SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Transparent Model Systems”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

1,771 records · Page 83

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

High altitude reconnaissance aircraft design

A Universities Space Research Association (USRA) sponsored (undergraduate) study is presented on the feasibility and design of a high altitude reconnaissance/research aircraft. The aircraft mission was to carry 1,000-3,000 lb of atmospheric pollutant monitoring equipment for 1-5 hr at an altitude of 100,000-130,000 ft. Three configurations subject to the same mission requirements were studied in detail. The three designs analyzed were the tandem-wing-twin-boom, joined wing, and conventional twin-boom configurations. The performance of the three proposed configurations is presented and shows that high altitude flight is possible with current technology. Different possible propulsion systems were investigated and suggestions are made for further investigation and better optimization of the designs.

D Poladian↗

NASA NTRS1966

Proceedings of the Fifth Photovoltaic Specialists Conference: Volume II - Thin Film Solar Cells and Radiation Damage

This conference, the fifth of its kind, was cosponsored by IEEE, AIAA, and the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center. Facilities for meetings and other arrangements were the responsibility of NASA-Goddard. Presentations are included in the order in which delivered at the conference and were prepared from papers submitted to the Power Information Center (PIC) through the IEEE. Presentations are arranged in three volumes and five sections reflecting the arrangement of the conference into three days and five sessions. Contents of the volumes are as follows: - Volume I - Advanced Solar Cells - Volume II - Thin Film Solar Cells and Radiation Damage - Volume III - Solar Power Systems Considerations

Conference↗

DOE OSTI2026

Draft ASME Code Case to qualify L-PBF 316H material for Section III, Division 5 applications

This report documents the AMMT program’s development and submission of a draft ASME Code Case to qualify Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L PBF) Type 316H stainless steel for Section III, Divi-sion 5 Class A and SM high temperature nuclear applications. It summarizes the technical basis, the comprehensive high temperature mechanical test database assembled between 2023–2026, and the proposed code language and qualification framework submitted to ASME. The work was co-ordinated across multiple national laboratories and leverages prior ASME efforts to integrate additive manufacturing into the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code. The body of the report describes the experimental database and analysis supporting the Code Case: tensile, creep, fatigue, creep fatigue, and thermal aging tests collected from multiple additive manufacturing sites, machine types, and powder lots, with material processed by a solution anneal heat treatment. The dataset — including both full size and subsized specimens and tests oriented parallel and perpendicular to build direction — shows limited tensile anisotropy, tensile properties comparable to wrought 316H, creep strength within the scatter of wrought material, but markedly reduced creep ductility above about 650 °C associated with rapid σ phase formation in L PBF microstructures. The draft Code Case itself prescribes a staged qualification model (manufacturing process qualification, component qualification, and per build witness testing), treats L PBF components as equivalent to Type 316 weld metal for design and inspection, and requires mechanical, chemical, and metallographic controls tied to ASTM/ISO 52946. Key acceptance criteria include tensile tests within a 90% prediction interval of the AMMT dataset, a creep fatigue screening test adapted from ASME Section III, Division 5, Subsection HB, HBB 2800 but with the cycle acceptance reduced to 100 for L PBF material, and double volumetric inspection of production components. The report concludes that the present data support treating L PBF 316H as analogous to conventional fusion weld metal for Division 5 design and inspection, while highlighting important caveats: the σ phase driven loss of creep ductility above ~650 °C, preliminary indications of enhanced creep fatigue sensitivity in some lots, and remaining gaps in long term aging and additional cyclic testing. Recommended next actions include completing outstanding cyclic and long duration creep/aging tests on the solution annealed condition, supporting inclusion of the 316H chemistry and heat treatment in ASTM/ISO 52946, and continuing engagement with ASME and NRC during balloting and review to enable industry adoption.

Messner, Mark C. (ORCID:0000000200404385)↗

NASA NTRS1992

Nickel hydrogen common pressure vessel battery development

Our present design for a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery, a nickel hydrogen battery system to combine all of the cells into a common pressure vessel, uses an open disk which allows the cell to be set into a shallow cavity; subsequent cells are stacked on each other with the total number based on the battery voltage required. This approach not only eliminates the assembly error threat, but also more readily assures equal contact pressure to the heat fin between each cell, which further assures balanced heat transfer. These heat fin dishes with their appropriate cell stacks are held together with tie bars which in turn are connected to the pressure vessel weld rings at each end of the tube.

Jones, Kenneth R.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Weibel-mediated filamentary structures observed in the ICF context

Here, in light of novel and past experimental results, we demonstrate how Weibel-mediated filamentary structures can develop in the expanding plasma plume of a laser-irradiated foil. The transverse ballistic cooling that occurs during the quasi-spherical plasma expansion naturally drives an electron pressure anisotropy, resulting in the growth of electron current filaments. This effect competes with electron–ion Coulomb collisions, which tend to isotropize the electron distribution function. Based on theoretical and particle-in-cell modeling, we provide estimates of the dominant wavelength and amplitude of the self-generated magnetic fluctuations, which are found to explain experimental data obtained at the OMEGA and Laser Megajoule facilities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Activating magnetite ores for aqueous ironmaking at high current densities

Low-temperature electrochemical cells reducing iron oxides to metal in alkaline electrolytes can support fully electrified steelmaking processes. Previous studies on these cells have primarily focused on high-surface-area hematite, Fe 2 O 3 , reactants whereas attempts to reduce suspensions of magnetite, Fe 3 O 4 —one of the two feedstocks for existing ironmaking reactors—have generally been limited to low rates of reaction (<30 mA cm −2 ). Here, in this study, we control the crystalline domain size of Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 particles in 10 M NaOH electrolytes to study how the nanoscale morphology of oxides controls the rate of electrochemical ironmaking. Rotating-ring disk electrode measurements of Fe 2+ , in situ Raman spectroscopy of the electrode surface, and ex situ electron microscopy were consistent with a hypothesized passivation process at Fe 3 O 4 surfaces that may prevent the continuous formation of soluble intermediates. Sufficiently small (<100 nm diameter) oxide particles yielded Fe partial current densities >160 mA cm −2 , a fivefold increase relative to previously reported rates for Fe 3 O 4 suspensions and comparable to active Fe 2 O 3 . Electron microscopy revealed that electrodeposited films were composed of micron-scale crystalline Fe domains with a porous film of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and supports a model where Fe is grown primarily from soluble Fe 2+ intermediates. Based on these insights, inactive blast-furnace-grade iron-oxides were transformed into high surface area nanoparticles (1.6 to 229.2 m 2 g −1 ) via reprecipitation, leading to a ninefold enhancement in faradaic efficiency and an Fe partial current density of 120 mA cm −2 . When integrated with chlor-iron cells producing reagents for reprecipitation, this approach could lead to a cost-competitive process for electrochemical ironmaking from industrially relevant feedstocks.

TEM↗

NASA NTRS2026

Expanding Space with Inflatable Softgoods: Roadmap for In-Space Manufacturing of Resilient Space Structures

Overview of inflatable softgoods and their emerging role in enabling large, resilient space habitats and infrastructure. It highlights the advantages of inflatable systems, such as exceptional packing efficiency and scalable habitable volume, while also addressing challenges related to outfitting, complex material behavior, structural design, manufacturing precision, and testing limitations. Core architectural elements of crewed inflatable habitats are described, along with shell layer composition, structural interfaces, and examples of conceptual habitat configurations for transit, lunar, and surface applications. The presentation concludes by outlining key technology shortfalls, including structural health monitoring, ultra‑high‑strength materials, lifetime performance, and integration strategies, emphasizing the need for continued development to support future in‑space manufacturing and exploration missions.

Habitat↗

DOE OSTI2026

Kauhale 'O Kipapa: Kahikinui Community Cultural, Educational, and Resilience Center Preliminary Design Technical Assistance Summary Report

The Kahikinui Homestead Community in Maui faces energy resilience challenges due to its remote, off-grid location. This report summarizes preliminary technical assistance to design a microgrid for six modular homes using solar PV, wind, and battery storage. Findings show hybrid PV and battery systems, supplemented by small wind turbines, offer cost-effective, resilient solutions. This work supports enhanced energy independence and disaster preparedness for the community.

Quiroz, Jimmy Edward [Sandia National Laboratories↗

NASA NTRS1979

Costas Loop Demodulation of Suppressed Carrier BPSK Signals in the Dsn Environment: Experimental Results Obtained at TDL

Suppressed carrier binary phase-shift keyed (BPSK) signalling is currently being considered as a design alternative for future DSN telemetry in the multimegabit range. Carrier tracking of such signals is usually achieved by a Costas loop, as opposed to the ordinary phase lock loop. A Costas loop capable of demodulating BPSK signals with data rates up to 1 Msps was designed and constructed and its Doppler tracking performance with respect to a Block 3 receiver was tested at the Telecommunications Development Laboratory (TDL). The compatibility of suppressed carrier signalling with the current radiometric system, specifically Doppler tracking and ranging, was investigated. The experimental results obtained to-date with respect to Doppler tracking are presented.

R Reasoner↗

DOE OSTI2026

Halau Uma: Kahikinui Community Cultural, Educational, and Resilience Center Preliminary Design Technical Assistance Summary Report

The Kahikinui Homestead Community in Maui faces energy resilience challenges due to its remote, off-grid location. This report summarizes preliminary technical assistance to design a microgrid for six modular homes using solar PV, wind, and battery storage. Results indicate that a hybrid PV and battery system, supplemented by small wind turbines, offers a cost-effective, resilient solution supporting energy independence and disaster preparedness.

Quiroz, Jimmy Edward [Sandia National Laboratories↗

NASA NTRS1996

Science Results from the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR): Progress Report

The Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) is the most advanced imaging radar system to fly in Earth orbit. Carried in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour in April and October of 1994, SIR-C/X-SAR simultaneously recorded SAR data at three wavelengths (L-, C-, and X-bands; 23.5, 5.8, and 3.1 cm, respectively). The SIR-C/X-SAR Science Team consists of 53 investigator teams from more than a dozen countries. Science investigations were undertaken in the fields of ecology, hydrology, ecology, and oceanography. This report contains 44 investigator team reports and several additional reports from coinvestigators and other researchers.

Diane L Evans↗

DOE OSTI2023

Smart Droplets Stabilized by Designer Surfactants: From Biomimicry to Active Motion to Materials Healing

The science and technologies of emulsion droplets have been a long‐term focus of extensive research endeavors for their practical utility across a breadth of industries, including pharmaceutical products, oil recovery processes, and the food sciences. However, with advances in materials chemistry and characterization tools, new emerging areas are arising with a focus on “smart droplets”. The versatility of emulsion droplets across is based on their ability to partition and create isolated systems with properties defined by the liquid–liquid interface, while preparative routes allow manipulation of droplet size, stability, and encapsulated contents. As described in this article, significant efforts are being devoted to creating new types of droplets by “activating” this interface through the incorporation of reactive structures that trigger droplet response to applied or environmental stimuli (e.g., pH, temperature, salt, or external fields). Moreover, parallels between droplets and live cells inspire efforts to conceive systems that resemble biological motifs or that can produce cellular behaviors that imitate biology (e.g., swarming, communication, or motion). Here, the authors highlight recent advances in smart droplets, with emphasis on organic, polymer, and/or particle surfactants that give rise to inter‐droplet communication (via aggregation, fusion, division, or mass transfer), droplet vehicles for controlled delivery, autonomous droplet motion, and tunable emulsion inversion. Especially emphasized is the macromolecular design to produce reactive and functional surfactants, which are crucial to responsive droplet behavior and their underlying mechanisms. More generally, the exquisite interplay between materials science and biology inspires the review of this research area that provides unique opportunities for insight and inspiration into the capabilities of new droplet designs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Effects of Motion Fidelity on Pilot Performance Using Mixed-Reality Visuals

This paper investigates the effects of simulator motion fidelity on pilot performance using mixed-reality visuals. In NASA’s Vertical Motion Simulator, eleven pilots flew a lift-plus-cruise electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle in a vertiport approach and landing task under four different motion conditions: no motion, small hexapod motion, large hexapod motion, and full motion. The simulator motion condition statistically significantly affected: 1) the severity of cybersickness, 2) motion ratings, 3) final approach and take-off boundary crossing groundspeeds, 4) longitudinal touchdown point, and 5) battery time remaining after landing. These results suggest that the use of motion systems in simulators with virtual- or mixed-reality visuals is warranted.

simulation↗

NASA NTRS1970

Prevention of Coupled Structure-Propulsion Instability (POGO) On The Space Shuttle

Many liquid-propellant rocket vehicles have experienced longitudinal vibration, nicknamed pogo after the jumping stick, due to an instability arising from interaction of the vehicle structure with the propulsion system. These vibrations can produce an intolerable environment for astronauts and equipment, can overload vehicle structure, and can lead to loss of propulsion performance. A NASA monograph concerned with the prevention of pogo is well on its way toward publication and should serve as a useful guide to design for the Space Shuttle. The paper will briefly describe the nature of the pogo phenomenon, present a summary of past instabilities, relate the possible deleterious effects of pogo, and discuss the contents of the design criteria monograph. Finally, research tasks are recommended for support of pogo development activities on the Space Shuttle.

S. Rubin↗

DOE OSTI2026

Acquisitive root exploration strategies help maintain higher peak sap flux rates during summer drought, but more root biomass does not

Roots are responsible for soil water uptake, yet little is known about how variation in fine-root traits relates to whole-tree water movement, particularly during periods of drought. By combining a 3-yr dataset monitoring sap flow rates with measures of fine-root biomass, length, and morphology across 10 tree species, we addressed hypotheses concerning the role of fine-root system size and morphology in determining tree responses to summer drought as well as potential changes in their relative importance under more severe droughts. Greater fine-root biomass and length did not enable trees to maintain high rates of sap flow during drought, whereas the morphological traits, specific root length and specific root area, were linked to sustained sap flow rates during drought. We found that all species, irrespective of root traits, progressively reduced their sap flow under more extreme drought conditions, although more acquisitive root morphology was still associated with smaller reductions. Our results run counter to long-standing assumptions that larger root systems are better able to access soil water and maintain photosynthetic activity during drought. Instead, we find evidence that root morphology at least partially determines the capacity for water uptake and movement as soil moisture declines.

drought↗

NASA NTRS2017

International Space Station Lithium-Ion Main Battery Thermal Runaway Propagation Test

In 2010, the ISS Program began the development of Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries to replace the aging Ni-H2 batteries on the primary Electric Power System (EPS). After the Boeing 787 Li-Ion battery fires, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Power Technical Discipline Team was tasked by ISS to investigate the possibility of Thermal Runaway Propagation (TRP) in all Li-Ion batteries used on the ISS. As part of that investigation, NESC funded a TRP test of an ISS EPS non-flight Li-Ion battery. The test was performed at NASA White Sands Test Facility in October 2016. This paper will discuss the work leading up to the test, the design of the test article, and the test results.

International Space Statio↗

DOE OSTI2025

Sustainable Triacetic Acid Lactone Production from Sugarcane by Fermentation and Crystallization

Triacetic acid lactone (TAL) has the potential to serve as a bioderived platform chemical for commercial products including sorbic acid and recyclable polydiketoenamine plastics. In this study, we leveraged BioSTEAM to design, simulate, and evaluate (via techno-economic analysis, TEA, and life cycle assessment, LCA) TAL production from sugarcane. We experimentally characterized TAL solubility, calibrated solubility models, and designed a process to separate TAL from fermentation broths by crystallization. The biorefinery could produce TAL at a minimum product selling price (MPSP) of $\$3.73$–5.86·kg –1 (5th–95th percentiles; baseline at $\$4.60$·kg –1 ) and a carbon intensity (CI) of 5.31 [2.60–8.71] kg CO 2 -eq·kg –1 , which could enable financially viable, low-CI production of sorbic acid and polydiketoenamines. To drive down costs and CI, we explored the theoretical fermentation space (titer, yield, productivity combinations), operation scheduling and capacity expansion strategies (e.g., integrated sorghum processing), and potential separation improvements (mitigating TAL loss through pH control). Advancements in key design and technological parameters could further reduce MPSP by 51% to $\$2.26$·kg –1 [$\$1.97$–2.80·kg –1 ] and CI by 43% to 3.05 [1.91–4.15] kg CO 2 -eq·kg –1 . This research highlights the ability of agile TEA-LCA to screen promising designs, navigate sustainability trade-offs, prioritize research needs, and chart quantitative roadmaps to advance bioproducts and biofuels.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2026

Scalable multiplexed machine learning gas sensor chips for food classification

Multiplexed gas sensor arrays combined with machine learning have unlocked previously inaccessible applications for scent-based sensing. Current platforms are limited by overlapping sensing materials with similar compositions, leading to highly correlated responses, or multistep deposition processes that hinder scalability. In this work, we developed a 16-element monolithic chip with fully distinct sensing layers, enabling a truly heterogeneous array. The system consists of highly sensitive carbon nanotube field effect transistors that are functionalized through a single-step microdispensing method compatible with automated pipetting systems. The resulting chip produces characteristic signal patterns in response to object-specific scent profiles and, when combined with machine learning algorithms, can perform automated object identification. We demonstrate the classification of 16 different objects, including food spoilage and nut allergens, with a 92.6% overall prediction accuracy.

Bassil, Carla [University of California, Berkeley,↗