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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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2010

Assessing Space Exploration Technology Requirements as a First Step Towards Ensuring Technology Readiness for International Cooperation in Space Exploration

Advancing critical and enhancing technologies is considered essential to enabling sustainable and affordable human space exploration. Critical technologies are those that enable a certain class of mission, such as technologies necessary for safe landing on the Martian surface, advanced propulsion, and closed loop life support. Others enhance the mission by leading to a greater satisfaction of mission objectives or increased probability of mission success. Advanced technologies are needed to reduce mass and cost. Many space agencies have studied exploration mission architectures and scenarios with the resulting lists of critical and enhancing technologies being very similar. With this in mind, and with the recognition that human space exploration will only be enabled by agencies working together to address these challenges, interested agencies participating in the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) have agreed to perform a technology assessment as an important step in exploring cooperation opportunities for future exploration mission scenarios. "The Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for Coordination" was developed by fourteen space agencies and released in May 2007. Since the fall of 2008, several International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) participating space agencies have been studying concepts for human exploration of the moon. They have identified technologies considered critical and enhancing of sustainable space exploration. Technologies such as in-situ resource utilization, advanced power generation/energy storage systems, reliable dust resistant mobility systems, and closed loop life support systems are important examples. Similarly, agencies such as NASA, ESA, and Russia have studied Mars exploration missions and identified critical technologies. They recognize that human and robotic precursor missions to destinations such as LEO, moon, and near earth objects provide opportunities to demonstrate the technologies needed for Mars mission. Agencies see the importance of assessing gaps and overlaps in their plans to advance technologies in order to leverage their investments and enable exciting missions as soon as practical. They see the importance of respecting the ability of any agency to invest in any technologies considered interesting or strategic. This paper will describe the importance of developing an appropriate international strategy for technology development and ideas for effective mechanisms for advancing an international strategy. This work will both inform and be informed by the development of an ISECG Global Exploration Roadmap and serve as a concrete step forward in advancing the Global Exploration Strategy.

Laurini, Kathleen C.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermal-Hydraulic design of a Fluoride High-Temperature Demonstration Reactor

The Fluoride salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor (FHR) 'Demonstration Reactor' (DR) is a novel reactor concept using molten salt coolant and tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel that is being investigated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The objective of the FHR DR is to advance the technology readiness level of FHRs. The FHR DR will demonstrate the technologies needed to close remaining gaps to commercial viability. The FHR DR will have a thermal power of 100 MWt, very similar to the Small modular Advanced High Temperature Reactor (SmAHTR), another FHR ORNL concept with a power of 125 MWt. The FHR DR shares features with the ORNL Advanced High Temperature Reactor (AHTR), which has a power of 3400 MWt and is cooled by a molten salt. The FHR DR combines three existing technologies: (1) high-temperature, low-pressure molten salt coolant, (2) high-temperature coated particle TRISO fuel, and (3) passive decay heat cooling systems using direct reactor auxiliary cooling systems (DRACS). This paper presents FHR DR thermal-hydraulic design calculations. The FHR DR design concept is being investigated by ORNL. Thermal-hydraulic calculations performed with the codes COMSOL and RELAP5-3D were used to determine the potential thermal and hydraulic characteristics of the concept. These results show that the FHR DR should be able to demonstrate the efficacy of the passive decay heat removal using DRACS, which is a key safety feature in a number of proposed FHR designs. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Research Agenda for Transforming Separation Science

Separation science plays a critical role in maintaining our standard of living and quality of life. Many industrial processes and general necessities such as chemicals, medicines, clean water, safe food, and energy sources rely on chemical separations. However, the process of chemical separations is often overlooked during product development and this has led to inefficiency, unnecessary waste, and lack of consensus among chemists and engineers. A reevaluation of system design, establishment of standards, and an increased focus on the advancement of separation science are imperative in supporting increased efficiency, continued U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, and public welfare. A Research Agenda for Transforming Separation Science explores developments in the industry since the 1987 National Academies report, Separation and Purification: Critical Needs and Opportunities. Many needs stated in the original report remain today, in addition to a variety of new challenges due to improved detection limits, advances in medicine, and a recent emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. This report examines emerging chemical separation technologies, relevant developments in intersecting disciplines, and gaps in existing research, and provides recommendations for the application of improved separation science technologies and processes. This research serves as a foundation for transforming separation science, which could reduce global energy use, improve human and environmental health, and advance more efficient practices in various industries.

Chemical separation↗
DOE OSTI2024

State of Innovation 2024: Paving the Way for Low-Carbon Cement and Concrete

Concrete production in the U.S. accounted for nearly 393 million cubic yards in 2023, with $38.8 billion in revenue. While cement, the key ingredient in concrete, is only 10%-15% of concrete's mixture by mass, 8% of total global emissions come from the production of cement. A significant challenge lies in the fact that roughly 51% of concrete emissions stem from the material calcination process of cement production. Stakeholders ranging from cement producers to government agencies are beginning to take measures to significantly reduce concrete emissions by 2050 and are seeking novel technologies from the startup community. Strategies to lower carbon emissions include reducing quantities of cement in concrete formulas; optimizing digital and automated production; lower temperature processing; carbon capture, utilization, and durable storage; and other cost-saving approaches to energy and material efficiencies. New materials based on carbon mineralization and novel cement chemistries hold the potential to reach net-zero or even carbon-negative concrete production; however, there is presently no readily available substitute that can replicate concrete's unique properties and versatility at the volume demanded by construction worldwide. The nature of concrete's raw materials, diverse applications, and scale of demand means that complete decarbonization will rely on a combination of innovative production methods and novel cement chemistries. Low-carbon solutions will need to compete economically with traditional concrete to become viable in a high-volume commodity market, although consumer demand and regulation will play important roles. Despite these challenges, this analysis reveals that venture capital (VC) investments in low-carbon concrete reflect a growing awareness of the decarbonized cement market opportunity. Between 2022 and 2023 emerging low-carbon technologies garnered more than $700 million in VC investments, representing a growing share of investment in the built environment. An investment gap appears after Series A for technology solutions, demonstrating the sector's potential, as well as the need for additional performance assurance and technology incubation.

cement↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermal-Hydraulic Design of a Fluoride High-Temperature Demonstration Reactor

INTRODUCTION The Fluoride High-Temperature Reactor (FHR) named the Demonstration Reactor (DR) is a novel reactor concept using molten salt coolant and TRIstructural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel that is being developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The objective of the FHR DR is to advance the technology readiness level of FHRs. The FHR DR will demonstrate technologies needed to close remaining gaps to commercial viability. The FHR DR has a thermal power of 100 MWt, very similar to the SmAHTR, another FHR ORNL concept (Refs. 1 and 2) with a power of 125 MWt. The FHR DR is also a small version of the Advanced High Temperature Reactor (AHTR), with a power of 3400 MWt, cooled by a molten salt and also being developed at ORNL (Ref. 3). The FHR DR combines three existing technologies: (1) high-temperature, low-pressure molten salt coolant, (2) high-temperature coated-particle TRISO fuel, (3) and passive decay heat cooling systems by using Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling Systems (DRACS). This paper presents FHR DR thermal-hydraulic design calculations.

High-temperature↗
DOE OSTI2018

Zinc Diffusion into InP via a Narrow Gap from a Planar Zn{sub 3}P{sub 2}-Based Source

An original technology of zinc diffusion into InP via a narrow gap is described, which allows reproducible formation of p–n junctions with preset depth of doping and retained surface morphology of the doped layers. Using the proposed method, desired charge carrier distribution profiles in Zn-doped InP layers were obtained. It has been experimentally confirmed that the method of cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy allows to precision measure of the zinc diffusion depth.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

ADMS State of the Industry and Gap Analysis

An Advanced distribution management system (ADMS) is a platform for optimized distribution system operational management. This platform comprises of distribution management system (DMS) applications, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), outage management system (OMS), and distributed energy resource management system (DERMS). One of the primary objectives of this work is to study and analyze several ADMS component and auxiliary systems. All the important component and auxiliary systems, SCADA, GISs, DMSs, AMRs/AMIs, OMSs, and DERMS, are discussed in this report. Their current generation technologies are analyzed, and their integration (or evolution) with an ADMS technology is discussed. An ADMS technology state of the art and gap analysis is also presented. There are two technical gaps observed. The integration challenge between the component operational systems is the single largest challenge for ADMS design and deployment. Another significant challenge noted is concerning essential ADMS applications, for instance, fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR), volt-var optimization (VVO), etc. There are a relatively small number of ADMS application developers as ADMS software platform is not open source. There is another critical gap and while not being technical in nature (when compared the two above) is still important to consider. The data models currently residing in utility GIS systems are either incomplete or inaccurate or both. This data is essential for planning and operations because it is typically one of the primary sources from which power system model are created. To achieve the full potential of ADMS, the ability to execute acute Power Flow solution is an important pre-requisite. These critical gaps are hindering wider Utility adoption of an ADMS technology. The development of an open architecture platform can eliminate many of these barriers and also aid seamless integration of distribution Utility legacy systems with an ADMS.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Initial Field Testing in the Deep Subsurface for the Thermal Breakout Project for Measuring In Situ Stress

The current state-of-the-art technology for in situ stress measurements involves an integrated approach that combines borehole breakout observations, drilling-induced tensile fractures, and hydraulic fracturing tests (i.e., mini-fracs); however, this methodology has several limitations that often prevent successful in situ stress measurements. One major limitation is that breakouts do not appear in every borehole and are generally a natural occurrence that cannot easily be controlled. Because borehole breakouts are used to measure the maximum horizontal in situ stress magnitude, the absence of borehole breakouts presents a major data gap for in situ stress measurements. As a response to this data gap a new thermal breakout technology is being developed that will provide a method for thermally inducing borehole breakouts and obtaining consistent measurements of the maximum horizontal stress magnitude. This thermal breakout technology involves heating the borehole and increasing the thermoelastic compressive stress in the rock until a breakout develops, which is directly correlated to the maximum horizontal stress magnitude. An initial component of the thermal breakout project involves developing a prototype downhole tool and performing field testing in the deep subsurface. The primary objective of the initial tool development and field testing is to provide a physical proof of concept for the thermal breakout technology. Three thermal breakout field tests were performed at approximately 4850 feet deep in the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Each test was performed in a borehole that had been previously used for overcoring stress measurements. The third and final test successfully created two diametrically opposed breakouts after deploying the thermal breakout tool for approximately 3 hours of continuous heating. Post-analysis of the thermally induced breakouts confirmed that the thermal breakout orientation directly corresponds to the known in situ stress orientation and magnitude.

Voegeli, Sam↗
NASA NTRS1974

The application of remote sensing techniques: Technical and methodological issues

Capabilities and limitations of modern imaging electromagnetic sensor systems are outlined, and the products of such systems are compared with those of the traditional aerial photographic system. Focus is given to the interface between the rapidly developing remote sensing technology and the information needs of operational agencies, and communication gaps are shown to retard early adoption of the technology by these agencies. An assessment is made of the current status of imaging remote sensors and their potential for the future. Public sources of remote sensor data and several cost comparisons are included.

Polcyn, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS2022

A Compact Electron-Proton Spectrometer for Moon / Mars Surface Space Weather Monitoring and Crew Protection (CEPS)

Small mass/low-power sensors are needed for autonomous Moon/Mars surface ops that provide alerts to impending adverse space weather conditions. In order to use current operational forecasting tools, a sensor capable of measuring both high-energy electrons and protons is needed. By combining high-TRL Timepix technology with a CdTe layer, this project leverages known technology to fill a critical gap for surface operations. Typical space weather sensors are at least an order of magnitude higher in mass than is expected from Timepix-based devices and are deployed on robotic assets away from human crews. High fidelity measurements at the crew location and subsequent ability are needed to provide warnings to crews to shelter with a device that can easily be carried on the Lunar and Martian surfaces.​ The aim of this project is the development of compact, low power space weather sensors for crew protection based on the combination of AES flight heritage Timepix hardware with novel CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) sensors. CdTe technology has only recently matured to a point where it can be reliably used with Timepix detectors. These detectors will be able to measure electron spectra in an energy range relevant to the RELEASE model, which is used operationally by NASA to provide crew early warning of Solar Energetic Particle Events as well as protons in the energy ranges relevant to human health allowing for event ‘nowcasting’ and total event crew dose prediction. Compared to existing solutions these detectors will be compact enough to travel with crew, providing a significant advantage to space environment situation awareness. Project results indicate that CdTe-based Timepix sensors respond well to energetic electrons, and particle tracks are sufficiently distinct to be able to measure in a mixed radiation field. Thermal testing results point to a needed design modification to mitigate high temperatures the detector will see in space. Radiation susceptibility testing was conducted to assess the radiation hardness of the CdTe-Timepix assembly. Overall, the assembly continued to operate up to 100 kRad of gamma-ray exposure. The system calibration did show drift over time but recovered once exposure was complete.

Dan James Fry↗
NASA NTRS2023

CEPS – A Compact Electron-Proton Spectrometer

Small mass/low-power sensors are needed for autonomous Moon/Mars surface ops that provide alerts to impending adverse space weather conditions. In order to use current operational forecasting tools, a sensor capable of measuring both high-energy electrons and protons is needed. By combining high-TRL Timepix technology with a CdTe layer, this project leverages known technology to fill a critical gap for surface operations. Typical space weather sensors are at least an order of magnitude higher in mass than is expected from Timepix-based devices and are deployed on robotic assets away from human crews. High fidelity measurements at the crew location and subsequent ability are needed to provide warnings to crews to shelter with a device that can easily be carried on the Lunar and Martian surfaces.​ The aim of this project is the development of compact, low power space weather sensors for crew protection based on the combination of AES flight heritage Timepix hardware with novel CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) sensors. CdTe technology has only recently matured to a point where it can be reliably used with Timepix detectors. These detectors will be able to measure electron spectra in an energy range relevant to the RELEASE model, which is used operationally by NASA to provide crew early warning of Solar Energetic Particle Events as well as protons in the energy ranges relevant to human health allowing for event ‘nowcasting’ and total event crew dose prediction. Compared to existing solutions these detectors will be compact enough to travel with crew, providing a significant advantage to space environment situation awareness. Project results indicate that CdTe-based Timepix sensors respond well to energetic electrons, and particle tracks are sufficiently distinct to be able to measure in a mixed radiation field. Detector response functions were developed for both electrons and protons. Measurement results showed response to both electrons and protons in the energy range of interest for human space flight.

Radiation↗
NASA NTRS2017

High Ballistic Coefficient Mars EDL with Supersonic Retropropulsion

Future Mars missions will require the ability to land increasingly heavy systems with high precision, possibly at high altitude landing sites. A key obstacle in landing systems with high ballistic coefficient is Mars’ very thin atmosphere, approximately one hundred times less dense than Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, hypersonic deceleration occurs slowly throughout atmospheric entry and additional deceleration methods are required before landing. Previous landers up to and including MSL relied on Viking-heritage technologies including a Disk-Gap-Band (DGB) supersonic parachute and a blunt body aeroshell. Safe and effective deployment of a DGB parachute can be accomplished only within prescribed bounds on dynamic pressure and Mach number.2 In addition to the restrictive constraint this imposes on the entry trajectory, there is a concern that for a parachute to effectively slow an entry vehicle with a high ballistic coefficient, its diameter must be large enough to impose certification costs, modeling uncertainty, or mission risk that could be unacceptable. This has prompted investigation into alternative mission concepts based on use of supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) without a parachute. This work investigates SRP as an enabling technology for Mars EDL of high ballistic coefficient vehicles.

Noyes, Connor↗
DOE OSTI2023

Impact Report: Quantum Systems Accelerator

The Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA) is a U.S. National Quantum Information Science Research Center established in August 2020 and funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. QSA is composed of 15 partner institutions— universities and national laboratories—bringing together pioneers of many of today’s unique quantum information science (QIS) and engineering capabilities. Led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), with Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia Labs) as the lead partner, 250+ QSA researchers are catalyzing U.S. leadership in a fast-growing field that seeks solutions to the Nation’s and the world’s most pressing problems by harnessing the laws of quantum mechanics.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2019

A review of hydrokinetic turbines and enhancement techniques for canal installations: Technology, applicability and potential

The hydrokinetic industry has advanced beyond its initial testing phase with full-scale projects being introduced, constructed and tested globally. However primary hurdles such as reducing the cost of these systems, optimizing individual systems and arrays and balancing energy extraction with environmental impact still requires attention prior to achieving commercial success. The present study addresses the advances and limitations of near-zero head hydrokinetic technologies and the possibility of increased potential and applicability when enhancement techniques within the design, implementation and operational phases are considered. Its goal is threefold: to review small-scale state-of-the-art near-zero hydrokinetic-current-energy-conversion-technologies, to assess barriers including gaps in knowledge, information and data as well as assess time and resource limitations of water-infrastructure owners and operators. A case study summarizes the design and implementation of the first permanent modern hydrokinetic installation in South Africa where improved outputs were achieved through optimization during each design and operation phase. Finally, an economic analysis validates a competitive levelized cost of energy and further emphasizes the broad potential that is relatively unexplored within existing water-infrastructure.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Accident tolerant fuel cladding development: Promise, status, and challenges

The motivation for transitioning away from zirconium-based fuel cladding in light water reactors to significantly more oxidation-resistant materials, thereby enhancing safety margins during severe accidents, is laid out. A review of the development status for three accident tolerant fuel cladding technologies, namely coated zirconium-based cladding, ferritic alumina-forming alloy cladding, and silicon carbide fiber–reinforced silicon carbide matrix composite cladding, is offered. Technical challenges and data gaps for each of these cladding technologies are highlighted. Full development towards commercial deployment of these technologies is identified as a high priority for the nuclear industry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Burnable absorbers in nuclear reactors – A review

Burnable absorbers can benefit nuclear reactors of virtually any design by providing reactivity control for extended fuel cycles, tritium production, burning of long-lived radionuclides, and reactor safety. When selecting the ideal burnable absorber type and its design, one must consider the resulting impact on the reactor’s fuel cycle design and cost, reactivity, thermal hydraulics, manufacturing, and radiation response. These selection criteria, as well as neutronic and thermophysical material property requirements, may be vastly different depending on whether the burnable absorber is intended for use in a commercial water-cooled reactor, a research reactor, or a next-generation advanced reactor system. A recent integration, synthesis, description of past and present technologies, and identification of existing gaps and areas of future research is lacking on these important topics. Here, this paper includes a fundamental description of the use of burnable absorbers and their impacts on reactivity, absorber depletion, self-shielding, basic thermophysical properties, and the use of burnable absorbers in next-generation nuclear applications..

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

The state of the art for neutron irradiation experiments from the perspective of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)

Irradiation experiment campaigns are critical to advancing nuclear energy technologies by providing data on material performance under relevant radiation conditions. Successful irradiation experiments require integrated design efforts that balance technical goals with facility constraints. Here, this paper presents an expert-informed overview of irradiation experiment design at the High Flux Isotope Reactor. It addresses the nuclear materials research and irradiation experiment communities to guide them toward developing technically sound, facility-compatible campaigns. The High Flux Isotope Reactor is a multipurpose reactor supporting isotope production, neutron scattering, and materials testing. Its high, steady-state neutron flux is ideal for irradiation experiments, but successful execution demands coordinated thermal, structural, and reactor physics analyses. The paper outlines the complete development workflow from concept definition and design optimization to safety qualification and post-irradiation examination. Standardized capsule platforms are also discussed in terms of flexibility, specimen capacity, and thermal performance. Common failure modes such as unanticipated geometric variations, can impact temperature-dose profiles and compromise data reliability. Therefore, detailed thermal modeling and accurate as-built characterization are essential for meaningful post-irradiation data interpretation. Key recommendations include early engagement all stakeholders, clearly defined design expectations, and alignment of specimen geometries with post-irradiation examination capabilities. This approach reduces design iterations, enhances data quality, and supports more efficient use of irradiation resources. Strategic and well-planned irradiation testing not only improves individual campaign success but also accelerates the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. By closing critical data gaps and reducing development risks, the nuclear materials community can more effectively contribute to the future of clean, resilient energy systems.

Experiments↗
DOE OSTI2020

New Concepts in Electrolytes

Over the past decades, Li-ion battery (LIB) has turned into one of the most important advances in the history of technology due to its extensive and in-depth impact on our life. Its omnipresence in all electric vehicles, consumer electronics and electric grids relies on the precisely tuned electrochemical dynamics and interactions among the electrolytes and the diversified anode and cathode chemistries therein. Furthermore, with consumers' demand for battery performance ever increasing, more and more stringent requirements are being imposed upon the established equilibria among these LIB components, and it became clear that the state-of-the-art electrolyte systems could no longer sustain the desired technological trajectory. Driven by such gap, researchers started to explore more unconventional electrolyte systems. From superconcentrated solvent-in-salt electrolytes to solid-state electrolytes, the current research realm of novel electrolyte systems has grown to unprecedented levels. In this review, we will avoid discussions on current state-of-the-art electrolytes but instead focus exclusively on unconventional electrolyte systems that represent new concepts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗