Results for “RESEARCH PROGRAMS” — Page 76

DOE OSTI2015

TU-CD-303-03: Localized Radiation Can Induce Systemic Anti-Cancer Immune and Non-Immune Responses and How We Might Utilize It

Recent advances in cancer research have shed new light on the complex processes of how therapeutic radiation initiates changes at cellular, tissue, and system levels that may lead to clinical effects. These new advances may transform the way we use radiation to combat certain types of cancers. For the past two decades many technological advancements in radiation therapy have been largely based on the hypothesis that direct radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks cause cell death and thus tumor control and normal tissue damage. However, new insights have elucidated that in addition to causing cellular DNA damage, localized therapeutic radiation also initiates cascades of complex downstream biological responses in tissue that extend far beyond where therapeutic radiation dose is directly deposited. For instance, studies show that irradiated dying tumor cells release tumor antigens that can lead the immune system to a systemic anti-cancer attack throughout the body of cancer patient; targeted irradiation to solid tumor also increases the migration of tumor cells already in bloodstream, the seeds of potential metastasis. Some of the new insights may explain the long ago discovered but still unexplained non-localized radiation effects (bystander effect and abscopal effect) and the efficacy of spatially fractionated radiation therapy (microbeam radiation therapy and GRID therapy) where many “hot” and “cold” spots are intentionally created throughout the treatment volume. Better understanding of the mechanisms behind the non-localized radiation effects creates tremendous opportunities to develop new and integrated cancer treatment strategies that are based on radiotherapy, immunology, and chemotherapy. However, in the multidisciplinary effort to advance new radiobiology, there are also tremendous challenges including a lack of multidisciplinary researchers and imaging technologies for the microscopic radiation-induced responses. A better grasp of the essence of these advances in cancer biology research will give medical physicists a new perspective in daily clinical physics practice and in future radiation therapy technological development. Furthermore, academic medical physics should continue to be an integral part of the multidisciplinary cancer research community, harnessing our newly acquired understanding of radiation effects, and developing novel cost-effective treatment strategies to better combat cancer. Learning Objectives: Understand that localized radiation can lead to non-localized secondary effects such as radiation-induced immune response, bystander effect, and abscopal effect. Understand that the non-localized radiation effects may be harnessed to improve cancer treatment. Learn examples of physics participation in multidisciplinary research to advance cancer biology. Recognize the challenges and possibilities of physics applications in cancer research. Chang: NIH 5RC2CA148487-02 and 1U54CA151652-01 Graves: IDEA award (19IB-0106) from the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP), and by NIH P01 CA67166.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

TU-CD-303-04: Radiation-Induced Long Distance Tumor Cell Migration Into and Out of the Radiation Field and Its Clinical Implication

Recent advances in cancer research have shed new light on the complex processes of how therapeutic radiation initiates changes at cellular, tissue, and system levels that may lead to clinical effects. These new advances may transform the way we use radiation to combat certain types of cancers. For the past two decades many technological advancements in radiation therapy have been largely based on the hypothesis that direct radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks cause cell death and thus tumor control and normal tissue damage. However, new insights have elucidated that in addition to causing cellular DNA damage, localized therapeutic radiation also initiates cascades of complex downstream biological responses in tissue that extend far beyond where therapeutic radiation dose is directly deposited. For instance, studies show that irradiated dying tumor cells release tumor antigens that can lead the immune system to a systemic anti-cancer attack throughout the body of cancer patient; targeted irradiation to solid tumor also increases the migration of tumor cells already in bloodstream, the seeds of potential metastasis. Some of the new insights may explain the long ago discovered but still unexplained non-localized radiation effects (bystander effect and abscopal effect) and the efficacy of spatially fractionated radiation therapy (microbeam radiation therapy and GRID therapy) where many “hot” and “cold” spots are intentionally created throughout the treatment volume. Better understanding of the mechanisms behind the non-localized radiation effects creates tremendous opportunities to develop new and integrated cancer treatment strategies that are based on radiotherapy, immunology, and chemotherapy. However, in the multidisciplinary effort to advance new radiobiology, there are also tremendous challenges including a lack of multidisciplinary researchers and imaging technologies for the microscopic radiation-induced responses. A better grasp of the essence of these advances in cancer biology research will give medical physicists a new perspective in daily clinical physics practice and in future radiation therapy technological development. Furthermore, academic medical physics should continue to be an integral part of the multidisciplinary cancer research community, harnessing our newly acquired understanding of radiation effects, and developing novel cost-effective treatment strategies to better combat cancer. Learning Objectives: Understand that localized radiation can lead to non-localized secondary effects such as radiation-induced immune response, bystander effect, and abscopal effect. Understand that the non-localized radiation effects may be harnessed to improve cancer treatment. Learn examples of physics participation in multidisciplinary research to advance cancer biology. Recognize the challenges and possibilities of physics applications in cancer research. Chang: NIH 5RC2CA148487-02 and 1U54CA151652-01 Graves: IDEA award (19IB-0106) from the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP), and by NIH P01 CA67166.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Final Report on “Influence of nucleation on ice microphysical properties of mixed-phase stratiform clouds”

This is a final report based on tasks supported by the Atmospheric System Research program (DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Research), DOE Award Number DE-SC0011690. This project has been focused on the following objectives: 1. Laboratory studies of immersion and contact nucleation of ice; 2. Investigation of the influence of time-dependence of ice nucleation on microphysical properties of Arctic and other thin, mixed-phase stratiform clouds; and 3. Theoretical and modeling studies of the conditions necessary for producing large droplets in clouds that can help initiate the collision—coalescence process.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

Advanced Computing Annual Report 2025 [Slides]

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) continued to advance computing as a cornerstone of energy innovation, expanding the Kestrel high-performance computing (HPC) system to 56 peak petaflops. This growth strengthened Kestrel's role as a national asset for applied energy research, enabling larger, more complex simulations and accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) methods across the laboratory's computing portfolio. In FY 2025, AI was a component of most projects running on Kestrel, underscoring its central role in modern energy science and engineering. Kestrel supported a broad and diverse set of 507 modeling and simulation projects, engaging 855 researchers across the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) portfolio and other offices, as well as partners from industry, academia, and utilities. These efforts span critical materials discovery, energy systems modeling, grid modernization, advanced manufacturing, and other areas essential to strengthening U.S. energy security and competitiveness. Together, these collaborations produced 708 technical outputs, including 293 peer-reviewed publications, reflecting both the depth and impact of the science enabled by NLR's computing capabilities. This year's report highlights the growing importance and benefit of AI throughout NLR's research programs and features work by early career researchers who are helping shape the future of computing-enabled energy innovation. Explore these sections and the many project successes captured in the pages that follow.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS1984

Research on aviation fuel instability

The problems associated with aircraft fuel instability are discussed. What is currently known about the problem is reviewed and a research program to identify those areas where more research is needed is discussed. The term fuel instability generally refers to the gums, sediments, or deposits which can form as a result of a set of complex chemical reactions when a fuel is stored for a long period at ambient conditions or when the fuel is thermally stressed inside the fuel system of an aircraft.

Baker, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Experiments on high speed ejectors

Experimental studies were conducted to investigate the flow and the performance of thrust augmenting ejectors for flight Mach numbers in the range of 0.5 to 0.8, primary air stagnation pressures up to 107 psig (738 kPa), and primary air stagnation temperatures up to 1250 F (677 C). The experiment verified the existence of the second solution ejector flow, where the flow after complete mixing is supersonic. Thrust augmentation in excess of 1.2 was demonstrated for both hot and cold primary jets. The experimental ejector performed better than the corresponding theoretical optimal first solution ejector, where the mixed flow is subsonic. Further studies are required to realize the full potential of the second solution ejector. The research program was started by the Flight Dynamics Research Corporation (FDRC) to investigate the characteristic of a high speed ejector which augments thrust of a jet at high flight speeds.

Wu, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Operational performance of vapor-screen systems for in-flight visualization of leading-edge vortices on the F-106B aircraft

A flight research program was undertaken at the NASA Langley Research Center to apply the vapor-screen technique, widely used in wind tunnels, to an aircraft. The purpose was to obtain qualitative and quantitative information about near-field vortex flows above the wings of fighter aircraft and ascertain the effects of Reynolds and Mach numbers over the angle-of-attack range. The hardware for the systems required for flight application of the vapor-screen technique was successfully developed and integrated. Details of each system, its operational performance on the F-106B aircraft, and pertinent aircraft and environmental data collected are presented.

Lamar, John E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Industrial Processes Influenced by Gravity

In considering new directions for low gravity research with particular regard to broadening the number and types of industrial involvements, it is noted that transport phenomena play a vital role in diverse processes in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and biotech industries. Relatively little attention has been given to the role of gravity in such processes. Accordingly, numerous industrial processes and phenomena are identified which involve gravity and/or surface tension forces. Phase separations and mixing are examples that will be significantly different in low gravity conditions. A basis is presented for expanding the scope of the low gravity research program and the potential benefits of such research is indicated.

Ostrach, Simon↗

NASA NTRS1989

An integrated approach to the optimum design of actively controlled composite wings

The importance of interactions among the various disciplines in airplane wing design has been recognized for quite some time. With the introduction of high gain, high authority control systems and the design of thin, flexible, lightweight composite wings, the integrated treatment of control systems, flight mechanics and dynamic aeroelasticity became a necessity. A research program is underway now aimed at extending structural synthesis concepts and methods to the integrated synthesis of lifting surfaces, spanning the disciplines of structures, aerodynamics and control for both analysis and design. Mathematical modeling techniques are carefully selected to be accurate enough for preliminary design purposes of the complicated, built-up lifting surfaces of real aircraft with their multiple design criteria and tight constraints. The presentation opens with some observations on the multidisciplinary nature of wing design. A brief review of some available state of the art practical wing optimization programs and a brief review of current research effort in the field serve to illuminate the motivation and support the direction taken in our research. The goals of this research effort are presented, followed by a description of the analysis and behavior sensitivity techniques used. The presentation concludes with a status report and some forecast of upcoming progress.

Livne, E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Non-contact temperature measurement requirements of ground-based research and flight programs at JPL

The Modular Containerless Processing Facility project is responsible for the development of flight equipment and of the accompanying scientific and technological research necessary to carry out containerless investigations in the low gravity of earth orbit. The requirement for sample temperature measurement is just one of the many physical properties determination needs that must be satisfied before the useful exploitation of low gravity and containerless experimentation techniques can be achieved. The specific implementation of temperature measurement for the ground-based research program is different from that of the flight hardware development project. The needs of the latter must also be differentiated according to the chronological order of the relevant space flight missions. Immediate demands of Spacelab instruments must be addressed by the adaptation of existing reliable technology to the special and restrictive on-orbit environment, while more advanced and yet unperfected techniques will be assigned to enterprises further in the future. The wide range of application of the containerless methods to the study of phenomena involving different states of matter and environmental conditions requires the satisfaction of a variety of boundary conditions through different approaches. An important issue to be resolved will be whether an integrated program dedicated to solve the problems of all the microgravity experimental effort will allow the solution of specific demands of existing as well as future flight equipment.

Trinh, E. H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Dynamic ground effects

A research program is underway at the NASA Langley Research Center to study the effect of rate of descent on ground effects. A series of powered models were tested in the Vortex Research Facility under conditions with rate of descent and in the 14 x 22 Foot Subsonic Tunnel under identical conditions but without rate of descent. These results indicate that the rate of descent can have a significant impact on ground effects particularly if vectored or reversed thrust is used.

Paulson, John W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The NASA Lewis Research Center electric propulsion program

The Lewis Research Center conducts an electric propulsion program aimed at a broad class of space missions. The program is structured in an evolutionary fashion in order to both maximize expectations for the acceptance of developed concepts and accommodate anticipated developments of critical system technologies. Recent efforts have assisted in the acceptance of low power electric rockets. Primary electric propulsion concepts are also being developed for both Solar Electric Propulsion Systems and Nuclear Electric Propulsion Systems class space missions, and the paper briefly describes the concepts under evaluation for potential Space Exploration Initiative missions.

Byers, David C.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Status of the FAA flight loads monitoring program

In support of the Federal Aviation Administration Aging Aircraft Research Program, the Agency has established a Flight Loads Data Collection Program for Commercial Aircraft. The objectives of this Program are to: - Review existing data collected by other sources including but not limited to U.S., Foreign, Military, etc. - Collect current operational usage data from both large and small transport aircraft - Develop criteria for future generations of transports. This paper presents the status of the various programs which are completed, underway or planned. The FAA will be collecting, storing, and analyzing the data which characterize typical commercial transport operations. The airframe manufacturers will handle the task of calculating the loads and stresses.

Aging Aircraft↗

NASA NTRS1991

Space radiation health program plan

The Space Radiation Health Program intends to establish the scientific basis for the radiation protection of humans engaged in the exploration of space, with particular emphasis on the establishment of a firm knowledge base to support cancer risk assessment for future planetary exploration. This document sets forth the technical and management components involved in the implementation of the Space Radiation Health Program, which is a major part of the Life Sciences Division (LSD) effort in the Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). For the purpose of implementing this program, the Life Sciences Division supports scientific research into the fundamental mechanisms of radiation effects on living systems and the interaction of radiation with cells, tissues, and organs, and the development of instruments and processes for measuring radiation and its effects. The Life Sciences Division supports researchers at universities, NASA field centers, non-profit research institutes and national laboratories; establishes interagency agreements for cooperative use and development of facilities; and conducts a space-based research program using available and future spaceflight vehicles.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1992

Status of the variable diameter centerbody inlet program

The Variable Diameter Centerbody (VDC) inlet is an ongoing research program at LeRC. The VDC inlet is a mixed compression, axisymmetric inlet that has potential application on the next generation supersonic transport. This inlet was identified as one of the most promising axisymmetric concepts for supersonic cruise aircraft during the SCAR program in the late 1970's. Some of its features include high recovery, low bleed, good angle-of-attack tolerance, and excellent engine airflow matching. These features were demonstrated at LeRC in the past by the design and testing of fixed hardware models. A current test program in the LeRC 10' x 10' Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) will attempt to duplicate these features on model hardware that actually incorporates a flight-like variable diameter centerbody mechanism.

Saunders, John D.↗

NASA NTRS1994

NASA Ames Fluid Mechanics Laboratory research briefs

The Ames Fluid Mechanics Laboratory research program is presented in a series of research briefs. Nineteen projects covering aeronautical fluid mechanics and related areas are discussed and augmented with the publication and presentation output of the Branch for the period 1990-1993.

Davis, Sanford↗

NASA NTRS1995

Influence of tooth profile modification on spur gear dynamic tooth strain

This paper presents results of dynamic strain gage measurements performed on the NASA gear-noise rig. The experiments were part of a joint research program between NASA and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to advance the technology of rotorcraft transmissions. Tests were performed on six sets of low contact ratio spur gears with different tooth profile modifications. Results presented include static and dynamic measurements of gear tooth strain taken over a matrix of operating conditions. The results demonstrate that a well-designed tooth profile modification can significantly reduce dynamic loads in spur gears, especially for gears which operate at high speed and under high torque. The two parabolic modifications tested were not as effective as linear modifications, possibly because the modification zone was too long.

Oswald, Fred B.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Advanced Power Electronics Components

This paper will give a description and status of the Advanced Power Electronics Materials and Components Technology program being conducted by the NASA Glenn Research Center for future aerospace power applications. The focus of this research program is on the following: 1) New and/or significantly improved dielectric materials for the development of power capacitors with increased volumetric efficiency, energy density, and operating temperature. Materials being investigated include nanocrystalline and composite ceramic dielectrics and diamond-like carbon films; 2) New and/or significantly improved high frequency, high temperature, low loss soft magnetic materials for the development of transformers/inductors with increased power/energy density, electrical efficiency, and operating temperature. Materials being investigated include nanocrystalline and nanocomposite soft magnetic materials; 3) Packaged high temperature, high power density, high voltage, and low loss SiC diodes and switches. Development of high quality 4H- and 6H- SiC atomically smooth substrates to significantly improve device performance is a major emphasis of the SiC materials program; 4) Demonstration of high temperature (> 200 C) circuits using the components developed above.

Schwarze, Gene E.↗