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NASA NTRS2026

Thermochemical Stability of Ca2Yb8(SiO4)6O2 Apatite in Presence of Molten Calcium-Magnesium-Aluminosilicate (CMAS)

Thermochemical stability of ytterbium silicon oxyapatite Ca 2 Yb 8 (SiO 4 ) 6 O 2 (CYbS) in the presence of molten calcium-magnesium aluminosilicate (CMAS) has been investigated at elevated temperatures for consideration as a thermal and environmental barrier coating (T/EBC) material. CYbS apatite powder was synthesized from the constituent oxides via a solid-state reaction method. Hot-pressed apatite substrates were exposed to molten CMAS at 1200, 1300, and 1400 °C for 1, 10, and 50 h. Development of phases in the interaction region of the heat-treated specimens was monitored using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-angle annular dark-field imaging, selected area electron diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Monoclinic cyclosilicate Ca 3 Yb 2 (Si 3 O 9 ) 2 formed from interaction of CYbS apatite with CaO in the CMAS melt at the apatite-CMAS reaction front and continued to nucleate and grow within the residual CMAS in diffusion couples annealed for 1 to 50 h at 1200 °C as well as in those heat treated at 1300 °C for 1 h. Residual CMAS was depleted of Ca when cyclosilicate was present. Dendritic wollastonite (CaSiO3) was observed within the residual CMAS in couples annealed at 1200 and 1300 °C. Ingress of molten CMAS, because of its exponential decrease in viscosity, occurred through open pores and along the grain boundaries of the apatite substrates without any detectable chemical reaction at 1300 and 1400 °C. Results of this study indicate that Ca 2 Yb 8 (SiO 4 ) 6 O 2 apatite has the potential to mitigate the CMAS corrosion up to about 1200 °C but not at higher temperatures.

Narottam P Bansal↗

NASA NTRS1990

The JPL Telerobot Operator Control Station: Operational Experiences

The Operator Control Station of the JPL/NASA Telerobot Demonstration System provides an efficient man-machine interface for the performance of telerobot tasks. Its hardware and software have been designed with high flexibility. It provides a feedback-rich interactive environment in which the Operator performs teleoperation tasks, robotic tasks, and telerobotic tasks with ease. The to-date operational experiences of this system, particularly related to the Object Designate Process and the Voice Input/Output Process are discussed.

Edwin P Kan↗

DOE OSTI2026

Manipulation of Localized Excitons in CrPS4 by Temperature and Magnetic Field

Layered van der Waals magnetic semiconductors provide a versatile platform for exploring excitonic phenomena intertwined with spin and lattice degrees of freedom, enabling excitons to act as sensitive probes of magnetic order. CrPS4 is a layered antiferromagnetic semiconductor that hosts rich excitonic features whose microscopic origin and connection to magnetic ordering remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigate the electronic and excitonic properties of bulk CrPS4 using a combination of many-body perturbation theory, dynamical mean-field theory, and photoluminescence-based experiments. Our calculations establish CrPS4 as a direct-gap semiconductor with a bandgap of 2.48 eV in the antiferromagnetic phase. Several subbandgap excitonic transitions are predicted by theory, comprising multiple spin-allowed excitons and an additional spin-flip excitation, predominantly localized on the Cr3+ ions. Temperature- and magnetic-field-dependent optical measurements reveal thermally driven exciton redistribution among localized states and identify characteristic energy shifts that provide clear optical signatures of magnetic phase transitions in CrPS4. These results provide insights into the excitonic transitions of antiferromagnets and suggest potential routes for all-optical sensing and light-driven control of their magnetic order.

2D materials↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Evaluating Crystallinity in Thermoplastic Composites for Aerospace Applications

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) offer many benefits for the aerospace industry due to their potential for weight reduction when compared to metal or ceramic based materials. Most PMCs currently in flight use thermoset matrices, however, thermoplastic resins are being explored as alternatives due to their ability to be remelted, which is of particular interest due to the potential for in-situ repair and faster production. Most thermoplastic resins are semicrystalline polymers. The properties of semicrystalline thermoplastics are directly influenced by their crystallinity, which can vary due to many factors including thermal treatments, environmental conditions, and mechanical deformation. Within thermoplastic PMC parts, crystallinity gradients can arise due to variations in part geometry, across part thicknesses, and along bonded joints. Monitoring the crystallinity of thermoplastic composites is key to ensuring these materials meet the high demands required for aerospace. Several different analytical techniques exist that can be used to characterize the bulk crystallinity of thermoplastic materials. However, many existing methods lack the specificity required to identify the subtle variations in crystallinity that may play a significant role in the performance and durability of PMC parts. Because of this, a significant amount of work is still required to fully characterize and understand the crystallinity profiles of thermoplastic PMCs and the resulting impact to material properties. This talk discusses the use of multiple techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Polarized Light Optical Microscopy, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to characterize the crystallinity in carbon fiber/thermoplastic composites. Samples of different crystallinity profiles were manufactured using various cooling procedures. This work aims to provide the fundamental data necessary to understand the effects of crystallinity on thermoplastic PMCs, which is key to advancing their use in aerospace applications.

Thermoplastics↗

NASA NTRS2026

The Relevance of the VIPER Mission to NASA’s Artemis Human Exploration of the Moon

NASA has ambitious plans to send astronaut crews to the south polar region of the Moon and explore this lunar terrain with humans for the first time through a series of Artemis missions. Artemis will provide economic benefits, drive technological advancement, and inspire the next generation of explorers. Simultaneously, Artemis presents a unique opportunity for humans to conduct high-priority planetary science in situ in the south polar region of the Moon. Prior to human exploration, landed robotic precursor investigations can provide valuable information to reduce risk and maximize discovery and productivity of subsequent crewed missions. NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is a robotic mission designed to explore and characterize the lunar south polar region prior to crewed Artemis landed missions. VIPER is designed to explore multiple thermal regimes to characterize the lunar polar environment and regolith properties, and to explore for surface and subsurface ices. Each of these objectives are key for both scientific investigation and to detect and assess volatile deposits to support in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and a sustained human presence on the Moon. VIPER would also operate with a real-time mission operations architecture with relevance and feed-forward to Artemis crewed operations on the lunar surface. VIPER would provide key information regarding the lunar environment, scientific exploration, technologies, and real-time operations to optimize the valuable surface exploration time of Artemis crew members while simultaneously reducing risk to crew and increasing health and human safety on the lunar surface.

Jennifer L Heldmann↗

DOE OSTI2026

Understanding Discharge‐Driven Growth of Cathode Impedance in Ni‐Rich NMC Cathodes

Degradation of LiNi x Mn y Co 1-x-y O 2 (NMC)-based lithium-ion batteries depends strongly on cut-off voltage ranges. In addition to the high upper cut-off voltage, a high depth of discharge (i.e., lower cut-off voltage) significantly worsens cathode impedance growth and capacity fade during long-term cycling. However, there is currently no consensus on the mechanism behind the negative role of a deep discharge. Here, this phenomenon was investigated in graphite||NMC cells with single-crystal cathodes (LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 (NMC622) or LiNi 0.76 Co 0.14 Mn 0.10 O 2 (NMC76)) using targeted aging protocols (constant high-voltage holds vs. charge–discharge cycling), while monitoring transition-metal (TM) dissolution, cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) impedance, and NMC surface composition. We demonstrate a correlation between discharge-driven CEI impedance growth and increased TM dissolution. Furthermore, this degradation pathway is more pronounced in lower-Ni NMC622 than in higher-Ni (NMC76) under comparable delithiation states at charge, with both compositions undergoing the H2→H3 phase transition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals NMC composition-dependent evolution of surface lattice oxygen and restructured surface layer composition between charged and discharged states. These findings add mechanistic depth to the role of discharge as an active driver of interfacial degradation and provide new insights into its composition dependence.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

NASA NTRS1991

Impact of Inertia, Friction, and Backlash upon Force Control in Telemanipulation

The mechanical behavior of master controllers of telemanipulators has been a concern of both designers and implementors of telerobotic systems. In general, the literature recommends that telemanipulator systems be constructed that minimize inertia, friction, and backlash in an effort to improve telemanipulative performance. For the most part, these recommendations are founded upon theoretical analysis or simply intuition. Although these recommendations are not challenged on their merit, the material results are measured of building and fielding telemanipulators that possess less than ideal mechanical behaviors. Experiments are described in which forces in a mechanical system with human input are evaluated as a function of mechanical characteristics such as inertia, friction, and backlash. Results indicate that the ability of the human to maintain gripping forces was relatively unaffected by dynamic characteristics in the range studied, suggesting that telemanipulator design in this range should be based on task level force control requirements rather than human factors.

Neil A Duffie↗

NASA NTRS1993

A Cryogenic Seven-Element HEMT Front End for DSS 13

A cryogenically cooled Ka-band (33.6-GHz), seven-element front-end array for the DSN was built and tested. This system uses seven high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) low-noise amplifiers cooled by a two-stage closed-cycle refrigerator. All system components from the polarizers to the output isolators are cooled to a physical temperature between 18 and 35 K. The noise temperatures of the individual elements range from 64 to 84 K over a 2.75-GHz bandwidth.

J Bowen↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multifaceted Considerations for Fission Surface Power Radiation Shielding Design

The purpose of the Fission Surface Power (FSP) nuclear system is to provide energy on the Moon and Mars for supporting their exploration and colonization. The FSP design and deployment can leverage the past research and development work in areas, such as reactor design, but such crucial components as radiation shielding and instrumentation still need material and manufacturing studies, modeling, and testing. The shielding components are needed for the protection of humans, electronics, and sensitive components. They are essential system components, but they are often the heaviest components of the system for which each kilogram matters. Different material combinations and layouts are possible. The studies presented were focused on the evaluation of several options. The initial analysis included their performance assessment, initial temperature distribution evaluation and manufacturability considerations. Several feasible shield design options were identified and discussed in this paper, as well.

Fission Surface Power↗

DOE OSTI2025

Strong Kitaev Interaction in BaCo 2⁢ (AsO 4 ) 2

The inelastic neutron scattering results and their analysis unequivocally point to a dominant Kitaev interaction in the honeycomb-lattice cobaltate BaCo 2 ⁢(AsO 4 ) 2 . Our anisotropic-exchange model closely describes all available neutron scattering data in the material’s field-polarized phase. Furthermore, the density-matrix renormalization group results for our model are in close accord with the unusual double-zigzag magnetic order and the low in-plane saturation field of BaCo 2 ⁢(AsO 4 ) 2 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

NASA NTRS1993

A SIMULINK Environment for Flight Dynamics and Control Analysis - Application to the DHC-2 'Beaver', Part 1. Implementation of a Model Library in SIMULINK

The design of advanced Automatic Aircraft Control Systems (AACS's) can be improved upon considerably if the designer can access all models and tools required for control system design and analysis through a graphical user-interface, from within one software environment. This MSc-thesis presents the first step in the development of such an environment, which is currently being done at the Section for Stability and Control of Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. The environment is implemented within the commercially available software package MATLAB/SIMULINK. The report consists of two parts. Part I gives a detailed description of the AACS design environment. The heart of this environment is formed by the SIMULINK implementation of a nonlinear aircraft model in block-diagram format. The model has been worked out for the old laboratory aircraft of the Faculty, the De Havilland DHC-2 'Beaver', but due to its modular structure, it can easily be adapted for other aircraft. Part I also describes MATLAB programs which can be applied for finding steady-state trimmed-flight conditions and for linearization of the aircraft model, and it shows how the built-in simulation routines of SIMULINK have been used for open-loop analysis of the aircraft dynamics. Apart from the implementation of the models and tools, a thorough treatment of the theoretical backgrounds is presented. Part II of this report presents a part of an autopilot design process for the 'Beaver' aircraft, which clearly demonstrates the power and flexibility of the AACS design environment from part I. Evaluations of all longitudinal and lateral control laws by means of nonlinear simulations are treated in detail. The AACS design environment from part I proved to be a very useful tool for designing the control laws of the 'Beaver' autopilot within a very tight time-schedule. The autopilot design process itself will be used as a guideline for future AACS research at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. Flight tests of the 'Beaver' autopilot, done after evaluating the control laws in the SIMULINK package, proved to be quite successful. In the future, the AACS design package will evolve into a standardized, integrated design environment which can be applied to virtually any type of aircraft. The AACS design cycle will be shortened further by developing tools for automatically porting control laws from the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment to a piloted real-time flight simulator and the Flight Control Computers of the aircraft.

Aircraft Modelling↗

DOE OSTI2026

Microstructure prediction for Ti-22Al-25Nb in laser powder bed fusion

This work presents a physics-informed framework for predicting solidification morphology and defect susceptibility in additively manufactured Ti–22Al–25Nb across a broad processing space. The framework integrates solidification microstructure selection (SMS) analysis with a single-track defect-based printability map to establish a unified methodology linking processing parameters to both interfacial morphology and manufacturability. Thermal gradients G and solidification rates R are first computed using the Thermo-Calc Additive Manufacturing (TC-AM) module, a finite-interface-dissipation (FID) phase-field (PF) model coupled with CALPHAD method is then employed to systematically distinguish planar and dendritic regimes as functions of $G$ and $R$. By superimposing the printability map onto the morphology projections, a comprehensive process–structure framework is obtained. Across most processing conditions, the predicted microstructure is predominantly dendritic, while planar growth emerges only under selected laser power $P$ and scan speed $v$ combinations. In addition to morphology classification, the framework quantifies the dendritic area fraction and introduces a width-based morphology descriptor to characterize the spatial extent of planar/dendritic regions within the melt pool. It provides mechanistic insight into the interplay between solidification physics and defect formation, offering practical guidance for parameter selection and microstructural control in Ti–22Al–25Nb additive manufacturing (AM).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Validation of a Modular All-Electric Power Take-Off Topology for Wave Energy Converter Enabling Marine Renewable Energy Interconnection

Power electronic converters are an enabling technology for the emerging marine energy applications, such as using ocean waves to produce electricity. This paper outlines the power take-off system and its key components used in a wave energy converter offering modularity and scalability to generate power efficiently. The proposed power take-off system was implemented based on a modular multilevel converter and could be deployed to convert any alternating current electrical energy to a different alternating current for interconnection to grid or non-grid applications. Examples of widespread deployment are supplying electricity to coastal communities or producing clean drinking water. The analysis using both the simulation tests and laboratory experiments verified the design objectives and basic functionality of the developed power take-off system. An acceptable response using a field programmable gate array-based controlled laboratory testbench was achieved, complying with guidelines specified in the prevalent industry standards. Seamless operation during steady-state and transients for the studied wave energy converter was achieved as supported by the obtained results. The key findings of this work were experimentally examined under different load conditions, direct current bus voltage fluctuations, and generator speed–torque regulation. The ability of the power take-off system to generate high-power quality of the waveforms, e.g., against adhering to the IEEE 519-2022 standard for total harmonic distortion limits, is also confirmed.

Engineering↗

NASA NTRS2026

The Contaminant Footprint of Landed Spacecraft: Toward an Inventory and Modelling Framework

All spacecraft generate and carry contaminants, i.e., unwanted and potentially harmful material. When a spacecraft lands and operates in near-vacuum, as onto Earth’s Moon, it introduces contaminants into its environment that may compromise mission science objectives and engineering performance. Contamination of solar system bodies may irrevocably degrade targets of unique value to planetary scientists, for instance, as lunar landed spacecraft introduce propellant effluents into the otherwise pristine ice of the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions. NASA’s planetary protection discipline seeks to ensure that solar system bodies are not contaminated, for scientific purposes, by terrestrial material (i.e., forward contamination). This interest aligns with planetary science interest in mitigating the transport of terrestrial contaminants onto solar system bodies and in controlling types of contamination that could compromise the scientific value of samples or measurements. NASA, and other entities that practice planetary science, have compelling and multidisciplinary interests in the preservation of special regions and sampling sites of high scientific value – including lunar permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) – from inadvertent contamination by any spacecraft, and in understanding the contamination of such regions by all spacecraft. Organic molecular contamination here represents a primary threat. Organic molecules will be introduced to solar system bodies by nominal landed spacecraft and crew processes – including by the action of descent and ascent engines; natural materials outgassing; and crew environmental and life support system sources. Molecular contaminants can also travel in the free-molecular sense at global scale across near-vacuum bodies, including into regions where they may be permanently trapped. This presentation will address a high-level study to identify sources of contaminants – in particular, organic material – generated by landed spacecraft along with the transport vectors by which these contaminants can reach sites of scientific interest on bodies like the Moon. A vision for an integrated modeling framework for the organic contamination footprint of spacecraft missions, individually and collectively, will also be described and presented along with initial conclusions related to organic molecular transport.

Gas Dynamics↗

DOE OSTI2026

Robust Heat-Flux Sensors for Coal-Fired Boiler Extreme Environments

In this project, robust heat-flux measurement systems were developed. The heat-flux sensors utilize thermoelectric effects to directly transduce the heat-flux inputs to analog electrical voltage signals. They were constructed from dedicated materials that can withstand temperatures of at least 1000°C and maintain adequate performance at these conditions for prolonged periods of time. The proposed approaches took into account numerous considerations, including system cost, sensor head resilience, sensor footprint, data accuracy, response time, and maintenance requirements. Through modern thermoelectric materials design, methodical materials selection and rigorous testing in materials characterization labs and medium-scale fire research facilities, we have demonstrated functioning laboratory prototypes, upon which one could base industrial heat-flux sensing platforms capable of operating in the challenging high-temperature, corrosive environments of the boilers of coal-fired power plants. A distributed sensor array for heat-flux measurements throughout the furnace water-wall, the superheater area and the economizer coils can provide critical data for the power plant control systems to increase efficiency, improve safety and reduce down times. For example, the combined heat-flux sensor/control systems can contribute to the optimization of burner and boiler operations under flexible loads, the optimization of heat-exchange conditions and overall reduction of heat rate and emissions, the prediction of imminent overheating conditions, and the optimization of the soot-blowing protocols.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

NASA NTRS1977

Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Lunar Samples

The dielectric properties of lunar soil and rock samples show a systematic character when careful precautions are taken to ensure there is no moisture present during measurement. The dielectric constant (K) above 10 5 Hz is directly dependent on density according to the formula K = (1.93 ± 0.17) p where p is the density in g/cc. The dielectric loss tangent is only slightly dependent on density and has values less than 0.005 for typical soils and 0.005-0.03 for typical rocks. In addition to a density dependence, the loss tangent appears to be directly related to the metallic ilmenite content. These results are in good agreement with the results of the Surface Electrical Properties Experiment carried on Apollo 17. It showed a surface layer of dielectric constant 3.8 and a loss tangent of 0.008. This is presumed to be a layer of compact soil about 7 m thick, overlying a medium with a dielectric constant of roughly 7.5 and a loss tangent interpreted to be 0.035, The medium is presumed to be bedrock. These results are compatible with seismic results. The magnetic properties of lunar samples can be used to study the distribution of metallic and ferrous iron which shows systematic variations from soil-type to soil-type and a general tendency to increasing Fe°/Fe** distribution in the more highly rewelded breccias. The other magnetic characteristics can also be used to determine the distribution of grain sizes. There are a number of ways of interpreting the origin of the stable remanent magnetization in lunar samples, but several lines of evidence suggest that it is of thermal origin and was acquired at a time when the igneous rocks and breccias cooled from above 800°C in the presence of an ancient field.

D W Strangway↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Biosynthesized Thermoplastic/Regolith Composites for Closed-Loop In-Space Manufacturing

In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) is vital to supporting a sustained human presence on the Moon or Mars. With payload launch prices ranging from $4,000 to more than $1 million per kg, reducing payload mass is of critical interest. Using in-situ resources for ISM is particularly attractive as it allows for a system of Earth-independent manufacturing for the Lunar surface, reducing the initial payload mass that is required for current ISM systems that rely on terrestrially synthesized materials. This talk presents new composite materials made from Lunar and Martian regolith and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a thermoplastic that offers the ability to be biosynthesized in space using various in-situ resources like organic waste or atmospheric CO2 as feedstock. The addition of regolith provides a route to creating materials with a diverse set of properties which will be discussed. The development of these materials represents the first step in creating a system of closed-loop ISM, which is critical to establishing a lasting human presence in space.

In situ resource utilization↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Polymer/Regolith Composites for In-Space Manufacturing on the Moon and Mars

In-situ resource utilization↗