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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2002

Resource Selection Using Execution and Queue Wait Time Predictions

Computational grids provide users with many possible places to execute their applications. We wish to help users select where to run their applications by providing predictions of the execution times of applications on space shared parallel computers and predictions of when scheduling systems for such parallel computers will start applications. Our predictions are based on instance based learning techniques and simulations of scheduling algorithms. We find that our execution time prediction techniques have an average error of 37 percent of the execution times for trace data recorded from SGI Origins at NASA Ames Research Center and that this error is 67 percent lower than the error of user estimates. We also find that the error when predicting how long applications will wait in scheduling queues is 95 percent of mean queue wait times when using our execution time predictions and this is 57 percent lower than if we use user execution time estimates.

Smith, Warren↗
NASA NTRS2003

Computer Program Recognizes Patterns in Time-Series Data

A computer program recognizes selected patterns in time-series data like digitized samples of seismic or electrophysiological signals. The program implements an artificial neural network (ANN) and a set of N clocks for the purpose of determining whether N or more instances of a certain waveform, W, occur within a given time interval, T. The ANN must be trained to recognize W in the incoming stream of data. The first time the ANN recognizes W, it sets clock 1 to count down from T to zero; the second time it recognizes W, it sets clock 2 to count down from T to zero, and so forth through the Nth instance. On the N + 1st instance, the cycle is repeated, starting with clock 1. If any clock has not reached zero when it is reset, then N instances of W have been detected within time T, and the program so indicates. The program can readily be encoded in a field-programmable gate array or an application-specific integrated circuit that could be used, for example, to detect electroencephalographic or electrocardiographic waveforms indicative of epileptic seizures or heart attacks, respectively.

Hand, Charles↗
DOE OSTI2023

Direct Extraction of Lanthanide Oxides and Nitrates in Tributyl Phosphate

This work investigated the dissolution rate of lanthanide oxides and nitrates in a 30 vol % TBP-n-paraffin solvent (pre-equilibrated with various nitric acid concentrations) using visible (Vis) spectroscopy over time. Some dissolution mechanics were observed, such as an aqueous layer forming, considerably longer dissolution times for the heavier lanthanides (hours) vs. the lighter lanthanides (minutes), and the impacts of mixing lanthanide oxides or nitrates during dissolution. Neodymium, samarium, holmium, and erbium were selected due to their unique spectroscopic signatures and to represent the lighter (neodymium and samarium) and heavier (holmium and erbium) lanthanides. Even though europium does not have a strong absorbance in the range studied, europium was used in some instances to also represent the lighter lanthanides. Cerium oxide was used to representant dissolution of tetravalent lanthanides.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS2021

Resilient Space Habitat Design Using Safety Controls

Space habitats will involve a complex and tightly coupled combination of hardware, software, and humans, while operating in challenging environments that pose many risks, both known and unknown. It will not be possible to design habitats that are immune to failure, nor will it be possible to foresee all possible failures. Rather than aiming for designs where ―failure is not an option,‖ habitats must be resilient to disruptions. We propose an approach to resilient design for space habitats based on the concept of safety controls from system safety engineering. We model disruptions using a state-and-trigger approach, where the space habitat is in one of three distinct states at each time instance: nominal, hazardous, or accident. We use safety controls as ways of preventing a system from entering or remaining in a hazardous or accident state. We develop a safety control option space for the habitat, from which designers can select the set of safety controls that best meet resilience, performance, and other system goals. The safety control option space is likely to be large, accordingly, we design a database that links safety controls to the applicable states and triggers. We demonstrate our approach on the early design stage of a Martian space habitat.

Safety↗
DOE OSTI2021

Methods and data structures for efficient cross-referencing of physical-asset spatial identifiers

Described herein are methods, systems, and storage media having computer-processable instructions for cross-referencing in a computationally efficient manner different data sets each having pluralities of n-dimensional identifiers of physical assets. The disclosed cross-referencing approach can be used to determine relationships between different assets and their respective asset identifier strings. The relationships can be established based on user-selected heuristics. For example, at least two asset identifier strings can be compared, and user-defined heuristics can be applied to determine whether “a match” exists. A match can be defined according to the particular heuristic. In one instance, the comparison and heuristic can be applied to determine if two different asset identifier strings refer to a single physical asset.

Borkum, Mark I.↗
NASA NTRS1996

A New Aging Treatment for Improving Cryogenic Toughness of the Main Structural Alloy of the Super Lightweight Tank

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has developed a new technique that can enhance cryogenic fracture toughness and reduce the statistical spread of toughness values in alloy 2195. This aging treatment can control the location and size of strengthening precipitate T1, making improvements possible in cryogenic fracture toughness (CFT) and fracture toughness ratio (FTR). At the start of this program, design of experiments (DOE) ingot No. 10 was used as a baseline for aging process development and optimization. The new aging treatment was found to be very effective, improving CFT by approximately 15 to 20 percent for DOE ingot No. 10. To further evaluate the repeatability and effectiveness of this new treatment, the investigators selected and tested three more lots of alloy 2195, using 1.75-in-thick gauge plates with FTR values ranging from 0.85 to 1.07. The new aging treatment effectively enhanced CFT and FTR values for all three lots. In one instance, the material was considered rejectable because it did not meet the minimum FTR value (1.0) of the super lightweight tank (SLWT). The new aging treatment improved its FTR from 0.85 to 1.01, making this material acceptable for use in the SLWT.

Chen, P. S.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Broadband cross polarization for ultra-wideline magic-angle spinning NMR

Over the past decade, there has been a sustained interest in using frequency-swept (FS) pulses for the efficient acquisition of wideline and ultra-wideline (UW) NMR powder patterns. Such experiments are typically conducted under static conditions, employing both direct- and indirect-excitation methods (i.e., WCPMG and BRAIN-CP/WCPMG, respectively). Recently, Koppe et al. demonstrated that the WCPMG pulse sequence can be used to efficiently acquire wideline and UW NMR spectra with spinning sideband (SSB) manifolds under magic-angle spinning (MAS) conditions, capitalizing on the increased signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) afforded by MAS. To date, there have been only a few instances of broadband cross-polarization (CP) experiments using FS pulses under MAS conditions and no applications to systems exhibiting wideline and/or ultra-wideline powder patterns, despite the clear advantages these experiments could offer. Herein, we demonstrate that FS pulses selectively applied to a single sideband of the S spin can be used for efficient 1 H-S polarization transfer to S = 1/2 nuclides with large anisotropic chemical shift interactions at slow to moderate MAS rates. The Hartmann–Hahn matching conditions in BRAIN-CP/WCPMG-MAS experiments bear similarity to those of standard CP sequences, yet operate over UW frequency ranges and only require low-amplitude RF pulses on the S channel. Crucial to the success of the BRAIN-CP/WCPMG-MAS experiment is careful calibration of the RF amplitude, transmitter offset, and effective frequency sweep of the FS pulse applied to the S spins at a given MAS rate. Thus, by means of numerical simulations and experimental testing, we provide recommendations for the parameterization and setup of BRAIN-CP/WCPMG-MAS experiments for their most efficient use. Results showcasing the capability of the BRAIN-CP/WCPMG-MAS pulse sequence are presented, including applications to 119 Sn, 195 Pt, and 103 Rh NMR.

Kimball, James J. [Florida State University, Talla↗
DOE OSTI2019

Modeling of Cloud Microphysics: Can We Do Better?

Representation of cloud microphysics is a key aspect of simulating clouds. From the early days of cloud modeling, numerical models have relied on an Eulerian approach for all cloud and thermodynamic and microphysics variables. Over time the sophistication of microphysics schemes has steadily increased, from simple representations of bulk masses of cloud and rain in each grid cell, to including different ice particle types and bulk hydrometeor concentrations, to complex schemes referred to as bin or spectral schemes that explicitly evolve the hydrometeor size distributions within each model grid cell. As computational resources grow, there is a clear trend toward wider use of bin schemes, including their use as benchmarks to develop and test simplified bulk schemes. We argue that continuing on this path brings fundamental challenges difficult to overcome. The Lagrangian particle-based probabilistic approach is a practical alternative in which the myriad of cloud and precipitation particles present in a natural cloud is represented by a judiciously selected ensemble of point particles called superdroplets or superparticles. Here, the advantages of the Lagrangian particle-based approach when compared to the Eulerian bin methodology are explained, and the prospects of applying the method to more comprehensive cloud simulations—for instance, targeting deep convection or frontal cloud systems—are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effects of ambient humidity and temperature on the NO 2 sensing characteristics of WS 2 /graphene aerogel

The effects of ambient humidity and temperature on the NO 2 sensing characteristics of WS 2 /graphene aerogel (WS 2 /GA) composite are investigated. In order to probe the gas sensing performances of WS 2 /GA, the sensor is fabricated by integrating WS 2 /GA with a microfabricated two-electrode device. The WS 2 /GA is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen porosimetry. This hybrid nanomaterial is found to improve the selectivity to NO 2 , compared to control graphene and WS 2 aerogels. The NO 2 sensing performance of the WS 2 /GA-based sensors is investigated under different relative humidities (0–60%), and ambient temperatures (room temperature (RT) to 180 °C). In all instances, the sensors exhibit p-type behavior. In dry atmosphere, faster response and better recovery are obtained with increasing temperature, reaching optimum sensing performance around 180 °C. At room temperature, interestingly, humidity is found helpful for enhancing the response and recovery of the sensor to NO 2 . Detection limits in the range of 10–15 ppb NO 2 were determined. A potential gas sensing mechanism for this composite aerogel is introduced.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Limits on the evolutionary rates of biological traits

Abstract This paper focuses on the maximum speed at which biological evolution can occur. I derive inequalities that limit the rate of evolutionary processes driven by natural selection, mutations, or genetic drift. These rate limits link the variability in a population to evolutionary rates. In particular, high variances in the fitness of a population and of a quantitative trait allow for fast changes in the trait’s average. In contrast, low variability makes a trait less susceptible to random changes due to genetic drift. The results in this article generalize Fisher’s fundamental theorem of natural selection to dynamics that allow for mutations and genetic drift, via trade-off relations that constrain the evolutionary rates of arbitrary traits. The rate limits can be used to probe questions in various evolutionary biology and ecology settings. They apply, for instance, to trait dynamics within or across species or to the evolution of bacteria strains. They apply to any quantitative trait, e.g., from species’ weights to the lengths of DNA strands.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Limits on the Evolutionary Rates of Biological Traits

This paper focuses on the maximum speed at which biological evolution can occur. I derive inequalities that limit the rate of evolutionary processes driven by natural selection, mutations, or genetic drift. These rate limits link the variability in a population to evolutionary rates. In particular, high variances in the fitness of a population and of a quantitative trait allow for fast changes in the trait’s average. In contrast, low variability makes a trait less susceptible to random changes due to genetic drift. The results in this article generalize Fisher’s fundamental theorem of natural selection to dynamics that allow for mutations and genetic drift, via trade-of relations that constrain the evolutionary rates of arbitrary traits. The rate limits can be used to probe questions in various evolutionary biology and ecology settings. They apply, for instance, to trait dynamics within or across species or to the evolution of bacteria strains. They apply to any quantitative trait, e.g., from species’ weights to the lengths of DNA strands.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1992

The EXOSAT database and archive

The EXOSAT database provides on-line access to the results and data products (spectra, images, and lightcurves) from the EXOSAT mission as well as access to data and logs from a number of other missions (such as EINSTEIN, COS-B, ROSAT, and IRAS). In addition, a number of familiar optical, infrared, and x ray catalogs, including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) guide star catalog are available. The complete database is located at the EXOSAT observatory at ESTEC in the Netherlands and is accessible remotely via a captive account. The database management system was specifically developed to efficiently access the database and to allow the user to perform statistical studies on large samples of astronomical objects as well as to retrieve scientific and bibliographic information on single sources. The system was designed to be mission independent and includes timing, image processing, and spectral analysis packages as well as software to allow the easy transfer of analysis results and products to the user's own institute. The archive at ESTEC comprises a subset of the EXOSAT observations, stored on magnetic tape. Observations of particular interest were copied in compressed format to an optical jukebox, allowing users to retrieve and analyze selected raw data entirely from their terminals. Such analysis may be necessary if the user's needs are not accommodated by the products contained in the database (in terms of time resolution, spectral range, and the finesse of the background subtraction, for instance). Long-term archiving of the full final observation data is taking place at ESRIN in Italy as part of the ESIS program, again using optical media, and ESRIN have now assumed responsibility for distributing the data to the community. Tests showed that raw observational data (typically several tens of megabytes for a single target) can be transferred via the existing networks in reasonable time.

Reynolds, A. P.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Detection of small drizzle droplets in a large cloud chamber using ultrahigh-resolution radar

Abstract. A large convection–cloud chamber has the potential to produce drizzle-sized droplets, thus offering a new opportunity to investigate aerosol–cloud–drizzle interactions at a fundamental level under controlled environmental conditions. One key measurement requirement is the development of methods to detect the low-concentration drizzle drops in such a large cloud chamber. In particular, remote sensing methods may overcome some limitations of in situ methods. Here, the potential of an ultrahigh-resolution radar to detect the radar return signal of a small drizzle droplet against the cloud droplet background signal is investigated. It is found that using a small sampling volume is critical to drizzle detection in a cloud chamber to allow a drizzle drop in the radar sampling volume to dominate over the background cloud droplet signal. For instance, a radar volume of 1 cubic centimeter (cm3) would enable the detection of drizzle embryos with diameter larger than 40 µm. However, the probability of drizzle sampling also decreases as the sample volume reduces, leading to a longer observation time. Thus, the selection of radar volume should consider both the signal power and the drizzle occurrence probability. Finally, observations from the Pi Convection–Cloud Chamber are used to demonstrate the single-drizzle-particle detection concept using small radar volume. The results presented in this study also suggest new applications of ultrahigh-resolution cloud radar for atmospheric sensing.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1984

Non-local Origin of a Substantial Portion of the Soft X-ray Background

Comparison of the SAS-3 soft X-ray sky survey with the 21-cm neutral hydrogen survey confirms the well-known anticorrelation between the counting rates in the C-band (0.10-0.28 keV) and the column density of neutral hydrogen, and demonstrates that this anticorrelation is significant on all angular scales ranging from that of the general trend from the galactic equator to the poles down to the angular resolution of the detector (2.07 FWHM). Numerous instances of what appear to be soft X-ray shadows of nearly (100-300 pc) 21-cm features, and several bright X-ray regions coincident with holes in the interstellar medium are included in this general correlation. The final set of selected data has an exposure of 2.2 x 10 to the 4th power/sq cm s sr, a sky coverage of 80%, and is free of spurious effects due to charged particles and solar radiations. The validity of the two-component model of the X-ray background, introduced by Davidsen et al. (1977) is examined. In this model the C-band intensity in a given direction is represented as a sum of a constant term, I sub 1, due to unattenuated emission from a local hot bubble in which the solar system is immersed, and a term, I sub 2 exp (N sub H sub th) , due to emission from a diffuse source beyond the neutral hydrogen 2.g., the galactic corona).

Clark, G. W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

AI-enabled traveling wave protection for microgrids

Grid forming inverters provide voltage and frequency regulations for microgrids; in the meantime, new challenges are introduced for microgrid protections. For instance, inverters’ control strategies can affect protection behaviors, and low short-circuit ratios and bi-directional power flows also make protection operations complex. Protection schemes based on conventional principles such as overcurrent and distance relays do not always provide reliable, sensitive, or selective operations. Here, we devise a traveling wave protection approach for microgrids using a wavelet-driven deep neural network named WaveletKernelNet (WKN). Compared with conventional methods, the presented approach provides enhanced sensitivity, higher selectivity, and better identification of various faults in microgrids. Extensive case studies validate the efficacy and excellent performance of the devised approach.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fusion Neutron Generator

The proposed code, named FROG (Fusion neutron Generator) is built upon the open-source particle transport Monte Carlo toolkit Geant4. Geant4 provides C++ classes that can be leveraged to build application-specific codes dealing with the transport of particles through matter. Geant4-based codes are applied in high-energy particle physics experiments, medical applications, shielding, and space applications for example. The FROG code allows the user to define the geometry of a neutron converter device shaped as a hollow cylinder, where a neutron breeding material such as lithium deuteride (LiD) is cladded by two concentric cylinders. Such neutron converter is then placed inside a regular nuclear fission reactor, where thermal neutrons will react with the neutron breeder material (typically, Lithium 6), and through a series of reactions, will generate high-energy neutrons – neutrons whose kinetic energy are around 14 MeV. The hollowed central portion can hold a specimen that will be bombarded by high-energy neutrons created inside the neutron breeding material. Figuratively speaking, this type of device transforms neutrons from thermal (~0.625 eV) to fusion (~14 MeV) energies and is sometimes termed “fusion-to-thermal neutron converters” in the literature. The code consists of C++ source file compiled and linked to generate an executable. The user can select the dimensions of the converter (radius, length, and thickness of the breeder material), the breeder material type, the cladding material, and the specimen material that will be activated or irradiated. As input, the neutron flux for a specific location inside a reactor, for instance, positions in ATR, is required. As output, the code predicts the number of high-energy neutrons produced, the total neutron flux and fluence as well as its detailed spectrum. The physics involved in such device is very complex, as it requires modeling neutron transport, light-ion (tritons) transport, as well as fusion reactions. The Geant4 toolkit provides the required physical models.

Martin, NicholasP. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL↗
NASA NTRS1987

A study of System Interface Sets (SIS) for the host, target and integration environments of the Space Station Program (SSP)

System interface sets (SIS) for large, complex, non-stop, distributed systems are examined. The SIS of the Space Station Program (SSP) was selected as the focus of this study because an appropriate virtual interface specification of the SIS is believed to have the most potential to free the project from four life cycle tyrannies which are rooted in a dependance on either a proprietary or particular instance of: operating systems, data management systems, communications systems, and instruction set architectures. The static perspective of the common Ada programming support environment interface set (CAIS) and the portable common execution environment (PCEE) activities are discussed. Also, the dynamic perspective of the PCEE is addressed.

Mckay, Charles↗
NASA NTRS2004

Multi-Sensor Distributive On-Line Processing, Visualization, and Analysis Infrastructure for an Agricultural Information System at the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences DAAC

The Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) Distributed Active Center (DAAC) is developing an Agricultural Information System (AIS), evolved from an existing TRMM On-line Visualization and Analysis System precipitation and other satellite data products and services. AIS outputs will be ,integrated into existing operational decision support system for global crop monitoring, such as that of the U.N. World Food Program. The ability to use the raw data stored in the GES DAAC archives is highly dependent on having a detailed understanding of the data's internal structure and physical implementation. To gain this understanding is a time-consuming process and not a productive investment of the user's time. This is an especially difficult challenge when users need to deal with multi-sensor data that usually are of different structures and resolutions. The AIS has taken a major step towards meeting this challenge by incorporating an underlying infrastructure, called the GES-DISC Interactive Online Visualization and Analysis Infrastructure or "Giovanni," that integrates various components to support web interfaces that ,allow users to perform interactive analysis on-line without downloading any data. Several instances of the Giovanni-based interface have been or are being created to serve users of TRMM precipitation, MODIS aerosol, and SeaWiFS ocean color data, as well as agricultural applications users. Giovanni-based interfaces are simple to use but powerful. The user selects geophysical ,parameters, area of interest, and time period; and the system generates an output ,on screen in a matter of seconds.

Teng, William↗