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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
NASA NTRS2015

Portable Cathode-Air Vapor-Feed Electrochemical Medical Oxygen Concentrator (OC)

Missions on the International Space Station and future space exploration will present significant challenges to crew health care capabilities, particularly in the efficient utilization of onboard oxygen resources. Exploration vehicles will require lightweight, compact, and portable oxygen concentrators that can provide medical-grade oxygen from the ambient cabin air. Current pressure-swing adsorption OCs are heavy and bulky, require significant start-up periods, operate in narrow temperature ranges, and require a liquid water feed. Lynntech, Inc., has developed an electrochemical OC that operates with a cathode-air vapor feed, eliminating the need for a bulky onboard water supply. Lynntech's OC is smaller and lighter than conventional pressure-swing OCs, is capable of instant start-up, and operates over a temperature range of 5-80 C. Accomplished through a unique nanocomposite proton exchange membrane and catalyst technology, the unit delivers 4 standard liters per minute of humidified oxygen at 60 percent concentration. The technology enables both ambient-pressure operating devices for portable applications and pressurized (up to 3,600 psi) OC devices for stationary applications.

Balasubramanian, Ashwin↗
NASA NTRS2016

On the Efficacy of Isolating Shoulder and Elbow Movements with a Soft, Portable, and Wearable Robotic Device

Treatment intensity has a profound effect on motor recovery following neurological injury. The use of robotics has potential to automate these labor-intensive therapy procedures that are typically performed by physical therapists. Further, the use of wearable robotics offers an aspect of portability that may allow for rehabilitation outside the clinic. The authors have developed a soft, portable, lightweight upper extremity wearable robotic device to provide motor rehabilitation of patients with affected upper limbs due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). A key feature of the device demonstrated in this paper is the isolation of shoulder and elbow movements necessary for effective rehabilitation interventions. Herein is presented a feasibility study with one subject and demonstration of the device's ability to provide safe, comfortable, and controlled upper extremity movements. Moreover, it is shown that by decoupling shoulder and elbow motions, desired isolated joint actuation can be achieved.

Kadivar, Zahra↗
NASA NTRS2015

Portable Virtual Training Units

The Mission Operations Lab initiated a project to design, develop, deliver, test, and validate a unique training system for astronaut and ground support personnel. In an effort to keep training costs low, virtual training units (VTUs) have been designed based on images of actual hardware and manipulated by a touch screen style interface for ground support personnel training. This project helped modernized the training system and materials by integrating them with mobile devices for training when operators or crew are unavailable to physically train in the facility. This project also tested the concept of a handheld remote device to control integrated trainers using International Space Station (ISS) training simulators as a platform. The portable VTU can interface with the full-sized VTU, allowing a trainer co-located with a trainee to remotely manipulate a VTU and evaluate a trainee's response. This project helped determine if it is useful, cost effective, and beneficial for the instructor to have a portable handheld device to control the behavior of the models during training. This project has advanced NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC's) VTU capabilities with modern and relevant technology to support space flight training needs of today and tomorrow.

Malone, Reagan↗
NASA NTRS2019

Portable Laser Guided Robotic Metrology (PLGRM) System

This paper introduces the new Portable Laser Guided Robotic Metrology (PLGRM) system at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Glenn Research Center. Previous work used industrial robots in fixed facilities to characterize antennas and required fixtures that do not lend themselves to portable applications. NASA's PLGRM system is designed for in-situ antenna measurements at a remote site.The system consists of a collaborative robot arm mounted on a vertical lift and a laser tracker, each on a mobile base. Together,they enable scanning a surface larger than the robot's reach.To accomplish this, the robot first collects all points within its reach, then the system is moved and the laser tracker is used to relocate the robot before additional points are captured. The PLGRM implementation will be discussed including how safety and planning are combined to effectively characterize antennas.Software defined triggering is a feature, for flexible integration of vector network analyzers and antenna controllers. Lastly, data will be shown to demonstrate system functionality and accuracy.

Slater, Peter A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Calculated Transmission Using a Portable Spectroreflectometer

Under normal circumstances, a spectrophotometer is used to measure transmission of material samples. However, a sample may be too large to fit into the spectrophotometer chamber, or a field inspection may be required. This Technical Publication describes the procedure for using measurements made with a portable spectroreflectometer to calculate transmission. A similar procedure is used to calculate infrared transmission using measurements from a portable infrared reflectometer.

Finckenor, M. M.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Portable Flow Device Using Fourier Ptychography Microscopy and Deep Learning for Detection of Biosignatures

A proof-of-concept, compact, portable Fourier Ptychographic Microscope (FPM) to perform wide field-of-view, high spatial resolution imaging (<1 μm) for biosignature motility in liquid samples, is presented. The FPM has the potential to be developed as a space-based payload for future landers destined to the Ocean Worlds. A portable FPM using an existing Fourier ptychography (FP) algorithm adapted for reconstruction is demonstrated. A NVIDIA Jetson Nano board and camera combined with FP, is used to computationally reconstruct sub-micron resolution images. Additionally, deep learning was employed to perform inferencing prediction which enables the on-edge FPM device.

Fourier↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Exploration Portable Life Support System Hatch Component Design

The design for the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) is continuously being developed and many previous gaps in technologies have begun initial development. Various Exploration Portable Life Support System (xPLSS) Hatch components had been at a stall in technology development for many years including the Feedwater Supply Assembly, Trace Contaminant Control System, and the thermal loop filters. The challenging requirements and initial design of these components were previously discussed in “Exploration Portable Life Support System Hatch Component Design Challenges and Progress”. NASA has plans to go back to the Moon. The development of each of these components is relevant not only to the xEMU, but also to the International Space Station, Gateway, and commercial space businesses. As the xPLSS is being designed, built, integrated, and tested at the NASA Johnson Space Center, technology solutions will have a direct incorporation path as the xPLSS is matured to meet design and performance goals. This is a follow on paper to discuss the initial implementation of the hatch component designs, changes due to existing challenges, and performance results of these components as the xEMU project completes the first phase of towards flight, known as Design Verification Test (DVT).

Kristina Todd↗
DOE OSTI2025

Rescue of Unique Liquid IP-2 Portable Tanks at Savannah River Site – 25078

Westinghouse Savannah River Company, the SRS Management and Operations Contractor at the time, procured six large IP-2 portable tanks capable of transporting liquids in 2003 to support the layup of the F Canyon at SRS. F Canyon was one of two full-scale hardened radiochemical separations facilities built at SRS in the 1950s as part of the initial construction of the Site. F Canyon and H Canyon provided actinide separations capabilities for SRS through the end of the Cold War. Following the end of the Cold War era, the decision was eventually made that only one of these radiochemical separations facilities at SRS would still be needed moving forward. As H Canyon was considered better suited for ongoing SRS missions, F Canyon was placed into a layup state in the first decade of the 21st Century, with F Area deactivation completing in 2006. This process resulted in the creation of excess, radioactively contaminated solutions, which required disposition. These solutions included contaminated organic solutions as well as DU-bearing aqueous solutions. The six portable tanks were procured to support the transportation of these solutions.

Fee, Nathaniel C. [Savannah River Nuclear Solution↗
DOE OSTI2025

Performance Portability Evaluation of Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulations on Heterogeneous Platforms

The rapid proliferation of heterogeneous programming languages and multi-vendor hardware has underscored the critical need to evaluate the performance portability of scientific applications. In this work, we present the systematic porting and optimization of a massively parallel fluid-structure interaction code across multiple heterogeneous programming frameworks for deployment on leadership-class supercomputers from major vendors. Our analysis focuses on at-scale performance for simulations involving hundreds of millions of deformable cells, executed on a combination of CPUs and GPUs spanning thousands of nodes on exascale machines. We benchmark the performance of each implementation, highlighting the trade-offs inherent in adopting diverse programming models. Key insights regarding the portability of CUDA on multi-vendor platforms, the superior multi-core CPU performance from SYCL, and architectural considerations on performance optimization are distilled from our experience, offering guidance to other users of high performance computing based on our findings.

Martin, Aristotle [Duke University]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Portable and Cost-Effective Device for Reliable Detection of Counterfeit and Non-compliant Refrigerants in Diverse Applications

Counterfeit refrigerants pose significant challenges to safety, system reliability, and operational effectiveness due to their harmful contaminants or incompatible chemical compositions. Utilizing these noncompliant products can lead to reduced efficiency, equipment failures, and expensive repairs. Additionally, heightened demand for alternative refrigerants during the industry's transition has created supply gaps, enabling counterfeit products to proliferate. Accurate detection and analysis tools are therefore essential to verify refrigerant authenticity and ensure system integrity in diverse applications. This paper presents the development of a portable device designed for reliable identification and detailed analysis of refrigerant composition. By integrating precision gas sampling, controlled pressure regulation, and automated sensor technology, the device not only detects deviations from standard refrigerant properties but also provides a comprehensive composition breakdown. Pre-calibrated sensors measure the refrigerant gas to identify specific concentrations and contaminants, with an intuitive LED-based indicator system ensuring quick interpretation of results. The user-friendly interface enables operators to select refrigerant types for targeted testing, further enhancing accuracy and usability for field technicians. Comprehensive testing was conducted on mildly flammable A2L refrigerants, showcasing the device’s robustness and adaptability in analyzing composition and detecting discrepancies. The device demonstrated consistent accuracy across a range of refrigerant samples, affirming its reliability in diverse operational environments. Its design minimizes contamination risks during sampling and provides detailed composition results within 90 seconds, ensuring efficient and precise analysis. With a projected price point under $150, the proposed solution delivers affordability alongside its lightweight portability and straightforward operation. Unlike complex and costly alternatives, such as gas chromatography systems, this device provides an accessible option for technicians, customs personnel, and industry operators in need of quick and effective refrigerant verification. Compatible with both current formulations and emerging refrigerant technologies, the device addresses critical counterfeit detection needs across a range of applications. By delivering accurate composition analysis and counterfeit identification, this innovation enhances system performance, safety, and operational reliability in crucial industries.

Cheekatamarla, Praveen [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000248827↗
DOE OSTI2025

AMR-Wind: A Performance-Portable, High-Fidelity Flow Solver for Wind Farm Simulations

We present AMR-Wind, a verified and validated high-fidelity computational-fluid-dynamics code for wind farm flows. AMR-Wind is a block-structured, adaptive-mesh, incompressible-flow solver that enables predictive simulations of the atmospheric boundary layer and wind plants. It is a highly scalable code designed for parallel high-performance computing with a specific focus on performance portability for current and future computing architectures, including graphical processing units (GPUs). In this paper, we detail the governing equations, the numerical methods, and the turbine models. Establishing a foundation for the correctness of the code, we present the results of formal verification and validation. The verification studies, which include a novel actuator line test case, indicate that AMR-Wind is spatially and temporally second-order accurate. The validation studies demonstrate that the key physics capabilities implemented in the code, including actuator disk models, actuator line models, turbulence models, and large eddy simulation (LES) models for atmospheric boundary layers, perform well in comparison to reference data from established computational tools and theory. We conclude with a demonstration simulation of a 12-turbine wind farm operating in a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer, detailing computational performance and realistic wake interactions.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

A portable application framework for energy management and information systems (EMIS) solutions using Brick semantic schema

This paper introduces a portable framework for developing, scaling and maintaining energy management and information systems (EMIS) applications using an ontology-based approach. Key contributions include an interoperable layer based on Brick schema, the formalization of application constraints pertaining metadata and data requirements, and a field demonstration. The framework allows for querying metadata models, fetching data, preprocessing, and analyzing data, thereby offering a modular and flexible workflow for application development. Its effectiveness is demonstrated through a case study involving the development and implementation of a data-driven anomaly detection tool for the photovoltaic systems installed at the Politecnico di Torino, Italy. During eight months of testing, the framework was used to tackle practical challenges including: (i) developing a machine learning-based anomaly detection pipeline, (ii) replacing data-driven models during operation, (iii) optimizing model deployment and retraining, (iv) handling critical changes in variable naming conventions and sensor availability (v) extending the pipeline from one system to additional ones.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Innovative approach to counterfeit and noncompliant refrigerant detection: A cost-effective, portable solution

The increasing prevalence of counterfeit and incompatible refrigerants presents significant risks to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, including compromised equipment performance, safety hazards, and non-compliance. This article details the development of a novel, cost-effective, and portable detection device designed to accurately verify refrigerants. The device utilizes a controlled gas sampling and analysis system within a sealed chamber, ensuring precise measurements while maintaining safety through a purging mechanism. The system features a high-sensitivity sensor integrated with an onboard control module that analyzes gas composition in real-time, providing feedback within a 2-minute duration. Laboratory validation demonstrated the device’s high accuracy (>95 % based on correct identification of compliant vs. non-compliant blends) in detecting unauthorized refrigerant blends. The projected cost of the product stands at ∼ $150, based on the retail pricing of individual components. Laboratory validation demonstrated the device’s high accuracy (>95 % for composition identification, 100 % rejection of tested counterfeit/incorrect blends) in detecting unauthorized refrigerant blends with a response time <2 min. The device correctly identified authentic R-454A/B/C blends and reliably rejected R-407F and closely related counterfeit mixtures. Key advantages include affordability, ease of use, rapid response time, and compatibility with a wide range of refrigerants. This solution supports compliance with regulatory frameworks, enhances safety in HVAC&R operations, and mitigates the risks associated with counterfeit refrigerants.

Counterfeit refrigerants↗
DOE OSTI2025

Portable Software Environment for Ultrahigh-Resolution ELM Development on GPUs

This paper presents our endeavors in developing the large-scale, ultra-high-resolution E3SM Land Model (uELM), specifically designed for exascale computers furnished with accelerators such as Nvidia GPUs. The uELM is a sophisticated code that substantially relies on High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments, necessitating particular machine and software configurations. To facilitate community-based uELM developments employing GPUs, we have created a portable, standalone software environment preconfigured with uELM input datasets, simulation cases, and source code. This environment, utilizing Docker, encompasses all essential code, libraries, and system software for uELM development on GPUs. It also features a functional unit test framework and an offline model testbed for comprehensive numerical experiments. From a technical perspective, the paper discusses GPU-ready container generations, uELM code management, and input data distribution across computational platforms. Lastly, the paper demonstrates the use of environment for functional unit testing, end-to-end simulation on CPUs and GPUs, and collaborative code development.

E3SM Land Model↗
NASA NTRS1997

Portable Long-Wavelength Infrared Camera for Civilian Application

In this paper, we discuss the performance of this portable long-wavelength infrared camera in quantum efficiency, NEAT, minimum resolvable temperature differnce (MRTD), uniformity, etc. and its application in science, medicine and defense.

infrared wavelength portable↗
NASA NTRS2018

Reliability of the Danish Aerospace Corporation Portable Pulmonary Function System

Metabolic gas analysis is a critical component of investigations that measure cardio-pulmonary exercise responses during and after long-duration spaceflight. The primary purpose of the current study was to determine the reliability and intra-subject repeatability of a metabolic gas analysis device, the Portable Pulmonary Function System (PPFS), designed for use on the International Space Station (ISS). The second objective of this study was to directly compare PPFS measurements of expired oxygen and carbon dioxide (FEO2 and FECO2) to values obtained from a well-validated clinical metabolic gas analysis system (ParvoMedics TrueOne (c) [PM]). Eight subjects performed four peak cycle tests to maximal exertion. The first test was used to prescribe work rates for the subsequent test sessions. Metabolic gas analysis for this test was performed by the PM, but samples of FEO2 and FECO2 also were simultaneously collected for analysis by the PPFS. Subjects then performed three additional peak cycle tests, consisting of three 5-min stages designed to elicit 25%, 50%, and 75% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) followed by stepwise increases of 25 W/min until subjects reached volitional exhaustion. Metabolic gas analysis was performed using the PPFS for these tests. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), within-subject standard deviations (WS SD), and coefficients of variation (CV%) were calculated for the repeated exercise tests. Mixed model regression analysis was used to compare paired FEO2 and FECO2 values obtained from the PPFS and the PM during the initial test. The ICC values for oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and ventilation (VE) indicate that the PPFS is highly reliable (0.79 to 0.99) for all exercise levels tested; however, ICCs for respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were low ( 0.11 - 0.51), indicating poor agreement between trials during submaximal and maximal exercise. Overall, CVs ranged from 1.6% to 6.7% for all measurements, a finding consistent with reported values that were obtained using other metabolic gas analysis techniques. The PPFS and PM produced comparable FEO2 data; however, there was less agreement between measures of FECO2 obtained from the two devices, particularly at lower CO2 concentrations. The PPFS appears, in practically all respects, to yield highly reliable metabolic gas analysis data. Lower reliability of RER measurements reported in the literature and likely is not a function of the PPFS device. Further examination of PPFS CO2 data is warranted to better understand the limitations of these PPFS measurements. Overall, the PPFS when used for repeated measures of cardio-pulmonary exercise should provide accurate and reliable data for studies of human adaptation to spaceflight.

Portable Pulmonary Function System (PPFS)↗