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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 19 records

Electrical Shock During Phone Assisted Troubleshooting of Laboratory Equipment

We report researchers have the potential to be exposed to a wide variety of hazards inherent to the equipment they use and maintain. When equipment does not function as expected, researchers sometimes reach out to their vendors for assistance. Early diagnostic or troubleshooting interactions between researcher and vendor are often conducted over the telephone and can lead to researchers performing work outside of their area of expertise and exposure to unknown hazards. This type of interaction significantly contributed to an incident where during diagnostic activities a researcher accidentally contacted, and discharged, a capacitor in an X-ray diffraction instrument. While this incident did not produce a serious injury, if the capacitor discharge path had occurred hand-to-hand across the heart, a serious injury may have been possible.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Life Sciences Laboratory Equipment Catalog

A composite inventory of equipment available from the Ames Research Center for microgravity experiments using the Shuttle Transportation System (STS) Middeck and Spacelab is provided.

Source record↗

MidSouth/Southeast BioEnergy Consortium DE-FG3608GO88036 Final Report

GO88036 project was conducted at three universities: Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas and University of Georgia from 2009 to 2012, and University of Arkansas from 2012 to 2014. The funds were used at all three universities to build capacity: 1) infrastructure, such as purchase of laboratory equipment and laboratory set-up; and, 2) agronomic capabilities, including the establishment of field trials and acquisition of harvesting equipment. This infrastructure was critical to ramping bioenergy activities at all three universities. Thermochemical and biochemical conversion were investigated; algal, woody, annual and perennial herbaceous energy crops were established and monitored; educational and outreach events were organized; co-product production and extraction were investigated; and, the nutritional qualities of biorefinery coproducts were evaluated. Funding from this project enabled 15 graduate students to submit PhD or MSc level theses; publication of one book and six book chapters; generation of 19 published abstracts; production of three lay press articles; and, dissemination of 31 peer-reviewed articles in good quality scientific journals.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

ANALYTICAL LABORATORY AT IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY COUNTING EQUIPMENT STANDARDIZATION AND QUALITY CONTROL IMPROVEMENT

The Analytical Laboratory at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a growing program with an emphasis on providing high quality results to customers, and an increasing focus on independent research. The Analytical Laboratory Counting Group has a number of capabilities: six gamma-ray counters, one gamma-ray sample changer, four gas flow proportional counter drawers, an auto-changing gas flow proportional counter, two liquid scintillation counters, and an alpha spectroscopy system. Other capabilities within the Analytical Laboratory include quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), high resolution ICP-MS, multi-collector ICP-MS, ICP atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), gas mass spectrometry, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), several glove boxes and fume hoods for sample preparation, and six interconnected hot cells for sample receipt and dissolution. In order to position the Analytical Laboratory as a world-class research institution, the Counting Group has recently begun making improvements to its analytical techniques, calibrations, standardization, and quality control procedures. A large part of this effort is to increase the level of documentation of instrument work. One project is to re-calibrate all of the gamma systems with newly purchased standards. One of the changes made in the purchase of the new standards was to lower the total activity so that the dead time of the calibration would more closely match the dead time of typical samples. Similarly, another planned project is to use new standards to re-calibration the gas flow proportional counters. Additional work has focused on testing and improving alpha spectroscopy sample preparation techniques. Plutonium separations have been tested to improve tracer recovery and to verify the separation technique in the presence of typical sample matrices. A final planned area of improvements has focused on liquid scintillation counting. One difficulty the Counting Group has encountered in liquid scintillation counting is an inflated gross alpha count relative to other analysis methods in the presence of high gross beta activity. Ideas include investigating the impact of choice of scintillation cocktail, as well as the effects of sample dilution.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Laboratory on the Moon: Equipping and Testing of a Habitat Laboratory for the Scientific Exploration of the Moon by Humans

A human habitat on the Moon is predestined to house a laboratory, especially if it is built for scientific missions on the Moon. This laboratory could be used for (1) conducting experiments utilizing the lunar gravity and prepare experiments to be placed outside the laboratory in the lunar environment, (2) conducting analyses of lunar rock and regolith in high volume, and (3) performing preliminary analyses and screening of samples to be sent to Earth for more detailed, specialized analysis. In the past, spaceflight missions have often been implemented by adding scientific instruments after most of the engineering work is already finished, limiting scientific studies to relatively scattered, insular topics. However, if prepared appropriately, a research laboratory on the Moon can help address scientific questions thoroughly and at a fundamental level. Moreover, the challenge of creating a viable habitat is not only an engineering one, but one that requires input from architects, designers, and psychologists. After all, the crew not only works inside the habitat laboratory, but they spend (close to) their entire time on the Moon inside the habitat and under the isolation and confinement that comes with it. We combine science, engineering, and architecture to create a habitat laboratory that meets their conflicting requirements: The laboratory of the Moon and Mars Base Analog (MaMBA) has been designed with inputs from (1) scientists of selected disciplines, particularly geology, materials science, chemistry, biology, and medicine, (2) space architects specializing on extraterrestrial bases, and (3) engineers for the constraints imposed by the lunar environment. The MaMBA laboratory was built in 2019 into the mock-up of the first MaMBA module (out of six). Subsequently, the laboratory was tested by volunteer scientists for its usability. The scientists used the laboratory for work deemed representative of lunar scientific analyses; the complete test runs lasted one week each, with one test run in June 2019 and the second test run in late September 2019 following some modifications suggested by the scientists. Here, we will present an overview of the scientific topics that we think should be addressed on the Moon, together with a suggestion of scientific instrumentation that would be helpful for such investigations. Moreover, we present the MaMBA laboratory, equipped with the proposed instrumentation, and the outcomes of the test runs with a particular focus on the lessons learned regarding the equipping of the laboratory.

Christiane Heinicke↗

LSA silicon material task closed-cycle process development

The initial effort on feasibility of the closed cycle process was begun with the design of the two major items of untested equipment, the silicon tetrachloride by product converter and the rotary drum reactor for deposition of silicon from trichlorosilane. The design criteria of the initial laboratory equipment included consideration of the reaction chemistry, thermodynamics, and other technical factors. Design and construction of the laboratory equipment was completed. Preliminary silicon tetrachloride conversion experiments confirmed the expected high yield of trichlorosilane, up to 98 percent of theoretical conversion. A preliminary solar-grade polysilicon cost estimate, including capital costs considered extremely conservative, of $6.91/kg supports the potential of this approach to achieve the cost goal. The closed cycle process appears to have a very likely potential to achieve LSA goals.

Roques, R. A.↗

Planning for life sciences research in space

Invitations to participate in planning the NASA Life Sciences Program in Space were mailed to members of the Life Sciences community at large during April 1975. The invitation is related to current planning for Life Sciences research in space during the 1980's, taking into account a use of the Space Shuttle, Spacelab, and the unmanned Biological Experiments Scientific Satellite (BESS). A response form to be completed and returned to NASA by the scientists included questions requesting suggestions on topics-for-research, laboratory equipment, and test specimens. A description of the invitation results is presented, taking into account general response, respondent specialties, laboratory equipment, test specimens, and research objectives. Attention is also given to an Announcement of Opportunities (AO) for the Space Transportation System. The AO was issued by the Office of Space Science in March 1976.

Mallory, K. M., Jr.↗

Size–strain separation in diffraction line profile analysis

Separation of size and strain effects on diffraction line profiles has been studied in a round robin involving laboratory instruments and synchrotron radiation beamlines operating with different radiation, optics, detectors and experimental configurations. The studied sample, an extensively ball milled iron alloy powder, provides an ideal test case, as domain size broadening and strain broadening are of comparable size. The high energy available at some synchrotron radiation beamlines provides the best conditions for an accurate analysis of the line profiles, as the size–strain separation clearly benefits from a large number of Bragg peaks in the pattern; high counts, reliable intensity values in low-absorption conditions, smooth background and data collection at different temperatures also support the possibility to include diffuse scattering in the analysis, for the most reliable assessment of the line broadening effect. However, results of the round robin show that good quality information on domain size distribution and microstrain can also be obtained using standard laboratory equipment, even when patterns include relatively few Bragg peaks, provided that the data are of good quality in terms of high counts and low and smooth background.

Scardi, P. (ORCID:0000000310973917)↗

Apparatus analysis and preliminary design of low gravity porous solids experiment for STS Orbiter mid-deck

The apparatus analysis laboratory equipment design and fabrication and the preliminary design of the Combustion of Porous Solids Experiment for operation in the mid-deck area of the Shuttle are described. The apparatus analysis indicated that the mid-deck region of the STS was a feasible region of the Shuttle for operation. A sixteen tube concept was developed with tubes of 75 cm length and up to 5.6 cm accommodated. The experiment is viewed by IR sensors and a 16 mm camera. Laboratory equipment was designed and fabricated to test the parible injection, mixing and venting concepts. This equipment was delivered to NASA/LeRC. A preliminary design was made for the experiment based upon the apparatus analysis. The design incorporated results from the Phase ""O'' Safety Review. This design utilizes a closed tube concept in which the particles are stored, injected and burned with no coupling to the Shuttle environment. Drawings of the major components and an assembly are given. The electronics are described for the experiment. An equipment list is presented and an experiment weight estimate is determined. The mission operation requirements are outlined.

Fleeter, R. D.↗

Reservoir Stimulation Optimization with Operational Monitoring for Creation of EGS

EGS field projects have not sustained production at rates greater than ½ of what is needed for economic viability. The primary limitation that makes commercial EGS infeasible is our current inability to cost-effectively create high-permeability reservoirs from impermeable, igneous rock within the 3,000-10,000 ft depth range. Our goal is to develop a novel fracturing fluid technology that maximizes reservoir permeability while reducing stimulation cost and environmental impact. Laboratory equipment development to advance laboratory characterization/monitoring is also a priority of this project to study and optimize the physicochemical properties of these fracturing fluids in a range of reservoir conditions. Barrier G is the primarily intended GTO barrier to be addressed as well as support addressing barriers D, E and I.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Reservoir Stimulation Optimization with Operational Monitoring for Creation of EGS

EGS field projects have not sustained production at rates greater than ½ of what is needed for economic viability. The primary limitation that makes commercial EGS infeasible is our current inability to cost-effectively create high-permeability reservoirs from impermeable, igneous rock within the 3,000-10,000 ft depth range. Our goal is to develop a novel fracturing fluid technology that maximizes reservoir permeability while reducing stimulation cost and environmental impact. Laboratory equipment development to advance laboratory characterization/monitoring is also a priority of this project to study and optimize the physicochemical properties of these fracturing fluids in a range of reservoir conditions. Barrier G is the primarily intended GTO barrier to be addressed as well as support addressing barriers D, E and I.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Mitigation for the demolition of building 25-3124,equipment testing laboratory, area 25, Nevada national security site, NYE county, Nevada

The purpose of this letter report is to document the mitigation of adverse effects of a proposed undertaking that would demolish Building 25-3124 in Area 25 of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) in compliance with the terms of the 2024 Programmatic Agreement among the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Concerning the Protection of Historic Properties on the Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada (NNSS PA). Building 25-3124 (State Historic Preservation Office [SHPO] Resource # B19009) is a contributing element to the Nuclear Rocket Development Station (NRDS) Historic District (SHPO Resource # D424), which has been determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criteria A, B, C, and D (Reno et al. 2023). The proposed demolition constitutes an adverse effect. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO) consulted with the SHPO on an adverse effect finding for the undertaking and notified the SHPO of its intent to use the standard mitigation in the NNSS PA on December 11, 2024 (Julian to Reed). The SHPO concurred on December 30, 2024 (Reed to Julian). Therefore, NNSA/NFO has prepared mitigation pursuant to the standard mitigation in the NNSS PA Appendix D.I.A for contributing elements to recorded, NRHP-eligible districts.

#B19009↗