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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 55 records · Page 3

Behavior of lithium in irradiated solar cells.

The current state of the art in radiation resistant lithium-doped silicon solar cells is reviewed. Fabrication techniques are reviewed. Characteristics of lithium-doped cells are discussed. Behavior of lithium-doped cells during 1 MeV electron irradiation are studied for various types of cells. Effects of variations in lithium and oxygen concentration are shown and discussed. Capacitance measurements at various voltages, frequencies and temperatures are used to detect charges in lithium donor concentration and the formation of defects during irradiation. Physical models to explain the observed effects are presented.

Carter, J. R., Jr.↗

Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors on terrestrial solar cells

Three tasks were undertaken to investigate reliability attributes of terrestrial solar cells: (1) a study of the electrical behavior of cells in the second (reverse) quadrant; (2) the accelerated stress testing of three new state-of-the-art cells; and (3) the continued bias-temperature testing of four block 2 type silicon cells at 78 C and 135 C. Electrical characteristics measured in the second quadrant were determined to be a function of the cell's thermal behavior with breakdown depending on the initiation of localized heating. This implied that high breakdown cells may be more fault tolerant when forced to operate in the second quadrant, a result contrary to conventional thinking. The accelerated stress tests used in the first (power) quadrant were bias-temperature, bias-temperature-humidity, temperature-humidity, thermal shock, and thermal cycle. The new type cells measured included an EFG cell, a polycrystalline cell, and a Czochralski cell. Significant differences in the response to the various tests were observed between cell types. A microprocessed controlled, short interval solar cell tester was designed and construction initiated on a prototype.

Lathrop, J. W.↗

The Effects of Simulated Microgravity and PLacental-EXpanded (PLX-PAD) Stromal Cell Treatment on The Behavior and Correlation with Cytokine Profiles in Female Mice

Spacelight can lead to altered immune responses and inflammation (Crucian et al. 2014) and elevated levels of inflammation are connected to anxiety and depression. A recent study on the International Space Station showed that mice exhibited a novel circling behavior during spaceflight (Ronca 2019). However, there is still a gap in knowledge on how microgravity impacts behavior. In this current study, we performed 30 days of hindlimb unloading (HU) on four-month old female mice and analyzed select behavior from video image capture. We also determined the effects of PLacental-eXpanded stromal cells dervided from the maternal placenta (PLX-PAD), alone and in combination with HU and isolation, on behavior. We have previoulst shown that PLX-PAD mitigated select inflammatory responses and changes in cytokine expression causes by HU. In-cage behaviors were analyzed in HU or control female mice treated with 2 injections of PlasmaLyte (Sham) or PLX-PAD (n=7/group). We found that PLX-PAD decreased exploratory behaviors compared to Sham treated mice at night. Normally loaded (NL) PLX mice slept less than NL Sham mice during the day, and HU animals had signficantly higher involuntary movement during sleep compared to NL animals, suggesting sleep distruption. Overall, we show that both HU and PLX affect important behavioral factors., This experiment is the first to study the effects of PLX-PAD on behavior. Additional studies are needed to define the behavioral changes in spaceflight and test possible countermeasures. Funding for this project was provided through the 2019 Ames Research Innovation Award (ARIA) provided by NASA Ames Research Center.

Stromal cell treatment↗

Skeletal muscle satellite cells

Evidence now suggests that satellite cells constitute a class of myogenic cells that differ distinctly from other embryonic myoblasts. Satellite cells arise from somites and first appear as a distinct myoblast type well before birth. Satellite cells from different muscles cannot be functionally distinguished from one another and are able to provide nuclei to all fibers without regard to phenotype. Thus, it is difficult to ascribe any significant function to establishing or stabilizing fiber type, even during regeneration. Within a muscle, satellite cells exhibit marked heterogeneity with respect to their proliferative behavior. The satellite cell population on a fiber can be partitioned into those that function as stem cells and those which are readily available for fusion. Recent studies have shown that the cells are not simply spindle shaped, but are very diverse in their morphology and have multiple branches emanating from the poles of the cells. This finding is consistent with other studies indicating that the cells have the capacity for extensive migration within, and perhaps between, muscles. Complexity of cell shape usually reflects increased cytoplasmic volume and organelles including a well developed Golgi, and is usually associated with growing postnatal muscle or muscles undergoing some form of induced adaptive change or repair. The appearance of activated satellite cells suggests some function of the cells in the adaptive process through elaboration and secretion of a product. Significant advances have been made in determining the potential secretion products that satellite cells make. The manner in which satellite cell proliferative and fusion behavior is controlled has also been studied. There seems to be little doubt that cellcell coupling is not how satellite cells and myofibers communicate. Rather satellite cell regulation is through a number of potential growth factors that arise from a number of sources. Critical to the understanding of this form of control is to determine which of the many growth factors that can alter satellite cell behavior in vitro are at work in vivo. Little work has been done to determine what controls are at work after a regeneration response has been initiated. It seems likely that, after injury, growth factors are liberated through proteolytic activity and initiate an activation process whereby cells enter into a proliferative phase. After myofibers are formed, it also seems likely that satellite cell behavior is regulated through diffusible factors arising from the fibers rather than continuous control by circulating factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS).

NASA Program Space Biology↗

Tensegrity II. How structural networks influence cellular information processing networks

The major challenge in biology today is biocomplexity: the need to explain how cell and tissue behaviors emerge from collective interactions within complex molecular networks. Part I of this two-part article, described a mechanical model of cell structure based on tensegrity architecture that explains how the mechanical behavior of the cell emerges from physical interactions among the different molecular filament systems that form the cytoskeleton. Recent work shows that the cytoskeleton also orients much of the cell's metabolic and signal transduction machinery and that mechanical distortion of cells and the cytoskeleton through cell surface integrin receptors can profoundly affect cell behavior. In particular, gradual variations in this single physical control parameter (cell shape distortion) can switch cells between distinct gene programs (e.g. growth, differentiation and apoptosis), and this process can be viewed as a biological phase transition. Part II of this article covers how combined use of tensegrity and solid-state mechanochemistry by cells may mediate mechanotransduction and facilitate integration of chemical and physical signals that are responsible for control of cell behavior. In addition, it examines how cell structural networks affect gene and protein signaling networks to produce characteristic phenotypes and cell fate transitions during tissue development.

Review↗

Effect of NASA advanced designs on thermal behavior of Ni-H2 cells

As part of an overall effort to advance the technology of nickel-hydrogen batteries for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications, advanced designs for individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen cells have been conceived. These designs incorporate alternative methods of oxygen recombination which affect the thermal behavior of the cells. The effect of these oxygen recombination methods on the cell temperature profiles is examined.

Gonzalez-Sanabria, Olga D.↗

Effect of NASA advanced designs on thermal behavior of Ni-H2 cells

As part of an overall effort to advance the technology of nickel-hydrogen batteries for low earth orbit (LEO) applications, advanced designs for individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen cells have been conceived. These designs incorporate alternative methods of oxygen recombination which affect the thermal behavior of the cells. The effect of these oxygen recombination methods on the cell temperature profiles will be examined.

Gonzalez-Sanabria, Olga D.↗

SEU In An Advanced Bipolar Integrated Circuit

Report summarizes investigation of single-event upsets (SEU) in bipolar integrated-circuit set of flip-flops (memory cells). Device tested made by advanced digital bipolar silicon process of Honeywell, Inc. Circuit chip contained 4 cells. Construction enabled study of effect of size on SEU behavior. Each cell externally biased so effect of bias current on SEU behavior. Results of study provides important information for optimal design of devices fabricated using buried-layer bipolar process operating in heavy-ion SEU environments. Designers use information to provide required levels of suppression of SEU in specific applications via combinations of size and/or cell-current scaling.

Zoutendyk, John A.↗

Deciphering the Effects of Microgravity Cell by Cell

Forces generated by gravity have a profound impact on the behavior of cells in tissues affecting the course of the cell cycle and differentiation fate of progenitors in mammalian tissues. These cells are contributing to normal tissue regenerative health and defence against disease. In Human space exploration context, it is extremely important to determine spaceflight provoked changes in tissue's regenerational capabilities. Microgravity experienced during spaceflight causes unloading and mechanical disuse on all orthostatic support tissues, therefore impacting stem cell fate and lineage commitment decisions. Investigating how ESCs respond to mechanical stimulation is a platform for fundamental developmental and regeneration research applicable for spaceflight. However, the gene expression programs associatiated with early committment stem cell pathways in response to physical stimulation are not readily known. Single-cell RNA-seq technologies have recently revolutionized the world of molecular biology by providing the capability to assess gene expression pattern within a single cell. Our method isolates and separately barcodes mRNAs from thousands of single cells and sequences their expressomes. Understanding regenerative processes on a molecular level would not only help reduce long-term spaceflight impact on health, but also may enable the development of novel tissue regenerative approaches to tissue degeneration on Earth.

Single cell sequencing↗

Capacity-cycle life behavior in secondary lithium cells

The practical utilization of high energy density rechargeable lithium cells is dependent upon maintaining high capacity for the duration of the required cycle life. However, a critical, yet generic problem with room temperature lithium systems is that the capacity often declines considerably during the early stages of cycling. The results of our studies are reported on electrolyte degradation which is observed after cells have undergone 300 and 700 deep cycles with 3-methylsulfolane- and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-LiAsF6 electrolytes, respectively.

Somoano, R. B.↗

Safety considerations of lithium-thionyl chloride cells

The use of spirally wound lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) cells is currently limited because of their hazardous behavior. Safety hazards have ranged from mild venting of toxic materials to violent explosions and fires. These incidents may be related to both user- and manufacturer-induced causes. Many explanations have been offered to explain the unsafe behavior of the cells under operating and abuse conditions. Explanations fall into two categories: (1) thermal mechanisms, and (2) chemical mechanisms. However, it is quite difficult to separate the two. Both may be responsible for cell venting or explosion. Some safety problems encountered with these cells also may be due to design deficiencies and ineffective quality control during cell fabrication. A well-coordinated basic and applied research program is needed to develop safe Li-SOCl2 cells. Recommendations include: (1) learnig more about Li-SOL2 cell chemistry; (2) modeling cell and battery behavior; (3) optimizing cell design for safety and performance, (4) implementing quality control procedures; and (5) educating users.

Subbarao, Surampudi↗