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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,441 records · Page 80

Bioethanol enrichment using zeolite membranes: Molecular modeling, conceptual process design and techno-economic analysis

Lignocellulosic biomass-derived ethanol offers a potential alternative to fossil-derived fuels. However, the energy-intensive nature of its recovery process, i.e., a sequence of two distillation columns – beer and rectification columns - enriching from 5 to 37, and 37–93 wt%, respectively, limits its environmental and economic benefits. Here, in this paper, we assess the potential of using zeolite membranes for bioethanol recovery. Atomistic-level and molecular dynamic simulations are performed to determine adsorption and diffusion properties of the ethanol-water mixture in zeolite membranes. These properties are modeled using the real adsorption solution theory and the Maxwell-Stefan equations to describe permeation through the zeolite membranes. A comparison of steady state permeance and selectivity predicted by the model with the values from experiments suggests that the simulated membranes are more permeable and selective than the real membranes. This is attributed to the presence of structural non-idealities and hydrophilic defects in real membranes, while the adsorption and diffusion properties obtained using molecular simulations reflect the behavior in ideal crystals. Thus, a reduced diffusivity model with an empirical relation for enhanced water adsorption is used to capture similar performance as that obtained by real membranes. This model is further used in developing conceptual process designs to assess the viability of zeolite membranes for bioethanol enrichment in industry. Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic zeolite membranes are considered. Hydrophobic zeolite membranes show potential for energy savings but lack in separation performance. On the other hand, hydrophilic zeolite membranes can achieve the separation target but result in no energy savings. Thus, a configuration that uses a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic membranes is proposed. It can achieve the separation target and results in 15% energy savings over distillation. Techno-economic analysis suggests that ~ 10-fold improvements in permeation or equivalent cost reductions are required for economic viability of this scheme.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Genetic determinants of endophytism in the Arabidopsis root mycobiome

The roots of Arabidopsis thaliana host diverse fungal communities that affect plant health and disease states. Here, we sequence the genomes of 41 fungal isolates representative of the A. thaliana root mycobiota for comparative analysis with other 79 plant-associated fungi. Our analyses indicate that root mycobiota members evolved from ancestors with diverse lifestyles and retain large repertoires of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) and effector-like small secreted proteins. We identify a set of 84 gene families associated with endophytism, including genes encoding PCWDEs acting on xylan (family GH10) and cellulose (family AA9). Transcripts encoding these enzymes are also part of a conserved transcriptional program activated by phylogenetically-distant mycobiota members upon host contact. Recolonization experiments with individual fungi indicate that strains with detrimental effects in mono-association with the host colonize roots more aggressively than those with beneficial activities, and dominate in natural root samples. Furthermore, we show that the pectin-degrading enzyme family PL1_7 links aggressiveness of endophytic colonization to plant health.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

On the origins of trapped helium, neon and argon isotopic variations in meteorites. I - Gas-rich meteorites, lunar soil and breccia. II - Carbonaceous meteorites.

Data are presented from stepwise heating experiments and total extractions on five meteorites: Kapoeta, Fayetteville, Holman Island, Cee Vee, and Pultusk. These data reveal the presence of four isotopically distinct trapped neon components. A comparison of trapped neon with trapped helium and argon in bulk analyses indicates the existence of correlated helium, neon and argon isotopic structures. Component B is attributed primarily to direct implantation of rare gas ions by the present day solar wind. Component C is identified with directly implanted low energy (1-10 Mev/n) solar flare rare gases. Component D is associated with rare gas ions implanted in meteoritic material by the primitive, pre-main sequence, solar wind. A fourth component, observed only in Kapoeta and the lunar fines and breccia, is tentatively attributed to parent body 'atmospheric' ions implanted in surface material by a solar wind induced electric field.

Black, D. C.↗

Closed Environment Air Revitalization System Based on Metal Organic Framework Adsorbents

This project utilized a systems engineering methodology to develop a vacuum swing adsorption system with full Labview automated control. The project was successful and provided students with an introduction to systems engineering and air revitalization. Specifically, two stainless steel adsorption beds were custom designed and manufactured and a sequence of computer controlled valves were used to deliver CO 2 laden, humid air, to the adsorbent where the CO 2 was removed from the air stream. Runs were completed using 13X zeolite and bed timing and switching was controlled by the computer based on the data output of a CO 2 detector. Adsorption runs using the MOF have not been completed upon the writing of this report; however, the MOF material is currently being synthesized and the runs will be completed upon receipt of the material. A follow up meeting with NASA has been tentatively planned to discuss the output of these experiments. Consistent with systems engineering practice, an end of project assessment of the class was conducted with the students and several items were realized. Specifically, the short period of performance of this grant makes it necessary to maintain a narrowly focused scope on the project such that multiple experiments after systems development (T&E) need to be limited to ensure timely completion of the proposed tasks. Also, procurement of parts may need to be moved forward in time to allow for delivery delays, and it may be necessary to request SDR, PDR, and CDR dates from NASA that are ahead of the NASA anticipated schedule. These types of lessons provided valuable to both the PI and the students and ultimately illustrate the necessity of proper systems engineering schedule risk assessment. The class met the objectives of the project and provided an introduction to systems engineering to undergraduate students. As a metric of that success, the lead engineer of the undergraduate design team acquired a job with an aerospace defense contractor, which he attributed to his knowledge of systems engineering concepts that were acquired via the X-Hab class.

T. Grant Glover↗

High-speed synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast imaging for evaluating microscale damage mechanisms and tracking cracking behaviors inside cross-ply GFRCs

In this study, we integrated the high-speed synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast imaging (PCI) with a modified Kolsky compression bar loading platform to visualize the dynamic failure processes of cross-ply glass fiber reinforced composites (GFRCs). Four S-2 glass/SC-15 composite specimens were prepared, having similar thicknesses but different stacking sequences, namely as [0 12 /90 12 ], [90 12 /0 12 ], [0 8 /90 8 /0 8 ], and [90 8 /0 8 /90 8 ]. Three-dimensional synchrotron X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to examine the microstructures and quantify the fiber volume fractions. Each specimen was notched and subjected to a dynamic three-point flexural loading. The onset of cracking close to the notch tip, crack propagation in 0° or 90° plies and their interface, crack opening, and ultimately failure of the specimen were captured by high-speed synchrotron X-ray PCI. Additional dynamic experiments were performed to determine the average time when the stress wave propagated through the specimen and correlate the X-ray images with the specimen's force-deflection response. Finally, the surface morphology of each specimen after the dynamic loading was imaged by SEM. Comparison between real-time X-ray images and post-fracture SEM images demonstrated the capability of the X-ray method to record damage evolution inside composites. Furthermore, the high spatial and temporal resolutions of the X-ray setup and edge enhancement by PCI enabled the identification of microscale damage features within 1 μs. Two damaging processes were identified, crack growth was quantified, and fracture toughness of the composites was evaluated. The method is deemed useful to reveal microscale damage mechanisms and track cracking behaviors inside cross-ply GFRCs under dynamic loading in real time.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Proton-detected 15 N- 1 H dipolar coupling/ 1 H chemical shift correlation experiment for the measurement of NH distances in biological solids under fast MAS solid-state NMR

Measurement of distances from dipolar couplings is essential for structural characterization, refinement and validation using the solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy. Particularly, knowledge about NH dipolar interactions in biological solids is important for understanding the hydrogen (H)-bonding interactions, molecular geometry and spin dynamics. In this regard, we have proposed a proton-detected two-dimensional (2D) 15 N- 1 H dipolar coupling/ 1 H chemical shift correlation experiment using the C-symmetry based windowless recoupling of chemical shift anisotropy (ROCSA) in combination with the DIPSHIFT pulse-based method for the measurement of short NH distances in the isotopically labeled and naturally abundant biological solids at fast magic angle spinning (MAS) rates (40–70 kHz). Our proposed method results in undistorted recoupled 15 N- 1 H dipolar coupling powder lineshapes that are free from the recoupled 1 H CSA contributions under the 15 N evolution, a feature that is essential for the measurement of NH distances with improved accuracy (± 500 Hz in terms of the NH dipolar couplings). The pulse sequence developed in the present study is also insensitive to the 1H–1H homonuclear dipolar interactions, relaxation effects owing to its constant-time implementation, and t1-noise from the fluctuations in the MAS.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Evolution of the net surface shortwave radiation over the Indian Ocean during summer MONEX (1979) - A satellite description

The evolution of the net shortwave (NSW) radiation fields during the monsoon of 1979 was analyzed, using geostationary satellite data, collected before, during, and after the monsoon onset. It is seen, from the time sequence of NSW fields, that during the preonset phase the characteristics of the NSW field are dominated by a strong maximum in the entire Arabian Sea and by a strong minimum in the central and eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, the minimum being associated with the intense convective activity occurring in that region. As the season evolves, the minima of NSW associated with the large scale convective activity propagate westward in the equatorial ocean. During the monsoon onset, there occurs an explosive onset of the convection activity in the Arabian Sea: the maximum has retreated towards the Somalia coast, and most of the sea then experiences a strong minimum of NSW associated with the intense precipitation occurring along the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent.

Gautier, C.↗

Numerical Wave Propagation 211 Based on Wave Primitives

Compact higher order finite difference equations are applied to a sequence of problems in wave propagation and aeroacoustics. Systems of PDE's are reduced to a sequence of simple wave primitives using a local eigenvector decomposition. The wave primitives are first order PDE's in two independent variable and allow natural boundary conditions to be imposed for both single- and multidimensional problems. The method uses a "discrete dispersion relation" approach to obtain high order approximations to the wave primitives on a 3 spatial point / 2 time level computational molecule. The scheme is fourth order accurate for the class of system with constant coefficients, e.g., those that support exponential solutions. Weakly non-linear PDE's are solved in a similar manner using a variant of the "method of frozen coefficients." Experience with the new algorithm for linear, non-linear, and multi-dimensional test problems will be described.

Davis, Sanford S.↗

First Results from EUNIS-06

The Extreme Ultraviolet Normal-Incidence Spectrograph (EUNIS) sounding rocket experiment successfully completed its first flight on 12 April 2006 from White Sands Missile Range, obtaining 145 science images in each of two wavelength channels. EUNIS is designed to investigate the energetics of the solar corona and hotter transition region through high-resolution imaging spectroscopy with a rapid (2-3 second) cadence. The two independent optical systems of EUNIS simultaneously record spectra over two passbands (170-205 Angstroms and 300-370 Angstroms), each spatially resolved along slit lengths of about 660 arcsec. The longwave channel includes He II 304 Angstroms and strong lines from Fe XI-XVI. The shortwave passband has a sequence of very strong Fe IX-XIII lines. Together, the EUNIS telescopes furnish a wide range of temperature and density diagnostics and enables underflight calibration of instrumental passbands on the SOHO, TRACE, Solar-B and STEREO missions. We present an overview of the science images from the first flight with emphasis on transient phenomena. The target was active region NOAA 10871 and adjacent quiet areas. Spectra were recorded with exposure times as short as 0.1 s, demonstrating that EUNIS is the most sensitive solar EUV spectrograph in operation, with over 100 times the throughput of its predecessor, the Solar Extreme ultraviolet Research Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS). EUNIS is supported by the NASA Heliophysics Division's Solar & Heliospheric Physics Supporting Research and Technology and Low Cost Access to Space Program.

Rabin, Douglas M.↗

HIWRAP Radar Development for High-Altitude Operation on the NASA Global Hawk and ER-2

The NASA High-Altitude Imaging Wind and Rain Airborne Profiler (HIWRAP) is a solid-state transmitter-based, dual-frequency (Ka- and Ku-band), dual-beam (30 degree and 40 degree incidence angle), conical scan Doppler radar system, designed for operation on the NASA high-altitude (20 km) aircrafts, such as the Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Supported by the NASA Instrument Incubator Program (IIP), HIWRAP was developed to provide high spatial and temporal resolution 3D wind and reflectivity data for the research of tropical cyclone and severe storms. With the simultaneous measurements at both Ku- and Ka-band two different incidence angles, HIWRAP is capable of imaging Doppler winds and volume backscattering from clouds and precipitation associated with tropical storms. In addition, HIWRAP is able to obtain ocean surface backscatter measurements for surface wind retrieval using an approach similar to QuikScat. There are three key technology advances for HIWRAP. Firstly, a compact dual-frequency, dual-beam conical scan antenna system was designed to fit the tight size and weight constraints of the aircraft platform. Secondly, The use of solid state transmitters along with a novel transmit waveform and pulse compression scheme has resulted in a system with improved performance to size, weight, and power ratios compared to typical tube based Doppler radars currently in use for clouds and precipitation measurements. Tube based radars require high voltage power supply and pressurization of the transmitter and radar front end that complicates system design and implementation. Solid state technology also significantly improves system reliability. Finally, HIWRAP technology advances also include the development of a high-speed digital receiver and processor to handle the complex receiving pulse sequences and high data rates resulting from multi receiver channels and conical scanning. This paper describes HIWRAP technology development for dual-frequency operation at high-altitudes using low peak power transmitters and pulse compression. The hardware will be described along with the methods and concepts for the system design. Finally, we will present recent preliminary results from flights on the NASA Global Hawk in support of the NASA Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) field campaign, and on the NASA ER-2 as fixed nadir pointing mode for the NASA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) ground validation (GV) mission - Midlatitude Continental Convective Cloud Experiment (MC3E)

Li, Lihua↗

Ultrafast Time-Resolved Studies on Fluorescein for Recognition Strands Architecture in Amyloid Fibrils

Protein aggregation is associated with numerous devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and prion diseases. Development of therapeutics would benefit from knowledge of the structural organization of protein molecules in these amyloid aggregates, particularly in their aqueous biological milieu. However, detailed structural studies to date have been mainly on the solid state and have required large quantities of purified aggregate. Moreover, these conventional methods require the aggregated assembly to remain structurally stable over days or weeks required to perform the experiment, whereas the pathologically relevant species of in vivo aggregates may be shorter lived. Here, we show the organization of protein chains in dissolved amyloid aggregates can be readily determined spectroscopically using minute quantities of fluorescein-labeled protein segments in a matter of minutes. Specifically, we investigated the possibility of using the ultrafast dynamics of fluorescein to distinguish among three categories of β-sheet geometry: (1) antiparallel in-register, (2) parallel in-register, or (3) antiparallel out-of-register. Fluorescein, the most commonly used staining dye in biology and medicine, was covalently attached to the N-termini of peptide sequences selected from a library of known amyloid crystal structures. We investigated the aggregates in solution using steady-state and time-resolved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. We found that the dynamics of fluorescein relaxation from the excited state revealed amyloid structure-specific information. Particularly, the nonfluorescent cation form of fluorescein showed remarkable sensitivity to local environments created during aggregation. We demonstrate that time-resolved absorption is capable of differentiating strand organization in β-sheet aggregates when strong intermolecular coupling between chromophores occurs. Here, this approach can be useful in optical recognition of specific fibril architectures of amyloid aggregates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Deep Multimodal Representation Learning Framework for Accurate Molecular Properties Prediction

Drug discovery is a complex and challenging process, requiring the optimization of candidate compounds to identify those with the potential to become safe and effective drugs. Predicting molecular properties is an indispensable step in the drug discovery pipeline. Traditionally, this process is costly and time-intensive, involving multiple rounds of experiments and clinical trials, rendering it impractical for every candidate compound. Deep learning techniques have emerged as a promising approach to drug discovery to reduce the cost and time required to identify novel drugs. However, prevalent research in deep learning models focused on predicting molecular properties has primarily fixated on single-modal models, which utilize a single modality of data, neglecting the potential benefits of combining different data modalities. To overcome this limitation, we introduce MRL-Mol: a deep \textbf{M}ultimodal \textbf{R}epresentation \textbf{L}earning framework for accurate \textbf{Mol}ecular properties prediction. MRL-Mol harnesses three data modalities: sequence, graph, and image, augmenting the depth of comprehension. Leveraging a large-scale unlabeled dataset~($\sim$1M unique molecules), we pretrain MRL-Mol to extract inter- and intra-modal information. Our study demonstrates the superior performance of MRL-Mol in predicting molecular properties across six benchmark datasets, including both classification and regression tasks. Notably, MRL-Mol outperforms other state-of-the-art molecular properties prediction models. These findings suggest that by combining information from multiple data modalities, MRL-Mol can comprehend molecules better than single-modal deep learning models and identify molecular properties with better accuracy.

Yang, Yuxin↗

The Infrastructure of an Integrated Virtual Reality Environment for International Space Welding Experiment

This study is a continuation of the summer research of 1995 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program. This effort is to provide the infrastructure of an integrated Virtual Reality (VR) environment for the International Space Welding Experiment (ISWE) Analytical Tool and Trainer and the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Analytical Tool study. Due to the unavailability of the MSG CAD files and the 3D-CAD converter, little was done to the MSG study. However, the infrastructure of the integrated VR environment for ISWE is capable of performing the MSG study when the CAD files become available. Two primary goals are established for this research. First, the essential peripheral devices for an integrated VR environment will be studied and developed for the ISWE and MSG studies. Secondly, the training of the flight crew (astronaut) in general orientation, procedures, and location, orientation, and sequencing of the welding samples and tools are built into the VR system for studying the welding process and training the astronaut.

Wang, Peter Hor-Ching↗

The Huygens Mission at Titan: Results Highlights

After a 7-year interplanetary journey onboard the Cassini Orbiter, the Huygens Probe was released on 25 December at 02:00 UTC. It entered in the atmosphere of Titan on 14 January at about 09:06 UTC. Following the 4-min entry, 3 parachutes were deployed in sequence. The descent under parachute lasted slightly less than 2 1/2 hours. After a soft landing at about 5 m/s, the probe continued to function for several hours on the surface. During the descent under parachute and on the surface, Huygens transmitted its data at 8 kbps on two redundant channels to the over-flying Orbiter which approached Titan at a closest distance of 60000 km about 1/2 hour before landing. Data were successfully received only on one channel due to a configuration error of the receiver of the channel which was driven by the ultra-stable oscillators (USO) of the Doppler Wind Experiment (DWE). The Orbiter received data during the descent under parachute and for 72 minutes on the surface until its path moved it outside the beam of the transmitting antennas of the probe resting on the surface and at the same time as the Orbiter went below the Horizon. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Lebreton, J.-P.↗

Population Simulation, AKA: Grahz, Rahbitz and Fawkzes

In an effort to give students a more visceral experience of science and instill a deeper working knowledge of concepts, activities that utilize hands-on, laboratory and simulated experiences are recommended because these activities have a greater impact on student learning, especially for Native American students. Because it is not usually feasible to take large and/or multiple classes of high school science students into the field to count numbers of organisms of a particular species, especially over a long period of time and covering a large area of an environment, the population simulation presented in this paper was created to aid students in understanding population dynamics by working with a simulated environment, which can be done in the classroom. Students create an environment and populate the environment with imaginary species. Then, using a sequence of "rules" that allow organisms to eat, reproduce, move and age, students see how the population of a species changes over time. In particular, students practice collecting data, summarizing information, plotting graphs, and interpreting graphs for such information as carrying capacity, predator prey relationships, and how specific species factors impact population and the environment. Students draw conclusions from their results and suggest further research, which may involve changes in simulation parameters, prediction of outcomes, and testing predictions. The population Simulation has demonstrated success in the above student activities using a "board game" version of the population simulation. A computer version of the population simulation needs more testing, but preliminary runs are promising. A second - and more complicated - computer simulation will simulate the same things and will add simulated population genetics.

Bangert, Tyler R.↗

Genomic characterization of three marine fungi, including Emericellopsis atlantica sp. nov. with signatures of a generalist lifestyle and marine biomass degradation

ABSTRACT Marine fungi remain poorly covered in global genome sequencing campaigns; the 1000 fungal genomes (1KFG) project attempts to shed light on the diversity, ecology and potential industrial use of overlooked and poorly resolved fungal taxa. This study characterizes the genomes of three marine fungi: Emericellopsis sp. TS7, wood-associated Amylocarpus encephaloides and algae-associated Calycina marina. These species were genome sequenced to study their genomic features, biosynthetic potential and phylogenetic placement using multilocus data. Amylocarpus encephaloides and C. marina were placed in the Helotiaceae and Pezizellaceae (Helotiales) , respectively, based on a 15-gene phylogenetic analysis. These two genomes had fewer biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) than Emericellopsis sp. TS7 isolate. Emericellopsis sp. TS7 ( Hypocreales , Ascomycota ) was isolated from the sponge Stelletta normani . A six-gene phylogenetic analysis placed the isolate in the marine Emericellopsis clade and morphological examination confirmed that the isolate represents a new species, which is described here as E. atlantica . Analysis of its CAZyme repertoire and a culturing experiment on three marine and one terrestrial substrates indicated that E. atlantica is a psychrotrophic generalist fungus that is able to degrade several types of marine biomass. FungiSMASH analysis revealed the presence of 35 BGCs including, eight non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs), six NRPS-like, six polyketide synthases, nine terpenes and six hybrid, mixed or other clusters. Of these BGCs, only five were homologous with characterized BGCs. The presence of unknown BGCs sets and large CAZyme repertoire set stage for further investigations of E. atlantica . The Pezizellaceae genome and the genome of the monotypic Amylocarpus genus represent the first published genomes of filamentous fungi that are restricted in their occurrence to the marine habitat and form thus a valuable resource for the community that can be used in studying ecological adaptions of fungi using comparative genomics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Photovoltaic system criteria documents. Volume 6: Criteria for auditing photovoltaic system applications and experiments. Revision A

The criteria is defined for auditing photovoltaic system applications and experiments. The purpose of the audit is twofold: to see if the application is meeting its stated objectives and to measure the application's progress in terms of the National Photovoltaic Program's goals of performance, cost, reliability, safety, and socio-environmental acceptance. The information obtained from an audit will be used to assess the status of an application and to provide the Department of Energy with recommendations on the future conduct of the application. Those aspects are covered of a site audit necessary to produce a systematic method for the gathering of qualitative and quantitative data to measure the success of an application. A sequence of audit events and guidelines for obtaining the required information is presented.

Koenig, John C.↗

Test Report for NASA MSFC Support of the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE)

The Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) was performed in support of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program to help develop a linear aerospike engine. The objective of this program was to operate a small aerospike engine at various speeds and altitudes to determine how slipstreams affect the engine's performance. The joint program between government and industry included NASA!s Dryden Flight Research Center, The Air Force's Phillips Laboratory, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Lockheed Martin Skunkworks, Lockheed-Martin Astronautics, and Rocketdyne Division of Boeing North American. Ground testing of the LASRE engine produced two successful hot-fire tests, along with numerous cold flows to verify sequencing and operation before mounting the assembly on the SR-71. Once installed on the aircraft, flight testing performed several cold flows on the engine system at altitudes ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 feet and Mach numbers ranging from 0.9 to 1.5. The program was terminated before conducting hot-fires in flight because excessive leaks in the propellant supply systems could not be fixed to meet required safety levels without significant program cost and schedule impacts.

Elam, S. K.↗