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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 with 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 groundspeed, 4) longitudinal touchdown point, and 5) battery time remaining after landing. The findings suggest that motion systems are essential in simulators with virtual- or mixed-reality visuals when it is required to have pilot flying performance similar to that in real flight.

mixed reality↗

NASA NTRS2026

Highly Porous Polyimide Gel for Use as Battery Separator with Room Temperature Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

Advanced aerospace vehicular concepts require advances in many existing technologies, including space power and energy storage systems. Batteries represent one of the major areas in need of improvement, both in terms of energy density and safety, with growing concerns over the fire safety of commercial lithium-ion batteries. This has prompted efforts to develop nonflammable battery components, namely the electrolyte and separator. Existing commercial lithium-ion batteries utilize polyolefin microporous membranes as separators with an electrolyte consisting of a lithium salt dissolved in a mixture of cyclic carbonate solvents. This separator/electrolyte combination has ionic conductivities in the range of 10 −2 to 10 −3 S/cm. However, the cyclic carbonate solvents are inherently flammable. Room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) appear to be a safer alternative. They offer good ionic conductivities and are inherently nonvolatile and nonflammable, giving them a safety advantage. However, many promising RTILs for battery electrolytes are not compatible with commercial polyolefin separator materials. Alternative separator materials, such as polyimides, are non-flammable and are capable of accepting RTILs into their structure. Polyimide gels, with a composition of 4,4′-oxydianiline, 3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and cross-linked with Desmodur N3300A, possess an open-porous, fibrillar network architecture which offers a high degree of porosity (typically greater than 85% porosity) for lithium-ion transport and conduction, as well as good mechanical properties. Furthermore, these polyimide gels are compatible with selected imidazolium-based RTILs. Nonflammable separator/electrolyte systems with room-temperature conductivities in the range of 10 −3 S/cm have been evaluated. It has been demonstrated that 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide was the most promising among six RTILs screened, in terms of both ionic conductivity and constant current cycling.

Polyimide↗

DOE OSTI2024

Why Perovskite Thermal Stress is Unaffected by Thin Contact Layers

Metal halide perovskite photovoltaics have emerged as a high efficiency, low-cost alternative that can potentially rival or enhance conventional silicon technology. Despite exceptional initial power conversion efficiencies, achieving compliance with international standards and widespread adoption requires further enhancements to their operational stability. Notably, addressing mechanical strain and stress in brittle perovskites has emerged as a pivotal approach to mitigate chemical degradation and improve reliability during thermal cycling. Here, in this study, a popularized strain engineering strategy is investigated in which a high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) hole transport layer (i.e., PDCBT) is cast onto inorganic perovskite (CsPbI 2 Br) at 100 °C. Contrary to previously published results, the X-ray diffraction (XRD):Sin 2 ψ and substrate curvature measurement techniques show that the hole transport layer has no discernible impact on perovskite strain. The accuracy of the XRD:Sin 2 ψ method for measuring strain is highlighted in contrast to an analysis based on shifts of single XRD peaks which can be influenced by multiple artifacts. The findings in this study are in accordance with mechanics theory: thin layers are unable to induce significant strain changes in perovskite thin films as the force they apply is negligible compared to that applied by a thick and stiff substrate.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Physics-Guided Deep Learning for Complex System Health Management and Decision Making

The landscape of complex engineered systems is rapidly evolving, from smart manufacturing facilities to next-generation transportation vehicles. As these systems become increasingly sophisticated and interconnected, the need for advanced health management systems grows ever more critical. These systems must go beyond simple monitoring, actively predicting potential failures before they occur. This paradigm shift from fixed maintenance schedules to condition-based predictions is key to optimizing system performance, enhancing safety, and paving the way for autonomous decision-making across various industries. Whether in industrial processes, energy systems, or advanced transportation, the ability to anticipate and prevent failures is becoming a cornerstone of operational excellence. To accurately predict the future health of any complex system, knowledge of its current health state and future operational conditions is essential. Recent advancements in data-driven algorithms have generated growing interest in artificial intelligence for industrial applications. However, the limitations of pure data-driven methods, particularly in industries where data acquisition is costly and limited, have become apparent. This has led to a focus on blending physics with data-driven algorithms, mitigating the drawbacks of both approaches while emphasizing their respective advantages. This research proposes a novel framework for integrating physics-based performance models with deep learning algorithms for the prognostics of complex safety-critical systems. In this approach, physics-based models serve as a blueprint, capturing fundamental system behaviors, while deep learning algorithms, leveraging real-world sensor data, fill in gaps and identify subtle patterns indicative of potential problems. This hybrid methodology, utilizing techniques such as Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), offers a powerful solution for predicting system health. By fusing domain knowledge with data-driven insights, this approach promises more accurate, adaptable, and reliable models for health prediction. The resulting framework is versatile, applicable across various sectors including aerospace, manufacturing, and energy systems, ultimately contributing to safer, more efficient operations in our increasingly complex technological landscape.

Diagnostics↗

DOE OSTI2026

Reconstruction and Dissolution of Copper Catalysts during Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction

Copper-based electrocatalysts are widely explored for electrochemical nitrate remediation, yet their stability under operating conditions remains poorly understood. While nanoscale and subnanoscale Cu motifs are known to restructure during the nitrate reduction reaction (NO 3 RR), how these transformations translate into irreversible material loss remains unclear. Here, we quantify Cu dissolution during NO 3 RR as a function of catalyst architecture and electrolyte chemistry using two model systems: single-atom Cu (Cu 1 ) and Cu nanoparticles (Cu NP ). Time-resolved leaching measurements, integrated with in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), reveal measurable Cu loss for both catalysts during NO 3 RR. Dissolution is concentrated at the initiation of electrolysis, coinciding with rapid restructuring, and depends strongly on morphology, with Cu NP consistently exhibiting greater Cu loss than Cu 1 . In situ XAS reveals that Cu 1 forms transient metallic clusters under reduction that largely redisperse upon returning to open-circuit voltage, whereas Cu NP undergoes reduction of an oxidized surface layer accompanied by sustained Cu loss during electrolysis. Notably, the presence of nitrate significantly intensifies restructuring and Cu loss, highlighting the critical role of electrolyte composition. Furthermore, these findings establish a direct link between electrochemical restructuring and Cu dissolution, unveiling electrolyte-dependent interactions as key determinants of catalyst durability in electrochemical nitrate conversion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Lunar accelerometer network gravitational observatory (LANGO)

With ground-based interferometers detecting hundreds of gravitational-wave (GW) events, GW astronomy has continued to blossom. U.S. and European scientists are developing plans to construct third-generation ground-based interferometers. ESA has proceeded through the mission formulation phase of space-based interferometer in a lower-frequency band, 10 –4 –0.1 Hz. Despite all these exciting developments, there is still a missing frequency band, 0.1–10 Hz. This mid-frequency band is rich with interesting astrophysical events. Coalescence and merger of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) will occur in this frequency band. Coalescing stellar-mass BHs will pass through this frequency band days before they reach the frequency band of LIGO and Virgo. Detection of such signals would enable a mid-frequency detector to issue an advance notice to the high-frequency GW detectors, as well as to optical, x-ray and γ-ray telescopes. We propose Lunar Accelerometer Network Gravitational Observatory (LANGO) to detect GWs in this frequency band. In the first phase (LANGO 1), we propose to deploy four ambient-temperature (250 K) accelerometers in the tetrahedral or in a square configuration on the hemisphere facing the Earth. After successful operation at 250 K, LANGO would be upgraded to a cryogenic (4 K) version with over two orders of magnitude increased sensitivity (LANGO 2), with coherent rejection of seismic noise implemented. LANGO is a full-tensor detector, capable of determining the source direction and wave polarization. Each test mass (TM) is suspended as a pendulum with resonance frequency ∼ 0.01 Hz, thus is only weakly coupled to the lunar surface horizontally. LANGO is designed to detect the relative motion of globally separated, nearly free, TMs by using the Moon as a large quiet platform. LANGO 1 and 2 accelerometers aim at sensitivities ⩽ 10 –11 m s –2 Hz –1/2 and ⩽ 10 –13 m s –2 Hz –1/2 in the horizontal axes over the frequency band of 1 mHz–10 Hz, which yield GW sensitivities 1.1 x 10 -21 Hz -1/2 and 3.8 x 10 -24 Hz -1/2 at 1 Hz, respectively. The LANGO accelerometers will be 10 3 –10 5 times more sensitive than Apollo seismometers. With such sensitivity, LANGO will also make great contribution to the advancement of lunar geophysics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2026

NASA Agile Community of Practice 2024-2026 Report

This 2024-2026 report provides a summary of the products and activities executed by the NASA Agile Community of Practice (CoP) during its second and third years. Building on the foundation established in its inaugural year, the CoP continued to advance Agile values and principles across NASA centers. The report highlights key initiatives, including specialized framework training, AI integration in Agile toolkits, and active participation in agency-wide project management and systems engineering workshops.

Agile↗

DOE OSTI2025

Imprints of High-Density Nuclear Symmetry Energy on Crustal Fraction of Neutron Star Moment of Inertia

The density dependence of nuclear symmetry energy E sym (ρ) remains the most uncertain aspect of the equation of state (EOS) of supradense neutron-rich nucleonic matter. Utilizing an isospin-dependent parameterization of the nuclear EOS, we investigate the implications of the observational crustal fraction of the neutron star (NS) moment of inertia ΔI/I for the E sym (ρ). We find that symmetry energy parameters significantly influence the ΔI/I, while the EOS of symmetric nuclear matter has a negligible effect. In particular, an increase in the slope L and skewness J sym of symmetry energy results in a larger ΔI/I, whereas an increase in the curvature K sym leads to a reduction in ΔI/I. Moreover, the ΔI/I is shown to have the potential for setting a lower limit of symmetry energy at densities exceeding 3 ρ 0 , particularly when L is constrained to values less than 60 MeV, thereby enhancing our understanding of supradense NS matter.

equation of state↗

DOE OSTI2025

Biochemical properties of glycerol kinase from the hypersaline-adapted archaeon Haloferax volcanii

ABSTRACT Extremophilic microorganisms are promising candidates for industrial and analytical biocatalysis.Haloferax volcanii, a halophilic archaeon that prefers glycerol over glucose, channels this substrate into central metabolism through glycerol kinase (GK). Here, we report the biochemical properties ofH. volcaniiGK and its potential for biotechnological applications. An N-terminal His-tagged GK was functionalin vivoand yielded 3 mg/L culture—4.5 times more enzyme than a C-terminal StrepII-tagged version. Size exclusion chromatography revealed a glycerol-induced oligomeric shift from homodimer to a dimer-dominant state with detectable tetramer. The purified enzyme showed robust activity across broad pH and salinity ranges, with optimal activity at 100 mM NaCl and 50°C–60°C. It retained catalytic activity in 5%–10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and crude glycerol containing methanol. His-GK was freeze-thaw stable and thermotolerant in 2 M NaCl buffers. In the absence of ligands, the enzyme’s melting temperature (T m ) was 80°C. Glycerol increased the T m to 85°C, and combinations with MgCl₂ (84°C) or ATP (88°C) provided further stabilization. The highest T m (89°C) occurred with all three ligands, suggesting a cumulative stabilizing effect. Kinetic analyses revealed positive cooperativity for glycerol, ATP, and Mg² + ; Mn² + and Co² + also supported the activity.H. volcaniiGK is the first known GK to exhibit positive cooperativity with glycerol and ATP. Its high stability and substrate flexibility support its use in biodiesel waste valorization,in vitrobiocatalysis, and biosensor development—applications demanding robust, specific, and stable enzymes. IMPORTANCE This study reveals thatH. volcaniiGK exhibits positive cooperativity for glycerol, ATP, and Mg² + , a kinetic feature not previously reported for glycerol kinases. This behavior enables steep, switch-like responses to small substrate changes, offering unique advantages for biosensor design. Importantly,H. volcaniiGK also maintains high activity under extreme salinity, temperature, broad pH, and solvent conditions that typically limit enzyme use in industrial and environmental applications. These traits make this GK an ideal candidate for enzyme-based biosensors, which often suffer from poor tolerance to pH, solvent, and thermal stress. Its robustness supports its use in cross-linked enzyme crystals, an immobilization method that enhances enzyme stability and reusability under harsh conditions. Moreover, GKs are already employed in Mg² + detection kits; however,H. volcaniiGK’s ability to tolerate and respond to diverse divalent cations (e.g., Co² + , Mn² + ) broadens their potential for pollutant detection and environmental monitoring. These features collectively positionH. volcaniiGK as a valuable biocatalyst for biosensing,in vitrodiagnostics, and biotechnological applications requiring both precision and durability.

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology↗

DOE OSTI2025

Large moiré superstructure of stacked incommensurate charge density waves

This article reports how two different charge density waves with slightly different wavevectors can exist in the same crystal and create moiré superstructure. Advances in heterostructure fabrication have opened new frontiers in moiré physics. Here we extend moiré engineering from artificially assembled thin flakes with mismatched lattice parameters to materials that host incommensurate orders, presenting a long-period moiré superlattice in a layered charge-density-wave compound, EuTe 4 . Using high-momentum-resolution X-ray diffraction, we found two coexisting incommensurate charge density waves with slightly mismatched in-plane wavevectors. The interaction between these two charge density waves leads to joint commensuration with the lattice and a moiré superstructure with a period of ~13.6 nm, offering key insights into the unique properties of EuTe4, such as the temperature-invariant incommensurate wavevectors and unconventional in-gap states. Owing to interlayer phase shifts, the moiré superstructure exhibits a clear thermal hysteresis, accounting for the large hysteresis in electrical resistivity and numerous metastable states. Our findings open new directions for moiré engineering based on incommensurate lattices and highlight the important role of interlayer ordering in stacked structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1977

Lunar Electrical Conductivity, Permeability and Temperature From Apollo Magnetometer Experiments

Magnetometers have been deployed at four Apollo sites on the Moon to measure remanent and induced lunar magnetic fields. Measurements from this network of instruments have been used to calculate the electrical conductivity, temperature, magnetic permeability, and iron abundance of the lunar interior. The measured lunar remanent fields range from 3 gammas (γ) minimum at the Apollo 15 site to 327 γ maximum at the Apollo 16 site. Simultaneous magnetic field and solar plasma pressure measurements show that the remanent fields at the Apollo 12 and 16 sites interact with, and are compressed by, the solar wind. Remanent fields at Apollo 12 and Apollo 16 are increased 16 γ and 32 γ, respectively, by a solar plasma bulk pressure increase of 1.5 x 10 -7 dynes/cm 2 . Global lunar fields due to eddy currents, induced in the lunar interior by magnetic transients, have been analyzed to calculate an electrical conductivity profile for the Moon. From nightside magnetometer data in the solar wind it has been found that deeper than 170 km into the Moon the conductivity rises from 3 x 10 -4 mhos/m to 10 -2 mhos/m at 1000-km depth. Recent analysis of data obtained in the geomagnetic tail, in regions free of complicating plasma effects, yields results consistent with nightside values. Conductivity profiles have been used to calculate the lunar temperature for an assumed lunar material of olivine. In the outer layer (~ 170 km thick) the temperature rises to 110° C, after which it gradually increases with depth to 1500° C at a depth of ~ 1000 km. Simultaneous measurements by magnetometers on the lunar surface and in orbit around the moon are used to construct a whole-moon hysteresis curve, from which the global lunar magnetic permeability is determined to be μ = 1.012 ± 0.006. The corresponding global induced dipole moment is 2 x 10 18 gauss-cm 3 for typical inducing fields of 10 -4 gauss in the lunar environment. Lunar free iron abundance corresponding to the global permeability is determined to be 2.5 ± 2.0 wt. %. Total iron abundance (sum of iron in the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states) is calculated for two assumed compositional models of the lunar interior. For a free iron/orthopyroxene lunar composition the total iron content is calculated to be 12.8 ± 1.0 wt. %; for a free iron/olivine composition, total iron content is 5.5 ± 1.2 wt. %. Other lunar models with an iron core and with a shallow iron-rich layer are also discussed in light of the measured global lunar permeability. Velocities and thicknesses of the Earth's magnetopause and bow shock have been estimated from simultaneous magnetometer measurements. Average speeds are determined to be about 50 km/s for the magnetopause and 70 km/s for the bow shock, although there are large variations in the measurement for any particular boundary crossing. Corresponding measured boundary thicknesses average about 2300 km for the magnetopause and 1400 km for the bow shock.

P Dyal↗

DOE OSTI2026

Hybrid Bio-Based Composites: Enabling Cellulose Nanofiber (CNF) Incorporation into Composites via Macroscale Natural Fiber Carriers

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have significant potential in composites as additives to improve mechanical properties, melt rheology, and more. However, agglomeration of CNFs is a key challenge in composite melt processing as obtaining nano-level dispersion of CNFs often requires cost- and energy-intensive processes (e.g., solvent exchange or freeze drying) due to the strong hornification tendencies of CNF. Herein, we avoid these challenges by using a natural fiber carrier method to integrate CNF into thermoplastic composites. Fibers are co-dried to create a hybrid fiber feedstock for compounding in which natural fibers are decorated with dispersed nanofibers. The hybridized fibers result in up to a 24% increase in tensile strength and up to a 35% increase in Young’s modulus compared to composites only containing natural fibers. The lignocellulosic nanofibers are found to outperform their purely cellulosic counterpart, which is theorized to be due to either an increased propensity for fibrillation of the lignocellulosic fibers or the increased hydrophobicity of the fibers due to the presence of lignin. Surface analysis of fiber feedstocks, via streaming potential measurements and dynamic light scattering (DLS), confirmed a significant change in the feedstock hydrophobicity before and after hybridization. While mild additions of CNF (1 wt.% on the macroscale fiber) do not impact the composite melt viscosity, the viscosity is found to increase at higher CNF loadings (5 wt.% on the macroscale fiber), indicating its utility as a rheology modifier. Lastly, use of these materials as novel feedstocks for medium-scale additive manufacturing in high-fidelity part production was demonstrated.

bio-based↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermo-Poro-Mechanical Modeling of RTV Intumescence

Room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone is a high-temperature adhesive used as a gap-filler between heatshield tiles in numerous entry missions. Its propensity to intumesce, or swell upon exposure to heat, is a well-known effect that needs to be carefully quantified during design. At tile interfaces of charring ablators, intumescence, combined with differential recession, could cause the gap filler to protrude past the ablator outer mold line, forming a “fence”. Fencing can in turn cause transition to turbulence of the flow wetting the heat shield, leading to augmented surface heating. Recent experiments conducted at the Plasmatron X facility, the high enthalpy wind tunnel of the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies, have shown prominent fencing of RTV gap fillers in PICA, under both nitrogen and air plasmas. Similar observations are well known in the arcjet literature. Further experiments under controlled environment, performed using in situ X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), have shown heating rate-dependent swelling and shrinkage of RTV during pyrolysis. To simulate RTV intumescence, a novel model was introduced in the Porous Materials Analysis Toolbox based on OpenFOAM, PATO, to account for pore-pressure buildup within both closed- and open-pores. The governing equation for the thermo-poro-mechanical response were developed, assuming linear elasticity for the charring silicone. A new multi-pyrolysis model that tracks non-monotonic advancement of material properties with pyrolysis was proposed. This model addresses the limitations of state-of-the-art ablator models to capture the different stages of thermal degradation and coupled thermomechanics. Swelling of RTV was simulated using the new thermo-poro-mechanical model and compared against in situ micro-CT data. Results showed good agreement in intumescence height and temperature profiles at all heating rates, indicating that the key factor contributing to RTV swelling is the internal pressure build-up within closed- and open-pores. As RTV is cured into a soft (rubbery) compound with low-porosity and permeability, initial temperature increase and pyrolysis gas production cause a significant increase of internal pressure, causing a pronounced volume growth. As thermal degradation progresses, rigidization of the silicone occurs due to char hardening which counteract volume shrinkage after gas pressure relief. Overall, our model shows that accounting for changes in properties such porosity, permeability and key thermomechanical coefficients is crucial for capturing the RTV volume change during ablation and enable a predictive capability for heatshield tile interface response. A plan for future calibration of thermomechanical properties evolution during degradation is discussed, as a key next step to close the new model.

RTV↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermo-Poro-Mechanical Modeling of RTV Intumescence

silicone intumescence↗

NASA NTRS1977

The Evolution of the Moon and the Terrestrial Planets

The thermal evolutions of the Moon, Mars, Venus, and Mercury are calculated theoretically starting from cosmochemical condensation models. An assortment of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data are used to constrain both the present-day temperatures and the thermal histories of the planets' interiors. Such data imply that the planets were heated during or shortly after formation and that all the terrestrial planets started their differentiations early in their history. Initial temperatures and core formation play the most important roles in the early differentiation. The size of the planet is the primary factor in determining its present-day thermal state. The Moon, smallest in size, is characterized as a differentiated body with a crust, a thick solid mantle, and an interior region which may be partially molten. It is presently cooling rapidly and is relatively inactive tectonically. Mercury, which probably has a large core, may have a 500-km-thick solid lithosphere and a partially molten core, if it is assumed that some heat sources exist in the core. If this is not the case, the planet's interior temperatures are everywhere below the melting curve for iron. The thermal evolution is dominated by the core separation and the high conductivity of iron that makes up the bulk of Mercury. Mars, intermediate in size, is assumed to have differentiated an Fe-FeS core. While the formation of an early crust is evident, large-scale melting and differentiation of the mantle silicates has occurred at least up until 1 b.y. ago. Present-day temperature profiles indicate moderate tectonic activity at the present time. Venus is characterized as a planet not unlike the Earth in many respects. Core formation has occurred probably during the first billion years after the formation. The present-day temperatures indicate a partially molten upper mantle overlain by a 100-km-thick lithosphere and a molten Fe-Ni core. We can expect that today Venus may have tectonic processes similar to the Earth's.

M Nafi Toksöz↗

DOE OSTI2025

Influence of functional additives, fillers, and pigments on thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene for waste plastic upcycling

Pyrolysis offers a relatively green and economical method to convert waste plastics into valuable chemicals and fuels without the need for harmful solvents, toxic chemicals, or costly high-pressure reactors. Despite its popularity among chemical upcycling technologies, industrial adoption suffers from feedstock heterogeneity, low-quality products, and catalyst deactivation. Most plastics in our daily lives are formulated with functional additives, fillers, and colorants. These additives remaining in end-of-life waste streams increase feedstock heterogeneity, creating a challenging issue in recycling plastics. Still, the potential impacts of additives on the chemical upcycling of plastics have been poorly understood. In this study, polyethylene compounded with a range of widely used additives (antioxidants, stabilizers, pigments, fillers, slip agents, and flame retardants) was subjected to both thermal pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis in different catalyst-to-feedstock contact modes. It showed that many inorganic additives, such as talc, kaolin, CaCO 3 , TiO 2 , carbon black, and zinc stearate, facilitated polymer decomposition during pyrolysis, increasing light hydrocarbons while also promoting aromatic and carbon residue formation. Conversely, antioxidants and stabilizers inhibited depolymerization, favoring heavier hydrocarbons. During catalytic pyrolysis with HZSM-5 zeolite, additives strongly enhanced aromatic and catalytic coke formation, especially when there was direct contact between plastics and catalysts. Although certain additives seem beneficial in the short term by promoting polymer cracking and improving the selectivity of aromatics, the transport of the additives and their degradation products and increased carbon coking can contaminate products, deactivate or modify catalysts, and foul reactors. These findings address a critical knowledge gap in effectively converting waste plastics via a greener route.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS2026

Development of the METMAN Thermal Desktop Human Model for System Integration

Human thermal analysis and model development inform NASA’s space suit development, vehicle/habitat design, and survivability studies. Historically, human thermal models such as the 41-node metabolic man (METMAN) and the Wissler model have been standalone software tools developed with FORTRAN, a programming language known for its high performance in computationally intensive applications. Though efficient, these standalone programs pose challenges to coupled human-system analysis with detailed life support and thermal control subsystem models in other commercial software. This paper describes the conversion of the METMAN human thermal model from a standalone FORTRAN program to a model in Thermal Desktop (Ansys), a commonly used CAD-based simulation software for engineering that specializes in heat transfer, thermal radiation, and fluid flow analysis. This format was chosen to best facilitate model sharing and compatibility, enabling the direct integration of METMAN human thermal analysis with subsystem models across NASA programs and commercial partners.

Elizabeth Thurston↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Artemis CubeSats Help Advance Exploration of the Moon, Mars, and Beyond

On April 1, NASA launched the Artemis II mission – the first crewed mission of the Artemis campaign. The nine-day lunar flyby launched on the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and had four astronauts test the Orion spacecraft in high Earth orbit and in deep space. Four 12U CubeSats also launched on the mission, housed within the SLS’s Orion stage adapter (OSA). The spacecraft were deployed approximately five-and-a-half hours into the flight, following Orion separation and departure from SLS, as the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) and the attached OSA were in a high Earth orbit on an atmospheric disposal trajectory. All four CubeSats were successfully deployed from the launch vehicle. Deployment statuses of the spacecraft, along with updates about the SLS rocket and Artemis missions, are reported in this paper. The paper will also discuss opportunities for CubeSat payloads on future Artemis missions.

David Hitt↗