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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2022

Identifying Shocked Feldspar on Mars Using Perseverance Spectroscopic Instruments: Implications for Geochronology Studies on Returned Samples

The Perseverance rover (Mars 2020) mission, the first step in NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, will select samples for caching based on their potential to improve understanding Mars’ astrobiological, geological, geochemical, and climatic evolution. Geochronologic analyses will be among the key measurements planned for returned samples. Assessing a sample’s shock history will be critical because shock metamorphism could influence apparent sample age. Shock effects in one Mars-relevant mineral class, plagioclase feldspar, have been well- documented using various spectroscopy techniques (thermal infrared reflectance, emission, and transmission spectroscopy, Raman, and luminescence). A subset of these data will be obtained with the SuperCam and SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals) instruments onboard Perseverance to inform caching decisions for MSR. Here, we review shock indicators in plagioclase feldspar as revealed in Raman, luminescence, and IR spectroscopy lab data, with an emphasis on Raman spectroscopy. We consider how this information may inform caching decisions for selecting optimal samples for geochronology measurements. We then identify challenges and make recommendations for both in situ measurements performed with SuperCam and SHERLOC and for supporting lab studies to enhance the success of geochronologic analyses after return to Earth.

mars↗
NASA NTRS2003

Computational and Experimental Flow Field Analyses of Separate Flow Chevron Nozzles and Pylon Interaction

A computational and experimental flow field analyses of separate flow chevron nozzles is presented. The goal of this study is to identify important flow physics and modeling issues required to provide highly accurate flow field data which will later serve as input to the Jet3D acoustic prediction code. Four configurations are considered: a baseline round nozzle with and without a pylon, and a chevron core nozzle with and without a pylon. The flow is simulated by solving the asymptotically steady, compressible, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations using an implicit, up-wind, flux-difference splitting finite volume scheme and standard two-equation kappa-epsilon turbulence model with a linear stress representation and the addition of a eddy viscosity dependence on total temperature gradient normalized by local turbulence length scale. The current CFD results are seen to be in excellent agreement with Jet Noise Lab data and show great improvement over previous computations which did not compensate for enhanced mixing due to high temperature gradients.

Massey, Steven J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Preliminary Characterization of IDCSP Spacecrafts Through a Multi-Analytical Approach

Defining the risks present to both crewed and robotic spacecrafts is part of NASA s mission, and is critical to keep these resources out of harm s way. Characterizing orbital debris is an essential part of this mission. We present a proof-of-concept study that employs multiple techniques to demonstrate the efficacy of each approach. The targets of this study are IDCSPs (Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program). 35 of these satellites were launched by the US in the mid-1960s and were the first US military communications satellites in the GEO regime. They were emplaced in slightly sub-synchronous orbits. These targets were chosen for this proof-of-concept study for the simplicity of their observable exterior surfaces. The satellites are 26-sided polygons (86cm in diameter), initially spin-stabilized, and covered on all sides in solar panels. Data presented here include: (a) visible broadband photometry (Johnson/Kron-Cousins BVRI) taken with the 0.9m SMARTs telescope (Small and Medium Aperture Telescopes) at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile in April, 2012, (b) laboratory broadband photometry (Johnson/ Bessell BVRI) of solar cells, obtained using the Optical Measurements Center (OMC) at NASA/JSC [1], (c) visible-band spectra taken using the Magellan 6.5m Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile in May, 2012 [2], and (d) visible-band laboratory spectra of solar cells using an ASD Field Spectrometer. Color-color plots using broadband photometry (e.g. B-R vs. B-V) demonstrate that different material types fall into distinct areas on the plots [1]. Spectra of the same material types as those plotted in the color-color plots each display their own signature as well. Here, we compare lab data with telescopic data, and photometric results with spectroscopic results. The spectral response of solar cells in the visible wavelength regime varies from relatively flat to somewhat older solar cells whose reflectivity can be gently or sharply peaked in the blue. With a target like IDCSPs, the material type is known a priori, aiding in understanding how material type affects one s observations.

Lederer, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Characterizing Orbital Debris and Spacecrafts Through a Multi-Analytical Approach

Defining the risks present to both crewed and robotic spacecrafts is part of NASA s mission, and is critical to keep these resources out of harms way. Characterizing orbital debris is an essential part of this mission. We present a proof-of-concept study that employs multiple techniques to demonstrate the efficacy of each approach. The targets of this study are IDCSPs (Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program). 35 of these satellites were launched by the US in the mid-1960s and were the first US communications satellites in the GEO regime. They were emplaced in slightly sub-synchronous orbits. These targets were chosen for this proof-of-concept study for the simplicity of their observable exterior surfaces. The satellites are 26-sided polygons (86cm in diameter), initially spin-stabilized and covered on all sides in solar panels. Data presented here include: (a) visible broadband photometry (Johnson B and Cousins R bands) taken with the University of Michigan s 0.6-m aperture Curtis-Schmidt telescope MODEST (for Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope) in Chile in November, 2011, (b) laboratory broadband photometry (Johnson BV Cousins RI) of solar cells, obtained using the Optical Measurements Center (OMC) at NASA/JSC (see Cowardin et al., this meeting for more details), (c) visible-band spectra taken using the Magellan 6.5m Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile in March, 2012 (see also Seitzer et al., this meeting), and (d) visible-band laboratory spectra of solar cells using a Field Spectrometer. Color-color plots using broadband photometry (e.g. B-R vs. R-I) demonstrate that different material types fall into distinct areas on the plots (Cowardin, AMOS 2010). Spectra will be binned in wavelength to compare with photometry results and plotted on the same graph for comparison. This allows us to compare lab data with telescopic data, and photometric results with spectroscopic results. In addition, the spectral response of solar cells in the visible wavelength regime varies from relatively flat (modern black solar cells with uniform albedo as a function of wavelength) to older solar cells whose reflectivity is sharply peaked in the blue (similar to the IDCSP solar cells). With a target like IDCSPs, the material type is known a priori. Therefore, this study will also be used to determine whether laboratory spectra of pre-launch (pristine) solar cells differ from the telescopic spectra of IDCSPs that have been exposed to the harsh environment of space for ~45 years to investigate whether space weathering effects are evident.

Lederer, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Diagenetic Mineralogy at Gale Crater, Mars

Three years into exploration of sediments in Gale crater on Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity has provided data on several modes and episodes of diagenetic mineral formation. Curiosity determines mineralogy principally by X-ray diffraction (XRD), but with supporting data from thermal-release profiles of volatiles, bulk chemistry, passive spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectra of targeted spots. Mudstones at Yellowknife Bay, within the landing ellipse, contain approximately 20% phyllosilicate that we interpret as authigenic smectite formed by basalt weathering in relatively dilute water, with associated formation of authigenic magnetite as in experiments by Tosca and Hurowitz [Goldschmidt 2014]. Varied interlayer spacing of the smectite, collapsed at approximately 10 A or expanded at approximately 13.2 A, is evidence of localized diagenesis that may include partial intercalation of metal-hydroxyl groups in the approximately 13.2 A material. Subsequent sampling of stratigraphically higher Windjana sandstone revealed sediment with multiple sources, possible concentration of detrital magnetite, and minimal abundance of diagenetic minerals. Most recent sampling has been of lower strata at Mount Sharp, where diagenesis is widespread and varied. Here XRD shows that hematite first becomes abundant and products of diagenesis include jarosite and cristobalite. In addition, bulk chemistry identifies Mg-sulfate concretions that may be amorphous or crystalline. Throughout Curiosity's traverse, later diagenetic fractures (and rarer nodules) of mm to dm scale are common and surprisingly constant and simple in Ca-sulfate composition. Other sulfates (Mg,Fe) appear to be absent in this later diagenetic cycle, and circumneutral solutions are indicated. Equally surprising is the rarity of gypsum and common occurrence of bassanite and anhydrite. Bassanite, rare on Earth, plays a major role at this location on Mars. Dehydration of gypsum to bassanite in the dry atmosphere of Mars has been proposed but considered unlikely based on lab studies of dehydration kinetics in powdered samples. Dehydration is even less likely for bulk vein samples, as lab data show dehydration rates one to two orders of magnitude slower in bulk samples than in powders. On Mars, exposure ages of 100 Ma or more may be a significant factor in dehydration of hydrous phases.

Vaniman, David↗
DOE OSTI2025

Development of an ERT‐Based Framework for Bentonite Buffers Monitoring From Laboratory Tests: 2. Quantitative Moisture Dynamics Estimation Model

Abstract The long‐term containment of high‐level radioactive waste in geological disposal repositories relies on Engineered Barrier Systems (EBS), with bentonite clay emerging as a candidate material due to its unique properties. Understanding moisture dynamics within bentonite buffers is crucial for EBS performance, as it directly influences the material's swelling capacity, thermal and hydraulic conductivity, mechanical properties, and long‐term evolution under complex thermal‐hydrological‐mechanical (THM) processes. This study develops an advanced Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT)‐based framework to quantitatively monitor moisture dynamics under THM conditions. Our framework extends the Waxman‐Smits model to incorporate the coupled effects of temperature, water content, fluid chemistry, and mechanical changes on bentonite's electrical properties. Utilizing HotBENT‐Lab data from our companion paper, which includes electrical conductivity, CT density, and thermocouple measurements, this study offers a novel methodological framework bridging different scales of the model. Our results show that the extended model can estimate water content from ERT data, capturing spatial and temporal variations in moisture distribution within bentonite columns. However, the model tends to overestimate water content compared to CT density‐derived measurements. We address this discrepancy by incorporating a simplified swelling effect model, which improves agreement between ERT and CT density‐based water content estimates. We also discuss model limitations, including simplified treatment of swelling and micropore effects, and propose a conceptual framework for transitioning from laboratory to field applications, addressing challenges such as parameter scalability, field validation methods, and integration of diverse data sources. This ERT‐based framework can potentially advance real‐world moisture monitoring of bentonite‐based EBS in nuclear waste repositories. Plain Language Summary Safely containing high‐level radioactive waste depends on barriers made from materials like bentonite clay, which is effective because it swells and seals in the waste. To ensure these barriers work well over time, it's important to understand how moisture moves through the clay. Our study developed a new method using ERT to monitor moisture levels in bentonite under conditions that mimic those in actual storage sites, including changes in temperature, water content, and mechanical stress. This study improved an existing model to better account for how these factors affect the clay, allowing us to create more accurate moisture maps. Initially, the proposed model overestimated the amount of water in the clay, but its accuracy was improved by factoring in how the clay swells when wet. This study also identified some limitations of the model and suggested ways to adapt it for use in real‐world waste storage sites. This new approach could lead to better monitoring and safety checks for nuclear waste storage systems, helping to ensure long‐term containment. Key Points This work develops an ERT‐based framework extending the Waxman‐Smits model to monitor bentonite moisture dynamics during coupled THM processes The extended model accurately estimates water content from Electrical Resistivity Tomography data, incorporating swelling effects to improve precision This work proposes a conceptual framework for transitioning from laboratory to field applications, advancing EBS monitoring in nuclear waste repositories

Chen, Hang↗
DOE OSTI2024

Generalizability of heat-related health risk associations observed in a large healthcare claims database of patients with commercial health insurance

Extreme ambient heat is unambiguously associated with higher risk of illness and death. The Optum Labs Data Warehouse (OLDW), a database of medical claims from US-based patients with commercial or Medicare Advantage health insurance, has been used to quantify heat-related health impacts. Whether results for the insured sub-population are generalizable to the broader population has to our knowledge not been documented. We sought to address this question, for the US population in California from 2012 to 2019. We examined changes in daily rates of emergency department (ED) encounters and in-patient hospitalization encounters for all-causes, heat-related outcomes, renal disease, mental/behavioral disorders, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. OLDW was the source for health data for insured individuals in California, and health data for the broader population were gathered from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). We defined extreme heat exposure as any day in a group of 2 or more days with maximum temperatures exceeding the county-specific 97.5 th percentile and used a space-time-stratified case–crossover design to assess and compare the impacts of heat on health. Average incidence rates of medical encounters differed by dataset. However, rate ratios for ED encounters were similar across datasets for all causes (ratio of incidence rate ratios (rIRR) = 0.989; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.973, 1.011), heat-related causes (rIRR = 1.080; 95% CI = 0.999, 1.168), renal disease (rIRR = 0.963; 95% CI = 0.718, 1.292), and mental health disorders (rIRR = 1.098; 95% CI = 1.004, 1.201). Rate ratios for inpatient encounters were also similar. This work presents evidence that OLDW can continue to be a resource for estimating the health impacts of extreme heat.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Utah FORGE 5-2615: Well 58-32 and 78-32 Poroelastic Properties

Lab data on permeability, grain bulk modulus, drained bulk modulus, Skempton's pore pressure coefficient, and Biot's effective stress coefficient for Utah Forge Well 58-32 and Well 78-32. Work done as part of project number 5-2615 by the University of Oklahoma.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

The DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey: Overview and First Data Release

The DECam Local Volume Exploration survey (DELVE) is a 126-night survey program on the 4 m Blanco Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. DELVE seeks to understand the characteristics of faint satellite galaxies and other resolved stellar substructures over a range of environments in the Local Volume. DELVE will combine new DECam observations with archival DECam data to cover ~15,000 deg 2 of high Galactic latitude (|b| > 10°) southern sky to a 5σ depth of g, r, i, z ~ 23.5 mag. In addition, DELVE will cover a region of ~2200 deg 2 around the Magellanic Clouds to a depth of g, r, i ~ 24.5 mag and an area of ~135 deg 2 around four Magellanic analogs to a depth of g, i ~ 25.5 mag. Here, we present an overview of the DELVE program and progress to date. Furthermore, we also summarize the first DELVE public data release (DELVE DR1), which provides point-source and automatic aperture photometry for ~520 million astronomical sources covering ~5000 deg 2 of the southern sky to a 5σ point-source depth of g = 24.3 mag, r = 23.9 mag, i = 23.3 mag, and z = 22.8 mag. DELVE DR1 is publicly available via the NOIRLab Astro Data Lab science platform.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

The DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey Data Release 2

We present the second public data release (DR2) from the DECam Local Volume Exploration survey (DELVE). DELVE DR2 combines new DECam observations with archival DECam data from the Dark Energy Survey, the DECam Legacy Survey, and other DECam community programs. DELVE DR2 consists of ∼160,000 exposures that cover >21,000 deg$^{2}$ of the high-Galactic-latitude (∣b∣ > 10°) sky in four broadband optical/near-infrared filters (g, r, i, z). DELVE DR2 provides point-source and automatic aperture photometry for ∼2.5 billion astronomical sources with a median 5σ point-source depth of g = 24.3, r = 23.9, i = 23.5, and z = 22.8 mag. A region of ∼17,000 deg$^{2}$ has been imaged in all four filters, providing four-band photometric measurements for ∼618 million astronomical sources. DELVE DR2 covers more than 4 times the area of the previous DELVE data release and contains roughly 5 times as many astronomical objects. DELVE DR2 is publicly available via the NOIRLab Astro Data Lab science platform.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Comment on “Review of experimental studies of secondary ice production” by Korolev and Leisner (2020)

Abstract. This is a comment on the review by Korolev and Leisner (2020, hereafter KL2020). The only two laboratory/field studies ever to measure the breakup in ice–ice collisions for in-cloud conditions were negatively criticised by KL2020, as were our subsequent theoretical and modelling studies informed by both studies. First, hypothetically, even without any further laboratory experiments, such theoretical and modelling studies would continue to be possible, based on classical mechanics and statistical physics. They are not sensitive to the accuracy of lab data for typical situations, partly because the nonlinear explosive growth of ice concentrations continues until some maximum concentration is reached. To a degree, the same final concentration is expected regardless of the fragment number per collision. Second, there is no evidence that both lab/field observational studies characterising fragmentation in ice–ice collisions are either mutually conflicting or erroneous such that they cannot be used to represent this breakup in numerical models, contrary to the review. The fact that the ice spheres of one experiment were hail sized (2 cm) is not a problem if a universal theoretical formulation, such as ours, with fundamental dependencies, is informed by it. Although both lab/field studies involved head-on collisions, rotational kinetic energy for all collisions generally is only a small fraction of the initial collision kinetic energy (CKE) anyway. Although both lab/field experiments involved fixed targets, that is not a problem since the fixing of the target is represented via CKE in any energy-based formulation such as ours. Finally, scaling analysis suggests that the breakup of ice during sublimation can make a significant contribution to ice enhancement in clouds, again contrary to the impression given by the review.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2001

Laboratory Measurements of the 940, 1130, and 1370 nm Water Vapor Absorption Band Profiles

We have used the solar spectral flux radiometer (SSFR) flight instrument with the Ames 25 meter base-path White cell to obtain about 20 moderate resolution (8 nm) pure water vapor spectra from 650 to 1650 nm, with absorbing paths from 806 to 1506 meters and pressures up to 14 torr. We also obtained a set at 806 meters with several different air-broadening pressures. Model simulations were made for the 940, 1130, and 1370 nm absorption bands for some of these laboratory conditions using the Rothman, et al HITRAN-2000 linelist. This new compilation of HITRAN includes new intensity measurements for the 940 nm region. We compared simulations for our spectra of this band using HITRAN-2000 with simulations using the prior HITRAN-1996. The simulations of the 1130 nm band show about 10% less absorption than we measured. There is some evidence that the total intensity of this band is about 38% stronger than the sum of the HITRAN line intensities in this region. In our laboratory conditions the absorption depends approximately on the square root of the intensity. Thus, our measurements agree that the band is stronger than tabulated in HITRAN, but by about 20%, substantially less than the published value. Significant differences have been shown between Doppler-limited resolution spectra of the 1370 nm band obtained at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and HITRAN simulations. Additional new intensity measurements in this region are continuing to be made. We expect the simulations of our SSFR lab data of this band will show the relative importance of improving the HITRAN line intensities of this band for atmospheric measurements.

Giver, Lawrence P.↗
NASA NTRS2005

IR Spectroscopy and Photo-Chemistry of Extraterrestrial Ices

Dense molecular clouds from which planetary systems form and the outer Solar System are both cold environments dominated by ices. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is used to probe these ices, but the IR absorptions of molecules depend on the conditions. As a result appropriate lab data is needed to correctly fit spectra of extraterrestrial ices. Such fits have shown that most of these ices are composed primarily of H2O, but also contain 1-10 percent of other simple molecules such as CO2, CO, CH4, & NH3;. We shall present near IR spectra of ice mixtures of relevance to icy outer Solar System bodies and show that they still hold surprises, such as the Cheshire cat-like CO2 (2v3) overtone near 2.134 micrometers (4685 cm-1) that is absent from spectra of pure CO2 but present in H2O-CO2 mixtures.

Max P Bernstein↗
NASA NTRS2004

UWB Tracking System Design for Free-Flyers

This paper discusses an ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking system design effort for Mini-AERCam (Autonomous Extra-vehicular Robotic Camera), a free-flying video camera system under development at NASA Johnson Space Center for aid in surveillance around the International Space Station (ISS). UWB technology is exploited to implement the tracking system due to its properties, such as high data rate, fine time resolution, and low power spectral density. A system design using commercially available UWB products is proposed. A tracking algorithm TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival) that operates cooperatively with the UWB system is developed in this research effort. Matlab simulations show that the tracking algorithm can achieve fine tracking resolution with low noise TDOA data. Lab experiments demonstrate the UWB tracking capability with fine resolution.

Ni, Jianjun↗
NASA NTRS2007

ET Toxic Metals Replacement Review SEA Spring Face to Face

The information contained in the presentation covers development work carried out under SDS projects. The intent of the effort is to find chrome(VI) free alternates to our current chromated processing solutions. The information presented reports progress in work aimed to replace our alkaline cleaner (Turco 4215), conversion coat (Iridite 14-2) and chrome (VI) compounds used in LOx tank hydrostatic proof test solution. To date we have found candidates for use in the proof test solution and alkaline cleaner. These candidates are in the final stages of testing. Lab data is reported in the presentation.

Pratz, Earl↗
NASA NTRS2008

Core Technical Capability Laboratory Management System

The Core Technical Capability Lab - oratory Management System (CTCLMS) consists of dynamically generated Web pages used to access a database containing detailed CTC lab data with the software hosted on a server that allows users to have remote access.

Shaykhian, Linda↗
NASA NTRS2010

Nondestructive Crack Detection in a Fuel System Component

The presentation examines the background and objective of nondestructive crack detection, flow control valve assembly and poppet post flight evaluation, poppet properties. magnetic property characterization of lab data, NDE, eddy current inspection, simulation, eddy current criteria, poppet cycle testing and NDE criteria, and the use of ultrasonic surface wave for crack detection.

Koshti, Ajay↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Biological Insights at the Interface of Multiple Arabidopsis Legacy Datasets

The NASA GeneLab database includes an open-access collection of datasets yielded by space biology experiments. Six Gene Lab Data Sets (GLDS’s) performed in Arabidopsis were selected for analysis (7/17/44/121/205/213), all of which included transcriptome data from spaceflight and ground control environments. Hardware, ecotype, environmental conditions, and other experimental conditions varied, allowing the observations of overarching gene expression impacts of microgravity on plant life without focusing on effects of specific experimental conditions. Using GeneLab pre-processed datasets as the basis for the study, RNA microarray data were analyzed to identify genes that showed altered expression in microgravity when compared to control samples for each individual GLDS. All differentially expressed genes were compared to locate differentially expressed genes common between spaceflight experiments. The most noteworthy result is that not one gene shared differential expression among the six GLDS’s. However, gene expression was not influenced randomly by the microgravity environment, as there were several gene ontology terms that were significantly enriched across all experiments. These included 20 significantly enriched biological processes, and although the genes which enriched each term varied, there were many cases of specific genes common to clusters of multiple GLDS’s. Gene expression such as NAC92 and ERF011 or membrane structural element FFP6 provide insight and direction toward understanding the plant response to spaceflight. Characterizing these common processes and the shared differentially expressed genes has demonstrated potential targets for further study to understand and modulate the biological response of plants in microgravity. Life on Earth has never been subjected to the absence of gravity as a selective pressure, so observing how life forms react to a microgravity environment could provide insight to our shared fundamental biological processes. It is also feasible that the genetic modification of specific genes linked to the microgravity response could improve health and yield of space crops.

Joseph Emhof↗