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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

A Fast All-Sky Radiation Model for Solar Applications with Narrowband Irradiances on Tilted Surfaces (FARMS-NIT): Part II. The Cloudy-Sky Model

The Fast All-sky Radiation Model for Solar applications with Narrowband Irradiances on Tilted surfaces (FARMSNIT) reported in Part I of this study is enhanced to include the requirements for cloudy-sky conditions. Surface radiances in 2002 narrow-wavelength bands from 0.28 to 4.0 μm are analytically computed by solving the radiative transfer equation for five independent photon paths accounting for clear-sky absorption, Rayleigh scattering, and cloud absorption and scattering. The Simple Model of the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer of Sunshine (SMARTS) is used to provide the optical thickness of the clear-sky atmosphere. Unlike Part I, which approximates the computation of aerosol scattering using the single-scattering phase function, the cloud transmittance and reflectance are efficiently retrieved from a comprehensive look-up table pre-computed by a 32-stream DIScrete Ordinates Radiative Transfer (DISORT) model for possible cloud conditions as well as solar and viewing geometries. A resolution analysis is performed to assess the optimal balance between the computational efficiency and accuracy in the development of the look-up table. Model simulations by DISORT and TMYSPEC are used to evaluate the performance of FARMS-NIT under cloudy-sky conditions. Compared to DISORT, FARMS-NIT yields 2–3% uncertainties on average, but it substantially reduces the computational time because of the independent computation of cloud properties and the implementation of the look-up table. In contrast to TMYSPEC, which uses successive steps to empirically compute plane-of-array (POA) irradiances and spectral irradiances, FARMS-NIT directly solves spectral radiances from the radiative transfer equation, which profoundly increases the accuracy in surface irradiances, especially over inclined photovoltaics (PV) panels.

Xie, Yu↗

NASA EPSCoR Nebraska Preparation Grant: Year 1. Research Cluster: Small Aircraft Transportation System/Nebraska Implementation Template (SATS-NIT)

NASA, the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration, industry stakeholders, and academia have joined forces to pursue the NASA National General Aviation Roadmap leading to a Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS). This strategic undertaking has a 25-year goal to improve air access and bring next-generation technologies to small communities. The envisioned outcome is to improve travel between remote communities and transportation centers in urban areas by utilizing the nation's 5,400 public use general aviation airports. To facilitate this initiative, SATS stakeholders must plan, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive upgrade of public infrastructure within the framework of the national air transportation system. Ultimately, SATS may permit tripling aviation system throughput capacity by tapping the under-utilized airspace and general aviation facilities. The SATS investments, which begin in FY 2001, are designed to support the national goal of doorstep-to-destination travel at four times the speed of highways for the nation's suburban, rural, and remote communities.

Bartle, John R.↗

High Intensity Modal Impedance Tube Development at NASA Langley

A High Intensity Modal Impedance Tube (HIMIT) was developed for evaluation of acoustic liners in a normal incidence, high sound pressure level (SPL), and high frequency environment. Capabilities of the HIMIT are demonstrated here by testing three classes of acoustic liners: a narrow chamber liner, conventional single degree of freedom liners, and over-the-rotor liners. The experimental results are compared to results in NASA Langley's Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) for validation. The Zwikker and Kosten Transmission Line (ZKTL) model is also compared to the HIMIT results for selected configurations to study its applicability at high SPLs and frequencies. The HIMIT and NIT impedance spectra compare favorably up to 3.0 kHz, which is the upper frequency limit of the NIT analysis. The ZKTL model was used at frequencies up to 6.0 kHz and showed great comparison for the entire frequency range tested, indicating that the model may be used at high frequencies when the plane wave mode is dominant.

Chelsea Solano↗

The manned transportation system study - Defining human pathways into space

The Manned Transportation System (MTS) Study, conducted by a NASA-Industry Team (NIT), has developed substantiating data for subsequent NASA decisions on the “right” set of manned transportation elements needed for human access to space. It also provides the framework for detailed definition of those manned transportation elements. Including the next manned transportation system, to be developed. Process and product are presented to inform the aerospace community and subject our approach and conclusions to peer review, NASA/JSC lead the NIT, with participation from KSC, LaRC, MSFC, and NASA/Headquarters, along with six aerospace contractor (Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin Marietta, McDonnell Douglas, and Rockwell). Each major milestone was archived through team consensus. Our mission model was derived from the FY90 Civil Needs Data Base (CNDB) and included flight assignments for Department of Defense (DOD) missions. Identifying and defining architecture evaluation criteria, i.e. attributes, specified the amount and type of data needed for each concept under consideration. Several architectures, each beginning with today’s transportation systems, were defined using representative systems to explore our future options and address specific questions currently being debated. Our solutions are a function of the level of space activity the nation chooses to follow. However, they all emphasize affordability, safety, routineness, and reliability. Finally, key issues associated with our current business practices were challenged and the impact associated with those practices quantified.

NASA Langley Research Center↗

Application of Swept-Sine Excitation for Acoustic Impedance Education

The NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) and Grazing Flow Impedance Tube (GFIT) are regularly employed to characterize the frequency response of acoustic liners through the eduction of their specific acoustic impedance. Both test rigs typically use an acoustic source that produces sine wave signals at discrete frequencies (Stepped-Sine) to educe the impedance. The current work details a novel approach using frequency-swept sine waveforms normalized to a constant sound pressure level for excitation. Determination of the sound pressure level and phase from microphone measurements acquired using swept-sine excitation is performed using a modified Vold-Kalman order tracking filter. Four acoustic liners are evaluated in the NIT and GFIT with both stepped-sine and swept-sine sources. Using these two methods, the educed impedance spectra are shown to compare favorably. However, the new (Swept-Sine) approach provides much greater frequency resolution in less time, allowing the acoustic liner properties to be studied in much greater detail.

Howerton, Brian M.↗

Evaluation of Variable Facesheet Liner Configurations for Broadband Noise Reduction

This paper investigates the broadband noise reduction properties of a distributed (variable) facesheet liner. Candidate uniform samples are selected using the Wave Propagation Model and Two-Parameter Model developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. Three uniform and one distributed facesheet samples are tested in the Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) at NASA Langley. Initial results show that the distributed facesheet sample possesses broadband noise reduction properties. Acoustic impedances educed from these NIT tests are used as inputs into the Convected Helmholtz Equation (CHE) propagation code developed at NASA Langley to synthesize the acoustic pressure field in the Grazing Flow Impedance Tube (GFIT) with no flow. Three uniform, one distributed, as well as one three-zone liner, oriented in two different directions, are investigated. Preliminary results showed the distributed facesheet and three-zone liners exhibit broadband noise reduction properties.

M C Brown↗

Partition Thickness Considerations for Additively Manufactured Acoustic Liners

Three types of uniform-depth liners are evaluated to explore the effects of partition thickness on the surface impedance achieved with additively manufactured liners. A transmission line code is used to predict the effects of sound transmission through empty chambers and wire mesh facesheets, and is combined with the Motsinger and Kraft model to account for sound transmission through perforated facesheets. The inclusion of partitions causes a blockage effect, i.e., a portion of the surface is ‘blocked’ (nonactive surface). For liners with no facesheet, these blockage effects are incorporated simply by accounting for the change in cross sectional area between the individual chamber and the unit cell that includes half of a partition thickness around the perimeter of this chamber. Comparison of impedances predicted in this manner with data acquired in the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) confirms the efficacy of this modeling approach. Two approaches are considered to account for the inclusion of a wiremesh or perforated plate facesheet on these same cores. The first accounts for the effects of partition thickness before including the transfer impedance across the facesheet, while the second reverses these steps. A comparison of data acquired in the NASA NIT with modeled impedances suggests the first approach is best when the facesheet is a wire mesh, but the second approach is preferred when a perforated plate facesheet is used. It is hypothesized that this is due to the fact that a lumped element model is used to compute the transfer impedance across a wire mesh, while the corresponding transfer impedance across a perforated sheet explicitly incorporates the efffects of the liner core. However, comparisons of data acquired in the NASA Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube with modeled impedances seem slightly better when the first approach is employed with a perforated plate facesheet. Thus, the effects of partition thickness on liners with perforated sheets subjected to grazing incidence sound require further review

acoustic↗

Examination of Perforate Facesheet Impedance Prediction Models

This study examines several perforate facesheet impedance prediction models. Each model is validated with impedances educed from acoustic pressure measurements acquired in the NASA Langley Research Center Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) and Grazing Flow Impedance Tube (GFIT). This measurement dataset includes results for 73 NIT samples acquired at sound pressure levels of 100, 120, and 140 dB, and for 9 GFIT samples acquired at SPLs of 120 and 140 dB and at mean flow speeds of Mach 0.0, 0.3, and 0.5. Multiple metrics are evaluated based on different potential applications of the selected perforate facesheet model. An optimizer is then used to modify one of these models to more accurately match the full measurement dataset.

acoustic↗

Extending Acoustic Liner Bandwidth with Simple Embedded Septa

An acoustic liner design incorporating single-hole perforate septa was evaluated by the NASA Langley Liner Physics Team. The design, termed the ‘Simplified Septa’ concept, incorporates embedded septa as found in traditional, multidegree-of-freedom liners. Generally, such septa are composed of multihole perforates or porous mesh, whereas this concept uses septa with one hole per cell. An optimization scheme was employed to determine septa placement and hole diameters based on a target impedance cost function. Versions of the concept are tested in the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) to determine impedance and absorption spectra for swept tonal excitation at 120 and 140 dB. Experimental results are compared to predictions from a liner model based on the Zwikker-Kosten Transmission Line (ZKTL) code and show good agreement for no-flow conditions.

acoustics↗

Extending Acoustic Liner Bandwidth with Simple Embedded Septa

An acoustic liner design incorporating single-hole perforate septa was evaluated by the NASA Langley Liner Physics Team. The design, termed the ‘Simplified Septa’ concept, incorporates embedded septa as found in traditional, multidegree-of-freedom liners. Generally, such septa are composed of multihole perforates or porous mesh, whereas this concept uses septa with one hole per cell. An optimization scheme was employed to determine septa placement and hole diameters based on a target impedance cost function. Versions of the concept are tested in the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube (NIT) to determine impedance and absorption spectra for swept tonal excitation at 120 and 140 dB. Experimental results are compared to predictions from a liner model based on the Zwikker-Kosten Transmission Line (ZKTL) code and show good agreement for no-flow conditions.

acoustics↗

An Evaluation of the Spectral Irradiance Data from the NSRDB

A recent effort by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has led to a new radiative transfer model, the Fast All-sky Radiation Model for Solar applications with Narrowband Irradiances on Tilted surfaces (FARMS-NIT), to efficiently compute spectral irradiances in the plane-of-array (POA). This model has been implemented in the National Solar Radiation Data Base (NSRDB) to provide photovoltaic (PV) resource in both narrowband and broadband wavelengths. This study conducts an evaluation of the spectral irradiances from the PV Resource dataset using surface-based observations at NREL’s Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (SRRL) and University of Oregon (UO). The results demonstrate that the PV resource has a generally good agreement with the long-term observations in both clear-sky and cloudy-sky conditions. Further research is needed to reduce the overestimation of visible irradiances in clear sky conditions and underestimation of near-infrared irradiances in cloudy-sky conditions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NLR HPC Eagle Node Power Data

Power time series captured from all Eagle nodes using iLO (Integrated Lights Out) The Eagle HPC operated at NLR from 2019 through 2024. Eagle was a 2,000-node, 8-petaflop system. This dataset is a comprehensive time series of instantaneous snapshots of power usage at 1 minute intervals from all nodes at the node level. Data provided in compressed Hive dataset/Parquet format. iLO Power Time Series Fields ts: Timestamp dv: Device / Node - Rack and Unit - r103u17 == r(ack)103u(nit)17 vl: Value - Value in watts (instantaneous value at sampling time) day month year

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NLR HPC Eagle GPU Node Metrics

Ganglia node metrics and iLO (Integrated Lights Out) power data captured from six representative Eagle GPU nodes The Eagle HPC operated at NLR from 2019 through 2024. Eagle was a 2,000-node, 8-petaflop system. This dataset is a representative sample of metrics for 6 of the GPU nodes. Each GPU node contained 2 CPUs and 2 GPUs. Data provided in compressed CSV format. Ganglia and iLO Power Time Series Fields ts: Timestamp dv: Device / Node - Rack and Unit - r103u17 == r(ack)103u(nit)17 mt: Metric (only present for Ganglia) vl: Value - Value in watts for iLO power (instantaneous value at sampling time) or specified Ganglia metric below Ganglia Metrics Metric name -- Metric description -- Unit cpu_aidle -- Percent of time since boot idle CPU -- Percent cpu_idle -- Percent CPU idle -- Percent cpu_nice -- Percent CPU nice -- Percent cpu_speed -- Speed in MHz of CPU -- MHz cpu_user -- Percent CPU user -- Percent cpu_wio -- The percentage of CPU Wait I/O -- Percent gpu0_bar1_memory -- Used GPU bar1 memory -- MB gpu0_decoder_util -- GPU decoder utilization -- Percent gpu0_ecc_db_error -- Total ECC error counts for the GPU -- Number gpu0_encoder_util -- GPU encoder utilization -- Percent gpu0_fan -- Fan speed -- RPM gpu0_fb_memory -- Used GPU framebuffer memory -- MB gpu0_graphics_clock_report -- Current clock speeds for the device -- MHz gpu0_mem_total -- Memory total -- MB gpu0_mem_util -- Memory utilization -- Percent gpu0_power_usage_report -- Power usage report -- Watts gpu0_temp -- GPU 1 temperature -- Celsius gpu1_bar1_memory -- Used GPU bar1 memory -- MB gpu1_decoder_util -- GPU decoder utilization -- Percent gpu1_ecc_db_error -- Total ECC error counts for the GPU -- Number gpu1_encoder_util -- GPU encoder utilization -- Percent gpu1_fan -- Fan speed -- RPM gpu1_fb_memory -- Used GPU framebuffer memory -- MB gpu1_graphics_clock_report -- Current clock speeds for the GPU -- MHz gpu1_mem_total -- Memory total -- MB gpu1_mem_util -- Memory utilization -- MB gpu1_power_usage_report -- Power usage report -- Watts gpu1_temp -- GPU 1 temperature -- Celsius ipmi_cpu1_temp -- CPU 1 temperature -- Celsius ipmi_cpu2_temp -- CPU 2 temperature -- Celsius ipmi_inlet_ambient_temp -- Temperature measured at intake -- Celsius ipmi_vr_p1_temp -- CPU 1 voltage regulator temperature -- Celsius ipmi_vr_p2_temp -- CPU 2 voltage regulator temperature -- Celsius mem_buffers -- Amount of buffered memory -- Bytes mem_cached -- Amount of cached memory -- Bytes mem_free -- Amount of available memory -- Bytes mem_shared -- Amount of shared memory -- Bytes mem_total -- Amount of available memory -- Bytes

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Steady-State Pursuit Is Driven by Object Motion Rather Than the Vector Average of Local Motions

We have previously shown that humans can pursue the motion of objects whose trajectories can be recovered only by spatio-temporal integration of local motion signals. We now explore the integration rule used to derive the target-motion signal driving pursuit. We measured the pursuit response of 4 observers (2 naive) to the motion of a line-figure diamond viewed through two vertical bar apertures (0.2 cd/square m). The comers were always occluded so that only four line segments (93 cd/square m) were visible behind the occluding foreground (38 cd/square m). The diamond was flattened (40 & 140 degree vertex angles) such that vector averaging of the local normal motions and vertical integration (e.g. IOC) yield very I or different predictions, analogous to using a Type II plaid. The diamond moved along Lissajous-figure trajectories (Ax = Ay = 2 degrees; TFx = 0.8 Hz; TFy = 0.4 Hz). We presented only 1.25 cycles and used 6 different randomly interleaved initial relative phases to minimize the role of predictive strategies. Observers were instructed to track the diamond and reported that its motion was always coherent (unlike type II plaids). Saccade-free portions of the horizontal and vertical eye-position traces sampled at 240 Hz were fit by separate sinusoids. Pursuit gain with respect to the diamond averaged 0.7 across subjects and directions. The ratio of the mean vertical to horizontal amplitude of the pursuit response was 1.7 +/- 0.7 averaged across subjects (1SD). This is close to the prediction of 1.0 from vertical motion-integration rules, but far from 7.7 predicted by vector averaging and infinity predicted by segment- or terminator-tracking strategies. Because there is no retinal motion which directly corresponds to the diamond's motion, steady-state pursuit of our "virtual" diamond is not closed-loop in the traditional sense. Thus, accurate pursuit is unlikely to result simply from local retinal negative feedback. We conclude that the signal driving steady-state pursuit is not the vector average of local motion signals, but rather a more vertical estimate of object motion, derived in extrastriate cortical areas beyond V1, perhaps NIT or MST.

Stone, Leland S.↗

Evaluation of the PV Resource Dataset in Central and North America: Preprint

A recent effort from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has led to a new radiative transfer model, Fast All-sky Radiation Model for Solar applications with Narrowband Irradiances on Tilted surfaces (FARMS-NIT), to efficiently compute plane-of-array (POA) irradiance. This model has been implemented by the National Solar Radiation Data Base (NSRDB) to provide photovoltaic (PV) resource over Central and North America in both narrow- and broad wavelength bands. This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the PV resource dataset using surface-based observations in various climate zones. The results demonstrate the PV resource has an excellent agreement with the cloudy-sky observations from thermopiles and reference cells.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗

Design and synthesis of biobased superhydrophobic biochar catalyst derived from Citrus sinensis for biodiesel production using inedible oil feedstocks

In an one-pot in situ trans/esterification of low-grade feedstocks, the simultaneous presence of triglycerides (TAGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs) presents a dual catalytic challenge. While TAGs undergo transesterification to form biodiesel and glycerol, FFAs present in the feedstocks are esterified simultaneously, producing water as a by-product. This water can deactivate acid catalysts by interacting with their active sites, reducing catalytic efficiency and reusability. To overcome this, we developed a hydrophobic sulfonic acid-functionalized biochar catalyst derived from Citrus sinensis (orange peel) via sulfonation with H 2 SO 4 and subsequent silylation using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). The optimized catalyst exhibited a high surface area (355.09 m 2 g −1 ), sulfur content (5.33 wt%), and strong hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 154°). Compared to non-hydrophobic analogs, it showed enhanced activity and reusability (up to 10 cycles). Using response surface methodology with central composite design, a biodiesel yield of 99.1 ± 0.4% was achieved under optimal conditions. Life cycle assessment was performed to evaluate the environmental impacts of biodiesel production utilising the synthesized catalyst, considering 1000 kg of biodiesel produced as 1 functional unit. In conclusion, the recorded results showed the cumulative abiotic depletion of fossil resources over the entire biodiesel production process as 87 243.423 MJ and global warming potential as 4103.494 kg CO 2 equivalent.

Biochar↗

Engineering acid-base active sites on an N-doped biochar catalyst for microwave-assisted biodiesel production from waste cooking oil

Acid-base bifunctional catalysts play a crucial role in converting high-free fatty acid (FFA) feedstocks into biodiesel by enabling the simultaneous esterification and transesterification of triglycerides in a single step, thereby minimizing saponification and streamlining the process. In this study, we report the design and development of a novel N-doped acid-base bifunctional biochar catalyst synthesized from renewable biomass precursors- glucose and chitosan. The catalyst’s acidic sites were introduced via surface functionalization with o-sulfobenzoic acid cyclic anhydride, grafting -SO₃H groups onto the carbon framework, while basic sites were generated from amine functionalities (-NH) derived from chitosan, yielding a robust and truly bifunctional surface. The catalyst was characterized and used for the microwave-assisted transesterification of waste cooking oil, and process optimization using response surface methodology (RSM-CCD) yielding a maximum biodiesel yield of 98.8 ± 0.4% under optimal conditions (methanol-to-oil molar ratio 20:1, catalyst loading 5.7 wt%, temperature 99 °C, and reaction time 46.6 min). The catalyst demonstrated good stability, maintaining a yield of 92.2 ± 0.4% after eight reuse cycles. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted for 1 kg of biodiesel production revealed a global warming potential of 0.85 kg CO 2 eq and human toxicity potential of 1.59 kg 1,4-DB eq, with the largest environmental contributions arising from catalyst preparation and reuse. In conclusion, this work highlights a green and circular approach to biodiesel production, combining renewable catalyst design, waste feedstock utilization, and quantitative sustainability assessment to guide future developments in sustainable catalysis and biofuel engineering.

Bifunctional catalyst↗