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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Methods for Developing Successful Systems Engineers

Systems Engineering (SE) is a complex and challenging field that incorporates the knowledge of systems engineering processes, the ability to synthesize a wide-range of engineering disciplines, and the ability to lead a team of people to successfully accomplish the goals of a project. It requires hard technical skills and soft-skill leadership savvy. As a result, three main development needs are identified: 1) Knowledge of SE processes, the benefits of these processes to a project and their tailored application 2) Knowledge of a wide-range of engineering disciplines, how they interrelate in a system, and the development of sound technical judgement 3) Team leadership to direct and motivate a team of subsystem and discipline experts This paper describes the establishment of a comprehensive training and development program for Systems Engineers at NASA Ames Research Center that addresses in part each of these three areas from the perspective of the implementing manager. A variety of methods have been utilized including the establishment of a SE Community of Practice, a unique and innovative web tool, on-line videos, classroom training in NASA’s 17 Common Technical Processes, guidance on the tailored application of these processes, monthly technical talks, mentoring in both technical judgment and team leadership, and NASA’s Leadership Development Programs. While much of professional SE development must come through project experience, the approaches listed above can accelerate development. The diversity of skills required of Systems Engineering demands a multi-faceted approach to successfully train and develop this critical skill.

development↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Methods for Developing Successful Systems Engineers

Systems Engineering (SE) is a complex and challenging field that incorporates the knowledge of systems engineering processes, the ability to synthesize a wide-range of engineering disciplines, and the ability to lead a team of people to successfully accomplish the goals of a project. It requires hard technical skills and soft-skill leadership savvy. As a result, three main development needs are identified: 1. Knowledge of SE processes, the benefits of these processes to a project and their tailored application 2. Knowledge of a wide-range of engineering disciplines, how they interrelate in a system, and the development of sound technical judgement 3. Team leadership to direct and motivate a team of subsystem and discipline experts This paper describes the establishment of a comprehensive training and development program for Systems Engineers at NASA Ames Research Center that addresses in part each of these three areas from the perspective of the implementing manager. A variety of methods have been utilized including the establishment of a SE Community of Practice, a unique and innovative web tool, on-line videos, classroom training in NASA’s 17 Common Technical Processes, guidance on the tailored application of these processes, monthly technical talks, mentoring in both technical judgment and team leadership, and NASA’s Leadership Development Programs. While much of professional SE development must come through project experience, the approaches listed above can accelerate development. The diversity of skills required of Systems Engineering demands a multi-faceted approach to successfully train and develop this critical skill.

development↗
NASA NTRS2025

Tutorial: MATLAB Implementation of a Successive Convexification Algorithm for 3 DoF Rocket Landings

The primary objective of this work is to fill in gaps and explore an alternate way of solving the 3 DoF rocket-powered landing problem presented in the 2016 AIAA paper by Szmuk, Ackimese, and Berning using successive convexification (SCvx). In the original paper, CVX, an automatic parsing package, was used to transcribe the high-level trajectory optimization problem into a format that could be read by a conic solver. The parsing step, generally computationally intensive, is hidden from the user. The use of CVX is sufficient for the generation of trajectories off-line due to the lack of runtime and flight software implementation constraints. For on-line applications, it is necessary to parse the problem for flight software implementation. References on hand-parsing powered descent guidance (PDG) problems are sparse. In this Tech Memo, the process of transcribing the 3 DoF PDG problem into the format required by MATLAB’s built-in second-order cone solver, coneprog.m, is presented in detail. Due to the abridged 3 DoF dynamics and the relatively simple nonlinearities, this reference is the natural starting point for anyone interested in grasping the concepts behind SCvx pertaining to PDG and the parsing step. Simulation results shown in this report were independently created by solving the problem using coneprog.m. The intent of this memo is to serve as a supplemental material to the original paper by breaking down the concept behind successive convexification and shed light into the parsing process. Readers are encouraged to first familiarize themselves with the material laid out in the original reference.

Alex Hayes↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA’s Space Launch System: Comprehensive Test Program Leads to Mission Success during Artemis I Flight Test

NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket had a successful first launch on Nov. 16, 2022, sending an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to the Moon on the agency’s Artemis I mission. Ten 6U CubeSats were also deployed from SLS during the mission. Orbital insertion parameters, including insertion velocity and altitude, were within hundredths and tenths of a percent from predicted values, corroborating data collected from the individual elements that showed similar performance accuracy. While launch remains the main test – and Artemis I was a true test flight – to collect data, confirm and refine computer models, and validate hardware test data, multiple test programs led up to the first flight and enabled the historic launch. Additionally, SLS was designed from the beginning to be a crew-rated launch vehicle, and teams put the astronauts who will fly on it at the forefront of the development process. This paper and presentation will cover the SLS design and development programs that led to the successful Artemis I mission, and which have set the stage to send the first astronauts back to cislunar space since the Apollo 17 crew in 1972.

John Honeycutt↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Comprehensive Test Program of NASA's Space Launch System Rocket Leads to Successful Artemis Mission

NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket had a successful first launch on Nov. 16, 2022, sending an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to the Moon on the agency’s Artemis I mission. Ten 6U CubeSats were also deployed from SLS during the mission. Orbital insertion parameters, including insertion velocity and altitude, were within hundredths and tenths of a percent from predicted values, corroborating data collected from the individual elements that showed similar performance accuracy. While launch remains the main test – and Artemis I was a true test flight – to collect data, confirm and refine computer models, and validate hardware test data, multiple test programs led up to the first flight and enabled the historic launch. Additionally, SLS was designed from the beginning to be a crew-rated launch vehicle, and teams put the astronauts who will fly on it at the forefront of the development process. This paper and presentation will cover the SLS design and development programs that led to the successful Artemis I mission, and which have set the stage to send the first astronauts back to cislunar space since the Apollo 17 crew in 1972.

John Honeycutt↗
DOE OSTI2021

Is 3D/2D Passivation a Secret to Success for Polycrystalline Thin-Film Solar Cells?

Three leading thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies - cadmium telluride (CdTe), CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS), and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) - are all polycrystalline, but otherwise appear to have little in common. A comprehensive examination of these technologies, however, reveals a common theme: the formation of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials at three-dimensional (3D) absorber interfaces and grain boundaries. In CdTe, the 2D compound is CdCl2; in CIGS, it is XInSe2 (X= K, Rb, Cs) with X depending on the heavy-alkali post-deposition treatment used; and in lead halide PSCs, PbI2 forms naturally, but many new, more stable, 2D perovskites have also been incorporated. Generally, these 2D interfacial materials are present not by design, but instead have evolved from their 3D counterparts during standard device processing. Here, new data, together with evidence compiled from the literature, are presented to illustrate both the existence of 3D/2D interfaces in CdTe, CIGS, and PSCs, and their correlation with improved passivation and device performance. This suggests that 3D/2D passivation may be a heretofore unappreciated key to successful polycrystalline thin-film PV. Finally, the desired attributes of successful low-dimensional layers are presented with rational design strategies for next generation polycrystalline solar cells.

3D/2D↗
DOE OSTI2022

Building a Culture of Equitable Access and Success for Marginalized Members in Today's Particle Physics Community

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) are not only called for to ensure morality and justice in our society, they also support ongoing and future excellence in particle physics. Over the past decade, the particle physics community has devised programs to support DEIA along multiple axes, and the way we think about measuring and implementing these initiatives has evolved. DEIA in physics is a broad topic, so in this paper we focus on the experiences of marginalized communities and outline ways different stakeholders can build a culture of equitable access for the success of marginalized individuals. Specifically, we identify urgent needs in the following areas: (1) We need to acquire a better understanding of the status quo, both quantitatively and qualitatively, to assess the effectiveness of existing programs and to develop best practices; (2) we need to develop effective and inclusive ways to engage marginalized communities; (3) we need to create infrastructure to better support members of marginalized communities, on an academic, financial and personal level; (4) we need to create an environment conducive to equitable access and success by establishing community expectations, fostering inclusion in social interactions, and holding individuals and institutions accountable; and (5) we need to establish a mechanism to monitor progress in the area of DEIA, including the implementation of the recommendations enumerated in this paper and others during the Snowmass 2021 process.

Assamagan, Kétévi A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A New Era for Solar and Storage: Partnering for Continued Success

Solar energy has grown faster than experts projected. Energy storage technologies are poised to repeat that success, enabling a partnership to keep the lights on even after the sun sets. As current impacts and growing threats of climate change become more visible and the world accelerates efforts to adopt new clean-energy technology, electricity generation from solar and wind is playing an increasing role in the energy system. However, it can be confusing - we hear that solar has great potential, but we also hear that solar and wind are too small to make a meaningful difference, providing just 3% and 6% of the world's electricity in 2020, respectively (1). What is the reality and what can we expect in the coming years? This article focuses on solar, but wind has an equally impressive and interesting story. This article reviews how prices for solar have dropped dramatically and deployment has increased correspondingly to the point where solar is almost half of the new electricity generating capacity being installed globally today. It shows how solar-generated electricity has grown to the point where we need to pair it with storage or other strategies for balancing electricity supply and demand. The article also explores how lithium-ion batteries are replicating solar technology's big success and discusses new storage technologies that are being developed.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Successes and Challenges of the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit's 50-Day Demonstration Run - 20151

The Integrated Waste Treatment Unit (IWTU) has been tasked with using steam reforming technology to treat 3.4 million liters (900,000 gallons) of radioactive sodium-bearing waste (SBW) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The project has been hampered by a number of processing issues associated with process equipment during simulant testing, with the two main issues involving the fluidizing gas distribution system in the main reactor vessel, the denitration mineralization reformer (DMR), and high differential pressures in the main filter vessel, the process gas filter (PGF). Following the replacement of the fluidizing gas distribution system in the DMR, a successful 30-day demonstration run was performed that revealed unacceptable bridging in the filter bundles of the PGF. The bundles were replaced with new ones, and a 50-day demonstration run was performed. The main purpose of this run was to operate the IWTU over a range of operating conditions. Overall, the run was a success; however, there were multiple challenges that arose from the run. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tuning successive linear programming to solve AC optimal power flow problem for large networks

Successive linear programming (SLP) is a practical approach for solving large-scale nonlinear optimization problems. Alternating current optimal power flow (ACOPF) is no exception, particularly the large size of real-world networks. However, in order to achieve tractability, it is essential to tune the SLP algorithm presented in the literature. This paper presents a modified SLP algorithm to solve the ACOPF problem, specified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Optimization (GO) Competition Challenge 1, within strict time limits. The algorithm first finds a near-optimal solution for the relaxed problem (i.e., Stage 1). Then, it finds a feasible solution in the proximity of the near-optimal solution (i.e., Stage 2 and Stage 3). The numerical experiments on test cases ranging from 500-bus to 30,000-bus systems show that the algorithm is tractable. Here the results show that our proposed algorithm is tractable and can solve more than 80% of test cases faster than the well-known Interior Point Method while significantly reduce the number of iterations required to solve ACOPF. The number of iterations is considered an important factor in the examination of tractability which can drastically reduce the computational time required within each iteration.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

ETIPP Success Stories [Slides]

This is a presentation to ETIPP project partners at a regional meeting in Rockland, Maine focusing on ETIPP success stories.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
NASA NTRS2009

The Contingency of Success: Operations for Deep Impact's Planet Hunt

The Deep Impact Flyby spacecraft completed its prime mission in August 2005. It was reactivated for a mission of opportunity add-on called EPOXI on September 25, 2007. The first portion of EPOXI, called EPOCh (Extra-solar Planetary Observation & CHaracterization), occurred from January 21, 2008 through August 31, 2008. Its purpose was to characterize transiting hot-Jupiters by measuring the effects the planet has on the luminosity of its parent star. These observations entailed using the spacecraft in ways it was never intended. A new green-light, success-oriented operational strategy was devised that entailed high amounts of automation and minimal intervention from the ground. The specifics, techniques, and key challenges to obtaining the 172,209 usable science images from EPOCh are discussed in detail.

observation↗
NASA NTRS2019

Landsat 9 Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) Mission Success Approach

Landsat 9* (L9) is the successor mission to Landsat 8 (L8) previously known as Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM). Both missions are large unmanned remote sensing satellites operating in sunsynchronous polar orbits. As opposed to L8/LDCM, systems engineers for L9 incorporated Micrometeoroid/Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection for small object collisions as part of the L9’s mission success criteria. In other words, the NASA Process for Limiting Orbital Debris (NASA-STD-8719.14A) only calls for analyses of the protection of disposal-critical hardware, but L9 opted to also assess and provide small particle penetration protections for all observatory components including instruments that are not part of the spacecraft components needed for controlled reentry. Systems engineers at Goddard developed a design process to protect against MMOD during the life of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatories, and in particular the Landsat 9 Mission. Simply stated, this design process enhanced the effectiveness of existing Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) to provide the needed protection. The end goal of the design process was to establish a necessary blanket areal density for a given electronics box or instrument wall thickness and a separation between the outer MLI blanket and the structure underneath. The trade space was presented as a set of design curves for different combinations of blanket density, box wall thickness, and separation distance between MLI and structure. An advantage of this process was that it is largely independent of MMOD flux data on a surface-by surface basis. Ultimately, cost savings should result from incorporating small object penetration protection early in the design cycle, rather than adding spot shielding blankets later as needed to meet an overall penetration risk standard (the more traditional approach). The approach and implementation to the L9 Observatory design will be addressed in this paper. *L9 is a joint mission being formulated, implemented, and operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Approach↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cancer Incidence Trends in Successive Social Generations in the US

Importance: The incidence of some cancers in the US is increasing in younger age groups, but underlying trends in cancer patterns by birth year remain unclear. Objective: To estimate cancer incidence trends in successive social generations. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study, incident invasive cancers were ascertained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program’s 13-registry database (November 2020 submission, accessed August 14, 2023). Invasive cancers diagnosed at ages 35 to 84 years during 1992 to 2018 within 152 strata were defined by cancer site, sex, and race and ethnicity. Exposure: Invasive cancer. Main Outcome and Measures: Stratum-specific semiparametric age-period-cohort (SAGE) models were fitted and incidence per 100 000 person-years at the reference age of 60 years was calculated for single-year birth cohorts from 1908 through 1983 (fitted cohort patterns [FCPs]). The FCPs and FCP incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were compared by site for Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). Results: A total of 3.8 million individuals with invasive cancer (51.0% male; 8.6% Asian or Pacific Islander, 9.5% Hispanic, 10.4% non-Hispanic Black, and 71.5% non-Hispanic White) were included in the analysis. In Generation X vs Baby Boomers, FCP IRRs among women increased significantly for thyroid (2.76; 95% CI, 2.41-3.15), kidney (1.99; 95% CI, 1.70-2.32), rectal (1.84; 95% CI, 1.52-2.22), corpus uterine (1.75; 95% CI, 1.40-2.18), colon (1.56; 95% CI, 1.27-1.92), and pancreatic (1.39; 95% CI, 1.07-1.80) cancers; non-Hodgkins lymphoma (1.40; 95% CI, 1.08-1.82); and leukemia (1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.58). Among men, IRRs increased for thyroid (2.16; 95% CI, 1.87-2.50), kidney (2.14; 95% CI, 1.86-2.46), rectal (1.80; 95% CI, 1.52-2.12), colon (1.60; 95% CI, 1.32-1.94), and prostate (1.25; 95% CI, 1.03-1.52) cancers and leukemia (1.34; 95% CI, 1.08-1.66). Lung (IRR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.50-0.72) and cervical (IRR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57-0.89) cancer incidence decreased among women, and lung (IRR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.43-0.60), liver (IRR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63-0.91), and gallbladder (IRR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72-1.00) cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma (IRR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.93) incidence decreased among men. For all cancers combined, FCPs were higher in Generation X than for Baby Boomers because gaining cancers numerically overtook falling cancers in all groups except Asian or Pacific Islander men. Conclusions and Relevance: In this model-based cohort analysis of incident invasive cancer in the general population, decreases in lung and cervical cancers in Generation X may be offset by gains at other sites. Generation X may be experiencing larger per-capita increases in the incidence of leading cancers than any prior generation born in 1908 through 1964. On current trajectories, cancer incidence could remain high for decades.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Calculating a minimum overlap period for successful intercalibration of soil moisture sensors

Abstract Long‐term in situ soil moisture monitoring inevitably requires sensors to be replaced. Ensuing discontinuities in the data record can be mitigated by intercalibration, however it is unclear how long the existing sensor needs to remain alongside the newly installed before there is enough overlapping data to generate a robust intercalibration. We used 154 pairs of established and newly installed sensors within the Marena, Oklahoma, In Situ Sensor Testbed to determine if there is a minimum overlap time that should be considered when planning upcoming replacements. Hourly observations of the existing sensor were linearly calibrated to those of the newly installed sensor with coefficients determined from overlap periods incremented by 30 days until a reference period of 2 years was reached. The resulting bias, root‐mean‐square error, and correlation coefficient for sensor pairs indicate that a minimum of 6 to 9 months of overlapping data are required to generate a successful intercalibration. Extending that to a full year before decommissioning the old sensor results in a stable intercalibration with higher confidence.

Agriculture↗
DOE OSTI2021

Acylation as a successful derivatization strategy for the analysis of pinacolyl alcohol in a glycerol-rich matrix by GC-MS: application during an OPCW Proficiency Test

A derivatization protocol based on the acylation of pinacolyl alcohol (PA), an important marker for the nerve agent soman, is presented. The procedure provides a convenient means of detecting, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), PA when present at a low concentration in a complex glycerol/alcohol-rich matrix. While there are only two reports describing the specific analysis of PA in matrices at low concentrations, the protocol described herein represents the first of its kind in the analysis of PA in a highly reactive matrix. Two alternative paths for the protocol’s execution are presented. The first involves the direct derivatization of the PA with either acetyl or benzoyl chloride; both reactions yield ester products with significantly different retention times than those of the interferences of the reactive glycerol-rich matrix and in areas of the GC-chromatogram featuring lower levels of matrix interferences. A second procedure involved an initial diethyl ether/aqueous extraction of the matrix; while the extraction was found to substantially remove many of the hydrophilic matrix components and improve the overall derivatization, it also led to some loss of PA available for the derivatization. Both protocols were applied to the successful derivatization and analysis of PA by GC-MS when present at a 5 μg.mL -1 concentration in a glycerol-rich matrix sample administered during the 48th Proficiency Test administered by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Enabling Success: Enhancing Accessibility in Professional Societies and Programs for Disabled Individuals

For disabled and chronically ill individuals, “extracurriculars” – or pursuit of activities that are additional or adjacent to job success beyond our position descriptions – can sometimes feel out of reach. Here, we encourage leadership of all organizations and institutions to fully engage with disabled individuals to understand some of the ways in which accommodations may fall short, and how we can overcome the issue of accessibility and its impacts on employee achievement and career trajectories.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗