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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

McGrath, Alaska Community Energy Plan [Slides]

The US Department of Energy's Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) works alongside remote and island communities seeking to transform their energy systems and increase energy resilience. The City of McGrath took part in the ETIPP program in 2023-2024. As part of the project, community members formed the McGrath Energy Committee, made up of residents and local stakeholder organizations. The McGrath Energy Committee then worked with technical advisors from regional associations, university programs, and national labs to conduct a baseline energy assessment of the community, organize a community energy education series, identify key focus areas relevant to McGrath, explore funding opportunities, and create the McGrath Community Energy Plan. This plan serves as a foundational guide for future energy projects in the community, aligned with McGrath's long-term energy goal: "to be a catalyst to encourage energy resiliency in our community and the Upper Kuskokwim Region." - November 2024.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

McGrath Community Energy Planning

The City of McGrath, a remote Alaskan community reliant on diesel fuel, developed a Community Energy Plan through the Energy Technologies Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) to address high energy costs, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and long-term sustainability. Guided by community-led priorities and technical assistance from partners including NREL, REAP, and ANTHC, the plan identifies eight focus areas: distribution system upgrades, solar and battery integration, river energy potential, emergency backup power, housing efficiency, water system losses, independent power producer models, and targeted funding strategies. The plan combines local knowledge with technical analysis to chart a path toward a more resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy future for McGrath.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2026

Technical Assistance for McGrath, Alaska

McGrath, Alaska, worked with the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) to develop its first community energy plan. The plan provides a roadmap for reducing dependence on expensive imported fuel, improving energy reliability, and setting the stage for new energy integration.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2013

The Ultraviolet Albedo of Ganymede

A large set of ultraviolet images of Ganymede have been acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope over the last 15 years. These images have been used almost exclusively to study Ganymede's stunning auroral emissions (Feldman et al. 2000; Eviatar et al. 2001; McGrath et al. 2004; Saur et al. 2011; McGrath et al. 2013), and even the most basic information about Ganymede's UV albedo has yet to be gleaned from these data. We will present a first-cut analysis of both disk-averaged and spatially-resolved UV albedos of Ganymede, with focus on the spatially-resolved Lyman-alpha albedo, which has never been considered previously for this satellite. Ganymede's visibly bright regions are known to be rich in water ice, while the visibly dark regions seem to be more carbonaceous (Carlson et al., 1996). At Lyman-alpha, these two species should also have very different albedo values.

McGrath, Melissa↗
NASA NTRS1995

The effect of plasma heating on sublimation-driven flow in Io's atmosphere

The atmospheric flow on Io is numerically computed in a flat 2-D axisymmetric geometry for a sublimation atmosphere on the trailing hemisphere subjected to plasma bombardment, UV heating, and IR cooling. Calculations are performed for subsolar vapor pressures of approximately 6.5 x 10(exp -3) Pa (approximately 3 x 10(exp 18) SO2/sq cm) and 6.8 x 10(exp -4) Pa (approximately 4 x 10(exp 17) SO2/sq cm); the latter approximates the vapor pressure of F. P. Fanale et al. (1982). The amount of plasma energy deposited in the atmosphere is 20% of the plasma flow energy due to corotation (J. A. Linker et al., 1988). It is found that plasma heating significantly inflates the upper atmosphere, increasing both the exobase altitude and the amount of surface covered by more than an exospheric column of gas. This in turn controls the supply of the Io plasma torus (M. A. McGrath and R. E. Johnson, 1987). The horizontal flow of mass and energy is also important in determining the exobase altitude; and it is shown that IR cooling can be important, although our use of the equilibrium, cool-to-space approximation for a pure SO2 gas (E. Lellouch et al., 1992) may overestimate this effect. The calculated exobase altitudes are somewhat lower than those suggested by McGrath and Johnson (1987) for supplying the torus, indicating the details of the plasma energy deposition and sputter ejection rate near the exobase, as well as the IR emission from this region need to be examined. In addition, the molecules sublimed (or sputtered) from the surface are transported to the exobase in times short compared to the molecular photodissociation time. Therefore, the exobase is dominated by molecular species and the exobase is supplied by a small region of the surface.

Wong, Mau C.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Space Exploration

Space exploration is an endeavor that has universal appeal, is far reaching in its consequences, crossing borders and spanning intellectual disciplines from art to literature to mathematics, with a purpose and reach that can potentially unite. To enhance awareness and strengthen cooperation within the space community, and provide inspiration for new activities, Dr. McGrath will provide a brief glimpse into a few of the exciting space exploration activities currently being undertaken by NASA.

McGrath, Melissa A.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Aurora on Ganymede

Jupiter's largest satellite Ganymede is unique because it possesses an internal magnetic field strong enough to create a small magnetosphere around the satellite. The interaction between Ganymede's magentosphere and the Jovian magnetic field and magnetospheric plasma generates classic polar auroral emissions from Ganymede which have been captured in a series of stunning ultraviolet images using the Hubble Space Telescope on six different dates from 1998 to 2012. Analysis of these images (McGrath et al. 2013) has provided a nearly global mapping of the location of Ganymede's auroral ovals, which appear to be remarkably stable in the 14 years spanning the observations. The location of the auroral ovals is compared with several model predictions of the boundary between open and closed magnetic field lines (Koop and Ip 2002; Khurana et al. 2007; Jia et al. 2009), a region where strong field aligned potentials are a likely candidate to accelerate electrons that produce the auroral emissions. The location of the auroral emission is also compared with the polar cap boundary on Ganymede, thought to be produced by charged particle bombardment of the polar region, as delineated by color ratio images acquired by the Galileo mission (Khurana et al. 2007).

McGrath, Melissa A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Generation of a parallel X-ray beam and its use for testing collimators

A technique is described, by which a glass strip may be bent to match any curve of large radius of curvature, to a high degree of accuracy, so that it may be used as a glancing incidence X-ray or extreme ultraviolet optical element. The desired match is obtained by applying the optimum combination of end couples and by varying the cross-sectional moment of inertia along the length of the strip. A particular case, that of a parabola for use as a laboratory X-ray collimator, is considered in detail. The analysis predicts that a collimation of one or two arc seconds should be obtainable in practice, with simple and inexpensive apparatus. A prototype collimator to be used for the testing of space payloads using geometric (McGrath) collimators is described and laboratory results presented.

Underwood, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Studies for the Loss of Atomic and Molecular Species from Io

The general objective of this project has been to advance our theoretical understanding of Io's atmosphere and how various atomic and molecular species are lost from this atmosphere and are distributed in the circumplanetary environment of Jupiter. The scientific objectives of the larger collaborative program between AER, Inc., and the University of Michigan have been to undertake theoretical modeling studies to simulate the distributions of the exospheric gases in Io's corona and extended clouds, to investigate the importance of the various physical processes that shape their relative abundances, and with these tools to analyze observations of O, S and Na obtained by four observers: M.A. McGrath of the Space Telescope Science Institute and G.E. Ballester of the University of Michigan who each have obtained Hubble Space Telescope observations of O and S near Io, F. Scherb who continues an effort to obtain 6300 A OI observations as part of the University of Wisconsin Fabry-Perot program, and N.M. Schneider of the University of Colorado who obtained an extensive set of spectral and spatial observations of the Na emission near Io in the D-lines.

Combi, Michael R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Comet Shoemaker-Levy Impact: Briefing

A panel discussion held on May 18, 1994, about the impact of the P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) comet with Jupiter and its observable effects on Jupiter's atmosphere, rings, satellites, and magnetosphere, is presented. Before the panel discussion animations show the first nuclei impact, collision with Jupiter's night side (5 of the 22 known fragments of P/Shoemaker-Levy 9; N, P2, P1, Q2, and Q1), and simulated views of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet impact with Jupiter (from Earth and Galileo spacecraft) were presented. The panelists are: Dr. Eugene Shoemaker (from Lowell Observatory and US Geological Survey), the moderator and Shoemaker-Levy co-discoverer; Dr. Hal Weaver (from Space Telescope Science Institute); Dr. Lucy McFadden (from University of California-San Diego and the University of Maryland); Dr Melissa McGrath (from Space Telescope Science Institute); and Dr. Heidi Hammel (from Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Topics discussed include: interactions of cometary material with Jupiter's atmosphere, dynamical parameters of Jupiter's troposphere and stratosphere, and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Observations of the SL9 Impacts on Jupiter's Atmosphere.The panel answered some of the audience's questions at the end of the discussion. This video, Part 2 (of 2), is a continuation of Part 1. It presents the second part of the question and answer session and a replay of the animations.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1994

Comet Shoemaker-Levy Impact: Briefing

A panel discussion held on May 18, 1994, about the impact of the P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) comet with Jupiter and its observable effects on Jupiter's atmosphere, rings, satellites, and magnetosphere, is presented. Before the panel discussion animations show the first nuclei impact, collision with Jupiter's night side (5 of the 22 known fragments of P/Shoemaker-Levy 9; N, P2, P1, Q2, and Q1), and simulated views of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet impact with Jupiter (from Earth and Galileo spacecraft) were presented. The panelists are: Dr. Eugene Shoemaker (from Lowell Observatory and US Geological Survey), the moderator and Shoemaker-Levy co-discoverer; Dr. Hal Weaver (from Space Telescope Science Institute); Dr. Lucy McFadden (from University of California-San Diego and the University of Maryland); Dr Melissa McGrath (from Space Telescope Science Institute); and Dr. Heidi Hammel (from Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Topics discussed include: interactions of cometary material with Jupiter's atmosphere, dynamical parameters of Jupiter's troposphere and stratosphere, and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Observations of the SL9 Impacts on Jupiter's Atmosphere.The panel answered some of the audience's questions at the end of the discussion. This video, Part 1 (of 2), presents the panel discussion and part of the question and answer session.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2024

The key role of forest disturbance in reconciling estimates of the northern carbon sink

Northern forests are an important carbon sink, but our understanding of the driving factors is limited due to discrepancies between dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) and atmospheric inversions. We show that DGVMs simulate a 50% lower sink (1.1 ± 0.5 PgC yr –1 over 2001–2021) across North America, Europe, Russia, and China compared to atmospheric inversions (2.2 ± 0.6 PgC yr –1 ). We explain why DGVMs underestimate the carbon sink by considering how they represent disturbance processes, specifically the overestimation of fire emissions, and the lack of robust forest demography resulting in lower forest regrowth rates than observed. We reconcile net sink estimates by using alternative disturbance-related fluxes. We estimate carbon uptake through forest regrowth by combining satellite-derived forest age and biomass maps. We calculate a regrowth flux of 1.1 ± 0.1 PgC yr –1 , and combine this with satellite-derived estimates of fire emissions (0.4 ± 0.1 PgC yr –1 ), land-use change emissions from bookkeeping models (0.9 ± 0.2 PgC yr –1 ), and the DGVM-estimated sink from CO 2 fertilisation, nitrogen deposition, and climate change (2.2 ± 0.9 PgC yr –1 ). The resulting ‘bottom-up’ net flux of 2.1 ± 0.9 PgC yr –1 agrees with atmospheric inversions. The reconciliation holds at regional scales, increasing confidence in our results.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Atomic structure of different surface terminations of polycrystalline ZnPd

The intermetallic compound ZnPd has been found to have desirable characteristics as a catalyst for the steam reforming of methanol. The understanding of the surface structure of ZnPd is important to optimize its catalytic behavior. However, due to the lack of bulk single-crystal samples and the complexity of characterizing surface properties in the available polycrystalline samples using common experimental techniques, all previous surface science studies of this compound have been performed on surface alloy samples formed through thin-film deposition. In this study, we present findings on the chemical and atomic structure of the surfaces of bulk polycrystalline ZnPd studied by a variety of complementary experimental techniques, including scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy electron microscopy (LEEM), photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), and microspot low-energy electron diffraction ( μ -LEED). These experimental techniques, combined with density functional theory (DFT)-based thermodynamic calculations of surface free energy and detachment kinetics at the step edges, confirm that surfaces terminated by atomic layers composed of both Zn and Pd atoms are more stable than those terminated by only Zn or Pd layers. DFT calculations also demonstrate that the primary contribution to the tunneling current arises from Pd atoms, in agreement with the STM results. The formation of intermetallics at surfaces may contribute to the superior catalyst properties of ZnPd over Zn or Pd elemental counterparts. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Interoperable, Inverter - Based Distributed Energy Resources Enable 100% Renewable and Resilient Utility Microgrids

As microgrids transition away from use of conventional generating resources and increasingly rely on renewable resources towards decarbonization goals, it is crucial to evaluate the capability inverter-based resources to provide microgrid stability and resilience. Particularly, microgrids with a high contribution of intermittent solar photo voltaic generation and higher load variability present unique challenges requiring fast voltage and frequency support. At the San Diego Gas & Electric Company(R) (SDG&E(R)) Borrego Springs Microgrid, a battery inverter was upgraded with grid-forming (GFM) capability to serve as island leader, transitioning responsibility away from diesel generators. An interoperable microgrid control scheme was developed, coordinating GFM and grid-following (GFL) inverters. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations using relevant power and controller HIL interfaces between real-time simulators and field equipment are being conducted to de-risk field deployment.

battery energy storage↗
DOE OSTI2025

MCCCS-MN

The MCCCS‒MN (Monte Carlo for Complex Chemical Systems‒Minnesota) software is developed by the Siepmann research group at the University of Minnesota. MCCCS‒MN allows for the simulation of multi-component molecular systems in the canonical, isobaric-isothermal (including constant stress for solids), grand-canonical, semi-grand, and Gibbs (NVT, NPT, and more than two simulation boxes) ensembles. It uses the configurational-bias Monte Carlo method to efficiently sample phase space for linear, branched and cyclic chain molecules, the adiabatic nuclear and electronic sampling Monte Carlo method to treat many-body polarization effects, and the aggregation-volume-bias Monte Carlo algorithm to efficiently sample the spatial distribution of associating molecules. MCCCS-MN employs a molecular representation of the system where force fields contain bonded and non-bonded terms. Funding for the development of MCCCS-MN through grants from the National Science Foundation (simulation of fluid phase equilibria and chromatography) and the Department of Energy (simulation of adsorption equilibria) is gratefully acknowledged.

Siepmann, J.Ilja [University of Minnesota - Twin C↗