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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.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Using Qualified On-Site Nuclear Power Plant Simulators in Human Factors Validations of Control Room Upgrades

Existing commercial nuclear power plants (NPPs) are valuable assets in the infrastructure portfolio of the United States (U.S.) because they safely and reliably generate about 1/5th of all the electricity used. The instrumentation and control (I&C) systems in commercial NPPs are the ‘eyes and ears' of the operator, allowing operators to maintain situation awareness, thereby allowing the plant to operate safely and efficiently for all phases of operation. Because the I&C systems in NPPs are still mostly based on analog technologies, which are reliable but not especially cost-effective, upgrading the existing I&C in com-mercial NPPs to new digital I&C is very important. Furthermore, simulators and simulation are critical human factors engineering tools for this I&C modernization work. NPP control room simulators are essential test beds to simulate normal, abnormal, and emergency operations that allow human factors researchers to safely and realistically evaluate early design phase prototypes of the upgraded digital I&C, and validate final as-built digital I&C systems that have been modernized deployed in NPPs. This paper describes research performed using qualified on-site NPP simulators to perform human factors validations of digital I&C control room upgrades.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enzyme-mediated depletion of serum L -Met abrogates prostate cancer growth via multiple mechanisms without evidence of systemic toxicity

Extensive studies in prostate cancer and other malignancies have revealed that L -methionine ( L -Met) and its metabolites play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that systemic restriction of serum L -Met, either via partial dietary restriction or with bacterial L -Met–degrading enzymes exerts potent antitumor effects. However, administration of bacterial L -Met–degrading enzymes has not proven practical for human therapy because of problems with immunogenicity. As the human genome does not encode L -Met–degrading enzymes, we engineered the human cystathionine-γ-lyase (hMGL-4.0) to catalyze the selective degradation of L -Met. At therapeutically relevant dosing, hMGL-4.0 reduces serum L -Met levels to >75% for >72 h and significantly inhibits the growth of multiple prostate cancer allografts/xenografts without weight loss or toxicity. We demonstrate that in vitro, hMGL-4.0 causes tumor cell death, associated with increased reactive oxygen species, S-adenosyl-methionine depletion, global hypomethylation, induction of autophagy, and robust poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage indicative of DNA damage and apoptosis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2014

Evolutionary Agent-Based Simulation of the Introduction of New Technologies in Air Traffic Management

Accurate simulation of the effects of integrating new technologies into a complex system is critical to the modernization of our antiquated air traffic system, where there exist many layers of interacting procedures, controls, and automation all designed to cooperate with human operators. Additions of even simple new technologies may result in unexpected emergent behavior due to complex human/ machine interactions. One approach is to create high-fidelity human models coming from the field of human factors that can simulate a rich set of behaviors. However, such models are difficult to produce, especially to show unexpected emergent behavior coming from many human operators interacting simultaneously within a complex system. Instead of engineering complex human models, we directly model the emergent behavior by evolving goal directed agents, representing human users. Using evolution we can predict how the agent representing the human user reacts given his/her goals. In this paradigm, each autonomous agent in a system pursues individual goals, and the behavior of the system emerges from the interactions, foreseen or unforeseen, between the agents/actors. We show that this method reflects the integration of new technologies in a historical case, and apply the same methodology for a possible future technology.

Simulation↗
NASA NTRS2019

Immersive Simulations and Engineering Environment (iSEE): Improving Fidelity of Virtual Reality Simulations

The Immersive Simulation and Engineering Environment (iSEE) provides Kennedy Space Center (KSC) with accurate Human Systems Integration (HSI) analysis of the stresses on a human body incurred from physical work, along with accessibility and reach factors. Human Factors engineers can observe the simulations conducted by iSEE and work with the gathered data to help make the working environment at KSC safer. The software that runs the HSI analysis, however, provides users with a low fidelity virtual environment. Previously, this led to the addition and implementation of other iSEE programs that were capable of higher-fidelity simulations. The difficulties of streamlining the workflow in the lab with these new programs is currently being addressed.

Sein, Alexandr↗
DOE OSTI2021

About the Complex Natural and Engineered Systems Pillar

Los Alamos National Laboratory is a world leader in applying multi-disciplinary science to complex systems within the Complex Natural and Engineered Systems (CNES) challenge areas. Our search for solutions requires science and technology innovation, as well as an integrated experiment, theory, and modeling and simulation approach. Our research and development spans from improving engineered systems such as nuclear weapons and the power grid, to understanding the interface of human and engineered systems from the subsurface to space, to studying how complex natural systems such as disease and climate impact humanity.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
NASA NTRS1997

Design and Operational Evaluation of the Traffic Management Advisor at the Ft. Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center

NASA and the FAA have designed and developed and an automation tool known as the Traffic Management Advisor (TMA). The system was operationally evaluated at the Ft. Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The TMA is a time-based strategic planning tool that provides Traffic Management Coordinators and En Route Air Traffic Controllers the ability to efficiently optimize the capacity of a demand impacted airport. The TMA consists of trajectory prediction, constraint-based runway scheduling, traffic flow visualization and controllers advisories. The TMA was used and operationally evaluated for forty-one rush traffic periods during a one month period in the Summer of 1996. The evaluations included all shifts of air traffic operations as well as periods of inclement weather. Performance data was collected for engineering and human factor analysis and compared with similar operations without the TMA. The engineering data indicates that the operations with the TMA show a one to two minute per aircraft delay reduction during rush periods. The human factor data indicate a perceived reduction in en route controller workload as well as an increase in job satisfaction. Upon completion of the evaluation, the TMA has become part of the normal operations at the Ft. Worth ARTCC.

Swenson, Harry N.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Safety-Related Instrumentation and Control Upgrade Pilot Project: NUREG- 0711 Process Development, Planning and Analysis Activities, and Lessons Learned

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 presents the development execution of the HFE Program through completion of the Planning and Analysis Phase as defined by NUREG-0711 as well as HFE lessons learned.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Visual Style Elements in Human–System Interface Design for Nuclear Power Operations: Does Style Affect Performance and Preference?

As the world increasingly adopts renewable and sustainable energy systems, transitionary solutions include nuclear power, which currently provides 20% of the United States’ electricity and is the largest single source of carbon-free electricity generation. Advanced reactors are a critical component of a carbon-free mixed energy portfolio that require careful design of first-of-a-kind control rooms. The application of Human Factors Engineering (HFE) is essential for scientific and iterative testing of novel human–system interface (HSI) concepts to ensure effective, efficient, and safe plant operations. Microworlds are simulators that use simplified physics models and control systems to distill nuclear power operations into essential functions. HFE scientists used the Rancor Microworld Simulator to obtain preference and performance metrics for novel and traditional static HSI design styles. Participants comprised advanced reactor company employees and nuclear industry consultants. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative data was captured. There was a preference for the basic graphical style that included high contrast and traditional color scheme elements. No single HSI design outperformed the others, and the participants did not perform better using their preferred HSI style. We report this experiment is the first in a series of HFE testing for HSIs in advanced reactor control room development. Clear user preferences emerged for elements within static displays. The cutting-edge neumorphic style was the least preferred. Future directions include tests of dynamic displays. HFE is used in evaluating and designing HSI devices that will improve the efficiency and safety of advanced nuclear power operations.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
NASA NTRS1991

Fourth Annual Workshop on Space Operations Applications and Research (SOAR 90)

The papers from the symposium are presented. Emphasis is placed on human factors engineering and space environment interactions. The technical areas covered in the human factors section include: satellite monitoring and control, man-computer interfaces, expert systems, AI/robotics interfaces, crew system dynamics, and display devices. The space environment interactions section presents the following topics: space plasma interaction, spacecraft contamination, space debris, and atomic oxygen interaction with materials. Some of the above topics are discussed in relation to the space station and space shuttle.

Savely, Robert T.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Tailoring of NASA-STD-3001 to Lunar Gateway Program Requirements

The Gateway Program must meet NASA's Agency-level human rating requirements, which are intended to accommodate human capabilities and limitations while protecting the safety of the crew, and providing to the maximum extent practical, the capability to safely recover the crew from hazardous situations. Human systems integration represents a key human rating component of Moon to Mars systems to support the execution of Artemis missions, including compliance with mandatory standards for Health and Medical, Safety and Mission Assurance, and Engineering. The human system requirements, together with the human systems integration plan, medical operations requirements, and Gateway sub-system specifications, represent the flow-down of NASA Health and Medical Standards (NASA-STD-3001, Volumes 1 and 2) into the Gateway system. This paper discusses how these documents and other human systems integration activities provide full consideration of human capabilities and limitations as part of the total system design trade space, serving as an example on how the human must be effectively integrated as part of the system in order to achieve mission success. At a bigger scale, the paper con-tributes to the application of systems engineering standards to cutting-edge space exploration initiatives and to the dialogue on how systems engineering can continue to evolve to meet the needs of such ambitious projects.

Systems engineering↗
DOE OSTI2017

A NOVEL TOOL FOR IMPROVING THE DATA COLLECTION PROCESS DURING CONTROL ROOM MODERNIZATION HUMAN-SYSTEM INTERFACE TESTING AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program is developing a scientific basis to extend the existing U.S. nuclear power plant (NPP) operating life beyond the current 60-year licensing period and to ensure NPP long-term reliability, productivity, safety, and security. Under the Advanced Instrumentation, Information, and Control (II&C) Systems Technologies pathway, the LWRS Program conducts targeted research and development to address long-term aging and obsolescence of existing instrumentation and control technologies, as well as to implement and test new digital II&C technology that enables broad innovation and business improvement in the NPP operating model. To this end, the role of human factors engineering (HFE) is important as part of ensuring that the control room modernization (CRM) activities account for the operator’s cognitive and physiological characteristics. Part of the HFE process for CRM entails conducting tests and evaluations (T&Es) that will inform the design of new human-system interface (HSI) technologies. Qualitative data that captures operator feedback and important human-system interactions are an important part of T&E. However, the analyzing this qualitative data in order to provide actionable design recommendations can be time-consuming and error prone. This paper presents an early version of a tool that can be used to analyze this qualitative data to (1) sift through freeform text for improved design issue identification, (2) maintain consistency in theme coding conventions, and (3) readily provide actionable design guidance that can be traceable to state-of-the-art HFE guidelines such as NUREG-0700. A description of this tool is discussed next.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A novel tool for improving the data collection process during control room modernization human-system interface testing and evaluation activities - 271

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program is developing a scientific basis to extend the existing U.S. nuclear power plant (NPP) operating life beyond the current 60-year licensing period and to ensure NPP long-term reliability, productivity, safety, and security. Under the Advanced Instrumentation, Information, and Control (II and C) Systems Technologies pathway, the LWRS Program conducts targeted research and development to address long-term aging and obsolescence of existing instrumentation and control technologies, as well as to implement and test new digital II and C technology that enables broad innovation and business improvement in the NPP operating model. To this end, the role of human factors engineering (HFE) is important as part of ensuring that the control room modernization (CRM) activities account for the operator's cognitive and physiological characteristics. Part of the HFE process for CRM entails conducting tests and evaluations (T and Es) that will inform the design of new human-system interface (HSI) technologies. Qualitative data that captures operator feedback and important human-system interactions are an important part of T and E. However, the analyzing this qualitative data in order to provide actionable design recommendations can be time-consuming and error prone. This paper presents an early version of a tool, which uses a combination of natural language processing and supervised machine learning to support the analysis of qualitative data. The objectives of this tool is to improve the process of (1) sifting through freeform text for improved design issue identification, (2) maintaining consistency in theme coding conventions, and (3) readily providing actionable design guidance that can be traceable to state-of-the-art HFE guidelines such as NUREG-0700. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS1989

The telerobot workstation testbed for the shuttle aft flight deck: A project plan for integrating human factors into system design

The human factors design process in developing a shuttle orbiter aft flight deck workstation testbed is described. In developing an operator workstation to control various laboratory telerobots, strong elements of human factors engineering and ergonomics are integrated into the design process. The integration of human factors is performed by incorporating user feedback at key stages in the project life-cycle. An operator centered design approach helps insure the system users are working with the system designer in the design and operation of the system. The design methodology is presented along with the results of the design and the solutions regarding human factors design principles.

Sauerwein, Timothy↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Flight Test Evaluation of Automation-Induced Oscillations

Flight-test systems analysis techniques are applied to the case of aircraft automation-induced oscillations(AIO). Emerging technological advancements in flight control automation and artificial intelligence have created a need for evaluating the age-old aerial phenomenon of undesired aircraft oscillations. This paper is an overview on the study of AIO as interactions between human pilot, software engineer, and vehicle dynamics(e.g., latency) with the presence of winds aloft. Flight-test evaluation included a broad, non-comprehensive theory on cyclical and non-cyclical oscillations and a preliminary evaluation of the ecosystem from software engineer, airspace architect, and human test pilot.

David Zahn↗
DOE OSTI2017

Development of NUREG-0700, rev 3 - 229

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) evaluates the human factors engineering (HFE) of nuclear power plant design and operations to protect public health and safety. The HFE safety reviews encompass both the design process and its products. Detailed guidance for these reviews is provided in two key documents: the HFE Program Review Model (NUREG-0711) and the Human-System Interface Design Review Guidelines (NUREG-0700). The NRC is committed to the periodic update and improvement of the guidance to ensure that they remain state-of-the-art design evaluation tools. In this paper, we will describe the updates made to NUREG-0700 that resulted in Revision 3 of the guidance. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effects of adaptive automation on operator-system performance - 103

Adaptive automation (AA) is the dynamic, real-time change in the degree of automation in response to situational changes. AA systems are being developed in many industries, including for nuclear power plant applications. AA is a promising means of mitigating human performance issues that often arise in highly automated systems. The purpose of this Nuclear Regulatory Commission study was to characterize important AA design features, define the effects of AA on performance, examine the human factors engineering (HFE) guidance available to design and evaluate AA systems, and identify research and development needs. In general, we found that AA improves task performance and situation awareness (SA) while managing workload. Although the research is limited, AA also supports operator recognition of automation failure and recovery. Research on human-system interfaces has identified principles showing promise for supporting SA, including failure detection, and limiting workload. Research further suggests that AA systems are both more effective, and less disruptive and distracting, when they follow rules of interaction similar to those used by human crewmembers. Our general conclusion about the HFE guidance available to designers and reviewers is that it is limited and has not kept pace with automation technology. We discuss several research and development needs that will help support a better understanding of where and how AA should be used and support the development of more comprehensive guidance for AA safety reviews. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS1973

A case study of technology transfer: Rehabilitative engineering at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital

The transfer of NASA technolgy to rehabilitative applications of artificial limbs is studied. Human factors engineering activities range from orthotic manipulators to tiny dc motors and transducers to detect and transmit voluntary control signals. It is found that bicarbon implant devices are suitable for medical equipment and artificial limbs because of their biological compatibility with human body fluids and tissues.

Hildred, W.↗
DOE OSTI2017

BWR modernization project: installation of a new digital feedwater control system - 295

A European BWR plant carried out a relevant and pioneering modernization project regarding the Feedwater and Feed Pump Turbine Control System, replacing the legacy analogic control with the new General Electric MarkVIe digital system. This digital instrumentation and control modernization, motivated by obsolescence, had a great impact on the main control room and on the plant operation. Tecnatom collaborated with the nuclear power plant in the project performing the following activities: early installation of the system in the full scope and classroom simulators, Human Factors Engineering (HFE) Verification and Validation (V and V), Simulation Assisted Engineering (SAE), design and implementation of cyber secure communication with the Plant Process Computer (PPC), operating procedures modification and plant operators training. Those activities contributed to the success of the project that was completed during the refueling outage as planned. Scheduling HFE verification before the design freeze allowed the plant to modify the Human Machine Interface (HMI) to comply with the standards and increase safety without overcharging the project. SAE resulted in the reduction of costs and time during the system commissioning through the detection of discrepancies and improvements in the control, covering different plant scenarios. All the activities carried out in the simulators before the implementation of the system in the plant contributed to validate it and to build confidence in the new control among the plant personnel. New digital system communication interfaces with the PPC saved cable laying works and allowed future expansions. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗