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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
DOE OSTI2016

Development and Demonstration of Large-Scale Metal Additive Manufacturing for Military Vehicle Applications (Final Report)

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a process by which complex parts can be manufactured directly from a basic feedstock without the need for tooling. From a defense perspective, this will enable direct manufacture of parts for legacy equipment. However, current AM technologies are limited to small part sizes (approximately 1 cubic foot), slow production rates (approximately 1 cubic inch per hour) and expensive feedstocks (approximately $100/lb). The objective of this project was to explore the impact large-scale, high production rate additive manufacturing can have on military applications. First, the program explored the use of existing composite large-scale (Big Area Additive Manufacturing – BAAM) systems for both tooling and direct part replacement with the use of the Army’s Low Velocity Airdrop Delivery (LVAD) system and Willy’s Jeep. We report on the cost and time required for the development of both tooling and parts. Second, the program focused on expanding the BAAM technology to directly manufacture aluminum and steel components. A robotic welding system was developed, test articles manufactured and with a final deliverable of a steel bumper manufactured and installed on the Jeep. This report covers the results of the program and describes follow-on efforts to commercialize the technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

CRCNS21 Computational Models of Multisensory Integration by Upper Limb in Humanoids and Amputees

This international collaborative research project between Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) investigated how the human brain processes and integrates multiple types of sensory information, such as touch and force, with the goal of improving prosthetic limbs for amputees and advancing sensory capabilities in humanoid robots. The research advanced our understanding of how the brain responds to sensory feedback in upper-limb amputees. Through experiments in which amputees received electrical stimulation while performing phantom hand movements, we demonstrated that sensory feedback activates the cortical sensorimotor and multisensory regions, and that these regions communicate dynamically during stimulation. Experiments with intact-limb participants explored the integration of visual, haptic, and force feedback, as well as in virtual reality motor training, further showing how the brain processes multimodal sensory information. In addition, this research inspired work on examining the reliability of where amputees perceive sensations over time, which contributed to a successful doctoral fellowship for continued investigation. Our collaborators at TUM improved multimodal sensor technology combining tactile and thermal feedback for humanoid robots, demonstrating the feasibility of integrating multiple sensor types into a unified system for detecting and responding to environmental stimuli. The experimental methods and analysis techniques developed across both teams, including functional network analysis and multimodal sensor integration, provide a foundation for future research in prosthetics and robotics. This research benefits the public by generating knowledge about how amputees process restored sensory information. Advances in humanoid sensing contribute to safer human-robot interaction. The project also fostered international collaboration and cross-disciplinary training: one TUM doctoral student spent a summer at JHU working on multimodal sensor integration, while two JHU students traveled to TUM to host workshops on neuromorphic sensory encoding and sensory integration.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Flexible Electronics: Stretchable Electrodes and Their Future

Flexible electronics, as an emerging and exciting research field, have brought great interest to the issue of how to make flexible electronic materials that offer both durability and high performance at strained states. With the advent of on-body wearable and implantable electronics, as well as increasing demands for human-friendly intelligent soft robots, enormous effort is being expended on highly flexible functional materials, especially stretchable electrodes, by both the academic and industrial communities. Among different deformation modes, stretchability is the most demanding and challenging. This review focuses on the latest advances in stretchable transparent electrodes based on a new design strategy known as kirigami (the art of paper cutting) and investigates the recent progress on novel applications, including skin-like electronics, implantable biodegradable devices, and bioinspired soft robotics. By comparing the optoelectrical and mechanical properties of different electrode materials, some of the most important outcomes with comments on their merits and demerits are raised. Key design considerations in terms of geometries, substrates, and adhesion are also discussed, offering insights into the universal strategies for engineering stretchable electrodes regardless of the material. Finally, it is suggested that highly stretchable and biocompatible electrodes will greatly boost the development of next-generation intelligent life-like electronics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Pixelated CZT Technology for the Detection, Identification, and Localization of Gamma-Ray Sources - 18311

Radioactive waste-management applications require good measurements to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize waste materials. Often these measurements must be done in situ, and the user wishes to learn something of the isotopic and spatial distribution of the source. Therefore, there is a need for a portable instrument that can map radioactive contamination and quantify sources. This presentation introduces several instruments that have been applied to this task, along with example measurements in relevant applications. All instruments are based on 3D-position-sensitive CdZnTe (CZT) detectors. This technology routinely achieves better than 1.1% FWHM energy resolution at 662 keV and operates at room temperature with a startup time under 2 minutes. All are packaged in portable enclosures with WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities for wireless communication. These capabilities allow the technology to be used in more advanced measurements in the field. A unique capability of these detectors is the ability to image the spatial distribution of gamma rays from a single stationary measurement. The first product, Polaris-H, has been in use at commercial nuclear power plants since 2013. The system, currently used at over 50% of the US nuclear-power fleet, integrates a 3D-position-sensitive CZT detector, associated readout electronics, an embedded computer, a battery with over 7-hour life, an optical camera, and a laser range finder in a portable water-proof enclosure. The system connects wirelessly to a tablet which displays a gamma-ray spectrum and isotope-specific images of the gamma-ray distribution in all directions in real time. The CZT detectors have a dynamic range from 50 keV up to 3 MeV. Coded aperture or pinhole imaging is used for energies below 250 keV, and Compton imaging is used for energies above 250 keV. List-mode data is saved to an external USB memory stick to enable more advanced analysis, including isotopic activity analysis, via H3D's post-processing software. Additional systems based on the same architecture have been developed to optimize the technology for other applications. These include Polaris-H Quad, which provides over 3 times the sensitivity for applications involving weaker sources, and Polaris-H Shield, which uses a collimator to provide images and isotope information over a narrower field of view in order to measure weaker sources in the presence of stronger sources of the same isotope. H3D has also developed custom systems that have been mounted on robots and drones that enable remote operation of the technology. Results from the measurements collected at commercial nuclear power plants and other applicable sites will be presented to show how these instruments can be used to detect, identify, and localize gamma-ray sources. Advanced analysis techniques to show the accurate quantification of the gamma-ray source will also be presented. Applications range from characterizing simple objects, to locating hottest points, estimating contamination distributions on an isotope-by-isotope basis, and differentiating scatter and direct emissions. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fit for Purpose Remote Technology Decommissioning Solutions - 18630

The Magnox Decommissioning Project is actively progressing clean-up and decommissioning of 12 reactor sites across England, Scotland and Wales. Funded and directed by the United Kingdom's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and managed by the Cavendish Fluor Partnership (CFP), the Magnox Decommissioning Project introduces a wide range of radiological and industrial hazards warranting deployment of remote technologies to safely de-inventory, decontaminate and decommission a vast array of nuclear facilities. The Magnox Decommissioning Project encompasses 22 former Magnox nuclear power production reactors across 10 reactor sites and five research/test reactors at two former research sites. Decommissioning activities have been underway at some sites for nearly 20 years with early focus on retrieving and stabilising wastes and draining and stabilising spent fuel ponds. The Magnox decommissioning strategy invokes a programme perspective to drive consistency in tackling similar decommissioning and waste challenges across multiple sites. Programme central teams have worked with technology suppliers to foster learning from industry experience to develop and deploy tooling and robotics. The programme approach has also facilitated learning from one site to the next. In many cases, this central programme approach has promoted an evolution of technologies resulting in optimisation of simple remote tooling. In other instances, collaboration with suppliers is producing state-of-the-art technologies to tackle more unique challenges including, most recently, early demonstration of laser cutting for reactor vessel dismantling. This paper will outline the programme management approach and the scalable optioneering process Magnox employs to select the engineered controls and technologies used in decommissioning and waste management activities. It will provide an overview of the broad range of remote tooling and robotics deployed across the 12 Magnox sites by exploring some specific examples. Lastly, the paper will summarise key lessons learned in the now extensive history of selecting and using remote technologies to decommission Magnox nuclear facilities. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Dry Canister Storage System Inspection and Robotic Delivery System Development

EPRI is working to develop and demonstrate technologies capable of inspecting welded stainless steel canisters used in dry cask storage systems in situ, without the need to remove them from their concrete casks. This involves the coupling of specialized cameras and inspection devices with small remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The objective is to demonstrate the capability to identify any presence of (or precursors to) stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and other anomalies that may require additional investigation. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

The ReSWARM microgravity flight experiments: Planning, control, and model estimation for on‐orbit close proximity operations

Abstract On‐orbit close proximity operations involve robotic spacecraft maneuvering and making decisions for a growing number of mission scenarios demanding autonomy, including on‐orbit assembly, repair, and astronaut assistance. Of these scenarios, on‐orbit assembly is an enabling technology that will allow large space structures to be built in situ, using smaller building block modules. However, like many of these scenarios, robotic on‐orbit assembly involves several technical hurdles, such as changing system models. For instance, grappled modules moved by a free‐flying “assembler” robot can cause significant changes in the combined system inertia, which have cascading impacts on motion planning and control portions of the autonomy stack. Further, on‐orbit assembly and other scenarios require collision‐avoiding motion planning, particularly when operating in a “construction site” scenario of multiple assembler robots and structures. Multiple key technologies that address these complicating factors for autonomous microgravity close proximity operations are detailed in this work, in particular: (1) application of global long‐horizon planning, accomplished using offline and online sampling‐based planner options that consider the system dynamics; (2) adaptation of the recently proposed RATTLE information‐aware planning framework for on‐orbit reconfiguration model learning; and (3) connection with robust control tools to provide low‐level control robustness using current system knowledge. These approaches were demonstrated for an autonomous on‐orbit assembly use case by the RElative Satellite sWarming and Robotic Maneuvering (ReSWARM) experiments using NASA's Astrobee robots on the International Space Station. Results of the ReSWARM experiments are provided along with significant operational and implementation detail discussing the practicalities of hardware implementation and unique aspects of working with the Astrobee free‐flyer robots in microgravity. ReSWARM provides a base set of planning and control tools for robotic close proximity operations, demonstrates them in microgravity, and outlines some of the important hardware aspects that future autonomous free‐flyers will need to consider.

Robotics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantitative and three-dimensional assessment of holdup material

Nuclear material deposited in equipment, transfer lines, and ventilation systems of a processing facility is usually referred to as holdup. Operators need to know the location and amount of holdup in their facility for radiation safety and material accountability. In this work, we propose to use an array of detectors co-axial to the inspected pipe to measure the holdup material. This method is implementable into an automated system capable of crawling on surfaces and pipes of various curvatures, which would enable faster, easier, and more accurate holdup safeguards measurements. We first demonstrated that the current holdup assay procedure could lead to a non-negligible bias in the estimate of special nuclear material mass, due to the simplified assumption of deposited geometry introduced by the Generalized Geometry Holdup (GGH) model. The new approach consists of imaging the inner holdup material by characterizing the detector array’s response and unfolding it from the measured light output. Our experimental proof of principle consists of three NaI(Tl) detectors surrounding an aluminum pipe containing two cesium-137 ( 137 Cs) sources. We derived the source distribution inside the pipe by first calculating the detector response matrix using a method adaptive to the surface geometry of the object containing the measured holdup material. Creating a matrix of the detector array’s measured counts, we then proceed to solve an inverse problem, resulting in an accurately located source position and activity distribution within the response matrix’s spatial resolution. Furthermore, we then developed a simulated model of the envisioned experimental setup, which accurately described both the activity and position of the source in 2D. Finally, we extended our model onto a discretized three-dimensional model of the system, encompassing 36 detectors. The model was simulated to measure the source distribution and activity of multiple sources in pipes of varied geometries, which could then be conveniently translated to a real-time holdup measurement protocol. For the 3D simulation of four different source geometries, the model accurately localized the source position in 3D, while the activity retained a maximum relative error of ±5.32%.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-Throughput Characterization and Optimization of Polyamide Hydrolase Activity Using Open Port Sampling Interface Mass Spectrometry

Enzymatic biodegradation of polymers, such as polyamides (PA), has the potential to cost-effectively reduce plastic waste, but enhancements in degradation efficiency are needed. Engineering enzymes through directed evolution is one pathway toward identification of critical domains needed for improving activity. However, screening such enzymatic libraries (100s-to-1000s of samples) is time-consuming. Here we demonstrate the use of robotic autosampler (PAL) and immediate drop on demand technology (I.DOT) liquid handling systems coupled with open-port sampling interface-mass spectrometry (OPSI-MS) to screen for PA6 and PA66 hydrolysis by 6-aminohexanoate-oligomer endo-hydrolase (nylon hydrolase, NylC) in a high-throughput (8–20 s/sample) manner. The OPSI-MS technique required minimal sample preparation and was amenable to 96-well plate formats for automated processing. Enzymatic hydrolysis of PA characteristically produced soluble linear oligomer products that could be identified by OPSI-MS. Incubation temperatures and times were optimized for PA6 (65 °C, 24 h) and PA66 (75 °C, 24 h) over 108 experiments. In addition, the I.DOT/OPSI-MS quantified production of PA6 linear dimer (8.3 ± 1.6 μg/mL) and PA66 linear monomer (13.5 ± 1.5 μg/mL) by NylC with a lower limit of detection of 0.029 and 0.032 μg/mL, respectively. For PA6 and PA66, linear oligomer production corresponded to 0.096 ± 0.018% and 0.204 ± 0.028% conversion of dry pellet mass, respectively. The developed methodology is expected to be utilized to assess enzymatic hydrolysis of engineered enzyme libraries, comprising hundreds to thousands of individual samples.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Space micropropulsion systems for Cubesats and small satellites: From proximate targets to furthermost frontiers

Rapid evolution of miniaturized, automatic, robotized, function-centered devices has redefined space technology, bringing closer the realization of most ambitious interplanetary missions and intense near-Earth space exploration. Small unmanned satellites and probes are now being launched in hundreds at a time, resurrecting a dream of satellite constellations, i.e., wide, all-covering networks of small satellites capable of forming universal multifunctional, intelligent platforms for global communication, navigation, ubiquitous data mining, Earth observation, and many other functions, which was once doomed by the extraordinary cost of such systems. The ingression of novel nanostructured materials provided a solid base that enabled the advancement of these affordable systems in aspects of power, instrumentation, and communication. However, absence of efficient and reliable thrust systems with the capacity to support precise maneuvering of small satellites and CubeSats over long periods of deployment remains a real stumbling block both for the deployment of large satellite systems and for further exploration of deep space using a new generation of spacecraft. The last few years have seen tremendous global efforts to develop various miniaturized space thrusters, with great success stories. Yet, there are critical challenges that still face the space technology. These have been outlined at an inaugural International Workshop on Micropropulsion and Cubesats, MPCS-2017, a joint effort between Plasma Sources and Application Centre/Space Propulsion Centre (Singapore) and the Micropropulsion and Nanotechnology Lab, the G. Washington University (USA) devoted to miniaturized space propulsion systems, and hosted by CNR-Nanotec—P.Las.M.I. lab in Bari, Italy. This focused review aims to highlight the most promising developments reported at MPCS-2017 by leading world-reputed experts in miniaturized space propulsion systems. Recent advances in several major types of small thrusters including Hall thrusters, ion engines, helicon, and vacuum arc devices are presented, and trends and perspectives are outlined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Microelectroporation device for genomic screening

We have developed an microelectroporation device that combines microarrays of oligonucleotides, microfluidic channels, and electroporation for cell transfection and high-throughput screening applications (e.g. RNA interference screens). Microarrays allow the deposition of thousands of different oligonucleotides in microscopic spots. Microfluidic channels and microwells enable efficient loading of cells into the device and prevent cross-contamination between different oligonucleotides spots. Electroporation allows optimal transfection of nucleic acids into cells (especially hard-to-transfect cells such as primary cells) by minimizing cell death while maximizing transfection efficiency. This invention has the advantage of a higher throughput and lower cost, while preventing cross-contamination compared to conventional screening technologies. Moreover, this device does not require bulky robotic liquid handling equipment and is inherently safer given that it is a closed system.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing For New Pipeline Fabrication In Live, Natural Gas Distribution Mains

ULC Technologies (ULC) and the Penn State University Applied Research Lab (PSU ARL) developed a process and approach for rehabilitating live, natural gas distribution pipelines using Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM). Robotic inline fabrication of a new pipe will be performed inside a natural gas main without disrupting customers. The material studied was blended with stainless steel which offers corrosion resistance, high strength and compatibility with hydrogen to enable a robust pipeline system that is future proofed. Stainless steel coatings sprayed and tested in the lab showed excellent strength, ductility, and porosity values. ULC initially sought to use methane as the process gas for compatibility with the host pipe, but after evaluating the field and lab challenges, nitrogen was deemed to be more suitable. Early robotic concepts have been developed that indicate technical feasibility. While the technology development originally targeted natural gas distribution mains, market research showed a broader need. Spot repairs performed in natural gas transmission mains may be a more economical approach for reinforcing distribution and transmission mains compared with full pipe-in-pipe rehabilitation. Additive manufacturing offers custom programming, as well as high accuracy and precision. This means custom contours can be manufactured in situ, offering flexibility in the repair solution, such as fabricating internal full circumferential sleeves. The value of the repair can be high at difficult-to-reach locations and in pipes that need reinforcement before the injection of methane-hydrogen blends.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of Automation Technologies for Glovebox Processing, Part 2

Topics • Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) Overview • Robotic Arm Development for Glovebox Operations • Automatic Sphincter Loading System (ASLS) Update Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) Overview • Application Background • Development Scope • Improvement Goals • Limitations

Krementz, Daniel↗
DOE OSTI2023

INTEGRATION OF THE H3D-M400 DETECTOR AND SPOT ROBOT FOR AUTOMATED AREA SURVEY MISSIONS

Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) is charged to identify and develop technologies to detect, disrupt, and investigate smuggling of radiological and nuclear materials •Border protection involves primary inspections using Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM), complimented with secondary and area survey inspections, usually performed manually using portable radiation detectors (PRDs) -RPM rely on fast technologies which provide quick scans of passing cargo/vehicles -Secondary inspections rely on trained, field deployed staff responsible for additional interdiction of screened cargo/vehicle putting them in potentially hazardous environment -Area survey inspections rely on trained, field deployed staff responsible for scanning and identifying presence of radiation while patrolling through a facility or public space •This project explores the use of technology which could reduce risks to field inspectors and add efficiency •The work presented here is a proof of principle of detector-robot integration to perform area survey inspections

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2022

Peptide-assisted supramolecular polymerization of the anionic porphyrin meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine

Electronics made from biological materials are desirable for use in medical devices, biosensors, and soft robotics because they have properties inaccessible to current inorganic technologies. Here, a series of cationic peptides were developed to self-assemble with the anionic porphyrin meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine (TPPS4) into supramolecular light-harvesting wires known as J-aggregates were developed. In addition to quantifying the binding events between each peptide and TPPS 4 , we found co-incubation with mixed peptides allowed TPPS 4 to bridge two different peptides at their terminal porphyrin-binding regions. The J-aggregates formed on macroscopic scale in near quantitative yield within similar to 3 h and readily interconverted with the soluble monomers upon cycling the pH; to our knowledge, this is the first report of a peptide-porphyrin system with such properties. This work has practical and conceptual relevance to the development of new bioelectronic materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Autonomous experimentation systems for materials development: A community perspective

Solutions to many of the world's problems depend upon materials research and development. However, advanced materials can take decades to discover and decades more to fully deploy. Humans and robots have begun to partner to advance science and technology orders of magnitude faster than humans do today through the development and exploitation of closed-loop, autonomous experimentation systems. This review discusses the specific challenges and opportunities related to materials discovery and development that will emerge from this new paradigm. Our perspective incorporates input from stakeholders in academia, industry, government laboratories, and funding agencies. We outline the current status, barriers, and needed investments, culminating with a vision for the path forward. We intend the article to spark interest in this emerging research area and to motivate potential practitioners by illustrating early successes. We also aspire to encourage a creative reimagining of the next generation of materials science infrastructure. To this end, we frame future investments in materials science and technology, hardware and software infrastructure, artificial intelligence and autonomy methods, and critical workforce development for autonomous research.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Isomerization kinetics of azobenzene crosslinked to a liquid crystal polymer network

Azobenzene is an important chromophore having numerous applications that are a direct implication of its ability to change shape upon irradiation with a suitable wavelength. Here, in this study, photoisomerization kinetics of a diacrylate azobenzene molecule (A3MA) cross-linked to a liquid crystal polymer network (LCN) is investigated. Isomerization experiments were conducted on planar LCN thin films with varying cross-linking densities for a fixed azobenzene concentration. The experiments were conducted at approximately 26 °C, which is significantly below each film’s glass transition temperature. The forward trans-cis and reverse cis-trans isomerization slows down in crosslinked azobenzene liquid crystal polymer networks (ALCNs) as compared to a solution and an uncrosslinked polymer mixture. The observed slowdown is due to the reduction in the free volume and increased steric hindrances with an increase in crosslinking. A single-term first-order kinetics rate equation is known to describe the isomerization kinetics in solutions or uncrosslinked mixtures while the same form fails to represent the reaction kinetics in moderate to highly cross-linked ALCNs. Our results for the first time indicate that a two-term first-order reaction rate is an accurate way to describe the forward trans-cis and reverse thermal cis-trans isomerization in crosslinked azobenzene liquid crystal polymer networks. In addition, the effect of film thickness and incident intensities on the reaction kinetics is investigated. Finally, the two-term isomerization kinetics is incorporated into a finite element photo-chemo-mechanical model to reveal the consequent slowdown in the actuation response of ALCN films. The current findings will be of particular interest to theoreticians and experimentalists alike, for it will help predict and understand accurately the responses of azobenzene-based coatings, and actuators and may have potential applications in underwater soft robotics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗