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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 505 records · Page 28

ARIES / Flatirons Facility - Hydrogen System Capability Buildout

Under the "Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems" (ARIES) initiative, hydrogen system capabilities including a MW-scale electrolyzer, storage system, and MW-scale fuel cell generator will be designed and commissioned at NREL's Flatirons Campus. This hydrogen infrastructure will support H2@Scale goals by enabling integrated systems R&D to study the science of scaling for hydrogen energy systems.The system is designed with flexibility to provide a testbed to demonstrate systems integration, grid services, energy storage, direct renewable hydrogen production, and innovative end use applications (e.g. HD transportation, natural gas blending, etc.).

electrical grid↗

NASA'S SERVIR Gulf of Mexico Project: The Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaborative (GoMRC)

The Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaborative (GoMRC) is a NASA-funded project that has as its goal to develop an integrated, working, prototype IT infrastructure for Earth science data, knowledge and models for the five Gulf U.S. states and Mexico, and to demonstrate its ability to help decision-makers better understand critical Gulf-scale issues. Within this preview, the mission of this project is to provide cross cutting solution network and rapid prototyping capability for the Gulf of Mexico region, in order to demonstrate substantial, collaborative, multi-agency research and transitional capabilities using unique NASA data sets and models to address regional problems. SERVIR Mesoamerica is seen as an excellent existing framework that can be used to integrate observational and GIs data bases, provide a sensor web interface, visualization and interactive analysis tools, archival functions, data dissemination and product generation within a Rapid Prototyping concept to assist decision-makers in better understanding Gulf-scale environmental issues.

Quattrochi, Dale A.↗

Developing New Fuels for High Performance Research Reactors

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Material Management and Minimization (M3) program works globally to minimize the civilian use of highly enriched uranium (HEU), a weapon-usable nuclear material. Supporting this effort, M3’s Office of Reactor Conversion and Uranium Supply is developing new fuels capable of converting research reactors from HEU fuel to high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel. Some of the remaining research and test reactors (RTRs) operating on HEU today have unique designs, fuel configurations, and demanding performance requirements that cannot be met with an existing regulatory-approved low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. M3, DOE’s national laboratories, and other industry partners are qualifying new high-density LEU fuels to convert these RTRs while maintaining their unique capabilities supporting a wide variety of science and technology research in areas such as medicine, industry, defense, education, and training. Current efforts are focused on two options for the remaining US high-performance research reactor conversions: a monolithic uranium 10wt% molybdenum (U-10Mo) fuel form and a dispersion uranium silicide fuel form. This paper reviews the history and status of M3’s fuel qualification efforts for the U-10Mo LEU fuel form.

Montgomery, Rose [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000286038936)↗

NREL's Capabilities in Organism Development and Fermentation Sciences Research and Development (R&D)

NREL is developing robust microbial strains and scalable fermentation technologies for converting biomass sugars to fuels and biochemicals, and one-carbon (C1) gaseous substrates (e.g., CO2, CO, CH4) to high-value products. Core capabilities include: (1) Fermentation optimization of aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic cultivation processes of gas and traditional liquid fermentation R&D; (2) Gas mass transfer R&D and CFD modeling for improved reactor design and gas mixing (3) Metabolic engineering in CRISPR editing tools to improve titer, rates, and yields; (4) Probing and optimizing carbon, redox, and energy flux using transcriptomics and fluxomic techniques; and (5) Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) using cellulose and hemicellulose directly to minimize pretreatment.

BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES,BIOMASS FUELS,SYNTHETIC ↗

ARIES 2021

This report highlights research projects and new capabilities in 2021 related to the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform.

cybersecurity↗

Feature issue introduction: laser driven inertial confinement fusion and bridging the gaps to inertial fusion energy systems

Major fusion research milestones have been achieved using laser driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) in recent years, and these successes have ignited tremendous enthusiasm for inertial fusion energy (IFE). However, the complexity and difficulty of obtaining fusion ignition with a laser driver in a research setting are often underappreciated, as are the gaps to high driver efficiency, high repetition rates, and laser and target durability requirements needs for IFE. On the academic side, several new research laser systems have been constructed over the past few years, enabling researchers to probe the limits of ICF physics and engineering. This feature issue highlights the challenges and capabilities of laser research and development targeted towards advancing IFE.

Physics - Plasma physics↗

Current wind tunnel capability and planned improvements at the NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Langley's major wing wind tunnels and the projected facilities planned to be completed by 1988 are presented. Special capabilities, uses, and the improvements done during the Langley's tunnel revitalization program are described for the following facilities: (1) the 30 x 60-ft subsonic tunnel, (2) the 4 x 7-m low-speed testing tunnel, (3) the Low-Turbulence Tunnel, (4) the Spin Tunnel, (5) the National Transonic Pressure Tunnel, (6) Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel, (7) the National Transonic Facility, (8) the 16-ft Transonic Tunnel, (9) the Transonic Dynamic Tunnel, (10) the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel, and (11) a new 20-inch supersonic wind tunnel which is currently undergoing final checkout. The design concept of an extremely-low disturbance level supersonic tunnel, the upgrading plans for the hypersonic aerothermal complex, and the present and planned capabilities for testing the hydrogen-fueled Scramjet engines are also presented. In addition, uses of inexpensive simple-to-operate research wind tunnels are discussed. Tunnel diagrams and graphs of upgrade results are included.

Bower, R. E.↗

Past, present, and future activities in space power technology in the United States of America

Space power technology research in the U.S. is examined. The objectives for advanced power systems are long life, safety, flexibility, modularity, growth capability, and autonomy. Research in the areas of photovoltaic arrays, electrical energy storage, and the development of solar dynamic power systems and radio thermal generators is described. The applications of advances in power generation, energy storage, and power management and distribution to the Space Station are discussed.

Ambrus, Judith H.↗

Controlled Environment Agriculture on the International Space Station

This presentation will discuss NASA’s Space Crop Production vision and introduce the crop plant research and production capabilities on the International Space Station, Veggie and the Advanced Plant Habitat. I will highlight the different crop production research that has been conducted in these facilities and discuss how these projects contribute to NASA’s goals and needs.

Gioia Massa↗

Doppler weather radar with predictive wind shear detection capabilities

The status of Bendix research on Doppler weather radar with predictive wind shear detection capability is given in viewgraph form. Information is given on the RDR-4A, a fully coherent, solid state transmitter having Doppler turbulence capability. Frequency generation data, plans, modifications, system characteristics and certification requirements are covered.

Kuntman, Daryal↗

Recent Investments by NASA's National Force Measurement Technology Capability

The National Force Measurement Technology Capability (NFMTC) is a nationwide partnership established in 2008 and sponsored by NASA's Aeronautics Evaluation and Test Capabilities (AETC) project to maintain and further develop force measurement capabilities. The NFMTC focuses on force measurement in wind tunnels and provides operational support in addition to conducting balance research. Based on force measurement capability challenges, strategic investments into research tasks are designed to meet the experimental requirements of current and future aerospace research programs and projects. This paper highlights recent and force measurement investments into several areas including recapitalizing the strain-gage balance inventory, developing balance best practices, improving calibration and facility capabilities, and researching potential technologies to advance balance capabilities.

Commo, Sean A.↗

Supply Chain Research and Analysis for Space Systems

The implementation of NASA GSFC's portfolio of mission projects relies upon inter-connected, multi-tiered supply chains of organizations operating under direct and indirect contracts and other agreements throughout the U.S. and around the world. These supply chains are subject to an inter-related array of technical/production, business, market and security risks that are amplified by the ongoing globalization of industry and technology and which can disrupt or threaten the production and delivery of products and services when needed and in conformance with requirements. In recognition of such risks and associated challenges, GSFC's SMA directorate launched an innovative Supply Chain Research and Analysis capability three years ago to gain greater insight into the operating environment, performance, capabilities and viability of current and prospective suppliers for GSFC projects and proposals. The capability uses business intelligence techniques and primarily open source information resources as part of a cost-effective, non-intrusive methodology to produce several types of research and analysis reports. The reports are based on a holistic analytical framework encompassing key technical/production, business enterprise management, market and security factors, and feature in-depth information, summary information profiles, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, and candidate risk concerns in order to pro-actively support SMA and project management needs. The SRA capability, which is designed to complement and support ongoing SMA/project management activities and practices, has produced over 105 reports since its start-up in early 2015.This presentation addresses the approach, methodology and performance of the Supply Chain Research and Analysiscapability and its value in assuring the success of NASA mission projects. In doing so, the presentation provides lessons-learned, best practices, case examples and address how it fits into the development of an enterprise-level Supply Chain Risk Management capability.

supply chain risk management↗

Reference earth orbital research and applications investigations (blue book). Volume 8: Life sciences

The functional program element for the life sciences facilities to operate aboard manned space stations is presented. The life sciences investigations will consist of the following subjects: (1) medical research, (2) vertebrate research, (3) plant research, (4) cells and tissue research, (5) invertebrate research, (6) life support and protection, and (7) man-system integration. The equipment required to provide the desired functional capability for the research facilities is defined. The goals and objectives of each research facility are described.

Source record↗

High-Temperature Latent Heat Storage System using Transportable Heat Pipes for Versatile Integration with Emerging Microreactors

With the growing interest in the development of micro nuclear reactors and their application to microgrid, high-temperature thermal energy storage (TES) has also been receiving great attention as a technology to reinforce the energy utilization and profitability of this class of reactors. Given the importance and research needs of the TES technology, a research project is underway at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop high-temperature TES that can be easily interfaced with emerging micro nuclear reactors. Currently under development is the Heat pipe-Integrated Thermal Battery (HITB), a novel latent heat storage design that enables flexible and robust integration with any design of currently considered micro nuclear reactors. The development of detailed design based on the proposed TES concept, HITB, requires not only development and validation of modeling and simulation capabilities, but also research that spans thermal performance analysis, component- and system-scale design optimization, and experimental demonstrations including high-temperature feasibility testing. The current research efforts (and plans) are divided into the following four areas: (i) Thermal and structural modeling and analysis at both system- and component-scales for evaluating performance and conducting design optimization, (ii) Small-scale experimental demonstrations for the key components of the proposed HITB design, (iii) Modelica-based dynamic model development for developing a control strategy under dynamic operation within integrated energy systems configuration, (iv) Integrated experimental testing and demonstration. This paper introduces the overall research efforts that have been and are being conducted to develop and demonstrate the novel design of the high-temperature latent heat storage device, HITB. The key design features, ongoing research efforts including the development of modeling and simulation capabilities, small-scale demonstrations of the HITB’s key functionalities prior to scaled-up experimental demonstration, are discussed. Then, this paper concludes with a remark on the future research plans for this project.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Integrated (Physical and Digital) Collaborative Experimentation: Advancing Dialog and Leveraging by Aerospace Researchers and Developers

This paper 1) documents findings and observations from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Ground Test Technical Committee (GTTC) Future of Ground Test Working Group and the Applied Aeronautics Technical Committee (APATC) Collaborative Experiments & Computation Discussion Group, and 2) develops a more focused approach for sharing and advancing integrated development and use of physical experimental and computational capabilities for aerospace research and development. The GTTC and APATC are engaging with the larger AIAA technical community by creating a Focus Group on this topical area that will support working together on common interests in the public domain. This paper summarizes the knowledge capture from the last ten+ years and proposes a structure and scope going forward for the new, combined Focus Group.

ground testing↗

A multiband radiometer and data acquisition system for remote sensing field research

Specifications are described for a recently developed prototype multispectral data acquisition system which consists of multiband radiometer with 8 bands between 0.4 and 12.5 micrometers and a data recording module to record data from the radometer and ancillary sources. The systems is adaptable to helicopter, truck, or tripod platforms, as well as hand-held operation. The general characteristics are: (1) comparatively inexpensive to acquire, maintain and operate; (2) simple to operate and calibrate; (3) complete with data hardware and software; and (4) well documented for use by researchers. The instrument system is to be commercially available and can be utilized by many researchers to obtain large numbers of accurate, calibrated spectral measurements. It can be a key element in improving and advancing the capability for field research in remote sensing.

Bauer, M. E.↗

ARIES/Flatirons Facility - Hydrogen System Capability Buildout

Under the Advanced Research for Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) initiative, NREL will build out hydrogen system capabilities at the Flatirons campus. The hydrogen infrastructure at the Flatirons campus will include a research-ready megawatt-scale electrolyzer with hydrogen compression and storage, and a fuel cell system. This hardware will support H2@Scale goals by enabling integrated systems R&D (e.g., to demonstrate grid services, energy storage, renewable hydrogen production, and innovative end-use applications). The system will be coupled with the controllable grid interface at the Flatirons campus and will be designed with flexibility to provide a testbed for integrated electrolyzer R&D, hydrogen utilization R&D, and to study the science of scaling for hydrogen energy systems.

39 EE - Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (EE-3F↗