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At least 163 records · Page 9

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Argon-Plasma-Treated Fluoropolymers

Films of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and of a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (approximately 49:1) copolymer (PFA) were exposed to a radio-frequency argon plasma and then examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The use of fluoropolymer films nearly free of surface hydrocarbon contamination as well as the use of a monochromatized X-ray source for XPS removed two factors contributing to conflicting reports on the effect of exposure time on the fluorine-to-carbon (F/C) and oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratios for several Ar-plasma-treated fluoropolymers. Contrary to literature indications, a common pattern was found for PTFE and PFA: a moderate decrease in F/C ratio (from 1.99 to 1.40, and from 1.97 to 1.57, respectively), together with a moderate increase in O/C ratio (from negligible to about 0.10, and from 0.012 to about O.10, respectively) at very short exposures, after which the F/C ratios remained essentially constant on prolonged exposures, while the O/C ratios for PTFE and PFA leveled off at 0.11 and 0.15, respectively. The XPS C(sub 1s), spectra for these polymers exposed to the Ar plasma for 20 min were similar and presented, besides a prominent peak at 292.0 eV (CF2,) and a minor peak at 294.0 or 294.1 eV (CF3), a composite band of four curve-resolved peaks (approximately 285-290 eV) representing various CH, CC, CO, CN, and CF functionalities.

Golub, Morton A.↗

CANA v1.0.0: efficient quantification of canalization in automata networks

The biomolecular networks underpinning cell function exhibit canalization, or the buffering of fluctuations required to function in a noisy environment. We present a new major release of $\tt{CANA}$, v1.0.0, an open-source Python package for understanding canalization in automata network models, discrete dynamical systems in which activation of biomolecular entities (e.g. transcription of genes) is modeled as the activity of coupled automata. One understudied putative mechanism for canalization is the functional equivalence of biomolecular regulators (e.g. among the transcription factors for a gene). We study this mechanism using the theory of symmetry in discrete functions. We present a new exact method, $\tt{schematodes}$, for finding maximal symmetry groups among the inputs to discrete functions, and integrate it into $\tt{CANA}$. The $\tt{schematodes}$ method substantially outperforms the inexact method of previous $\tt{CANA}$ versions both in speed and accuracy. We apply $\tt{CANA}$ v1.0.0 to study symmetry in 74 experimentally supported automata network models from the Cell Collective (CC) repository. The symmetry distribution is significantly different in the CC than in random automata with the same in-degree (connectivity) and bias (average output) (Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, P ≪ .001). Its spread is much wider than in a null model (IQR 0.31 versus IQR 0.20 with equal medians), demonstrating that the CC is enriched in functions with extreme symmetry or asymmetry.

Boolean networks↗

Materials Data on KCN by Materials Project

KCN crystallizes in the monoclinic Cc space group. The structure is three-dimensional. K1+ is bonded in a distorted rectangular see-saw-like geometry to four equivalent N3- atoms. There are a spread of K–N bond distances ranging from 2.90–3.18 Å. C2+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. The C–N bond length is 1.18 Å. N3- is bonded in a distorted single-bond geometry to four equivalent K1+ and one C2+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Potential acoustic benefits of circulation control rotors

The fundamental aeroacoustic mechanisms responsible for noise generation on a rotating blade are theoretically examined. Their contribution to the overall rotor sound pressure level is predicted. Results from a theory for airfoil trailing edge noise are presented. Modifications and extensions to other source theories are described where it is necessary to account for unique aspects of circulation control (CC) aerodynamics. The circulation control rotor (CCR), as embodied on an X-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, is used as an example for computational purposes, although many of the theoretical results presented are generally applicable to other CC applications (such as low speed rotors, propellers, compressors, and fixed wing aircraft). Using the analytical models, it is shown that the utilization CC aerodynamics theoretically makes possible unprecedented advances in rotor noise reduction. For the X-wing VTOL these reductions appear to be feasible without incurring significant attendant performance and weight penalties.

Williams, R. M.↗

Materials Data on MnH11C5NO6 by Materials Project

MnH3(CO2)3(CH3)2NH2 crystallizes in the monoclinic Cc space group. The structure is three-dimensional and consists of four dimethylazanium molecules and one MnH3(CO2)3 framework. In the MnH3(CO2)3 framework, Mn2+ is bonded in an octahedral geometry to six O2- atoms. There are a spread of Mn–O bond distances ranging from 2.17–2.29 Å. There are three inequivalent C+0.40+ sites. In the first C+0.40+ site, C+0.40+ is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to one H1+ and two O2- atoms. The C–H bond length is 1.11 Å. There is one shorter (1.26 Å) and one longer (1.28 Å) C–O bond length. In the second C+0.40+ site, C+0.40+ is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to one H1+ and two O2- atoms. The C–H bond length is 1.11 Å. There is one shorter (1.26 Å) and one longer (1.28 Å) C–O bond length. In the third C+0.40+ site, C+0.40+ is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to one H1+ and two O2- atoms. The C–H bond length is 1.11 Å. Both C–O bond lengths are 1.27 Å. There are three inequivalent H1+ sites. In the first H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C+0.40+ atom. In the second H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C+0.40+ atom. In the third H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C+0.40+ atom. There are six inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Mn2+ and one C+0.40+ atom. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded in a 1-coordinate geometry to one Mn2+ and one C+0.40+ atom. In the third O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted single-bond geometry to one Mn2+ and one C+0.40+ atom. In the fourth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Mn2+ and one C+0.40+ atom. In the fifth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Mn2+ and one C+0.40+ atom. In the sixth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Mn2+ and one C+0.40+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on ZnH9C5NO6 by Materials Project

ZnH3(CO2)3N(CH3)2 crystallizes in the monoclinic Cc space group. The structure is three-dimensional and consists of four dimethylamine molecules and one ZnH3(CO2)3 framework. In the ZnH3(CO2)3 framework, Zn2+ is bonded in an octahedral geometry to six O2- atoms. There are a spread of Zn–O bond distances ranging from 2.12–2.14 Å. There are three inequivalent C+0.80+ sites. In the first C+0.80+ site, C+0.80+ is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to one H1+ and two O2- atoms. The C–H bond length is 1.11 Å. Both C–O bond lengths are 1.27 Å. In the second C+0.80+ site, C+0.80+ is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to one H1+ and two O2- atoms. The C–H bond length is 1.11 Å. Both C–O bond lengths are 1.27 Å. In the third C+0.80+ site, C+0.80+ is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to one H1+ and two O2- atoms. The C–H bond length is 1.11 Å. Both C–O bond lengths are 1.27 Å. There are three inequivalent H1+ sites. In the first H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C+0.80+ atom. In the second H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C+0.80+ atom. In the third H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C+0.80+ atom. There are six inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Zn2+ and one C+0.80+ atom. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Zn2+ and one C+0.80+ atom. In the third O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Zn2+ and one C+0.80+ atom. In the fourth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Zn2+ and one C+0.80+ atom. In the fifth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Zn2+ and one C+0.80+ atom. In the sixth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Zn2+ and one C+0.80+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The METOP-A Orbit Acquisition Strategy and its LEOP Operational Experience

Europe's first polar-orbiting weather satellite, METOPA, was launched by a Soyuz launcher from Baikonur Cosmodrome on the 19th of October of 2006. The routine operations of METOP-A are conducted by EUMETSAT (European Organization for Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) in the frame of the European Polar System mission (EPS). The METOP-A Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) operations have been performed by ESA/ESOC. The Flight Dynamics Orbit Determination and Control team (OD&C) at ESOC was in charge of correcting the S/C orbit as delivered by the launcher in such a way that EUMETSAT would be able to acquire the reference orbit with a drift-stop manoeuvre approximately two weeks after a LEOP of 3 days and Hand-Over to the EUMETSAT Control Centre (EUMETSAT-CC) in Darmstadt, Germany. The various strict constraints and the short amount of time available for ESOC operations made this task challenging. Several strategies were prepared before launch and analysed during LEOP based on the achieved injection orbit. This paper presents the different manoeuvre strategies investigated and finally applied to acquire the operational orbit, reporting as well the details of its execution and final achieved state.

Merz, K.↗

Nonsynonymous amino acid changes in the α-chain of complement component 5 influence longitudinal susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum infections and severe malarial anemia in kenyan children

Background: Severe malarial anemia (SMA; Hb < 5.0 g/dl) is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission regions such as western Kenya. Methods: We investigated the relationship between two novel complement component 5 (C5) missense mutations [rs17216529:C>T, p(Val145Ile) and rs17610:C>T, p(Ser1310Asn)] and longitudinal outcomes of malaria in a cohort of Kenyan children (under 60 mos, n = 1,546). Molecular modeling was used to investigate the impact of the amino acid transitions on the C5 protein structure. Results: Prediction of the wild-type and mutant C5 protein structures did not reveal major changes to the overall structure. However, based on the position of the variants, subtle differences could impact on the stability of C5b. The influence of the C5 genotypes/haplotypes on the number of malaria and SMA episodes over 36 months was determined by Poisson regression modeling. Genotypic analyses revealed that inheritance of the homozygous mutant (TT) for rs17216529:C>T enhanced the risk for both malaria (incidence rate ratio, IRR = 1.144, 95%CI: 1.059–1.236, p = 0.001) and SMA (IRR = 1.627, 95%CI: 1.201–2.204, p = 0.002). In the haplotypic model, carriers of TC had increased risk of malaria (IRR = 1.068, 95%CI: 1.017–1.122, p = 0.009), while carriers of both wild-type alleles (CC) were protected against SMA (IRR = 0.679, 95%CI: 0.542–0.850, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Collectively, these findings show that the selected C5 missense mutations influence the longitudinal risk of malaria and SMA in immune-naïve children exposed to holoendemic P. falciparum transmission through a mechanism that remains to be defined.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Infrared spectoscopy of Triton and Pluto ice analogs: The case for saturated hydrocarbons

The infrared transmission spectra and photochemical behavior of various organic compounds isolated in solid N2 ices, appropriate for applications to Triton ad Pluto, are presented. It is shown that excess absorption in the surface spectra of Triton and Pluto, i.e., absorption not explained by present models incorporating molecules already identified on these bodies (N2, CH4, CO, and CO2), that starts near 4450/cm (2.25 microns) and extends to lower frequencies, may be due to alkanes (C(n)H(2n+2)) and related molecules frozen in the nitrogen. Branched and linear alkanes may be responsible. Experiments in which the photochemstry of N2: CH4 and N2: CH4: CO ices was explored demonsrtrate that the surface ices of Triton and Pluto may contain a wide variety of additional species containing H, C, O, and N. Of these, the reactive molecule diazomethane, CH2N2, is particularly important since it may be largely responsible for the synthesis of larger alkanes from CH4 and other small alkanes. Diazomethane would also be expected to drive chemical reactions involving organics in the surface ices of Triton and Pluto toward saturation, i.e., to reduce multiple CC bonds. The positions and intrinsic strengths (A values) of many of the infrared absorption bands of N2 matrix-isolated molecules of relevance to Triton and Pluto have also been determined. These can be used to aid in their search and to place constraints on their abundances.

Bohn, Robert B.↗

Impact of Aircraft Emissions on NO(x) in the Lowermost Stratosphere at Northern Midlatitudes

Airborne measurements of NO(x) total reactive nitrogen (NO(y)), O3 and condensation nuclei (CN) were made within air traffic corridors over the U.S. and North Atlantic regions (35-60 deg N) in the fall of 1997. NO(x) and NO(y) data obtained in the lowermost stratosphere (LS) were examined using the calculated increase in NO(y) ((delta)NO(y)) along five-day back trajectories as a parameter to identify possible effects of aircraft on reactive nitrogen. It is very likely that aircraft emissions had a significant impact on the NO(x) levels in the LS inasmuch as the NO(s), mixing ratios at 8.5-12 km were significantly correlated with the independent parameters of aircraft emissions, i.e., (delta)NO(y) levels and CN values. In order to estimate quantitatively the impact of aircraft emissions on NO(x), and CN, the background levels of CN and NO(x) at O3 = 100-200 ppbv were derived from the correlations of these quantities with (delta)NO(y)). On average, the aircraft emissions are estimated to have increased the NO(x) and CN values by 130 pptv and 400 STP,cc, respectively, which corresponds to 70 -/+ 30 % and 30 -/+ 20 % of the observed median values.

Kondo, Y.↗

Materials Data on MnCO3 by Materials Project

MnCO3 crystallizes in the monoclinic Cc space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Mn2+ is bonded in a 5-coordinate geometry to five O2- atoms. There are a spread of Mn–O bond distances ranging from 2.13–2.29 Å. C4+ is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to three O2- atoms. There is two shorter (1.29 Å) and one longer (1.31 Å) C–O bond length. There are three inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted trigonal planar geometry to two equivalent Mn2+ and one C4+ atom. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to one Mn2+ and one C4+ atom. In the third O2- site, O2- is bonded in a 3-coordinate geometry to two equivalent Mn2+ and one C4+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Calorimetric classification of track-like signatures in liquid argon TPCs using MicroBooNE data

The MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber located at Fermilab is a neutrino experiment dedicated to the study of short-baseline oscillations, the measurements of neutrino cross sections in liquid argon, and to the research and development of this novel detector technology. Accurate and precise measurements of calorimetry are essential to the event reconstruction and are achieved by leveraging the TPC to measure deposited energy per unit length along the particle trajectory, with mm resolution. We describe the non-uniform calorimetric reconstruction performance in the detector, showing dependence on the angle of the particle trajectory. Such non-uniform reconstruction directly affects the performance of the particle identification algorithms which infer particle type from calorimetric measurements. This work presents a new particle identification method which accounts for and effectively addresses such non-uniformity. The newly developed method shows improved performance compared to previous algorithms, illustrated by a 93.7% proton selection efficiency and a 10% muon mis-identification rate, with a fairly loose selection of tracks performed on beam data. The performance is further demonstrated by identifying exclusive final states in ν μ CC interactions. While developed using MicroBooNE data and simulation, this method is easily applicable to future LArTPC experiments, such as SBND, ICARUS, and DUNE.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Rye-soybean double-crop: planting method and N fertilization effects in the North Central US

Double-cropping winter rye cover crops (CC) with soybean in the North Central US could help with the global effort to sustainably intensify agriculture. Studies addressing the management of these systems are limited. Therefore, a field study was conducted from 2017 to 2019 in Central Iowa, US to evaluate winter rye CC biomass production, aboveground N accumulation, estimated economics, estimated within-field energy balance and estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under three N application rates (0, 60, 120 kg N ha –1 ) and three planting methods (pre- and post-harvest broadcast and post-harvest drilling). Averaged over N rates, all planting methods resulted in >5.0 Mg ha –1 year –1 rye aboveground biomass dry matter. Averaged over the 2-year study and compared with unfertilized treatments, applying 60 kg N ha –1 produced 1.1 Mg ha –1 more aboveground biomass (6.1 vs 5.0 Mg ha –1 ), accumulated 30 kg ha –1 more N in aboveground biomass (88 vs 58 kg N ha –1 ), and led to 20 GJ ha –1 more net energy. Biomass production was not significantly higher with 120 kg N ha –1 compared with the 60 kg N ha –1 rate. Even when accounting for an estimated 0.75 Mg ha –1 of above ground rye biomass left in the field after harvesting, more N was removed than applied at the 60 kg N ha –1 rate. The minimum rye prices over the 2-year study needed for double-cropping winter rye CC to be profitable (breakeven prices) averaged $117 and $104 Mg –1 for the 0 and 60 kg N ha –1 rates, which factors in estimated soybean yield reductions in 2019 compared with local averages but not off-site transportation. GHG emissions were estimated to increase approximately threefold between the unfertilized and 60 kg N ha –1 rates without considering bioenergy offsets. While environmental tradeoffs need further study, results suggest harvesting fertilized rye CC biomass before planting soybean is a promising practice for the North Central US to maximize total crop and net energy production.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

NOPCHAP1 is a PAQosome cofactor that helps loading NOP58 on RUVBL1/2 during box C/D snoRNP biogenesis

Abstract The PAQosome is a large complex composed of the HSP90/R2TP chaperone and a prefoldin-like module. It promotes the biogenesis of cellular machineries but it is unclear how it discriminates closely related client proteins. Among the main PAQosome clients are C/D snoRNPs and in particular their core protein NOP58. Using NOP58 mutants and proteomic experiments, we identify different assembly intermediates and show that C12ORF45, which we rename NOPCHAP1, acts as a bridge between NOP58 and PAQosome. NOPCHAP1 makes direct physical interactions with the CC-NOP domain of NOP58 and domain II of RUVBL1/2 AAA+ ATPases. Interestingly, NOPCHAP1 interaction with RUVBL1/2 is disrupted upon ATP binding. Moreover, while it robustly binds both yeast and human NOP58, it makes little interactions with NOP56 and PRPF31, two other closely related CC-NOP proteins. Expression of NOP58, but not NOP56 or PRPF31, is decreased in NOPCHAP1 KO cells. We propose that NOPCHAP1 is a client-loading PAQosome cofactor that selects NOP58 to promote box C/D snoRNP assembly.

Abel, Yoann↗

Materials Data on H13RuC6SN4O8F9 by Materials Project

RuCH12S(NO)4HC2O4(CF3)3 crystallizes in the monoclinic Cc space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of twelve fluoroform molecules, four HC2O4 clusters, and four RuCH12S(NO)4 clusters. In each HC2O4 cluster, there are two inequivalent C4+ sites. In the first C4+ site, C4+ is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to two O2- atoms. There is one shorter (1.24 Å) and one longer (1.29 Å) C–O bond length. In the second C4+ site, C4+ is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to two O2- atoms. There is one shorter (1.22 Å) and one longer (1.31 Å) C–O bond length. H1+ is bonded in a linear geometry to two O2- atoms. There is one shorter (1.15 Å) and one longer (1.30 Å) H–O bond length. There are four inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C4+ atom. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to one C4+ and one H1+ atom. In the third O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C4+ atom. In the fourth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a water-like geometry to one C4+ and one H1+ atom. In each RuCH12S(NO)4 cluster, Ru2+ is bonded in an octahedral geometry to four N3-, one S2-, and one O2- atom. There are a spread of Ru–N bond distances ranging from 2.13–2.15 Å. The Ru–S bond length is 2.11 Å. The Ru–O bond length is 2.11 Å. C4+ is bonded in a bent 120 degrees geometry to two O2- atoms. There is one shorter (1.24 Å) and one longer (1.28 Å) C–O bond length. There are four inequivalent N3- sites. In the first N3- site, N3- is bonded in a distorted trigonal non-coplanar geometry to one Ru2+ and three H1+ atoms. There is two shorter (1.02 Å) and one longer (1.03 Å) N–H bond length. In the second N3- site, N3- is bonded in a distorted trigonal non-coplanar geometry to one Ru2+ and three H1+ atoms. All N–H bond lengths are 1.03 Å. In the third N3- site, N3- is bonded in a distorted trigonal non-coplanar geometry to one Ru2+ and three H1+ atoms. There is one shorter (1.02 Å) and two longer (1.03 Å) N–H bond length. In the fourth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a distorted trigonal non-coplanar geometry to one Ru2+ and three H1+ atoms. There is two shorter (1.02 Å) and one longer (1.03 Å) N–H bond length. There are twelve inequivalent H1+ sites. In the first H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the second H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the third H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the fourth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the fifth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the sixth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the seventh H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the eighth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the ninth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the tenth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the eleventh H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. In the twelfth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one N3- atom. S2- is bonded in a distorted trigonal planar geometry to one Ru2+ and two O2- atoms. There is one shorter (1.46 Å) and one longer (1.47 Å) S–O bond length. There are four inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S2- atom. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one S2- atom. In the third O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 120 degrees geometry to one Ru2+ and one C4+ atom. In the fourth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C4+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nebula Scale Mixing Between Non-Carbonaceous and Carbonaceous Chondrite Reservoirs: Testing the Grand Tack Model with Almahata Sitta Stones

There is an increasing number of Cr-O-Ti isotope studies that show that solar system materials are divided into two main populations, one carbonaceous chondrite (CC)-like and the other is non-carbonaceous (NCC)-like, with minimal mixing between them attributed to a gap opened in the propoplanetary disk due to Jupiter's formation. The Grand Tack model suggests that there should be a particular time in the disk history when this gap is breached and ensuring a subsequent large-scale mixing between S- and C-type asteroids (inner solar system and outer solar system materials), an idea supported by our recent work on chondrule (Delta)17O-(epsilon)54Cr isotope systematics.

Yin, Q.-Z.↗

NASA Centennial Challenges Program: A Crowdsourcing Tool to Advance Life Support Technologies for Future NASA Missions

Historically, competitions and prizes such as those executed by the NASA Centennial Challenges (CC) program have created broader avenues through which to spur innovation from unlikely sources. In 2005, Congress amended the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to authorize NASA to create challenges through which prizes could be awarded to United States citizens or entities that succeeded in meeting the challenge objectives. Over the past 13 years, the CC program has initiated more than 19 challenges in a variety of technology areas, including propulsion, robotics, communications and navigation, human health, science instrumentation, nanotech, materials/structures and aerodynamics. This paper will discuss the status and the accomplishments of the CC program and discuss results of an ideation process designed to identify and formulate topics for a potential Centennial Challenge competition targeting a life support technology gap for future long-term exploration missions. Status of this challenge formulation process with information on how to use crowdsourcing tools will be discussed. An overview of the CC Program’s accomplishments, including strategic objectives, past challenges, and current challenge development and execution. This program exemplifies the values that have formed the bedrock of the culture at NASA since the beginning: innovation, imagination, and a passion for exploration.

innovation↗

Discovery of Abundant Tremolite in a Carbonaceous Chondrite Fragment from the Almahata Sitta Meteorite

Almahata Sitta (AhS) is classified as an anomalous, polymict ureilite and was observed prior to Earth impact as the F-type asteroid 2008 TC3 [e.g., 1-2]. As part of our characterization of this unusual meteorite [e.g., 3], we have been using microscopic infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR) to measure the mineralogy of fragments identified as carbonaceous chondrites (CC). In fragment 202 we have discovered unambiguous spectral evidence for a minimum of several vol% amphibole (specifically, tremolite), a mineral that is not known to occur in volumetrically significant abundances (defined here as >1%) in carbonaceous chondrites

Hamilton, V. E.↗