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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Initial testing of the Uncrewed Aerial System Pilot Kit (UASP-kit) in Operational Settings

Remote pilots for small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) are at a disadvantage for building situation awareness of the airspace in which they are flying, because of limited sight lines and distance from cell towers. A tool to provide increased air traffic situation awareness for an sUAS pilot is being developed. The “UASP-kit” is small and self-contained, with its chief capability being to collect and display Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast reports of local aircraft. UASP-kits were taken into the field, introduced to users during a training course, and then left with them for the summer fire season. sUAS pilots used the prototypes when it was appropriate throughout the summer. The UASP-kits were operational for a total of 79 flight-days. Users noted that the UASP-kits supported their situation awareness but also identified several usability issues. The findings contribute to validation of the UASP-kit, and support continuing the work to improve the tool and develop additional functionality.

STEReO↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Initial testing of the Uncrewed Aerial System Pilot Kit (UASP-kit) in Operational Settings

Pilots for small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) are at a disadvantage for building situation awareness of the remote airspace in which they are flying, simply because they are distant from their vehicles. A tool to provide increased air traffic situation awareness for an sUAS pilot is being developed. The UAS pilot kit, “UASP-kit,” is small and self-contained, with its chief capability being to collect and display Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast reports of local aircraft. UASP-kits were taken into the field, introduced to users during a training course, and then left with them for the summer fire season. sUAS pilots used the prototypes when it was appropriate throughout the summer. The UASP-kits were operational for a total of 79 flight-days. Users reported that the UASP-kits supported their situation awareness but also identified several usability issues. The findings contribute to validation of the UASP-kit, and support continuing the work to improve the tool and develop additional functionality.

STEReO↗
DOE OSTI2022

Market Barriers and Drivers for the Next Generation Fault Detection and Diagnostic Tools

Commercial buildings in the U.S. consume as much as 30% excess energy compared to buildings that operate fault free and efficiently. Fault detection and diagnostic (FDD) platforms help to continually identify operational inefficiencies and maintain low-carbon performance. However, the recommendations generated by FDD tools need to be implemented by technicians, resulting in delays or lost savings opportunities. Recent research advances showed fault AUTOcorrection integrating with commercial FDD offerings filled this gap. Seven innovative AUTOcorrection algorithms were integrated into two FDD platforms and deployed across four buildings. The enhanced tools successfully correct faults focusing on incorrectly programmed schedules, override not released, control hunting, rogue zone, and suboptimal setpoints. Although its technical efficacy has been proven in the field, fault AUTO-correction is still early in the deployment cycle and opportunities and barriers need to be understood to reach its full potential in market transformation. This paper broadly introduces the new technology that automatically corrects HVAC faults. The authors describe in detail technology potential, market barriers, and enablers for scalability based on field testing results and interviews with the FDD providers and facility managers. The interviewees agreed that AUTO-correction can reduce the extent to which savings are dependent upon human intervention, scale building operators’ ability to act on FDD findings (especially for facilities with small operation teams), and achieve significant savings. To enable scalable deployment, future efforts are needed to overcome the barriers such as cybersecurity and accountability concerns from building operators and standardization of control parameters used in building automation systems.

Pritoni, Marco↗
NASA NTRS2008

Spatial and Alignment Analyses for a field of Small Volcanic Vents South of Pavonis Mons Mars

The Tharsis province of Mars displays a variety of small volcanic vent (10s krn in diameter) morphologies. These features were identified in Mariner and Viking images [1-4], and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data show them to be more abundant than originally observed [5,6]. Recent studies are classifying their diverse morphologies [7-9]. Building on this work, we are mapping the location of small volcanic vents (small-vents) in the Tharsis province using MOLA, Thermal Emission Imaging System, and High Resolution Stereo Camera data [10]. Here we report on a preliminary study of the spatial and alignment relationships between small-vents south of Pavonis Mons, as determined by nearest neighbor and two-point azimuth statistical analyses. Terrestrial monogenetic volcanic fields display four fundamental characteristics: 1) recurrence rates of eruptions,2 ) vent abundance, 3) vent distribution, and 4) tectonic relationships [11]. While understanding recurrence rates typically requires field measurements, insight into vent abundance, distribution, and tectonic relationships can be established by mapping of remotely sensed data, and subsequent application of spatial statistical studies [11,12], the goal of which is to link the distribution of vents to causal processes.

Bleacher, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Industry survey of space system cost benefits from New Ways Of Doing Business

The cost of designing, building and operating space system hardware has always been expensive. Small quantities of specialty parts escalate engineering design, production and operations cost. Funding cutbacks and shrinking revenues dictate aggressive cost saving programs. NASA's highest priority is providing economical transportation to and from space. Over the past three decades NASA has seen technological advances that provide grater efficiencies in designing, building, and operating of space system hardware. As future programs such as NLS, LUTE and SEI begin, these greater efficiencies and cost savings should be reflected in the cost models. There are several New Ways Of Doing Business (NWODB) which, when fully implemented will reduce space system costs. These philosophies and/or culture changes are integrated in five areas: (1) More Extensive Pre-Phase C/D & E, (2) Multi Year Funding Stability, (3) Improved Quality, Management and Procurement Processes, (4) Advanced Design Methods, and (5) Advanced Production Methods. Following is an overview of NWODB and the Cost Quantification Analysis results using an industry survey, one of the four quantification techniques used in the study. The NWODB Cost Quantification Analysis is a study performed at Marshall Space Flight Center by the Engineering Cost Group, Applied Research Incorporated and Pittsburg State University. This study took place over a period of four months in mid 1992. The purpose of the study was to identify potential NWODB which could lead to improved cost effectiveness within NASA and to quantify potential cost benefits that might accrue if these NWODB were implemented.

Rosmait, Russell L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Concorde noise-induced building vibrations for Sully Plantation, Chantilly, Virginia

A study to assess the noise-induced building vibrations associated with Concorde operations is presented. The approach is to record the levels of induced vibrations and associated indoor/outdoor noise levels in selected homes, historic and other buildings near Dulles and Kennedy International Airports. Presented is a small, representative sample of data recorded at Sully Plantation, Chantilly, Virginia during the period of May 20 through May 28, 1976. Recorded data provide relationships between the vibration levels of walls, floors, windows, and the noise associated with Concorde operations (2 landings and 3 takeoffs), other aircraft, nonaircraft sources, and normal household activities. Results suggest that building vibrations resulting from aircraft operations were proportional to the overall sound pressure levels and relatively insensitive to spectral differences associated with the different types of aircraft. Furthermore, the maximum levels of vibratory response resulting from Concorde operations were higher than those associated with conventional aircraft. The vibrations of nonaircraft events were observed in some cases to exceed the levels resulting from aircraft operations. These nonaircraft events are currently being analyzed in greater detail.

Mayes, W. H.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Power Sector Cybersecurity Building Blocks

The Power Sector Cybersecurity Building Blocks, developed through the USAID-NREL Partnership and the Resilient Energy Platform, are designed to help a variety of stakeholders improve security for the electrical grid. This effort grows out of USAID and NREL's discussions with utilities around the world, as well as past cybersecurity assessments performed by NREL on dozens of utilities and government agencies, with a focus on the cybersecurity challenges faced by small and under-resourced utilities. This document outlines eleven building blocks for power sector cyber security. It functions as a guide to help organizations develop a robust, balanced cybersecurity defense program. Individually, each building block represents a cluster of related activities within cybersecurity on which an organization should focus. Using the building blocks, organizations can effectively prioritize their cybersecurity efforts to best thwart a wide range of potential cyberattacks.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Resilient Energy Platform. Fact Sheet: Power Sector Cybersecurity Building Blocks

The Power Sector Cybersecurity Building Blocks, developed through the USAID-NREL Partnership and the Resilient Energy Platform, are designed to help a variety of stakeholders improve security for the electrical grid. This effort grows out of USAID and NREL's discussions with utilities around the world, as well as past cybersecurity assessments performed by NREL on dozens of utilities and government agencies, with a focus on the cybersecurity challenges faced by small and under-resourced utilities. This document outlines eleven building blocks for power sector cyber security. It functions as a guide to help organizations develop a robust, balanced cybersecurity defense program. Individually, each building block represents a cluster of related activities within cybersecurity on which an organization should focus. Using the building blocks, organizations can effectively prioritize their cybersecurity efforts to best thwart a wide range of potential cyberattacks.

building blocks↗
NASA NTRS2009

Life Science Research in Outer Space: New Platform Technologies for Low-Cost, Autonomous Small Satellite Missions

We develop integrated instruments and platforms suitable for economical, frequent space access for autonomous life science experiments and processes in outer space. The technologies represented by three of our recent free-flyer small-satellite missions are the basis of a rapidly growing toolbox of miniaturized biologically/biochemically-oriented instrumentation now enabling a new generation of in-situ space experiments. Autonomous small satellites (~ 1 50 kg) are less expensive to develop and build than fullsize spacecraft and not subject to the comparatively high costs and scheduling challenges of human-tended experimentation on the International Space Station, Space Shuttle, and comparable platforms. A growing number of commercial, government, military, and civilian space launches now carry small secondary science payloads at far lower cost than dedicated missions; the number of opportunities is particularly large for so-called cube-sat and multicube satellites in the 1 10 kg range. The recent explosion in nano-, micro-, and miniature technologies, spanning fields from telecommunications to materials to bio/chemical analysis, enables development of remarkably capable autonomous miniaturized instruments to accomplish remote biological experimentation. High-throughput drug discovery, point-of-care medical diagnostics, and genetic analysis are applications driving rapid progress in autonomous bioanalytical technology. Three of our recent missions exemplify the development of miniaturized analytical payload instrumentation: GeneSat-1 (launched: December 2006), PharmaSat (launched: May 2009), and O/OREOS (organism/organics exposure to orbital stresses; scheduled launch: May 2010). We will highlight the overall architecture and integration of fluidic, optical, sensor, thermal, and electronic technologies and subsystems to support and monitor the growth of microorganisms in culture in these small autonomous space satellites, including real-time tracking of their culture density, gene expression, and metabolic activity while in the space environment. Flight data and results will be presented from GeneSat-1, which tracked gene expression levels of GFP-labeled E. coli and from PharmaSat, which monitored the dose dependency of an antifungal agent against S. cerevisiae. The O/OREOS SESLO instrument, which will study the effects of radiation and microgravity upon the viability and growth characteristics of B. subtilis and the halophile Halorubrum chaoviatoris for periods of 0 - 6 months in space, will be described as well. The ongoing expansion of the small satellite toolbox of biological technologies will be summarized.

Ricco, Antonio J.↗
NASA NTRS1998

High Speed Research: Propulsion Project Accomplishments

This past year has been one of great accomplishment for the propulsion element of NASA's High Speed Research (HSR) Program. The HSR Program is a NASA/industry partnership to develop the high-risk/high-payoff airframe and propulsion technologies applicable to a second-generation supersonic commercial transport, or High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). The propulsion element, which also involves industry partners, is managed by the NASA Lewis Research Center. These technologies will contribute greatly to U.S. industry's ability to make an informed product launch decision for an HSCT vehicle. Specific NASA Lewis accomplishments in 1997 include: 1. Small-scale combustor sector tests conducted in Lewis' Engine Research Building contributed to the evolution of approaches to developing a combustor with ultralow NOx emissions. 2. Components were tested in Lewis' CE-9 facility (in Lewis' Engine Research Building) to assess the performance of candidate ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials in this realistic combustion environment. Test results were promising, and acceptable levels of structural durability were demonstrated for the ceramic matrix composite material tested. Ceramic matrix composites continue to show great promise for use in HSCT combustor liners. 3. Engine emissions tests in Lewis' Propulsion Systems Laboratory provided insight into other classes of emissions (e.g., particulates and aerosols) which will be important to control in HSCT propulsion system designs. 4. Small-scale nozzle tests conducted in Lewis' Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory are contributing to the design of a low-noise, high-performance mixer/ejector nozzle configuration for HSCT engines. Over 18,000 hours of durability testing were completed in Lewis' materials laboratories to evaluate superalloy and g-titanium aluminide performance for HSCT nozzle applications. A two-dimensional supersonic inlet concept was tested in Lewis' 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. The extensive database and the knowledge gained contributed to the selection of a two-dimensional inlet as the preferred inlet concept for the HSR Program.

Shaw, Robert J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Large Cemented Gibbsite Agglomerates in Alkaline Nuclear Waste at the Hanford Site and the Impacts to Remediation

Recent work with the remediation of legacy alkaline nuclear waste has focused on nanometer and micrometer particle sizes, emphasizing how these small particles can impact efforts to treat the waste. Building upon this work, we present here findings that show very large particles (several centimeters in size) also exist in these waste which likewise play an important role in the remediation process. While large cemented gibbsite nodules have been periodically reported in acid soils in the literature, this study found similar large gibbsite agglomerates (7 cm in diameter) in alkaline nuclear waste, the first time that such large agglomerates have been identified in an alkaline environment. The morphology of the gibbsite in the agglomerates that were grown over more than 40 years of storage in the waste tank were similar to the much smaller agglomerates that have been reported in previous shorter term studies. Fluid dynamics calculations indicate that these cemented particles would be difficult to mobilize with standard jet slurry technologies, which is consistent with their residence in the waste heel after jet sluicing of the tank.

agglomerates, alkaline nuclear waste↗
DOE OSTI2020

MODELING OF ENHANCED AIR DEHUMIDIFICATION THROUGH ELECTRICALLY CHARGED VAPOR CAPTURING ELECTROSTATIC DROPLETS

This paper investigated the potential of a new electrostatic-based water vapor separation system for humidity control in buildings. The Electrospray Vortical Flow eXchanger (EVFX) consists of small electrically charged water droplets released inside air vortexes to attract water vapor molecules, effectively wiping out the humidity from the air. Larger droplets are then removed at the outer wall of the vortex. If a water molecule is placed in a gradient electric field, such a polar molecule experiences a dielectrophoresis force, which moves the molecules and produces a vapor concentration gradient. When the vapor density exceeds the saturation level, nucleation occurs. A thermodynamic model that captures this phenomenon was described in this paper. Electrosprayed droplets were initially charged close to their maximum electrical charge dictated by the Rayleigh limit; these droplets were used as nucleation centers. The high electric charge decreased the pressure of the vapor, which was in equilibrium with the droplets. This enhanced the charged droplets' nucleation and growth that depleted the vapor phase near the droplets, which was compensated for by the dielectrophoresis flow and diffusion. Significant water vapor condensation was predicted for small droplets at a high electrical charge. Beyond a specific droplet size, while the condensation of water vapor was still theoretically possible, it was somewhat limited because the further growth of the large charged droplets was inhibited due to their high inherent water vapor pressure near the surface. A case study illustrated the potentials and limitation of the EVFX for droplets charged to the Rayleigh limit, for which the effective range of diameters resulted between 10 nm up to few micron.

Morcelli, Stefano↗
DOE OSTI2021

Deployment of Community Scale Solar Photovoltaic Energy Systems in Forest County Potawatomi Community

FCPC is a federally recognized tribe with a membership of more than 1400. The Tribe has a reservation in Forest County, Wisconsin, and tribal trust lands in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, with significant governmental and business operations in both areas. Until relatively recently, FCPC was one of the poorest tribes in the Midwest. Due to its successful gaming operations, it now has improved its financial situation and is using its resources to benefit both its members and the general public through environmental and other community efforts, many of which are long-delayed because of the extended period of abject poverty. The Tribe has developed the long-term goal of becoming energy independent using renewable resources. In order to meet this goal, the Tribe has taken several important steps. As an interim step, FCPC is purchasing nearly 55 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy certificates (“RECs”) annually from certified renewable energy facilities in the United States. These RECs offset more than 100% of the present electricity use at all of the Tribe’s facilities. The Tribe is currently ranked number 11 on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Top 20 Local Government list of green power purchasers and is a member of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership. The original project suggested small scale installations on tribal homes and certain government buildings. The Tribe suggested that the project would result in 730 kw installed. By revising the project, the Tribe was able to install 938 kw and owns the largest installation in Northern Wisconsin with the 800 kW installation at the Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel (“PCCH”). The PCCH installation, in summer months, can provide near 90% of the use during daylight hours. Although tracking was not immediately available FCPC has since confirmed significant production with certain quarterly savings nearing $210,000. These installations provide a reduction in facility costs providing more revenue for Tribal services including cultural, health, sustainable food sources, environmental preservation and other Tribal initiatives. Further, the installations have resulted in positive steps towards the Tribe’s goals of energy sovereignty and the use of 100% renewable clean energy. Finally, the PCCH project, specifically, has had the additional benefit of providing a likely area for a microgrid. The size of the installation and offset achieved have pushed the Tribe toward planning for storage and a microgrid system that would both further the Tribe’s energy goals and provide a safe haven for the Community during times of need.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1972

A translator and simulator for the Burroughs D machine

The D Machine is described as a small user microprogrammable computer designed to be a versatile building block for such diverse functions as: disk file controllers, I/O controllers, and emulators. TRANSLANG is an ALGOL-like language, which allows D Machine users to write microprograms in an English-like format as opposed to creating binary bit pattern maps. The TRANSLANG translator parses TRANSLANG programs into D Machine microinstruction bit patterns which can be executed on the D Machine simulator. In addition to simulation and translation, the two programs also offer several debugging tools, such as: a full set of diagnostic error messages, register dumps, simulated memory dumps, traces on instructions and groups of instructions, and breakpoints.

Roberts, J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Gravity Slides With Magnetic Braking

Slides with magnetic braking enable safe emergency descent from tall buildings, fire-truck ladders, towers, and like. According to concept, slide includes sled that moves along stationary aluminum track tilted against top of building. Sled holds set of permanent magnets at preset small distance from surface of track. Passenger stands on, sits on, or strapped to platform on sled. Release device at top of slide holds sled in place until passenger prepared for descent.

Goodrick, Thomas F.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Standard gas hardware

The Sierra College Space Technology Program is currently building their third GAS payload in addition to a small satellite. The project is supported by an ARPA/TRP grant. One aspect of the grant is the design of standard hardware for Get Away Specials (GAS) payloads. A standard structure has been designed and work is progressing on a standard battery box and computer.

Spencer, Stan↗
NASA NTRS2015

Integrated Surface Power Strategy for Mars

A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) study team evaluated surface power needs for a conceptual crewed 500-day Mars mission. This study had four goals: 1. Determine estimated surface power needed to support the reference mission; 2. Explore alternatives to minimize landed power system mass; 3. Explore alternatives to minimize Mars Lander power self-sufficiency burden; and 4. Explore alternatives to minimize power system handling and surface transportation mass. The study team concluded that Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) oxygen propellant production drives the overall surface power needed for the reference mission. Switching to multiple, small Kilopower fission systems can potentially save four to eight metric tons of landed mass, as compared to a single, large Fission Surface Power (FSP) concept. Breaking the power system up into modular packages creates new operational opportunities, with benefits ranging from reduced lander self-sufficiency for power, to extending the exploration distance from a single landing site. Although a large FSP trades well for operational complexity, a modular approach potentially allows Program Managers more flexibility to absorb late mission changes with less schedule or mass risk, better supports small precursor missions, and allows a program to slowly build up mission capability over time. A number of Kilopower disadvantages-and mitigation strategies-were also explored.

Rucker, Michelle↗
NASA NTRS2016

In-Space Recycler Technology Demonstration

In 2014, a 3D printer was installed and used successfully on the International Space Station (ISS), creating the first additively manufactured part in space. While additive manufacturing is a game changing technology for exploration missions, the process still requires raw feedstock material to fabricate parts. Without a recycling capability, a large supply of feedstock would need to be stored onboard, which negates the logistical benefits of these capabilities. Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI), received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to design and build the first In-space Recycler for demonstration aboard the ISS in 2017. To fully test this technology in microgravity, parts will be 3D printed, recycled into reusable filament, and then reprinted into new parts. Recycling scrap into printer filament is quite challenging in that a recycler must be able to handle a large variety of possible scrap configurations and densities. New challenges include: dealing with inevitable contamination of the scrap material, minimizing damage to the molecular structure of the plastic during reprocessing, managing a larger volume of hot liquid plastic, and exercising greater control over the cooling/resolidification of the material. TUI has developed an architecture that addresses these challenges by combining standard, proven technologies with novel, patented processes developed through this effort. Results show that the filament diameter achieved is more consistent than commercial filament, with only minimal degradation of material properties over recycling steps. In May 2016, TUI completed fabrication of a flight prototype, which will ultimately progress to the demonstration unit for the ISS as a testbed for future exploration missions. This capability will provide significant cost savings by reducing the launch mass and volume required for printer feedstock as well as reduce waste that must be stored or disposed.

Recycling↗