Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Human Engineering”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Three-Dimensional Engineered High Fidelity Normal Human Lung Tissue-Like Assemblies (TLA) as Targets for Human Respiratory Virus Infections

Unlike traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, three-dimensional (3D) tissue-like assemblies (TLA) (Goodwin et aI, 1992, 1993, 2000 and Nickerson et aI. , 2001,2002) offer high organ fidelity with the potential to emulate the infective dynamics of viruses and bacteria in vivo. Thus, utilizing NASA micro gravity Rotating Wall Vessel (RWV) technology, in vitro human broncho-epithelial (HBE) TLAs were engineered to mimic in vivo tissue for study of human respiratory viruses. These 3D HBE TLAs were propagated from a human broncho-tracheal cell line with a mesenchymal component (HBTC) as the foundation matrix and either an adult human broncho-epithelial cell (BEAS-2B) or human neonatal epithelial cell (16HBE140-) as the overlying element. Resulting TLAs share several characteristic features with in vivo human respiratory epithelium including tight junctions, desmosomes and cilia (SEM, TEM). The presence of epithelium and specific lung epithelium markers furthers the contention that these HBE cells differentiate into TLAs paralleling in vivo tissues. A time course of infection of these 3D HBE TLAs with human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) wild type A2 strain, indicates that virus replication and virus budding are supported and manifested by increasing virus titer and detection of membrane-bound F and G glycoproteins. Infected 3D HBE TLAs remain intact for up to 12 days compared to infected 2D cultures that are destroyed in 2-3 days. Infected cells show an increased vacuolation and cellular destruction (by transmission electron microscopy) by day 9; whereas, uninfected cells remain robust and morphologically intact. Therefore, the 3D HBE TLAs mimic aspects of human respiratory epithelium providing a unique opportunity to analyze, for the first time, simulated in vivo viral infection independent of host immune response.

Goodwin, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Digital Human Modeling

The development of models to represent human characteristics and behaviors in human factors is broad and general. The term "model" can refer to any metaphor to represent any aspect of the human; it is generally used in research to mean a mathematical tool for the simulation (often in software, which makes the simulation digital) of some aspect of human performance and for the prediction of future outcomes. This section is restricted to the application of human models in physical design, e.g., in human factors engineering. This design effort is typically human interface design, and the digital models used are anthropometric. That is, they are visual models that are the physical shape of humans and that have the capabilities and constraints of humans of a selected population. They are distinct from the avatars used in the entertainment industry (movies, video games, and the like) in precisely that regard: as models, they are created through the application of data on humans, and they are used to predict human response; body stresses workspaces. DHM enable iterative evaluation of a large number of concepts and support rapid analysis, as compared with use of physical mockups. They can be used to evaluate feasibility of escape of a suited astronaut from a damaged vehicle, before launch or after an abort (England, et al., 2012). Throughout most of human spaceflight, little attention has been paid to worksite design for ground workers. As a result of repeated damage to the Space Shuttle which adversely affected flight safety, DHM analyses of ground assembly and maintenance have been developed over the last five years for the design of new flight systems (Stambolian, 2012, Dischinger and Dunn Jackson, 2014). The intent of these analyses is to assure the design supports the work of the ground crew personnel and thereby protect the launch vehicle. They help the analyst address basic human factors engineering questions: can a worker reach the task site from the work platform provided; can she or he see the task site; can she or he control tools, which, if dropped, might damage the system? Figure 7.3.1 provides an example of such analysis for a future NASA launch vehicle. [figure 7.3.1 here] In-space systems for operation by astronauts have long been targets for DHM analysis, given the focus on mission success and concerns for astronaut safety. Figure 7.3.2 illustrates the analysis of the design to support astronaut tasks for an International Space Station glovebox. [Figure 7.3.2 here] Use by

Dischinger, H. Charles, Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Influence of Microbial Membranes on Biofilm Formation, Scaling Reactions, and Production Chemistry in Engineered Energy Systems (Final Report)

Humans are engineering the deep subsurface for the purposes of energy-capture, energy-storage, and environmental mitigation. Despite the potential for microbial communities to significantly alter the effectiveness of these technologies, we have historically lacked a clear understanding of how microbial cells interact in a fractured shale system. Existing knowledge has been heavily based on genomic information, lacking studies on in situ physiologies, kinetic rates, and attachment mechanisms governing biogeochemical reactions in the system. The overarching goal of this research was to advance understanding of engineered hydrocarbon extraction systems as they evolve from newly developed environments to mature use. Plasma membranes protect microbial cells, mediate many critical functions, and respond to intracellular cues and ecological perturbations through physicochemical modifications. The project objectives were to 1) characterize variables influencing growth and membrane features of shale taxa, 2) characterize the interactions between shale matrices and microorganisms and 3) elucidate engineered and environmental processes driving biogeochemical signatures at the field scale. Objectives were realized through laboratory experiments involving growth of pure cultures and enrichments in continuous culture and biofilms; access to samples from two DOE-NETL funded energy-capture sites: Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory (MSEEL and MSEEL II); and through collaborations with scientists and engineers at the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) and National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Key findings showed (a) Halanaerobium congolense WG10 makes its membrane more fluid and thicker through increasing its polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition under non-optimal salinities (7% and 20%) compared to the optimum (13% NaCl); (b) anionic phospholipids within the plasma membrane are important for high salinity tolerance in H. congolense WG10 while zwitterionic species modulate biofilm physiologies in both isolate and mixed cultures, and (c) tyrosine accumulation with overexpression of Na+/H+ antiporters are essential for osmoprotection in H. congolense WG10 under high salinity while upregulation of aromatic amino acid synthesis and cell envelope maintenance underpin biofilm formation. It is clear from these results that microbial persistence in fractured shale reservoirs under environmental and engineered perturbations requires strategic plasma membrane lipid chemistry adjustments and metabolic restructuring, with implications for improved shale microbiology management and more efficient hydrocarbon extraction approaches targeting microorganisms.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
NASA NTRS2010

Integration of MSFC Usability Lab with Usability Testing

As part of the Stage Analysis Branch, human factors engineering plays an important role in relating humans to the systems of hardware and structure designs of the new launch vehicle. While many branches are involved in the technical aspects of creating a launch vehicle, human factors connects humans to the scientific systems with the goal of improving operational performance and safety while reducing operational error and damage to the hardware. Human factors engineers use physical and computerized models to visualize possible areas for improvements to ensure human accessibility to components requiring maintenance and that the necessary maintenance activities can be accomplished with minimal risks to human and hardware. Many methods of testing are used to fulfill this goal, such as physical mockups, computerized visualization, and usability testing. In this analysis, a usability test is conducted to test how usable a website is to users who are and are not familiar with it. The testing is performed using participants and Morae software to record and analyze the results. This analysis will be a preliminary test of the usability lab in preparation for use in new spacecraft programs, NASA Enterprise, or other NASA websites. The usability lab project is divided into two parts: integration of the usability lab and a preliminary test of the usability lab.

Cheng, Yiwei↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Assessing Engine Hot Fire Data for Human Spaceflight Applications

Development and certification of liquid engine systems for human spaceflight missions requires exhaustive analysis to meet the NASA’s requirements for engine health, reliability, and performance. The techniques used to assess requirement conformance and test-to-test engine health pose many unique challenges including the unusually large scale of data, complex component and system analysis, and rigorous engineering judgement standards. To address these challenges, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Engine Systems branch has developed and maintained a robust software suite and operational processes that satisfy programmatic requirements levied on engines and the 7 Elements of Flight Rationale. Analysis at a systems level includes subsystem assessment of components such as turbomachinery and combustion devices as well as structural and fluid dynamics and transient and steady-state assessment at a systems level. Some of the most important tools to accomplish this analysis are automated script databases, creation of historical and statistical comparisons, and parameters calculated at the full data rate. These tools greatly simplify the crucial processes of anomaly investigation, limit monitoring, health assessment, and timely communication of key conclusions drawn from hot fire testing and flight data analysis.

Data Assessment↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Assessing Engine Hot Fire Data for Human Spaceflight Applications

Development and certification of liquid engine systems for human spaceflight missions requires exhaustive analysis to meet the NASA’s requirements for engine health, reliability, and performance. The techniques used to assess requirement conformance and test-to-test engine health pose many unique challenges including the unusually large scale of data, complex component and system analysis, and rigorous engineering judgement standards. To address these challenges, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Engine Systems branch has developed and maintained a robust software suite and operational processes that satisfy programmatic requirements levied on engines and the 7 Elements of Flight Rationale. Analysis at a systems level includes subsystem assessment of components such as turbomachinery and combustion devices as well as structural and fluid dynamics and transient and steady-state assessment at a systems level. Some of the most important tools to accomplish this analysis are automated script databases, creation of historical and statistical comparisons, and parameters calculated at the full data rate. These tools greatly simplify the crucial processes of anomaly investigation, limit monitoring, health assessment, and timely communication of key conclusions drawn from hot fire testing and flight data analysis.

Data Assessment↗
NASA NTRS2007

GN&C Engineering Best Practices For Human-Rated Spacecraft Systems

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) recently completed an in-depth assessment to identify a comprehensive set of engineering considerations for the Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (DDT&E) of safe and reliable human-rated spacecraft systems. Reliability subject matter experts, discipline experts, and systems engineering experts were brought together to synthesize the current "best practices" both at the spacecraft system and subsystems levels. The objective of this paper is to summarize, for the larger Community of Practice, the initial set of Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) engineering Best Practices as identified by this NESC assessment process.

Dennehy, Cornelius J.↗
NASA NTRS2007

GN&C Engineering Best Practices for Human-Rated Spacecraft Systems

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) recently completed an in-depth assessment to identify a comprehensive set of engineering considerations for the Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (DDT&E) of safe and reliable human-rated spacecraft systems. Reliability subject matter experts, discipline experts, and systems engineering experts were brought together to synthesize the current "best practices" both at the spacecraft system and subsystems levels. The objective of this paper is to summarize, for the larger Community of Practice, the initial set of Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) engineering Best Practices as identified by this NESC assessment process.

Dennehy, Cornelius J.↗
NASA NTRS2008

GN&C Engineering Best Practices for Human-Rated Spacecraft System

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) recently completed an in-depth assessment to identify a comprehensive set of engineering considerations for the Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (DDT&E) of safe and reliable human-rated spacecraft systems. Reliability subject matter experts, discipline experts, and systems engineering experts were brought together to synthesize the current "best practices" both at the spacecraft system and subsystems levels. The objective of this paper is to summarize, for the larger Community of Practice, the initial set of Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) engineering Best Practices as identified by this NESC assessment process.

Dennehy, Cornelius J.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Postures and Motions Library Development for Verification of Ground Crew Human Factors Requirements

Spacecraft and launch vehicle ground processing activities require a variety of unique human activities. These activities are being documented in a primitive motion capture library. The library will be used by human factors engineering analysts to infuse real to life human activities into the CAD models to verify ground systems human factors requirements. As the primitive models are being developed for the library, the project has selected several current human factors issues to be addressed for the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion launch systems. This paper explains how the motion capture of unique ground systems activities is being used to verify the human factors engineering requirements for ground systems used to process the SLS and Orion vehicles, and how the primitive models will be applied to future spacecraft and launch vehicle processing.

Stambolian, Damon↗
DOE OSTI2017

Application of HFE to the design and V and V of a computerized procedure system: benefits and challenges - 234

The application of Human Factors Engineering (HFE) practices to the Human Machine Interface design and subsequent Verification and Validation (V and V) is a widely applied practice when talking about the design of complete control rooms or important control room modernizations, but not so often applied to the design of computerized operator support systems. In order to overcome the challenges faced on designing a Computerized Operation Support System (COSS) that meets the process efficiency requirements and integrates seemingly with hybrid plant operation concept, the involvement of a HFE team early in the COSS design and implementation process along with operation, Instrumentation and Control (I and C) and cybersecurity experts will guarantee the project success. This paper documents the HFE process applied during the design and evaluation of a Computerized Procedure System (CPS) and how final product was shaped to ensure that the transition from paper to computerized procedures will help in meeting Delivering the Nuclear Promise (DNP) goals, improving plant efficiency. The HFE program included the following activities: 1. A review of existing operating experience 2. An analysis of functions and tasks associated to the use and maintenance of CPS 3. A design verification of the system to meet guidelines prescribed in the NUREG-0700 (Rev.2), requirements of the ISG-05 and cybersecurity criteria (NEI 08-09, IEC-62646, EPRI 1015313, these among others). 4. An integrated system validation in a full scope simulator The application of HFE practices in the design and implementation of COSS helps not only to ensure that efficiency and safety improvement requirements are met, but also to evaluate the potential return of the investment, that such tools should bring. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Guide for Selecting Appropriate Human Factors Methods and Measures in Control Room Modernization Efforts in Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract. Many of the U.S. nuclear power plants are approaching the end of their 60-year licensing period. The U.S. Department of Energy Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program is conducting targeted research to extend the lives and ensure long-term reliability, productivity, safety, and security of these plants through targeted research, such as with integrating advanced digital instrumentation and control technologies in the main control room. There are many challenges to this, one being the integration of human factors engineering in the design and evaluation of these upgrades. This paper builds upon recent efforts in developing utility-specific guidance for integrating human factors engineering in the control room modernization process by providing commonly used data collection methods that are applicable at various phases of the upgrade process. Advantages and disadvantages of each method is provided for consideration of an optimal human factors evaluation plan to be used throughout the lifespan of the upgrade process.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Human-System Interface Design Review Guidelines

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff reviews the human factors engineering (HFE) aspects of nuclear power plants in accordance with the Standard Review Plan (NUREG-0800, Standard Review Plan for the Review of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants: LWR Edition). The Human Factors Engineering Program Review Model (NUREG-0711, Revision 3, issued November 2012) contains detailed design review procedures. As part of the review process, the interfaces between plant personnel and the plant's systems and components are evaluated for conformance with HFE guidelines. This document, Human-System Interface Design Review Guidelines (NUREG-0700, Revision 3), provides the guidelines necessary to perform this evaluation. The review guidelines address the physical and functional characteristics of human-system interfaces (HSIs). Because these guidelines only address the HFE aspects of design and not other related considerations, such as instrumentation and control and structural design, they are referred to as HFE guidelines. In addition to the review of actual HSIs, the NRC staff can use the NUREG-0700 guidelines to evaluate a design-specific HFE guidelines document or style guide. The HFE guidelines are organized into four basic parts, which are divided into sections. Part I contains guidelines for the basic HSI elements: information displays, user-interface interaction and management, and analog displays and controls. These elements are used as building blocks to develop HSI systems to serve specific functions. Part II contains the guidelines for reviewing the following HSI systems: alarm system, safety parameter display system, group-view display system, soft control system, computer-based procedure system, automation system, and communication system. Part III provides guidelines for the review of workstations and workplaces. Part IV provides guidelines for the review of HSI support (i.e., maintainability of digital systems and degraded HSI and instrumentation and control conditions).

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

3D Modeling of Safety-Related Upgrade Pilot Project

Constellation Energy and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) have established a public/private partnership to implement a pilot digital upgrade to replace legacy analog, safety-related reactor protection and emergency safety feature actuation systems (RPS/ESFAS) with modern digital systems. This effort is occurring at Constellation’s Limerick Generating Station. This project is being performed in accordance with industry processes that have been adapted to better support digital upgrades. These processes include IP-ENG-001, Standard Design Process, NISP-EN-04, Standard Digital Engineering Process and Electric Power Research Institute Report 3002011816, Digital Engineering Guide. The Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has been supporting this effort. Latest INL HFE efforts in support of this project have focused on definition and implementation of the Human Factors Engineering (HFE) Program in support of Constellation design and related licensing efforts. This paper will present the development of the HFE 3D modeling execution of the Main Control Room safety upgrades. New equipment and modifications are planned for upgrading the new safety systems. 3D modeling allows for visualization of the new equipment and modifications to be shared with engineering and design teams for evaluation and review. Anthropometric considerations such as sight lines and functional reach can be evaluated directly using the 3D model. This effort has helped to provide visualizations for additional review with operations personnel and project stakeholders.

3D Modeling↗
NASA NTRS2010

Performance Support Tools for Space Medical Operations

Early Constellation space missions are expected to have medical capabilities similar to those currently on board the Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS). Flight surgeons on the ground in Mission Control will direct the Crew Medical Officer (CMO) during medical situations. If the crew is unable to communicate with the ground, the CMO will carry out medical procedures without the aid of a flight surgeon. In these situations, use of performance support tools can reduce errors and time to perform emergency medical tasks. The research presented here is part of the Human Factors in Training Directed Research Project of the Space Human Factors Engineering Project under the Space Human Factors and Habitability Element of the Human Research Program. This is a joint project consisting of human factors teams from the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the Ames Research Center (ARC). Work on medical training has been conducted in collaboration with the Medical Training Group at JSC and with Wyle that provides medical training to crew members, biomedical engineers (BMEs), and flight surgeons under the Bioastronautics contract. Human factors personnel at Johnson Space Center have investigated medical performance support tools for CMOs and flight surgeons.

Byrne, Vicky↗