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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2021

MODIS Reflective Solar Bands Calibration Improvements for Collection 7

Calibration of Terra and Aqua MODIS reflective solar bands (RSB) has evolved significantly since the launch of the first MODIS instrument on the Terra satellite more than 21 years ago. In NASA’s current Collection 6 and 6.1 Level 1B products (C6/C6.1 L1B), the RSB calibration algorithm continues to rely primarily on the onboard solar diffuser to calibrate the instrument gain. Lunar observations are used to track on-orbit changes in the response versus scan angle (RVS), and data from pseudo-invariant desert sites are used to apply adjustments to the gain and RVS calibration for select bands. The resulting reflectance products have in general shown a very stable performance. In recent years, some performance degradation has been noted for a few bands and algorithm changes have been tested to further improve the calibration accuracy for the upcoming Collection 7 (C7) L1B reprocess. In this paper, we present the MODIS RSB calibration improvements that will be included in C7. Major improvements include: applying polarization correction to the desert data before using it to generateRVS for Terra bands 8, 9, 3, and 10; using ocean scene data and an interband calibration approach to correct for long-term drift of Terra bands 11 and 12; applying an updated crosstalk correction to Terra SWIR bands over the entire mission; and using data from deep convective clouds in Terra SWIR band calibration, including the addition of time-dependent RVS for bands 5 and 26. All other minor calibration changes are also covered. Overall, the reflectance differences at nadir between C6.1 and C7 are within a few percent, though the differences increase in some cases at large scan angles. The Terra visible (3, 8-12) and SWIR bands (5-7, 26) have the most significant improvements. For all other Terra bands and all Aqua bands, the C7-C6.1 differences are mostly within 1%

MODIS↗
NASA NTRS2022

Evaluation of remote sensing-based evapotranspiration products at low-latitude eddy covariance sites

Remote sensing-based evapotranspiration (ET) products have been evaluated primarily using data from northern middle latitudes; therefore, little is known about their performance at low latitudes. To address this bias, an evaluation dataset was compiled using eddy covariance data from 40 sites between latitudes 30° S and 30° N. The flux data were obtained from the emerging network in Mexico (MexFlux) and from openly available databases of FLUXNET, AsiaFlux, and OzFlux. This unique reference dataset was then used to evaluate remote sensing-based ET products in environments that have been underrepresented in earlier studies. The evaluated products were: MODIS ET (MOD16, both the discontinued collection 5 (C5) and the latest collection (C6)), Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) ET, and Atmosphere-Land Exchange Inverse (ALEXI) ET. Products were compared with unadjusted fluxes (ETorig) and with fluxes corrected for the lack of energy balance closure (ETebc). Three common statistical metrics were used: coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and percent bias (PBIAS). The effect of a vegetation mismatch between pixel and site on product evaluation results was investigated by examining the relationship between the statistical metrics and product-specific vegetation match indexes. Evaluation results of this study and those published in the literature were used to examine the performance of the products across latitudes. Differences between the MOD16 collection 5 and 6 datasets were generally smaller than differences with the other products. Performance and ranking of the evaluated products depended on whether ETorig or ETebc was used. When using ETorig, GLEAM generally had the highest R2, smallest PBIAS, and best RMSE values across the studied land cover types and climate zones. Neither MOD16 nor ALEXI performed consistently better than the other. When using ETebc, none of the products stood out in terms of both low bias and strong correlations. The use of ETebc instead of ETorig affected the biases more than the correlations. The product evaluation results showed no significant relationship with the degree of match between the vegetation at the pixel and site scale. The latitudinal comparison showed tendencies of lower R2 (all products) but better PBIAS and normalized RMSE values (MOD16 and GLEAM) for forests at low latitudes than for forests at northern middle latitudes. For non-forest vegetation, the products showed no clear latitudinal differences in performance.

Diego Salazar-Martínez↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Standard measures in Analogs of Spaceflight

Standard measures are defined as research measures (physiological, performance, or otherwise) that quantify the subject’s health and performance before, during, and after a spaceflight or a spaceflight analog mission. The Standard Measures Cross-Cutting Project (SMCCP) collects and analyzes standard measures that support assessment and quantification of health risks and efficacy of countermeasures and technologies required to prevent or mitigate adverse outcomes from exposure to the spaceflight environment. SMCCP uses the following spaceflight analogs: - Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) in Houston, TX: 4-person isolation/confinement; nominal mission duration of 45 days; run by the Human Research Program (HRP). SMCCP uses weekly questionnaires to gather data on the crewmembers’ emotional and mental state and collects blood samples biweekly to measure crewmembers’ serum cortisol levels at the start, middle, and end of the mission. - Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP) Ground-Based Experimental Complex, called NEK, in Moscow, Russia: 6-person isolation/confinement; duration of 8 months; run by IBMP. Standard measures data collected during NEK are the same as for HERA above. - :envihab in Cologne, Germany: 12-person bed rest facility; closed environment; 30 to 60-day campaigns; run by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). For bedrest studies, SMCCP uses the international standard measures as documented in the International Academy of Astronautics publication titled Guidelines for Standardization of Bed Rest Studies in the Spaceflight Context (June 2014). These international standard measures evaluate potential changes in bone, muscle, cardiovascular, and visual systems, as well as changes in psychology and nutrition. The international standard measures complement those collected during studies by individual investigators and allow comparison of responses across different bed rest and countermeasures durations. In this presentation, we will review available SMCCP data collected during the recent isolation studies in HERA (C6) and NEK (SIRIUS-21), and during the SANS (SM1, SM2) bed rest studies in :envihab. These standard measures datasets are made available to concurrent investigators in the given mission or campaign via data sharing agreements and/or data sharing plans and to other investigators that have been granted retrospective access to the data (researchers with IRB approved protocols, risk custodians) to advance understanding of physiological and behavioral risks associated with these spaceflight analogs.

Standard Measures↗
NASA NTRS2023

Improving the MODIS LAI Compositing Using Prior Time-Series Information

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) long-term leaf area index (LAI) products have significantly contributed to global energy fluxes, climate change, and biogeochemistry research. However, the maximum fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by vegetation (Max-FPAR) compositing strategy of the Collection 6 (C6) products dictates that the main or backup algorithm is always triggered by observations of different quality, which indirectly causes the observed instability in the LAI time-series. Based on MODIS daily LAI retrievals, this study develops a prior knowledge time-series compositing algorithm (PKA) using a linear kernel driven (LKD) model. Our results show that the newly proposed PKA can significantly improve the LAI composites compared to the Max-FPAR strategy using ground-based observations for validation. We found that the PKA performs better than Max-FPAR in various aspects (different sites, seasons, and retrieval index (RI) ranges), with R2 increasing from 0.69 to 0.76 and root means square error (RMSE) decreasing from 1.01 to 0.84 compared to GBOV ground truth. The same improvement was shown for the ground truth LAIs measured at the Honghe and Hailun sites in northeastern China, with R2 increasing from 0.23 to 0.41 and RMSE decreasing from 1.27 to 1.25. In addition, three newly proposed temporal uncertainty metrics (time-series stability, TSS and time-series anomaly, TSA and reconstruction error metric, RE (the proximity to the main RT-based retrievals)) were applied to compare the stability of LAI time-series before and after PKA implementation. We found that the time series stability of PKA LAI was improved, the time series anomalies were reduced, and the retrieval rates of the main algorithm were also greatly enhanced compared to Max-FPAR LAI. A case intercomparison for Max-FPAR-MODIS, Max-FPAR-VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite), and PKA-MODIS LAIs in the Amazon Forest region showed that the PKA is also effective in improving the LAI retrieval over large regions with few qualified observations due to poor atmospheric conditions (RE decreased from 2.37/2.35 (Max-FPAR-MODIS/Max-FPAR-VIIRS) to 2.25 (PKA-MODIS) and RI increased from 61.94%/59.62% to 66.88%). The same improvement was seen in the BELMANIP 2.1 sites for almost all biomes except deciduous broadleaf forest, where the RE decreased from 1.85/2.13 to 1.15 overall. We note that the PKA has the potential to be easily implemented in the operational algorithms of subsequent MODIS and MODIS-like LAI Collections.

MODIS↗
NASA NTRS2025

Refinement of Selection of a Campaign of Analog Subjects for NASA Human Exploration Research Analog

The NASA Research Operations and Integration (ROI) Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) is a 650-square foot habitat that supports isolation and confinement research topics including behavioral health and performance, team dynamics, and autonomy studies. Campaign 6 (C6), a complement of fifteen science experiments and operational tasks was a simulated mission to the Mars moon Phobos. For Campaign 7 (C7), the most recent HERA campaign, a complement of eighteen science experiments and operational tasks were completed by four crew members over a 45-day simulated mission to Mars. Prior to each mission, a crew of 4 primary crew members and 2 alternates are selected from a pool of candidates. Applicants must meet astronaut-like criteria and be composed of an equal gender ratio. After a comprehensive screening and interview process the crew and alternates are selected.

M J Maciejewski↗
DOE OSTI2011

A Comparison of Creep-Rupture Tested Cast Alloys HR282, IN740 and 263 for Possible Application in Advanced Ultrasupercritical Steam Turbine and Boiler

Cast forms of traditionally wrought Ni-base precipitation-strengthened superalloys are being considered for service in the ultra-supercritical conditions (760°C, 35MPa) of next-generation steam boilers and turbines. After casting and homogenization, these alloys were given heat-treatments typical for each in the wrought condition to develop the gamma-prime phase. Specimens machined from castings were creep-rupture tested in air at 800°C. In their wrought forms, alloy 282 is expected to precipitate M<SUB>23</SUB>C<SUB>6</SUB> within grain boundaries, alloy 740 is expected to precipitate several grain boundary phases including M<SUB>23</SUB>C<SUB>6</SUB>, G Phase, and η phase, and alloy 263 has M<SUB>23</SUB>C6 and MC within its grain boundaries. This presentation will correlate the observed creep-life of these cast alloys with the microstructures developed during creep-rupture tests, with an emphasis on the phase identification and chemistry of precipitated grain boundary phases. The suitability of these cast forms of traditionally wrought alloys for turbine and boiler components will also be discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

The Crystal Structures of two Anhydrous Magnesium Hydroxychloride Phases from in situ Synchrotron Powder Diffraction Data

The crystal structures of two members of the solid solution series Mg(OH){sub x}Cl{sub y}x+y = 2, Mg(OH){sub 1.7}Cl{sub 0.3} (P{sup {bar 3}}m1, a = 3.169(2) {angstrom}, c = 5.530(12), V = 48.1(1) {angstrom}{sup 3} at T = 365 C) and MgOHCl (R{sup {bar 3}}m, a = 3.3877(4) {angstrom}, c = 17.534(4) {angstrom}, V = 174.27(6) {angstrom}{sup 3} at T = 625 C) were determined from in situ synchrotron powder diffraction data at high temperature upon dehydration of 3Mg(OH){sub 2} {center_dot} MgCl{sub 2} {center_dot} 8H{sub 2}O (F3) and 5Mg(OH){sub 2} {center_dot} MgCl{sub 2} {center_dot} 8H{sub 2}O (F5) phases. The crystal structures of Mg(OH){sub 1.7}Cl{sub 0.3} (example of ss-type-OH) and MgOHCl (example of ss-type-Cl) can be related to the C19 (CdCl{sub 2}) and C6 (CdI{sub 2}) structure type, respectively, with the disordered chloride and hydroxide anions occupying the same crystallographic site in layers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Method to convert biomass to 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furfural (HMF) and furfural using lactones, furans, and pyrans as solvents

Described is a process to produce hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) from biomass-derived sugars. The process includes the steps of reacting a C5 and/or C6 sugar-containing reactant derived from biomass in a monophasic or biphasic reaction solution comprising water and a co-solvent. The co-solvent can be beta-, gamma-, and/or delta-lactones derived from biomass, tetrahydrofuran (THF) derived from biomass, and/or methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) derived from biomass. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst and a dehydration catalyst for a time and under conditions such that at least a portion of glucose or fructose present in the reactant is converted to HMF.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solvent for non-aqueous battery

A solvent useful for lithium batteries comprises a compound of Formula (I): (R1)(R2)(R3)Si—R4—O—C(O)—[(O—R5)n—(O—C(O)]m—O—R6—X1. Each of R1 and R2 independently is alkyl; R3 is alkyl, —X2—Si(R7)(R8)(R9), or —CH2—O—C(O)—O—R10; X1 is H or —Si(R11)(R12)(R13); each of R4 and R6 independently is alkylene; each R5 independently is C2 to C6 alkylene; each of R7, R8, R9, and R10 independently is alkyl; X2 is O or alkylene; each of R11 and R12 independently is alkyl; R13 is alkyl or —X3—Si(R14)(R15)(R16); each of R14, R15, and R16 independently is alkyl; X3 is O or alkylene; m is 0 or 1, and n is 1-3; and when m is 0 and R3 is alkyl, X1 is —Si(R11)(R12)(R13). Also described is a method for manufacturing a compound of Formula (II): (R17)(R18)(R19)Si—CH2—O—C(O)—O—R20 where each R17, R18, R19, and R20 is alkyl.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fuel Property-Informed Process Design for the Direct Catalytic Conversion of Cellulosics

The direct catalytic conversion of cellulosics (DC3) with supercritical methanol presents a promising pathway to completely solubilize woody biomass and produce >60% mass yield of C2-C6 oxygenates for light duty vehicle applications. Although the oxygenate composition can be tuned by modifying catalyst and process conditions, limited efforts to date have examined DC3 fuel properties for light duty fuel applications to iteratively inform conversion process design. In this work, we designed and evaluated multi-component surrogate bioblendstocks that represent major DC3 light oxygenates and refined catalyst formulations and distillation parameters to improve the resulting light duty fuel quality. Surrogate design for this novel fuel production pathway was based on a preliminary product slate that was systematically adjusted to determine impacts on fuel properties of interest including heating value, oxidative stability, and heat of vaporization, among others. The resulting predictions and measurements of these surrogates were then used to inform improvement of conversion process, and specifically, reformulation of the catalyst which resulted in production of a higher energy density fuel product primarily comprised of saturated alcohols. Fuel testing outcomes also informed downstream oxygenate separations requirements. This resulted in the production of a promising DC3 light-duty fuel blendstock with >15% greater energy density relative to ethanol, while maintaining high octane number and octane sensitivity.

BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Performance Advantaged ..beta..-Ketone Containing Polymers - Benefits in Manufacturing, Performance, and End-of-Life

Biomass derived chemicals can possess extended functionality, often in the form of heteroatoms like oxygen and nitrogen, that can enable performance advantaged properties in emergent materials. These performance advantages can manifest in multiple ways such as reduced manufacturing intensity, better performance, or enhanced end-of-life options. One illustrative example of this concept is ..beta..-ketoadipic acid (..beta..KA), a C6 dicarboxylic acid with a ketone in its backbone. ..beta..KA can be obtained via biological cultivation from aromatic compounds, sugars, and even waste plastics. When ..beta..KA is implemented into polymers, namely nylons, in place of adipic acid the overall material properties are increased. Specifically, the glass transition temperature (which is the measurement at which temperature a plastic softens) is increased by 69 degrees C and the water permeability is reduced by 20%. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations reveal that the ..beta..-ketone in ..beta..KA leads to restricted movement across multiple backbone carbons when compared to adipic acid. Furthermore, MD simulations reveal that the ..beta..-ketone, when compared to no-ketone or an a-ketone, can lead to an increase in hydrogen bonding between neighboring chains. Both phenomena may help explain the molecular origin of the increases in polymer performance. When implemented into polyesters, namely PET, ..beta..KA can maintain the requisite performance while enabling enhanced degradation. Aside from performance advantages in thermomechanical performance, the production of ..beta..KA also is advantaged in its manufacturing. Although estimates for the minimum selling price (MSP) of ..beta..KA exceed adipic acid the manufacture of ..beta..KAwould reduce supply chain energy and GHG emissions by >50% and >30% respectively. Further TEA analysis reveals that the MSP of ..beta..KA is primarily driven by the feedstock cost while the capital expenditures are driven largely by fermentation costs. Overall, the work presented within will be illustrative of how biomass derived molecules, namely ..beta..KA, can manifest performance advantages across multiple benchmarks and may enable a path to market for biomass-derived materials.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

..beta..-Ketoadipic Acid Production in P. putida for Performance-Advantaged Nylons

Biomass derived chemicals can possess extended functionality, often in the form of heteroatoms like oxygen and nitrogen, that can enable performance advantaged properties in emergent materials. One illustrative example of this concept is ..beta..-ketoadipic acid (..beta..KA), a C6 dicarboxylic acid with a ketone in its backbone. ..beta..KA can be obtained via biological cultivation from aromatic compounds, sugars, and even waste plastics. When ..beta..KA is implemented into polymers, namely nylons, in place of adipic acid the overall material properties are increased. Specifically, the glass transition temperature (which is the measurement at which temperature a plastic softens) is increased by 69 degrees C and the water permeability is reduced by 20%. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations reveal that the ..beta..-ketone in ..beta..KA leads to restricted movement across multiple backbone carbons when compared to adipic acid. Furthermore, MD simulations reveal that the ..beta..-ketone, when compared to no-ketone or an a-ketone, can lead to an increase in hydrogen bonding between neighboring chains. Both phenomena may help explain the molecular origin of the increases in polymer performance. Aside from performance advantages in thermomechanical performance, the production of ..beta..KA also is advantaged in its manufacturing. Although estimates for the minimum selling price (MSP) of ..beta..KA exceed adipic acid the manufacture of ..beta..KA would reduce supply chain energy and GHG emissions by >50% and >30% respectively. Further TEA analysis reveals that the MSP of ..beta..KA is primarily driven by the feedstock cost while the capital expenditures are driven largely by fermentation costs. Overall, the work presented within will be illustrative of how biomass derived molecules, namely ..beta..KA, can manifest performance advantages across multiple benchmarks and may enable a path to market for biomass-derived materials.

beta-ketoadipic acid↗
DOE OSTI2012

Enhanced CANDU6: Reactor and fuel cycle options - Natural uranium and beyond

The Enhanced CANDU 6{sup R} (ECo{sup R}) is the updated version of the well established CANDU 6 family of units incorporating improved safety characteristics designed to meet or exceed Generation III nuclear power plant expectations. The EC6 retains the excellent neutron economy and fuel cycle flexibility that are inherent in the CANDU reactor design. The reference design is based on natural uranium fuel, but the EC6 is also able to utilize additional fuel options, including the use of Recovered Uranium (RU) and Thorium based fuels, without requiring major hardware upgrades to the existing control and safety systems. This paper outlines the major changes in the EC6 core design from the existing C6 design that significantly enhance the safety characteristics and operating efficiency of the reactor. The use of RU fuel as a transparent replacement fuel for the standard 37-el NU fuel, and several RU based advanced fuel designs that give significant improvements in fuel burnup and inherent safety characteristics are also discussed in the paper. In addition, the suitability of the EC6 to use MOX and related Pu-based fuels will also be discussed. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Experimental and Modeling of Low Pressure Plasma as a Complementary Process for Thermal Waste Treatment - 19270

Polymeric waste contaminated with radionuclides is a challenging wasteform in its raw state. This waste is characterized by its high volume to weight ratio, together with the hazard of its radiolysis and consequently, the generation of flammable and explosive gases (e.g. H2 and light hydrocarbons). Thus, minimizing waste volumes together with stabilizing the wasteform are of high significance in the treatment of contaminated polymers. Thermal decomposition of polymeric waste results in gas products, mainly hydrocarbon molecules (C2-C6), which cannot be released to the atmosphere for environmental reasons. Here, we study a secondary gas treatment reactor, using plasma formed by inductive radio-frequency (13.56 MHz RF), in order to decompose the hydrocarbon gas products into smaller molecules. As a case study, we compare the plasma treatment of gases from two sources: a mixed gaseous product collected from the pyrolytic decomposition of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and industrial butane gas. We also examine the effects of systematic addition of Ar, N{sub 2} and Ar+N{sub 2} mixtures to the treated gases. In this work, we utilize optical emission spectroscopy (OES) to obtain in situ data from the region in the center of the inductive RF coil. The main emissions from discharges in the gases or their mixtures occur in the 200-700 nm spectral region. Their relative intensities depend strongly on the plasma excitation mode, N{sub 2} flow rate, and gas feed composition. The addition of N{sub 2} to the input gas enhanced hydrocarbon decomposition as compared to the addition of pure Ar. This can be attributed to decomposition by free-radical reactions rather than by particles collisions processes. We performed preliminary modeling of the plasma behavior from ignition to steady state, which takes less than 0.01 s under these conditions. These simulations will help us to better understand and optimize a variety of decomposition reactions. The results of this study suggest that coupling low pressure plasma to conventional thermal decomposition techniques can provide an effective treatment process for contaminated solid plastic waste. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Materials Data on CoH9C6(S2O)3 (SG:14) by Materials Project

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Materials Data on CrH9C6(S2O)3 (SG:14) by Materials Project

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Materials Data on VH16C6N6O7F2 (SG:2) by Materials Project

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗