Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Military Science”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Science & Technology Review August 2021

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we focus on science and technology research to ensure our nation’s security. We also apply that expertise to solve other important national problems in energy, bioscience, and the environment. Science & Technology Review is published eight times a year to communicate, to a broad audience, the Laboratory’s scientific and technological accomplishments in fulfilling its primary missions. The publication’s goal is to help readers understand these accomplishments and appreciate their value to the individual citizen, the nation, and the world.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
NASA NTRS2016

Using Unmanned Air Systems to Monitor Methane in the Atmosphere

Methane is likely to be an important contributor to global warming, and our current knowledge of its sources, distributions, and transport is insufficient. It is estimated that there could be from 7.5 to 400 billion tons carbon-equivalent of methane in the arctic region, a broad range that is indicative of the uncertainty within the Earth Science community. Unmanned Air Systems (UASs) are often used for combat or surveillance by the military, but they also have been used for Earth Science field missions. In this study, we will analyze the utility of the NASA Global Hawk and the Aurora Flight Sciences Orion UASs compared to the manned DC-8 aircraft for conducting a methane monitoring mission. The mission will focus on the measurement of methane along the boundaries of Arctic permafrost thaw and melting glaciers. The use of Long Endurance UAS brings a new range of possibilities including the ability to obtain long- term and persistent observations and to significantly augment methane measurements/retrievals collected by satellite. Furthermore, we discuss the future of long endurance UAS and their potential for science applications in the next twenty to twenty-five years.

Clow, Jacqueline↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sandia Academic Alliance Program Collaboration Report: 2020-2021 Accomplishments

University partnerships play an essential role in sustaining Sandia’s vitality as a national laboratory. The SAA is an element of Sandia’s broader University Partnerships program, which facilitates recruiting and research collaborations with dozens of universities annually. The SAA program has two three-year goals. SAA aims to realize a step increase in hiring results, by growing the total annual inexperienced hires from each out-of-state SAA university. SAA also strives to establish and sustain strategic research partnerships by establishing several federally sponsored collaborations and multi-institutional consortiums in science & technology (S&T) priorities such as autonomy, advanced computing, hypersonics, quantum information science, and data science. The SAA program facilitates access to talent, ideas, and Research & Development facilities through strong university partnerships. Earlier this year, the SAA program and campus executives hosted John Myers, Sandia’s former Senior Director of Human Resources (HR) and Communications, and senior-level staff at Georgia Tech, U of Illinois, Purdue, UNM, and UT Austin. These campus visits provided an opportunity to share the history of the partnerships from the university leadership, tours of research facilities, and discussions of ongoing technical work and potential recruiting opportunities. These visits also provided valuable feedback to HR management that will help Sandia realize a step increase in hiring from SAA schools. The 2020-2021 Collaboration Report is a compilation of accomplishments in 2020 and 2021 from SAA and Sandia’s valued SAA university partners.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1991

A spacefaring nation - Perspectives on American space history and policy

The present volume on perspectives on American space history and policy discusses decision-making, space science and scientific communities, postwar aeronautical research in the federal laboratory, and civilian and military remote sensing and reconnaissance. Attention is given to the interpenetration of science, technology, and politics; space 'sociology'; and space technology and planetary science from 1950 to 1985. Other topics addressed include the aeronautics infrastructure as it applies to aeronautics history, the Lewis Research Center and its transition to space, the relationship between NASA and the users of earth resources data, and methodology for researching a classified system for space reconnaissance.

Collins, Martin J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Government and technological innovation - Weather modification as a case in point.

The principal technology on which all forms of intentional, local weather modification ultimately rest is that of cloud seeding. There are three primary milestones in the evolution of such a new technology including invention, development, and introduction to society on an operational basis. It is shown that government has been deeply involved in each of the first two phases of weather modification's evolution. The agencies involved include the military agencies, the Weather Bureau, the National Science Foundation, and the Bureau of Reclamation. It is pointed out that weather modification will require some unusually flexible and open administrative devices if it is to advance in the public interest.

Lambright, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1960

Compilation of Papers Summarizing Some Recent NASA Research on Manned Military Aircraft

The nine papers included in this volume were presented by NASA research staff members at the National Meeting on the Future of Manned Military Aircraft sponsored by the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences and held in San Diego, Calif., from August 1 to August 3, 1960. Because, together, they provide a comprehensive summary of research by NASA in the areas covered, they have been compiled in this publication for the information of personnel concerned with the design and procurement of manned military aircraft.

Supersonic flight↗
NASA NTRS2003

Aging Mechanisms and Control: Specialists' Meeting on Life Management Techniques for Aging Air Vehicles

The costs of maintaining ageing aircraft are draining the existing budgets. The Specialist Meeting provided guidance on strategies for the development and implementation of technologies and logistic management processes to reduce this economic burden. The emphasis was on military aircraft, but many of the principles could be applied to other defence systems. The papers covered the entire range of ageing problems including structural integrity, corrosion, avionics, mechanical subsystems, structures and wiring as well as the role of information management. Forty-two papers addressed the safety and economic implications such as fatigue cracking, corrosion, wear and material degradation. Key technologies were discussed, including non-destructive inspection, repair, modifications, prevention analysis, and health management. The shortcomings of current were highlighted and the investment required was identified. The need for research and development was clearly identified.

aging tests (materials)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fracture toughness and crack propagation in LX-17 and PBX 9502 insensitive high explosives

High explosive materials, and in particular insensitive high explosive (IHE) materials, are of significant interest. TATB-based LX-17 and PBX 9502 are two IHE’s and mechanical properties are an important metric of performance. In this work we present, for the first time, a study of fracture as a function of temperature and displacement rate and starter crack length on billet pressed IHE materials using a standard three point bend technique. We demonstrated that the technique can yield consistent results over time by measuring samples from the same lots 4 years later and observed that the fracture toughness of LX-17 and PBX 9502 are similar. We also determined the temperature dependence for different starter crack lengths and found that the fracture toughness generally decreases with larger starter crack sizes and temperatures. For the LX-17, where a wide temperature range of -60 C to 50 C was investigated, the impact of temperature on fracture toughness between -20 C and 23 C was less than expected. For the PBX 9502 we observed the difference in fracture toughness values between -20 C and 23 C did depend on the particular lot, and also there was a tendency of the fracture toughness to scale with the tensile strength. We also investigated the effect of a lower displacement rate and observed that while the impact on the fracture toughness was relatively small, the samples surprisingly did not break (fail) after exceeding the peak load. We took advantage of this to perform x-ray computed tomography (CT) of the samples to image crack propagation in the intact samples. We observed that cracks were generally straight and unaffected by the microstructure in the LX-17, in contrast to the PBX 9502 where the direction of the cracks would frequently change and were likely influenced by the underlying microstructure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Additive manufacturing of high explosives with inert dilution for wave shaping and detonation velocity grading

The performance of a high explosive charge is highly influenced by the detonation velocity and any inherent internal structure. Additively manufactured (AM) high explosive charges allow for a precisely engineered internal structure and the selective placement of discrete or graded volumes of a tailored material, which are unachievable by conventional means. The dilution of a solid explosive by an inert additive for detonation velocity reduction is herein evaluated for a method of material extrusion called a direct-ink-write AM, where an 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoctane-based ultraviolet -curable energetic-binder paste explosive was diluted by the inert density mock 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine for use in the manufacture of multi-material explosive charges. The explosive ink was characterized for printing by rheological and particle size measurements, and the detonation velocities for 0–40 wt. % inert diluent were found to have a continuous linear reduction in detonation velocity down to 14.3% difference. A two-component 3D plane wave explosive lens with 8.038 km/s “fast” and 7.491 km/s “slow” diluted ink in an internal cone demonstrated a reduced time of breakout at the output face from 361 to 53 ns. A linearly graded “fast–slow–fast” cylinder was successfully printed and fired, showing engineered control along the length of the charge as the detonation velocity dropped from 7.851 to 6.700 km/s and then recovered to 7.241 km/s. The extreme control over the internal composition of a high explosive charge via a dual-material extruder/mixer challenges conventional manufacturing approaches and opens new avenues for engineered detonation wavefronts, high explosive charge performance, and new applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quantifying Thermal Output of Energetic Materials (LDRD Final Report)

We present the results of an LDRD project, funded by the Nuclear Deterrence IA, to develop capabilities for quantitative assessment of pyrotechnic thermal output. The thermal battery igniter is used as an exemplar system. Experimental methodologies for thermal output evaluation are demonstrated here, which can help designers and engineers better specify pyrotechnic components , provide thermal output guidelines for new formulations, and generate new metrics for assessing component performance and margin given a known failure condition. A heat-transfer analysis confirms that the dominant mode of energy transfer from the pyrotechnic output plume to the heat pellet is conduction via deposition of hot titanium particles. A simple lumped-parameter model of titanium particle heat transfer and a detailed multi-phase model of deposition heat transfer are discussed. Pyrotechnic function, as defined by "go/no-go" standoff testing of a heat pellet, is correlated with experimentally measured igniter plume temperature, titanium metal particle temperature, and energy deposition. Three high-speed thermal diagnostics were developed for this task. A three-color imaging pyrometer, acquiring 100k images per second on three color channels, is deployed for measurement of titanium particle temperatures. Complimentary measurements of the overall igniter plume emission ("color") temperature were conducted using a transmission-grating spectrograph in line-imaging mode. Heat flux and energy deposition to a cold wall at the heat-pellet location were estimated using an eroding thermocouple probe, with a frequency response of ~5 kHz. Ultimate "go/no-go" function in the igniter/heat-pellet system was correlated with quantitative thermal metrics, in particular surface energy deposition and plume color temperature. Titanium metal-particle and plume color temperatures both experience an upper bound approximated by the 3245-K boiling point of TiO 2 . Average metal-particle temperatures remained nearly constant for all standoff distances at T = 2850 K, ± 300 K, while plume color temperature and heat flux decay with standoff—suggesting that heat-pellet failure results from a drop in metal-particle flux and not particle temperature. At 50% likelihood of heat-pellet failure, peak time-resolved plume color temperatures drop well below TiO 2 boiling to ~2000 - 2200 K, near the TiO 2 melting point. Estimates of peak heat flux decline from up to 1 GW/m 2 for near-field standoffs to below 320 MW/m 2 at 50% failure likelihood.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Los Alamos National Laboratory R&D Intern

This report details the responsibilities, outcomes, and project details of a summer R&D internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). LANL is a multidisciplinary laboratory that focuses on current cutting-edge research in many fields such as national security, engineering, materials science, computational modeling, and advanced manufacturing. The goal of the internship project was to work with lab engineers and resources to develop an energy absorbing structure for high-velocity impact applications. The successful development of this technology and methodology would not only positively impact future project funding but also contribute to the laboratory's commitment to solve national security challenges through simultaneous excellence. Such devices would also support efforts surrounding the research and development of energy absorbing structures and would provide new vital information backed by experimentation. Different computational and modeling methods were used to design these structures, in addition to qualitative background information provided by past literature. The resultant designs were successfully tested, and the test results were successfully quantified. From these results, new computational methods were developed through python programming and modeling to predict ideal materialistic properties for these structures given a sufficiently defined application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2000

Spacecraft Impacts with Advanced Power and Electric Propulsion

A study was performed to assess the benefits of advanced power and electric propulsion systems for various space missions. Advanced power technologies that were considered included multiband gap and thin-film solar arrays, lithium batteries, and flywheels. Electric propulsion options included Hall effect thrusters and Ion thrusters. Several mission case studies were selected as representative of future applications for advanced power and propulsion systems. These included a low altitude Earth science satellite, a LEO communications constellation, a GEO military surveillance satellite, and a Mercury planetary mission. The study process entailed identification of overall mission performance using state-of-the-art power and propulsion technology, enhancements made possible with either power or electric propulsion advances individually, and the collective benefits realized when advanced power and electric propulsion are combined. Impacts to the overall spacecraft included increased payload, longer operational life, expanded operations and launch vehicle class step-downs.

Mason, Lee S.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Office of Education and Public Outreach Poster Symposium - Abstract & Poster Book Summer 2017

Includes over 150 abstract and poster presentations from participants. Programs described are: International Internships (I Squared), International Space University (ISU), Military Programs, NASA Internships, Fellowships and Scholarships (NIFS), Science Teacher and Researcher Program (STAR), Silicon Valley Tech Pathways (SVTP), Space Grant, and Volunteer Internship Program (VIP).

Sanborn, Brenden↗
NASA NTRS2016

AFSPC Innovation and Science and Technology Outreach to Industry and Academia

The U.S. Air Force is taking a strategic approach to ensuring that we are at the cutting edge of science and technology. This includes fostering game-changing approaches and technologies that are balanced with operational needs. The security of the Nation requires a constant pursuit of science, technical agility, and a rapid adoption of innovation. This includes pursuits of game-changing technologies and domains that perhaps we cannot even imagine today. This paper highlights the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) collaboration and outreach to other government agencies, military and national laboratories, industry, and academia on long term science and technology challenges. In particular we discuss the development of the AFSPC Long Term Science and Technology Challenges that include both space and cyberspace operations within a multi-domain environment and the subsequent Innovation Summits.

Science Technology S&T Forum↗
NASA NTRS2009

Life Science Research in Outer Space: New Platform Technologies for Low-Cost, Autonomous Small Satellite Missions

We develop integrated instruments and platforms suitable for economical, frequent space access for autonomous life science experiments and processes in outer space. The technologies represented by three of our recent free-flyer small-satellite missions are the basis of a rapidly growing toolbox of miniaturized biologically/biochemically-oriented instrumentation now enabling a new generation of in-situ space experiments. Autonomous small satellites (~ 1 50 kg) are less expensive to develop and build than fullsize spacecraft and not subject to the comparatively high costs and scheduling challenges of human-tended experimentation on the International Space Station, Space Shuttle, and comparable platforms. A growing number of commercial, government, military, and civilian space launches now carry small secondary science payloads at far lower cost than dedicated missions; the number of opportunities is particularly large for so-called cube-sat and multicube satellites in the 1 10 kg range. The recent explosion in nano-, micro-, and miniature technologies, spanning fields from telecommunications to materials to bio/chemical analysis, enables development of remarkably capable autonomous miniaturized instruments to accomplish remote biological experimentation. High-throughput drug discovery, point-of-care medical diagnostics, and genetic analysis are applications driving rapid progress in autonomous bioanalytical technology. Three of our recent missions exemplify the development of miniaturized analytical payload instrumentation: GeneSat-1 (launched: December 2006), PharmaSat (launched: May 2009), and O/OREOS (organism/organics exposure to orbital stresses; scheduled launch: May 2010). We will highlight the overall architecture and integration of fluidic, optical, sensor, thermal, and electronic technologies and subsystems to support and monitor the growth of microorganisms in culture in these small autonomous space satellites, including real-time tracking of their culture density, gene expression, and metabolic activity while in the space environment. Flight data and results will be presented from GeneSat-1, which tracked gene expression levels of GFP-labeled E. coli and from PharmaSat, which monitored the dose dependency of an antifungal agent against S. cerevisiae. The O/OREOS SESLO instrument, which will study the effects of radiation and microgravity upon the viability and growth characteristics of B. subtilis and the halophile Halorubrum chaoviatoris for periods of 0 - 6 months in space, will be described as well. The ongoing expansion of the small satellite toolbox of biological technologies will be summarized.

Ricco, Antonio J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Scientific and technical training in the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union recognizes that the foundation of their system depends upon complete dedication of the people to the state through thorough psychological training as well as through military training, and through specialized education in the broad fields of engineering, natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and education. An outline of the U.S.S.R. educational system indicates the extent of academic training, coupled with on-the-job and military training, that can produce a highly skilled, dedicated, and matured person. Observations on the coupling of political, economic, and psychological training along with the technical training are made, along with some mention of positive and negative aspects of the training.

Spearman, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS2012

NASA IMAGESEER: NASA IMAGEs for Science, Education, Experimentation and Research

A number of web-accessible databases, including medical, military or other image data, offer universities and other users the ability to teach or research new Image Processing techniques on relevant and well-documented data. However, NASA images have traditionally been difficult for researchers to find, are often only available in hard-to-use formats, and do not always provide sufficient context and background for a non-NASA Scientist user to understand their content. The new IMAGESEER (IMAGEs for Science, Education, Experimentation and Research) database seeks to address these issues. Through a graphically-rich web site for browsing and downloading all of the selected datasets, benchmarks, and tutorials, IMAGESEER provides a widely accessible database of NASA-centric, easy to read, image data for teaching or validating new Image Processing algorithms. As such, IMAGESEER fosters collaboration between NASA and research organizations while simultaneously encouraging development of new and enhanced Image Processing algorithms. The first prototype includes a representative sampling of NASA multispectral and hyperspectral images from several Earth Science instruments, along with a few small tutorials. Image processing techniques are currently represented with cloud detection, image registration, and map cover/classification. For each technique, corresponding data are selected from four different geographic regions, i.e., mountains, urban, water coastal, and agriculture areas. Satellite images have been collected from several instruments - Landsat-5 and -7 Thematic Mappers, Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) Advanced Land Imager (ALI) and Hyperion, and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). After geo-registration, these images are available in simple common formats such as GeoTIFF and raw formats, along with associated benchmark data.

Le Moigne, Jacqueline↗