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At least 217 records · Page 12

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2023

Measuring surface albedo for various crops

Surface albedo can affect the energy budget and subsequently cause localized warming or cooling of the climate. When we convert a substantial portion of lands to agriculture, land surface properties are consequently altered, including albedo. Through crop selection and management, one can increase crop albedo to obtain higher levels of localized cooling effects to mitigate global warming. Still, there is little understanding about how distinctive features of a cropping system may be responsible for elevated albedo and consequently for the cooling potential of cultivated lands. To address this pressing issue, we conducted seasonal measurements of surface reflectivity during five growing seasons on annual crops of corn-soybean–winter wheat

albedo↗

NASA NTRS1992

The JGOFS North Atlantic Bloom Experiment: An overview

The North Atlantic Bloom Experiment (NABE) of JGOFS presents a unique opportunity and challenge to the data management community because of the diversity and large size of biogeochemical data sets collected. NABE was a pilot study for JGOFS and has also served as a pilot study within the U.S. NODC for management and archiving of the data sets. Here I present an overview to some of the scientific results of NABE, which will be published as an Introduction to a special volume of NABE results in Deep-Sea Research later this year. An overview of NABE data management is given elsewhere in the present report. This is the first collection of papers from the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS). Formed as an international program in 1987, JGOFS has four principal elements: modelling and data management, multidisciplinary regional process studies, a global survey of biogeochemical properties and long-term time series observatories. In 1989-1990 JGOFS conducted a pilot process study of the spring phytoplankton bloom, the North Atlantic Bloom Experiment (NABE). JGOFS decided to conduct a large scale, internationally-coordinated pilot study in the North Atlantic because of its proximity to the founding nations of the project, the size and predictability of the bloom and its fundamental impact on ocean bio-geochemistry (Billett et al., 1983; Watson and Whitfield, 1985; Pfannkuche, 1992). In 1989, six research vessels from Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the USA and over 200 scientists and students from more than a dozen nations participated in NABE. Some of their initial results are reported in this volume.

Ducklow, Hugh W.↗

NASA NTRS2020

Africa Food Security & Agriculture: Predicting the Likelihood of Human-elephant Conflict and Assessing Elephant Habitat Conditions During Extreme Drought and Crop Deficit in the Kavango-Zambezi Area

Human-wildlife conflict is increasingly more common due to human population growth, habitat fragmentation, and changing climatic conditions. This conflict is particularly evident in the Kavango-Zambezi area, where over three million people share the landscape with an abundant megafauna population. As the changing climate continues to exacerbate drought severity and subsequent food availability, conflict between humans and wildlife has become more prevalent. In the Kavango-Zambezi area, conflict between elephants and humans has resulted in crop loss, property damage, and threats to public safety. In order to manage current and future conflict, The Ecoexist Project and Connected Conservation have been working to empower farmers and conserve the natural habitat. This DEVELOP project employed Earth observations to conduct a time series analysis of vegetation health change, elephant movement, and climate conditions, from 2017 to 2020. Data were aggregated into the wet (November through April) and dry (May through October) seasons. The resulting analysis demonstrated the potential to use Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), Global Precipitation Measurement’s Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (GPM IMERG), and TerraClimate data to identify potential areas of conflict under increased seasonal variability. An improved understanding of conflict drivers will help support sustainable wildlife conservation and food security in the future.

DEVELOP Project Summary↗

NASA NTRS2020

Africa Food Security & Agriculture: Predicting the Likelihood of Human-elephant Conflict and Assessing Elephant Habitat Conditions During Extreme Drought and Crop Deficit in the Kavango-Zambezi Area

DEVELOP Tech Paper↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Impact of Thermochromic Coatings on Thermal Management for Human Spacecraft Applications

Thermochromic variable emittance coatings (VECs) allow for passive, dynamic thermal management of space vehicles due to their temperature dependent optical properties. Ideally, a thermochromic material should exhibit low mid-IR emissivity for lower temperatures and switch to high mid-IR emissivity for higher temperatures; one promising material that demonstrates these characteristics is Lanthanum Strontium Manganite (LSM). The transition temperatures of LSM are dependent on the Lanthanum-to-Strontium ratio x, La1-xSrxMnO3. La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, which has an emittance of 0.5 for < 270 K, then a linear increase in emittance to 0.8 over an increase of 70 K where it will saturate at ~340K, is commonly utilized but this is tunable by changing the Sr concentration. The tunability of the transition temperature range of LSM motivates a need to understand the optimal thermal transition range for human spacecraft. Additionally, LSM has high solar absorptance and to combat this issue the VEC will be micropatterned on top of a highly solar reflective layer of Barium Sulfate (BaSO4). Consequently, this work will elucidate the tradeoffs between solar absorptance and variable emittance for this technology since the micropattern adversely couples the solar absorptance to the mid-IR emittance. This work develops a computational model using Thermal Desktop to study the utility of VECs on human spacecraft, such as Orion, subjected to mission phases such as lunar transit and Gateway docking. The model considers both external heat loads, from solar irradiation and planetary IR, as well as vehicle heat loads, from avionics and crew, as an input into the body mounted thermochromic radiators. There are several design targets for VECs, i.e. achieving the largest change in emittance, finding the optimal temperature range for the transition, and achieving the highest emittance in the high temperature phase. This work prioritizes these design targets for LSM to achieve the optimal heat rejection for a human spacecraft. The VECs are compared with static emittance coatings and the efficiency gains are quantified. Thermochromic VECs will ultimately lead to simplifications of active cooling systems which synergistically correlates to mass reduction and less energy consumption for space vehicles.

Joseph Peoples↗

DOE OSTI2022

Preprocessing of municipal solid waste towards thermal insulating material

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of the significant challenges in today’s world. A continuous surge in population, increasing living standards, and rapid urbanization are generating an enormous quantity of MSW. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that the total generation of MSW in the United States in 2018 was 292.4 million tons. Improper management of this MSW often leads to the release of greenhouse gases, emission of particulate matters, and formation of dioxins, which all ultimately contributes to climate change. Recycling these wastes via landfills with gas recovery and/or energy and material production via thermal and chemical conversions could be viable options to manage these challenges. Depending on the inherent chemical and structural properties of unrecycled wastes, the carbon structures can be tailored for processing and reuse in manufacturing of structural composites, building materials such as insulation, carbon dense reactant materials such as activated carbon, and so on. According to the EPA’s estimation, MSW in the United States is approximately 23% paper and paperboard, 12% plastics, 6% wood and 6% is textiles. Thus, this research focused on the feasibility of using the MSW as insulation material for the construction sector. The goal of this work was to determine the range of particle sizes, consolidation ratios, and component blends that can achieve insulation R-values within at least 70% that of traditional blown cellulose fiber. To achieve this goal, we designed the testing matrix based on five different component blends, three different particle sizes, and three different compaction level. An American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) method (C-739) was used to measure the R-value of the insulation material. Results showed that, adding more paper component in addition to smaller particle size and loose compaction made the insulation similar to the traditional blown cellulose fiber insulation as the R-value was within a range of 2.5-3.0 per inch.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2024

Effects of Plume Targeted Cooling on Residual Stress in Controlled Atmosphere Plasma Sprayed Coatings

Thermal spray processes can benefit from cooling to maintain substrate temper, reduce processing times, and manage thermally induced residual stresses. “Plume quenching” is a plume-targeted cooling technique which has been shown to reduce substrate temperatures by redirection of hot plume gases using a lateral argon curtain injected into the plume, while limiting interaction with the substrate or affecting coating properties. Here, this study explores the use of this technique for residual stress management by reducing the thermally driven component in nickel and tantalum coatings on titanium and aluminum substrates. The in-situ residual stress profiles were measured for all substrate and coating pairings during spraying and cooling, and the deposition and thermal stresses recorded. For substrate and coating pairings where the predominant component of residual stress was thermal (driven by a large difference in coefficient of thermal expansion, Δα, between coating and substrate), plume quenching reduced both the thermal stress and the final stress state of the coating. This was seen primarily in tantalum on aluminum coatings where the Δα was -17 × 10 -6 /°C, and thermal stress was reduced by 7.5% and 22.4% for the plume quenching rates of 50 and 100 slpm, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2021

Broad Distribution of Local Polar States Generates Large Electrothermal Properties in Pb-Free Relaxor Ferroelectrics

Electrothermal energy conversion provides attractive solutions for global energy management, such as energy harvesting from waste heat using pyroelectric energy conversion (PEC) and efficient cooling of portable electronics or data servers using the electrocaloric effect. Relaxor ferroelectrics are attractive for electrothermal energy conversion because of their large pyroelectric coefficients over a wide temperature range. Although Pb-based relaxors are well-known, toxicity concerns have mandated the intense search for Pb-free alternatives. Here, we engineered (Ba,Ca)TiO 3 -based relaxors based on a multisite doping strategy, which show promising electrothermal performance, viz. a maximum PEC efficiency of 14% and electrocaloric refrigeration capacity of 115 J/kg. Using local-scale structural analysis, we provide an atomistic model for large electrothermal properties in the newly designed Pb-free ferroelectrics, whereby a temperature-independent continuous distribution of cation displacement directions creates easy pathways for microscopic polarization reorientation. This research provides key structural insight for future atomic-scale engineering of environmentally sustainable ferroelectrics in energy applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS2015

Autonomic and Apoptotic, Aeronautical and Aerospace Systems, and Controlling Scientific Data Generated Therefrom

A self-managing system that uses autonomy and autonomicity is provided with the self-* property of autopoiesis (self-creation). In the event of an agent in the system self-destructing, autopoiesis auto-generates a replacement. A self-esteem reward scheme is also provided and can be used for autonomic agents, based on their performance and trust. Art agent with greater self-esteem may clone at a greater rate compared to the rate of an agent with lower self-esteem. A self-managing system is provided for a high volume of distributed autonomic/self-managing mobile agents, and autonomic adhesion is used to attract similar agents together or to repel dissimilar agents from an event horizon. An apoptotic system is also provided that accords an "expiry date" to data and digital objects, for example, that are available on the internet, which finds usefulness not only in general but also for controlling the loaning and use of space scientific data.

Sterritt, Roy↗

DOE OSTI2020

Proposed Analytical Methods for Determining Filter Media Properties

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, commonly used in nuclear filtration applications, are an integral part of the waste management processes in nuclear plants. HEPA filters are 99.97% efficient filtration devices characterized by their high resistance to air flow, or pressure drop. From theoretical models, the initial pressure drop across a clean filter is proven to be a function of the filter media fiber diameters and porosity of the media. These filter properties are relatively difficult to obtain with traditional manual methods; therefore, there is a need to develop analytical methods to find the fiber diameter and porosity to determine the pressure drop. Typically, these values can be found by substituting a calculated representative value based upon measured values, such as equivalent fiber diameter based upon a clean pressure drop. However, these values may also be directly recorded and measured by incorporating Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image analysis and other measurement methods to analyze the filter media and determine its physical properties without the need for media testing. DiameterJ, an open source Java plug-in, used with ImageJ, can process images of filter media taken by an SEM to find statistical data such as mean fiber diameter and porosity. To produce the raw data, SEM images of two filter media type samples are taken and segmented in DiameterJ using the traditional and statistical region merging segmentation algorithms. Manual segmentation is necessary after the initial segmentation by the algorithms as the images tend to be too complex for the algorithms to output with the necessary accuracy. However, complications exist in the manual segmentation process as these methods can be time intensive and prone to the individual bias of the user. This in turn can skew the final mean fiber diameter result, and lead to either an over or under prediction of the pressure drop. It was also discovered that the porosity data produced by DiameterJ is inaccurate, as the SEM analyzes the three-dimensional filter media by projecting its geometry onto a plane and analyzing it as a two-dimensional binary image. Thus, the porosity is artificially inflated through the segmentation process, rendering this result incorrect. Alternatively, density determination, gravimetric analysis, and thickness testing of the filter media is collectively used to determine the filter fiber porosity. Together, the SEM image analysis and analytical lab methods produce results through direct measurements which allow for the prediction of the initial pressure drop from clean filter media without the need for prior media testing to collect pressure data. By improving upon this proposed analytical method in the future, there is potential to streamline the process of finding these filter properties into a more direct methodology for determining the pressure drop across HEPA filters.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2020

Vadose Zone Flow and Transport Parameters Data Package for the Hanford Site Composite Analysis

This report provides a description of the basis for the development and implementation of a conceptual model for vadose zone flow and transport for the Hanford Site composite analysis (CA) groundwater pathway analysis. The parameterization for a numerical model is intimately linked to the conceptual model framework. This report describes the basis for the selection of hydraulic and transport parameters for the hydrostratigraphic units (HSUs) identified in the 200 East and 200 West Areas. The following three-step process was used to develop the hydraulic properties and transport parameters for the CA modeling: 1. Breakdown of existing database on hydraulic properties by HSUs 2. Constitutive model parameters for laboratory, core-scale hydraulic properties 3. Upscaling for macroscopic, field-scale flow, and transport parameters This document provides data and information on the following items: A brief description and technical basis for the conceptual model selected to represent vadose zone flow and transport for the CA modeling. Variation in sediment particle size distribution for representative sites in the 200 East and West Areas. A summary of effective (upscaled) moisture retention, and saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity estimates for the HSUs in the 200 East and West Areas. A summary of effective transport parameters, including sediment bulk density and macrodispersivity estimates for various HSUs. The 200 East Area B Complex perched water aquifer hydraulic properties

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2021

Natural Systems Data Package for the Active Trenches of the Low-Level Burial Grounds, Hanford Site, Washington

This document summarizes the available information regarding the natural system (vadose zone and saturated zone) at the active trenches of the 200 West Area and 200 East Area Low-Level Burial Grounds (LLBGs). This information is relevant for developing the natural system fate and transport model for the update of the active trenches performance assessment. This document presents a description of the major features, events, and processes of the natural system at the active trenches of the 200 West Area and 200 East Area LLBGs that involves the geologic features or framework, and the vadose zone and groundwater flow and transport system. The description of the geologic features includes the following items: geologic setting, major structural features, major hydrostratigraphic units, and geologic framework. The discussion concerning vadose zone flow and transport at the active trenches of the 200 West Area and 200 East Area LLBGs includes the following topics: vadose zone features, events, and processes relevant to the development of the vadose zone conceptual model; hydrogeologic units and conditions; factors affecting moisture movement; and flow and transport properties of major units. The discussion concerning the groundwater flow and transport system in the vicinity of the active trenches of the 200 West Area and 200 East Area LLBGs includes the following topics: saturated zone features, events, and processes relevant to the saturated zone conceptual model; hydrogeologic units; groundwater flow conditions; and flow and transport properties.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2023

Hierarchical Cellulose Superinsulation Membrane

The environment-friendly components coupled with the ability to mimic the simplicity and originality of nature necessitate advanced sustainable materials with structural capabilities for energy-efficient applications. The use of feedstock deriving from plant-based, renewable organic material to produce nanofibril that embodies enhanced insulating properties and high mechanical strength constitutes an efficient development strategy. In this work, a free-standing, hierarchical superinsulation membrane by leveraging the principle of the bottom-up method is reported. The electrospun cellulose nanofibrils/aerogel-based core layer provides exceptional thermal properties with its thermal conductivity of 10.2 mW m –1 K –1 . The lightweight, flexible, and durable paper-like membrane features a tensile strength of 11.3 MPa and a bending rigidity in the order of 4.6 cN mm –1 . The hydrophobic superinsulation membrane material also exhibits a ΔT of ≈25 °C under continuous sunlight illumination and allows thermal runaway mitigation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. All the aforementioned properties position this hybrid superinsulation membrane as a promising material for energy-saving thermal management applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Runtime Monitoring with R2U2 for Aircraft Systems with Neural Networks

R2U2 (Realizable, Responsive, Unobtrusive Unit) is a hardware-supported tool and framework for real-time system monitoring and software health management of cyber-physical systems. During system operation, R2U2 continuously monitors properties about safety, performance, and security of the vehicle and its vital components and can perform diagnostic reasoning. Efficient observers for past-time and future-time Metric Temporal Logic, fast reasoners for Bayesian Networks, and model-based prognostics algorithms are key components of R2U2 and designed for minimal computational footprint. R2U2 has been implemented in software supporting ROS, NASA's cFS/cFE, and Simulink and as an FPGA configuration. The synergistic combination of monitors and observers in R2U2 makes it possible to design powerful models for system runtime monitoring, diagnostics, software health management, prognostics, and security monitoring. In this presentation, I will give a detailed overview of the R2U2 architecture and its features and will discuss the application of R2U2 for safety-monitoring of a neural-network based autonomous centerline tracking system (ACT) for autonomous aircraft.

Runtime Monitoring↗

DOE OSTI2020

The Innovation and Partnership Office Liaison Team Supports the Development of LLNL Intellectual Property [Slides]

Abstract not provided.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Low Activity Waste Glass Optimization with Property Models from Machine Learning, Part 2: Experimental Validation and Active Learning

The United States Department of Energy is responsible for managing legacy nuclear waste stored in underground tanks at the Hanford Site. To treat the waste, it is planned as the current baseline to separately vitrify low-activity waste (LAW) and high-level waste fractions. Previously, machine learning (ML) based glass property models (e.g., chemical durability, viscosity, electrical conductivity and SO3 solubility) were developed with prediction uncertainties. A waste glass optimization approach was then established to enable the capability of using these ML models in LAW glass formulation. In this study, the previous ML models were first experimentally validated, and the results were incorporated back into the database to update the ML models. The updated models and formulations showed increased waste loading while reducing the failure rate, demonstrating improved predictive accuracy, reduced uncertainties, and the effectiveness of active learning in guiding high-dimensional, nonlinear LAW glass design. This represents the first experimental validation of ML based LAW glass formulation, with practical benefits such as higher waste loading, shorter mission duration, and lower operational risk.

Lu, Xiaonan (ORCID:0000000179708148)↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Initial Exploration of STEReO (Scalable Traffic management for Emergency Response Operations) system user requirements for safe integration of small UAS

Environment-based disasters, such as wildfire, can cause substantial loss of life and loss of property and are costing billions of dollars annually. Existing disaster response operations are complex, with many challenges. The aim of the Scalable Traffic management for Emergency Response Operations (STEReO) system is to demonstrate the application of technologies that will enable small, low-altitude Unmanned Aerial System operations to safely take place in the airspace above a disaster event, increasing the effectiveness of the response. As a first step, the project aims to build a small prototype to demonstrate and test the core functions of this system based on user needs and requirements that were gathered from experts in the field during discussions and walkthroughs.

STEReO↗

NASA NTRS2012

Engineered Multifunctional Surfaces for Fluid Handling

Designs incorporating variations in capillary geometry and hydrophilic and/or antibacterial surface properties have been developed that are capable of passive gas/liquid separation and passive water flow. These designs can incorporate capillary grooves and/or surfaces arranged to create linear and circumferential capillary geometry at the micro and macro scale, radial fin configurations, micro holes and patterns, and combinations of the above. The antibacterial property of this design inhibits the growth of bacteria or the development of biofilm. The hydrophilic property reduces the water contact angle with a treated substrate such that water spreads into a thin layer atop the treated surface. These antibacterial and hydrophilic properties applied to a thermally conductive surface, combined with capillary geometry, create a novel heat exchanger capable of condensing water from a humid, two-phase water and gas flow onto the treated heat exchanger surfaces, and passively separating the condensed water from the gas flow in a reduced gravity application. The overall process to generate the antibacterial and hydrophilic properties includes multiple steps to generate the two different surface properties, and can be divided into two major steps. Step 1 uses a magnetron-based sputtering technique to implant the silver atoms into the base material. A layer of silver is built up on top of the base material. Completion of this step provides the antibacterial property. Step 2 uses a cold-plasma technique to generate the hydrophilic surface property on top of the silver layer generated in Step 1. Completion of this step provides the hydrophilic property in addition to the antibacterial property. Thermally conductive materials are fabricated and then treated to create the antibacterial and hydrophilic surface properties. The individual parts are assembled to create a condensing heat exchanger with antibacterial and hydrophilic surface properties and capillary geometry, which is capable of passive phase separation in a reduced gravity application. The plasma processes for creating antibacterial and hydrophilic surface properties are suitable for applications where water is present on an exposed surface for an extended time, such that bacteria or biofilms could form, and where there is a need to manage the water on the surface. The processes are also suitable for applications where only the hydrophilic property is needed. In particular, the processes are applicable to condensing heat exchangers (CHXs), which benefit from the antibacterial properties as well as the hydrophilic properties. Water condensing onto the control surfaces of the CHX will provide the moist conditions necessary for the growth of bacteria and the formation of biofilms. The antibacterial properties of the base layer (silver) will mitigate and prevent the growth of bacteria and formation of biofilms that would otherwise reduce the CHX performance. In addition, the hydrophilic properties reduce the water contact angle and prevent water droplets from bridging between control surfaces. Overall, the hydrophilic properties reduce the pressure drop across the CHX.

Thomas, Chris↗