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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Improving the prediction of daily reservoir releases over the CONUS using conditioned LSTM

Reservoirs play a vital role in regulating streamflow timing and variability for hydroelectricity, flood control, water supply, irrigation, and recreation. Despite their importance, many reservoirs lack comprehensive operational guidelines, making their management complex due to conflicting operational objectives. Hence traditional policy-based reservoir models often fail to capture real-world conditions accurately and they depend on perfect streamflow predictions, which are not always available. In contrast, data-driven models like Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks offer a robust alternative. This study introduces an approach that integrates reservoir characteristics—such as main use, climate, and maximum capacity—into the LSTM model to enhance reservoir release predictions. Using data from nearly 200 reservoirs in the contiguous United States (CONUS), our conditioned LSTM model (LSTM_cond) was compared with both the vanila LSTM and a traditional policy-based approach. Furthermore, our results show that while both LSTM_cond and LSTM perfoms better than the policy-based approach, LSTM_cond consistently outperforms LSTM for hydroelectric, water supply, irrigation, and recreation reservoirs. The KGE median values for LSTM_cond for out-sample reservoirs are 0.764, 0.565, 0.821, and 0.779, respectively, for the aforementioned reservoir types, which are consistently higher that the corresponding KGE values of 0.737, 0.413, 0.775, and 0.713 of LSTM, demonstrating its advantages in improving generalizability.

CONUS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Scenario Storyline Discovery for Planning in Multi‐Actor Human‐Natural Systems Confronting Change

Scenarios have emerged as valuable tools in managing complex human-natural systems, but the traditional approach of limiting focus on a small number of predetermined scenarios can inadvertently miss consequential dynamics, extremes, and diverse stakeholder impacts. Exploratory modeling approaches have been developed to address these issues by exploring a wide range of possible futures and identifying those that yield consequential vulnerabilities. However, vulnerabilities are typically identified based on aggregate robustness measures that do not take full advantage of the richness of the underlying dynamics in the large ensembles of model simulations and can make it hard to identify key dynamics and/or storylines that can guide planning or further analyses. This study introduces the FRamework for Narrative Storylines and Impact Classification (FRNSIC; pronounced “forensic”): a scenario discovery framework that addresses these challenges by organizing and investigating consequential scenarios using hierarchical classification of diverse outcomes across actors, sectors, and scales, while also aiding in the selection of scenario storylines, based on system dynamics that drive consequential outcomes. We present an application of this framework to the Upper Colorado River Basin, focusing on decadal droughts and their water scarcity implications for the basin's diverse users and its obligations to downstream states through Lake Powell. We show how FRNSIC can explore alternative sets of impact metrics and drought dynamics and use them to identify drought scenario storylines, that can be used to inform future adaptation planning.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Active learning path-dependent properties using a cloud-based materials acceleration platform

Solid state materials are central to many modern technologies in which a given material may be exposed to a variety of environments. The material properties often vary with the sequence of environments in an irreversible manner, resulting in a quintessential path-dependency in experimental observables. While sequential learning techniques have been effectively deployed for accelerating learning of state properties of materials, they often use a consistent environment path in all experiments. To elevate such techniques for making optimal decisions in experimental investigations of path-dependent properties, we introduce an iterated expected information gain acquisition function that optimizes over entire experimental trajectories. This approach is implemented within a cloud-based Materials Acceleration Platform architecture utilizing an event-driven stateful broker coupled with remote HELAO (Hierarchical Experimental Laboratory Automation and Orchestration) instances and an AI science manager. The platform's efficacy was demonstrated through a case study optimizing multi-step spectro-electrochemical experiments to identify optically stable potential windows in (Co–Ni–Sb)O z metal oxides. The system successfully integrated AI-driven experiment design, remote laboratory automation, and cloud-based data infrastructure, validating the platform's capability for managing complex, adaptive, path-dependent workflows in materials discovery.

Guevarra, Dan [California Institute of Technology ↗
DOE OSTI2015

The Heroes' Problems: Exploring the Potentials of Google Glass for Biohazard Handling Professionals

In “white powder incidents” or other suspicious and risky situations relating to deadly diseases or chemicals (e.g., Ebola investigation), those who handle the potentially hazardous materials are the heroes who spearhead the first responder’s operations. Although well trained, these heroes need to manage complex problems and make life-or-death decisions while handling the unknown and dangerous. We are motivated to explore how Google Glass can facilitate those heroes’ missions. To this end, we conducted contextual inquiry on six biohazard-handling, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-wearing professionals. With an inductive thematic analysis, we summarized the heroes’ workflow and four groups of “Heroes’ Problems”. A unique “A3 Model” (Awareness, Analysis, Action) was generated to encapsulate our qualitative findings and proposed Glass features. The findings serve as the groundwork for our future development.

contextual inquiry↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ecological Monitoring and Compliance Program 2014 Report

The Ecological Monitoring and Compliance Program (EMAC), funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO, formerly Nevada Site Office), monitors the ecosystem of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and ensures compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to NNSS biota. This report summarizes the program’s activities conducted by National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec), during calendar year 2014. Program activities included (a) biological surveys at proposed activity sites, (b) desert tortoise compliance, (c) ecosystem monitoring, (d) sensitive plant species monitoring, (e) sensitive and protected/regulated animal monitoring, and (f) habitat restoration monitoring. During 2014, all applicable laws, regulations, and permit requirements were met, enabling EMAC to achieve its intended goals and objectives. Sensitive and protected/regulated species of the NNSS include 42 plants, 1 mollusk, 2 reptiles, 236 birds, and 27 mammals. These species are protected, regulated, or considered sensitive according to state or federal regulations and natural resource agencies and organizations. The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and the western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) are the only species on the NNSS protected under the Endangered Species Act, both listed as threatened. However, only one record of the cuckoo has ever been documented on the NNSS, and there is no good habitat for this species on the NNSS. It is considered a rare migrant. Biological surveys for the presence of sensitive and protected/regulated species and important biological resources on which they depend were conducted for 18 projects. A total of 199.18 hectares (ha) was surveyed for these projects. Sensitive and protected/regulated species and important biological resources found during these surveys included a predator burrow, one sidewinder rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes), two mating speckled rattlesnakes (Crotalus mitchellii), and several species of cacti. NSTec provided to project managers a written summary report of all survey findings and mitigation recommendations, where applicable. Of the 18 projects on the NNSS, 15 occurred within the range of the threatened desert tortoise. Approximately 2.19 ha of desert tortoise habitat were disturbed. No desert tortoises were accidentally injured or killed by project activities, and no tortoises were killed by vehicles. On 13 occasions, tortoises were moved off the road and out of harm’s way. Six tortoises were found and transmitters attached as part of an approved study to assess impacts of vehicles on tortoises on the NNSS. NSTec biologists continued to monitor 37 juvenile desert tortoises as part of a collaborative effort to study survival and temperament of translocated animals. From 1978 until 2013, there has been an average of 11.2 wildland fires per year on the NNSS with an average of about 83.7 ha burned per fire. There were no wildland fires documented on the NNSS during 2014. Results from the wildland fuel surveys showed a very low risk of wildland fire due to reduced fuel loads caused by limited natural precipitation. Limited reptile trapping and reptile roadkill surveys were conducted to better define species distribution on the NNSS. Sixteen reptiles were trapped representing five species. Combined with data from 2013, 183 road kills were detected, representing 11 snake and 8 lizard species. Selected natural water sources were monitored to assess trends in physical and biological parameters, and one new water source was found. Wildlife use at five water troughs and four radiologically contaminated sumps was documented using motion-activated cameras. As part of the statewide effort to disseminate information throughout the botanical community, NSTec prepared a shape file with site-specific data for all 17 sensitive plants on the NNSS and provided it to the Nevada Natural Heritage Program for inclusion in their statewide database. No field surveys were conducted this year for sensitive plants on the NNSS due to poor growing conditions. Surveys of sensitive and protected/regulated animals during 2014 focused on winter raptors, bats, wild horses (Equus caballus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), desert bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis nelsoni), and mountain lions (Puma concolor). Two permanent, long-term winter raptor survey routes were established and sampled in January and February. A total of 27 raptors representing 4 species were observed. The wild horse population increased from 30 to 41, with several yearlings recruiting into the population, possibly due to the death of a mountain lion known to prey on horse foals. Mule deer abundance and density measured with standardized deer surveys was similar to 2013 and appears to be stable. Desert bighorn sheep, including rams, ewes, and lambs, were detected using motion-activated cameras at four water sources. There are plans to conduct helicopter surveys to census the population during September 2015 and then capture and radio-collar up to 20 sheep during November 2015. Over 150 sheep scat samples have been collected for genetic analysis to try to determine how sheep on the NNSS are related to surrounding sheep populations. Information is presented about bird mortalities, Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance, and a summary of nuisance animals and their control on the NNSS. A total of 93 mountain lion images (i.e., photographs or video clips) were taken during 220,379 camera hours at 16 of 32 sites sampled and another 11,946 images of at least 29 species other than mountain lions were taken as well. A mountain lion telemetry study continued in 2014. NNSS7 was tracked from January 1 to November 15 using a global positioning system satellite transmitter. He consumed 21 mule deer, 17 desert bighorn sheep, 1 juvenile bobcat, and 3 coyotes. Mule deer were primarily taken in the summer and fall. No new mountain lions were captured. A minimum of four adult lions (two males, two females), a subadult male, and three kittens were known to inhabit the NNSS during 2014. Two previously revegetated sites on the NNSS and one on the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) were monitored in 2014. The cover cap on the U-3ax/bl disposal unit, revegetated in 2000, and the 92-Acre Site at the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Complex, revegetated in 2011, were the restoration sites monitored on the NNSS. The Corrective Action Unit 407 Rollercoaster RADSAFE site, revegetated in 2000, was the restoration site monitored on the TTR. Plant cover and density were recorded at all sites except U-3ax/bl (qualitative monitoring), and reclamation success standards were evaluated, where applicable.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 573: Alpha Contaminated Sites Nevada National Security Site, Nevada with ROTC 1

This Closure Report (CR) presents information supporting the closure of Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 573: Alpha Contaminated Sites, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada. CAU 573 comprises the two corrective action sites (CASs): 05-23-02-GMX Alpha Contaminated Are-Closure in Place and 05-45-01-Atmospheric Test Site - Hamilton- Clean Closure. The purpose of this CR is to provide justification and documentation supporting the recommendation that no further corrective action is needed for CAU 573 based on the implementation of the corrective actions. Corrective action activities were performed at Hamilton from May 25 through June 30, 2016; and at GMX from May 25 to October 27, 2016, as set forth in the Corrective Action Decision Document (CADD)/Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for Corrective Action Unit 573: Alpha Contaminated Sites; and in accordance with the Soils Activity Quality Assurance Plan, which establishes requirements, technical planning, and general quality practices. Verification sample results were evaluated against data quality objective criteria developed by stakeholders that included representatives from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO) during the corrective action alternative (CAA) meeting held on November 24, 2015. Radiological doses exceeding the final action level were assumed to be present within the high contamination areas associated with CAS 05-23-02, thus requiring corrective action. It was also assumed that radionuclides were present at levels that require corrective action within the soil/debris pile associated with CAS 05-45-01. During the CAU 573 CAA meeting, the CAA of closure in place with a use restriction (UR) was selected by the stakeholders as the preferred corrective action of the high contamination areas at CAS 05-23-02 (GMX), which contain high levels of removable contamination; and the CAA of clean closure was selected by the stakeholders as preferred corrective action for the debris pile at CAS 05-45-01 (Hamilton). The closure in place was accomplished by posting signs containing a warning label on the existing contamination area fence line; and recording the FFACO UR and administrative UR in the FFACO database, the NNSA/NFO CAU/CAS files, and the management and operating contractor Geographic Information Systems. The clean closure was accomplished by excavating the soil/debris pile, disposing of the contents at the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Complex, and collecting verification samples. The corrective actions were implemented as stipulated in the CADD/CAP, and verification sample results confirm that the criteria for the completion of corrective actions have been met. Based on the implementation of these corrective actions, NNSA/NFO provides the following recommendations: No further corrective actions are necessary for CAU 573; The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection should issue a Notice of Completion to NNSA/NFO for closure of CAU 573; CAU 573 should be moved from Appendix III to Appendix IV of the FFACO.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

System Engineering Applied: A Case Study in the Implementation of Successful Systems

The application of Systems Engineering (SE) principles has emerged to manage complex systems from a concept to the successful realization and implementation of the system. Multiple Research and Development (R&D) programs at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) have implemented these principles and have maximized their efforts in the realization of successful systems. The Primary Standards Laboratory (PSL) at SNL has avoided the full implementation of such principles which has stalled the development of new and efficient calibration systems. The objective of this project is to introduce SE to the PSL and develop a framework of best practices that can be utilized to expedite the development and deployment of accurate and efficient testing systems throughout the PSL. A Case Study will be presented for the principles of the SE development lifecycle in a R&D environment to maximize the PSL’s efforts in a requirements-driven environment.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Historical Data Analysis Supporting the Data Quality Objectives for the INL Site Environmental Soil Monitoring Program

This document represents the initial evaluation and soil monitoring proposed by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA) in 2015. The evaluation included analyses of historical soil monitoring data and soil inventories, current emission estimates, and modeled potential deposition/accumulation patterns. The initially proposed monitoring included a 5-year rotation of in-situ gamma measurements augmented by soil sampling with laboratory analyses near each major active and some inactive facilities. It also proposed rotational in-situ gamma measurements and soil sampling at two centrally located onsite air monitoring locations coinciding with sampling at the traditional offsite soil monitoring locations. The chosen alternative includes only physical soil sampling with laboratory analysis and only at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex (RWMC), the two air monitors and the offsite locations as documented in Data Quality Objectives Supporting the Environmental Soil Monitoring Program for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site, INL/EXT-15-34909, Revision 0, February 2016. The data and evaluations in this document are valid for comparisons with future soil data that may be collected in many INL site locations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electric Utility Industry Standards Landscape

The electric utility industry relies on robust communication protocols to manage complex electrical grid data. The inherent networked nature of electrical grids, coupled with the radial structure of the “last mile” portion delivering power to end-use customers, presents difficulties in describing electrical models using simple data constructs. The paper provides an overview of communication protocols that address electric utility data, including grid data, and classifies these protocols through identification key characteristics that make them suitable for different electric grid data domains. Because of their variety, grid edge devices and their associated dedicated protocols are assessed by groups: those primarily designed for energy production and storage, those related to flexible loads, and those related to electric vehicles. The intent of this report is to provide guidance for stakeholders to navigate the challenges posed by the numerous overlapping protocols available to address electric grid data. Although further industry review, refinement, and validation of the categorization of these protocols is recommended, the authors propose this categorization as a start to improve electric grid awareness and understanding. In addition, this report includes three recommended industry actions regarding protocols to improve communications on the electric grid.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Fast Adaptive Neural Control of Resonant Extraction at Fermilab

We present the development of a machine learning (ML) based regulation system for third-order resonant beam extraction in the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab. Classical and ML-based controllers have been optimized using semi-analytic simulations and evaluated in terms of regulation performance and training efficiency. We compare several controller architectures and discuss the integration of neural control into an adaptive framework. We also present progress on surrogate models that predict the controller response given a spill intensity and controller action history. To enable real-time deployment, we report progress on implementing low-latency, edge-based inference suitable for hardware-constrained environments. Our results demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of ML-based control in managing complex, time-varying physical systems, with broader implications for accelerator operations and other domains requiring fast, adaptive regulation.

Berlioz, Jose Rene [Fermilab]↗
NASA NTRS1989

Multinational Mars exploration

A primary concern in the formation of a multinational Mars-exploration program is that of technology transfer, which would be most acute in the U.S./U.S.S.R. case but would exist in lesser degree among other nations. Another concern is that of management-complexity, which could inflate total costs and substantially counteract the anticipated benefits of spreading program costs among a number of nations. It is presently suggested that these problems can be substantially reduced by having each nation become responsible for one (or more) complete flight system. Each nation's role in mission operations must be clear, and the cleanliness of interfaces among flight systems must carry over into mission operations.

Rea, Donald G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Transportable Applications Environment (TAE) Plus: A NASA tool for building and managing graphical user interfaces

The Transportable Applications Environment (TAE) Plus, developed at GSFC, is an advanced portable user interface development environment which simplifies the process of creating and managing complex application graphical user interfaces (GUI's), supports prototyping, allows applications to be ported easily between different platforms and encourages appropriate levels of user interface consistency between applications. The following topics are discussed: the capabilities of the TAE Plus tool; how the implementation has utilized state-of-the-art technologies within graphic workstations; and how it has been used both within and outside of NASA.

Szczur, Martha R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Transportable Applications Environment (TAE) Plus - A NASA productivity tool used to develop graphical user interfaces

The Transportable Applications Environment (TAE) Plus, developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, is an advanced portable user interface development environment which simplifies the process of creating and managing complex application graphical user interfaces (GUIs), supports prototyping, allows applications to be oported easily between different platforms, and encourages appropriate levels of user interface consistency between applications. This paper discusses the capabilities of the TAE Plus tool, and how it makes the job of designing and developing GUIs easier for the application developers. The paper also explains how tools like TAE Plus provide for reusability and ensure reliability of UI software components, as well as how they aid in the reduction of development and maintenance costs.

Szczur, Martha R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Transportable Applications Environment (TAE) Plus: A NASA tool for building and managing graphical user interfaces

The Transportable Applications Environment (TAE) Plus, developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, is an advanced portable user interface development which simplifies the process of creating and managing complex application graphical user interfaces (GUI's). TAE Plus supports the rapid prototyping of GUI's and allows applications to be ported easily between different platforms. This paper will discuss the capabilities of the TAE Plus tool, and how it makes the job of designing and developing GUI's easier for application developers. TAE Plus is being applied to many types of applications, and this paper discusses how it has been used both within and outside NASA.

Szczur, Martha R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Conceptual design environment

Opportunities in conceptual design reside in the fact that the greatest chance for cost reduction occurs during the early stages of product development. The conceptual design problem encompasses managing complex engineering information, multiple interacting groups, and uncertainty. Presented in viewgraph form are the opportunities in conceptual design, the design scenario, and technical issues and approaches.

Buckley, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A parallel data management system for large-scale NASA datasets

The past decade has experienced a phenomenal growth in the amount of data and resultant information generated by NASA's operations and research projects. A key application is the reprocessing problem which has been identified to require data management capabilities beyond those available today (PRAT93). The Intelligent Information Fusion (IIF) system (ROEL91) is an ongoing NASA project which has similar requirements. Deriving our understanding of NASA's future data management needs based on the above, this paper describes an approach to using parallel computer systems (processor and I/O architectures) to develop an efficient parallel database management system to address the needs. Specifically, we propose to investigate issues in low-level record organizations and management, complex query processing, and query compilation and scheduling.

Srivastava, Jaideep↗
NASA NTRS1994

Changes and challenges in the Software Engineering Laboratory

Since 1976, the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) has been dedicated to understanding and improving the way in which one NASA organization, the Flight Dynamics Division (FDD), develops, maintains, and manages complex flight dynamics systems. The SEL is composed of three member organizations: NASA/GSFC, the University of Maryland, and Computer Sciences Corporation. During the past 18 years, the SEL's overall goal has remained the same: to improve the FDD's software products and processes in a measured manner. This requires that each development and maintenance effort be viewed, in part, as a SEL experiment which examines a specific technology or builds a model of interest for use on subsequent efforts. The SEL has undertaken many technology studies while developing operational support systems for numerous NASA spacecraft missions.

Pajerski, Rose↗
NASA NTRS1995

What's Happening in the Software Engineering Laboratory?

Since 1976 the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) has been dedicated to understanding and improving the way in which one NASA organization the Flight Dynamics Division (FDD) at Goddard Space Flight Center, develops, maintains, and manages complex flight dynamics systems. This paper presents an overview of recent activities and studies in SEL, using as a framework the SEL's organizational goals and experience based software improvement approach. It focuses on two SEL experience areas : (1) the evolution of the measurement program and (2) an analysis of three generations of Cleanroom experiments.

Pajerski, Rose↗