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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Cell-Free Gene Expression: Methods and Applications

Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems empower synthetic biologists to build biological molecules and processes outside of living intact cells. The foundational principle is that precise, complex biomolecular transformations can be conducted in purified enzyme or crude cell lysate systems. This concept circumvents mechanisms that have evolved to facilitate species survival, bypasses limitations on molecular transport across the cell wall, and provides a significant departure from traditional, cell-based processes that rely on microscopic cellular “reactors.” In addition, cell-free systems are inherently distributable through freeze-drying, which allows simple distribution before rehydration at the point-of-use. Furthermore, as cell-free systems are nonliving, they provide built-in safeguards for biocontainment without the constraints attendant on genetically modified organisms. These features have led to a significant increase in the development and use of CFE systems over the past two decades. Here, we discuss recent advances in CFE systems and highlight how they are transforming efforts to build cells, control genetic networks, and manufacture biobased products.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Long- and Short-Range Constraints for the Structure Determination of Layered Silicates with Stacking Disorder

Layered silicates have important applications as host materials, supports for catalysis, and zeolite precursors. However, their local structures are often challenging to establish due to disorder of the sheet assemblies. We present a new protocol that combines long- and short-range structural constraints from diffraction and solid-state NMR techniques, respectively, to determine the molecular structure of layered silicates in the presence of various extents of stacking disorder. Solid-state 29Si NMR data are largely insensitive to the incomplete extent of three-dimensional (3D) crystallinity that limits the interpretation of diffraction data alone to the identification of possible unit cells and space groups. State-of-the-art NMR crystallography techniques consequently provide a simplified view of materials from which candidate framework structures can be built and evaluated based on local structural constraints, including interatomic distances, Si site numbers and multiplicities, and Si–O–Si connectivities, and refined using density functional theory. This protocol was applied to a new layered silicate material named CLS-1, of composition [Si5O11H][C9N2H15]·1.9(H2O), synthesized by using a fluoride-based protocol and cationic alkylaminopyridinium as a structure-directing agent (SDA). Despite the intrinsic complexity and partial ordering of the intersheet arrangements and organic–inorganic interactions, this led to the identification of a single space group that is compatible with both NMR and diffraction data, from which the silicate framework structure could be established,. The remarkable similarities between the layered framework structures of CLS-1, HUS-2 (Tsunoji et al. J. Mater. Chem.2012, 22, 13682), and another layered silicate material with a radically different morphology and extent of stacking order and interlayer dynamics, established by using a similar approach (Brouwer et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2013, 135, 5641), point to the remarkable robustness of this previously unknown silicate framework type.

Cadars, Sylvian↗
DOE OSTI2015

New risk metrics and mathematical tools for risk analysis: Current and future challenges

The current status of the food safety supply world wide, has led Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to establishing Risk Analysis as the single framework for building food safety control programs. A series of guidelines and reports that detail out the various steps in Risk Analysis, namely Risk Management, Risk Assessment and Risk Communication is available. The Risk Analysis approach enables integration between operational food management systems, such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points, public health and governmental decisions. To do that, a series of new Risk Metrics has been established as follows: i) the Appropriate Level of Protection (ALOP), which indicates the maximum numbers of illnesses in a population per annum, defined by quantitative risk assessments, and used to establish; ii) Food Safety Objective (FSO), which sets the maximum frequency and/or concentration of a hazard in a food at the time of consumption that provides or contributes to the ALOP. Given that ALOP is rather a metric of the public health tolerable burden (it addresses the total ‘failure’ that may be handled at a national level), it is difficult to be interpreted into control measures applied at the manufacturing level. Thus, a series of specific objectives and criteria for performance of individual processes and products have been established, all of them assisting in the achievement of FSO and hence, ALOP. In order to achieve FSO, tools quantifying the effect of processes and intrinsic properties of foods on survival and growth of pathogens are essential. In this context, predictive microbiology and risk assessment have offered an important assistance to Food Safety Management. Predictive modelling is the basis of exposure assessment and the development of stochastic and kinetic models, which are also available in the form of Web-based applications, e.g., COMBASE and Microbial Responses Viewer), or introduced into user-friendly softwares, (e.g., Seafood Spoilage Predictor) have evolved the use of information systems in the food safety management. Such tools are updateable with new food-pathogen specific models containing cardinal parameters and multiple dependent variables, including plate counts, concentration of metabolic products, or even expression levels of certain genes. Then, these tools may further serve as decision-support tools which may assist in product logistics, based on their scientifically-based and “momentary” expressed spoilage and safety level.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

The View from the Top of the Mountain: Building a Community of Practice with the GridWise Transactive Energy Framework

The topic of “transactive energy” has received growing attention over the past eighteen months. It has been a part, for example, of the NY Reforming the Energy Vision discussions and the topic of activities such as the National Institute of Standards Transactive Energy Challenge. The growing discussion stems from the realization that new approaches are needed to efficiently and reliably integrate growing numbers of distributed energy resources. In anticipation of the applicability of transactive energy systems to emerging challenges in Grid integration, the GridWise® Architecture Council (GWAC) began to build a community of practice in the area of transactive energy systems. Starting with a workshop on the topic of “transactive energy” in May 2011, the Council brought together about a dozen interested researchers and practitioners from utilities, vendors, labs and academia to compare their approaches and experience in order to create common definitions and understanding within this topical area. This was followed in March 2012 with a second workshop during which about twice as many attendees continued the discussion. At this workshop the need for both a roadmap and a document documenting the foundations of transactive energy, common vocabulary and other definitional aspects was recognized. These two workshops led to the Council organizing the First International Conference and Workshop on Transactive Energy which took place May 23 – 24, 2013 in Portland, Oregon. The Council has continued this work with additional topical workshops, the Second International Conference and Workshop on Transactive Energy held in December 2014, and is currently organizing the Third International Conference and Workshop on Transactive Energy Systems to be held in May 2016. This article provides a summary of the Council’s work to build the community of practice through creation of a Transactive Energy Framework document and related activities. In addition to seeing transactive energy discussions on the agenda for many conferences there are also group activities relating to transactive energy being coordinated by both NIST and SGIP with which GWAC is also involved. The NIST work aims to develop and enhance modeling and simulation tools and integration into modeling and simulation platforms for Transactive Energy evaluation, as well as demonstrate how different transactive approaches may be used to improve reliability and efficiency of the electric grid. This will be accomplished through development of a set of scenarios that can serve as ongoing reference points for modeling and simulation. It is also an example of helping to develop a Transactive Energy community. The ongoing Transactive Energy Coordination Group formed by SGIP reviews the progress and directions of transactive energy activities in related parts of the SGIP and collaborating organizations such as GWAC. One of its activities is assembling a core set of transactive energy use cases as representative of the transactive energy interface requirements. This will enable assessment of interoperability requirements for transactive energy applications and an analysis of standards coverage, gaps, and future needs.

Tranasactive Energy↗
DOE OSTI2023

Demonstration of p-side down green light emitting diodes with high external quantum efficiencies

GaN/(In,Ga)N heterostructure based visible Light Emitting Diodes (LED) have enabled a wide range of solid-state lighting applications through excellent efficiency and power output in the shorter wavelengths (≤ 475nm) of violet/blue emission. However, the efficiency of emitters in the longer wavelength range (≥ 500nm) drops drastically due to the need to include higher Indium-content in the InGaN quantum wells. Large average polarization fields for high Indium-content quantum wells for conventional P-up structure, opposes the depletion field leading to large electrostatic barriers for both electrons and holes injection. LEDs fabricated along the N-polar direction with a p-up orientation or Ga-polar direction with p-down orientation lower such electrostatic barriers to carrier injection due to alignment of the polarization dipole field and depletion region field. This can therefore theoretically improve the electrical injection efficiency and reduce the forward voltage of operation. Such a Ga-polar p-down LED requires a bottom buried tunnel junction to avoid current spreading issues for a buried p-GaN layer. In this report, we demonstrate for the first time Ga-polar p-down green emitting LEDs using bottom tunnel junctions and having external quantum efficiencies comparable to those of equivalent p-up LEDs grown by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2004

Future of Fuel Savings

Using automation to free up controllers for more strategic management of air traffic is one approach being studied by NASA as it seeks to boost airspace system capacity and efficiency, thereby saving fuel. Heinz Erzberger, a NASA Ames Research Center senior scientist, says the Advanced Airspace Concept (AAC) has been studied for several years. It could increase efficiency 15% by providing optimal routes that cut airlines direct operating costs. A 25% increase in landings on existing runways could follow an important benefit. AAC is one of the efforts to be reviewed by the Joint Planning and Development Organization, an FAA-led initiative by six federal agencies to redesign the U.S. air transportation system by 2025. The main goal is to triple air traffic capacity within 20 years to avert the sort of gridlock that would make fuel consumption only one of many travel nightmares. The automated system approach would allow aircraft to fly optimal trajectories. A trajectory would be defined in the standard three dimensions and eventually include the fourth, time. The management of air traffic by the data-linked exchange of trajectories would start at high altitude and eventually move down to lower altitudes. The automated concept is an outgrowth of the type of tools developed by NASA for use by FAA controllers in managing traffic flows over the years, including ones that optimize routings for the best fuel burn. But AAC would push automation further to reduce workload so controllers can focus on "solving strategic control problems, managing traffic flow during changing weather and ... other unusal events." One key component, the automated trajectory server (ATS), is a ground systems that would rely on software to manage flight path requests from aircrews and controllers. But, Erzberger acknowledges, "The FAA's current plan for upgrades to air traffic services does not include [allowing] the future ground system to issue separation-critical clearances of trajectory changes autonomously to aircraft via data link without explicit approval of a controller," as the AAC proposes. The AAC enables pilots or controllers to data link requests for a trajectory change to the ATS for approval after they are deconflicted with the paths of other aircraft. To divert around storms, for example, pilots could data link their trajectory preference to the ATS. Since several aircraft might request similar routes, the computer would then have to suggest alternatives. This could be accomplished without pilot-controller radio calls, a big bottleneck now. The ATS would have a built-in conflict monitor to call for a resolution (turn, climb or descend), when loss of separation is likely in 1-20 min. The AAC system would reduce controller errors by 90%, according to NASA Ames estimates. The AAC would have a back-up program to assure separation-Tactical Separation Assurance (TSAFE). It s designed to detect short-term traffic conflicts within 3-4 min. of loss of separation. The last line of defense would still be provided by traffic alert & collision avoidance systems (TCAS).

Hughes, David↗
NASA NTRS2015

Data Mining and Analysis

The Data Mining project seeks to bring the capability of data visualization to NASA anomaly and problem reporting systems for the purpose of improving data trending, evaluations, and analyses. Currently NASA systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of its organizations. This tailoring has led to a variety of nomenclatures and levels of annotation for procedures, parts, and anomalies making difficult the realization of the common causes for anomalies. Making significant observations and realizing the connection between these causes without a common way to view large data sets is difficult to impossible. In the first phase of the Data Mining project a portal was created to present a common visualization of normalized sensitive data to customers with the appropriate security access. The tool of the visualization itself was also developed and fine-tuned. In the second phase of the project we took on the difficult task of searching and analyzing the target data set for common causes between anomalies. In the final part of the second phase we have learned more about how much of the analysis work will be the job of the Data Mining team, how to perform that work, and how that work may be used by different customers in different ways. In this paper I detail how our perspective has changed after gaining more insight into how the customers wish to interact with the output and how that has changed the product.

iss↗
NASA NTRS2014

Sharepoint Team Site Configuration

The Data Mining project seeks to bring the capability of data visualization to NASA anomaly and problem reporting systems for the purpose of improving data trending, evaluations, and analyses. Currently NASA systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of its organizations. This tailoring has led to a variety of nomenclatures and levels of annotation for procedures, parts and anomalies making difficult the realization of the common causes for anomalies. Making significant observations and realizing the connection between these causes without a common way to view data is difficult to impossible. The Data Mining project is in its early stages of presenting a common visualization of normalized data through a web based portal. In this paper I detail what I have learned and what I have accomplished during my time as an intern toward the purpose of creating the project portal. I have gone through an iterative process of familiarization with the project and its goals, site design, research, modification and review on the road to creating a common method and location to view the visualized data created under this project.

iss↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

SERVIR - Connecting Space to Village in Africa, Asia and the Americas

SERVIR is a joint NASA and USAID program that partners with countries and organizations to support locally led efforts to strengthen climate resilience, food and water security, forest and carbon management, and air quality. This unique program integrates NASA’s world class scientists and data with USAID’s development expertise and network of partners and relationships around the world. SERVIR harnesses the power of satellite data and science collaboration to support healthy, sustainable communities, livelihoods and environments. SERVIR’s name is derived from Latin, meaning "to serve.” We serve and partner with leading local, national, and regional institutions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and in partnership with scientists and subject matter experts to co-develop and implement activities called “services.” Each of SERVIR’s services provide a comprehensive suite of geospatial data, software, and training materials, all of which are tailored to the unique needs of SERVIR’s end users. Each service is collaboratively designed and implemented with the help of partners and users, such as local governments and NGOs, to better support decision-making. When SERVIR plans new services, it prioritizes long-term dialogue and engagement with communities to ensure that services are sustainable, socially inclusive, and suited to local needs. SERVIR strives to make the power of Earth science more accessible and inclusive. All web tools are made publicly available to help promote greater uptake and long-term use of SERVIR’s services.

SERVIR↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bright and stable light-emitting diodes made with perovskite nanocrystals stabilized in metal–organic frameworks

Perovskite nanocrystals are exceptional candidates for light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, they are unstable in the solid film and tend to degrade back to the bulk phase, which undermines their potential for LEDs. Here we demonstrate that perovskite nanocrystals stabilized in metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films make bright and stable LEDs. The perovskite nanocrystals in MOF thin films can maintain the photoluminescence and electroluminescence against continuous ultraviolet irradiation, heat and electrical stress. As revealed by optical and X-ray spectroscopy, the strong emission originates from localized carrier recombination. Bright LEDs made from perovskite-MOF nanocrystals are demonstrated with a maximum external quantum efficiency of over 15% and a high brightness of over 10 5 cd m -2 after the device reaches stabilization. During LED operation, the nanocrystals can be well preserved, free of ion migration or crystal merging through protection by the MOF matrix, leading to a stable performance over 50 hours.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

3′ RNA-seq is superior to standard RNA-seq in cases of sparse data but inferior at identifying toxicity pathways in a model organism

The application of RNA-sequencing has led to numerous breakthroughs related to investigating gene expression levels in complex biological systems. Among these are knowledge of how organisms, such as the vertebrate model organism zebrafish (Danio rerio), respond to toxicant exposure. Recently, the development of 3' RNA-seq has allowed for the determination of gene expression levels with a fraction of the required reads compared to standard RNA-seq. While 3' RNA-seq has many advantages, a comparison to standard RNA-seq has not been performed in the context of whole organism toxicity and sparse data. Here, we examined samples from zebrafish exposed to perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA) with either 3' or standard RNA-seq to determine the advantages of each with regards to the identification of functionally enriched pathways. We found that 3' and standard RNA-seq showed specific advantages when focusing on annotated or unannotated regions of the genome. We also found that standard RNA-seq identified more differentially expressed genes (DEGs), but that this advantage disappeared under conditions of sparse data. We also found that standard RNA-seq had a significant advantage in identifying functionally enriched pathways via analysis of DEG lists but that this advantage was minimal when identifying pathways via gene set enrichment analysis of all genes. These results show that each approach has experimental conditions where they may be advantageous. Our observations can help guide others in the choice of 3' RNA-seq vs standard RNA sequencing to query gene expression levels in a range of biological systems.

3’ RNA-seq↗
DOE OSTI2018

Aerobic respiration of mineral-bound organic carbon in a soil

Associations with minerals can potentially augment soil organic carbon (SOC) stability by reducing the bioavailability and degradation of SOC. Yet, few studies have directly measured aerobic respiration of mineral-bound SOC. In this study, we investigated the microbial aerobic respiration and bioavailability of ferrihydrite-sorbed glucose (Fh-GLU) and ferrihydrite-sorbed formic acid (Fh-FA) by adding 13 C-labeled compounds to a soil. During an 11-day incubation, 30.2% of free, non-Fh-sorbed glucose (GLU) and 61.8% of free formic acid (FA) were respired, whereas 4.2% and 27.9% of Fh-GLU and Fh-FA were respired, respectively. Our results revealed that Fh-bound GLU/FA had lower bioavailability compared to free organic compounds. Associations with Fh led to greater inhibition in the bioavailability of GLU than that for FA. The priming effects of added compounds on the respiration of native SOC were decreased by their association with Fh. Our results demonstrated that the bioavailability and priming effect of organic compounds depend on their interactions with minerals.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Tailoring the growth and electronic structures of organic molecular thin films

In the rapidly developing electronics industry, it has become increasingly necessary to explore materials that are cheap, flexible and versatile which have led to significant research efforts towards organic molecular thin films. Organic molecules are unique compared to their inorganic atomic counterparts as their properties can be tuned drastically through chemical functionalization, offering versatility, though their extended shape and weak intermolecular interactions bring significant challenges to the control of both the growth and the electronic structures of molecular thin films. Herein, we will review the self-assembly process and how to establish long-range ordered organic molecular thin films. We will also discuss how the electronic structures of thin films are impacted by the molecule’s local electrostatic environment and its interaction with the substrate, within the context of controlling interfacial energy level alignment between organic semiconductors and electrodes in electronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ion bombardment experiments suggesting an origin for organic particles in pre-cometary and cometary ices

During the Giotto and Vega encounters with Comet Halley both organic particles called CHON and energetic ions were detected. The acceleration of ions to hundreds of keV in the vicinity of the bow shock and near the nucleus may be a demonstration of a situation occurring in the early solar system (perhaps during the T Tauri stage) that led to the formation of organic particles only now released. Utilizing a Van de Graaff accelerator and a target chamber having cryogenic and mass spectrometer capabilities, frozen gases were bombarded at 10 K with 175 keV protons with the result that fluffy solid material remains after sublimation of the ice. Initial experiments were carried out with a gas mixture in parts of 170 carbon monoxide, 170 argon, 25 water, 20 nitrogen, and 15 methane formulated to reflect an interstellar composition in experiments involving the freezing out of the products of a plasma. The plasma experiments resulted in a varnish-like film residue that exhibited luminescence when excited with ultraviolet radiation, while the ion bombardment created particulate material that was not luminescent.

Wdowiak, Thomas J.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Out-of-field organ doses and associated radiogenic risks from para-aortic radiotherapy for testicular seminoma

Purpose: The aims of this study were to (a) calculate the radiation dose to out-of-field organs from radiotherapy for stage I testicular seminoma and (b) estimate the associated radiogenic risks. Methods: Monte Carlo methodology was employed to model radiation therapy with typical anteroposterior and posteroanterior para-aortic fields on an anthropomorphic phantom simulating an average adult. The radiation dose received by all main and remaining organs that defined by the ICRP publication 103 and excluded from the treatment volume was calculated. The effect of field dimensions on each organ dose was determined. Additional therapy simulations were generated by introducing shielding blocks to protect the kidneys from primary radiation. The gonadal dose was employed to assess the risk of heritable effects for irradiated male patients of reproductive potential. The lifetime attributable risks (LAR) of radiotherapy-induced cancer were estimated using gender- and organ-specific risk coefficients for patient ages of 20, 30, 40, and 50 years old. The risk values were compared with the respective nominal risks. Results: Para-aortic irradiation to 20 Gy resulted in out-of-field organ doses of 5.0–538.6 mGy. Blocked field treatment led to a dose change up to 28%. The mean organ dose variation by increasing or decreasing the applied field dimensions was 18.7% ± 3.9% and 20.8% ± 4.5%, respectively. The out-of-field photon doses increased the lifetime intrinsic risk of developing thyroid, lung, bladder, prostate, and esophageal cancer by (0.1–1.4)%, (0.4–1.1)%, (2.5–5.4)%, (0.2–0.4)%, and (6.4–9.2)%, respectively, depending upon the patient age at exposure and the field size employed. A low risk for heritable effects of less than 0.029% was found compared with the natural incidence of these defects. Conclusions: Testicular cancer survivors are subjected to an increased risk for the induction of bladder and esophageal cancer following para-aortic radiotherapy. The probability for the appearance of any other malignant disease to out-of-field organs was slightly elevated in respect to the nominal cancer incidence rates.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
NASA NTRS1979

The photolytic degradation and oxidation of organic compounds under simulated Martian conditions

Cosmochemical considerations suggest various potential sources for the accumulation of organic matter on Mars. However the Viking Molecular Analysis did not indicate any indigenous organic compounds on the surface of Mars. Their disappearance from the top layer is most likely caused by the combined action of the high solar radiation flux and various oxidizing species in the Martian atmosphere and regolith. In this study the stability of several organic substances and a sample of the Murchison meteorite was tested under simulated Martian conditions. After adsorption on powdered quartz, samples of adenine, glycine and naphthalene were irradiated with UV light at various oxygen concentrations and exposure times. In the absence of oxygen, adenine and glycine appeared stable over the given irradiation period, whereas a definite loss was observed in the case of naphthalene, as well as in the volatilizable and pyrolizable content of the Murchison meteorite. The presence of oxygen during UV exposure caused a significant increase in the degradation rate of all samples. It is likely that similar processes have led to the destruction of organic materials on the surface of Mars.

Oro, J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Impacts of divalent cations (Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ ) on PFAS bioaccumulation in freshwater macroinvertebrates representing different foraging modes

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have extensively contaminated freshwater aquatic ecosystems where they can be transported in water and partition to sediment and biota. In this paper, three freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates with different foraging modes were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of eight perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCA), three perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSA), and three fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTS) at varying divalent cation concentrations of magnesium (Mg 2+ ) and calcium (Ca 2+ ). Divalent cations can impact PFAS partitioning to solids, especially to sediments, at higher concentrations. Sediment dwelling worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), epibenthic grazing snails (Physella acuta), and sediment-dwelling filter-feeding bivalves (Elliptio complanata) were selected due to their unique foraging modes. Microcosms were composed of synthetic sediment, culture water, macroinvertebrates, and PFAS and consisted of a 28-day exposure period. L. variegatus had significantly higher PFAS bioaccumulation than P. acuta and E. complanata, likely due to higher levels of interactions with and ingestion of the contaminated sediment. “High Mg 2+ ” (7.5 mM Mg 2+ ) and “High Ca 2+ ” (7.5 mM Ca 2+ ) conditions generally had statistically higher bioaccumulation factors (BAF) than the “Reference Condition” (0.2 mM Ca 2+ and 0.2 mM Mg 2+ ) for PFAS with perfluorinated chain lengths greater than eight carbons. Long-chain PFAS dominated the PFAS profiles of the macroinvertebrates for all groups of compounds studied (PFCA, PFSA, and FTS). Furthermore, these results indicate that the study organism has the greatest impact on bioaccumulation, although divalent cation concentration had observable impacts between organisms depending on the environmental conditions. Elevated cation concentrations in the microcosms led to significantly greater bioaccumulation in the test organisms compared to the experimental reference conditions for long-chain PFAS.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Idyllic Workplace

How many of us have worked in organizations where the discipline was so rigid and unyielding that it would send even a Marine Corps Drill Instructor screaming into the night? How many of us have worked in organizations where sightings of senior management were sporadic and rare, and any other interactions were by appointment only? Or, how many of us have worked in organizations where your role, absent specific direction, was to be seldom seen and rarely heard? And how many of us have worked in organizations where seemingly light itself was not permitted to escape without the acquiescence and approval of the director? Sadly, there are organizations that embody some of these conditions, and the resultant adverse effects on employee productivity, creativity and morale are profound. But what if you could work in an organization in which there was little hierarchy, where rank and seniority played no part, where there were no closed meetings or doors, where everyone knows what was expected of them, and where creativity was not only tolerated but encouraged and celebrated? Was there ever such a place? There was, and it was known as NASA's Space Station Task Force. I was fortunate enough to work there for a time, and I would like to tell you how this organization with few apparent rules led to incredibly high levels of employee satisfaction and fulfillment, and yielded work products of enduring quality. On May 20, 1982, NASA Administrator James M. Beggs established the Space Station Task Force under the direction of John D. Hodge. The Task Force was charged with the responsibility for "the development of the programmatic aspects of a Space Station as they evolve, including mission analysis, requirements definition and program management," and was authorized to draw on Space Station activities at the NASA Program Offices and Field Centers. No additional conditions or directions were provided. Hodge knew that in order to accomplish the job he had been given, he was going to have to obtain the services of the "best and the brightest" and facilitate the unleashing of the full force of their creative capabilities. In order to avoid the stultifying effects of a typical hierarchical organization, he set up a loosely structured, horizontal organization with only one supervisor of record - himself. He populated this organization with detailees from Headquarters, the field Centers and the Jet Propulsion Lab, thereby assuring himself of the political and technical expertise with which to deal with Congress and the bureaucracy, and conduct the required engineering studies and analyses.

Schoenfelder, Tony E.↗