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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

Aerospace Fuels from Nonpetroleum Raw Materials

Recycling human metabolic and plastic wastes minimizes cost and increases efficiency by reducing the need to transport consumables and return trash, respectively, from orbit to support a space station crew. If the much larger costs of transporting consumables to the Moon and beyond are taken into account, developing waste recycling technologies becomes imperative and possibly mission enabling. Reduction of terrestrial waste streams while producing energy and/or valuable raw materials is an opportunity being realized by a new generation of visionary entrepreneurs; several relevant technologies are briefly compared, contrasted and assessed for space applications. A two-step approach to nonpetroleum raw materials utilization is presented; the first step involves production of supply or producer gas. This is akin to synthesis gas containing carbon oxides, hydrogen, and simple hydrocarbons. The second step involves production of fuel via the Sabatier process, a methanation reaction, or another gas-to-liquid technology, typically Fischer- Tropsch processing. Optimization to enhance the fraction of product stream relevant to transportation fuels via catalytic (process) development at NASA GRC is described. Energy utilization is a concern for production of fuels whether for operation on the lunar or Martian surface, or beyond. The term "green" relates to not only mitigating excess carbon release but also to the efficiency of energy usage. For space, energy usage can be an essential concern. Other issues of great concern include minimizing impurities in the product stream(s), especially those that are potential health risks and/or could de-grade operations through catalyst poisoning or equipment damage; technologies being developed to remove heteroatom impurities are discussed. Alternative technologies to utilize waste fluids, such as a propulsion option called the resistojet, are discussed. The resistojet is an electric propulsion technology with a powered thruster to vaporize and heat a propellant to high temperature, hot gases are subsequently passed through a converging-diverging nozzle expanding gases to supersonic velocities. A resistojet can accommodate many different fluids, including various reaction chamber (by-)products.

Palaszewski, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Study of the ammonia ice cloud layer in the north tropical zone of Jupiter from the infrared interferometric experiment on Voyager

An average of 51 Voyager 1 IRIS spectra of Jupiter's North Tropical Zone was analyzed to infer the abundance, vertical extent, and size distribution of the particles making up the ammonia cloud in this region. It is assumed that the cloud base coincides with the level at which 100% saturation of ammonia vapor occurs. The vertical distribution of particulates above this level is determined by assuming a constant total ammonia mixing ratio and adjusting the two phases so that the vapor is saturated throughout the cloud. A constant scaling factor then adjusts the base number density. A radiative transfer program is used that includes the effects of absorption and emission of all relevant gases as well as anisotropic scattering by cloud particles. Mie scattering from a gaussian particle size distribution is assumed. The vertical thermal structure is inferred from a temperature retrieval program that utilizes the collision induced S(0) and S(1) molecular hydrogen lines between 300 and 700.cm, and the 1304.cm methane band.

Shaffer, William A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Nitrogen Species in the Post-Pinatubo Stratosphere: Model Analysis Utilizing UARS Measurements

We present an analysis of the impact of heterogeneous chemistry on the partitioning of nitrogen species measured by the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) instruments. The UARS measurements utilized include N2O, HNO3, and ClONO2 from the cryogenic limb array etalon spectrometer (CLAES), version 7 (v.7), and temperature, methane, ozone, H2O, HCl, NO and NO2 from the halogen occultation experiment (HALOE), version 18. The analysis is carried out for the UARS data obtained between January 1992 and September 1994 in the 100- to 1-mbar (approx. 17-47 km) altitude range and over 10 deg latitude bins from 70 deg S to 70 deg N. The spatiotemporal evolution of aerosol surface area density (SAD) is adopted from analysis of the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II data. A diurnal steady state photochemical box model, constrained by the temperature, ozone, H2O, CH4, aerosol SAD, and columns of O2 and O3 above the point of interest, has been used as the main tool to analyze these data. Total inorganic nitrogen (NOY) is obtained by three different methods: (1) as a sum of the UARS-measured NO, NO2, HNO3, and ClONO2; (2) from the N2O-NOY correlation; and (3) from the CH4-NOY correlation. To validate our current understanding of stratospheric heterogeneous chemistry for post-Pinatubo conditions, the model-calculated monthly averaged NO(x)/NO(y) ratios and the NO, NO2, and HNO3 profiles are compared with the UARS-derived data. In general, the UARS-constrained box model captures the main features of nitrogen species partitioning in the post-Pinatubo years, such as recovery of NO(x) after the eruption, their seasonal variability and vertical profiles. However, the model underestimates the NO2 content, particularly in the 30- to 7-mbar (approx. 23-32 km) range. Comparisons of the calculated temporal behavior of the partial columns of NO2 and HNO3 and ground-based measurements at 45 deg S and 45 deg N are also presented. Our analysis indicates that ground-based and HALOE v.18 measurements of the NO2 vertical columns are consistent within the range of their uncertainties and are systematically higher (up to 50%) than the model results at midlatitudes in both hemispheres. Reasonable agreement is obtained for HNO3 columns at 45 deg S, suggesting some problems with nitrogen species partitioning in the model. Outstanding uncertainties are discussed.

Danilin, Michael Y.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Nitrogen Species in the Post-Pinatubo Stratosphere: Model Analysis Utilizing UARS Measurements

We present an analysis of the impact of heterogeneous chemistry on the partitioning of nitrogen species measured by the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) instruments. The UARS measurements utilized include N2O, HNO3, and ClONO2 from the cryogenic limb array etalon spectrometer (CLAES), version 7 (v.7), and temperature, methane, ozone, H2O, HCl, NO and NO2 from the halogen occultation experiment (HALOE), version 18. The analysis is carried out for the UARS data obtained between January 1992 and September 1994 in the 100-to 1-mbar (approx. 17-47 km) altitude range and over 10 degrees latitude bins from 70 S to 70 N. The spatiotemporal evolution of aerosol surface area density (SAD) is adopted from analysis of the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II data. A diurnal steady state photochemical box model, constrained by the temperature, ozone, H2O, CH4, aerosol SAD, and columns of O2 and O3 above the point of interest, has been used as the main tool to analyze these data. Total inorganic nitrogen (NOy) is obtained by three different methods: (1) as a sum of the UARS-measured NO, NO2, HNO3, and ClONO2; (2) from the N2O-NOy correlation, and (3) from the CH4-NOy correlation. To validate our current understanding of stratospheric heterogeneous chemistry for post-Pinatubo conditions, the model-calculated monthly averaged NOx/NOy ratios and the NO, NO2, and HNO3 profiles are compared with the UARS-derived data. In general, the UARS-constrained box model captures the main features of nitrogen species partitioning in the post-Pinatubo years, such as recovery of NOx after the eruption, their seasonal variability and vertical profiles. However, the model underestimates the NO2 content, particularly in the 30- to 7-mbar (approx.23-32 km) range. Comparisons of the calculated temporal behavior of the partial columns of NO2 and HNO3 and ground-based measurements at 45 S and 45 N are also presented. Our analysis indicates that ground-based and HALOE v.18 measurements of the NO2 vertical columns are consistent within the range of their uncertainties and are systematically higher (up to 50%) than the model results at midlatitudes in both hemispheres. Reasonable agreement is obtained for HNO3 columns at 45 S, suggesting some problems with nitrogen species partitioning in the model. Outstanding uncertainties are discussed.

Danilin, Michael Y.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Aerospace Fuels From Nonpetroleum Raw Materials

Recycling human metabolic and plastic wastes minimizes cost and increases efficiency by reducing the need to transport consumables and return trash, respectively, from orbit to support a space station crew. If the much larger costs of transporting consumables to the Moon and beyond are taken into account, developing waste recycling technologies becomes imperative and possibly mission enabling. Reduction of terrestrial waste streams while producing energy and/or valuable raw materials is an opportunity being realized by a new generation of visionary entrepreneurs; several relevant technologies are briefly compared, contrasted and assessed for space applications. A two-step approach to nonpetroleum raw materials utilization is presented; the first step involves production of supply or producer gas. This is akin to synthesis gas containing carbon oxides, hydrogen, and simple hydrocarbons. The second step involves production of fuel via the Sabatier process, a methanation reaction, or another gas-to-liquid technology, typically Fischer-Tropsch processing. Optimization to enhance the fraction of product stream relevant to transportation fuels via catalytic (process) development at NASA Glenn Research Center is described. Energy utilization is a concern for production of fuels whether for operation on the lunar or Martian surface, or beyond. The term green relates to not only mitigating excess carbon release but also to the efficiency of energy usage. For space, energy usage can be an essential concern. Another issue of great concern is minimizing impurities in the product stream(s), especially those that are potential health risks and/or could degrade operations through catalyst poisoning or equipment damage; technologies being developed to remove heteroatom impurities are discussed. Alternative technologies to utilize waste fluids, such as a propulsion option called the resistojet, are discussed. The resistojet is an electric propulsion technology with a powered thruster to vaporize and heat a propellant to high temperature, hot gases are subsequently passed through a converging-diverging nozzle expanding gases to supersonic velocities. A resistojet can accommodate many different fluids, including various reaction chamber (by-)products.

Palaszewski, Bryan A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Rating hydrogen as a potential aviation fuel

The viability of liquid hydrogen, liquid methane, and synthetic aviation kerosene as future alternate fuels for transport aircraft is analyzed, and the results of a comparative assessment are given in terms of cost, energy resource utilization, areas of fuel production, transmission airport facilities, and ultimate use in the aircraft. Important safety (fires) and some environmental aspects (CO2 balance) are also described. It is concluded that fuel price estimates indicate the price of synthetic aviation kerosene (synjet) would be approximately half of the price calculated for liquid hydrogen and somewhat less than that of liquid methane, with synjet from oil shale reported to be the least expensive.

Witcofski, R. D.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle greenhouse gases analysis of green ammonia production utilizing PV and wind energy: Jordan as a case study

Ammonia (NH 3 ) has emerged as a critical player in the global energy transition due to its potential as a low-carbon fuel. Conventional ammonia production methods, primarily through steam methane reforming, are significant contributors to global CO 2 emissions. This study investigates the potential of green ammonia production in Jordan by leveraging the country's abundant solar photovoltaic and wind energy resources. A comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle greenhouse gas analysis was conducted to compare green ammonia production with conventional grey and blue ammonia pathways. Here, the study utilized spatial mapping to assess renewable energy capacity factors across Jordan and optimized the integration of hybrid PV/wind systems with proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. The results indicate that the levelized cost of green ammonia (LCOA) in Jordan varies between 900 USD/kg NH 3 and 2500 USD/kg NH 3 which is significantly higher than grey ammonia (similar to 360 USD/kg NH 3 ). Nevertheless, the carbon intensity of green ammonia production (between 0.1 kg CO 2eq /kg NH 3 and 0.5 kg CO 2eq /kg NH 3 ) is much lower than the grey ammonia (1.8 kg CO 2eq /kg NH 3 ). Finally, the results indicate that considering future reductions in capital costs and advancement in renewable energy systems and PEM electrolyzers as well as the ability to sell the co-product O 2 can reduce the LCOA by up to 92 % and make it competitive with grey ammonia.

Green Ammonia↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Deep Learning Based Framework to Identify Undocumented Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells from Historical Maps: A Case Study for California and Oklahoma

Undocumented Orphaned Wells (UOWs) are wells without an operator that have limited or no documentation with regulatory authorities. An estimated 310,000 to 800,000 UOWs exist in the United States (US), whose locations are largely unknown. These wells can potentially leak methane and other volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere, and contaminate groundwater. In this study, we developed a novel framework utilizing a state-of-the-art computer vision neural network model to identify the precise locations of potential UOWs. The U-Net model is trained to detect oil and gas well symbols in georeferenced historical topographic maps, and potential UOWs are identified as symbols that are further than 100 m from any documented well. A custom tool was developed to rapidly validate the potential UOW locations. We applied this framework to four counties in California and Oklahoma, leading to the discovery of 1301 potential UOWs across >40,000 km 2 . We confirmed the presence of 29 UOWs from satellite images and 15 UOWs from magnetic surveys in the field with a spatial accuracy on the order of 10 m. This framework can be scaled to identify potential UOWs across the US since the historical maps are available for the entire nation.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2025

CFD Validation and Scaling of a Condenser Used in an ISRU Propellant Production System

This work develops a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) condenser used for ground-based testing of an In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) propellant production system. STAR-CCM+ was used to simulate water condensing through the condenser downstream of a methanation reactor. The computational data of the digital model is validated with test cases using nitrogen and water in ambient conditions. After validation with the test data, the digital model can be used to predict scale at higher production targets. The StarCCM+ simulation of the digital model shows good agreement with the test data provided. From the simulation, the condensation rate calculated was 18.3 g/hr and the process gas mass flow rate was 709.2 g/hr. The test data measured an average 16.9 g/hr condensation rate and 693.6 g/hr process gas mass flow rate. The simulation shows a 7.3% error in the water condensation and 2.2% error in the process gas at the outlet.

Condenser↗
NASA NTRS1979

Comparison of alternate fuels for aircraft

Liquid hydrogen, liquid methane, and synthetic aviation kerosene were assessed as alternate fuels for aircraft in terms of cost, capital requirements, and energy resource utilization. Fuel transmission and airport storage and distribution facilities are considered. Environmental emissions and safety aspects of fuel selection are discussed and detailed descriptions of various fuel production and liquefaction processes are given. Technological deficiencies are identified.

Witcofski, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS2008

LOX/Methane Main Engine Igniter Tests and Modeling

The LOX/methane propellant combination is being considered for the Lunar Surface Access Module ascent main engine propulsion system. The proposed switch from the hypergolic propellants used in the Apollo lunar ascent engine to LOX/methane propellants requires the development of igniters capable of highly reliable performance in a lunar surface environment. An ignition test program was conducted that used an in-house designed LOX/methane spark torch igniter. The testing occurred in Cell 21 of the Research Combustion Laboratory to utilize its altitude capability to simulate a space vacuum environment. Approximately 750 ignition test were performed to evaluate the effects of methane purity, igniter body temperature, spark energy level and frequency, mixture ratio, flowrate, and igniter geometry on the ability to obtain successful ignitions. Ignitions were obtained down to an igniter body temperature of approximately 260 R with a 10 torr back-pressure. The data obtained is also being used to anchor a CFD based igniter model.

Breisacher, Kevin J.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Carbon Dioxide Methanation for Human Exploration of Mars: A Look at Catalyst Longevity and Activity Using Supported Ruthenium

Overarching Purpose: To design a carbon dioxide methanation/Sabatier reaction catalyst able to withstand variable conditions including fluctuations in bed temperature and feed flow rates for 480 days of remote operation to produce seven tons of methane. Current Study Purpose: Examine supported Ruthenium as a carbon dioxide methanation catalyst to determine the effects support properties have on the active phase by studying activity and selectivity. Objective: The remote operation of the Mars ISRU (In Situ Resources Utilization) lander to produce rocket fuel prior to crew arrival on the planet to power an ascent vehicle. Constraints: Long-term operation (480 days); Variable conditions: Feed gas flow rates, Feed gas flow ratios, Reactor bed temperature.

SiC↗
NASA NTRS2000

Solar Power System Evaluated for the Human Exploration of Mars

The electric power system is a crucial element of any mission for the human exploration of the Martian surface. The bulk of the power generated will be delivered to crew life support systems, extravehicular activity suits, robotic vehicles, and predeployed in situ resource utilization (ISRU) equipment. In one mission scenario, before the crew departs for Mars, the ISRU plant operates for 435 days producing liquefied methane and oxygen for ascent-stage propellants and water for crew life support. About 200 days after ISRU production is completed, the crew arrives for a 500-day surface stay. In this scenario, the power system must operate for a total of 1130 days (equivalent to 1100 Martian "sols"), providing 400 MW-hr of energy to the ISRU plant and up to 18 kW of daytime user power. A photovoltaic power-generation system with regenerative fuel cell (RFC) energy storage has been under study at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. The conceptual power system is dominated by the 4000- m2 class photovoltaic array that is deployed orthogonally as four tent structures, each approximately 5 m on a side and 100-m long. The structures are composed of composite members deployed by an articulating mast, an inflatable boom, or rover vehicles, and are subsequently anchored to the ground. Array panels consist of thin polymer membranes with thin-film solar cells. The array is divided into eight independent electrical sections with solar cell strings operating at 600 V. Energy storage is provided by regenerative fuel cells based on hydrogen-oxygen proton exchange membrane technology. Hydrogen and oxygen reactants are stored in gaseous form at 3000 psi, and the water produced is stored at 14.7 psi. The fuel cell operating temperature is maintained by a 40-m2 deployable pumped-fluid loop radiator that uses water as the working fluid. The power management and distribution (PMAD) architecture features eight independent, regulated 600-Vdc channels. Power management and distribution power cables use various gauges of copper conductors with ethylene tetrafluoroethylene insulation. To assess power system design options and sizing, we developed a dedicated Fortran code to predict detailed power system performance and estimate system mass. This code also modeled the requisite Mars surface environments: solar insolation, Sun angles, dust storms, dust deposition, and thermal and ultraviolet radiation. Using this code, trade studies were performed to assess performance and mass sensitivities to power system design parameters (photovoltaic array geometry and orientation) and mission parameters (landing date and landing site latitude, terrain slope, and dust storm activity). Mission analysis cases were also run. Power results are shown in this graph for an analysis case with a September 1, 2012, landing date; 18.95 North latitude landing site; two seasonal dusts storms; and tent arrays. To meet user load requirements and the ISRU energy requirement, an 8-metric ton (MT) power system and 4000-m2 photovoltaic array area were required for the assumed advanced CuInS2 thin-film solar cell technology. In this figure, the top curve is the average daytime photovoltaic array power, the middle curve is average daytime user load power, and the bottom curve is nighttime power. At mission day 1, daytime user power exceeds 120 kW before falling off to 80 kW at the end of the mission. Throughout the mission, nighttime user power is set to the nighttime power requirement. In this analysis, "nighttime" is defined as the 13- to 15-hr period when array power output is below the daytime power requirement. During dust storms, power system capability falls off dramatically so that by mission day 900, a daily energy balance cannot be maintained. Under these conditions, the ISRU plant is placed in standby mode, and the regenerative fuel cell energy storage is gradually discharged to meet user loads.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Intrinsic kinetics of water-inhibited ultra-lean methane oxidation over PtPd-Mg/ θ -Al 2 O 3 catalyst

Here, this study develops intrinsic methane oxidation kinetics for ultra-lean methane conditions in the presence of water over a highly active and stable PtPd–Mg/θ-Al 2 O 3 catalyst. Comprehensive laboratory experiments were conducted over a wide range of methane concentrations (150–1200 ppm CH 4 ), water contents (1–5% H 2 O), and industrially relevant space velocities (80,000 ≤ GHSV ≤ 160,000 h -1 ). These systematic experiments informed a two-dimensional, axisymmetric, multiscale reactor model that was used to develop and validate methane oxidation kinetics under practically relevant conditions, including non-isothermal operation and high conversion regimes. Combined experimental and modeling results revealed significant intraparticle diffusion resistance and transport-induced reaction exotherm at elevated temperatures, which limited catalyst utilization despite high intrinsic activity. These transport effects were explicitly incorporated into the reactor model, enabling accurate estimation of intrinsic kinetic parameters without reliance on conventional effectiveness-factor corrections. The resulting kinetic model successfully captured both kinetically controlled and mass-transfer-limited regimes and reliably predicted CH 4 conversion across broad ranges of temperature, methane concentration, and water content

Heat and mass transfer limitations↗
DOE OSTI2026

Quantifying the Impact of Metal Population Distribution in MFI-Supported Mo Catalysts for Methane Dehydroaromatization

Precise evaluation of intrinsic kinetic behavior in Mo/MFI catalysts for methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) is confounded by variations in Mo dispersion and speciation, which are influenced by metal loading and zeolite acidity. This work advances the utility of H 2 -temperature programmed reduction (H 2 -TPR) for characterizing Mo/MFI catalysts by enabling quantitative comparison of MoO x populations distinguished by reduction behavior and linked to initial catalytic performance. A comprehensive H 2 reduction pathway is established through systematic H 2 - TPR studies varying catalyst composition (1–10 wt % Mo, Si/Al = 15, 40, ∞), supplemented by UV-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, N 2 physisorption, NH 3 -TPD, and advanced spectroscopic analysis (in situ XAS with principal component analysis/multivariate curve resolution—alternating least squares). Two low-temperature H 2 -TPR regions capture distinct Mo populations undergoing initial Mo(VI)→Mo(IV) reduction: a lower-temperature population (Mo-RI) associated primarily with highly dispersed, anchored MoO x species expected to predominantly reside within MFI channels, and a higher-temperature population (Mo-RII) corresponding to a broader set of MoO x species that becomes increasingly bulk-like/extrazeolitic at higher Mo loading. Quantification of these populations provides practical, kinetically relevant descriptors for comparing initial MDA rates across catalysts with varying Mo loading, Si/Al ratio, and MoO x heterogeneity. Application of lower-temperature Mo-RI estimates to kinetic measurements reveals a minimum threshold of ∼0.12 × 10 –3 mol Mo-RI/g cat , above which initial forward benzene rates normalized to this population converge despite differences in metal loading and zeolite Brønsted acidity. This threshold coincides with a transition toward a common C 2 -mediated benzene-forming regime, as indicated by approach-to-equilibrium analysis of methane-to-ethane, ethane-to-ethylene, and ethylene-to-benzene reaction steps. Above this threshold, normalized initial benzene rates are nearly invariant with increasing Mo-RII/Mo-RI population ratio, indicating that excess Mo-RII populations, including bulk-like/extrazeolitic MoO x domains present at higher loading, do not measurably suppress benzene formation associated with anchored and mostly channel-confined Mo population under the initial-rate conditions examined.

Mo/MFI↗
NASA NTRS1985

Long term monitoring of methane in the atmosphere by multiplex gas chromatography

Methane is of interest in the study of the Earth's atmosphere because of its implication in the future global warming of the surface. This warming is produced by the absorption of infrared energy by trace gases. It has been estimated that in the next 40 to 50 years, methane could contribute 20 to 25 pct. as much atmospheric warming as that expected from carbon dioxide increases. Studies to examine sources, sinks, and cycles of methane will require analytical methods capable of continuous unattended measurement with temporal resolution of an hour or less for weeks at a time. Gas chromatography (GC) is one of the most practical methods available to conduct the analysis of air, but limitations in this technique still exist which can be alleviated with multiplex GC (MGC). MGC is a technique where many samples are pseudo-randomly introduced to the chromatograph without regard to the length of time required for an analysis. The resulting data must then be reduced using computational methods such as cross correlation. In the technique reported, a tube packed with silver oxide was used at the inlet of the GC column to create concentration pulses of methane in a sample stream of air. By using only one carrier, i.e., ambient air, an effective and accurate method to monitor the variations in concentration of methane in the atmosphere over long periods of time was developed. Methane in ambient air was monitored for an eight day period and an interesting temporal variability was found. This work has shown the utility of a relatively simple MGC for the analysis of a real environmental sample.

Valentin, Jose R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Precision and sensitivity of the measurement of 15N enrichment in D-alanine from bacterial cell walls using positive/negative ion mass spectrometry

Sensitive detection of cellular components from specific groups of microbes can be utilized as 'signatures' in the examination of microbial consortia from soils, sediments or biofilms. Utilizing capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and stereospecific derivatizing agents, D-alanine, a component localized in the prokaryotic (bacterial) cell wall, can be detected reproducibly. Enrichments of D-[15N]alanine determined in E. coli grown with [15N]ammonia can be determined with precision at 1.0 atom%. Chemical ionization with methane gas and the detection of negative ions (M - HF)- and (M - F or M + H - HF)- formed from the heptafluorobutyryl D-2 butanol ester of D-alanine allowed as little as 8 pg (90 fmol) to be detected reproducibly. This method can be utilized to define the metabolic activity in terms of 15N incorporation at the level of 10(3)-10(4) cells, as a function of the 15N-14N ratio.

Non-NASA Center↗