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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 1,747 records · Page 97
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Regional variations in the stability and diffusion of water-ice in the Martian regolith

Geologic evidence suggests subsurface water-ice has played an important role in the formation of Martian landforms. Forms of mass-wasting such as debris aprons and flow patterns on valley floors suggest creep deformation of ice-laden soil, while thermokarst and chaotic terrain suggest once extensive deposits of ground ice that were later removed. The global distribution of ice-related morphology was mapped. The mapping showed regional variation, in both latitude and longitude, in the distribution of debris aprons, concentric fill craters, and 'softened' crater profiles.

Mellon, Michael T.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Quantitative remote sensing of ammonium minerals, Cedar Mountains, Esmeralda County, Nevada

Mineral-bound ammonium (NH4+) was discovered by the U.S. Geological Survey in the southern Cedar Mountains of Esmeralda County, Nevada in 1989. At 10 km in length, this site is 100 times larger than any previously known occurrence in volcanic rocks. The ammonium occurs in two hydrothermally altered, crystal-rich rhyolitic tuff units of Oligocene age, and is both structurally and stratigraphically controlled. This research uses Advanced Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data to quantitatively map the mineral-bound ammonium (buddingtonite) concentration in the altered volcanic rocks. Naturally occurring mineral-bound ammonium is fairly rare; however, it has been found to occur in gold-bearing hydrothermal deposits. Because of this association, it is thought that ammonium may be a useful too in exploration for gold and other metal deposits. Mineral-bound ammonium is produced when an ammonium ion (NH4+) replaces the alkali cation site (usually K+) in the crystal structure of silicate minerals such as feldspars, micas and clays. Buddingtonite is an ammonium feldspar. The ammonium originates in buried organic plant matter and is transported to the host rock by hydrothermal fluids. Ammonium alteration does not produce visible changes in the rock, and it is barely detectable with standard x-ray diffraction methods. It is clearly identified, however, by absorption features in short wave-infrared (SWIR) wavelengths (2.0 - 2.5 micrometers). The ammonium absorption features are believed to be caused by N-H vibrational modes and are analogous to hydroxyl (O-H) vibrational modes, only shifted slightly in wavelength. Buddingtonite absorption features in the near- and SWIR lie at 1.56, 2.02 and 2.12 micrometers. The feature at 2.12 micrometer is the strongest of the three and is the only one used in this study. The southern Cedar Mountains are sparsely vegetated and are an ideal site for a remote sensing study.

Baugh, William M.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Thermophysical Properties of Mars' North Polar Layered Deposits and Related Materials from Mars Odyssey THEMIS

The presence of a thick sequence of horizontal layers of ice-rich material at Mars north pole, dissected by troughs and eroding at its margins, is undoubtedly telling us something about the evolution of Mars climate [1,2] we just don t know what yet. The North Polar Layered Deposits (NPLD) most likely formed as astronomically driven climate variations led to the deposition of conformable, areally extensive layers of ice and dust over the polar region. More recently, the balance seems to have fundamentally shifted to net erosion, as evidenced by the many troughs within the NPLD and the steep, arcuate scarps present near its margins, both of which expose layering. We defined a number of Regions of Interest ROI) for THEMIS to target as part of the Mars Odyssey Participating Scientist program. We use these THEMIS data in order to understand the morphology and color/thermal properties of the NPLD and related materials over relevant (i.e., m to km) spatial scales. We have assembled color mosaics of our ROIs in order to map the distribution of ices, the different layered units, dark material, and underlying basement. The color information from THEMIS is crucial for distinguishing these different units which are less distinct on Mars Orbiter Camera images. We wish to understand the nature of the marginal scarps and their relationship to the dark material. Our next, more ambitious goal is to derive the thermophysical properties of the different geologic materials using THEMIS and Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer TES) data.

Vasavada, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Strategy for Ranking the Science Value of the Surface of Asteroid 101955 Bennu for Sample Site Selection for Osiris-REx

OSRIS-REx is NASA's New Frontiers 3 sample return mission that will return at least 60 g of pristine surface material from near-Earth asteroid 101955 Bennu in September 2023. The scientific value of the sample increases enormously with the amount of knowledge captured about the geological context from which the sample is collected. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is highly maneuverable and capable of investigating the surface of Bennu at scales down to the sub-cm. The OSIRIS-REx instruments will characterize the overall surface geology including spectral properties, microtexture, and geochemistry of the regolith at the sampling site in exquisite detail for up to 505 days after encountering Bennu in August 2018. The mission requires at the very minimum one acceptable location on the asteroid where a touch-and-go (TAG) sample collection maneuver can be successfully per-formed. Sample site selection requires that the follow-ing maps be produced: Safety, Deliverability, Sampleability, and finally Science Value. If areas on the surface are designated as safe, navigation can fly to them, and they have ingestible regolith, then the scientific value of one site over another will guide site selection.

Nakamura-Messenger, K.↗
DOE OSTI2019

EGS Collab Earth Modeling: Integrated 3D Model of the Testbed

The EGS Collab project is conducting a series of stimulation and interwell flow tests in an intermediate scale (~10-20 m) testbed located on the 4850 level in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. The testbed consists of eight ~200 ft (~60 m) HQ-diameter (9.6 cm) boreholes that are drilled into the Poorman Formation from the western rib of the West Access Drift. Of the eight boreholes, one borehole is used as an injection/stimulation well, another sub-parallel borehole located about 10 m away from the injection well is used as a production well, and rest of the other boreholes are used as monitoring wells. For 3D visualization of the testbed as well as to provide spatially accurate and consistent parameter data for geomechanical and geophysical process modeling tasks, we are using Leapfrog Software (Seequent Limited). For analysis of fractures and creation of conditioned stochastic discrete fracture network (CS-DFN) model of the testbed, we are using FracMan (Golder Associates Inc.). As of mid-May 2019, the EGS Collab Leapfrog database contains the general layout of the drifts/shafts at the 4850 and 4100 levels; generalized geologic framework model of a domain that spans both the 4850 and 4100 levels; the CS-DFN of the testbed; and layouts of the EGS Collab testbed boreholes, kISMET testbed boreholes, and other existing boreholes at the 4850 level. This information has been obtained from the SURF Vulcan database, detailed laser scan and point surveys of borehole collar locations, directional surveys of borehole trajectories, and mapping of features in the drifts, boreholes, and cores. Similarly, other types of data that have been incorporated into the Leapfrog database include static features of the testbed such as natural discontinuities (e.g., fractures, weeps), location of monitoring instruments, and stimulation notches. Baseline geophysical characterization results (e.g., seismic, ERT, temperature, etc.) are also imported into the Leapfrog database. The location and size of packers, various point-source signals detected during stimulation and flow tests (e.g., temperature anomalies, micro-earthquake events, etc.) are also compiled in the database. All feature locations are reported using the local Homestake Mine coordinate system. In this paper, we present some of the geostructural characteristics as well as the status of the testbed as represented by Leapfrog/FracMan database/visualizations.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Characterizing Signatures of Geothermal Exploration Data with Machine Learning Techniques: An Application to the Nevada Play Fairway Analysis

We are introducing machine learning methods to the play fairway analysis to generate geothermal potential maps to support the evaluation of geothermal resource potential and the exploration for undiscovered blind geothermal systems in the Nevada Great Basin region. Our project aims to identify new ways to combine the play fairway data and empirically organize relationships between feature weights and labels in an improved workflow. As a means of doing this, we introduce machine learning methods to evaluate the influence of certain geological and geophysical features/feature sets in predicting geothermal favorability. This report highlights promising approaches based on supervised and unsupervised learning methods. First, we demonstrate a filter method applied to supervised classification modeling. The supervised filter method is based on permutation analysis to evaluate every possible feature combination/drop out scenario and rank feature influence based on the performance variance of supervised classification models. Additionally, we present an unsupervised factor analysis based on principal component analysis coupled with a semi-supervised kmeans clustering algorithm. This analysis allows us to identify the optimal number of groups/clusters for training sites and structural settings to identify feature patterns including correlation, variance, and latent and dominant feature relationships. The results from these methods offer a promising avenue for identifying favorable sources of predictive information to identify the locations of blind geothermal systems and furthering our understanding of complex geothermal feature and label relationships in the Great Basin region and beyond.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1991

Geology and tectonics of the Themis Regio-Lavinia Planitia-Alpha Regio-Lada Terra area, Venus - Results from Arecibo image data

Results of new radar images obtained from the Arecibo Observatory for portions of the southern hemisphere of Venus are reported. The images show that the upland of Phoebe Region contains the southern extension of Devana Chasma, a rift zone extending 4200 km south from Theia Mons and interpreted as a zone of extension. Alpha Regio, the only large region of tesserae within the imaged area, is found to be similar to tesserae mapped elsewhere on the planet; it covers a smaller percentage of the surface than that observed in the northern high latitudes. Themis Region is mapped as an ovoid chain of radar-bright arcuate single- and double-ring structures, edifices, and bright lineaments. On the basis of the present analysis, the southern hemisphere of Venus is interpreted to be characterized by regions of mantle upwelling on a variety of scales, upwelling and extension, and localized compression.

Senske, D. A.↗
DOE OSTI2018

X-ray Linear Dichroism in Apatite

The recent observation in parrotfish teeth of X-ray linear dichroism motivated an in-depth investigation into this spectroscopic effect in various apatite crystals, including geologic hydroxyapatite (Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH), fluorapatite (Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F), and their biogenic counterparts in human bone, mouse enamel, and in parrotfish bone, dentin, and enameloid, the equivalent of dental enamel in certain fish. These data are important because they now enable visualization of the nano- to microscale structure of apatite crystals in teeth and bone. Polarization-dependent imaging contrast (PIC) maps of lamellar bone, obtained with a new method that minimizes space-charge and charging effects, show the expected rotating apatite crystal orientations. PIC maps of mouse enamel reveal a complex arrangement of hydroxyapatite crystals perpendicular to the dentin-enamel junction, with rods arranged in a decussation pattern in inner enamel and nearly parallel to one another in outer enamel. In both inner and outer enamel crystal c-axes are not always aligned with the rod elongation direction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1992

Do large impact basins in the Southern Hemisphere of Mars control the distribution of polar structures and deposits?

Among the problems in Martian geology are the cause of the off-axis and asymmetric distribution of the southern polar layered terrain and residual ice deposits and the cause of the orientation of scarps, valleys, and reentrant canyons that occur. A problem region is the small number of large (D greater than 500) impact basins seen in the relatively well preserved cratered terrain of the south polar region. This region was mapped in detail, searching for evidence of ancient, highly degraded impact basins for two reasons: To determine whether the apparent absence of large impact basins is due to incomplete mapping and recognition or a fundamental characteristic of the Martian crust related to the origin of the Martian crustal dichotomy, and whether ancient impact basins exert some control on the distribution of volcanic and polar deposits in the Southern Hemisphere and on the topography on which these deposits lie. The possible influence is examined of the candidate basins in localizing the asymmetric distribution of polar deposits and in controlling the orientation of structures found within these deposits.

Frey, Herbert↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Using Landsat 8 Satellite Imagery to Analyze Biogeochemical Constituents in the Waters of the San Francisco Bay Area and Beyond

The ocean's coastal zones play a key role in our planet's health and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Building on the success of NASA satellite imagery in mapping land cover changes around the globe in response to climate change, deforestation, and natural disasters, I have worked to determine how aquatic reflectance images from the Landsat 8 sensor could be correlated with biogeochemical constituents within the waters of the San Francisco Bay Area and California coastline. By analyzing Landsat 8 satellite imagery from the years 2013-2020 in collaboration with data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI), and universities involved with the Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Alert Program (HABMAP), I investigated which areas of the San Francisco Bay and California coastline demonstrated significant correlations with values extracted from the satellite imagery. Using a Chlorophyll Index (CI) ratio calculated from two Landsat 8 satellite reflectance bands, it was found that there is a positive correlation between the CI and calculated oxygen, suspended particulate matter, and silicate from several USGS sampling points. In contrast, there is a significant negative correlation between the CI and salinity, nitrite, and phosphate at those same locations. Moreover, large suspected harmful algal blooms (HABs) along the California coastline seen in the Landsat 8 imagery were corroborated with HAB data from various institutions. Understanding the effectiveness of Landsat 8 aquatic reflectance images will allow scientists to predict HABs and other nutrient cycling that may be harmful to aquatic ecosystems around the world.

Landsat↗
NASA NTRS1988

Reappraisal of the geology of Kangimut Sammisoq, Ameralik Fjord, Southern West Greenland: Crustal structure and interpretation of isotopic data

In Godthabsfjord, in the North Atlantic Archean Craton, early Archean Amitsoq gneisses are found in association with the mid to late Archean Nuk gneisses. The Amitsoq gneisses contain the Ameralik dykes, now subconcordant strips of amphibolite. The Nuk and Amitsoq gneisses have amphibolite facies polymetamorphic assemblages. To the southeast of Godthabsfjord, there is an extensive region affected by granulite facies metamorphism at 2800 Ma. Early models of crustal evolution for Godthabsfjord and the region to the SE are discussed. Recent detailed mapping combined with U-Pb zircon dating is examined.

Nutman, Allen P.↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Determination of the Spatial Distribution of Indigenous Lipid Biomarkers in an Immature Jurassic Sediment Using Time-of-Flight–Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

The ability to detect and map lipids, including potential lipid biomarkers, within a sedimentary matrix using mass spectrometry (MS) imaging may be critical to determine whether potential lipids detected in samples returned from Mars are indigenous to Mars or are contaminants. Here, we use gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and time-of-flight–secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) datasets collected from an organic-rich, thermally immature Jurassic geologic sample to constrain MS imaging analysis of indigenous lipid biomarkers in geologic samples. GC-MS data show that the extractable fractions are dominated by C 27 –C 30 steranes and sterenes as well as isorenieratene derivatives. ToF-SIMS spectra from organic matter-rich laminae contain a strong, spatially restricted signal for ions m/z 370.3, m/z 372.3, and m/z 386.3, which we assign to C 27 sterenes, cholestane (C 27 ), and 4- or 24-methyl steranes (C 28 ), respectively, as well as characteristic fragment ions of isorenieratene derivatives, including m/z 133.1, m/z 171.1, and m/z 237.1. We observed individual steroid spatial heterogeneity at the scale of 10's to 100's of microns. The fine-scale heterogeneity observed implies that indigenous lipid biomarkers concentrated within specific regions may be detectable via ToF-SIMS in samples with even low amounts of organic carbon, including in samples returned from Mars.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1983

Investigation of antarctic crust and upper mantle using MAGSAT and other geophysical data

Data selection and reduction procedures are described by which scalar and vector magnetic anomaly maps are constructed. The scalar and vertical magnetic anomalies are believed to be generated mainly in the Earth's crust. The horizontal anomalies are believed to be mainly due to short-period field-aligned currents. The correlation of scalar magnetic anomalies with known oceanic structure is remarkable -- magnetic highs are associated with oceanic ridges and magnetic lows with abyssal plains. The correlation between anomalies and continental geology is not so clear.

Bentley, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The Geopotential Research Mission - Mapping the near earth gravity and magnetic fields

The Geopotential Research Mission (GRM), NASA's low-level satellite system designed to measure the gravity and magnetic fields of the earth, and its objectives are described. The GRM will consist of two, Shuttle launched, satellite systems (300 km apart) that will operate simultaneously at a 160 km circular-polar orbit for six months. Current mission goals include mapping the global geoid to 10 cm, measuring gravity-field anomalies to 2 mgal with a spatial resolution of 100 km, detecting crustal magnetic anomalies of 100 km wavelength with 1 nT accuracy, measuring the vectors components to + or - 5 arc sec and 5 nT, and computing the main dipole or core field to 5 nT with a 2 nT/year secular variation detection. Resource analysis and exploration geology are additional applications considered.

Taylor, P. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A geographic information system for resource managers based on multi-level remote sensing data

Procedures followed in developing a test case geographic information system derived primarily from remotely sensed data for the North Cache Soil Conservation District (SCD) in northern Utah are outlined. The North Cache SCD faces serious problems regarding water allocation, flood and geologic hazards, urban encroachment into prime farmland, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat. Four fundamental data planes were initially entered into the geo-referenced data base: (1) land use/land cover information for the agricultural and built-up areas of the valley obtained from various forms of aerial photography; (2) vegetation/land cover in mountains classified digitally from LANDSAT; (3) geomorphic terrain units derived from aerial photography and soil maps; and (4) digital terrain maps obtained from DMA digital data. The land use/vegetation/land cover information from manual photographic and LANDSAT interpretation were joined digitally into a single data plane with an integrated legend, and segmented into quadrangle units. These were merged with the digitized geomorphic units and the digital terrain data using a Prime 400 minicomputer. All data planes were geo-referenced to a UTM coordinate grid.

Wheeler, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A geographic information system for resource managers based on multi-level remote sensing data

Procedures followed in developing a test case geographic information system derived primarily from remotely sensed data for the North Cache Soil Conservation District (SCD) in northern Utah are outlined. The North Cache SCD faces serious problems regarding water allocation, flood and geologic hazards, urban encroachment into prime farmland, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat. Four fundamental data planes were initially entered into the geo-referenced data base: (1) land use/land cover information for the agricultural and built-up areas of the valley obtained from various forms of aerial photography; (2) vegetation/land cover in mountains classified digitally from Landsat; (3) geomorphic terrain units derived from aerial photography and soil maps; and (4) digital terrain maps obtained from DMA digital data. The land use/vegetation/land cover information from manual photographic and Landsat interpretation were joined digitally into a single data plane with an integrated legend, and segmented into quadrangle units. These were merged with the digitized geomorphic units and the digital terrain data using a Prime 400 minicomputer. All data planes were geo-referenced to a UTM coordinate grid.

Wheeler, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Quantitative Electron Probe Microanalysis: State of the Art

Quantitative electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) has improved due to better instrument design and X-ray correction methods. Design improvement of the electron column and X-ray spectrometer has resulted in measurement precision that exceeds analytical accuracy. Wavelength-dispersive spectrometer (WDS) have layered-dispersive diffraction crystals with improved light-element sensitivity. Newer energy-dispersive spectrometers (EDS) have Si-drift detector elements, thin window designs, and digital processing electronics with X-ray throughput approaching that of WDS Systems. Using these systems, digital X-ray mapping coupled with spectrum imaging is a powerful compositional mapping tool. Improvements in analytical accuracy are due to better X-ray correction algorithms, mass absorption coefficient data sets,and analysis method for complex geometries. ZAF algorithms have ban superceded by Phi(pz) algorithms that better model the depth distribution of primary X-ray production. Complex thin film and particle geometries are treated using Phi(pz) algorithms, end results agree well with Monte Carlo simulations. For geological materials, X-ray absorption dominates the corretions end depends on the accuracy of mass absorption coefficient (MAC) data sets. However, few MACs have been experimentally measured, and the use of fitted coefficients continues due to general success of the analytical technique. A polynomial formulation of the Bence-Albec alpha-factor technique, calibrated using Phi(pz) algorithms, is used to critically evaluate accuracy issues and can be also be used for high 2% relative and is limited by measurement precision for ideal cases, but for many elements the analytical accuracy is unproven. The EPMA technique has improved to the point where it is frequently used instead of the petrogaphic microscope for reconnaissance work. Examples of stagnant research areas are: WDS detector design characterization of calibration standards, and the need for more complete treatment of the continuum X-ray fluorescence correction.

Carpernter, P. K.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Data from: "Growth strategies and threshold responses to water deficit modulate effects of warming on tree seedlings from forest to alpine"

This data package contains data that were used to support conclusions drawn in “Growth strategies and threshold responses to water deficit modulate effects of warming on tree seedlings from forest to alpine”, by Lazarus, Castanha et al. 2017. Data were collected at field sites within the Alpine Treeline Warming Experiment (ATWE) on Niwot Ridge, Colorado, USA, and at the U.S. Geological Survey laboratory located in Boise, Idaho. This archive contains comma-separated-values (.csv) files, as well as the same files in Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format, which can be opened by either Microsoft Excel, R, or any simple text editor program. There are two types of geospatial data files: .kml and ESRI shapefiles (.shp). The kml files contain placemarks, which can be opened by Google Earth, or Google Maps. The ESRI shapefiles can be opened by any geographic information system application that can read shapefiles, including ESRI's entire ArcGIS suite, and QGIS. We asked whether and how tree species differences in response to water deficit relates to their establishment along the gradient from forest to alpine. To do this, we compared growth and moisture stress responses in first-year seedlings of three species planted in common gardens subject to a factorial of heating and watering treatments below, at, and above tree line. This combination of an elevation gradient alongside warming and watering treatments enabled us to observe species differences in seedling responses to a broad set of climatic conditions.Entire seedlings were harvested at c. 3- and again at 9 weeks of age following germination/emergence in the experimental plots, and we then measured dry mass (DM) of above and belowground parts, root length, root mass fraction (RMF), relative growth rates (RGRs) from seed to 3 weeks and from 3 to 9 weeks, turgor-loss point (TLP), and photosynthetic WUE (as δ13C). Also included in this dataset (but not described in the manuscript) are measures of specific leaf area (SLA) and other variables generated by pressure-volume curves (saturated water content, osmotic potential at full turgor, elastic modulus).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗