Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “component isolation”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Feedstock variability impacts the bioconversion of sugar and lignin streams derived from corn stover by Clostridium tyrobutyricum and engineered Pseudomonas putida

Abstract Feedstock variability represents a challenge in lignocellulosic biorefineries, as it can influence both lignocellulose deconstruction and microbial conversion processes for biofuels and biochemicals production. The impact of feedstock variability on microbial performance remains underexplored, and predictive tools for microbial behaviour are needed to mitigate risks in biorefinery scale‐up. Here, twelve batches of corn stover were deconstructed via deacetylation, mechanical refining, and enzymatic hydrolysis to generate lignin‐rich and sugar streams. These batches and their derived streams were characterised to identify their chemical components, and the streams were used as substrates for producing muconate and butyrate by engineered Pseudomonas putida and wildtype Clostridium tyrobutyricum , respectively. Bacterial performance (growth, product titers, yields, and productivities) differed among the batches, but no strong correlations were identified between feedstock composition and performance. To provide metabolic insights into the origin of these differences, we evaluated the effect of twenty‐three isolated chemical components on these microbes, including three components in relevant bioprocess settings in bioreactors, and we found that growth‐inhibitory concentrations were outside the ranges observed in the streams. Overall, this study generates a foundational dataset on P. putida and C. tyrobutyricum performance to enable future predictive models and underscores their resilience in effectively converting fluctuating lignocellulose‐derived streams into bioproducts.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1998

Experimental Evaluation of a Structure-Based Connectionist Network for Fault Diagnosis of Helicopter Gearboxes

This paper presents the experimental evaluation of the Structure-Based Connectionist Network (SBCN) fault diagnostic system introduced in the preceding article. For this vibration data from two different helicopter gearboxes: OH-58A and S-61, are used. A salient feature of SBCN is its reliance on the knowledge of the gearbox structure and the type of features obtained from processed vibration signals as a substitute to training. To formulate this knowledge, approximate vibration transfer models are developed for the two gearboxes and utilized to derive the connection weights representing the influence of component faults on vibration features. The validity of the structural influences is evaluated by comparing them with those obtained from experimental RMS values. These influences are also evaluated ba comparing them with the weights of a connectionist network trained though supervised learning. The results indicate general agreement between the modeled and experimentally obtained influences. The vibration data from the two gearboxes are also used to evaluate the performance of SBCN in fault diagnosis. The diagnostic results indicate that the SBCN is effective in directing the presence of faults and isolating them within gearbox subsystems based on structural influences, but its performance is not as good in isolating faulty components, mainly due to lack of appropriate vibration features.

Jammu, V. B.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Fan Rig Noise Spectral Correction for NASA 9'x 15' Low-Speed Wind Tunnel

Aircraft engine noise research and development depends on the ability to study and predict the noise created by each engine component in isolation. Fan noise testing, however, requires a significant support system including a drive mechanism to turn the fan, a device to smooth the flow into the fan, and a stand to raise the fan off the ground each of which has the potential to create its own noise. A methodology was therefore developed to improve the data quality for the 9x15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT) at the NASA Glenn Research Center that identifies three noise sources: fan noise, jet noise, and rig noise. The jet noise and rig noise was then measured by mounting a scale model of the 9x15 LSWT setup in a jet rig to simulate everything except the rotating machinery that characterizes fan noise. The data showed that the spectra measured in the LSWT has a strong rig noise component at frequencies as high as 3 kHz depending on the fan and speed. The jet noise was determined to be significantly lower than the rig noise. A mathematical model for the rig noise was then developed using a multi-dimensional least squares fit to the rig noise data. This allows the rig noise to be subtracted or removed, depending on the amplitude of the rig noise relative to the fan noise, at any given frequency, observer angle, or nozzle pressure ratio. The impact of isolating the fan noise with this method on spectra, overall power level (OAPWL), and Effective Perceived Noise Level (EPNL) is studied.

Schifer, Nick↗
NASA NTRS1995

Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Performance Verification Report: EOS AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 Receiver Assemblies

The AMSU-A receiver subsystem comprises two separated receiver assemblies; AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 (P/N 1356441-1). The AMSU-A1 receiver contains 13 channels and the AMSU-A2 receiver 2 channels. The AMSU-A1 receiver assembly is further divided into two parts; AMSU-A1-1 (P/N 1356429-1) and AMSU-A1-2 (P/N 1356409-1), which contain 9 and 4 channels, respectively. The receiver assemblies are highlighted and illustrate the functional block diagrams of the AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 systems. The AMSU-A receiver subsystem stands in between the antenna and signal processing subsystems of the AMSU-A instrument and comprises the RF and IF components from isolators to attenuators. It receives the RF signals from the antenna subsystem, down-converts the RF signals to IF signals, amplifies and defines the IF signals to proper power level and frequency bandwidth as specified for each channel, and inputs the IF signals to the signal processing subsystem. This test report presents the test data of the EOS AMSU-A Flight Model No. 1 (FM-1) receiver subsystem. The tests are performed per the Acceptance Test Procedure for the AMSU-A Receiver Subsystem, AE-26002/6A. The functional performance tests are conducted either at the component or subsystem level. While the component-level tests are performed over the entire operating temperature range predicted by thermal analysis, the subsystem-level tests are conducted at ambient temperature only.

Ma, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Performance Verification Report, METSAT (S/N:107) AMSU-A1 Receiver Assemblies: P/N 1356429-1, S/N:F04, P/N 1356409-1,S/N F04

This is the Performance Verification Report, METSAT (S/N: 107) AMSU-A1 Receiver Assemblies, P/N 1356429-1, SIN: F04, P/N 1356409- 1, S/N: F04, for the Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). The AMSU-A receiver subsystem comprises two separated receiver assemblies; AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 (P/N 1356441-1). The AMSU-A1 receiver contains 13 channels and the AMSU-A2 receiver 2 channels. The AMSU-A receiver assembly is further divided into two parts; AMSU-A I - I (P/N 13 5 6429- 1) and AMSU-A 1 -2 (P/N 1356409-1), which contain 9 and 4 channels, respectively. The AMSU-A receiver subsystem is located in between the antenna and signal processing subsystems of the AMSU-A instrument and comprises the RF and IF components from isolators to attenuators. It receives the RF signals from the antenna subsystem, down-converts the RF signals to IF signals, amplifies and defines the IF signals to proper power level and frequency bandwidth as specified for each channel, and inputs the IF signals to the signal processing subsystem. The test reports for the METSAT AMSU-A receiver subsystem are prepared separately for Al and A2 receivers so that each receiver stands alone during integration of instruments into the spacecraft. This test report presents the test data of the N4ETSAT AMSU-A1 Flight Model No. 4 (FM-4) receiver subsystem. The tests are performed per the Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) for the AMSU-A Receiver Subsystem, AE-26002/6A. The functional performance tests are conducted either at the component or subsystem level. While the component-level tests are performed over the entire operating temperature range predicted by thermal analysis, most subsystem-level tests are conducted at ambient temperature only. Key performances (bandpass characteristics and noise figure) of the receiver subsystem are verified over the operating temperature.

Pines, D.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced Laser-Induced Graphene Microfluidic Integrated Sensors (LIGMIS) for On-Site Biomedical and Environmental Monitoring

The convergence of microfluidic and electrochemical biosensor technologies offers significant potential for rapid, in-field diagnostics in biomedical and environmental applications. Traditional systems face challenges in cost, scalability, and operational complexity, especially in remote settings. Addressing these issues, laser-induced graphene microfluidic integrated sensors (LIGMIS) are presented as an innovative platform that integrates microfluidics and electrochemical sensors both comprised of laser-induced graphene. This study advances the LIGMIS concept by resolving issues of uneven fluid transport, increased hydrophobicity during storage, and sensor biofunctionalization challenges. Key innovations include Y-shaped reservoirs for consistent fluid flow, hydrophilic polyethyleneimine coatings to maintain wettability, and separable microfluidic and electrochemical components enabling isolated electrode nanoparticle metallization and biofunctionalization. Multiplexed electrochemical detection of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid and nitrate ions in environmental water samples yields detection limits of 707 nm and 10 -5.4 m with wide sensing ranges of 5–100 µm and 10 -5 –10 -1 m, respectively. Similarly, uric acid and calcium ions are detected in saliva, demonstrating detection limits of 217 nm and 10 -5.3 m with sensing ranges of 10–50 µm, and 10 -5 –10 -2.5 m, respectively. Overall, this biosensing demonstrates the capability of the LIGMIS platform for multiplexed detection in biologically complex solutions, with applications in environmental water quality monitoring and oral cancer screening.

environmental monitoring↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mild Acetylation and Solubilization of Ground Whole Plant Cell Walls in EmimAc: A Method for Solution-State NMR in DMSO-d6

Lignocellulosic biomass is mainly composed of polysaccharides and lignin. The complexity and diversity of the plant cell wall polymers makes it difficult to isolate the components in pure form for characterization. Many current approaches to analyzing lignocellulose structure, which involve sequential extraction and characterization of the resulting fractions, are time-consuming and labor-intensive. The present study describes a new and facile system for rationally derivatizing and dissolving coarsely ground plant cell wall materials. Using ionic liquids (EmimAc) and dichloroacetyl chloride as a solvent/reagent produced mildly acetylated whole cell walls without significant degradation. The acetylated products were soluble in DMSO-d6 from which they can be characterized by solution-state two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) spectrometry. A distinct advantage of the procedure is that it realizes the dissolution of whole lignocellulosic materials without requiring harsh ball-milling, thereby allowing the acquisition of high-resolution 2D NMR spectra to revealing structural details of the main components (lignin and polysaccharides). The method is therefore beneficial to understanding the composition and structure of biomass aimed at its improved utilization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Isolation and conversion of electrolyte components into a value-added product

The overall objective of this work was to develop a process for effectively (i) recycling the electrolyte components from the end-of-life batteries and reduce the environmental hazard, (ii) understand the fundamental differences between pristine and recycled electrolyte components, (iii) electrochemically and analytically evaluate the recycled electrolyte components and (iv) establish deviations from the pristine electrolyte, and effectively separation of value-added product. We focused on determining scaling up the electrolyte recovery process by distillation of end-of-life batteries to get yield enough to use it for electrolyte formulation of reuse in the battery cell. The used cells from the ORNL battery manufacture facility (BMF)as well as received from the industry partner, Austin Elements Inc., was scaled to 10 used multilayered pouch cells in each batch of distillation and systematically separated and identified the electrolyte components of the used cells with FTIR and NMR studies. We were able to recovery 10g of solvent mass from the used pouch cells. NMR spectroscopy showed that the solvent was pure EMC,DMC and the sample was used to make a new battery cell. The end-of-life battery, it was noted that some cells were visually drier than the other cells and were more advanced in aged. In that case, even though the same distillation conditions were utilized, no usable mass of electrolyte solvent was recovered. It is expected that most of the solvent was decomposed during the battery charge-discharge cycling. The solid salt residue was separated by chemical and water treatment processes. Components of resulting solid product was analyzed by XRD and XPS measurements. The solid products are very much related to the salts used in the electrolyte solution.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Isolation and Conversion of Electrolyte Components into a Value-Added Product

The overall objective of this work was to develop a process for effectively (i) recycling the electrolyte components from the end-of-life batteries and reduce the environmental hazard, (ii) understand the fundamental differences between pristine and recycled electrolyte components, (iii) electrochemically and analytically evaluate the recycled electrolyte components and (iv) establish deviations from the pristine electrolyte, and effectively separation of value-added product. We focused on determining scaling up the electrolyte recovery process by distillation of end-of-life batteries to get yield enough to use it for electrolyte formulation of reuse in the battery cell. The used cells from the ORNL battery manufacture facility (BMF) as well as received from the industry partner, Austin Elements Inc., was scaled to 10 used multilayered pouch cells in each batch of distillation and systematically separated and identified the electrolyte components of the used cells with FTIR and NMR studies. We were able to recovery 10g of solvent mass from the used pouch cells. NMR spectroscopy showed that the solvent was pure EMC, DMC and the sample was used to make a new battery cell. The end-of-life battery, it was noted that some cells were visually drier than the other cells and were more advanced in aged. In that case, even though the same distillation conditions were utilized, no usable mass of electrolyte solvent was recovered. It is expected that most of the solvent was decomposed during the battery charge-discharge cycling. The solid salt residue was separated by chemical and water treatment processes. Components of resulting solid product was analyzed by XRD and XPS measurements. The solid products are very much related to the salts used in the electrolyte solution.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Topology-Dependent Performance of Free-Space Photonic Quantum Networks Under Noise

Photonic quantum communication enables secure and high-fidelity information transfer beyond classical limits, with direct relevance to emerging quantum networks operating in free-space environments. While physical-layer models of depolarizing noise, Gamma–Gamma turbulence statistics, entanglement swapping, and decoy-state QKD security bounds are individually well established, prior work typically treats these components in isolation or under fixed network assumptions. In this work, we develop a unified topology-aware analytical framework that simultaneously integrates free-space optical link budgets, turbulence-induced visibility degradation, depolarizing qubit noise, multi-hop entanglement cascade dynamics, teleportation fidelity thresholds, CHSH nonlocality certification, and asymptotic decoy-state secret key rate bounds across star, mesh, and ring graph structures. Rather than introducing new physical channel models, we demonstrate that identical physical links exhibit fundamentally different end-to-end performance once embedded within different network topologies. Mesh architectures minimize visibility cascade through hop-count reduction but incur quadratic hardware scaling. Star topologies minimize link count but concentrate noise and synchronization overhead at the hub. Ring configurations offer linear hardware scaling with multiplicative fidelity degradation. The results establish topology as a first-order design parameter in near-term free-space quantum networks operating without full quantum repeater infrastructures. While motivated by distributed multi-agent architectures, the framework applies broadly to terrestrial, airborne, and satellite-assisted photonic quantum communication systems.

QKD↗
NASA NTRS1975

Shock and vibration isolation mount for small electronic components

Mount includes metallic cup and support ring placed in mold fixture. Viscoelastic material is injected between these parts by means of large hypodermic needle. Circular projections on cup and ring extend into material and are kept in place without dependence on quality of adhesion between material and metal.

Dillon, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Verification of redundancy management design

Statistical method checks designs by simulating system operating conditions and adding error factors. Method has potential applicability to commercial and industrial situations where redundancy management system is used to detect and isolate failed components.

Gelderloos, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Automation of the longwall mining system

Cost effective, safe, and technologically sound applications of automation technology to underground coal mining were identified. The longwall analysis commenced with a general search for government and industry experience of mining automation technology. A brief industry survey was conducted to identify longwall operational, safety, and design problems. The prime automation candidates resulting from the industry experience and survey were: (1) the shearer operation, (2) shield and conveyor pan line advance, (3) a management information system to allow improved mine logistics support, and (4) component fault isolation and diagnostics to reduce untimely maintenance delays. A system network analysis indicated that a 40% improvement in productivity was feasible if system delays associated with all of the above four areas were removed. A technology assessment and conceptual system design of each of the four automation candidate areas showed that state of the art digital computer, servomechanism, and actuator technologies could be applied to automate the longwall system.

Zimmerman, W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Some methods of estimating a coverage parameter

To demonstrate the high reliability of fault-tolerant computing systems, experimental testing can be performed by injecting faults into their hardware and observing the times needed to detect and isolate failed components and reconfigure the good components. Coverage, a parameter measuring continued system success, is the probability that recovery occurs before other, perhaps catastrophic, component failures occur. Methods of estimating coverage are given for the case of randomly selecting a subset of the pins or chips for testing. Pin-level samples of times to recovery are treated by the Type I censoring model often used in life testing.

Lee, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Water facilities in retrospect and prospect: An illuminating tool for vehicle design

Water facilities play a fundamental role in the design of air, ground, and marine vehicles by providing a qualitative, and sometimes quantitative, description of complex flow phenomena. Water tunnels, channels, and tow tanks used as flow-diagnostic tools have experienced a renaissance in recent years in response to the increased complexity of designs suitable for advanced technology vehicles. These vehicles are frequently characterized by large regions of steady and unsteady three-dimensional flow separation and ensuing vortical flows. The visualization and interpretation of the complicated fluid motions about isolated vehicle components and complete configurations in a time and cost effective manner in hydrodynamic test facilities is a key element in the development of flow control concepts, and, hence, improved vehicle designs. A historical perspective of the role of water facilities in the vehicle design process is presented. The application of water facilities to specific aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flow problems is discussed, and the strengths and limitations of these important experimental tools are emphasized.

Erickson, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Design of robust failure detection filters

An essential aspect of the design of control systems for large, flexible spacecraft is fault tolerance. Because it is anticipated that a large number of sensors and actuators will be required to realize good control over these assemblies, the detection and isolation of component failures cannot be based on direct comparisons among replicated components. Instead, the notion of 'analytic redundancy' must be employed for the FDI function. Unfortunately this makes the FDI function sensitive to modeling errors which are certain to exist in the large space structure problem due to model truncation and parameter uncertainty. This paper addresses the robustness to model error of one method of FDI residual generation - the failure detection filter. Initial designs were found to be extremely sensitive to modeling error. The sources of this sensitivity are analyzed and modifications to the design are suggested. The improved filter is shown to have much better visibility of the failure signatures relative to the background due to modeling error.

San Martin, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Water facilities in retrospect and prospect: An illuminating tool for vehicle design

Water facilities play a fundamental role in the design of air, ground, and marine vehicles by providing a qualitative, and sometimes quantitative, description of complex flow phenomena. Water tunnels, channels, and tow tanks used as flow-diagnostic tools have experienced a renaissance in recent years in response to the increased complexity of designs suitable for advanced technology vehicles. These vehicles are frequently characterized by large regions of steady and unsteady 3-D flow separation and ensuing vortical flows. The visualization and interpretation of the complicated fluid motions about isolated vehicle components and complete configurations in a time and cost effective manner in hydrodynamic test facilities is a key element in the development of flow control concepts, and, hence, improved vehicle designs. A historical perspective of the role of water facilities in the vehicle design process is presented. The application of water facilities to specific aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flow problems is discussed, and the strengths and limitations of these important experimental tools are emphasized.

Erickson, Gary E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A highly reliable, autonomous data communication subsystem for an advanced information processing system

The need to meet the stringent performance and reliability requirements of advanced avionics systems has frequently led to implementations which are tailored to a specific application and are therefore difficult to modify or extend. Furthermore, many integrated flight critical systems are input/output intensive. By using a design methodology which customizes the input/output mechanism for each new application, the cost of implementing new systems becomes prohibitively expensive. One solution to this dilemma is to design computer systems and input/output subsystems which are general purpose, but which can be easily configured to support the needs of a specific application. The Advanced Information Processing System (AIPS), currently under development has these characteristics. The design and implementation of the prototype I/O communication system for AIPS is described. AIPS addresses reliability issues related to data communications by the use of reconfigurable I/O networks. When a fault or damage event occurs, communication is restored to functioning parts of the network and the failed or damage components are isolated. Performance issues are addressed by using a parallelized computer architecture which decouples Input/Output (I/O) redundancy management and I/O processing from the computational stream of an application. The autonomous nature of the system derives from the highly automated and independent manner in which I/O transactions are conducted for the application as well as from the fact that the hardware redundancy management is entirely transparent to the application.

Nagle, Gail↗