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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

P78-2 engineering overview

Data from the P78-2 spacecraft are being used in verifying and validating analytical tools being developed for the design of spacecraft, such as NASCAP, for updating Military Standard 1541, for investigation of materials contamination, and for a study of the physics of charging. The analysis of this data has already resulted in changes in laboratory testing procedures, in a better understanding of some properties of materials exposed to the space environment, and in some insight into the EMI caused by discharges on spacecraft in a plasma environment. Some examples of early results from the engineering experiments are presented.

Vampola, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Prediction of stable crack growth and instability using the V sub R-curve method

A methodology is presented for predicting stable crack growth and instability of cracked structural components from results of laboratory tests on metallic materials under plane-stress conditions. The methodology is based on the displacement V sub R at the tip of a stably tearing crack. Basically, the V sub R-curve method is a resistance curve approach, such as K sub R and J sub R, except that the 'crack drive' is written in terms of crack-tip displacement instead of K or J. The relationship between crack-tip-opening displacement, crack length, specimen type, and tensile properties is derived from the Dugdale model for the cracked structure of interest. This report describes the laboratory test procedure and calculations used to obtain the V sub R resistance curve from fracture tests of compact or of middle-crack tension (formally center-crack) specimens. The analysis procedure used to predict stable crack growth and instability of any through-the-thickness crack configuration made of the same material and thickness, and tested under the same environmental conditions, is presented. The various limitations of the present V sub R curve method are given. Four example calculations and predictions are shown.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Comment on 'Summary and implications of reported amino acid concentrations in the Murchison meteorite' by E. L. Shock and M. D. Schulte

A criticism of the claim by Shock and Schulte (1990) that there is a correlation between the amino acid abundances (relative to glycine) in the Murchison meteorite and their aqueous solubilities is presented. Their suggestion that 'the same factors which control the aqueous solubility of many amino acids also control their relative abundances in the Murchison meteorite is argued to be incorrect. It is proposed that even though the water/meteorite ratio would have been less during meteorite aqueous alteration than that in the 100-C laboratory extraction procedure, amino acids are simply too soluble. The distribution of other meteorite organic components such as PAHs may have been affected by alteration because they are only slightly soluble in water and can be easily separated by geochromatographic processes. In their reply Shock and Schulte contend that the critics argue against a point not made in their paper and that their argument was supported with several unsubstantiated assertions, including an unfounded claim that the temperature dependence of amino acid solubilities are 'not greatly different', a misrepresentation of isopiestic studies on concentration solutions as equilibrium solubility measurements.

Miller, Stanley L.↗
NASA NTRS1939

Aircraft rate-of-climb indicators

The theory of the rate-of-climb indicator is developed in a form adapted for application to the instrument in its present-day form. Compensations for altitude, temperature, and rate of change of temperature are discussed from the designer's standpoint on the basis of this theory. Certain dynamic effects, including instrument lag, and the use of the rate-of-climb indicator as a statoscope are also considered. Modern instruments are described. A laboratory test procedure is outlined and test results are given.

Johnson, Daniel P↗
NASA NTRS1993

Identification of cometary and asteroidal particles in stratospheric IDP collections

He release temperature curves were determined for a specially processed set of 5 microns to 15 microns stratospheric IDP's whose masses, densities, and compositions were accurately measured. The He release temperature in combination with atmospheric entry calculations yields a most probable entry velocity for each particle and association with either an asteroidal (low velocity) or cometary (high velocity) origin. It was found that over half of the 5-15 microns IDP's have entry velocities consistent with asteroidal origin and that at least 20 percent have cometary origins. A few of the asteroidal particles are porous aggregates and it appears that there may be close material similarities among some primitive asteroids and comets. In the processing of individual 5 microns IDP's and determination of entry velocities, a few dozen microtome slices that can be used for a variety of detailed TEM, IR, and ion probe studies were preserved. These procedures provide laboratory samples that can be generically associated with asteroids and comets and are in a sense a limited sample return mission from these primitive bodies.

Brownlee, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Improved Spacecraft Materials for Radiation Protection

Methods by which radiation shielding is optimized need to be developed and materials of improved shielding characteristics identified and validated. The galactic cosmic rays (GCR) are very penetrating and the energy absorbed by the astronaut behind the shield is nearly independent of shield composition and even the shield thickness. However, the mix of particles in the transmitted beam changes rapidly with shield material composition and thickness. This results in part from the breakup of the high-energy heavy ions of the GCR which make contributions to biological effects out of proportion to their deposited energy. So the mixture of particles in the radiation field changes with shielding and the control of risk contributions from dominant particle types is critical to reducing the hazard to the astronaut. The risk of biological injury for a given particle type depends on the type of biological effect and is specific to cell or tissue type. Thus, one is faced with choosing materials which may protect a given tissue against a given effect but leave unchanged or even increase the risk of other effects in the same tissue or increase the risks to other adjacent tissues of a different type in the same individual. The optimization of shield composition will then be tied to a specific tissue and risk to that tissue. Such peculiarities arise from the complicated mixture of particles, the nature of their biological response, and the details of their interaction with material constituents. Aside from the understanding of the biological response to specific components, one also needs an accurate understanding of the radiation emerging from the shield material. This latter subject has been a principal element of this project. In the past ten years our understanding of space radiation interactions with materials has changed radically, with a large impact on shield design. For example, the NCRP estimated that only 2 g/sq cm. of aluminum would be required to meet the annual 500 mSv limit for the exposure of the blood forming organs (this limit is strictly for LEO but can be used as a guideline for the Mars mission analysis). The current estimates require aluminum shield thicknesses above 50 g/sq cm., which is impractical. In such a heavily shielded vehicle, the neutrons produced throughout the vehicle also contribute significantly to the exposure and this demands greater care in describing the angular dependence of secondary particle production processes. As such the continued testing of databases and transport procedures in laboratory and spaceflight experiments has continued. This has been the focus of much of the last year's activity and has resulted in improved neutron prediction capability. These new methods have also improved our understanding of the surface environment of Mars. The Mars 2003 NRA HEDS related surface science requirements were driven by the need to validate predictions on the upward flux of neutrons produced in the Martian regolith and bedrock made by the codes developed under this project. The codes used in the surface environment definition are also being used to look at in situ resources for the development of construction material for Martian surface facilities. For example, synthesis of polyimides and polyethylene as binders of regolith for developing basic structural elements has been studied and targets built for accelerator beam testing of radiation shielding properties. Preliminary mechanical tests have also been promising. Improved spacecraft materials have been identified (using the criteria reported by this project at the last conference) as potentially important for future shielding materials. These are liquid hydrogen, hydrogenated nanofibers, liquid methane, LiH, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and Polyetherimide (in order of decreasing shield performance). Some of the materials are multifunctional and are required for other onboard systems. We are currently preparing software for trade studies with these materials relative to the Mars Reference Mission as required in the project's final year.

Wilson, John W.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Low Earth Orbital Atomic Oxygen Interactions With Materials

Atomic oxygen is formed in the low Earth orbital environment (LEO) by photo dissociation of diatomic oxygen by short wavelength (< 243 nm) solar radiation which has sufficient energy to break the 5.12 eV O2 diatomic bond in an environment where the mean free path is sufficiently long (~ 108 meters) that the probability of reassociation or the formation of ozone (O3) is small. As a consequence, between the altitudes of 180 and 650 km, atomic oxygen is the most abundant species. Spacecraft impact the atomic oxygen resident in LEO with sufficient energy to break hydrocarbon polymer bonds, causing oxidation and thinning of the polymers due to loss of volatile oxidation products. Mitigation techniques, such as the development of materials with improved durability to atomic oxygen attack, as well as atomic oxygen protective coatings, have been employed with varying degrees of success to improve durability of polymers in the LEO environment. Atomic oxygen can also oxidize silicones and silicone contamination to produce non-volatile silica deposits. Such contaminants are present on most LEO missions and can be a threat to performance of optical surfaces. The LEO atomic oxygen environment, its interactions with materials, results of space testing, computational modeling, mitigation techniques, and ground laboratory simulation procedures and issues are presented.

Banks, Bruce A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Radiometric Calibration of A Non-Imaging Airborne Spectrometer To Measure the Greenland Ice Sheet Surface

Methods to radiometrically calibrate a non-imaging airborne visible-to-shortwave infrared (VSWIR) spectrometer to measure the Greenland ice sheet surface are presented. Airborne VSWIR measurement performance for bright Greenland ice and dark bare rock/soil targets is compared against the MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission (MODTRAN ® ) radiative transfer code (version 6.0), and a coincident Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) acquisition on 29 July 2015 during an in-flight radiometric calibration experiment. Airborne remote sensing flights were carried out in northwestern Greenland in preparation for the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2) laser altimeter mission. A total of nine science flights were conducted over the Greenland ice sheet, sea ice, and open-ocean water. The campaign's primary purpose was to correlate green laser pulse penetration into snow and ice with spectroscopic-derived surface properties. An experimental airborne instrument configuration that included a nadir-viewing (looking downward at the surface) non-imaging Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD) Inc. spectrometer that measured upwelling VSWIR (0.35 to 2.5 µm) spectral radiance (Wm −2 sr −1 µm −1 ) in the two-color Slope Imaging Multi-polarization Photon-Counting Lidar's (SIMPL) ground instantaneous field of view, and a zenith-viewing (looking upward at the sky) ASD spectrometer that measured VSWIR spectral irradiance (W m −2 nm −1 ) was flown. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable radiometric calibration procedures for laboratory, in-flight, and field environments are described in detail to achieve a targeted VSWIR measurement requirement of within 5 % to support calibration/validation efforts and remote sensing algorithm development. Our MODTRAN predictions for the 29 July flight line over dark and bright targets indicate that the airborne nadir-viewing spectrometer spectral radiance measurement uncertainty was between 0.6 % and 4.7 % for VSWIR wavelengths (0.4 to 2.0 µm) with atmospheric transmittance greater than 80 %. MODTRAN predictions for Landsat 8 OLI relative spectral response functions suggest that OLI is measuring 6 % to 16 % more top-of-atmosphere (TOA) spectral radiance from the Greenland ice sheet surface than was predicted using apparent reflectance spectra from the nadir-viewing spectrometer. While more investigation is required to convert airborne VSWIR spectral radiance into atmospherically corrected airborne surface reflectance, it is expected that airborne science flight data products will contribute to spectroscopic determination of Greenland ice sheet surface optical properties to improve understanding of their potential influence on ICESat-2 measurements.

Christopher J. Crawford↗
DOE OSTI2020

NREL's Capabilities in Analytical Sciences Supporting Research and Development (R&D)

NREL researchers perform biomass characterization in dedicated laboratories working with over $5 million in state-of-the-art analytical equipment. A dedicated team of highly skilled analytical chemists have over 100 cumulative years of experience in characterization. They have three specialized laboratories with dedicated sample processing and advanced analytical equipment. Core capabilities include biomass and biochemical characterization and quantification, publicly available laboratory analytical procedures (LAPs), and near-infrared rapid analysis.

analysis↗
DOE OSTI2021

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Analytical Development & Support WBS 2.5.1.101

The objective of the Analytical Development and Support (ADS) Project is to produce and maintain the critical analytical methods and tools that enable evaluation of emerging biofuels R&D at NREL and in the broader biofuels research community. Our project is divided into two tasks: one task to develop novel analytical techniques and improve existing methods and one task to maintain existing analytical capabilities at NREL and provide outreach to the wider community. The ADS Project is world-recognized for our Laboratory Analytical Procedures (LAPS) which provide detailed procedures for compositional analysis of biomass and have been adopted as the de facto standards within the biofuels community largely due to the transparency of the methods and the high reputation of NREL's research. Our dialog with stakeholders allows us to provide robust, precise, accurate, and publicly available analytical procedures for better valuation of scientific tools such as our recent accomplishment in developing a cellulose assay to support the EPA and industry in calculation of converted cellulose during starch ethanol production. We continue to develop analytical capabilities to support BETO's directives to research cost advantaged fuels such as animal wastes and novel bioproducts like 2,3-Butane-diol.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Analytical Development and Standardization for Biomass-Derived Thermochemical Liquids

This project began in FY14 to address the lack of standard chemical characterization analytical methods for bio-oils. Bio-oils are very complex and present numerous analytical challenges; yet reliable chemical information (quantification of both individual compounds and chemical functional groups) is needed to inform upgrading research and refinery co-processing. In this project, analysis needs are first determined from engaging the bioenergy community. Next, standard methods are developed to meet these needs, and then subsequently validated via inter-laboratory studies. Methods that are successfully validated (< 10% variability) are then shared as Laboratory Analytical Procedures (LAPs), which are free and publicly available. We have been tracking LAP use and have seen sustained usage as evidenced by an average of 500 pages views and 100 downloads per quarter, demonstrating the value of these methods to the bioenergy community. LAP methods that are particularly useful and reliable will be chosen for the next-level of standardization through ASTM. We have recently achieved approval by ASTM for our carbonyl titration method. This method (ASTM E3146) is the first example of an ASTM standard solely focused on the chemical characterization of bio-oils. Work in this project is meeting the analysis needs of the bioenergy community and will ultimately help enable the commoditization of bio-oils.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Standard Analytical Methods for Pyrolysis Bio-Oils

There has been significant recent interest in the production of renewable fuels and chemicals from biomass and waste feedstocks. Pyrolysis pathways produce a liquid bio-oil product, which must be processed further, or upgraded, to yield fuel or chemical products. Bio-oils are very complex and often unstable samples, and research and development on upgrading processes needs reliable analytical information. In particular, chemical characterization techniques are needed to quantify both functional groups and individual compounds present in bio-oils. Reliable analytics are also needed to enable the bioenergy industry, as industrial facilities often have different analytical needs and capabilities than research facilities. In this presentation, we will discuss the development of a suite of standard analytical methods for pyrolysis bio-oils. Analytical methods to be discussed include: Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in bio-oils; Accelerated Aging of Fast Pyrolysis Bio-oil using Carbonyl Titration; Determination of Water Content in Bio-oils by Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration; Determination of Carbon Functional Groups; Elemental Analysis of Bio-oils by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) - Na, K, Mg, Ca, S, P, and Fe; Determination of Phenolic Groups in Bio-oils using Revised Folin-Ciocalteu Methods: Single Cuvette and Plate Reader; Corrosivity of Bio-oils: Screening Test using Metal Leaching; Determination of Biogenic Content by 14C Measurement using Liquid Scintillation Counter. These new analytical methods are publicly available as Laboratory Analytical Procedures (https://www.nrel.gov/bioenergy/bio-oil-analysis.html), along with previously developed standard methods: GC-MS, Acid Titration, Carbonyl Titration, and 31P NMR. Additionally, the development of diffusion ordered NMR for characterization of bio-oil molecular weight will be discussed. Collectively, this suite of analytical methods represents the most comprehensive set of standard methods available for pyrolysis bio-oils. These standard methods are commonly used by the bioenergy community, and provide reliable information that enables research, scaleup, and industrial processing of biomass to produce renewable fuels and chemicals.

analytical↗
NASA NTRS2000

Different Approaches for Ensuring Performance/Reliability of Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs) in Space Applications

Engineers within the commercial and aerospace industries are using trade-off and risk analysis to aid in reducing spacecraft system cost while increasing performance and maintaining high reliability. In many cases, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, which include Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs), are candidate packaging technologies for spacecrafts due to their lower cost, lower weight and enhanced functionality. Establishing and implementing a parts program that effectively and reliably makes use of these potentially less reliable, but state-of-the-art devices, has become a significant portion of the job for the parts engineer. Assembling a reliable high performance electronic system, which includes COTS components, requires that the end user assume a risk. To minimize the risk involved, companies have developed methodologies by which they use accelerated stress testing to assess the product and reduce the risk involved to the total system. Currently, there are no industry standard procedures for accomplishing this risk mitigation. This paper will present the approaches for reducing the risk of using PEMs devices in space flight systems as developed by two independent Laboratories. The JPL procedure involves primarily a tailored screening with accelerated stress philosophy while the APL procedure is primarily, a lot qualification procedure. Both Laboratories successfully have reduced the risk of using the particular devices for their respective systems and mission requirements.

Gerke, R. David↗
NASA NTRS1990

Microbiological methods for the water recovery systems test, revision 1.1

Current microbiological parameters specified to verify microbiological quality of Space Station Freedom water quality include the enumeration of total bacteria, anaerobes, aerobes, yeasts and molds, enteric bacteria, gram positives, gram negatives, and E. coli. In addition, other parameters have been identified as necessary to support the Water Recovery Test activities to be conducted at the NASA/MSFC later this year. These other parameters include aerotolerant eutrophic mesophiles, legionellae, and an additional method for heterotrophic bacteria. If inter-laboratory data are to be compared to evaluate quality, analytical methods must be eliminated as a variable. Therefore, each participating laboratory must utilize the same analytical methods and procedures. Without this standardization, data can be neither compared nor validated between laboratories. Multiple laboratory participation represents a conservative approach to insure quality and completeness of data. Invariably, sample loss will occur in transport and analyses. Natural variance is a reality on any test of this magnitude and is further enhanced because biological entities, capable of growth and death, are specific parameters of interest. The large variation due to the participation of human test subjects has been noted with previous testing. The resultant data might be dismissed as 'out of control' unless intra-laboratory control is included as part of the method or if participating laboratories are not available for verification. The purpose of this document is to provide standardized laboratory procedures for the enumeration of certain microorganisms in water and wastewater specific to the water recovery systems test. The document consists of ten separate cultural methods and one direct count procedure. It is not intended nor is it implied to be a complete microbiological methods manual.

Rhoads, Tim↗
NASA NTRS1984

Window acoustic study for advanced turboprop aircraft

An acoustic analysis was performed to establish window designs for advanced turboprop powered aircraft. The window transmission loss requirements were based on A-weighted interior noise goals of 80 and 75 dBA. The analytical results showed that a triple pane window consisting of two glass outer panes and an inner pane of acrylic would provide the required transmission loss and meet the sidewall space limits. Two window test articles were fabricated for laboratory evaluation and verification of the predicted transmission loss. Procedures for performing laboratory tests are presented.

Prydz, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1968

Chemistry laboratory safety manual available

Chemistry laboratory safety manual outlines safe practices for handling hazardous chemicals and chemistry laboratory equipment. Included are discussions of chemical hazards relating to fire, health, explosion, safety equipment and procedures for certain laboratory techniques and manipulations involving glassware, vacuum equipment, acids, bases, and volatile solvents.

Elsbrock, R. G.↗
DOE OSTI2020

General Failure Modes and Effects Analysis for Accelerator and Detector Magnet Design at JLab

The aim of this article is to develop a risk management procedure, which could be applied to the magnet design process, for both superconducting and normal magnets at the Jefferson Laboratory (JLab). This procedure allowed us to identify the key risks at each of the critical phases of design and propose procedures, tests, and checks to mitigate each risk. In this article, we present a qualitative and quantitative risk management procedure commonly referred to a “failure modes and effects analysis.” As part of this procedure, we calculated a risk priority number (RPN) for each activity of the process, identified the most critical activities and proposed mitigation activities, which in turn resulted in a revised RPN. Additionally, another benefit of this procedure was the identification of appropriate “control and hold” points within the design process, which allowed one to review and approve a particular outcome before proceeding to the next sequential activity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗