Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “commercial applications”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Application of Commercial Non-Dispersive Infrared Spectroscopy Sensors for Sub-Ambient Carbon Dioxide Detection

Monitoring carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration within a spacecraft or spacesuit is critically important to ensuring the safety of the crew. Carbon dioxide uniquely absorbs light at wavelengths of 3.95 micrometers and 4.26 micrometers. As a result, non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy can be employed as a reliable and inexpensive method for the quantification of CO2 within the atmosphere. A multitude of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) NDIR sensors exist for CO2 quantification. The COTS sensors provide reasonable accuracy as long as the measurements are attained under conditions close to the calibration conditions of the sensor (typically 21.1 C (70.0 F) and 1 atmosphere). However, as pressure deviates from atmospheric to the pressures associated with a spacecraft (8.0{10.2 pounds per square inch absolute (psia)) or spacesuit (4.1{8.0 psia), the error in the measurement grows increasingly large. In addition to pressure and temperature dependencies, the infrared transmissivity through a volume of gas also depends on the composition of the gas. As the composition is not known a priori, accurate sub-ambient detection must rely on iterative sensor compensation techniques. This manuscript describes the development of recursive compensation algorithms for sub-ambient detection of CO2 with COTS NDIR sensors. In addition, the source of the exponential loss in accuracy is developed theoretically. The basis of the loss can be explained through thermal, Doppler, and Lorentz broadening effects that arise as a result of the temperature, pressure, and composition of the gas mixture under analysis. This manuscript provides an approach to employing COTS sensors at sub-ambient conditions and may also lend insight into designing future NDIR sensors for aerospace application.

Swickrath, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pyrophosphate-free glycolysis in Clostridium thermocellum increases both thermodynamic driving force and ethanol titers

Background: Clostridium thermocellum is a promising candidate for production of cellulosic biofuels, however, its final product titer is too low for commercial application, and this may be due to thermodynamic limitations in glycolysis. Previous studies in this organism have revealed a metabolic bottleneck at the phosphofructokinase (PFK) reaction in glycolysis. In the wild-type organism, this reaction uses pyrophosphate (PP i ) as an energy cofactor, which is thermodynamically less favorable compared to reactions that use ATP as a cofactor. Previously we showed that replacing the PP i -linked PFK reaction with an ATP-linked reaction increased the thermodynamic driving force of glycolysis, but only had a local effect on intracellular metabolite concentrations, and did not affect final ethanol titer. Results: In this study, we substituted PP i -pfk with ATP-pfk, deleted the other PPi-requiring glycolytic gene pyruvate:phosphate dikinase (ppdk), and expressed a soluble pyrophosphatase (PPase) and pyruvate kinase (pyk) genes to engineer PP i -free glycolysis in C. thermocellum. We demonstrated a decrease in the reversibility of the PFK reaction, higher levels of lower glycolysis metabolites, and an increase in ethanol titer by an average of 38% (from 15.1 to 21.0 g/L) by using PP i -free glycolysis. Conclusions: By engineering PP i -free glycolysis in C. thermocellum, we achieved an increase in ethanol production. These results demonstrate that optimizing the thermodynamic landscape through metabolic engineering can enhance product titers. While further increases in ethanol titers are necessary for commercial application, this work represents a significant step toward engineering glycolysis in C. thermocellum to increase ethanol titers.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Role of peracetic acid on the disruption of lignin packing structure and its consequence on lignin depolymerisation

Peracetic acid (PAA) is an effective oxidant capable of solubilising lignin and efficiently depolymerising it to selective phenolic compounds; however, the specific role by which PAA initiates the depolymerisation is still elusive. Herein, interaction between PAA and the lignin macromolecule and the consequent structural changes of the latter were studied by characterising the lignin packing structure and its associated changes during the oxidation process. While the lignin packing structure and its changes associated with the PAA-mediated oxidation were probed by X-ray diffraction, the impact of the PAA on different chemical functionalities present in the lignin structure was established by 13 C and 1 H– 13 C heteronuclear single-quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Further, combining the NMR spectroscopy results, and the product distribution, we conclude that the predominant reaction pathway for the oxidative depolymerisation of lignin with PAA is the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of the ketone formed by the oxidation of the benzylic hydroxyl group adjacent to the β-O-4 linkage. The experimental evidence provided herein corroborated that PAA instigates oxygen insertion to the lignin macromolecule resulting in disruption of its packing structures and facilitates depolymerisation. We also investigated various metal oxide and mixed metal oxide catalysts to identify effective catalysts that further enhance the efficiency of PAA-mediated depolymerisation of lignin and produce selective monomeric phenolic compounds. Techno-economic analysis was also conducted to identify the key parameters associated with this oxidative process that need to be considered for possible commercial application.

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

Analysis of Frost Formation and Novel Defrost Techniques for Commercial Refrigeration Applications (NFE-19-07879)

The purpose of this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was to test a heat exchanger defrosting approach using radiant energy, including ultraviolet-C, -B, and -A. A preliminary test conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory demonstrated the concept of ultraviolet-based defrosting, which melts frost on the fin surface of a heat exchanger without increasing its overall temperature, thereby offering a new defrosting method that does not interrupt heat exchanger operation. Building on this key finding, this CRADA outlines a plan for upgrading the test equipment and for further testing to bridge the gap between the concept and its feasibility for industrial applications. This report also provides a brief review of existing defrosting technologies, the current state of the experimental system, and future parametric experiment plans.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of Frost Formation and Novel Defrost Techniques for Commercial Refrigeration Applications

The purpose of this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was to test a heat exchanger defrosting approach using radiant energy, including ultraviolet-C, -B, and -A. A preliminary test conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory demonstrated the concept of ultraviolet-based defrosting, which melts frost on the fin surface of a heat exchanger without increasing its overall temperature, thereby offering a new defrosting method that does not interrupt heat exchanger operation. Building on this key finding, this CRADA outlines a plan for upgrading the test equipment and for further testing to bridge the gap between the concept and its feasibility for industrial applications. This report also provides a brief review of existing defrosting technologies, the current state of the experimental system, and future parametric experiment plans.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1980

Seasat data applications by commercial users

The Seasat Program was initiated as a proof-of-concept mission to evaluate the effectiveness of a study of remotely sensed oceanographic phenomena from a satellite platform. From its inception the Seasat Program has been user-oriented. The user comprised three major segments of the ocean community, including academic users, users within various government agencies, and commercial users. Commercial users represent a broad spectrum of commercial marine industries. The commercial users proposed to NASA to carry out a pilot demonstration to assess the utility of Seasat data in the private sector. The commercial users' program is considered along with case studies that utilize Seasat data, and aspects of real-time system operation. Attention is given to the potential value of an employment of synthetic aperture radar, the altimeter, the scatterometer, and the scanning multichannel microwave radiometer.

Montgomery, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Lessons learned from KSC processing on STS science, applications, and commercial payloads

The present investigation is concerned with an evaluation of the lessons learned in connection with the flights of the Shuttle orbiters Columbia, Challenger, and Discovery. A description is provided of several general and specific lessons related to the processing of free-flying and attached payloads. John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), as the prime launch and landing site, is responsible for managing all payload-to-payload, payload-to-simulated orbiter, and payload-to-orbiter operations. For each payload, a KSC Launch Site Support Manager (LSSM) is named as the primary point of contact for the customer. Attention is given to aspects of planning interaction, payload types, and problems of ground processing. The discussed lessons are partly related to the value of early contact between customers and KSC representatives, the primary point of contact, the launch site support plan, and the importance of customer participation.

Williams, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Dual Use Space Technology Transfer Conference Paper

New textile fibers have been developed or modified to meet the complex and constraining criteria of space applications. The most common of these criteria are light weight, nonflammability or flame retardancy, and high strength and durability in both deep space environment and the oxygen enriched crew bay area of the spacecraft. The fibers which successfully pass the tests of flammability and toxicity, and display the desired mechanical properties are selected for space applications. Such advanced fibers developed for the Crew and Thermal Systems Division (CTSD) at the Johnson Space Center include 'Beta' fiber, heat stabilized polybenzimidazole and polyimide, as well as modified aramid Durette(TM), multi-fibrous Ortho(TM) fabric, and flame resistant cotton. The physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of these fibers are briefly discussed. The testing capabilities in the CTSD laboratory to ascertain some of the properties of these and other fibrous materials are also discussed. Most of these materials developed for spacecraft, space suit, and flight equipment applications have found other commercial applications. These advanced textile fibers are used mostly for aircraft, transportation, public buildings, hospitals, and protective clothing applications.

Orndoff, Evelyne↗
NASA NTRS1996

Microwave Regenerable Air Purification Device

The feasibility of using microwave power to thermally regenerate sorbents loaded with water vapor, CO2, and organic contaminants has been rigorously demonstrated. Sorbents challenged with air containing 0.5% CO2, 300 ppm acetone, 50 ppm trichloroethylene, and saturated with water vapor have been regenerated, singly and in combination. Microwave transmission, reflection, and phase shift has also been determined for a variety of sorbents over the frequency range between 1.3-2.7 GHz. This innovative technology offers the potential for significant energy savings in comparison to current resistive heating methods because energy is absorbed directly by the material to be heated. Conductive, convective and radiative losses are minimized. Extremely rapid heating is also possible, i.e., 1400 C in less than 60 seconds. Microwave powered thermal desorption is directly applicable to the needs of Advance Life Support in general, and of EVA in particular. Additionally, the applicability of two specific commercial applications arising from this technology have been demonstrated: the recovery for re-use of acetone (and similar solvents) from industrial waste streams using a carbon based molecular sieve; and the separation and destruction of trichloroethylene using ZSM-5 synthetic zeolite catalyst, a predominant halocarbon environmental contaminant. Based upon these results, Phase II development is strongly recommended.

Atwater, James E.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Earth Remote Sensing Center of Excellence at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

We developed advanced communications and networking capability and satellite reception systems for Earth science to improve the ability of scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) to conduct interdisciplinary research. With matching funds from the SIO Director's office we implemented a "virtual center" utilizing modern networking hardware and software to enhance access for researchers and students to unique satellite and in situ data sets. The center provides facilities and data access to graduate students as well as research scientists at SIO, and outside SIO. Our private sector partners installed and testes and advanced X-band data acquisition system for satellite data capture relevant for Earth science research and applications. Some of the commercial applications of these partners have been developed (or are under development) with NASA SBIR resources. The X-band system collected RADARSAT, ERS-2 and MODIS imagery. Perhaps most importantly, this COE brought together - for the first time - an interdisciplinary team of SIO scientists with interests in Earth remote sensing. The collaboration extended beyond our infrastructure and research accomplishments leading to a dialog that resulted in a report with strong recommendations to the SIO community for enhancing satellite remote sensing at SIO.

Mitchell, B. Greg↗
NASA NTRS2012

Cryogenic Applications of Commercial Electronic Components

We have developed a range of techniques useful for constructing analog and digital circuits for operation in a liquid Helium environment (4.2K), using commercially available low power components. The challenges encountered in designing cryogenic electronics include finding components that can function usefully in the cold and possess low enough power dissipation so as not to heat the systems they are designed to measure. From design, test, and integration perspectives it is useful for components to operate similarly at room and cryogenic temperatures; however this is not a necessity. Some of the circuits presented here have been used successfully in the MUSTANG and in the GISMO camera to build a complete digital to analog multiplexer (which will be referred to as the Cryogenic Address Driver board). Many of the circuit elements described are of a more general nature rather than specific to the Cryogenic Address Driver board, and were studied as a part of a more comprehensive approach to addressing a larger set of cryogenic electronic needs.

Buchanan, Ernest D.↗
DOE OSTI2026

The Influence of Residual Copper Catalyst on the Polymer-to-Ceramic Conversion of a Click-Derived Polycarbosilane

Preceramic polymers (PCPs) are a key class of materials for the preparation of advanced ceramic components. Following conventional polymer processing and subsequent pyrolysis, polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) fibers, monoliths, and composites offer novel engineering opportunities for aerospace applications. Despite the rapidly emerging commercial applications of PDCs, many basic scientific questions remain regarding the structural transformation of the polymer to the final ceramic and how processing variables affect PDC materials properties. PCPs prepared using a mild and scalable copper (Cu) catalyzed azide/alkyne “click” reaction have been demonstrated as a unique class of material that can bind with transition metals, ultimately producing ultrahigh temperature ceramics (UHTCs) upon pyrolysis. Unexpectedly, it was found that the removal of residual Cu catalyst from a model click-derived polycarbosilane PCP significantly reduced the ceramic yield during pyrolysis. Herein, we report the influence of Cu impurities on polycarbosilane-derived SiC ceramics and present a mechanistic understanding of the unintended role of Cu in the polymer-to-ceramic conversion process. Synchrotron-based scattering and spectroscopy methods were implemented to track the evolution of different atomic species and local structures as well as the influence of Cu toward atomic-scale structures in the final ceramics. It was determined that Cu impurities catalyze the formation of silicon carbide through the formation of an intermediate molten copper/copper silicide, ultimately increasing the ceramic yield. Overall, this contribution highlights the need to carefully assess the interplay between the chemistries needed for PCP synthesis and their potential influence on final PDCs following processing.

Ponder, Jr., James F. [Air Force Research Laborato↗
NASA NTRS2016

Digital Beamforming Interferometry

Airborne or spaceborne Syntheic Aperture Radar (SAR) can be used in a variety of ways, and is often used to generate two dimensional images of a surface. SAR involves the use of radio waves to determine presence, properties, and features of extended areas. Specifically, radio waves are 10 transmitted in the presence of a ground surface. A portion of the radio wave's energy is reflected back to the radar system, which allows the radar system to detect and image the surface. Such radar systems may be used in science applications, military contexts, and other commercial applications.

Rincon, Rafael F.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Overview and Performance of the LOFTID Instrumentation Suite

NASA’s Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) is an enabling technology that facilitates atmospheric entry of heavy payloads to planets such as Earth and Mars using a deployable aeroshell. The deployable nature of the HIAD technology allows it to overcome the size constraints imposed on current rigid aeroshell entry systems. This enables use of larger aeroshells resulting in increased entry system performance (e.g. higher payload mass and/or volume, higher landing altitude at Mars). On November 10th, 2022 the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) was launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base as a secondary payload on an Atlas V rocket. After the primary payload was delivered to its orbit, the LOFTID reentry vehicle was inflated, positioned, and then separated to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at a velocity of 8.1km/s, ultimately splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. The flight successfully demonstrated a 6m diameter, 70-deg sphere-cone HIAD on a high-energy orbital reentry. This demonstration has provided invaluable fight data essential to characterize the vehicle performance and support the ongoing effort to further scale the HIAD technology to vehicles of 10m in diameter or greater. Aeroshells of this scale are applicable to near-term commercial applications and future NASA robotic and human exploration missions. LOFTID incorporated an extensive instrumentation suite totaling over 150 science measurements. This included thermocouples, total heat flux sensors, and a radiometer to characterize the aeroheating environment and aeroshell thermal response. An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS), and flush air data system was included to allow post-flight reconstruction of the vehicle trajectory including a decoupling of the aerodynamics from the atmospheric density. Loadcells were used to measure HIAD structural response during entry, and cameras (both visual-spectrum and infrared) were mounted on the aft segment looking at the aeroshell to monitor structural deflection and surface temperature distribution. Finally, a single up-look camera was included which has provided a surprising amount of science potential from the spectacular footage. In addition to the primary instrumentation suite, a new Fiber Optic Sensing System (FOSS) was used to provide global temperature distributions as a technology demonstration. The system provided over 200 thermal measurements creating a thermal map for the backside of the nose Flexible Thermal Protection System. Another pair of FOSS cables were run along the rigid center structure and measured the temperature response to the vehicle wake environment. The LOFTID instrumentation suite leveraged Agency-wide expertise, with hardware development occurring at Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Armstrong Flight Research Center. This presentation will discuss the instrumentation selected for LOFTID to capture the HIAD performance during the high-energy orbital reentry flight test, provide examples of data products, and snippets of the spectacular reentry video.

G T Swanson↗