelihood or by using Monte Carlo (MC) methods to evaluate arithmetic or harmonic mean of a joint likelihood function. This study introduces a new MC method, i.e., thermodynamic integration, which has not been attempted in environmental modeling. Instead of using samples only from prior parameter space (as in arithmetic mean evaluation) or posterior parameter space (as in harmonic mean evaluation), the thermodynamic integration method uses samples generated gradually from the prior to posterior parameter space. This is done through a path sampling that conducts Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation with different power coefficient values applied to the joint likelihood function. The thermodynamic integration method is evaluated using three analytical functions by comparing the method with two variants of the Laplace approximation method and three MC methods, including the nested sampling method that is recently introduced into environmental modeling. The thermodynamic integration method outperforms the other methods in terms of their accuracy, convergence, and consistency. The thermodynamic integration method is also applied to a synthetic case of groundwater modeling with four alternative models. The application shows that model probabilities obtained using the thermodynamic integration method improves predictive performance of Bayesian model averaging. As a result, the thermodynamic integration method is mathematically rigorous, and its MC implementation is computationally general for a wide range of environmental problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS2016

A Multi-Center Space Data System Prototype Based on CCSDS Standards

Deep space missions beyond earth orbit will require new methods of data communications in order to compensate for increasing Radio Frequency (RF) propagation delay. The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standard protocols Spacecraft Monitor & Control (SM&C), Asynchronous Message Service (AMS), and Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) provide such a method. However, the maturity level of this protocol stack is insufficient for mission inclusion at this time. This Space Data System prototype is intended to provide experience which will raise the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of this protocol set. In order to reduce costs, future missions can take advantage of these standard protocols, which will result in increased interoperability between control centers. This prototype demonstrates these capabilities by implementing a realistic space data system in which telemetry is published to control center applications at the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), and the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Reverse publishing paths for commanding from each control center are also implemented. The target vehicle consists of realistic flight computer hardware running Core Flight Software (CFS) in the integrated Power, Avionics, and Power (iPAS) Pathfinder Lab at JSC. This prototype demonstrates a potential upgrade path for future Deep Space Network (DSN) modification, in which the automatic error recovery and communication gap compensation capabilities of DTN would be exploited. In addition, SM&C provides architectural flexibility by allowing new service providers and consumers to be added efficiently anywhere in the network using the common interface provided by SM&C's Message Abstraction Layer (MAL). In FY 2015, this space data system was enhanced by adding telerobotic operations capability provided by the Robot API Delegate (RAPID) family of protocols developed at NASA. RAPID is one of several candidates for consideration and inclusion in a new international standard being developed by the CCSDS Telerobotic Operations Working Group. Software gateways for the purpose of interfacing RAPID messages with the existing SM&C based infrastructure were developed. Telerobotic monitor, control, and bridge applications were written in the RAPID framework, which were then tailored to the NAO telerobotic test article hardware, a product of Aldebaran Robotics.

Rich, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Terrain Adaptive Navigation for Mars Rovers

A navigation system for Mars rovers in very rough terrain has been designed, implemented, and tested on a research rover in Mars analog terrain. This navigation system consists of several technologies that are integrated to increase the capabilities compared to current rover navigation algorithms. These technologies include: goodness maps and terrain triage, terrain classification, remote slip prediction, path planning, high-fidelity traversability analysis (HFTA), and slip-compensated path following. The focus of this paper is not on the component technologies, but rather on the integration of these components. Results from the onboard integration of several of the key technologies described here are shown. Additionally, the results from independent demonstrations of several of these technologies are shown. Future work will include the demonstration of the entire integrated system described here.

traversabiity analysis↗

DOE OSTI2017

Path description of coordinate-space amplitudes

We develop a coordinate version of light-cone-ordered perturbation theory, for general time-ordered products of fields, by carrying out integrals over one light-cone coordinate for each interaction vertex. The resulting expressions depend on the lengths of paths, measured in the same light-cone coordinate. Each path is associated with a denominator equal to a “light-cone deficit,” analogous to the “energy deficits” of momentum-space time- or light-cone-ordered perturbation theory. In effect, the role played by intermediate states in momentum space is played by paths between external fields in coordinate space. We derive a class of identities satisfied by coordinate diagrams, from which their imaginary parts can be derived. Using scalar QED as an example, we show how the eikonal approximation arises naturally when the external points in a Green function approach the light cone, and we give applications to products of Wilson lines. Although much of our discussion is directed at massless fields in four dimensions, we extend the formalism to massive fields and dimensional regularization.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗