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At least 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1966

Matrix methods and automation in structural engineering

The partial differential equations of motion of shell structures subject to arbitrary loads may be extremely difficult or even impossible to solve. Since the digital computer is now an available tool for the structural engineer, current research has been directed toward methods which involve matrix formulation of large systems of algebraic equations and matrix solutions for discrete elements rather than the solution of the partial differential equations. These methods require rapid and accurate computer solutions. Recognizing the accuracy problems inherent in working with large matrices, a comprehensive survey of available computer programs was performed for large matrix inversion and for eigenvalue and eigenvector solutions under a Research Grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the techniques are developed in this paper for using these programs most efficiently for structural applications. The contents of the paper include: automation of matrix compilation, methods of very large matrix inversion and solution of simultaneous equation, and techniques for finding eigenvalues and vectors. In addition, a finite element stiffness matrix approach developed at the Denver Research Institute for both plates and shells subject to arbitrary dynamic loads is described as it was instrumented with complete automation on the digital computer.

Anita S West↗
NASA NTRS2018

Creating Innovative Frameworks to Spur Cultural Change at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center

Changing the culture of an organization is a monumental task that often takes years and has no set formula. Steps can be taken, however, to spur cultural change by creating spaces and infrastructure to serve as the initial driving force. An innovation space and a bicycle sharing (bike share) program were implemented at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) (Edwards, California) with a vision toward connecting Center personnel, fostering collaboration and innovation, retaining newer employees, promoting flexibility, and improving the culture and workplace atmosphere. This paper discusses the steps taken, challenges faced, novel culture-change-focused design elements, lessons learned, acquired metrics, and how these initiated cultural change at AFRC. For both the innovation space and the bike share program, funding was negotiated and provided through the NASA Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) project, which was seeking to improve the innovation and collaboration capabilities at each of the four NASA aeronautics Centers. Key stakeholders across AFRC from upper management, facilities, safety, engineering, and procurement were identified early in the process and were consulted and included throughout execution to ensure that any encountered roadblocks could be easily navigated. Research was then conducted by attending conferences and visiting culture-changing organizations both inside and outside United States Government agencies. Distilling the research, identifying available space, and deciding on specific design elements for the space was conducted by a subset of individuals of diverse backgrounds to enable quick, effective decision-making. Decisions were made with the intent to increase usage and diversity of users of the space; care was taken to ensure a well-crafted atmosphere that would foster the desired culture change. The allocated physical space required major structural modifications, new furniture, and new capabilities that would bring people in. Decisions and desires underwent a rapid reiterative process in order to stay within budget and short deadlines, while holding firm to what was seen as fundamental elements of an innovation space. The framework for cultural change being established, the more difficult task began: incubating the desired culture. Intentional workday use of the innovation space was encouraged, and organized events coordinated in order to truly foster culture change. Such incubation supports the organic spread of culture change to all areas of AFRC. This framework was complemented and expanded by the implementation of the bike share program. Steps for implementation included bike selection based on lessons learned, creating bike stations and signage, implementing bike share rules, and building a volunteer maintenance infrastructure. A novel user-reporting feedback system at each bike station is a low-impact method of capturing usage metrics. Due to the nature of the work conducted at AFRC, the bike share program and feedback system were negotiated and vetted through various organizations including legal, safety, and operations. The innovation space and the bike share program together are an effective initial framework for innovation and collaboration. Culture change takes time, but the innovation space and the bike share program are already showing signs of making a positive impact on the AFRC workforce.

rooms↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nevada National Security Site Environmental Report 2019

This report presents the National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office environmental protection and monitoring programs data and the compliance status for calendar year 2019 at the Nevada National Security Site and at its two support facilities, the North Las Vegas Facility and the Remote Sensing Laboratory-Nellis. This report also addresses environmental restoration projects conducted by the Environmental Management Nevada Program Office at the Tonopah Test Range.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Feasibility Study for a Proposed Subcritical Assembly at Oak Ridge National Laboratory [Slides]

To provide additional NCS training bandwidth, a simple feasibility study was performed for a proposed, inherently safe, subcritical assembly at ORNL for the US Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) NCSP training and education (T&E) program. The NCSP performs subcritical, delayed critical and prompt supercritical experiments to support the NCSP T&E program. ORNL performed a study to examine the feasibility of a subcritical assembly with existing fuel that meets the ANSI/ANS-8.26 standard. Section 7.4 of the standard requires NCS staff to participate in hands-on experiments meant to “…demonstrate how varying the properties of a fissionable material system can affect neutron multiplication.” This training is performed to ensure NCS, and operations staff are aware of the risks involved with conducting operations with fissionable materials outside reactors.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Design of Hypothetical Processes for the Production of 131 I and 99 Mo from Activation Targets

For over six decades, medical isotope production has been a high-priority focus of many research reactors across the globe. The majority of these isotopes were produced using highly-enriched uranium (HEU) or low enriched uranium (LEU) – delivering millions of doses of diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes. As a consequence of this production, however, six decades of isotope production has resulted in massive quantities of spent uranium material worldwide with no known disposition pathway creating growing proliferation concerns. Supported by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Material Management and Minimization (M3) program, there has been increased focus in the production of high-priority isotopes without special nuclear materials or without uranium altogether. Isotope production via activation can potentially fulfill regional isotope demands – particularly in under-developed regions without access to isotope supply chains. The benefits of this approach would be a reduction in uranium proliferation risks, less special nuclear material wastes, and reduced risk of supply disruption in the likely event that major isotope producers will again go off-line as has happened in recent years due to a number of factors.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Field Validation of a Grid-Interactive Efficient Building Software Solution

The U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA's) Green Proving Ground (GPG) program, in partnership with the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), completed a field study of a Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB) software solution. The study focused on a single testbed facility to test the GEB functionality of the software solution, along with other features. The testbed facility - a courthouse - is a common building type in GSA's vast building portfolio, offering potentially impactful findings on a scalable level. The study evaluated Prescriptive Data's technology, Nantum OS, a connected building operating system ("GEB Solution") which aggregates multiple sources of previously siloed building data and combines that data with external sources, such as weather information or utility signals, into a single integrated platform. A GEB Solution is a type of Energy Management Information System (EMIS). EMIS is defined as a system of devices, data services, and software applications that communicates with any building system or third-party data source to aggregate and transform data into new capabilities to aid in the optimization of energy use at the building, campus, or agency level. This specific GEB Solution is an EMIS with ASO, automated system optimization, offering supervisory control of certain aspects of the Building Automation System (BAS). Multiple features were evaluated including, but not limited to, Continuous Demand Management to avoid setting new monthly kilowatt (kW) peaks, energy efficiency for reduction of kilowatt hours (kWh) and natural gas consumption, and automated demand response (ADR) for purposes of lowering demand during a utility called Demand Response (DR) event. The testbed facility was the Foley Federal Building and US Courthouse ("Foley Federal Building") located in Las Vegas, NV. This is a 209,496 sq. ft. building constructed in the 1960s with major renovations in 2004. The facility was a good candidate due to the large prevalence of office and courthouse spaces in the GSA portfolio of buildings. It also has many features which allow integration into and control of the building and a strong facilities team to assist with the study. Quantitative and qualitative performance objectives were developed using GSA's GPG GEB project template along with input from the vendor and building facility staff; these are outlined in Table 1. The quantitative performance objectives focused on continuous demand management, energy efficiency, and automated demand response. The qualitative performance objectives focused on the ease of installation and commissioning as well as the operability of the GEB solution. Other performance metrics that are reported on include carbon reduction, cost effectiveness, and occupant acceptance.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1977

Wind energy: A renewable energy option

Wind turbine generator research programs administered by the Energy Research and Development Administration are examined. The design and operation of turbine demonstration models are described. Wind assessments were made to determine the feasibility of using wind generated power for various parts of the country.

Zimmerman, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Gaseous fuel reactor systems for aerospace applications

Research on the gaseous fuel nuclear rocket concept continues under the programs of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office for Aeronautics and Space Technology and now includes work related to power applications in space and on earth. In a cavity reactor test series, initial experiments confirmed the low critical mass determined from reactor physics calculations. Recent work with flowing UF6 fuel indicates stable operation at increased power levels. Preliminary design and experimental verification of test hardware for high-temperature experiments have been accomplished. Research on energy extraction from fissioning gases has resulted in lasers energized by fission fragments. Combined experimental results and studies indicate that gaseous-fuel reactor systems have significant potential for providing nuclear fission power in space and on earth.

Thom, K.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Abstracts for the Planetary Geology Field Conference on Aeolian Processes

The Planetary Geology Field Conference on Aeolian Processes was organized at the request of the Planetary Geology Program office of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to bring together geologists working on aeolian problems on earth and planetologists concerned with similar problems on the planets. Abstracts of papers presented at the conference are arranged herein by alphabetical order of the senior author. Papers fall into three broad categories: (1) Viking Orbiter and Viking Lander results on aeolian processes and/or landforms on Mars, (2) laboratory results on studies of aeolian processes, and (3) photogeology and field studies of aeolian processes on Earth.

Greeley, R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A synopsis of the weather problems facing today's general aviation pilots

Concentration on weather to data has primarily been at the point of observation. There have been efforts to obtain and disseminate en route weather through pilot reports (PIREPS), but the efforts have been meager. What is needed is the cooperative efforts on the application of technology to the acquisition and dissemination of the en route weather data for those pilots in the air as well as those who are flight planning on the ground. A comprehensive three-dimensional computer storage system is proposed that receives weather information from all aircraft on IFR flight plans and stores this information by altitude and geographic coordinates. Also, a report on the Federal Aviation Administration's Research Engineering and Development Aviation Weather Program from the aspect of past, present and future is given.

Pope, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Launch packaging options for the photovoltaic power module cargo element

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration recently embarked on the Space Station Freedom program, which will utilize the Shuttle Orbiter for transportation to orbit. This task will be accomplished with a number of flights over several years. Each flight is unique in terms of the hardware that is manifested and the method by which it is integrated to form viable cargo elements. Work Package 4 is responsible for the electric power system for Space Station Freedom, and was delegated the authority to develop a photovoltaic (PV) power module cargo element. The PV power module consists of several unique assemblies. The first of these is the combined solar array/beta gimbal assembly. The remaining assemblies form the single combined integrated equipment assembly for each PV power module. These three combined assemblies are packaged into a launch cradle to form the PV power module cargo element, which is placed in the cargo bay of the Shuttle Orbiter for transportation to orbit. Various constraints determine the packaging options for the three PV power module combined assemblies. The size and shape of the combined assemblies in relation to the Shuttle Orbiter cargo bay dimensions and other manifested hardware are ultimately a factor in determining the acceptable packaging schemes for the PV power module cargo element. Several packaging options for the PV power module cargo element are presented. These options are discussed in terms of their impact on the overall flight hardware manifest as determined by the various constraints.

Hoberecht, Mark A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Management of information in a research and development agency

The NASA program for managing scientific and technical information (STI) is examined, noting the technological, managerial, educational, and legal aspects of transferring and disseminating information. A definition of STI is introduced and NASA's STI-related management programs are outlined. Consideration is given to the role of STI management in NASA mission programs, research efforts supporting the management and use of STI, STI program interfaces, and the Automated Information Management Program to eliminate redundant automation efforts in common administrative functions. The infrastructure needed to manage the broad base of NASA information and the interfaces between NASA's STI management and external organizations are described.

Keene, Wallace O.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Management of information in a research and development agency

The NASA program for managing scientific and technical information (STI) is examined, noting the technological, managerial, educational, and legal aspects of transferring and disseminating information. A definition of STI is introduced and NASA's STI-related management programs are outlined. Consideration is given to the role of STI management in NASA mission programs, research efforts supporting the management and use of STI, STI program interfaces, and the Automated Information Management Program to eliminate redundant automation efforts in common administrative functions. The infrastructure needed to manage the broad base of NASA information and the interfaces between NASA's STI management and external organizations are described.

Keene, Wallace O.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Mechanical and Tear Properties of Fabric/Film Laminates

Films reinforced with woven fabrics are being considered for the development of a material suitable for long duration scientific balloons under a program managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Recently developed woven fabrics provide a relatively high strength to weight ratio compared to standard homogenous films. Woven fabrics also have better crack propagation resistance and rip stop capabilities when compared to homogenous lightweight, high strength polymeric films such as polyester and nylon. If joining is required, such as in the case of scientific balloons, woven fabrics have the advantage over polymeric thin films to utilize traditional textile methods as well as other techniques including hot sealing, adhesion, and ultrasonic means. Woven fabrics, however, lack the barrier properties required for helium filled scientific balloons, therefore lamination with homogenous films is required to provide the gas barrier capabilities required in these applications.

Said, Magdi A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

How to Improve SBIR Phase 3 Technology Commercialization Effectiveness: A NASA Glenn Internal Assessment

Governmental departments and agencies with responsibilities for implementing the Small Business Innovative Research program under the auspices of the Small Business Administration, are now required to be more accountable for phase 3 performance. At NASA Glenn Research Center, internal, one-on-one interviews were conducted with seven contracting officer technical representatives who have managed one or more SBIR contracts through completion of phase 2. A questionnaire consisting of nineteen questions was formulated and used for the above purpose. This self-assessment produced several comments, conclusions, and recommendations for consideration and potential application.

Horsham, Gary A. P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Infrared Measurements of Atmospheric Gases Above Mauna Loa, Hawaii, in February 1987

Infrared solar absorption spectra recorded at 0.02/ cm resolution from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Geophysical Monitoring for Climate Change (GMCC) program station at Mauna Loa, Hawaii (latitude 19.5 deg N, longitude 155.6 deg W, elevation 3.40 km), in February 1997 have been analyzed to determine simultaneous total vertical column amounts for 13 atmospheric gases. Average tropospheric concentrations of CO2, N2O, CH4, and CHCIF2 and the daytime diurnal variations or the total columns of NO and NO2 have also been inferred. The retrieved total columns (in molecules /sq cm) of the nondiurnally varying gases are 1.6 +/- 0.2 x 10(exp 15) for HCl, 5.9 +/- 1.2 x 10(exp 15) for HNO3, 2.0 +/- 0.2 x 10(exp 21) for H2O16, 4.4 +/- 0.7 x 10(exp 18) for H2O18, 2.7 +/- 0.1 x 10(exp 17) for HDO, 2.3 +/- 0.2 x 10(exp 19) for CH4, 5.0 +/- 0.5 x 10(exp 21) for CO2, 6.7 +/- 0.8 x 10(exp 18) for O3, 4.3 +/- 0.4 x 10(exp 18) for N2O, 1.0 +/- 0.2 x 10(exp 16) for C2H6, and 9.7 +/- 2.5 x 10(exp 14) for CHClF2. We compare the total column measurements of HCl and HNO3 with previously reported ground-based, aircraft, and satellite measurements. The results for HCl are or particular interest because of the expected temporal increase in the concentration of this gas in the stratosphere. However, systematic differences among stratospheric HCl total column measurements from 1978 to 1980 and the absence of observations of free tropospheric HCl above Mauna Loa make it impossible to obtain a reliable estimate of the trend in the total burden of HCl. The measured HNO3 total column is consistent with aircraft measurements from approx. 12 km altitude. The O3 total column deduced from the IR spectra agrees with correlative Mauna Loa Umkehr measurements within the estimated error limits. The column-averaged D/H ratio of water vapor is (68 +/- 9) x- 10(exp -6), which is 0.44 +/- 0.06 times the reference value of 155.76 x 10(exp -6) for standard mean ocean water (SMOW). This large depletion in the D content of water vapor is similar to published measurements of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Average tropospheric concentrations deduced for CO2, N2O, and CH4 are in good agreement with correlative NOAA GMCC surface data, indicating consistency between the measurement techniques for determining tropospheric volume mixing ratios. Results of the present study indicate that Mauna Loa is a favorable site for infrared monitoring of atmospheric gases. The site is particularly favorable for monitoring the tropospheric volume mixing ratios of long-lived gases, since the high altitude of the tropopause reduces corrections required to account for the decrease in volume mixing ratio in the stratosphere.

Rinsland, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Numerical Simulation of Aircraft Trailing Vortices

The increase in air traffic is currently outpacing the development of new airport runways. This is leading to greater air traffic congestion, resulting in costly delays and cancellations. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under its Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) program is investigating new technologies that will allow increased airport capacity while maintaining the present standards for safety. As an element of this program, the Aircraft Vortex Spacing System (AVOSS) is being demonstrated in July 2000, at Dallas Ft-Worth Airport. This system allows reduced aircraft separations, thus increasing the arrival and departure rates, while insuring that wake vortices from a leading aircraft do not endanger trailing aircraft. The system uses predictions or wake vortex position and strength based on input from the current weather state. This prediction is accomplished by a semi-empirical model developed from theory, field observations, and relationships derived from numerical wake vortex simulations. Numerical experiments with a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model are being conducted in order to provide guidance for the enhancement of these prediction algorithms. The LES Simulations of wake vortices are carried out with NASA's Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS). Previous wake vortex investigations with TASS are described. The primary objective of these numerical studies has been to quantify vortex transport and decay in relation to atmospheric variables. This paper summarizes many of the previous investigations with the TASS model and presents some new results regarding the onset of wake vortex decay.

Proctor, Fred H.↗