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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Chemical production on Mars using in situ propellant production technology

In situ propellant production (ISPP) was examined in terms of its applicability to a manned Mars mission. Production of oxygen from Martian atmosphere was used as the baseline system for ISPP technology assessment. It was concluded that production of oxygen was an important element in a manned Mars mission which could be developed in terrestrial laboratories. Expert system methodology will be required to enable reliable, autonomous production of oxygen. Furthermore, while no major technical breakthroughs are required, this research requires a long lead time to permit its systematic evolution.

Robert L Ash↗
NASA NTRS1989

Modeling new production in upwelling centers - A case study of modeling new production from remotely sensed temperature and color

A method has been developed for estimating new production in upwelling systems from remotely sensed surface temperatures. A shift-up model predicts the rate of adaptation of nitrate uptake. The time base for the production cycle is obtained from a knowledge of surface heating rates and differences in temperature between the point of upwelling and each pixel. Nitrate concentrations are obtained from temperature-nitrate regression equations. The model was developed for the northwest Africa upwelling region, where shipboard measurements of new production were available. It can be employed in two modes, the first using only surface temperatures, and the second in which CZCS color data are incorporated. The major advance offered by this method is the capability to estimate new production on spatial and time scales inaccessible with shipboard approaches.

Dugdale, Richard C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Operational Product for Peatland Applications: The Version 7 of the SMAP Level-4 Soil Moisture Data Assimilation Product

The NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission Level-4 Soil Moisture (L4_SM) product provides global, 9-km resolution, 3-hourly surface (0-5 cm) and root-zone (0-100 cm) soil moisture estimates from April 2015 to present with a mean latency of 2.5 days from the time of observation. The L4_SM estimates are derived from the assimilation of SMAP L-band (1.4 GHz) brightness temperature (Tb) observations into the NASA Catchment Land Surface Model (CLSM). The recently released Version 7 of the L4_SM product comprises a key advancement that is of interest for peatland applications. CLSM now includes the recently developed PEATCLSM hydrology module for peatlands and uses an updated global peatland distribution. In this presentation, we first give an overview of the operational product for the peatland community. We further show how the incorporation of PEATCLSM considerably improves the dynamics of water table depth, surface soil moisture and evapotranspiration in L4_SM Version 7 over Version 6 when evaluated against in situ measurements in peatlands. These improvements are also manifested in smaller Tb observation-minus-forecast residuals. Eventually, we provide three research examples in which the data assimilation product is used to gain insights into: peatland hydrological processes, the peat moisture dependency of the carbon cycle, and wildfire occurrence in peatlands.

Michel Bechtold↗
DOE OSTI2022

Production of chemical products using electrochemical flow systems and slug flow and associated methods

Systems and methods for electrochemically producing chemical products are provided. In certain cases, the systems and methods described herein are capable of producing chemical products such as hydrogen peroxide in solutions with relatively low concentrations of electrolyte or other dissolved species at high efficiencies and/or low energetic cost. In some cases, redox mediators are used to temporally decouple direct electrochemical processes from the production of the chemical product.

Voskian, Sahag↗
DOE OSTI2023

Production of chemical products using electrochemical flow systems and mediators and associated methods

Systems and methods for electrochemically producing chemical products are provided. In certain cases, the systems and methods described herein are capable of producing chemical products such as hydrogen peroxide in solutions with relatively low concentrations of electrolyte or other dissolved species at high efficiencies and/or low energetic cost. In some cases, redox mediators are used to spatially decouple direct electrochemical processes from the production of the chemical product.

Murray, Alexander↗
DOE OSTI2023

Methods for producing hydrocarbon products and protonation products through electrochemical activation of ethane

A method of forming a hydrocarbon product and a protonation product comprises introducing C2H6 to a positive electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The proton-conducting membrane comprises an electrolyte material having an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 10−2 S/cm at one or more temperatures within a range of from about 150° C. to about 650° C. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell to produce the hydrocarbon product and the protonation product. A C2H6 activation system and an electrochemical cell are also described.

He, Ting↗
DOE OSTI2016

Uncertainty analysis of terrestrial net primary productivity and net biome productivity in China during 1901-2005

Here, despite the importance of net primary productivity (NPP) and net biome productivity (NBP), estimates of NPP and NBP for China are highly uncertain. To investigate the main sources of uncertainty, we synthesized model estimates of NPP and NBP for China from published literature and the Multi-scale Synthesis and Terrestrial Model Intercomparison Project (MsTMIP). The literature-based results showed that total NPP and NBP in China were 3.35 ± 1.25 and 0.14 ± 0.094 Pg C yr –1 , respectively. Classification and regression tree analysis based on literature data showed that model type was the primary source of the uncertainty, explaining 36% and 64% of the variance in NPP and NBP, respectively. Spatiotemporal scales, land cover conditions, inclusion of the N cycle, and effects of N addition also contributed to the overall uncertainty. Results based on the MsTMIP data suggested that model structures were overwhelmingly important (>90%) for the overall uncertainty compared to simulations with different combinations of time-varying global change factors. The interannual pattern of NPP was similar among diverse studies and increased by 0.012 Pg C yr –1 during 1981–2000. In addition, high uncertainty in China's NPP occurred in areas with high productivity, whereas NBP showed the opposite pattern. Our results suggest that to significantly reduce uncertainty in estimated NPP and NBP, model structures should be substantially tested on the basis of empirical results. To this end, coordinated distributed experiments with multiple global change factors might be a practical approach that can validate specific structures of different models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Integrated separation scheme for measuring a suite of fission and activation products from a fresh mixed fission and activation product sample

Mixed fission and activation materials resulting from various nuclear processes and events contain a wide range of isotopes for analysis spanning almost the entire periodic table. In some applications such as environmental monitoring, nuclear waste management, and national security a very limited amount of material is available for analysis and characterization so an integrated analysis scheme is needed to measure multiple radionuclides from one sample. This work describes the production of a complex synthetic sample containing fission products, activation products, and irradiated soil and determines the percent recovery of select isotopes through the integrated chemical separation scheme. Results were determined using gamma energy analysis of separated fractions and demonstrate high yields of Ag (76 ± 6%), Au (94 ± 7%), Cd (59 ± 2%), Co (93 ± 5%), Cs (88 ± 3%), Fe (62 ± 1%), Mn (70 ± 7%), Np (65 ± 5%), Sr (73 ± 2%) and Zn (72 ± 3%). Lower yields (< 25%) were measured for Ga, Ir, Sc, and W. Based on the results of this experiment, a complex synthetic sample can be prepared with low atom/fission ratios and isotopes of interest accurately and precisely measured following an integrated chemical separation method.

activation product analysis↗
DOE OSTI2015

Measurements of pion production in eA with the CLAS detector

Preliminary results on semi-inclusive charged pion production in eA collisions at E{sub beam}=5 GeV/c{sup 2} are presented. The data were collected using the CLAS detector, which is a multipurpose, large acceptance, magnetic spectrometer located in Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Selected distributions in W, Q{sup 2}, p{sub π}, and θ{sub π} are shown for data produced using deuterium, carbon, iron and lead targets. Preliminary comparisons with data simulated using the GENIE generator are made. The motivation for this work is to provide distributions useful for tuning the hadronic final state interaction models in order to reduce uncertainties in the results extracted from current and next-generation neutrino oscillation experiments.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spatial distribution of crystalline corrosion products formed during corrosion of stainless steel in concrete

The mineralogy and spatial distribution of nano-crystalline corrosion products that form in the steel/concrete interface were characterized using synchrotron X-ray micro-diffraction (μ-XRD). Two types of low-nickel high-chromium reinforcing steels embedded into mortar and exposed to NaCl solution were investigated. Corrosion in the samples was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). μ-XRD revealed that goethite (α-FeOOH) and akaganeite (β-FeOOH) are the main iron oxide–hydroxides formed during the chloride-induced corrosion of stainless steel in concrete. Goethite is formed closer to the surface of the steel due to the presence of chromium in the steel, while akaganeite is formed further away from the surface due to the presence of chloride ions. Detailed microstructural analysis is shown and discussed on one sample of each type of steel. - Highlights: • Synchrotron micro-diffraction used to map the distribution of crystalline phases. • Goethite and akaganeite are the main corrosion products during chloride induced corrosion in mortar. • Layers of goethite and akaganeite are negatively correlated. • EDS showed Cr present in corrosion products identified by SEM.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Numerical simulations of depressurization-induced gas production from gas hydrates using 3-D heterogeneous models of L-Pad, Prudhoe Bay Unit, North Slope Alaska

Gas production potential is estimated using a three-dimensional reservoir model based on gas hydrate deposits located in the Prudhoe Bay region of the Alaska's North Slope. The model incorporates two hydrate-bearing sand units using detailed reservoir geological and structural information obtained from past and recent drilling programs. Geostatistical porosity models, conditioned to log data from 78 wells drilled in the vicinity of the Prudhoe Bay “L-Pad,” were developed, providing 3D heterogeneity in porosity, porosity-dependent hydrate saturation, and intrinsic permeability. The simulations utilize both vertical and inclined wellbores to induce depressurization of the reservoir at a constant bottom-hole pressure. The results show the superior performance of the inclined well design. Average gas production rates during the first five years were ~6.0 × 10 4 ST m 3 /day (~2.1 MMSCF/day) and ~2.7 × 10 4 ST m 3 /day (~1.0 MMSCF/day) for incline and vertical wells, respectively. After 30 years 5.3 × 10 8 - 5.7 × 10 8 ST m 3 (18.6–20.2 BSCF) and 6.2 × 10 8 - 6.4 × 10 8 ST m 3 (22.0–22.7 BSCF) gas were produced using the vertical and inclined well configurations, respectively. The analysis reveals that 2D reservoir models with homogeneous representations for porosity and hydrate saturation significantly underestimate production potential. The heterogeneity implemented in this work provides complex porous network and preferential pathways for mobile phase flow to a producing well. Consequently, no secondary hydrate formation around a wellbore is predicted in contrast to models that utilize uniform porosity and hydrate saturation distributions.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mechanistic Insights into CO 2 Electroreduction on Ni 2 P: Understanding Its Selectivity toward Multicarbon Products

Recently, nickel phosphides (Ni x P y ) have been reported to enable selective electrochemical formation of multicarbon products (C 3 and C 4 ) via the CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR); nevertheless, their activities remain low. In order to understand the roots of their high selectivity and low activity and to direct the design of more active Ni x P y -based CO 2 RR catalysts, we investigate the CO 2 RR mechanism on Ni 2 P using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Iin this work, we reveal that the reaction proceeds through the formate pathway, followed by formaldehyde (H 2 CO*) formation and self-condensation. Moreover, we demonstrate that surface hydride transfer steps, along with surface-mediated C–C coupling, are essential in order to avoid C 1 product formation and boost selectivity toward multicarbon products. In addition, we find that the thermal surface hydride transfer from the surface to the physisorbed CO 2 is one of the key rate-limiting steps, and since it is not electroactive, it cannot be accelerated by applying an overpotential. Finally, our results also show that the hydrogen affinity of the surface and the dynamic surface reconstruction via H adsorption facilitate selective CO 2 reduction and C–C coupling on Ni 2 P. These findings provide an impetus for exploring materials design space to identify the physical principles that govern the thermodynamics of rate-limiting thermal steps in electrocatalytic processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effect of water vapor on plasma morphology, OH and H 2 O 2 production in He and Ar atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharges

Although atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) have a long history, the effects of water vapor on the discharge morphology and kinetics have not been studied intensively. We report a simultaneous investigation of discharge morphology, OH and H 2 O 2 production in Ar and He DBDs operated at different water vapor concentrations and powers. The combined study allows us to assess the impact of the discharge morphology and power on the concentration dependence of the OH and H 2 O 2 production. The morphology of the discharge is investigated by ICCD images and current–voltage waveforms. These diagnostics are complemented by broadband absorption and a colorimetric method to measure the gas temperature and the OH and H 2 O 2 concentrations. The number of filaments in Ar DBD increases with increasing water concentration and power. The surface discharge part of the micro-discharge also reduces with increasing water concentration most likely due to a change in surface conductivity of the dielectric with changing water concentration. The OH density in the case of Ar is approximately double the OH density in He for similar power and water admixture. In contrast to the root square dependence of the OH density on the water concentration in He similar to diffuse RF discharges, the OH density in Ar increases for small water concentrations followed by a saturation and reduces for higher water concentrations. Furthermore, this dependence of OH density on water concentration is found to correlate with changes in discharge morphology. An analytical balance of the production and destruction mechanism of H 2 O 2 is shown to be able to reproduce the ratio of the measured OH and H 2 O 2 density for realistic values of electron densities.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2011

Hypertriton and light nuclei production at Lambda-production subthreshold energy in heavy-ion collisions

High-energy heavy-ion collisions produce abundant hyperons and nucleons. A dynamical coalescence model coupled with the ART model is employed to study the production probabilities of light clusters, deuteron (d), triton (t), helion ({sup 3}He), and hypertriton ({sub {Lambda}}{sup 3}H) at subthreshold energy of Aproduction ({approx} 1 GeV per nucleon). We study the dependence on the reaction system size of the coalescence penalty factor per additional nucleon and entropy per nucleon. The Strangeness Population Factor (S{sub 3} = {sup 3}{sub {Lambda}}H/({sup 3}He x {Lambda}/p)) shows an extra suppression of hypertriton comparing to light clusters of the same mass number. This model predicts a hypertriton production cross-section of a few {mu}b in {sup 36}Ar+{sup 36}Ar, {sup 40}Ca+{sup 40}Ca and {sup 56}Ni+{sup 56}Ni in 1 A GeV reactions. The production rate is as high as a few hypertritons per million collisions, which shows that the fixed-target heavy-ion collisions at CSR (Lanzhou/China) at {Lambda} subthreshold energy are suitable for breaking new ground in hypernuclear physics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Search for the production of W±W±W events at s =13 TeV

A search for the production of events containing three W bosons predicted by the standard model is reported. The search is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC and corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb-1. The search is performed in final states with three leptons (electrons or muons), or with two same-charge leptons plus two jets. The observed (expected) significance of the signal for W±W±W production is 0.60 (1.78) standard deviations, and the ratio of the measured signal yield to that expected from the standard model is 0.34-0.34+0.62. Limits are placed on three anomalous quartic gauge couplings and on the production of massive axionlike particles.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Event structure and double helicity asymmetry in jet production from polarized p+p collisions at (sq rt) s = 200 GeV

We report on the event structure and double helicity asymmetry (A{sub LL}) of jet production in longitudinally polarized p+p collisions at {radical}s = 200 GeV. Photons and charged particles were measured by the PHENIX experiment at midrapidity |{eta}| < 0.35 with the requirement of a high-momentum (> 2 GeV/c) photon in the event. Event structure, such as multiplicity, p{sub T} density and thrust in the PHENIX acceptance, were measured and compared with the results from the pythia event generator and the geant detector simulation. The shape of jets and the underlying event were well reproduced at this collision energy. For the measurement of jet ALL, photons and charged particles were clustered with a seed-cone algorithm to obtain the cluster p{sub T} sum (p{sub T}{sup reco}). The effect of detector response and the underlying events on p{sub T}{sup reco} was evaluated with the simulation. The production rate of reconstructed jets is satisfactorily reproduced with the next-to-leading-order and perturbative quantum chromodynamics jet production cross section. For 4 < p{sub T}{sup reco} < 12 GeV/c with an average beam polarization of <P> = 49% we measured A{sub LL} = -0.0014 {+-} 0.0037{sup stat} at the lowest p{sub T}{sup reco} bin (4-5 GeV/c) and -0.0181 {+-} 0.0282{sup stat} at the highest p{sub T}{sup reco} bin (10-12 GeV/c) with a beam polarization scale error of 9.4% and a p{sub T} scale error of 10%. Jets in the measured p{sub T}{sup reco} range arise primarily from hard-scattered gluons with momentum fraction 0.02 < x < 0.3 according to pythia. The measured A{sub LL} is compared with predictions that assume various {Delta}G(x) distributions based on the Gluck-Reya-Stratmann-Vogelsang parameterization. The present result imposes the limit -1.1 < {integral}{sub 0.02}{sup 0.3}dx{Delta}G(x,{mu}{sup 2} = 1 GeV{sup 2}) < 0.4 at 95% confidence level or {integral}{sub 0.02}{sup 0.3}dx{Delta}G(x,{mu}2 = 1 GeV{sup 2}) < 0.5 at 99% confidence level.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗