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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 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Coefficients for calculating thermodynamic and transport properties of individual species

Libraries of thermodynamic data and transport properties are given for individual species in the form of least-squares coefficients. Values of C(sup 0)(sub p)(T), H(sup 0)(T), and S(sup 0)(T) are available for 1130 solid, liquid, and gaseous species. Viscosity and thermal conductivity data are given for 155 gases. The original C(sup 0)(sub p)(T) values were fit to a fourth-order polynomial with integration constants for H(sup 0)(T) and S(sup 0)(T). For each species the integration constant for H(sup 0)(T) includes the heat of formation. Transport properties have a different functional form. The temperature range for most of the data is 300 to 5000 K, although some of the newer thermodynamic data have a range of 200 to 6000 K. Because the species are mainly possible products of reaction, the data are useful for chemical equilibrium and kinetics computer codes. Much of the data has been distributed for several years with the NASA Lewis equilibrium program CET89. The thermodynamic properties of the reference elements were updated along with about 175 species that involve the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. These sets of data will be distributed with the NASA Lewis personal computer program for calculating chemical equilibria, CETPC.

Mcbride, Bonnie J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A theoretical evaluation of aluminum gel propellant two-phase flow losses on vehicle performance

A one-dimensional model of a hydrocarbon/Al/O2(gaseous) fueled rocket combustion chamber was developed to study secondary atomization effects on propellant combustion. This chamber model was coupled with a two dimensional, two-phase flow nozzle code to estimate the two-phase flow losses associated with solid combustion products. Results indicate that moderate secondary atomization significantly reduces propellant burnout distance and Al2O3 particle size; however, secondary atomization provides only moderate decreases in two-phase flow induced I(sub sp) losses. Despite these two-phase flow losses, a simple mission study indicates that aluminum gel propellants may permit a greater maximum payload than the hydrocarbon/O2 bi-propellant combination for a vehicle of fixed propellant volume. Secondary atomization was also found to reduce radiation losses from the solid combustion products to the chamber walls, primarily through reductions in propellant burnout distance.

Mueller, Donn C.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Systematic measurements of the concentrations of cosmogen Ca-41 (half-life = 1.04 x 10(exp 5) yr) in the Apollo 15 long core 15001-15006 were performed by accelerator mass spectroscopy. Earlier measurements of cosmogenic Be-10, C-14, Al-26, Cl-36, and Mn-53 in the same core have provided confirmation and improvement of theoretical models for predicting production profiles of nuclides by cosmic ray induced spallation in the Moon and large meteorites. Unlike these nuclides, Ca-40 in the lunar surface is produced mainly by thermal neutron capture reactions on Ca-40. The maximum production of Ca-41, about 1 dpm/g Ca, was observed at a depth in the Moon of about 150 g/sq cm. For depths below about 300 g/sq cm, Ca-41 production falls off exponentially with an e-folding length of 175 g/sq cm. Neutron production in the Moon was modeled with the Los Alamos High Energy Transport Code System, and yields of nuclei produced by low-energy thermal and epithermal neutrons were calculated with the Monte Carlo N-Particle code. The new theoretical calculations using these codes are in good agreement with our measured Ca-41 concentrations as well as with Co-60 and direct neutron fluence measurements in the Moon.

K. Nishiizumi↗
NASA NTRS1996

Simulation Software

Various NASA Small Business Innovation Research grants from Marshall Space Flight Center, Langley Research Center and Ames Research Center were used to develop the 'kernel' of COMCO's modeling and simulation software, the PHLEX finite element code. NASA needed it to model designs of flight vehicles; one of many customized commercial applications is UNISIM, a PHLEX-based code for analyzing underground flows in oil reservoirs for Texaco, Inc. COMCO's products simulate a computational mechanics problem, estimate the solution's error and produce the optimal hp-adapted mesh for the accuracy the user chooses. The system is also used as a research or training tool in universities and in mechanical design in industrial corporations.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2003

Team Software Development for Aerothermodynamic and Aerodynamic Analysis and Design

A collaborative approach to software development is described. The approach employs the agile development techniques: project retrospectives, Scrum status meetings, and elements of Extreme Programming to efficiently develop a cohesive and extensible software suite. The software product under development is a fluid dynamics simulator for performing aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic analysis and design. The functionality of the software product is achieved both through the merging, with substantial rewrite, of separate legacy codes and the authorship of new routines. Examples of rapid implementation of new functionality demonstrate the benefits obtained with this agile software development process. The appendix contains a discussion of coding issues encountered while porting legacy Fortran 77 code to Fortran 95, software design principles, and a Fortran 95 coding standard.

Alexandrov, N.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Using Griffin's Transmutation Solver to Calculate Radiation Damage

Displacement Radiation Damage originates from all nuclides, not just those that are naturally occurring. Currently only damage from naturally-occurring nuclides, or sometimes damage from one transmutation product is considered. It is proposed that the transmutation solvers implemented in many codes be used to calculate this radiation damage. This would explicitly treat damage from all sources without additionally burdening the user. A proof-of-concept implementation was created in Griffin. The implementation showed that only minor code modifications are necessary to add this feature. When compared against an analytical benchmark the results Griffin could calculate were very accurate.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

PUFFIn – A user friendly fast interface for calculating and visualizing the dose distribution in materials

This article describes a new graphical user interface that uses the PENELOPE Monte Carlo code to calculate dose distributions in materials. It is named PUFFIn, for the Penelope User-Friendly Fast Interface and was developed as an educational and scoping analysis tool for non-experts in radiation modeling. PUFFIn enables the user to visualize and compare the dose distributions in objects (e.g., sterilized healthcare products) irradiated with cobalt-60 gamma-rays, electron beam (E-beam) or X-rays. From such comparisons, the user can determine the most efficient product and/or packaging designs for any given radiation field – whether for conceptual or existing products and packaging. PUFFIn is distributed in a complete, self-contained package of software, including the PENELOPE radiation transport code, a standard graphics package, and a set of simple exercises. The package is available to any user at no cost and requires a minimal amount of training compared to other similar software. PUFFIn's capabilities are described, as well as validation measurements performed at Texas A&M University E-beam facility and the Aerial E-beam Facility in France.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Deployment of the HFIRCON transport and depletion tool for plutonium-238 production studies

Irradiation of {sup 237}Np-bearing targets in Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) results in the efficient production of {sup 238}Pu, which, in the form of heat source PuO{sub 2}, is used as a reliable power source for deep-space and planetary NASA missions. A technology demonstration subproject was initiated at ORNL in 2011 to develop and implement the technology required to establish a {sup 238}Pu supply chain. A systematic progression of NpO{sub 2}/Al cermet (20 vol.% NpO{sub 2}) activities to date has successfully demonstrated target fabrication, irradiation, and chemical recovery processes. Recent program tasks have included the development of the HFIRCON transport and depletion tool for efficient reactor physics analyses and the evaluation of increased NpO{sub 2} loadings (i.e., beyond 20 vol.%) and NpN-based targets. This paper documents the deployment of the HFIRCON code to assess various Np concentrations in NpO{sub 2}- and NpN-based targets in HFIR's inner small vertical experiment facilities. Results indicate that {sup 238}Pu production and quality can be enhanced with increased Np loadings; however, target conversion rates are reduced. The results recorded in this paper, thermal and material balance evaluations, and testing requirement planning will be used to determine whether increased NpO{sub 2} loadings or NpN-based targets will be further considered. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Intercomparing Open Source Surface Water Extent Mapping Products & Software Packages

The open source revolution of Earth Observation (EO) science has resulted in increased openness of EO data, workflows to transform that data into end products (e.g. surface water extent maps), and the products themselves. However, this revolution has oversaturated decision-makers with products that can give conflicting results. Thus, it is increasingly crucial for scientists to communicate their methodologies and assumptions so scientific products can be used accurately. Recognizing this challenge, SERVIR – a joint initiative between NASA, USAID, and geospatial organizations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America – is conducting a regional intercomparison of open source surface water extent products and packages. SERVIR’s Hindu Kush Himalaya and Southeast Asia “hubs” have developed satellite-based surface water mapping services involving customizable code packages that are operationally run at each hub. These services are regionally and locally tailored to inform specific decisions and early actions. Conversely, the scientific community has released surface water products that are global or near-global, but are not customizable. These packages and products employ different methodologies and sensors, causing decision-makers to evaluate trade-offs related to physical sensor characteristics (e.g. spectral, temporal, and spatial resolution, and latency). We will discuss the tradeoffs, strengths, and weaknesses of the sensor characteristics and methodologies associated with each product/package, and provide preliminary results of a validation effort intercomparing products/packages for case studies in South and Southeast Asia. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these products is crucial in both the aftermath of a flood event and in preparing for future floods.

Micky Maganini↗
NASA NTRS2004

Reading Through Paint

Two-dimensional data matrix symbols, which contain encoded letters and numbers, are permanently etched on items for identification. They can store up to 100 times more information than traditional bar codes. While the symbols provide several advantages over bar codes, once they are covered by paint they can no longer be read by optical scanners. Since most products are painted eventually, this presents a problem for industries relying on the symbols for identification and tracking. In 1987, NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center began studying direct parts marking with matrix symbols in order to track millions of Space Shuttle parts. Advances in the technology proved that by incorporating magnetic properties into the paints, inks, and pastes used to apply the matrix symbols, the codes could be read by a magnetic scanner even after being covered with paint or other coatings. NASA received a patent for such a scanner in 1998, but the system it used for development was not portable and was too costly. A prototype was needed as a lead-in to a production model. In the summer of 2000, NASA began seeking companies to build a hand-held scanner that would detect the Read Through Paint data matrix identification marks containing magnetic materials through coatings.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2014

MODIS Cloud Microphysics Product (MOD_PR06OD) Data Collection 6 Updates

The MODIS Cloud Optical and Microphysical Product (MOD_PR060D) for Data Collection 6 has entered full scale production. Aqua reprocessing is almost completed and Terra reprocessing will begin shortly. Unlike previous collections, the CHIMAERA code base allows for simultaneous processing for multiple sensors and the operational CHIMAERA 6.0.76 stream is also available for VIIRS and SEVIRI sensors and for our E-MAS airborne platform.

cloud microphysics product↗
NASA NTRS1992

C Language Integrated Production System, Ada Version

CLIPS/Ada provides capabilities of CLIPS v4.3 but uses Ada as source language for CLIPS executable code. Implements forward-chaining rule-based language. Program contains inference engine and language syntax providing framework for construction of expert-system program. Also includes features for debugging application program. Based on Rete algorithm which provides efficient method for performing repeated matching of patterns. Written in Ada.

Culbert, Chris↗
NASA NTRS2003

Evaluation of Production Cross Sections of Li, Be, B in CR

Accurate evaluation of the production cross section of light elements is important for models of cosmic ray (CR) propagation, galactic chemical evolution, and cosmological studies. However, the experimental spallation cross section data are scarce and often unavailable to CR community while semi-empirical systematics are frequently wrong by a significant factor. Running sophisticated nuclear codes is not an option of choice for everyone either. We use the Los Alamos versions of the Quark-Gluon String Model code LAQGSM and the improved Cascade-Exciton Model code CEM2k together with all available data from Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory (LANL) nuclear database to produce evaluated production cross sections of isotopes of Li, Be, and B suitable for astrophysical applications. The LAQGSM and CEM2k models have been shown to reproduce well nuclear reactions and hadronic data in the range 0.01-800 GeV/nucleon.

Moskalenko, I. V.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Magnetospheric space plasma investigations

A time dependent semi-kinetic model that includes self collisions and ion-neutral collisions and chemistry was developed. Light ion outflow in the polar cap transition region was modeled and compared with data results. A model study of wave heating of O+ ions in the topside transition region was carried out using a code which does local calculations that include ion-neutral and Coulomb self collisions as well as production and loss of O+. Another project is a statistical study of hydrogen spin curve characteristics in the polar cap. A statistical study of the latitudinal distribution of core plasmas along the L=4.6 field line using DE-1/RIMS data was completed. A short paper on dual spacecraft estimates of ion temperature profiles and heat flows in the plasmasphere ionosphere system was prepared. An automated processing code was used to process RIMS data from 1981 to 1984.

Comfort, Richard H.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Best Practices for Reduction of Uncertainty in CFD Results

This paper describes a proposed best-practices system that will present expert knowledge in the use of CFD. The best-practices system will include specific guidelines to assist the user in problem definition, input preparation, grid generation, code selection, parameter specification, and results interpretation. The goal of the system is to assist all CFD users in obtaining high quality CFD solutions with reduced uncertainty and at lower cost for a wide range of flow problems. The best-practices system will be implemented as a software product which includes an expert system made up of knowledge databases of expert information with specific guidelines for individual codes and algorithms. The process of acquiring expert knowledge is discussed, and help from the CFD community is solicited. Benefits and challenges associated with this project are examined.

Mendenhall, Michael R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Substantial and overlooked greenhouse gas emissions from deep Arctic lake sediment - supporting data and code

This data package contains data, descriptions, and code-based analyses that were used to support conclusions drawn in “Substantial and overlooked greenhouse gas emissions from deep Arctic lake sediment”, by Freitas et al. (2025) (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01614-y). The study evaluated greenhouse gas production along a deep sediment core (20 m) taken in 2018 from below Goldstream Lake, a field site approximately 15 km north of Fairbanks, Alaska.The file “ESSDive_NFreitas_2024_flmd.csv” includes an overview of all other csv files in this data package, namely: sediment descriptions (depth and type of sediment), sediment characterizations (bulk density, gravimetric water content, total carbon, etc.), calculated respiration and temperature sensitivity values associated with year-long incubations of the sediment core, and the R code used to process the dataset. Additional details regarding the content of these files and how the calculations were performed are described in the Methods section of this archive. The “data_dictionary_ESSDive_NFreitas_2024_dd.csv” is a data dictionary for all files included in the data package. Each row in the data dictionary represents a column name in a given file. The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), was a research effort to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research. The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska.Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).Data package updates- August 2024: Title was updated, R code now includes a process for calculating potential production across the whole sediment column, the "sediment_column_production_potentials_ESSDive_NFreitas_2024.csv" is the associated data output file, and the file level metadata and data dictionaries were updated to reflect the contents of the additional csv file.- October 2024: Title was updated, and a statement was added to Step 2 of the Methods that describes that samples were collected (and exported) in a responsible manner and in accordance with relevant permits and local laws.- January 2025: Updated the associated manuscript details in the Abstract (manuscript title, publication date, DOI link) and in the Related References section (full citation).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2002

Panel Discussion on Multi-Disciplinary Analysis

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is hosting the Thermal and Fluids Analysis Workshop (TFAWS) during the week of September 10, 2001. Included in this year's TFAWS is a panel session on Multidisciplinary Analysis techniques. The intent is to provide an opportunity for the users to gain information as to what product may be best suited for their applications environment and to provide feedback to you, the developers, on future desired developments. Potential users of multidisciplinary analysis (MDA) techniques are often overwhelmed by the number of choices available to them via commercial products and by the pace of new developments in this area. The purpose of this panel session is to provide a forum wherein MDA tools available and under development can be discussed, compared, and contrasted. The intent of this panel is to provide the end-user with the information necessary to make educated decisions on how to proceed with selecting their MDA tool. It is anticipated that the discussions this year will focus on MDA techniques that couple discipline codes or algorithms (as opposed to monolithic, unified MDA approaches). The MDA developers will be asked to prepare a product overview presentation addressing specific questions provided by the panel organizers. The purpose of these questions will be to establish the method employed by the particular MDA technique for communication between the discipline codes, to establish the similarities and differences amongst the various approaches, and to establish the range of experience and applications for each particular MDA approach.

Garcia, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2000

A Radiation Shielding Code for Spacecraft and Its Validation

The HZETRN code, which uses a deterministic approach pioneered at NASA Langley Research Center, has been developed over the past decade to evaluate the local radiation fields within sensitive materials (electronic devices and human tissue) on spacecraft in the space environment. The code describes the interactions of shield materials with the incident galactic cosmic rays, trapped protons, or energetic protons from solar particle events in free space and low Earth orbit. The content of incident radiations is modified by atomic and nuclear reactions with the spacecraft and radiation shield materials. High-energy heavy ions are fragmented into less massive reaction products, and reaction products are produced by direct knockout of shield constituents or from de-excitation products. An overview of the computational procedures and database which describe these interactions is given. Validation of the code with recent Monte Carlo benchmarks, and laboratory and flight measurement is also included.

Shinn, J. L.↗