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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 68: Who is Managing Knowledge? The Implications for Knowledge Production and Management of Global Strategic Alliances in Knowledge Dependent Industries

Knowledge is the foundation upon which researchers build as they innovate. Innovation lies at the core of a state's or a firm's ability to survive in a competitive world. Indeed, some economic historians ever that technological innovation, not trade, is the engine to economic growth. Despite the centrality of knowledge to corporate success, analysts have only recently shown an interest in the "knowledge capital" or "intellectual capital" of the firm, often literally trying to assign a value to this resource.

Golich, Vicki L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

KARL: A Knowledge-Assisted Retrieval Language

Data classification and storage are tasks typically performed by application specialists. In contrast, information users are primarily non-computer specialists who use information in their decision-making and other activities. Interaction efficiency between such users and the computer is often reduced by machine requirements and resulting user reluctance to use the system. This thesis examines the problems associated with information retrieval for non-computer specialist users, and proposes a method for communicating in restricted English that uses knowledge of the entities involved, relationships between entities, and basic English language syntax and semantics to translate the user requests into formal queries. The proposed method includes an intelligent dictionary, syntax and semantic verifiers, and a formal query generator. In addition, the proposed system has a learning capability that can improve portability and performance. With the increasing demand for efficient human-machine communication, the significance of this thesis becomes apparent. As human resources become more valuable, software systems that will assist in improving the human-machine interface will be needed and research addressing new solutions will be of utmost importance. This thesis presents an initial design and implementation as a foundation for further research and development into the emerging field of natural language database query systems.

Dominick, Wayne D.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Mixing, Noise and Thrust Benefits Using Corrugated Designs

This project was conducted as a support for effective research, training and teaching of Hampton University students in Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics. Basically, this work is organized and implemented by the new Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory (FM & AL) which was established at Hampton University in the School of Engineering and Technology (E & T) in 1996. In addition, FM & AL in cooperation with NASA LaRC jointly conducts research with the Central AeroHydrodynamics Institute (TSAGI, Moscow) in Russia under a 2 year Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). This project is also conducted under control of NASA HQ. For fulfillment of the current project, several researchers were involved as was shown in the proposal to NASA in 1996. This work is the development and support for projects solve problems with the goal of reducing jet noise and increasing nozzle thrust.

White, Samuel G.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Start Up Research Effort in Fluid Mechanics. Advanced Methods for Acoustic and Thrust Benefits for Aircraft Engine Nozzle

In accordance with the project plan for the report period in the proposal titled above, HU and FML teams investigated two sets of concepts for reduction of noise and improvement in efficiency for jet exhaust nozzles of aircraft engines and screws for mixers, fans, propellers and boats. The main achievements in the report period are: (a) Publication of the paper in the AIAA Journal, which described our concepts and some results. (b) The Award in the Civil Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) competition. This 2 year grant for Hampton University (HU) and Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TSAGI, Moscow, Russia) supports the research implementation under the current NASA FAR grant. (c) Selection for funding by NASA HQ review panel of the Partnership Awards Concept Paper. This two year grant also will support our current FAR grant. (d) Publication of a Mobius Strip concept in NASA Technical Briefs, June, 1996, and a great interest of many industrial companies in this invention. Successful experimental results with the Mobius shaped screw for mixers, which save more than 30% of the electric power by comparison with the standard screws. Creation of the scientific-popular video-film which can be used for commercial and educational purposes. (e) Organization work, joint meetings and discussions of the NASA LARC JNL Team and HU professors and administration for the solution of actual problems and effective work of the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at Hampton University. In this report the main designs are enumerated. It also contains for both concept sets: (1) the statement of the problem for each design, some results, publications, inventions, patents, our vision for continuation of this research, and (2) present and expected problems in the future.

White, Samuel G.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Co-synthesis of Hydrogen and High-Value Carbon Products from Methane Pyrolysis

The ARPA-E Methane Pyrolysis Project successfully developed a scalable technology for hydrogen production with low-CO x emission through methane pyrolysis, co-producing high-value carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The project focused on optimizing reactor design, enhancing catalyst performance, and assessing techno-economic feasibility to create a commercially viable and environmentally sustainable process. The fluidized bed reactor achieved over 90% methane (CH 4 ) conversion by using a 5% CO 2 co-feed, which stabilizes carbon yields and minimizes catalyst deactivation. This setup allowed for continuous operation across ten cycles, each consisting of a 14-minute pyrolysis phase followed by a 10-minute dislodging phase to remove a fraction of the accumulated carbon, resulting in stable performance and high-quality CNT production. In parallel, monolith reactors coated with Fe demonstrated a sustained methane conversion of 73% while producing CNTs with high crystallinity. Although promising for continuous operation, monolith reactors face challenges in coating durability and scalability, highlighting areas for further optimization in commercial applications. Catalyst formulation played a key role in enhancing process efficiency. The core catalyst used was 5%Fe/Al 2 O 3 (wt%), optimized through wet impregnation, which improved CNT morphology, yielding longer and more uniform CNTs. The catalyst's performance was further enhanced by adding promoters: 2.5 wt% Ni increased methane conversion close to the thermodynamic limit, while 2.5 wt% Mn improved CNT alignment and crystallinity, and 1.5 wt% NaCl boosted CNT morphology but slightly lowered methane conversion. These adjustments allowed the reactor to maintain high methane conversion while producing high-quality CNTs, enabling stable performance over multiple cycles. To address carbon buildup and ensure uninterrupted operation, a pneumatic conveying tube was implemented for effective carbon dislodging in the fluidized bed configuration. CO 2 and H 2 O co-feeds were also introduced to enhance carbon removal, with CO 2 boosting CNT yield by approximately 15%. This setup enabled stable reactor operation across multiple cycles, preventing clogging and minimizing catalyst wear, making the process suitable for industrial scaling. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) projected hydrogen production costs between $\$$1.00 and $\$$1.64 per kilogram, with CNT values assumed at $\$$375/ton and $\$$100/ton. The life cycle assessment showed that CO 2 emissions could be as low as 0.64 kg CO 2 e/kg H 2 at 95% methane conversion assuming an electricity input of 50 kg CO 2 e/MWh. Even at 50% methane conversion, emissions remained below 1 kg CO 2 e/kg H 2 , demonstrating the process's low-emission potential and making it a viable alternative to traditional steam methane reforming. Overall, the results from this project demonstrate the feasibility of a pyrolysis process where carbon is continuously removed from the catalyst surface and hydrogen is continuously produced until a catalyst regeneration step is required to fully clean the catalyst surface and renew catalyst performance. Major open challenges are related to avoiding the loss of catalyst material in the dislodged carbon during fluidized bed conditions, since our best result demonstrated a carbon purity of ~70 wt. % (rest being iron and alumina). A monolith reactor was used to favor dislodgement of carbon compared to fluidized bed conditions but our results do not demonstrate an advantage of the monolith configuration. Catalyst performance was similar to fluidized bed conditions with slower deactivation rates overall, but we could not observe carbon dislodging in any of the tens of experiments that were run at Stanford. Our results show that the most relevant areas of improvement are related to the fundamental understanding of the iron-carbon interface for dislodging, and the development of catalyst that can produce CNTs via a base-growth mechanism such that catalyst is not lost in the dislodgement steps. The final report documents all findings and methodologies in detail, providing a valuable resource for the scientific community. By building on these results, researchers can further advance methane pyrolysis technology, moving toward a more sustainable, scalable pathway for hydrogen production. This work lays the foundation for future research and commercial efforts to reduce emissions in hydrogen production while generating valuable carbon products.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Systematic Review on Coordinated Restoration Strategies for Power Distribution Grids

Power distribution grids are increasingly exposed to High-Impact Low-Probability (HILP) events, which cause widespread disruptions with severe societal and economic impacts. The growing complexity of modern grids, driven by the integration of distributed energy resources and smart grid technologies, has introduced new challenges to effective service restoration. While significant research has explored individual restoration strategies, such as network reconfiguration and microgrid formation, limited attention has been given to methods in which they can be effectively coordinated. Furthermore, the absence of systematic review papers addressing this issue hampers the development of cohesive restoration frameworks capable of addressing the operational complexities of modern grids. This paper presents a systematic review synthesizing existing knowledge on power grid restoration, identifying key limitations, and highlighting opportunities for coordinated strategies. By addressing research gaps and emphasizing the integration of diverse approaches, this study provides critical insights for advancing grid resiliency and recovery, offering a foundation for future research and practical applications in the face of HILP events.

Systematic review↗
DOE OSTI2021

Strategic Energy Management Program Persistence and Cost Effectiveness An Analysis of the SEM Program Landscape

This study examines the relationship between strategic energy management (SEM) programs and their persistence and cost effectiveness, with analysis based on interview data from 24 SEM program administrators, SEM program evaluations, and other reports. The 80 interview questions focused on the topics of program design, energy savings, energy savings persistence, cost effectiveness, and customer SEM persistence. The generosity of interview respondents provided a wealth of data, resulting in a report of sufficient length to warrant inclusion of this brief guide of the report structure. The major sections are listed below with brief descriptions. Individual sections of this report are mainly stand-alone and do not require reading of other sections. As a result, there is some duplication between sections, but with differing levels of detail. Executive Summary: Presents three key conclusions of this work with a short description of potential actions to advance the understanding of each key finding. Brief Observations: Lists a large number of bulleted observations resulting from this research, arranged by the five major topic areas included in the interviews. Analysis details are provided in the Analysis of Interview Results section. Foundations for this Research: Provides an overview of SEM, SEM frameworks, SEM programs, the topics of persistence and cost effectiveness, and the focus of this research. Methodology: Details the approach and strategy of this research, providing background information relevant to the formulation of interview questions and the identification of which SEM programs to interview. Observations from Compiled Evaluations and Other Reports: Reports observations from the collection and analysis of program evaluations, annual reports, utility planning documents, and SEM-related white papers. This section, presented in bullet form, highlights challenges in data collection and ultimately a comparison of program practices as they pertain to persistence and cost effectiveness. Analysis of Interview Results: Presents detailed analysis of responses from SEM program administrators, arranged by the five major categories examined: program design, energy savings, energy savings persistence, cost effectiveness, and customer SEM persistence. Interview questions are generally grouped together into subsections when it makes sense to examine them together. SEM Programs Challenge Traditional Cost-Effectiveness Metrics: Details an analysis based on five key factors showing that applying traditional cost-effectiveness metrics to SEM programs is not straightforward. This invites the opportunity to consider whether traditional cost-effectiveness metrics are applicable to SEM programs, either individually or at large. Resolution of Research Hypotheses: Tabulates a set of hypotheses that were developed to address the fundamental nature of the research at hand. Analysis of responses to multiple questions informs an understanding of each hypothesis and can be used to better understand the SEM program environment at large.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Investigating Scientific Data Change with User Research Methods

Scientific datasets are continually expanding and changing due to fluctuations with instruments, quality assessment and quality control processes, and modifications to software pipelines. Datasets include minimal information about these changes or their effects requiring scientists manually assess modifications through a number of labor intensive and ad-hoc steps. The Deduce project is investigating data change to develop metrics, methods, and tools that will help scientists systematically identify and make decisions around data changes. Currently, there is a lack of understanding, and common practices, for identifying and evaluating changes in datasets since systematically measuring and managing data change is under explored in scientific work. We are conducting user research to address this need by exploring scientist's conceptualizations, behaviors, needs, and motivations when dealing with changing datasets. Our user research utilizes multiple methods to produce foundational, generative insights and evaluate research products produced by our team. In this paper, we detail our user research process and outline our findings about data change that emerge from our studies. Our work illustrates how scientific software teams can push beyond just usability testing user interfaces or tools to better probe the underlying ideas they are developing solutions to address.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
NASA NTRS2000

Advanced Methods for Acoustic and Thrust Benefits for Aircraft Engine Nozzles

The Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory (FM&AL) was established At Hampton University in June of 1996. In addition, the FM&AL jointly conducted research with the Central AeroHydrodynamics Institute (TsAGI, Moscow) in Russia under a 2.5 year Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). The goals of the FM&AL programs are two fold: 1) to improve the working efficiency of the FM&AL team in generating new innovative ideas and in conducting research in the field of fluid dynamics and acoustics, basically for improvement of supersonic and subsonic aircraft engines, and 2) to attract promising minority students to this research and training and, in cooperation with other HU departments, to teach them basic knowledge in Aerodynamics, Gas Dynamics, and Theoretical and Experimental Methods in Aeroacoustics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The research at the FM&AL supports reduction schemes associated with the emission of engine pollutants for commercial aircraft and concepts for reduction of observables for military aircraft. These research endeavors relate to the goals of the NASA Strategic Enterprise in Aeronautics concerning the development of environmentally acceptable aircraft. It is in this precise area, where the US aircraft industry, academia, and Government are in great need of trained professionals and which is a high priority goal of the Minority University Research and Education (MUREP) Program, that the HU FM&AL can make its most important contribution. This project already benefits NASA and HU because: First, the innovation, testing, and further development of new techniques for advanced propulsion systems are necessary for the successful attainment of the NASA Long Term Goals in Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology (ASTT) including Global Civil Aviation, Revolutionary Technology Leaps, Access to Space, R&D Services, and the economic competitiveness of the US Aircraft Industry in the 2 1 st century. Secondly, the joint theoretical and experimental research and training by the GRC-HU Teams aids: using advanced methods and experience in Aerospace Engineering for domestic industries and training of HU students for interesting innovative work in the numerical simulation field as well as engineering and experimental research. HU students use and modify existing numerical codes for the solution of actual applied problems of the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC)

Morgan, Morris H., III↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multiphoton and Harmonic Imaging of Microarchitected Materials

Microadditive manufacturing has revolutionized the production of complex, nano- to microscale components across various fields. This work investigates two-photon (2P) and three-photon (3P) fluorescence imaging, as well as third-harmonic generation (THG) microscopy, to examine periodic microarchitected lattice structures fabricated using multiphoton lithography (MPL). By immersing the structures in refractive index matching fluids, we demonstrate high-fidelity 3D reconstructions of both fluorescent structures using 2P and 3P microscopy as well as low-fluorescence structures using THG microscopy. These results show that multiphoton fluorescence (MPF) imaging offers reduced signal decay with respect to depth compared to single-photon techniques in the examined structures. We further demonstrate the ability to nondestructively identify intentional internal modifications of the structure that are not immediately visible with scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and compression-induced fractures, highlighting the potential of these techniques for quality control and defect detection in microadditively manufactured components.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unraveling fundamental mechanisms of silicon nitride crystallization in microelectronics manufacturing

This research project investigates the fundamental mechanisms of silicon nitride (SiN) crystallization, aiming to enhance the understanding of this critical material in microelectronics manufacturing. Through a collaborative effort between Sandia National Laboratories, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Florida, we developed a comprehensive framework that integrates experimental techniques, atomistic modeling, meso-scale simulations, and an integrated multi-scale model to capture this physical phenomenon on multiple time and length scales . The project developed a new machine learning based atomistic potential and utilized advanced phase field modeling to capture the complexities of polycrystalline growth and the influence of mechanical stresses on crystallization dynamics. By employing a grain tracker algorithm, the meso-scale model effectively identified and tracked individual crystal grains, enabling the simulation of anisotropic growth behaviors reflective of SiN’s physical properties. The integration of atomistic simulations with meso-scale modeling created a powerful multi-scale framework that validated atomistic inputs and enhanced predictive accuracy for crystallization dynamics at larger scales, validated experimentally. This adaptable modeling capability not only accelerates development times by informing manufacturing processes but also serves as a valuable starting point for understanding crystallization physics in similar materials. The insights gained from this research unlock new opportunities for the development of advanced materials tailored for future microelectronics and photonics applications. Overall, this project represents a significant advancement in understanding of fundamental physics of SiN and establishes a foundation for future research in material science, bridging the gap between atomic-level phenomena and macroscopic material behaviors for practical applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2000

Advanced Methods for Aircraft Engine Thrust and Noise Benefits: Nozzle-Inlet Flow Analysis

In this project, we continue to develop the previous joint research between the Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory (FM&AL) at Hampton University (HU) and the Jet Noise Team (JNT) at the NASA Langley Research Center (NASA LaRC). The FM&AL was established at Hampton University in June of 1996 and has conducted research under two NASA grants: NAG-1-1835 (1996-99), and NAG-1-1936 (1997-00). In addition, the FM&AL has jointly conducted research with the Central AeroHydrodynamics Institute (TsAGI, Moscow) in Russia under a Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) grant #RE2-136 (1996-99). The goals of the FM&AL programs are twofold: (1) to improve the working efficiency of the FM&AUs team in generating new innovative ideas and in conducting research in the field of fluid dynamics and acoustics, basically for improvement of supersonic and subsonic aircraft engines, and (2) to attract promising minority students to this research and training and, in cooperation with other HU departments, to teach them basic knowledge in Aerodynamics, Gas Dynamics, and Theoretical and Experimental Methods in Aeroacoustics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The research at the HU FM&AL supports reduction schemes associated with the emission of engine pollutants for commercial aircraft and concepts for reduction of observables for military aircraft. These research endeavors relate to the goals of the NASA Strategic Enterprise in Aeronautics concerning the development of environmentally acceptable aircraft. It is in this precise area, where the US aircraft industry, academia, and Government are in great need of trained professionals and which is a high priority goal of the Minority University Research and Education (MUREP) Program, that the HU FM&AL can make its most important contribution. The main achievements for the reporting period in the development of concepts for noise reduction and improvement in efficiency for jet exhaust nozzles and inlets for aircraft engines are as follows: (1) Publications- The AIAA Paper #99-1924 has been presented at the 5th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, May 10-12, 1999, Seattle, WA; the AIAA Paper #00-3315 has been accepted for the 36th AIAA/ASME/ SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 17-19 July, 2000, Huntsville, AL; and another paper has been accepted for the International Environmental Congress, 14-16 June, 2000, St.-Petersburg, Russia. (2) Two patents were granted on July 20, 1999, and January 12, 2000. (3) Three reports/presentations at the NASA LaRC and GRC (06/22199, 09/26/ 99, and 06/25/00). (4) Grants and Proposals: Four proposals were submitted to the NASA and CRDF; a NASA Faculty Award was granted on January, 2000. A CRDF Young Investigator Program Award was granted for a 3 months visit of the Russian scientist to the HU FM&AL (03/99-05/99). (5) Theory and Numerical Simulations- Analytical theory, numerical simulation, comparison of theoretical with experimental results, and modification of theoretical approaches, models, grids etc. have been conducted for several complicated 2D and 3D nozzle and inlet designs using NASA codes based on full Euler and Navier-Stokes solvers: CFL3D, CRAFT, GODUNOV, and others. New approach for environmental monitoring via infrasound. (6) Experimental Tests: Experimental acoustic tests at the TsAGI, Moscow, with nozzles having Screwdriver or Axisymmetric Plug and Permeable Shells. A small scale working model of the NASA Low Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT) has been installed in the Experimental Hall of the HU FM&AL (June, 1999). Preliminary preparations for experimental tests were made. (7) Students Research Activity: Involvement of the two graduate students as research assistants in the current research project.

Gilinsky, Mikhail↗
NASA NTRS2017

New Development in NASA's Rodent Research Hardware for Conducting Long Duration Biomedical and Basic Research in Space

Animal models, particularly rodents, are the foundation of pre-clinical research to understand human diseases and evaluate new therapeutics, and play a key role in advancing biomedical discoveries both on Earth and in space. The National Research Councils Decadal survey emphasized the importance of expanding NASAs life sciences research to perform long duration, rodent experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). To accomplish this objective, flight hardware, operations, and science capabilities were developed at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) to enhance science return for both commercial (CASIS) and government-sponsored rodent research. The Rodent Research program at NASA ARC has pioneered a new research capability on the International Space Station and has progressed toward translating research to the ISS utilizing commercial rockets, collaborating with academia and science industry, while training crewmembers to assist in performing research on orbit. Throughout phases of these missions, our practices, hardware and operations have evolved from tested to developed standards, and we are able to modify and customize our procedure and operations for mission specific requirements. The Rodent Research Habitat is capable of providing a living environment for animals on ISS according to standard animal welfare requirements. Using the cameras in the Habitat, the Rodent Research team has the ability to perform daily health checks on animals, and further analyze the collected videos for behavioral studies. A recent development of the Rodent Research hardware is inclusion of enrichment, to provide the animals the ability to rest and huddle. The Enrichment Hut is designed carefully for adult mice (up to 35 week old) within animal welfare, engineering, and operations constraints. The Hut is made out of the same stainless steel mesh as the cage interior, it has an ingress and an egress to allow animals move freely, and a hinge door to allow crewmembers remove the animals easily. The Rodent Research team has also developed Live Animal Return (LAR) capability, which will be implemented during Rodent Research-5 mission for the first time. The animals will be transported from the Habitat to a Transporter, which will return on the Dragon capsule and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean. Once SpaceX retrieves the Dragon, all powered payloads will be transferred to a SeaVan and transferred to the Long Beach pier. The NASA team then receives the transporter and delivers to a PI-designated laboratory within 120 mile radius of Long Beach. This is a significant improvement allowing researchers to examine animals within 72 hrs. of reentry or to conduct recovery experiments. Together, the hardware improvements and experience that the Rodent Research team has gained working with principal investigators and ISS crew to conduct complex experiments on orbit are expanding capabilities for long duration rodent research on the ISS to achieve both basic science and biomedical objectives.

ISS↗
NASA NTRS1993

The value and potential of animal research in enabling astronaut health - Transition from Spacelab to Space Station Freedom

Maintaining astronaut health is a critical aspect of human space exploration. Three decades of space research have demonstrated that microgravity produces significant physiological changes in astronauts. For long-duration missions, the possibility exists that these changes may prevent the achievement of full health and safety and may therefore require countermeasures. Meeting this goal depends on a strong biomedical foundation. Although much research is conducted with humans, some of the most critical work involves a necessary in-depth look into complex problem areas requiring invasive procedures using animals. Much of this research cannot be performed in humans within the bounds of accepted medical practice. A large portion of knowledge and experience in flying animals and applying the data to astronaut health has been obtained through the Spacelab experience and can be applied to a space station situation (expanded to accommodate necessary standardization and flexibility). The objectives of this paper are to (a) discuss the value and potential of animal research in answering critical questions to enable astronaut health for advanced missions, (b) discuss how previous Spacelab operational experience in animal studies can be applied to facilitate transition into a space station era, and (c) review capabilities of biological facilities projected for Space Station Freedom.

Garshnek, V.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division: Investment Strategy 2023

The mission of the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences (NACS) Division within the Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate is to advance scientific understanding, capabilities, and technologies in nuclear and particle physics, radiochemistry, forensic science, and isotope systems to support LLNL’s national security mission. NACS Division personnel conduct a diverse range of research activities in particle physics, nuclear physics, radiation detection, nuclear measurements, chemical and nuclear forensic science, nuclear and radiochemistry, isotope geochemistry, and environmental science. These areas are leveraged to address evolving national security challenges. Scientific research provides the foundation for addressing these challenges, and it is also the principal means of attracting, training, and retaining staff scientists who can deliver solutions across the Laboratory’s mission space. The overarching strategy is to position the NACS Division at the nexus between fundamental nuclear and chemical science research and nuclear security applications. This approach will support efforts to recruit, train, and retain top-flight scientists and engineers who will play a key role in executing the Laboratory’s core nuclear security missions, while also enhancing LLNL’s reputation as a center for innovative scientific research. This document describes the strategic vision that will be used to guide key investments aimed at enabling NACS scientists to lead new efforts and meet future challenges.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
NASA NTRS2009

Research on the International Space Station - An Overview

The International Space Station (ISS) celebrates ten years of operations in 2008. While the station did not support permanent human crews during the first two years of operations November 1998 to November 2000 it hosted a few early science experiments months before the first international crew took up residence. Since that time and simultaneous with the complicated task of ISS construction and overcoming impacts from the tragic Columbia accident science returns from the ISS have been growing at a steady pace. As of this writing, over 162 experiments have been operated on the ISS, supporting research for hundreds of ground-based investigators from the U.S. and international partners. This report summarizes the experimental results collected to date. Today, NASA's priorities for research aboard the ISS center on understanding human health during long-duration missions, researching effective countermeasures for long-duration crewmembers, and researching and testing new technologies that can be used for future exploration crews and spacecraft. Through the U.S. National Laboratory designation, the ISS is also a platform available to other government agencies. Research on ISS supports new understandings, methods or applications relevant to life on Earth, such as understanding effective protocols to protect against loss of bone density or better methods for producing stronger metal alloys. Experiment results have already been used in applications as diverse as the manufacture of solar cell and insulation materials for new spacecraft and the verification of complex numerical models for behavior of fluids in fuel tanks. A synoptic publication of these results will be forthcoming in 2009. At the 10-year point, the scientific returns from ISS should increase at a rapid pace. During the 2008 calendar year, the laboratory space and research facilities were tripled with the addition of ESA's Columbus and JAXA's Kibo scientific modules joining NASA's Destiny Laboratory. All three laboratories, together with external payload accommodations, support a wide variety of research racks and science and technology experiments. In 2009, the number of crewmembers will increase from three to six, greatly increasing the time available for research. The realization of the international scientific partnership provides new opportunities for scientific collaboration and broadens the research potential on the ISS. Engineers and scientists from around the world are working together to refine their operational relationships and build from their experiences conducting early science to ensure maximum utilization of the expanded capabilities aboard ISS. This paper will summarize science results and accomplishments, and discuss how the early science utilization provides the foundation for continuing research campaigns aboard the ISS that will benefit future exploration programs.

Evans, Cynthia A.↗