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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 1,243 records · Page 69
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Three New Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometers on NSTX-U for Impurity Monitoring

Three extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometers have been mounted on the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U). All three are flat-field grazing-incidence spectrometers and are dubbed X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (8 ñ 70 ≈), Long-Wavelength Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (190 ñ 440 ≈), and Metal Monitor and Lithium Spectrometer Assembly (MonaLisa, 50 ñ 220 ≈). XEUS and LoWEUS were previously implemented on NSTX to monitor impurities from low- to high-Z sources and to study impurity transport while MonaLisa is new and provides the system increased spectral coverage. The spectrometers will also be a critical diagnostic on the planned laser blow-off (LBO) system for NSTX-U, which will be used for impurity edge and core ion transport studies, edge-transport code development, and benchmarking atomic physics codes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1983

Thermal modeling of the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility

The Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) is a cryogenically cooled telescope in the one-meter aperture class designed for sensing in the infrared from 2-200 microns. This facility is currently planned for multiple missions onboard the Space Shuttle with varying instrument complements. All components of the SIRTF within the field of view of the optics are cryogenically cooled. The baseline primary coolant is supercritical helium which is stored in an external tank and routed through the telescope-cooling the instruments, the optical components and the baffles. For detector cooling below 6 K, small reservoirs of superfluid helium (HeII) are provided. The SIRTF was thermally modeled on the SINDA computer program both for steady state and transient solutions. The analysis shows that the baseline configuration has a large capacity for growth in cryogen requirements. A proportional controller model was developed for transient operations. The control system maintained the optics within all prescribed temperature limits except for certain combinations of transients involving a large step change in the power dissipation in the secondary mirror assembly and/or when the primary mirror was assumed to be constructed of quartz. The baseline SIRTF will perform the mission for which it was designed.

Gier, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Mars Surface Analog Project: Preparing for Astronauts' First Hours on Mars

Astronaut missions to Mars may be decades in the future, but contemporary estimates of the physical capabilities of the crewmembers upon arrival after prolonged transit can guide development of operational requirements to be imposed on them. Requirements for functional capacities will differ depending on whether they land in a spartan ascent vehicle or in a well-equipped habitat, but each of those options brings with it certain operational risks. Rehabilitation will be an important factor for crew health, safety and efficiency after the multi-month transit from Earth. Specific recommendations will be stipulated for the time to be allotted for on-planet rehabilitation before the first planned surface excursion, such as the transfer from the ascent-lander to the habitat-lander. Three sequential workshops (the third including extramural experts in appropriate fields) examined the likely capabilities of crewmembers shortly after landing on Mars, the predicted operational requirements they will face, and the near-term steps to close the gap between the requirements and capabilities.

Charles, J.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Colorado Ecological Forecasting: Monitoring Post-fire Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) Distribution to Inform Management Planning

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is a species of concern across the western United States as it has the potential to outcompete native plant species, reduce biodiversity, and diminish nutrient availability for ungulates. Furthermore, because cheatgrass can quickly dominate disturbed landscapes it has the potential to exacerbate wildfire risk by increasing fuel loads. In 2020, the Cameron Peak fire burned more than 200,000 acres on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. These issues are of imminent concern for our partners at the Forest Service (USFS), as they are tasked with wildfire risk and invasive species mitigation. Disturbances such as wildfires can substantially increase the rate and extent of cheatgrass spread. Current cheatgrass mitigation methods rely on field crews to physically locate cheatgrass on the landscape, which takes time, money, and extensive manpower. Here, we developed two Random Forest models within the Software for Assisted Habitat Modeling (SAHM) using remote sensing predictors derived from Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The first model identified suitable cheatgrass habitat while the other detected cheatgrass presence during the 2021 growing season. Topographic variables were found to be the most important in driving the habitat suitability model. Cheatgrass detection was also found to be possible within a short timespan with limited imagery surrounding a phenological shift of the plant. Maps produced from these models provide natural resource managers the ability to implement early detection and rapid response to prevent the spread of cheatgrass to new locations.

DEVELOP Tech Paper↗
DOE OSTI2021

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Rational Design of Robust Reactor Feeding Systems for Heterogeneous Cellulosic and Agricultural Wastes Based on Biomass Quality Characteristics

Consistent and reliable preprocessing, conveyance, and reactor in-feed systems, particularly for low-cost waste feedstocks, remains a major technical challenge for the emerging Bioeconomy. By identifying critical biomass attributes and connecting them to flow and conversion behavior, science-driven system designs can address these often-overlooked solids handling challenges. The Wonderful Company (TWC) is the world's largest almond and pistachio grower, generating 250,000 dry tons/year of waste material including hulls, shells, and wood (>5 million tons/year industry wide in the U.S.). This project seeks to turn this environmental and economic liability into a sustainable and profitable resource, targeting conversion via gasification to syngas for electricity and bio-char, by addressing related material handling and feeding challenges. Based on optimized preprocessing strategies, bulk material flow, and thermal conversion properties, an overall system design will be developed. The methodology will be tested with FCIC's benchmark loblolly pine residues, to demonstrate the robustness of the overall approach and provide insight and guidance for future systems. The project will culminate in extended field trials to demonstrate an improved continuous feeding system with a commercial biomass-to-electricity gasifier vendor, and an economic analysis demonstrating a reduction in electricity production costs by maximizing on-stream time while minimizing preprocessing and CapEx costs.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Savannah River Site H-Canyon Advancing Technologies for Remote Inspections - 20345

In 2017, the DOE Environmental Management Office of Technology Development (DOE-EM TD) sponsored the H-Canyon Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) to demonstrate to DOE facilities the value of using new commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and near-ready technologies to solve difficult problems and enhance worker safety. The DOE Savannah River Site (SRS) H-Canyon Air Exhaust Tunnel (HCAEX) inspection task was identified as representative of the hazardous, human denied environments which could benefit from advanced technologies. The HCAEX underground concrete tunnel is visually inspected biannually using a camera mounted on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designed and built by SRNL. While tunnel images have provided valuable visual information, it is desirable to have a higher order of understanding of the environment to support a more thorough structural integrity (SI) analysis and for long term planning purposes. As part of the ATD, the Concrete Integrated Product Team (CIPT) was formed to identify and evaluate available sensors and methods mature enough to remotely obtain tunnel concrete characterization data of high value and with a high probability of success. The team included SMEs and H-Canyon stakeholders in the field of concrete, nondestructive examination (NDE), structural integrity, sensors and remote systems from SRNL, SRNS, LANL, DOE-SR and the Army Corps of Engineering. The CIPT completed an in-depth identification of customer concrete inspection needs and potential technology solutions. Sensors and methods were evaluated on performance, data usefulness, cost and the feasibility of a successful deployment given the unique tunnel access challenges and environment. Two technologies were identified as promising by the CIPT for near term demonstration and evaluation: Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) 3-dimensional (3D) mapping and remote robotic deployment of NDE instrumentation. Laser spectroscopy to characterize tunnel surface chemical changes was also of interest, but presently cost prohibitive. This paper will include a discussion of the two efforts underway to evaluate and implement the CIPT recommendations. First, the status of the November 2019 deployment of Lidar at a single location into the tunnel is presented. This initial deployment provided the team a learning curve and lessons learned on the challenges of tunnel deployment to include remote operation and data collection, stabilization of the sensor in high air flow (∼30 mph), ability to achieve a tolerance accuracy of 0.25-inches, and the probability to identify change in tunnel dimensions over time. Secondly, a discussion on the development of the Robotic Arm Concrete Inspection Test Bed capable of deploying NDE instruments to examine custom concrete forms will be presented. Concrete forms simulating the rough concrete surfaces, strength, composition and potential structural defects that can be found at our DOE EM facilities have been designed and built for the test bed. Two state-of-the art concrete NDE instruments have been identified as having potential to work on rough concrete walls, they are being tested and characterized as to their ability to provide desired structural integrity data to include wall thickness and defect identification on the developed test beams. Lastly, lessons learned, and the path forward will be presented. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Deployment of Wind Turbines in the Built Environment: Risks, Lessons, and Recommended Practices

Built-environment wind turbine (BEWT) projects are wind energy projects that are constructed on, in, or near buildings, as shown below. These projects present an opportunity for distributed, low-carbon generation combined with highly visible statements on sustainability, but the BEWT niche of the wind industry is still developing and is relatively less mature than the utility-scale wind or conventional ground-based distributed wind sectors. This poster investigates the current state of the BEWT industry by reviewing available literature on BEWT projects as well as interviewing project owners on their experiences deploying and operating the technology.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1996

Development of airborne eddy-correlation flux measurement capabilities for reactive oxides of nitrogen

This research is aimed at producing a fundamental new research tool for characterizing the source strength of the most important compound controlling the hemispheric and global scale distribution of tropospheric ozone. Specifically, this effort seeks to demonstrate the proof-of-concept of a new general purpose laser-induced fluorescence based spectrometer for making airborne eddy-correlation flux measurements of nitric oxide (NO) and other reactive nitrogen compounds. The new all solid-state laser technology being used in this advanced sensor will produce a forerunner of the type of sensor technology that should eventually result in highly compact operational systems. The proof-of-concept sensor being developed will have over two orders-of-magnitude greater sensitivity than present-day instruments. In addition, this sensor will offer the possibility of eventual extension to airborne eddy-correlation flux measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and possibly other compounds, such as ammonia (NH3), peroxyradicals (HO2), nitrateradicals (NO3) and several iodine compounds (e.g., I and IO). Demonstration of the new sensor's ability to measure NO fluxes will occur through a series of laboratory and field tests. This proof-of-concept demonstration will show that not only can airborne fluxes of important ultra-trace compounds be made at the few parts-per-trillion level, but that the high accuracy/precision measurements currently needed for predictive models can also. These measurement capabilities will greatly enhance our current ability to quantify the fluxes of reactive nitrogen into the troposphere and significantly impact upon the accuracy of predictive capabilities to model O3's distribution within the remote troposphere. This development effort also offers a timely approach for producing the reactive nitrogen flux measurement capabilities that will be needed by future research programs such as NASA's planned 1999 Amazon Biogeochemistry and Atmospheric Chemistry Experimental portion of LBA.

Bradshaw, John↗
NASA NTRS1998

The mass storage testing laboratory at GSFC

Industry-wide benchmarks exist for measuring the performance of processors (SPECmarks), and of database systems (Transaction Processing Council). Despite storage having become the dominant item in computing and IT (Information Technology) budgets, no such common benchmark is available in the mass storage field. Vendors and consultants provide services and tools for capacity planning and sizing, but these do not account for the complete set of metrics needed in today's archives. The availability of automated tape libraries, high-capacity RAID systems, and high- bandwidth interconnectivity between processor and peripherals has led to demands for services which traditional file systems cannot provide. File Storage and Management Systems (FSMS), which began to be marketed in the late 80's, have helped to some extent with large tape libraries, but their use has introduced additional parameters affecting performance. The aim of the Mass Storage Test Laboratory (MSTL) at Goddard Space Flight Center is to develop a test suite that includes not only a comprehensive check list to document a mass storage environment but also benchmark code. Benchmark code is being tested which will provide measurements for both baseline systems, i.e. applications interacting with peripherals through the operating system services, and for combinations involving an FSMS. The benchmarks are written in C, and are easily portable. They are initially being aimed at the UNIX Open Systems world. Measurements are being made using a Sun Ultra 170 Sparc with 256MB memory running Solaris 2.5.1 with the following configuration: 4mm tape stacker on SCSI 2 Fast/Wide; 4GB disk device on SCSI 2 Fast/Wide; and Sony Petaserve on Fast/Wide differential SCSI 2.

Venkataraman, Ravi↗
NASA NTRS2000

Helicon Plasma Injector and Ion Cyclotron Acceleration Development in the VASIMR Experiment

In the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) radio frequency (rf) waves both produce the plasma and then accelerate the ions. The plasma production is done by action of helicon waves. These waves are circular polarized waves in the direction of the electron gyromotion. The ion acceleration is performed by ion cyclotron resonant frequency (ICRF) acceleration. The Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory (ASPL) is actively developing efficient helicon plasma production and ICRF acceleration. The VASIMR experimental device at the ASPL is called VX-10. It is configured to demonstrate the plasma production and acceleration at the 10kW level to support a space flight demonstration design. The VX-10 consists of three electromagnets integrated into a vacuum chamber that produce magnetic fields up to 0.5 Tesla. Magnetic field shaping is achieved by independent magnet current control and placement of the magnets. We have generated both helium and hydrogen high density (>10(exp 18) cu m) discharges with the helicon source. ICRF experiments are underway. This paper describes the VX-10 device, presents recent results and discusses future plans.

Squire, Jared P.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD-2): Integrated Arrival/Departure/Surface (IADS) System Demonstration - Technology Transfer Document Summary (ReadMe) (Version 2.5 - Initial Phase 3 Metroplex IADS)

Airspace Technology Demonstration – 2 (ATD-2) is part of NASA’s Airspace Technology Demonstrations (ATD) Project under its Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP). ATD-2 is a multi-year research and development effort to improve the predictability and operational efficiency of the air traffic system in metroplex environments while maintaining or improving throughput by enhancing and integrating arrival, departure, and surface prediction, scheduling, and management systems. In order to ensure that the products of this knowledge and technology transfer are relevant and useful, NASA has created strong partnerships with the FAA and industry stakeholders. This summary document and accompanying artifacts satisfy the next delivery of research transition products (RTPs) defined in the IADS research transition team (RTT) plan. With the ATD-2 project extended for another year, this Tech Transfer 2.5 constitutes an interim delivery of artifacts from the Phase 3 field demonstration. The final Phase 3 tech transfer delivery is planned for August 2021.

ATD-2, IADS, Phase 3, tech transfer↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Video Analysis for Surveillance of Spacecraft Parachute Systems

The Commercial Crew Program (CCP) has established a surveillance methodology to ensure the reliability of spacecraft parachute systems. The implemented methodology relies on an interconnected framework consisting of imagery analysis, hardware inspections, and vehicle data analysis. Imagery analysis serves as a foundation for these core activities which provide a robust approach to the surveillance of spacecraft parachute systems. As the surveillance framework has been developed, the role of imagery has become more prominent, and therefore imagery requirements have changed. To complete photogrammetric analysis, careful consideration must be made to the role of imagery, required data, imagery requirements, the analysis process, and mission planning. The role of imagery will drive the required data, which will in turn drive imagery requirements. Imagery requirements are likely to drive mission planning through consideration to camera selection and placement. If onboard imagery is required, the camera and data system must be implemented prior to launch. If external imagery is required, the photography package must be implemented such that it can be positioned for a return and free of potential debris fields. For these reasons, an integrated approach must be used to build an imagery package around the required analysis with careful coordination with mission planners.

parachutes↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Video Analysis for Surveillance of Spacecraft Parachute Systems

The Commercial Crew Program (CCP) has established a surveillance methodology to ensure the reliability of spacecraft parachute systems. The implemented methodology relies on an interconnected framework consisting of imagery analysis, hardware inspections, and vehicle data analysis. Imagery analysis serves as a foundation for these core activities which provide a robust approach to the surveillance of spacecraft parachute systems. As the surveillance framework has been developed, the role of imagery has become more prominent, and therefore imagery requirements have changed. To complete photogrammetric analysis, careful consideration must be made to the role of imagery, required data, imagery requirements, the analysis process, and mission planning. The role of imagery will drive the required data, which will in turn drive imagery requirements. Imagery requirements are likely to drive mission planning through consideration to camera selection and placement. If onboard imagery is required, the camera and data system must be implemented prior to launch. If external imagery is required, the photography package must be implemented such that it can be positioned for a return and free of potential debris fields. For these reasons, an integrated approach must be used to build an imagery package around the required analysis with careful coordination with mission planners.

parachutes↗
DOE OSTI2024

The Fuel Motion Monitoring System at TREAT - Current Status and Future Plans

An important component of the United States Nuclear Fuel Safety Transient Testing Program, the Fuel Motion Monitoring System (FMMS) at Idaho National Laboratory's Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) is fast-neutron hodoscope capable of imaging the location, movement, and relocation of nuclear fuel experiments under simulated transient accident conditions. The FMMS was refurbished in parallel with the TREAT restart program starting in 2014, restoring 96-channels of fast-neutron detection. Since returning to operation in 2017 the FMMS has supported many fuel safety experiments supporting accident tolerant fuel development, light-water reactor safety, space thermal nuclear propulsion fuel development, and advanced reactor research and development. In Phase 2 of the FMMS restoration. work is now under way to expand the FMMS' field-of-view by adding an additional 96 channels of fast neutron detectors to the system's hodoscope, along with an expanded data acquisition system and associated transient timing electronics. An overview of the FMSS system and its fast-neutron detectors will be presented along with examples of current FMMS imaging performance and associated information.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2017

Investigation of Thermal Stability of P2–Na x CoO 2 Cathode Materials for Sodium Ion Batteries Using Real-Time Electron Microscopy

In this paper, we take advantage of in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the thermal stability of P2-type Na x CoO 2 cathode materials for sodium ion batteries, which are promising candidates for next-generation lithium ion batteries. A double-tilt TEM heating holder was used to directly characterize the changes in the morphology and the crystallographic and electronic structures of the materials with increase in temperature. The electron diffraction patterns and the electron energy loss spectra demonstrated the presence of cobalt oxides (Co 3 O 4 , CoO) and even metallic cobalt (Co) at higher temperatures as a result of reduction of Co ions and loss of oxygen. The bright-field TEM images revealed that the surface of Na x CoO 2 becomes porous at high temperatures. Higher cutoff voltages result in degrading thermal stability of Na x CoO 2 . Finally, the observations herein provide a valuable insight that thermal stability is one of the important factors to be considered in addition to the electrochemical properties when developing new electrode materials for novel battery systems.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Assessment and Performance of Flexible Quench Antenna Array Diagnostics for Superconducting Magnets

FNAL has been developing multiple versions of flexible quench antennas (flex-QA), including some specially optimized for high sensitivity and/or high resolution, to characterize quench events and transients during current ramping in superconducting magnets. A fundamental feature in our use of these is the creation of grid-like structures of sensitive elements to cover coil surfaces, with the aim of getting precise localization of magnetic flux-change events. The flex-QA are coupled with fast data-acquisition, allowing comprehensive analysis of signals at the relevant fine time scales. In addition to arrays of various flex-QA types being used during cryogenic testing of superconducting magnets, we also are utilizing a newly developed room temperature test stand to better understand QA response characteristics. The data from actual superconducting magnet tests, warm test stand measurements, and simulation data on the same QA designs allows us to draw conclusions on operational feasibility and plan better for improvements of our sensors. In this paper we present data from the multiple tests performed and analysis results. Flex-QA designs are compared, and their features, options, and optimization discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Tokamak DEMO-FNS: Concept of magnet system and vacuum chamber

The level of knowledge accumulated to date in the physics and technologies of controlled thermonuclear fusion (CTF) makes it possible to begin designing fusion—fission hybrid systems that would involve a fusion neutron source (FNS) and which would admit employment for the production of fissile materials and for the transmutation of spent nuclear fuel. Modern Russian strategies for CTF development plan the construction to 2023 of tokamak-based demonstration hybrid FNS for implementing steady-state plasma burning, testing hybrid blankets, and evolving nuclear technologies. Work on designing the DEMO-FNS facility is still in its infancy. The Efremov Institute began designing its magnet system and vacuum chamber, while the Kurchatov Institute developed plasma-physics design aspects and determined basic parameters of the facility. The major radius of the plasma in the DEMO-FNS facility is R = 2.75 m, while its minor radius is a = 1 m; the plasma elongation is k{sub 95} = 2. The fusion power is P{sub FUS} = 40 MW. The toroidal magnetic field on the plasma-filament axis is B{sub t0} = 5 T. The plasma current is I{sub p} = 5 MA. The application of superconductors in the magnet system permits drastically reducing the power consumed by its magnets but requires arranging a thick radiation shield between the plasma and magnet system. The central solenoid, toroidal-field coils, and poloidal-field coils are manufactured from, respectively, Nb{sub 3}Sn, NbTi and Nb{sub 3}Sn, and NbTi. The vacuum chamber is a double-wall vessel. The space between the walls manufactured from 316L austenitic steel is filled with an iron—water radiation shield (70% of stainless steel and 30% of water).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗