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At least 307 records · Page 17

NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook

The purpose of this document is to provide program/project teams necessary instruction and guidance in the best practices for WBS and WBS dictionary development and use for project implementation and management control. This handbook can be used for all types of NASA projects and work activities including research, development, construction, test and evaluation, and operations. The products of these work efforts may be hardware, software, data, or service elements (alone or in combination). The aim of this document is to assist project teams in the development of effective work breakdown structures that provide a framework of common reference for all project elements. The WBS and WBS dictionary are effective management processes for planning, organizing, and administering NASA programs and projects. The guidance contained in this document is applicable to both in-house, NASA-led effort and contracted effort. It assists management teams from both entities in fulfilling necessary responsibilities for successful accomplishment of project cost, schedule, and technical goals. Benefits resulting from the use of an effective WBS include, but are not limited to: providing a basis for assigned project responsibilities, providing a basis for project schedule and budget development, simplifying a project by dividing the total work scope into manageable units, and providing a common reference for all project communication.

Christopher Lewis Sadler↗

Latest Status of the CCSDS Optical Communications Working Group

International civil space agencies around the world are working together in the Interagency Operation Advisory Group (IOAG) and the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) to develop interoperability architectures and standards for space communications. Within CCSDS, there is a working group dedicated on developing recommendations and standards for optical communications. These standards include recommendations for the physical layer, coding and synchronization layer, and best practices for measuring and monitoring atmospheric conditions and operating optical links. The working group has developed standards for both Near Earth and deep space robotic and hum exploration missions. The standards generally address both free space links between spacecraft and free space links between spacecraft and ground. This paper will provide an overview and update on the set of standards the CCSDS Optical Communications Working Group has developed

Bernard L Edwards↗

Summary of Results from the Third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop Flight Test Working Group

This paper summarizes results of the Flight Test Working Group presented at the third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop held in January 2023. The Flight Test Working Group was looking at the application of flutter prediction tools of a complete aircraft and comparing those predictions to flight-test data. The teams generated a total of six different predictions of the body freedom flutter exhibited by the X-56A experimental aircraft with flexible wings. The computational predictions of frequency and damping are compared with the flight-test data. All of the methods gave similar predictions of the flutter speed, but were all about 10 to 20 knots higher than the measured flutter speed. Additionally, the different generalized aerodynamic forces and the aerodynamic work from the computational tools are compared to illustrate the differences in the methods. Looking at the aerodynamic work done by the flutter mode, suggests that the pitch motion is dissipating less energy and the plunge motion is adding more in the methods which better predict the flutter. However, with only six different predictions it was not possible to develop more definitive conclusions.

Jeffrey Ouellette↗

Summary of Results from the Third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop Flight Test Working Group

This paper summarizes results of the Flight Test Working Group presented at the third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop held in January 2023. The Flight Test Working Group was looking at the application of flutter prediction tools of a complete aircraft and comparing those predictions to flight-test data. The teams generated a total of six different predictions of the body freedom flutter exhibited by the X-56A experimental aircraft with flexible wings. The computational predictions of frequency and damping are compared with the flight-test data. All of the methods gave similar predictions of the flutter speed, but were all about 10 to 20 knots higher than the measured flutter speed. Additionally, the different generalized aerodynamic forces and the aerodynamic work from the computational tools are compared to illustrate the differences in the methods. Looking at the aerodynamic work done by the flutter mode, suggests that the pitch motion is dissipating less energy and the plunge motion is adding more in the methods which better predict the flutter. However, with only six different predictions it was not possible to develop more definitive conclusions.

Jeffrey Ouellette↗

Converter/Compressor Building Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) #89 Monitoring Well 21 Area Interim Measure Work Plan

This Work Plan details the approach and design for the Interim Measure (IM) to remediate groundwater within the MW21 Area where VOC concentrations exceed Florida Department of Environmental Protection Natural Attenuation Default Concentrations. The IM includes in-situ bioremediation via injection of emulsified vegetable oil (EVO) and emulsified zero-valent iron (EZVI). The in-situ bioremediation technology consists of injecting an electron donor substrate into the subsurface to promote microbial breakdown of VOCs. The EVO injections for this IM are designed based on the use of Provectus ERD-CH4, which is a vegetable oil/carbon substrate mixture. The EZVI injections for this IM are designed based on the use of Provectus EZVI-CH4. The IM treatment layout consists of nine injection locations of EVO at approximately 10-foot radius of influence (ROI) and three injections locations of EZVI at approximately 6-foot ROI. The injection method will be direct push using a DPT rig. The overall injection depths range from 7 to 17 ft bls. The 7 ft bls top depth is designed to be 2 ft below the water table to prevent substrates from reaching the top of the water table. Injections are planned to be implemented using 2 ft intervals and will take place using a bottom-up approach to 2 ft below the water table. This work plan further describes the IM design, injection calculations, performance monitoring plan, and provides an injection layout. Revision 1 of this Work Plan includes quarterly performance sampling during Year 1 in accordance with F.A.C. 62-780. These changes are reflected in Section 7 and Table 2 of the Work Plan.

Mark J Jonnet↗

US DOE-EM On-Site Disposal Cell Working Group - Fostering Communication On Performance Assessment Challenges

On-site disposal cells are in use and being considered at several U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) sites as the final disposition for large amounts of waste associated with cleanup of contaminated areas and facilities. These facilities are typically developed with regulatory oversight from States and/or the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in addition to USDOE. The facilities are developed to meet design standards for disposal of hazardous waste as well as the USDOE performance based standards for disposal of radioactive waste. The involvement of multiple and different regulators for facilities across separate sites has resulted in some differences in expectations for performance assessments and risk assessments (PA/RA) that are developed for the disposal facilities. The USDOE-EM Office of Site Restoration formed a working group to foster improved communication and sharing of information for personnel associated with these Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) disposal cells and work towards more consistent assumptions, as appropriate, for technical and policy considerations related to performance and risk assessments in support of a Record of Decision and Disposal Authorization Statement. The working group holds teleconferences, as needed, focusing on specific topics of interest. The topics addressed to date include an assessment of the assumptions used for performance assessments and risk assessments (PA/RAs) for on-site disposal cells, requirements and assumptions related to assessment of inadvertent intrusion, DOE Manual 435.1-1 requirements, and approaches for consideration of the long-term performance of liners and covers in the context of PAs. The working group has improved communication among the staff and oversight personnel responsible for onsite disposal cells and has provided a forum to identify and resolve common concerns.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

OVERVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY WORKING GROUP ON EXTERNAL EVENTS

The Orgranisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has established a Working Group on External Events (WGEV) that provides a forum for subject matter experts from the nuclear industry and regulators to improve the understanding and treatment of external hazards that would support the continued safety performance of nuclear installations, and improve the effectiveness of regulatory practices, in NEA member countries. This report provides a description of the ongoing work of the WGEV. The work of the WGEV includes the collection of information and conducting a workshop on severe weather and storm surge that brought together a diverse group of subject matter experts to identify commendable practices related to the treatment of severe weather and storm surge consideration in regulatory and operational decision-making. Other work of the WGEV includes looking at science-based screening of external events that are factored into decisions on the safe operation of nuclear facilities; and identification of commendable practices and knowledge gaps on riverine flooding.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Progress Update from the EV Charging Working Group (#982)

The EV charging working group (#982) was formed in summer 2022 to define the equip, points, relationships, and operational data related to Level 1-2 (AC) and Level 3 (DC) Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). Last year, the working group developed formal EVSE-related equipment definitions, where were merged into the Project Haystack documentation in November 2022. More recently the group has also been working to expand and improve Haystack definitions related to electrical equipment and circuits. This initiative is important both for EV charging related applications and to improve Project Haystack's appeal to other industry verticals such as data centers, commercial building electrification, and more. In this presentation we will share the working group's motivation, progress, and near-term objectives.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY PLANNING, POLIC↗

Presentation of the MERC work-flow for the computation of a 2D radial reflector in a PWR

This paper presents a work-flow for computing an equivalent 2D radial reflector in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) core, in adequacy with a reference power distribution, computed with the method of characteristics (MOC) of the lattice code APOLLO2. The Multi-modelling Equivalent Reflector Computation (MERC) work-flow is a coherent association of the lattice code APOLLO2 and the core code COCAGNE, structured around the ADAO (Assimilation de Donnees et Aide a l'Optimisation) module of the SALOME platform, based on the data assimilation theory. This study leads to the computation of equivalent few-groups reflectors, that can be spatially heterogeneous, which have been compared to those obtained with the OPTEX similar methodology developed with the core code DONJON, as a first validation step. Subsequently, the MERC work-flow is used to compute the most accurate reflector in consistency with all the R and D choices made at Electricite de France (EDF) for the core modelling, in terms of number of energy groups and simplified transport solvers. We observe important reductions of the power discrepancies distribution over the core when using equivalent reflectors obtained with the MERC work-flow. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Humboldt bay power plant decommissioning transition to civil works - 15039

Decommissioning of the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG and E) Company Humboldt Bay Power Plant (HBPP) Unit 3 nuclear facility has now, after more than three decades of SAFSTOR, completed the Plant Systems Removal Phase by removal of all radiologically significant plant systems from the buildings in June 2014. The HBPP historical design and construction, close proximity to the bay and associated tidal interactions poses unique challenges to an effective decommissioning effort as the Site transitions to a major earthwork project - designated as Civil Works. The last significant large component removal project remaining is segmentation and disposal of the reactor pressure vessel shell and this project is now integrated and executed under Civil Works with PG and E solely in an oversight role across the site beginning 2015. The value from run-up and mock-up testing of tooling to segment the HBPP reactor vessel will be discussed. Experience obtained, especially at error prone interfaces, during start-up, systemisation and operating phases for the First of a Kind (KOAK) tooling will be discussed. Implementation of the civil scope of work commenced July 2013. Its status and experience applicable to other decommissioning efforts will be provided from an owner's perspective. Implementation of the civil work scope includes development and implementation of oversight capability including policy, procedures and deployment of skilled, experienced and trained oversight staff in the field. Challenges encountered and solutions implemented during mobilization and ramp up of the civil contractor commensurate with demobilization of the self-perform staff will be covered. Partnering with the contractor to establish a good Client/Contractor relationship and tips on where to invest owner resources will be shared. Development of a solid baseline project schedule that incorporates regulatory constraints, client expectations and contract constraints and its importance to safe, compliant project execution will be shared. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Overview of IAEA MODARIA II Program Working Group 1 on Assessment and Decision Making of Existing Exposure Situations for NORM and Nuclear Legacy Sites - 18308

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched the Modelling and Data for Radiological Impact Assessments (MODARIA) II Programme in October. As part of the IAEA effort to enhance the capabilities of its Member States in assessing radiological impacts of radionuclides released to the environment from sites that were not operated in accordance with current standards, and to ensure protection of the public and the environment, the MODARIA II Programme aims to: (1) test the performance of models developed for predicting the transfer of radionuclides in the environment and assessing radiological impacts to the public and the environment; (2) develop and improve models for particular environments and, where appropriate, to agree on data sets that are generally applicable for use in testing environmental transfer models; and (3) provide an international forum for the exchange of experiences, ideas and research information. The Programme will run for 3 years from 2016 to 2019. The Programme comprises seven working groups covering a wide range of topics (https://wwwns.iaea.org/projects/modaria/modaria2.asp?s=8 and l=129). MODARIA II Working Group 1 (WG1) is focused on dose assessment and decision making regarding existing exposure situations due to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and nuclear legacy sites. WG1 was formed as a combination of two MODARIA I WGs: WG1 focused on application of decision-aiding tools in remediation; and WG3 focused on risk assessment for NORM and radioactively contaminated legacy sites (https://wwwns.iaea.org/projects/modaria/default.asp?s=8 and l=129). It was recognized that the decision-making needs will inform the scope of risk assessments, and the risk insights and structured decision analyses will aid in informed decision-making. Therefore, MODARIA II WG1 is focused on developing methods and toolsets for risk-informed decision-making for NORM and nuclear legacy sites, including demonstration of decision-making processes and tools through case studies. MODARIA II WG1 has 91 registered participants from 33 Member States and IAEA (as of November 2017), some 30 of whom are actively engaged in various collaborative research and development activities within WG1. Members of WG1 participated in the First Technical Meeting of MODARIA II, which was held in Vienna, Austria from 31 October to 4 November 2016. The group then held its First Interim Meeting in Brussels, Belgium from 26 to 30 June 2017, which included a field trip to the legacy Tessenderlo Chemie (TCH) Phosphate Processing Site. At this meeting, the TCH Site and the Pridneprovsky Chemical Plant (PChP) in Ukraine were selected for case studies. The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Material Disposal Area B in the USA and the Beaverlodge Uranium Mill and Mill Site in northern Canada were selected as examples for sharing of good practices and lessons learned in risk-informed decision-making for environmental remediation and land conveyance. At the Second Technical Meeting held in Vienna on 30 October to 3 November 2017, an additional NORM site for tin processing in Brazil was added to the case studies, with another NORM site in Yunnan, China included for consideration at the Second Interim Meeting of WG1. The Second Interim Meeting will be held in in early to mid-May, 2018. The group has also decided to prepare an Interim Report by October 2018 to document the WG1 discussions and analyses for the period of 2016-2018, which will be finalized at the conclusion of MODARIA II in October 2019. Initial assignments have been discussed for IM1 participants to collect data, conduct modelling and analyses, and prepare draft sections for the Interim Report. This paper will provide an overview of the work plans for WG1. It will also highlight some near-term activities that the group is currently working on. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

ION Work Reduction Opportunity Realization Demonstration

The purpose of this research was to realize one of the advanced training work reduction opportunities first presented in the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) report, “Process for Significant Nuclear Work Function Innovation Based on Integrated Operations Concepts” (INL/EXT-21-64134) [1], with a nuclear power plant (NPP) research partner. Researchers modernized two trainings: (1) an accredited instructor-led training (ILT) overview course on Westinghouse DS 480-volt (V) circuit breakers to a multimedia-focused computer-based-training (CBT) learning module, and (2) an on-demand chaptered video on how to properly rack and un-rack a Westinghouse DS 480-V circuit breaker. These modernized work products were developed and implemented in a manner consistent with the industry guidelines found in Institution of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) Teaching and Learning 23-001 [2]. Researchers calculated that the modernized accredited training course reduced the time necessary to prepare and deliver the training material by a factor of 8:1. The amount of time learners spend in class could be reduced by this same factor. In other words, if a course took 8 hours to deliver a class, the new CBT instruction would take just over 1 hour. The researchers noted that the requirement for any practicum training by the learners with the instructor(s) would remain in place. But through interviews with new and experienced learners, the researchers discovered that the confidence of these learners in performing the racking and un-racking of the circuit breaker improved as a result of using the new modernized CBT process. Additionally, the learners who tested the modernized work products enjoyed the modernized CBT and the learning video significantly more than current in-class learning methods. These are encouraging results for the nuclear industry, as this modernization of training can be applied to other classes and is scalable across the industry. In line with the Integrated Operations for Nuclear (ION) model, positive workload analysis supports the investment of resources in modernizing NPP training processes and infrastructure. Implementation of the advanced training technologies in this report is likely to result in substantive long-term workload benefits to instructors and learners and result in hard-dollar savings on contractor spends. Additionally, investment in these modernized training processes will result in improved learner proficiency. The results of this research can be applied to additional operator, technical, and general training topics to provide additional workload and learning benefits in addition to what was explored.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Microstructure characterization and nano & micro hardness of tri-modal microstructure of titanium alloy under different hot working conditions

Highlights: • The contents and sizes of α{sub p} and α{sub l} are determined by the processing parameters of first and second step. • The morphology of α{sub s} embedded in β phase is determined by the accumulated distortional strain energy and dislocations. • α{sub p} becomes harder as the strain rate of the first step increases due to the constantly enhanced work hardening effect. • β{sub t} is always harder than α{sub p} and α{sub l} due to the interfacial-strengthening effect. • The hardness of α{sub l} makes the greatest contribution in the integrated hardness of tri-modal microstructure. - Abstract: In this work, the dependences of tri-modal microstructure parameters and corresponding nano & micro hardness on through-process processing parameters were quantitatively studied during the three-step thermo-mechanical processing of TA15 titanium alloy. It is found that the processing parameters of first step, especially for the deformation temperature and strain rate, mainly affect primary equiaxed α (α{sub p}) through the α → β phase transformation and the competition between dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization. The second processing step primarily affects the content and thickness of lamellar α (α{sub l}). In the third processing step, compared with low-temperature aging, normal annealing provides sufficient driving force for α{sub l} and secondary lamellar α (α{sub s}) growing, which leads to thicker α{sub l} and α{sub s}. As for the nano & micro hardness, in one sample undergoing different process, transformed β matrix (β{sub t}) is always harder than α{sub l} and α{sub s} due to the interfacial-strengthening effect. In addition, with increasing strain rate of the first step, α{sub p} becomes harder due to the constantly enhanced work hardening effect while the hardness of β{sub t} varies little because of the competition between interfacial strengthening and distribution disorder degree. However, the nano hardness of α{sub l} decreases firstly and then increases with strain rate, which presents the same trend with the micro hardness of integrated hardness at different processing conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Asymmetric Electrode Work Function Customization via Top Electrode Replacement in Ferroelectric and Field–Induced Ferroelectric Hafnium Zirconium Oxide Thin Films

Non-volatile memory device structures such as ferroelectric random-access memory and ferroelectric tunnel junctions employ switchable spontaneous polarization to hold binary states. These devices can potentially benefit from the imposition of spontaneous internal biases and their resulting effect on the polarization properties of the ferroelectric (or field-induced ferroelectric/ antiferroelectric) layer. While HfO 2 -based thin films are ideal candidates for implementation into these devices due to their scalability and silicon compatibility, the phase purity of these oxides is sensitive to the selection of electrode material, preventing incorporation of asymmetric electrode layers into such structures. Within this work, electrode replacement following post-metallization anneal processing is introduced as a route to achieve ferroelectric and field-induced ferroelectric Hf x Zr 1–x O 2 (HZO) thin films with electrode-independent phase constitutions. The effects of this process and the corresponding internal biases imposed across the HZO layers due to asymmetric work functions are investigated. It is shown that internal biases vary in magnitude in accordance with prediction based on the work functions of the replaced electrode layers and affect remanent polarization magnitudes. Accordingly, electrode replacement presents a processing route that can readily produce HZO films with spontaneous internal biases and electrode- independent phase constitutions, facilitating implementation of these ferroelectrics into the next generation device structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Grain boundary damage evolution and SCC initiation of cold-worked alloy 690 in simulated PWR primary water

Long-term grain boundary (GB) damage evolution and stress corrosion crack initiation in alloy 690 are being investigated by constant load tensile testing in high-temperature, simulated PWR primary water. Six commercial alloy 690 heats are being tested in various cold work conditions loaded at their yield stress. This paper reviews the basic test approach and detailed characterizations performed on selected specimens after an exposure time of ~1 year. Intergranular crack nucleation was observed under constant stress in certain highly cold-worked (CW) alloy 690 heats and was found to be associated with the formation of GB cavities. Somewhat surprisingly, the heats most susceptible to cavity formation and crack nucleation were thermally treated materials with most uniform coverage of small GB carbides. Microstructure, % cold work and applied stress comparisons are made among the alloy 690 heats to better understand the factors influencing GB cavity formation and crack initiation.

Alloy 690↗

Pragmatic protocols for working cleanly when measuring ice nucleating particles

We report that measuring ice nucleating particles (INPs) is critical for understanding, and modeling, cloud formation, reflectivity, and precipitation patterns. However, because INPs are very rare in the atmosphere, but abundant—sometimes alarmingly so—in the dust that covers all work surfaces, contamination during processing of collected aerosol samples can be a significant hindrance to obtaining accurate measures of INPs. In preparing this technical note, we questioned the cleanliness of every collection and processing step involved in making immersion freezing measurements of INPs re-suspended from filter samples. The aim was to identify, and then minimize, all potential sources of significant contamination, including containers and tools used to store filters and prepare liquid suspensions, gloves, work surfaces, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) trays commonly used for sample analysis. While plasticware released few INPs, most gloves readily shed them, but this can be mitigated by using washed cleanroom vinyl or polyethylene gloves. Work surfaces, even those that had been cleaned, were prodigious reservoirs of contaminating INPs, but simply covering them with aluminum foil will provide an INP-free surface. By applying these practices, we developed a method to reduce the background level of INPs on Nuclepore™ polycarbonate filters in our tests to 0 at -25 °C and < 20 at -27 °C, making them suitable for use in all sampling environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On-Surface Reactions of Electronically Active Self-Assembled Monolayers for Electrode Work Function Tuning

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) help improve the performance of organic electronic devices through interface passivation and enhanced carrier transport. Yet, there is limited information regarding the chemical structure of the SAMs upon functionalization and subsequent thermal treatment. Here, we studied the on-surface reaction of carbazole-derived SAMs on model gold electrodes, focusing on the chemical structure changes induced by thermal treatments. Furthermore, we correlate the microscopic changes with their impact on the electrode’s work function. The carbazole-based SAMs first transform into organometallic complexes. At higher annealing temperatures, SAMs convert to oligomeric complexes. The observed chemical reactions significantly reduce the electrode work function and facilitate electron injection in n-type organic thin-film transistors. Our results highlight the on-surface synthesis of electronically active SAMs as an alternative approach for modifying the work function of electrodes for organic electronics.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Generic relation between the electron work function and Young's modulus of metals

In this study, efforts were made to establish a generic relation between the Young's modulus and the electron work function of polycrystalline metals, in which Young's Modulus was defined as the second order derivative of interaction potential with respect to the equilibrium distance. The obtained Young's modulus shows a sextic relation with the work function. Data of Young's modulus and work function of polycrystalline metals, including Alkali earth metals, transition metals, and rare earth metals, can be fitted reasonably well by this derived generic relationship.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗