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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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NASA NTRS2026

Using Satellite Surface Temperature Data to Monitor Urban Heat Island

Exposure to heat is a growing concern nationwide. Temperatures can be elevated in cities compared to surrounding rural areas, referred to as an “urban heat island” (UHI) effect, which is intensified during heat waves. The lack of dense networks of air temperature measurements results in few studies on urban heat. Now, a vast amount of high spatial and temporal satellite data on land surface temperature is available. We identified satellite datasets with the longest surface temperature records but different spatial and temporal resolutions: Landsat (1985-current, biweekly at 60 m and 100 m spatial resolution) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data from the Terra and Aqua satellites (2000-current, daily at 1 km spatial resolution). We investigated how satellites with different spatial and temporal resolutions detect UHI effects differently. We hypothesized that 1) a dataset’s spatial resolution impacts the precision of detected UHIs spatially, since high spatial resolution Landsat data better captures spatial variability in temperature, and 2) daily surface temperature data can detect temporal patterns of UHIs and heatwave frequencies. We analyzed Landsat and MODIS satellite data in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore region. We found that Landsat describes higher spatial variability of the UHI effect than MODIS data. However, MODIS data shows more consistent seasonal surface temperature patterns than Landsat when compared to in situ air temperature measurements. MODIS data was also able to consistently measure the frequency of heat waves. This study demonstrates the value of NASA satellite data for urban heat and climate change studies.

landsat↗
DOE OSTI2026

AT2025ulz and S250818k: Leveraging DESI Spectroscopy in the Hunt for a Kilonova Associated with a Subsolar-mass Gravitational-wave Candidate

On 2025 August 18, the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA collaboration reported a subthreshold gravitational-wave candidate detection consistent with a subsolar-mass neutron star merger, denoted S250818k. An optical transient, AT2025ulz, was discovered within the localization region. AT2025ulz initially appeared to meet the expected behavior of kilonova emission, the telltale signature of a binary neutron star merger. The transient subsequently rebrightened after ∼5 days and was classified as a Type IIb supernova. In this work, we analyze the observations of its host galaxy obtained by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). From the DESI spectrum, we obtain a secure redshift of z = 0.084840 ± 0.000006. If S250818k has an astrophysical origin, this places the transient within 2σ of the gravitational-wave distance and results in an integral overlap between the gravitational-wave alert and the transient location of log 10 $\mathcal{I} ≈ 3.9 - 4.2$. Our analysis of the host galaxy’s spectral energy distribution reveals a star-forming, dusty galaxy with stellar mass ∼10 10 M ⊙ , broadly consistent with the population of both short gamma-ray bursts and core-collapse supernova host galaxies. We also present our follow-up of DESI-selected candidate host galaxies using the Fraunhofer Telescope at the Wendelstein Observatory, and show the promise of DESI for associating or rejecting candidate electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational-wave alerts. These results emphasize the value of DESI’s extensive spectroscopic dataset in rapidly characterizing host galaxies, enabling spectroscopic host subtraction, and guiding targeted follow-up.

Hall, Xander J. [Carnegie Mellon University, Pitts↗
DOE OSTI2026

Peptoid-Based Nanosheets Exhibiting Broad Antiviral Activity Against Enveloped RNA Viruses

Enveloped RNA viruses, such as Influenza A (H1N1) and Sindbis virus, pose persistent global health threats due to their high mutation rates, efficient transmission, and frequent drug resistance. By mimicking host cell membrane receptors, multivalent virus inhibitors can block viral attachment, making them promising broad-spectrum antiviral agents. However, most of existing antivirals are often limited by strain specificity, short-lived efficacy, and toxicity. Here, we introduce a broad-spectrum antiviral platform based on highly tunable and biocompatible two-dimensional nanomembranes (2DNMs) self-assembled from amphiphilic peptoids, operating via a non-genomic, mutation-insensitive mechanism. By varying peptoid sequence, we design and synthesize over twenty different 2DNMs with various surface charge and high density of viral-attachment ligands (VALs). The self-assembled architecture of these stable 2DNMs provides cooperative noncovalent multivalent binding to virus particles that result in effective inhibition of viral infection. Screening of variants identified three leads that potently suppressed Influenza A (H1N1) and Sindbis virus infection across median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50), plaque, RT–qPCR, and immunofluorescence assays, while maintaining >90% cell viability. These nanosheets significantly reduced infectious titers, viral RNA replication, and intracellular viral protein expression, indicating inhibition at early stages of viral entry and propagation. The sequence programmability, chemical robustness, and mutation-insensitive antiviral activity distinguish 2DNMs from traditional antivirals and positions them as a versatile materials platform for antiviral coatings, protective barriers, and prophylactic biomedical applications.

Influenza A virus↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigating the Combustion Performance of Dual Fuel Combustion with Diesel and Port Injected Hydrogen in a Large Bore Locomotive Engine

The heavy-duty transportation sector has primarily relied on conventional diesel combustion engines given their reliability and high thermal efficiency relative to spark ignition engines, but increased focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has led to investigation into alternative fuels. Gaseous hydrogen fuel has garnered a great deal of recent interest in the engine community given it has zero carbon, but hydrogen is not available at the scale and cost that petroleum fuels are currently available, and this is a barrier to adoption for industries that are looking to decarbonize their operations. Because of the fuel flexibility provided, dual fuel technology offers a pathway for some industries to adopt hydrogen as a fuel source while maintaining sufficient flexibility in times and locations where the new fuel is not yet available. This computational study investigates dual fuel combustion in a large bore locomotive engine architecture using direct injected diesel and port injected gaseous hydrogen fuel. With an optimal port fuel injection configuration from previous work, simulations of varying substitution ratio, compression ratio, manifold air temperature, diesel injection timing, and diesel injection pressure were performed to understand their effect on combustion performance. Results indicated that both increased substitution ratio and higher intake air temperature accelerates hydrogen flame propagation and can result in high peak cylinder pressures. Additionally, diesel injection timing and injection pressure were demonstrated as effective methods for controlling dual fuel combustion heat release rates.

ODonnell, Patrick Christopher↗
NASA NTRS1989

Up-and-Coming IMCs

While the good oxidation and environmental resistance, high melting points, and comparatively low densities of such ordered intermetallics as Ti 3 Al, NiAl, FeAl, and NbAl 3 render them good candidates for advanced aerospace structures, their poor toughness at low temperatures and low strength at elevated temperatures have prompted the development of fiber-reinforced intermetallic-matrix composites (IMCs) with more balanced characteristics. Fabrication methods for continuous-fiber IMCs under development include the P/M 'powder cloth' method, the foil/fiber method, and thermal spraying. The ultimate success of IMCs depends on fibers truly compatible with the matrix materials.

Randy Bowman↗
NASA NTRS2026

Proactive Wildfire Management: A Remote Sensing and Multimodal CNN-MLP Architecture for Ignition Risk Forecasting

As the frequency and intensity of wildfires increase, with fire seasons now starting earlier and ending later than they have over the past decades, current monitoring systems, such as lookout towers and satellites, are hindered by cloud cover, low-resolution imagery, and static data gaps that fail to track vegetation moisture levels fast enough to catch rapid pre-ignition changes. This report proposes a Machine Learning-enabled Wildfire Ignition Prediction framework that combines satellite monitoring with dynamic and high-resolution remote sensing from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) swarms. The method would use multispectral and thermal data from the Landsat program to create a baseline for vegetation health, calculating a two-band Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI2) and the moisture content of the vegetation. These inputs will later be fused with microscale UAV weather data, including thermal hotspots found through thick canopies, hyperspectral chemical signatures of pre-visual combustion, and local weather streams. The multispectral satellite, multispectral Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and thermal data would then be processed through a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), alongside a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) for the micro-weather telemetry. The outputs of these networks would be fused into a single feature representation and passed through a final prediction network to generate real-time ignition risk scores and hotspot alerts. Model performance would be assessed using standard classification metrics, including a Receiver Operating Characteristic - Area Under the Curve (ROC AUC) and F1 score. This system would allow first responders to identify high-risk zones and intervene before ignition occurs, improving emergency response time compared to current approaches.

machine learning↗
NASA NTRS2019

International Space Station Lithium-Ion Battery Status

When originally launched, the International Space Station (ISS) primary Electric Power System (EPS) used Nickel-Hydrogen (Ni-H2) batteries to store electrical energy. The electricity for the space station is generated by its solar arrays, which charge batteries during insolation for subsequent discharge during eclipse. The Ni-H2 batteries were designed to operate for ten years at a 35% depth of discharge (DOD) maximum during normal operation in a Low Earth Orbit. For service beyond that period, upgraded Li-Ion Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs) were designed. These are the largest Li-Ion batteries ever utilized for a human rated spacecraft. The first set of six Ni-H2 batteries was replaced by Li-Ion batteries in December 2016; the second set of six was launched in September 2018 and installed in March 2019. The third set of six were launched in September 2019. Three batteries were installed in September 2019, with the remaining three to be installed in January 2020. This paper will include a brief overview of the ISS Li-Ion battery system architecture, start up of the second and third set of 6 batteries and the on-orbit status of all 18 batteries, plus the status of the Li-Ion cell life testing.

Lithium-Ion↗
DOE OSTI2025

Chlorine isotope separations using thermal diffusion

In a chloride molten salt fast reactor (Cl-MSFR), the fuel salt might be comprised of a specific eutectic composition of alkali and alkaline chlorides that solubilize major and minor actinide chlorides as the fertile component(s). Each of the chloride species contain the natural abundance ( 35 Cl ~76% and 37 Cl ~24%) of the two stable isotopes of chlorine 35 Cl and 37 Cl. There has been an ongoing controversy for the operation of the Cl-MSFRs concerning the potential of the 35 Cl(n,γ) 36 Cl, 35 Cl(n,p) 35 S, 35 Cl(n,α) 32 S reactions to produce 36 Cl, 32 S, and 32 P at relevant energies [Bulmer 1956]. The undesirable attributes of irradiated 35 Cl are enumerated further below.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Netload Range Cost Curves for Coordinated Transmission-Distribution Planning Under DER Growth Uncertainty

The increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) requires better coordination between transmission and distribution (T&D) planning to ensure system security and cost efficiency. However, misaligned planning horizons, computational burdens, and privacy concerns hinder effective coordination, leading to either underutilized resources caused by overinvestments or reliability risks due to underinvestment. To address this challenge, we introduce netload range cost curves (NRCCs), a novel approach for managing long-term DER growth uncertainty through T&D coordination, while preserving existing data-sharing and regulatory structures. NRCCs provide pairs of (i) peak substation netload guarantees and (ii) corresponding distribution upgrade options and costs, enabling their seamless integration into transmission planning workflows. To compute NRCCs efficiently, we develop a transmission-aware distribution network planning (TADNP), which is subsequently integrated to an iterative computation procedure. These NRCCs are then embedded into an NRCC-informed transmission planning model to enable resource-efficient coordination. We illustrate our proposed approach with a case study based on realistic distribution and transmission systems in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Our results indicate the possibility of dramatic savings in transmission investments by incorporating the proposed NRCC-integrated T&D coordination framework.

Li, Yujia↗
NASA NTRS1958

Turbojet Lift Engine Design for Vtol Transports

The pure hoverjet, utilizing separate turbojet engines for lift and cruise phases of flight, is an interesting high speed VTOL transport airplane configuration. The results of a brief analysis are presented with the intent to: (I) define the effects of some general powerplant installation and operating variables on VTOL transport performance; (2) indicate desirable turbojet lift engine design characteristics with respect to compressor pressure ratio, turbine inlet temperature, component efficiencies and thrust augmentation; and (3) examine the unique lift engine operating requirements for feasible ways of reducing engine specific weight. The figure of merit used to gauge airplane performance is airplane range.

M J Saari↗
NASA NTRS1992

Science questions for the Magellan continuing mission

Magellan has completed two mapping cycles around the planet Venus, returning high resolution synthetic aperture images and altimetry data of over 95 percent of the planet's surface. Venus is dominated by low lying volcanic plains with an impact crater population indicating an average surface age of about 500 million years. Highland regions either tend to be characterized by volcanic shield complexes and rifting or by complex ridged terrain. Successful as the primary mission of Magellan has been, significant scientific questions remain to be addressed with imaging and gravity data that will be collected over the next several years.

Saunders, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Thrust Chamber Thermal Barrier Coating Techniques

Methods for applying thermal barrier coatings to the hot-gas side wall of rocket thrust chambers in order to significantly reduce the heat transfer in high heat flux regions has been the focus of technology efforts for many years. A successful technique developed by NASA-Lewis that starts with the coating on a mandrel and then builds the thrust chamber around it by electroforming appropriate materials is described. This results in a smooth coating with exceptional adherence, as was demonstrated in hot fire rig tests. The low cycle fatigue life of chambers with coatings applied in this manner was increased dramatically compared to uncoated chambers.

Richard J Quentmeyer↗
DOE OSTI2026

Activation dynamics of a water-soluble human mu-opioid receptor

The mu-opioid receptor (MOR), a class A G protein-coupled receptor mediates opioid analgesia and remains a central target for pain therapeutics. While crystal structures of MOR exist, they provide limited insight into the receptor’s dynamic conformational landscape underlying function. Here, we engineered a thermostable water-soluble MOR variant (wsMOR) that retains native-like ligand-binding and activation dynamics. This variant enables high-yield production and detailed solution-phase structural studies that are challenging with membrane-embedded MOR, providing a valuable tool for studying receptor activation and aqueous-phase drug screening. Using a combined computational and experimental approach, we performed long-timescale all-atom molecular dynamics simulations together with neutron scattering and single-molecule FRET, revealing a structurally stable receptor with a diverse ensemble of conformations at different temporal resolutions. In the ligand-free state, wsMOR displayed high conformational flexibility, which decreased upon agonist binding, particularly in transmembrane helix 6, a hallmark of G protein-coupled receptor activation. Positive allosteric modulation and G protein binding further stabilized active-like states. These findings highlight wsMOR’s conformational plasticity across picosecond to millisecond timescales and provide a foundation for structure-guided development of next-generation opioid ligands with improved efficacy and safety.

E, Agyemang [University of Tennessee Knoxville]↗
NASA NTRS2026

X-Ray Polarization From the Atoll 4U 1735−44 Suggests a Low Inclination

X-ray polarimetry is a new tool capable of probing the geometry of accretion onto weakly magnetized neutron stars. Here we present the first X-ray spectro-polarimetric results from coordinated observations of the atoll source 4U 1735−44, conducted with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), NICER, and NuSTAR . Over the 2–8 keV energy range, we obtained a marginal detection of polarization with the polarization degree of 1.4% ± 0.7% and polarization angle of −29◦ ± 14◦, corresponding to a 3σ upper limit on the polarization degree of 3.5%. The best-fit model to describe the spectrum comprises a thermal component associated with the accretion disk, a Comptonized black body component, and a relativistic reflection component. From the reflection model, we infer a disk inclination of ∼40◦. The spectroscopic and polarimetric properties of 4U 1735−44 are consistent with those observed in other atoll sources studied by IXPE, with its low polarization likely due to its low inclination

X-rays: binaries↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization and Analysis of an Open Rotor Stage: Part 1

Successful design of open rotor propulsors requires effective analysis across multiple disciplines, including aerodynamics, acoustics, and structures. A viable design must not only be efficient but must also produce an acceptable level of noise and meet all static and dynamic structural requirements. For design and optimization, this is especially challenging because running high fidelity analyses is resource-intensive, and optimizing a design may require many thousands of cases to be analyzed. For this reason, the NASA team has applied design methodology that utilizes low-cost aerodynamic methods, machine learning models, and high-fidelity analyses when necessary. This includes standard two-dimensional methods such as throughflow analysis and quasi-3D blade-to-blade CFD, as well as some newly developed methods. Optimization using 3D CFD is necessary to maximize performance, and this is considered as well. All optimizations are carried out subject to structural constraints evaluated using finite element analysis. Doing this accurately requires a robust trunnion design, capable of pitching the blade between cruise and takeoff conditions while maintaining acceptable factor of safety. Hot to cold analysis must also be applied in order to correctly determine the as-manufactured shape. For acoustics, the unsteady pressures on the blade surfaces must be predicted, and this can be done either through full-annulus unsteady CFD or through a nonlinear harmonic method (NLH). NLH can run much faster, allowing some acoustic considerations to be made earlier in the design process. The design process is ongoing, and this presentation will review the current status and planned next steps. This part of the talk will focus on aerodynamic performance and be followed by a talk on structures and acoustics.

Design↗
DOE OSTI2024

Signatures of a spin-active interface and a locally enhanced Zeeman field in a superconductor-chiral material heterostructure

A localized Zeeman field, intensified at heterostructure interfaces, could play a crucial role in a broad area including spintronics and unconventional superconductors. Conventionally, the generation of a local Zeeman field is achieved through magnetic exchange coupling with a magnetic material. However, magnetic elements often introduce defects, which could weaken or destroy superconductivity. Alternatively, the coupling between a superconductor with strong spin-orbit coupling and a nonmagnetic chiral material could serve as a promising approach to generate a spin-active interface. Here, we leverage an interface superconductor, namely, induced superconductivity in noble metal surface states, to probe the spin-active interface. Our results unveil an enhanced interface Zeeman field, which selectively closes the surface superconducting gap while preserving the bulk superconducting pairing. The chiral material, i.e., trigonal tellurium, also induces Andreev bound states (ABS) exhibiting spin polarization. The field dependence of ABS manifests a substantially enhanced interface Landég-factor (g eff ~ 12), thereby corroborating the enhanced interface Zeeman energy.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Review of the Influence of Processing Parameters on ODS Steels Produced via Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Abstract This paper reviews current observations regarding processing conditions for oxide dispersion-strengthened steels consolidated through additive manufacturing techniques. Variations in ODS steels observed across process parameters include changes in grain size, grain texture, oxide size, density of oxides, porosity, melt pool characteristics, and mechanical properties. These properties were then compared across techniques to understand which techniques and processing conditions lead to the highest strength, ductility, and oxide density. Current literature suggests that a mix of grain types, in the form of either morphology or phase, can significantly increase the strength of printed ODS steels. Meanwhile, the most ductile samples, regardless of consolidation technique or matrix material, were made from feedstock with oxide additions located on the powder surface. Reported grain and oxide sizes were plotted against the ratio of laser power to scan speed, volumetric energy density, and normalized enthalpy. No strong correlation between these values and microstructural features was observed. The plots that were made suggest that a larger data set, more in-depth representative equations, and more defined material properties as a function of specific feedstock used are necessary to determine a value that can be correlated to the printed ODS steel microstructure.

deJong, Matthew↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Effect of Barely Visible Impact Damage on Thermoplastic Welded Structure

Spirit Aerosystems recently conducted screening tests on thermoplastic skin/stringer panels manufactured with Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and stamp forming which were joined using Spirit’s Co-Fusion process. Skin and stringer gauge were both set to 0.168 cm. The resulting panel design is 48 cm tall, 49 cm wide, and has 3 stringers welded at a 21.5 cm pitch. Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID) and Residual Compressive Strength were chosen to conduct a damage tolerance study. Zee stringers, made with IM8/PEKK-FC material, were Co-Fusion welded to a T1100/TC1225 skin. Out of these 5 panels, 1 was chosen to be a BVID survey panel, 1 for pristine compressive strength determination, and 3 to be impacted to create BVID followed by testing for residual compressive strength. On the survey panel, impacts ranged in energy from 40J – 65J and dent depth measurements were conducted at 24 hours, 48 hours, and two weeks after impacting. The residual compressive strength panel failed near the predicted load of 214 MPa. For the residual compressive strength panels, BVID was created at two different mid-bay locations: 1) striking the OML coincident with the stringer and 2) striking the skin IML 2.5 cm away from the stringer flange. Pulse Echo Ultrasonic Testing was used to inspect the panels before and after creating BVID.

HiCAM↗