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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 1,297 records · Page 72
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Detection of gas leakage

A method of detecting leaks and measuring volumes as well as an apparatus, the Power-free Pump Module (PPM), that is a self-contained leak test and volume measurement apparatus that requires no external sources of electrical power during leak testing or volume measurement, where the invention is a portable, pneumatically-controlled instrument capable of generating a vacuum, calibrating volumes, and performing quantitative leak tests on a closed test system or device, all without the use of alternating current (AC) power. Capabilities include the ability is to provide a modest vacuum (less than 10 Torr), perform a pressure rise leak test, measure the gas's absolute pressure, and perform volume measurements. All operations are performed through a simple rotary control valve which controls pneumatically-operated manifold valves.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

In Vitro Thrombogenicity Testing of Biomaterials in a Dynamic Flow Loop: Effects of Length and Quantity of Test Samples

Abstract The results of in vitro dynamic thrombogenicity testing of biomaterials and medical devices can be significantly impacted by test conditions. To develop and standardize a robust dynamic in vitro thrombogenicity tool, the key test parameters need to be appropriately evaluated and optimized. We used a flow loop test system previously developed in our laboratory to investigate the effects of sample length and the number of samples per test loop on the thrombogenicity results. Porcine blood heparinized to a donor-specific target concentration was recirculated at room temperature through polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing loops containing test materials for 1 h at 200 mL/min. Four test materials (polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), latex, PVC, and silicone) with various thrombotic potentials in two sample lengths (12 and 18 cm) were examined. For the 12-cm long materials, two different test configurations (one and two samples per loop) were compared. Thrombogenicity was assessed through percent thrombus surface coverage, thrombus weight, and platelet count reduction in the blood. The test system was able to effectively differentiate the thrombogenicity profile of the materials (latex > silicone > PVC ≥ PTFE) at all test configurations. Increasing test sample length by 50% did not significantly impact the test results as both 12 and 18 cm sample lengths were shown to equally differentiate thrombotic potentials between the materials. The addition of a second test sample to each loop did not increase the test sensitivity and may produce confounding results, and thus a single test sample per loop is recommended.

Engineering↗
NASA NTRS1983

Application of fluidics to instrumentation in hostile environments

This paper discusses the use of fluidic devices for measurement and control in the presence of hostile environments. Various applications are presented together with possible solutions by the use of fluidics. Several fluidic devices, components and circuits are described which may be adapted to fluidic measurement and control of processes where other methods fail or become extremely difficult or damaging to the instrumentation. Devices and techniques described include a description of a capillary temperature probe including both probe and circuit designs, and several possible techniques which may be used in the design and testing of fluidic devices.

Walsh, J.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Microshutter Arrays for NIRSpec

A primary science goal of the 6.5 m James Webb Space Telescope is to characterize the epoch of initial galaxy formation, observing the early universe as the first stars and galaxies formed. This program will be accomplished using a combination of multi-band imaging and spectroscopic measurements of large numbers of faint galaxies. Since these objects are in general sparse on the sky, a multi object spectrometer is required to enable this critical scientific investigation. We have developed a microshutter array which is to be used as a high contrast, remotely programmable field selector for the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec) on JWST. This device allows slits to be opened at the locations of selected galaxies in the field of view, and blocks sources and background light from the rest of the field. The first flight design devices have been built and were tested. These first generation of devices were used to demonstrate performance and flight readiness. Devices of the same design will be delivered to ESA for installation into the NIRSpec instrument.

Silverberg, Robert↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mitigation Methods for Piperazine Oxidation in Post-Combustion Carbon Capture

Piperazine is a promising second-generation solvent for amine scrubbing in post-combustion CO2 capture. However, the oxidative degradation of PZ can cause environmental problems and economic loss. This work presents the effects of two mitigation methods: carbon treating and N2 sparging, on the PZ oxidation in long-term operations. The species and their respective quantities adsorbed by the activated carbon were tested in a bench-scale device. The carbon was then tested in the High Temperature Oxidation Reactor (HTOR), where the solvent oxidizes at a reasonably fast rate. Pilot plant campaigns were also performed at the UT Austin SRP and the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) and the effects were verified. When dissolved Fe is removed by carbon treating or other methods, available soluble Fe in the system dissolves and replaces the dissolved Fe. Therefore, all available Fe and ligands need to be removed for the mitigation to be effective. The sources of soluble Fe include fly ash and the corrosion of stainless steel, and the ligands are degradation products. 8 All PZ degraded solvents have two absorbance peaks at 320 nm and 538 nm. The 320 nm peak is caused by dissolved metals, especially Fe, complexed by degradation products. The 320 nm peak is related to the amine degradation level and can be used as a simple and efficient method to estimate the amine degradation rate. The pilot plant data suggest that NO2 can oxidize PZ significantly, possibly through radical reactions. 0.01 mmol/kg-hr absorption of NO2 increased the PZ oxidation rate from 1.2 mmol/kg-hr to 2.5 mmol/kg-hr.

Yuying, Wu↗
NASA NTRS2016

Resources for Radiation Test Data

The performance of electronic devices in a space radiation environment is often limited by susceptibility to single-event effects (SEE), total ionizing dose (TID), and displacement damage (DD). Interpreting the results of SEE, TID, and DD testing of complex devices is quite difficult given the rapidly changing nature of both technology and the related radiation issues. Radiation testing is performed to establish the sensitivities of candidate spacecraft electronics to single-event upset (SEU), single-event latchup (SEL), single-event gate rupture (SEGR), single-event burnout (SEB), single-event transients (SETs), TID, and DD effects. Knowing where to search for these test results is a valuable resource for the aerospace engineer or spacecraft design engineer. This poster is intended to be a resource tool for finding radiation test data.

Single Event Effects (SEE)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Access Capabilities Through Ccs Communications Protocol (acccs)

AcCCS is a collection of scripts that leverage open-source code, off-the-shelf hardware, and published protocol specifications to create a flexible and inexpensive test and evaluation device for the Electric Vehicle industry. AcCCS is capable of emulating either an Electric Vehicle (EV) or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). It provides a flexible set of Python scripts to test and evaluate the various communication protocols between the Electric Vehicle Communication Controller (EVCC) and Supply Equipment Communication Controller (SECC). This capability is useful for cybersecurity researchers, automotive OEMs, and EVSE manufactures.

Rohde, KennethW [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), ↗
NASA NTRS1974

LK21T1 S/N V-3 infrared detector

An infrared detector was fabricated to determine the feasibility of atmospheric sounding from synchronous orbit for water vapor and carbon dioxide. The device was extensively tested both before and after a 24-hour soak at 50 C and relative humidity of 95 percent. No degradation in performance as a result of the soak was observed. The device contains a single photoconductive HgCdTe element designed to operate in the six to fifteen micron region.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2018

Advanced Stirling Convertor Control Unit Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center in the Radioisotope Power Systems System Integration Laboratory

Future NASA missions could include long-duration flyby, orbital, lander, or rover applications where generating power from sunlight may be limited. Radioisotope power systems (RPSs) provide a dependable power source for missions where inadequate sunlight or operational requirements make other power systems impractical. Over the past 16 years, NASA Glenn Research Center has been supporting the development of RPSs. The advanced Stirling radioisotope generator (ASRG) utilized a pair of advanced Stirling convertors (ASCs). Although flight development of the ASRG has been canceled, much of the technology and hardware continued development and testing to guide future activities. Specifically, a controller for the convertor(s) is an integral part of a Stirling-based RPS. For the ASRG design, the controller maintains stable operation of the convertors, regulates the alternating current produced by the linear alternator of the convertor, provides a specified direct-current output voltage for the spacecraft, and synchronizes the piston motion of the two convertors to minimize vibration as well as manage and maintain operation with a stable piston amplitude and hot-end temperature. It not only provides power to the spacecraft but also must regulate convertor operation to avoid damage to internal components and maintain safe thermal conditions after fueling. Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies, Inc., has designed, developed, and tested an ASC control unit engineering development unit (ACU EDU) to support this effort. GRC used the ACU EDU as part of its nonnuclear representation of a RPS that also consists of a Dual advanced Stirling convertor simulator (DASCS), and associated support equipment to perform a test in the Radioisotope Power Systems System Integration Laboratory (RSIL). The RSIL was designed and built with flexibility to evaluate hardware utilizing RPS technology. The RSIL provides insight into the electrical interactions between as many as three radioisotope power generators, associated control strategies, and typical electric system loads. The first phase of testing included a DASCS that was developed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and simulates the operation and electrical behavior of a pair of ASCs in real time via a combination of hardware and software. Testing included the following spacecraft electrical energy storage configurations: capacitor, battery, and supercapacitor. Testing of the DASCS and ACU in each energy storage configuration included simulation of a typical mission profile and transient voltage and current data during load turnon and turnoff. Testing for these devices also included the initiation of several system faults such as short circuits, electrical bus overvoltage, undervoltage, and a "dead bus" recovery to restore normal power operations. The goal of this testing was to verify operation of the ACU(s) when connected to a spacecraft electrical bus. The results of these tests are presented here.

General↗
NASA NTRS1995

MEMS Spaceborne Testbed

Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) technology can significantly reduce the cost to design, launch and operate space systems. MEMS technology offers low cost, small light weight and reliable devices which can significantly reduce the size, weight and cost of spacecraft while increasing their reliability through durability and redundancy. A standard spaceborne interface/cabinet that is readily available for experiments for inexpensive testing of MEMS devices in space is discussed. The MEMS testbed will provide fixtures for holding MEMS devices, ambient environment monitoring, an assortment of available operating voltages, RF and low frequency signal inputs, sources of various gases and pressure monitors, a command and control interface computer, and a data interface which will record or transmit the data and performance parameters of these small systems.

Holderman, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1977

Study of limitations and attributes of microprocessor testing techniques

All microprocessor units have a similar architecture from which a basic test philosophy can be adopted and used to develop an approach to test each module separately in order to verify the functionality of each module within the device using the input/output pins of the device and its instruction set; test for destructive interaction between functional modules; and verify all timing, status information, and interrupt operations of the device. Block and test flow diagrams are given for the 8080, 8008, 2901, 6800, and 1802 microprocessors. Manufacturers are listed and problems encountered in testing the modules are discussed. Test equipment and methods are described.

Mccaskill, R.↗
NASA NTRS2020

NEPP Processor Enclave: Testing Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Computational device families are converging and multiple EEE components are required for a complete HPC subsystem. The components of this “processor enclave” are sensitive to radiation effects and therefore must be characterized for mission assurance. NEPP’s standardized approach to testing the Processor Enclave includes math, graphics, and AI and Machine Learning test vectors and device hardware capable of these applications.

Radiation testing↗
NASA NTRS2004

Virtex-II Pro SEE Test Methods and Results

The Xilinx Virtex-II Pro is a platform FPGA that embeds multiple microprocessors within the fabric of an SRAM-based reprogrammable FPGA. The variety and quantity of resources provided by this family of devices make them very attractive for spaceflight applications. However, these devices will be susceptible to single event effects (SEE), which must be mitigated. To use the Virtex-II Pro reliably in space applications, these devices must first be tested to determine if they are susceptible to single event latchup (SEL), the degree to which they are susceptible to single event upsets (SEU) and single event transients (SET), and how these effects are manifested in the device. With this information, mitigations schemes can be developed and tested that address the specific susceptiblities of these devices. This initial SEE test uses a commercial off the shelf Virtex-II Pro evaluation board, with a single processor XC2VP7 FPGA. The FPGA on this board is an acid etched device, which can be partially covered with a shield. The shield covers a portion of the logic, routing, and memory resources along with some of the RocketIO transceivers. The processor, along with a large portion of logic, routing, memory, and transceivers are left exposed. This test will be performed at the Cyclotron Laboratories at Texas A&M University and Michigan State University using ions of varying energy levels and fluencies.

Petrick, David↗
DOE OSTI2021

Assembly and Functional Test of NRAD Heated Instrumentation Rig

This is a technical report (TEV-4296) which documents the configuration and materials of construction for a heated sensor test conducted in the NRAD reactor. It is being reviewed for external release so that operators of university reactors can evaluate whether this level of documentation will be acceptable for similar tests conducted in their reactors. The Objective section of this TEV is reproduced below. The purpose of this TEV is to document assembly and functional testing of a device which is designed to allow advanced sensors to be temporarily placed at the periphery of the NRAD reactor. While in this location, the operational characteristics of the sensors can be evaluated while they are exposed to a neutron flux. This device (or “rig”) consists of a cartridge heater surrounded by six guide tubes, which are in turn surrounded by insulation and an aluminum dry tube. The heater allows for the sensors to be tested while at elevated temperature.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1935

A Flight Investigation of the Lateral Control Characteristics of Short Wide Ailerons and Various Spoilers with Different Amounts of Wing Dihedral

This report presents the results of flight tests made to determine the lateral control characteristics of short wide ailerons and spoilers, as a consequence of the promise shown in wind-tunnel tests by these devices as means of obtaining lateral control, particularly at angles of attack above the stall. Several forms of spoilers, front-hinge, rear-hinge, plain retractable, and saw-tooth retractable were tested alone and in combination with the ailerons. The tests were made with several different amounts of wing dihedral so that the effect of the yawing moments of the different lateral control combinations, which varied from large negative to large positive values, could be evaluated. In conjunction with the tests, observations were made to throw some light on the feasibility of operating the airplane with two controls instead of the present three.

Weick, Fred E↗
NASA NTRS1936

Flight Investigation of Lateral Control Devices for Use with Full-Span Flaps

This report presents the results of flight tests made on five different lateral control devices that appeared adaptable to wings fitted with full span flaps: controllable auxiliary airfoils (airfoils mounted above and forward of the leading edge of the wings), external ailerons (airfoils mounted above the wing and slightly forward of its maximum ordinate), upper-surface ailerons (similar to split trailing-edge flaps except that they constitute the upper surface of the wing), ailerons that retract into the wing when in neutral, and narrow-chord conventional ailerons in combination with a special type of split flap that retracts into the under surface of the wing forward of the ailerons. The devices were tested on a small parasol monoplane. Experienced gained in the use of flaps during these tests has indicated the desirability of a flap that can be operated quickly and easily.

Soule, H A↗
DOE OSTI2014

Interband Cascade Photovoltaic Cells

In this project, we are performing basic and applied research to systematically investigate our newly proposed interband cascade (IC) photovoltaic (PV) cells [1]. These cells follow from the great success of infrared IC lasers [2-3] that pioneered the use of quantum-engineered IC structures. This quantum-engineered approach will enable PV cells to efficiently convert infrared radiation from the sun or other heat source, to electricity. Such cells will have important applications for more efficient use of solar energy, waste-heat recovery, and power beaming in combination with mid-infrared lasers. The objectives of our investigations are to: achieve extensive understanding of the fundamental aspects of the proposed PV structures, develop the necessary knowledge for making such IC PV cells, and demonstrate prototype working PV cells. This research will focus on IC PV structures and their segments for utilizing infrared radiation with wavelengths from 2 to 5 μm, a range well suited for emission by heat sources (1,000-2,000 K) that are widely available from combustion systems. The long-term goal of this project is to push PV technology to longer wavelengths, allowing for relatively low-temperature thermal sources. Our investigations address material quality, electrical and optical properties, and their interplay for the different regions of an IC PV structure. The tasks involve: design, modeling and optimization of IC PV structures, molecular beam epitaxial growth of PV structures and relevant segments, material characterization, prototype device fabrication and testing. At the end of this program, we expect to generate new cutting-edge knowledge in the design and understanding of quantum-engineered semiconductor structures, and demonstrate the concepts for IC PV devices with high conversion efficiencies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗