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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Integration of Advanced Structures and Materials Technologies for a Robust Lunar Habitat

NASA’s Artemis program plans to have a sustainable lunar base deployed on the Moon by 2028. The base calls for a foundation surface habitat that can support a crew of four members for a minimum mission duration of 28-days. The lack of a magnetic field and significant lunar atmosphere extends the lifetime of secondary radiation emitted from metallic structures, which is a health hazard for exposed astronauts. Integration of non-metallic structural materials into surface habitat design may alleviate some of these concerns. Additionally, it is favorable for the structure to be collapsible for transportation to optimize payload volume, mass efficiency, and monetary constraints. As a result, inflatable structures are being investigated due to their improved packing efficiency at launch, optimal mass-to-volume ratio, and large surface area that can efficiently disperse structural loads and heat. Currently, only two inflatable airlocks have been deployed in space. Thus, there is a significant need to advance technologies associated with inflatable structures to provide greater options for future missions, i.e., Artemis and beyond. This study focused on the inflatable lunar habitat applications of emerging NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) technologies and their required development steps to become space qualified. The Bowling Habitat architecture was generated from 13 of these NASA LaRC technologies, five of which were deemed critical, five determined as enhancing technologies, and three were classified as transformational technologies for the Artemis program. To address the payload constraints, the study also considered a tentative timeline that aligned with the current Artemis schedule for transporting the Bowling Habitat to the Moon. Ultimately, the Bowling Habitat mainly addressed the structural needs of an inflatable lunar habitat, meaning that major areas pertaining to the life-style aspects of the habitat must be improved. Areas include, but are not limited to, hard connection points, the monitoring of human health, and extra radiation protection for solar proton events.

Inflatable Habitat↗
NASA NTRS2013

Motorized Beam Alignment of a Commercial X-ray Diffractometer

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful analysis method that allows researchers to noninvasively probe the crystalline structure of a material. This includes the ability to determine the crystalline phases present, quantify surface residual stresses, and measure the distribution of crystallographic orientations. The Structures and Materials Division at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) heavily uses the on-site XRD lab to characterize advanced metal alloys, ceramics, and polymers. One of the x-ray diffractometers in the XRD lab (Bruker D8 Discover) uses three different x-ray tubes (Cu, Cr, and Mn) for optimal performance over numerous material types and various experimental techniques. This requires that the tubes be switched out and aligned between experiments. This alignment maximizes the x-ray tube s output through an iterative process involving four set screws. However, the output of the x-ray tube cannot be monitored during the adjustment process due to standard radiation safety engineering controls that prevent exposure to the x-ray beam when the diffractometer doors are open. Therefore, the adjustment process is a very tedious series of blind adjustments, each followed by measurement of the output beam using a PIN diode after the enclosure doors are shut. This process can take up to 4 hr to perform. This technical memorandum documents an in-house project to motorize this alignment process. Unlike a human, motors are not harmed by x-ray radiation of the energy range used in this instrument. Therefore, using motors to adjust the set screws will allow the researcher to monitor the x-ray tube s output while making interactive adjustments from outside the diffractometer. The motorized alignment system consists of four motors, a motor controller, and a hand-held user interface module. Our goal was to reduce the alignment time to less than 30 min. The time available was the 10-week span of the Lewis' Educational and Research Collaborative Internship Project (LERCIP) summer internship program and the budget goal was $1200. In this report, we will describe our motorization design and discuss the results of its implementation.

Van Zandt, Noah R.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dose Rate Effects in the Aging of Nuclear Cable Insulation Subjected to Gamma Radiation

In nuclear power plants (NPPs), the aging of polymer-based electrical cable insulation must be effectively monitored to ensure the safe and reliable operation of NPPs. Gamma radiation is one of the main environmental stressors causing degradation of cable insulation. For a given total dose of absorbed gamma radiation, damage due to gamma irradiation may be dose rate dependent. The purpose of this work is to confirm whether a dose rate effect exists for the cable insulation made by crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), quantify the relationship between degradation rate and dose rate, and explore the correlation of different measured properties. The dose rate effects at 1800 Gy/h, 200 Gy/h, and 100 Gy/h using 60Co gamma irradiation on cable aging was studied. Different types of cable insulation, including two XLPEs and one EPR, were irradiated at the different dose rates with a total dose around 300 kGy at 26 °C. The properties of unirradiated and irradiated samples were characterized by mass change, yellowness index, and other ongoing measurements. Dose rate effects were observed for mass change data of XLPE and EPR.

Li, Donghui↗
NASA NTRS2000

Global Monitoring of Clouds and Aerosols Using a Network of Micro-Pulse Lidar Systems

Long-term global radiation programs, such as AERONET and BSRN, have shown success in monitoring column averaged cloud and aerosol optical properties. Little attention has been focused on global measurements of vertically resolved optical properties. Lidar systems are the preferred instrument for such measurements. However, global usage of lidar systems has not been achieved because of limits imposed by older systems that were large, expensive, and logistically difficult to use in the field. Small, eye-safe, and autonomous lidar systems are now currently available and overcome problems associated with older systems. The first such lidar to be developed is the Micro-pulse lidar System (MPL). The MPL has proven to be useful in the field because it can be automated, runs continuously (day and night), is eye-safe, can easily be transported and set up, and has a small field-of-view which removes multiple scattering concerns. We have developed successful protocols to operate and calibrate MPL systems. We have also developed a data analysis algorithm that produces data products such as cloud and aerosol layer heights, optical depths, extinction profiles, and the extinction-backscatter ratio. The algorithm minimizes the use of a priori assumptions and also produces error bars for all data products. Here we present an overview of our MPL protocols and data analysis techniques. We also discuss the ongoing construction of a global MPL network in conjunction with the AERONET program. Finally, we present some early results from the MPL network.

Welton, Ellsworth J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Lightning electric field measurements which correlate with strikes to the NASA F-106B aircraft, 22 July 1980

Ground-based data collected on lightning monitoring equipment operated by Goddard Space Flight Center at Wallops Island, Virginia, during a storm being monitored by NASA's F-106B, are presented. The slow electric field change data and RF radiation data were collected at the times the lightning monitoring equipment on the aircraft was triggered. The timing of the ground-based events correlate well with events recorded on the aircraft and provide an indication of the type of flash with which the aircraft was involved.

Levine, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Long-Term Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) Variability Trends: 1984-2004

The incoming total solar irradiance (TSI), typically referred to as the solar constant, is being studied to identify long-term TSI changes, which may trigger global climate changes. The TSI is normalized to the mean earth-sun distance. Studies of spacecraft TSI data sets confirmed the existence of 0.1 %, long-term TSI variability component with a period of 10 years. The component varied directly with solar magnetic activity associated with recent 10-year sunspot cycles. The 0.1 % TSI variability component is clearly present in the spacecraft data sets from the 1984-2004, Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) active cavity radiometer (ACR) solar monitor; 1978-1993, Nimbus-7 HF; 1980-1989, Solar Maximum Mission [SMM] ACRIM; 1991-2004, Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) ACRIM; 1996-2003, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)/VIRGO, Space Science (ATLAS), 2000-2004, ACRIMSAT; and 2003-2004 SOlar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) active cavity radiometer (ACR) missions. From October 1984, through March 2004, the ERBS/ERBE solar monitor was used to produce the longest continuous data set of total solar irradiance (TSI) variability measurements. The solar monitor is located on Shuttle Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and the NASA Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS). Maximum TSI values occurred during the 1989-1991, and 1998-2002, time frames; while minimum [quiet sun] TSI levels occurred during 1986 and 1996. Recent ERBS measurements indicate that the TSI is decreasing to forecasted, minimum levels by 2006. Using the discontinuous non-operational Nimbus-7, SMM ACRIM, and UARS ACRIM mission TSI data sets, Wilson and Mordvinor (2003) suggested the existence of an additional long-term TSI variability component, 0.05 %, with a period longer than a decade. Analyses of the ERBS/ERBE data set do not support the Wilson and Mordvinor analyses approach because it used the Nimbus-7 data set which exhibited a significant ACR response shift of 0.7 Wm-2

Lee, Robert Benjamin, III↗
DOE OSTI2021

Reference document for LANL stack sampling and ANSI N13.1 (Article) Gielow RL and McNamee MR 1993. Numerical Flue Gas Flow Modeling for Continuous Emissions Monitoring Applications. EPRI CEM Users Group Meeting. Baltimore. RP1961-13

American National Standard N13.1 “sets forth guidelines and performance criteria for sampling the emissions of airborne radioactive substances in the air discharge ducts and stacks of nuclear facilities. Emphasis is on extractive sampling from a location in a stack or duct where the contaminant is well mixed. At such a location, sampling may be conducted at a single point. This standard provides performance-based criteria for the use of air sampling probes, transport lines, sample collectors, sample monitoring instruments, and gas flow measuring methods. This standard also covers sampling program objectives, quality assurance issues, developing air sampling action levels, system optimization, and system performance verification. Workplace, containment, and environmental air monitoring are not addressed. Specific sample analysis methods and the reporting or interpreting of results are also not addressed.” (HPS 2011).

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sensor-Assisted Fault Mitigation in Quantum Computation

We propose a method for assisting fault mitigation in quantum computation through the use of sensors, co-located near physical qubits. Specifically, we consider using transition edge sensors co-located on silicon substrates hosting superconducting qubits to monitor for energy injection from ionizing radiation that has been demonstrated to increase decoherence in transmon qubits. We generalize from these two physical device concepts and explore the potential advantages of co-located sensors to assist fault mitigation in quantum computation. In the simplest scheme, co-located sensors beneficially assist rejection of calculations potentially affected by environmental disturbances. Investigating the potential computational advantage further required development of an extension to the standard formulation of quantum error correction. In a specific case the standard three-qubit, bit flip quantum correction code, we show that given a 20% overall error probability per qubit, approximately 90% of repeated calculation attempts are correctable. However, when sensor-detectable errors account for 45% of overall error probability, the use of colocated sensors uniquely associated with independent qubits, boosts the fraction of correct final-state calculations to 96% at the cost of rejecting 7% of repeated calculation attempts.

Orrell, John L.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Pressurized Gas Beam Monitor for Extremely High Intensities – Phase II

A novel pressurized gas-filled multi-RF-cavity beam profile monitor has been studied that is simple and robust in high-radiation environments. Charged particles passing through each RF-cavity in the monitor produce intensity-dependent ionized plasma, which changes the gas permittivity. Standard RF techniques to measure the change in quality factor (Q) and frequency (f) as a function of time are then used to determine the change in permittivity and corresponding beam intensity in each cavity in the profile monitor. The sensitivity to beam intensity is adjustable using gas pressure and RF gradient. The performance of the gas-filled beam profile monitor has been numerically simulated to evaluate the sensitivity of permittivity measurements and the effectiveness of calibration strategies. An entire multi-RF-cavity system has been designed and a demonstration test has been prepared.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

In-Sodium Testing of a Prototype Thermoacoustic Power Sensor for Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop and demonstrate a thermoacoustic power sensor (TAPS) for Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs), with potential application also envisioned to other nuclear technologies such as Lead-Cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs), Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), in addition to Light Water Reactors (LWRs). The project was led by Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC (Westinghouse) and carried out in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the University of Pittsburgh. A TAPS is a passive (self-powered), non-invasive (wireless) sensor envisioned for measuring key parameters, such as local temperature and neutron flux, in a nuclear reactor core. The sensor generates pressure waves (i.e., sound waves) with a frequency and amplitude dependent upon nuclear operating conditions (coolant temperature or power changes). The acoustic waves are able to travel through the core and associated structures, and reach to the sensor network placed outside and/or inside of the reactor vessel. These sensors require a very small amount of power which, during loss of power events, can be provided, for example, by harvesting gamma radiation energy, thus resulting in a monitoring system that can function both during normal operation and during loss of power events. Westinghouse and the University of Pittsburgh designed and fabricated TAPS prototypes for Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to carry out in-sodium testing to evaluate the effects of sodium on the TAPS and the performance of the TAPS technique in sodium. Argonne received a TAPS prototype from Westinghouse, and the prototype was modified such that it can be installed into a test vessel and function in sodium at elevated temperature without potentially leaking. A water mockup test apparatus was constructed to validate proper working of the prototype. An instrumentation and control (I&C) system, running on the National Instruments (NI) LabView platform, was developed to: 1) operate both the water mockup test and the in-sodium test facility; and 2) process and analyze the received acoustic signals from an array of accelerometers and the Argonne sodium-submersible high-temperature acoustic sensor. The prototype was successfully tested in a water bath at different temperatures. Water mockup tests demonstrated that the TAPS prototype is working properly and its resonance frequency changes linearly with the coolant (water) temperature. A TAPS test apparatus was constructed and integrated with the upgraded Under-Sodium Viewing (USV) sodium test facility. The integrated USV-TAPS sodium test facility has been operational. The TAPS prototype and a high-temperature sodium-submersible acoustic sensor (SSAS) developed by Argonne were both installed inside the TAPS test vessel. Being operated within argon cover gas under ambient conditions, the TAPS prototype demonstrated that it was functioning properly with a resonance frequency at 1407.2 Hz, which was successfully detected by the accelerometers mounted on the external wall of the vessel and the high-temperature SSAS installed inside the vessel. After successfully transferring sodium into the vessel, in-sodium tests of the prototype were conducted. Tests of the TAPS prototype demonstrated that the resonance frequency of the TAPS changes linearly with respect to the temperature difference between the interior of the TAPS and bulk sodium. The early tests showed that the TAPS prototype could not establish a continuous and consistent resonance in sodium. The resonance diminished before the prototype reached its operating temperature. A signal postprocessor was added to the DAQ module latterly to isolate interferences, enhance signal conditioning, improve peak detection, and generate resonance frequency versus temperature plots. After testing in molten sodium and immersion at higher temperature for several weeks, the TAPS prototype was able to establish a continuous resonance. Performance evaluation of the TAPS prototype was then conducted in sodium. The tests included the investigation of 1) the effects of the temperature difference between the TAPS and bulk sodium, 2) the effects of sodium flowrate; and 3) the performance of the different sensor-receiver systems positioned inside or outside the vessel. Results of a test demonstrated that, with limited sodium circulation, a continuous and consistent resonance of the TAPS prototype was established occasionally. The tests also demonstrated that, because of the nature of detection principles and mounting methods, the high temperature SSAS is more affected by acoustic noise, while accelerometers are more affected by vibrations, in the test environment. It is unknown why the TAPS prototype only occasionally established a continuous and consistent resonance when the TAPS temperature reached its operating temperature in molten sodium, and why it ultimately failed to resonate at all. A failure modes assessment was conducted and a few potential causes of failure were identified. Different post in-sodium tests were conducted to obtain additional information potentially relevant to the cause of the failure. Nondestructive evaluation techniques are suggested to examine the internal integrity as well as the gas mixture of the prototype. If they prove inconclusive, the prototype should be cut open to conduct a thorough inspection of its internal integrity and determine the state of the gas mixture.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

How Snow Drives the Seasonal Evolution of Land and Sea Surface Albedos in the Alaskan High Arctic: Final Technical Report

The purpose of the project was to observe and quantify temporal variation in snow albedo and snow characteristics across the Arctic coastal landscape as winter transitioned into spring and snowmelt occurred, both on tundra and sea ice. This transition is bounded by fully snow-covered landscapes with broadband albedos of approximately 0.8 and snow-free landscapes with albedos of 0.15 (tundra or ponded sea ice). For these landscapes, we monitored the spring surface characteristics and radiative properties nearly daily at three locations on or near the Department of Energy ARM North Slope of Alaska (NSA) User Facility in Utqiagvik, Alaska: the central NSA Facility (hereafter called ARM), one near NSA-E12 (BEO), and one on the sea ice of Elson Lagoon (ICE) during three melt seasons (2019, 2022, and 2024). The field campaign component of this award was named SALVO ( S now AL bedo E VO lution). Typical field seasons began in mid-April and lasted until mid-June. Main measurements included snow depth (at 1-m intervals), broadband albedo (at 5-m intervals), spectral albedo (at 5- m intervals), and multiple digital images. Orthomosaics were converted into binary images to determine the snow-covered fraction over time across various landscapes. Additional measurements included basic weather data and snow-ground (or ice) interface temperatures. Sky conditions were observed and photographed to help assess albedo values.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impacts of Dual-Use Solar (Agrivoltaics) on Crop Productivity and the Agricultural Economy in Massachusetts and Beyond

This project contributes applied research to better understand the impacts of agrivoltaics on farm microclimates, crop productivity, and economics at the farm and sector level. The site trial research is divided into two sets of site trials integrated into commercial farm and agrivoltaic operations – one set on annual vegetable and hay crops and one on perennial cranberry bog operations. The economic research developed methods for recording and evaluating changes in farm operations and costs, and on the public perception of and willingness-to-accept agrivoltaics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1973

Earth observations, overview

An overview is given of research and development activities at the Laboratory for Meteorology and Earth Sciences. Highlights of satellite techniques in earth observation missions and projects are outlined, as are remote sensing methods by aircraft overflights; most noteworthy among these is the development of multispectral scanners that monitor both the reflected infrared solar radiation and the emitted terrestrial radiation. The application of observations to the survey of environmental conditions and resource management is emphasized.

Nordberg, W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A Shuttle/SpaceLab RF environment survey facility

This paper describes some of the basic system considerations of a proposed experiment for monitoring and measuring the global electromagnetic radiation environment. RF spectrum coverage for this spaceborne survey facility is anticipated to be quite broad and will include selected frequency bands ranging from UHF to millimeter waves. By establishing this RF environment survey facility, a broad data base of useful electromagnetic field intensity information will be developed. This, in turn, should help both the regulatory agencies and user community in terms of future frequency planning and system design by avoiding unwarranted interference. It is proposed that this experiment be flown as a future test bed during the Shuttle/Spacelab era for continuously gathering and updating information on earth-emitted electromagnetic emissions on a global scale.

Taylor, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Annual review of earth observations from space

An overview is given of the present state of satellites making observations of the earth. Satellite systems discussed include the NOAA series of Synchronous Meteorological Satellites (SMS) and sun-synchronous satellites, the two LANDSATS (formerly called ERTS), and the NIMBUS series. Examples are presented of the types of observations being made as well as their purposes. These include observations of synoptic and mesoscale atmospheric processes for daily weather forecasting, global atmospheric processes for long-range weather forecasting, planetary radiation budget and ocean circulation for monitoring climatic trends, earth dynamics and tectonic structure for mineral exploration and assessing earthquake hazards, atmospheric composition and water quality for environment monitoring, and thematic mapping for monitoring land use, managing crops and water resources, and assessing environmental impacts.

Nordberg, W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Rates of reactions ClO + ClO yields Cl2 + O2 and ClO + O yields Cl + O2 at elevated temperatures

Results are reported for an experiment in which a shock tube was employed to measure the reaction rates of chlorine-oxygen systems at high temperatures. In this experiment, a mixture of chlorine and ozone, diluted by oxygen and argon, was heated by two consecutive shock waves (primary and reflected) to produce a temperature in the range from 1000 to 1400 K and a pressure of between 3.5 and 9 atm. The reflected shock thermally decomposed the ozone; the resulting atomic oxygen reacted with molecular chlorine to produce ClO; and the variation in ClO concentration after passage of the reflected shock was observed by monitoring the intensity of 2537-A radiation passing through the test gas. The rates of the two cited reactions are deduced from the variation pattern. The rate coefficient values are found to be compatible with existing data obtained in lower pressure and temperature ranges.

Park, C.↗