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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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NASA NTRS1992

Advances in photovoltaic technology

The advances in solar cell efficiency, radiation tolerance, and cost in the last 10 years are presented. The potential performance of thin-film solar cells in space is examined, and the cost and the historical trends in production capability of the photovoltaics industry are considered with respect to the needs of satellite solar power systems. Attention is given to single-crystal cells, concentrator and cascade cells, and thin-film solar cells.

Landis, G. A.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Multi-technique characterization of spray coated and roll-to-roll coated gas diffusion fuel cell electrodes

Here this work reports the characterization of catalyst layer (CL) structure and composition for a set of gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs) fabricated by different coating methods with the goal of developing a better understanding of CL processing-structure-property-performance relationships. The CL coating techniques used in this study were ultrasonic spray coating, and two roll-to-roll (R2R) methods - gravure and slot die. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of GDE cross-sections provided bulk information, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the near surface and surface composition of the CLs that will be in direct contact with the membrane once the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is constructed. This study demonstrates that common quantification parameters, namely the F:Pt ratio extracted from cross-sectional STEM-EDS maps and top-down CL measurements with SEM and XPS, along with roughness parameters quantified from SEM micrographs are useful parameters in explaining and potentially predicting performance trends. Additionally, it highlights the importance of understanding key CL surface properties for advancing the manufacturability of high-performance components for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technologies.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Dynamic Network Analysis of Nuclear Science Literature for Research Influence Assessment

Analyzing nuclear science literature via data-driven methods is a critical step for assessing research influence and technology advancements. Indicators of scholarly activities may be buried in large volumes of nuclear research publications and collaboration networks over time. Mining for relevant scholarly influence trends in large volumes of text can be computationally challenging; however, open-source information on research collaborations over time can offer opportunities to extract meaningful insights. While network centrality analysis of scholarly research provides topology-based insights, additional emphasis on dynamics associated with the diffusion of information through these networks is important. Here this paper represents a step in that direction through the development of a novel dynamic network analysis framework and computational engine to identify key entities and capabilities over time within global scholarly nuclear science collaboration networks. Network theoretic, stochastic simulation, and optimization methods are leveraged to address variability in scholarly interactions, influence propagation, and collaboration patterns via network connections. A topic-aware influence maximization algorithm is developed to address the goal of identifying key influential authors in diverse research topics over time. Efficient parallelized implementation of the algorithm is applied to reduce computational costs. A proof-of-concept case study using open-source Scopus data with 33,517 published nuclear research papers from 2000-2019 is presented and representative analytic insights are generated. Broad implications of these insights are discussed and future research directions are also identified.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

NASA NTRS1971

NASA's quality program - Achievements and forecast.

The NASA quality assurance program during the preceding decade is reviewed, with emphasis on those events and accomplishments which bear on the improvement of quality assurance technology, practice, and management. The nature of the space program is discussed to help understand the significance of past quality assurance events and to anticipate future trends. Potential benefits are revealed which are not necessarily limited to the aerospace field.

Weiss, H. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Data systems elements technology assessment and system specifications, issue no. 1

The ability to satisfy the objectives of future NASA Office of Applications Programs is dependent on technology advances in a number of areas of data systems. The technology of end-to-end data systems (space generator elements through ground processing, dissemination, and presentation, is examined in terms of state of the art, trends, and projected developments in the 1980 to 1985 timeframe. Capability is considered in terms of elements that are either commercially available or that can be implemented from commercially available components with minimal development.

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NASA NTRS1984

Basic principles of coaxial launch technology

Already in the 1930s, a discrete-coil mechanically synchronized launcher was built. At the present time, research is almost entirely directed towards railguns. However, although coaxial accelerators are more complex than railguns, they have certain unique advantages. Some of these advantages are related to the absence of physical contact requirements with the projectile, the possibility of a scale-up to very large projectile size, and the availability of up to 100 times more thrust for a given current. The price of the advantages is the need for a drive current in the form of pulses synchronized precisely with transit of each projectile coil through each drive coil. At high velocities, high voltages are required, and high voltage switching represents the technology limit on launch velocity. Attention is given to inductance gradients, the double hump, methods of excitation, methods of synchronization, projectile configuration, energy supply, fundamental limits, trends, and research needs.

Kolm, H.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The future of management: The NASA paradigm

Prototypes of 21st century management, especially for large scale enterprises, may well be found within the aerospace industry. The space era inaugurated a number of projects of such scope and magnitude that another type of management had to be created to ensure successful achievement. The challenges will be not just in terms of technology and its management, but also human and cultural in dimension. Futurists, students of management, and those concerned with technological administration would do well to review the literature of emerging space management for its wider implications. NASA offers a paradigm, or demonstrated model, of future trends in the field of management at large. More research is needed on issues of leadership for Earth based project in space and space based programs with managers there. It is needed to realize that large scale technical enterprises, such as are undertaken in space, require a new form of management. NASA and other responsible agencies are urged to study excellence in space macromanagement, including the necessary multidisciplinary skills. Two recommended targets are the application of general living systems theory and macromanagement concepts for space stations in the 1990s.

Harris, Philip R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

State of the Data Union, 1992

This is the first report on the State of the Data Union (SDU) for the NASA Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA). OSSA responsibilities include the collection, analysis, and permanent archival of data critical to space science research. The nature of how this is done by OSSA is evolving to keep pace with changes in space research. Current and planned missions have evolved to be more complex and multidisciplinary, and are generating much more data and lasting longer than earlier missions. New technologies enable global access to data, transfer of huge volumes of data, and increasingly complex analysis. The SDU provides a snapshot of this dynamic environment, identifying trends in capabilities and requirements. The current space science data environment is described and parameters which capture the pulse of key functions within that environment are presented. Continuous efforts of OSSA to improve the availability and quality of data provided to the scientific community are reported, highlighting efforts such as the Data Management Initiative.

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NASA NTRS2011

NASA Education Recommendation Report - Education Design Team 2011

NASA people are passionate about their work. NASA's missions are exciting to learners of all ages. And since its creation in 1958, NASA's people have been passionate about sharing their inspiring discoveries, research and exploration with students and educators. In May 2010, NASA administration chartered an Education Design Team composed of 12 members chosen from the Office of Education, NASA's Mission Directorates and Centers for their depth of knowledge and education expertise, and directed them to evaluate the Agency's program in the context of current trends in education. By improving NASA's educational offerings, he was confident that the Agency can play a leading role in inspiring student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as few other organizations can. Through its unique workforce, facilities, research and innovations, NASA can expand its efforts to engage underserved and underrepresented communities in science and mathematics. Through the Agency's STEM education efforts and science and exploration missions, NASA can help the United States successfully compete, prosper and be secure in the 21st century global community. After several months of intense effort, including meeting with education experts; reviewing Administration policies, congressional direction and education research; and seeking input from those passionate about education at NASA, the Education Design Team made six recommendations to improve the impact of NASA's Education Program: (1) Focus the NASA Education Program to improve its impact on areas of greatest national need (2) Identify and strategically manage NASA Education partnerships (3) Participate in National and State STEM Education policy discussions (4) Establish a structure to allow the Office of Education, Centers and Mission Directorates to implement a strategically integrated portfolio (5) Expand the charter of the Education Coordinating Committee to enable deliberate Education Program design (6) Improve communication to inspire learners

Pengra, Trish↗

NASA NTRS2011

Deployment of an Advanced Electrocardiographic Analysis (A-ECG) to Detect Cardiovascular Risk in Career Firefighters

INTRODUCTION Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of line of duty death among firefighters, accounting for approximately 45% of fatalities annually. Firefighters perform strenuous muscular work while wearing heavy, encapsulating personal protective equipment in high ambient temperatures, under chaotic and emotionally stressful conditions. These factors can precipitate sudden cardiac events like myocardial infarction, serious dysrhythmias, or cerebrovascular accidents in firefighters with underlying cardiovascular disease. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors is recommended but not always followed in this population. PHASER is a project charged with identifying and prioritizing risk factors in emergency responders. We have deployed an advanced ECG (A-ECG) system developed at NASA for improved sensitivity and specificity in the detection of cardiac risk. METHODS Forty-four professional firefighters were recruited to perform comprehensive baseline assessments including tests of aerobic performance and laboratory tests for fasting lipid profiles and glucose. Heart rate and conventional 12-lead ECG were obtained at rest and during incremental treadmill exercise testing (XT). In addition, a 5-min resting 12-lead A-ECG was obtained in a subset of firefighters (n=18) and transmitted over a secure networked system to a physician collaborator at NASA for advanced-ECG analysis. This A-ECG system has been proven, using myocardial perfusion and other imaging, to accurately identify a number of cardiac pathologies including coronary artery disease (CAD), left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and ischemic cardiomyopathy. RESULTS Subjects mean (SD) age was 43 (8) years, weight 91 (13) kg, and BMI of 28 (3) kg/square meter. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was 39 (9) ml/kg/min. This compares with the 45th %ile in healthy reference values and a recommended standard of 42 ml/kg/min for firefighters. The metabolic threshold (VO2Theta) above which lactate accumulates was 23 (8) ml/kg/min. The chronotropic index, a measure of cardiovascular strain during XT was 35 (8) /L compared with reference values for men of 40 /L. Total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C were 202 (34),126 (29), and 55 (15) mg/dl, respectively. Fifty-one percent of subjects had .3 cardiovascular risk factors, 2 subjects had resting hypertension (BP.140/90), and 23 had pre-hypertension (.120/80 but <140/90). Seven had exaggerated exercise induced hypertension but only one had ST depression on XT ECG, at least one positive A-ECG score for CAD, and documented CAD based on cardiology referral. While all other subjects, including those with fewer risk factors, higher aerobic fitness, and normal exercise ECGs, were classified as healthy by A-ECG, there was no trend for association between risk factors and any of 20 A-ECG parameters in the grouped data. CONCLUSIONS A-ECG screening correctly identified the individual with CAD although there was no trend for A-ECG parameters to distinguish those with elevated BP or multiple risk factors but normal XT ECG. We have demonstrated that a new technology, advanced-ECG, can be introduced for remote firefighter risk assessment. This simple, time and cost-effective approach to risk identification that can be acquired remotely and transmitted securely can detect individuals potentially at risk for line-of-duty death. Additional research is needed to further document its value.

Dolezal, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS2014

NextGen Technologies on the FAA's Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System

This paper describes the integration, evaluation, and results from a high-fidelity human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation of key NASA Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration - 1 (ATD- 1) technologies implemented in an enhanced version of the FAA's Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) platform. These ATD-1 technologies include: (1) a NASA enhanced version of the FAA's Time-Based Flow Management, (2) a NASA ground-based automation technology known as controller-managed spacing (CMS), and (3) a NASA advanced avionics airborne technology known as flight-deck interval management (FIM). These ATD-1 technologies have been extensively tested in large-scale HITL simulations using general-purpose workstations to study air transportation technologies. These general purpose workstations perform multiple functions and are collectively referred to as the Multi-Aircraft Control System (MACS). Researchers at NASA Ames Research Center and Raytheon collaborated to augment the STARS platform by including CMS and FIM advisory tools to validate the feasibility of integrating these automation enhancements into the current FAA automation infrastructure. NASA Ames acquired three STARS terminal controller workstations, and then integrated the ATD-1 technologies. HITL simulations were conducted to evaluate the ATD-1 technologies when using the STARS platform. These results were compared with the results obtained when the ATD-1 technologies were tested in the MACS environment. Results collected from the numerical data show acceptably minor differences, and, together with the subjective controller questionnaires showing a trend towards preferring STARS, validate the ATD-1/STARS integration.

air traffic management↗

NASA NTRS2020

Multidisciplinary Systems Analysis of a Six Passenger Quadrotor Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Powertrain

There is a high degree of research interest in the design space for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, because these vehicles are seen as key enablers for urban air mobility (UAM). This work further explores the eVTOL design space, by presenting analysis of a six-passenger eVTOL quadrotor powertrain, with integrated power, propulsion, and thermal management systems modeled using the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) and the NPSS Power System Library. Four architectures are modeled at the same design point and compared over a design mission. Results from an architecture comparison study show that a hybrid architecture performs best in terms of cruise range, however, the hybrid needs batteries with high specific energy and specific power in order to obtain a benefit vs turboelectric architectures. Sensitivity studies are conducted to show correlations between component parameters and system metrics. This data provides useful indicators for further technological improvement. Lastly, an initial TMS model is presented, and sensitivity studies on TMS design parameters are presented as well, to show high level TMS design trends.

electrified propulsion↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multidisciplinary Systems Analysis of a Six Passenger Quadrotor Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Powertrain

evtol↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Impact of Emerging Computing Architectures and Opportunities for Process Systems Engineering Applications

Moore’s “law” was the observation that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubled approximately every two years. This trend has distinctly failed to hold in recent years. The death of Moore’s law has left researchers and practitioners in the computational sciences searching for technologies to provide the speedups formerly supported by Moore’s law. Previously overlooked chip architectures and other computing technologies are now receiving more development resources. Critically, these technologies are gaining more mature software support, opening their adoption by researchers in algorithms and applications. In this article, we review some of these computing technologies, their relationship with various algorithms and applications, and their potential benefits (or pitfalls). We close with recommendations for future work by the process systems engineering community specifically.

Emerging hardware↗

DOE OSTI2024

Capacity Density Considerations for Floating Offshore Wind Farms in Ultradeep Waters

Capacity density describes the concentration of wind energy development in an area and is often specified in terms of megawatts-per-square-kilometer (MW/km2). Understanding capacity density trends in wind energy projects helps to inform both energy system and spatial planning efforts. Borrman et al. (2018) and Mulas Hernando et al. (2023) analyze capacity density trends for fixed-bottom offshore wind farms in Europe and the United States, respectively, and Cooperman et al. (2022) explores how floating offshore wind mooring technology choices may impact wind plant layout through setbacks from lease area boundaries in waters up to 1,300 m deep. Technical challenges facing floating offshore wind development in ultradeep waters (beyond 1,300 m) could impact achievable capacity densities, with potential implications to marine spatial planning and project economics. When compared to fixed-bottom commercial-scale wind farms, mooring system footprints from floating offshore wind systems can constrain capacity density in some circumstances. In this study, we conduct an initial investigation of how taut mooring configurations may constrain floating offshore wind turbine placement and estimate capacity density for representative floating wind plants in generic lease areas. In addition, we explore floating wind plant capacity density drivers in ultradeep waters by characterizing area utilization for a range of lease area characteristics. This analysis highlights the primary challenges that floating offshore wind systems may encounter in achieving capacity densities comparable to commercial-scale fixed-bottom projects at ultradeep water depths, from a technical standpoint.

capacity density↗

DOE OSTI2023

Next-Generation Marine Energy Software Needs Assessment

Over the past decade the marine energy industry has continued to grow and evolve, with new concepts and technologies constantly being pursued. Additionally, the field of computing is vastly different today than it was five or ten years ago. By utilizing advanced software and hardware architectures, like graphics processing units as well as parallelization and high-performance computing resources, software can produce higher quality outputs and a higher volume of outputs. These software and hardware resources can enable the marine energy community to exploit computational advancements from other research fields, which can include machine learning, differentiable programming, and controls co-design. Better integration of existing software and development of potential new software is necessary to take advantage of trends in modern computing and respond to the current and future needs of the marine energy community. In order to better understand the existing marine energy software landscape and industry needs, DOE's Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) tasked Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to update the needs assessment by identifying existing software gaps and software needs, and assisting WPTO in planning the next wave of marine energy software development. The proposed effort involved cataloguing and analyzing the available data on existing software related to marine energy. The marine energy software landscape has vastly changed in the last ten years. There are now nearly 230 different software packages utilized by the marine energy sector, compared to a decade ago when the Cardinal Engineering survey identified approximately 40 software packages. In 2012, the marine energy software landscape was captured in two tables, whereas the current marine energy software landscape required development of a software database to collect and categorize software.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2021

Advancing Solar Innovation for Low and Moderate-Income Households (Final Technical Report)

The overarching goal of this project was to deepen the understanding of the social and economic aspects of solar adoption, with a specific eye towards any pathways or barriers that could be identified that directly impact low and moderate-income households. Specific objectives included (1) identifying and assessing significant non-economic barriers that complicate the ability of LMI households to adopt and benefit from solar, even under scenarios with low economic barriers; (2) assessing the differential ability of groups to benefit from solar adoption based on their ability to invest in different solar innovations; (3) explaining why some LMI communities nonetheless experience significantly higher rates of solar adoption and benefit than others; (4) developing a methodological model for generating data addressing key issues to the project; and (5) designing and developing an interactive web portal that aggregates existing datasets, provides researchers trend analysis capabilities, standardizes project protocols for other states and communities; provides the opportunities for researchers using the same protocol in other communities to upload their results; and engages with the general public by providing them the ability to upload their own perspectives and stories of solar technology adoption. Through a common framework for conducting semi-structured field interviews. In partnership with cooperative extension services, in conjunction with survey research and the aggregation of existing solar adoption datasets, this study has identified that currently ,there is a strong values alignment and knowledge access challenge that continues to affect solar adoption. Participants in this study – many of whom are either low or moderate-income and/or live in underserved rural communities do not believe solar is an option where they live or believe solar is appropriate for their lifestyle. This perception challenge is further exacerbated by the absolute dearth of adopters in most communities and a total lack of local marketing for solar energy. What marketing that does exist is geared towards audiences other than those in the participant's community, reinforcing a perception that 22% of survey respondents (n = 1,551) have: that solar energy is not meant for them and their community. Overcoming these serious human challenges pertaining to knowledge and marketing are critical to reducing the customer acquisition costs incurred amongst LMI communities and especially those in rural America where the opportunities solar provides to increase local energy resilience, security, all while engaging in personal stewardship of the planet could align with local values. Community-Based Social Marketing, built in partnership with community leaders and geared towards meeting local visions of ideal life, is a near term opportunity to bridge the gap between local priorities and national market and policy imperatives for solar while moving towards the administration's goals for renewable energy as part of a just and equitable decarbonization program. The tools and methods developed for this study can serve as a template for identifying other specific local challenges for solar adoption in other state, and provide the opportunity for a common data framework for understanding system-wide trends and barriers to achieving uptake of residential solar in communities that may, ultimately, benefit the most from the technology.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS2016

Bayesian Methods for Longitudinal Trending in Probabilities of Collision

Satellites have become an integral part of modern life, supporting phone communication, television and radio broadcasting, internet access, and military activities. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine modern society without many of these technologies, especially in an age when the world is increasingly interconnected via long-distance communications. As of 2013, there were over one thousand operational satellites in orbit about Earth. About half of these active satellites are in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO, meaning an orbital period less than 225 minutes), which is where the International Space Station (ISS) conducts operations, along with other commercial missions such as earth observation and satellite telephone communications. An increasing amount of attention is being placed on protecting satellites in LEO, as the frequency of object launches and satellite fragmentation events has contributed to the proliferation of space debris, resulting in increased congestion.

Conjunction↗