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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 1,639 records · Page 91
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

A divertor scraper observation system for the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator

Two graphite divertor elements called scrapers have been installed on the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator in the throat of the magnetic island divertor. To diagnose one, we have designed, built, calibrated, and installed a new infrared/visible imaging endoscope system to enable detailed observations of the plasma interactions and heat loads at one of the scrapers and the nearby divertor surfaces. The new system uses a shuttered pinhole-protected pair of 90° off-axis 228 mm focal length aluminum parabolic mirrors, and two flat turning metal mirrors, to send light to a sapphire vacuum window 1.6 meters away, beyond which we have co-located telephoto lens-based infrared and visible cameras. The back-to-back off-axis parabolas serve to cancel out most aberrations, enabling the use of off-the-shelf commercial optics outside of the vessel. For the infrared, we use a 3-5 μm 1-megapixel FLIR SC8303HD camera and for the visible, a 5-megapixel CMOS PCO 5.5 edge camera. A short 1-m quartz pickoff fiber is used to send 200-1100 nm light to a compact spectrometer, also located in the same iron shield box as the cameras. The camera field of view covers the 700 mm length of the scraper, and includes locations monitored by thermocouples and Langmuir probes embedded in some of the scraper tiles. Predicted and actual optical test performances of the overall system are then compared.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Creating and studying a scaled interplanetary coronal mass ejection

The Sun, being an active star, undergoes eruptions of magnetized plasma that reach the Earth and cause the aurorae near the poles. These eruptions, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs), send plasma and magnetic fields out into space. CMEs that reach planetary orbits are called interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and are a source of geomagnetic storms, which can cause major damage to our modern electrical systems with limited warning. To study ICME propagation, we devised a scaled experiment using the Big Red Ball (BRB) plasma containment device at the Wisconsin Plasma Physics Laboratory. These experiments inject a compact torus of plasma as an ICME through an ambient plasma inside the BRB, which acts as the interplanetary medium. Magnetic and temperature probes provide three-dimensional magnetic field information in time and space, as well as temperature and density as a function of time. Using this information, we can identify features in the compact torus that are consistent with those in real ICMEs. We also identify the shock, sheath, and ejecta similar to the structure of an ICME event. This experiment acts as a first step to providing information that can inform predictive models, which can give us time to shield our satellites and large electrical systems in the event that a powerful ICME were to strike.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Study of Quasielastic Barrier Distributions as a Step towards the Synthesis of Superheavy Elements with Hot Fusion Reactions

The excitation functions for quasielastic scattering of Ne 22 + Cm 248 , Mg 26 + Cm 248 , and Ca 48 + U 238 are measured using a gas-filled recoil ion separator. The quasielastic barrier distributions are extracted for these systems and are compared with coupled-channel calculations. The results indicate that the barrier distribution is affected dominantly by deformation of the actinide target nuclei, but also by vibrational or rotational excitations of the projectile nuclei, as well as neutron transfer processes before capture. From a comparison between the experimental barrier distributions and the evaporation residue cross sections for Sg ( Z = 106 ), Hs (108), Cn (112), and Lv (116), it is suggested that the hot fusion reactions take advantage of a compact collision, where the projectile approaches along the short axis of a prolately deformed nucleus. Overall, a new method is proposed to estimate the optimum incident energy to synthesize unknown superheavy nuclei using the barrier distribution.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Fundamentals and Applications of Hybrid LWFA-PWFA

Fundamental similarities and differences between laser-driven plasma wakefield acceleration (LWFA) and particle-driven plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) are discussed. The complementary features enable the conception and development of novel hybrid plasma accelerators, which allow previously not accessible compact solutions for high quality electron bunch generation and arising applications. Very high energy gains can be realized by electron beam drivers even in single stages because PWFA is practically dephasing-free and not diffraction-limited. These electron driver beams for PWFA in turn can be produced in compact LWFA stages. In various hybrid approaches, these PWFA systems can be spiked with ionizing laser pulses to realize tunable and high-quality electron sources via optical density downramp injection (also known as plasma torch) or plasma photocathodes (also known as Trojan Horse) and via wakefield-induced injection (also known as WII). These hybrids can act as beam energy, brightness and quality transformers, and partially have built-in stabilizing features. They thus offer compact pathways towards beams with unprecedented emittance and brightness, which may have transformative impact for light sources and photon science applications. Furthermore, they allow the study of PWFA-specific challenges in compact setups in addition to large linac-based facilities, such as fundamental beam–plasma interaction physics, to develop novel diagnostics, and to develop contributions such as ultralow emittance test beams or other building blocks and schemes which support future plasma-based collider concepts.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Counterions under a Surface-Adsorbed Cationic Surfactant Monolayer: Structure and Thermodynamics

The surface adsorption of ionic surfactants is fundamental for many widespread phenomena in life sciences and for a wide range of technological applications. However, direct atomic-resolution structural experimental studies of noncrystalline surface-adsorbed films are scarce. Thus, even the most central physical aspects of these films, such as their charge density, remain uncertain. Consequently, theoretical models based on contradicting assumptions as for the surface films' ionization are widely used for the description and prediction of surface thermodynamics. We employ X-ray reflectivity to obtain the angstrom Ångström-scale surface-normal structure of surface-adsorbed films of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solutions at several different temperatures and concentrations. In conjunction with published neutron reflectivity data, we determine the surface-normal charge distribution due to the dissociated surfactants' headgroups. The distribution appears to be inconsistent with the Gouy-Chapman model yet consistent with a compact Stern layer model of condensed counterions. Here, the experimental surfactant adsorption thermodynamics conforms well to classical, Langmuir and Kralchevsky, adsorption models. Furthermore, the Kralchevsky model correctly reproduces the observed condensation of counterions, allowing the values of the adsorption parameters to be resolved, based on the combination of the present data and the published surface tension measurements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

A radioxenon detection system using PIPS and CZT

This paper introduces and describes the initial characterizations of a prototype beta gamma coincidence detection system that utilizes a PIPSBox and two coplanar CdZnTe detectors for atmospheric radioxenon identification and nuclear test ban treaty verification. Coincidences between four independent detecting bodies are identified in real time via a custom coincidence module implemented in a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The system is compact, maintains simple readout electronics, and provides high resolution radiation detection at room temperature operation. Preliminary measurements using 137 Cs and 131m Xe were conducted to optimize various system parameters to achieve optimal energy resolution of key spectral features. The purpose of this research was to explore the utility of these materials and methods for radioxenon monitoring in the International Monitoring System (IMS).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multichannel meta-imagers for accelerating machine vision

Rapid developments in machine vision technology have impacted a variety of applications, such as medical devices and autonomous driving systems. These achievements, however, typically necessitate digital neural networks with the downside of heavy computational requirements and consequent high energy consumption. As a result, real-time decision-making is hindered when computational resources are not readily accessible. Here we report a meta-imager designed to work together with a digital back end to offload computationally expensive convolution operations into high-speed, low-power optics. Further, in this architecture, metasurfaces enable both angle and polarization multiplexing to create multiple information channels that perform positively and negatively valued convolution operations in a single shot. We use our meta-imager for object classification, achieving 98.6% accuracy in handwritten digits and 88.8% accuracy in fashion images. Owing to its compactness, high speed and low power consumption, our approach could find a wide range of applications in artificial intelligence and machine vision applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of Multi-Filament Textured-Powder Bi-2212/Ag Wire With Enhanced Local Area Ratio

The performance and cost of Bi-2212/Ag wire is limited by the large fraction of Ag matrix (~3:1) that is required in the oxide-powder-in-tube fabrication process. An alternative fabrication process is being developed in which fine-powder Bi-2212 is uniaxially compressed to form bars with a thin Ag foil sheath. The fine powder naturally textures (aligns the a-b planes perpendicular to the direction of compaction) with texture >80% using 200 MPa compression. A billet is formed by stacking trapezoidal- cross-section bars in a symmetric 8-12-16 pattern around an Ag rod and enclosed in an Ag-wall extrusion can. Here, the billet is extruded and drawn to fine wire. Results are presented on present status of the development and testing.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

A 1D Lyman-alpha Profile Camera for Plasma Edge Neutral Studies on the DIII-D Tokamak

A one dimensional, absolutely calibrated pinhole camera system was installed on the DIII-D tokamak to measure edge Lyman-alpha (Ly-a) emission from hydrogenic isotopes which can be used to infer neutral density and ionization rate proles. The system is composed of two cameras, each providing a toroidal fan of twenty lines of sight, viewing the plasma edge on the inboard and outboard side of DIII-D. The cameras' views lie in a horizontal plane 77 cm below the midplane. At its tangency radius, each channel provides a radial resolution of approximately 2 cm full width at half maximum (FWHM) with a total coverage of 22 cm. Each camera consists of a rectangular pinhole, Ly-a reflective mirror, narrow-band Ly-a transmission fiter, and a 20 channel AXUV photodetector. The combined mirror and transmission fiter have a FWHM of 5 nm, centered near the Ly-a wavelength of 121.6 nm and is capable of rejecting significant, parasitic carbon-III (C-III) emission from intrinsic plasma impurities. To provide a high spatial resolution measurement in a compact footprint, the camera utilizes advanced engineering and manufacturing techniques including 3D printing, high stability mirror mounts, and a novel alignment procedure. Absolutely calibrated, spatially resolved Ly-a brightness measurements utilize a bright, isolated line with low parasitic surface reflections and enable quantitative comparison to modeling to study divertor neutral leakage, main chamber fueling and radial particle transport.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1993

STRV RADMON: An Integrated High-Energy Particle Detector

The RADMON (Radiation Monitor) was developed as a compact device with a 4-kbit SRAM particle detector and two p-FET total dose monitors. Thus it can be used as a spacecraft radiation alarm and in situ total dose monitor. This paper discusses the design and calibration of the SRAM for proton, alpha, and heavy ion detection. Upset rates for the RADMON, based on a newly developed space particle flux algorithm, are shown to vary over eight orders of magnitude.

RADMON↗
DOE OSTI2019

Performance Characteristics of “Spotter,” a Newly Developed Real-Time Wave Measurement Buoy

The Spotter is a low-cost, real-time, solar-powered wave measurement buoy that was recently developed by Spoondrift Technologies, Inc. (Spoondrift). To evaluate the data quality of the Spotter device, we performed a series of validation experiments that included comparisons between Spotter-derived motions and prescribed wave motions (monochromatic and random waves) on a custom-built, motion-controlled validation stand and simultaneous in-water measurements using a conventional wave measurement buoy, the Datawell DWR-G4 (Datawell). Spotter evaluations included time-domain validation (i.e., wave by wave) and comparisons of wave spectra, directional moments, and bulk statistical parameters such as significant wave height, peak period, mean wave direction, and directional spread. Spotter wave measurements show excellent fidelity and lend a high degree of confidence in data quality. Overall, Spotter-derived bulk statistical parameters were within 10% of respective Datawell-derived quantities. The Spotter’s low cost and compact form factor enabled unique field deployments of multiple wave measurement buoys for direct measurements of wave characteristics such as ocean wave decorrelation length scales, wave speed, and directional spread. Wave decorrelation lengths were found to be inversely proportional to the width of the spectrum, and wave speeds compared well against linear wave theory.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Zero-CO Residential Natural Gas Furnace

Residential natural gas furnaces are widely used in the US homes. Manufacturers dedicate significant design and testing resources to meet requirements of design standards. One area of these standards is controlling flue gas carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. To more effectively reduce CO emissions at the flue, we developed a novel catalyst-assisted approach that integrated a low Pt/Rh loading acidic gas reduction (AGR) catalyst with three-way catalyst (TWC) or diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) components. Compact catalysts were fabricated and assembled into tubular components, which can be seamlessly incorporated into the primary heat exchanger of a representative commercially available condensing furnace. The retrofitted furnace was demonstrated and tested following ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 103-2017. Experimental results showed that both AGR/TWC and AGR/DOC configurations achieved near-zero CO emissions under steady-state and cold-start conditions, compared with up to 500 ppm at a cold start and 17 ppm in a steady state in the OEM furnace. The catalyst-assisted furnaces also exhibited an annual fuel utilization efficiency improvement of more than 1.5% relative to the baseline unit, with a manageable pressure drop of 2.0−2.5 in. of water column. These results demonstrate that the catalyst-assisted approach can effectively eliminate CO emissions and improve energy efficiency. The technology has broad applicability for residential and commercial gas-fired heating systems.

Gao, Zhiming [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000271397995)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Coupled 2D MHD and runaway electron fluid simulations of SPARC disruptions

Runaway electrons (REs) generated during disruption events in tokamaks can carry mega-Ampère level currents, potentially causing damage to plasma-facing components. Understanding RE evolution during disruption events is important for evaluating strategies to mitigate RE damage. Using two-dimensional toroidally symmetric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations in M3D-C1, which incorporates a fluid RE model evolved self-consistently with the bulk MHD fluid, we examine the seeding and avalanching of REs during disruptions in the SPARC tokamak – a compact, high-field, high-current device designed to achieve a fusion gain Q > 2 in deuterium–tritium plasmas. The M3D-C1 simulations of unmitigated disruptions demonstrate RE plateau formation and peaking of the final current density, which agree well with the results of lower-fidelity reduced RE fluid models. This work provides the first systematic comparison and benchmarking of different primary sources, including activated tritium beta decay and Compton scattering, in SPARC disruption simulations with self-consistent MHD and RE coupling.

Compton scattering↗
DOE OSTI2022

Kinetic frustration by limited bond availability controls the LAT protein condensation phase transition on membranes

LAT is a membrane-linked scaffold protein that undergoes a phase transition to form a two-dimensional protein condensate on the membrane during T cell activation. Governed by tyrosine phosphorylation, LAT recruits various proteins that ultimately enable condensation through a percolation network of discrete and selective protein-protein interactions. Here, we describe detailed kinetic measurements of the phase transition, along with coarse-grained model simulations, that reveal that LAT condensation is kinetically frustrated by the availability of bonds to form the network. Unlike typical miscibility transitions in which compact domains may coexist at equilibrium, the LAT condensates are dynamically arrested in extended states, kinetically trapped out of equilibrium. Modeling identifies the structural basis for this kinetic arrest as the formation of spindle arrangements, favored by limited multivalent binding interactions along the flexible, intrinsically disordered LAT protein. These results reveal how local factors controlling the kinetics of LAT condensation enable formation of different, stable condensates, which may ultimately coexist within the cell.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

In Situ Neutron Reflectometry Reveals the Interfacial Microenvironment Driving Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

Electrified interfaces are critical to the performance of energy systems and often demonstrate substantial complexity under operating conditions. A nanoscale understanding of the interfacial microenvironment, i.e., the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), in lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction (Li–N 2 R) is key for realizing efficient ammonia (NH 3 ) production. Herein, we used time-resolved neutron reflectometry (NR) to observe SEI formation under Li–N 2 R conditions. We found that the LiBF 4 -based electrolyte provided a substantially more well-defined SEI layer than previous SEI NR interrogations that used LiClO 4 , highlighting the underlying chemistry that dictates electrolyte design and enabling new NR-based studies. Using in situ NR, we found that the LiBF 4 -derived SEI under Li–N 2 R conditions comprises a thick, diffuse outer layer and a thin, compact inner layer at low current cycling (<2 mA/cm 2 ), revealing a structure which ex situ studies have not been able to probe. Increased current cycling and sustained current cycling led to the merging of the layers into a single-layer SEI. Here, we used isotope contrast methods with d 6 -EtOH and d 8 -THF to drive time-resolved tracking of SEI growth at low current cycling, revealing that the proton donor modifies the inner layer, and the solvent modifies the outer layer. Li dendritic growth was observed in the absence of a proton donor. Neutron absorption also indicated the presence of boron in the SEI, underscoring the value of neutron-based interrogation. Our results inform Li-based systems and reaction microenvironments, and these methods can be applied broadly to interfacial energy technologies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Portable nitrous oxide sensor for understanding agricultural and soil emissions

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the third most important greenhouse gas (GHG,) with an atmospheric lifetime of ~114 years and a global warming impact ~300 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. The main cause of nitrous oxide’s atmospheric increase is anthropogenic emissions, and over 80% of the current global anthropogenic flux is related to agriculture, including associated land-use change. An accurate assessment of N2O emissions from agriculture is vital not only for understanding the global N2O balance and its impact on climate but also for designing crop systems with lower GHG emissions. Such assessments are currently hampered by the lack of instrumentation and methodologies to measure ecosystem-level fluxes at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. Southwest Sciences and Princeton University are developing and testing new open-path eddy covariance instrumentation for continuous and fast (10 Hz) measurement of nitrous oxide emissions. An important advance, now being implemented, is the use of new mid-infrared laser sources that enable the development of exceptionally low power (<10 W) compact instrumentation that can be used even in remote sites lacking in power. The instrumentation will transform the ability to measure and understand ecosystem-level nitrous oxide fluxes. The Phase II results included successful extended field testing of prototype flux instruments, based on quantum cascade lasers, in collaboration with Michigan State University. Results of these tests demonstrated a flux detection limit of 5 µg m-2 s-1 and showed excellent agreement and correlation with measurements using chamber techniques. Initial tests of an instrument using an interband cascade laser (ICL) were performed, verifying that an order of magnitude reduction in instrument power requirements can be realized. These results point toward future improvements and testing leading to introduction of a commercial open path instrument for N2O flux measurements that is truly portable and cost-effective. The technology developed on this project is especially groundbreaking as it could be widely applied across FLUXNET and AmeriFlux sites (>1200 worldwide) for direct measurements of N2O exchange. The technology can be more broadly applied to gas monitoring requirements in industry, environmental monitoring, health and safety, etc.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1991

Automation of closed environments in space for human comfort and safety

The development of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) for Space Station Freedom, future colonization of the Moon, and Mars missions presents new challenges for present technologies. ECLSS that operate during long-duration missions must be semi-autonomous to allow crew members environmental control without constant supervision. A control system for the ECLSS must address these issues as well as being reliable. The Kansas State University Advanced Design Team is in the process of researching and designing controls for the automation of the ECLSS for Space Station Freedom and beyond. The ECLSS for Freedom is composed of six subsystems. The temperature and humidity control (THC) subsystem maintains the cabin temperature and humidity at a comfortable level. The atmosphere control and supply (ACS) subsystem insures proper cabin pressure and partial pressures of oxygen and nitrogen. To protect the space station from fire damage, the fire detection and suppression (FDS) subsystem provides fire-sensing alarms and extinguishers. The waste management (WM) subsystem compacts solid wastes for return to Earth, and collects urine for water recovery. The atmosphere revitalization (AR) subsystem removes CO2 and other dangerous contaminants from the air. The water recovery and management (WRM) subsystem collects and filters condensate from the cabin to replenish potable water supplies, and processes urine and other waste waters to replenish hygiene water supplies. These subsystems are not fully automated at this time. Furthermore, the control of these subsystems is not presently integrated; they are largely independent of one another. A fully integrated and automated ECLSS would increase astronauts' productivity and contribute to their safety and comfort.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2025

Evaluating the Viability of Compact and Portable X-Ray Systems for an Exploration Medical System in a Ground Demonstration

MOTIVATION FOR INCLUDING X-RAY CAPABILITIES For upcoming exploration missions, the need for enhanced medical care becomes critical due to extended mission durations, significant communication delays, and minimal evacuation opportunities. Previous evidence by our team has revealed that among the 119 medical conditions targeted for management during spaceflight within NASA Exploration Medical Capability’s IMPACT Condition List, at least 36 could benefit from radiography (XR). Utilizing XR for diagnosis and management is hypothesized to significantly improve management of crew health by enabling the immediate evaluation and confirmation of potential injuries or illnesses. Beyond clinical applications, XR also holds potential for non-destructive testing (NDT). This includes applications such as assessing the structural integrity of the spacecraft, analyzing surface and meteorite samples, and inspecting onboard electronics. THREE CANDIDATE X-RAY SYSTEMS CHOSEN FOR GROUND DEMONSTRATION The Exploration Medical Capability Element (ExMC) and the Exploration Medical Integrated Product Team (XMIPT) of the Mars Campaign Office initiated early background work for ground demonstrations. In FY21, ExMC published a Concept of Operations to guide requirements development. By FY23, XMIPT and yet2, a technology scouting and open innovation consulting firm, had completed a market survey and trade study to identify potential miniature XR systems. Selection criteria included commercial-off-the-shelf availability, low mass and volume, and regulatory compliance. The top three candidate devices—Remedi REMEX-KA6, MinXray Impact, and FujiFilm Xair—were acquired to characterize the requirements and capabilities of each device. To facilitate testing, phantoms, and radiographic personal protective equipment (PPE) were purchased, and a dedicated space was designated for XRS usage at Glenn Research Center. During this presentation, the mass, volume, and power requirements for each of the three piloted devices are revealed, as well as information regarding the detector, mA, and kV of the devices. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES OF A MINI XRS GROUND DEMONSTRATION The primary goal of ExMC/XMIPT technology demonstrations is to bridge the gap in available, flight-ready medical device technology by flight-testing diagnostic and treatment technologies essential for managing medical conditions during exploration missions. These technologies must adhere to vehicle constraints such as mass, volume, power, and data requirements, integrate seamlessly with medical decision-support tools, and support increasingly Earth-independent operations. There are three main objectives for the future ground demonstration of these three devices. First, we aim to determine the full capabilities of these three miniature XR systems within the context of the spaceflight environment. While medical applications are the primary focus for the miniature XR, a comprehensive exploration of non-medical uses has been initiated by an XMIPT-sponsored NASA SPARK campaign to identify collaborators. Second, we plan to establish criteria and to use insights gained from evaluating each miniature XR against those criteria to select the most suitable system among the three candidates. Third, we intend to evaluate their suitability for flight certification, which includes assessing its durability for launch, reentry, and exposure to high background radiation, as well as its compatibility with existing data architecture systems. Numerous subject matter experts from NASA and partner institutions will support these objectives.

C A Haddix↗