Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “support effects”

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 991 records · Page 55

Wallops Flight Facility Integration and Testing Customer Handbook

The Wallops Integration and Testing Handbook is a guide for planning operations at Wallops testing facilities. It provides a summary of the capabilities and technical specifications of available facilities. This handbook prescribes the information to be provided by the user that will enable the integration and testing team to effectively plan for and support the facility user’s project. Note that each facility plans for availability based on current workloads/ mission schedules. For example, sounding rockets may have between 20 and 35 missions in work at one time. Also note that special training, such as cleanroom certification, electrostatic discharge (ESD) or confined space training may be required for entrance to some facilities.

Adam Hammoudi↗

Building Envelope Campaign – Program Design and Stakeholder Engagement

Building envelope technologies impact approximately 30% of the primary energy consumed by residential and commercial buildings. The Building Envelope Campaign (BEC), which is part of the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program, is a market transformation effort to help building owners and managers invest in high performance building envelope technologies for both new and existing commercial buildings. The success of the Campaign has depended on constructing a compelling program design plus organizing a technical team with ability to effectively recruit Participants and Supporters from across industry and keep them engaged.The design of the campaign included developing a strategy to leverage other technology campaigns within the Better Buildings program, identifying stakeholders (including diverse member groups that may have been underserved by previous technology campaigns), recruiting Supporters and Participants, and providing technical assistance in the form of a campaign-specific Building Envelope Performance tool and metric to help benchmark various building envelope options.Engagement had to overcome three main challenges – securing the Campaign Supporters/Participants, helping participants to use the envelope tool to evaluate project options, and getting those participants to submit successful envelope projects for evaluation and recognition by the program. The concepts are simple but program design/implementation and, in particular, sustaining stakeholder engagement can be challenging. This paper will highlight the approaches taken in: program design, engaging industry members, identifying and reaching underserved stakeholders, demonstrating benefits of high performance building envelope technologies and making the case for engaging in this campaign.

McLeod, Hayley↗

Flexible Gasification of Coal and Biomass to Generate Carbon Free Electric Power and Hydrogen

This paper describes the development of a coal and biomass-fed plant concept to co-produce electric power and hydrogen with net-negative CO2 emissions under the aegis of the 21st Century Power Plant initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), whose goal is to advance innovative power plant concepts that are capable of flexible, net-zero carbon emission operations while producing cost-effective “blue” hydrogen to support economy-wide decarbonization goals. The proposed standalone plant will be in Nebraska, USA. The specified design feedstock is a hybrid blend of Powder River Basin (PRB) subbituminous coal from Wyoming and local Nebraska biomass (corn stover), 50 wt.% each (dry basis). Other potential feedstocks, including woody biomass (eastern red cedar) and waste plastic (auto shredder residue) were evaluated or reviewed as alternates. The proposed process block comprises a high-pressure, oxygen-blown fluidized bed gasifier (GTI Energy U-GAS® process) coupled with water gas shift, the Selexol process for acid gas (H2S and CO2) removal, and pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) to yield 8,500 kg/h of high-purity hydrogen. The off gas from the PSA unit is used in the power block (gas turbine combined cycle) to generate electric power to support the gasification process, hydrogen production, and 50 MWe net electric power to the grid. All major plant equipment including the gasifier, gas cleanup system, and power generation are commercially available and proven in other applications and considered at TRL 8-9. However, gasification of corn stover biomass is considered at TRL 6. Overall thermal efficiency of the plant is 50% (net HHV) with net atmospheric CO2 removal at a rate of 250-300,000 tpa. Design activities necessary to provide input to a FEED study (Phase II of the project), including the development of the Environmental Information Volume (EIV) for the host site, and an investment case, based on a pro-forma pre-FEED level cost estimate, have been completed and are described in detail in this paper.

Gülen, S. Can↗

Virtual Engineering and Science Team - Reusable Autonomy for Spacecraft Subsystems

In this paper we address the design, development, and evaluation of the Virtual Engineering and Science Team (VEST) tool - a revolutionary way to achieve onboard subsystem/instrument autonomy. VEST directly addresses the technology needed for advanced autonomy enablers for spacecraft subsystems. It will significantly support the efficient and cost effective realization of on-board autonomy and contribute directly to realizing the concept of an intelligent autonomous spacecraft. VEST will support the evolution of a subsystem/instrument model that is probably correct and from that model the automatic generation of the code needed to support the autonomous operation of what was modeled. VEST will directly support the integration of the efforts of engineers, scientists, and software technologists. This integration of efforts will be a significant advancement over the way things are currently accomplished. The model, developed through the use of VEST, will be the basis for the physical construction of the subsystem/instrument and the generated code will support its autonomous operation once in space. The close coupling between the model and the code, in the same tool environment, will help ensure that correct and reliable operational control of the subsystem/instrument is achieved.VEST will provide a thoroughly modern interface that will allow users to easily and intuitively input subsystem/instrument requirements and visually get back the system's reaction to the correctness and compatibility of the inputs as the model evolves. User interface/interaction, logic, theorem proving, rule-based and model-based reasoning, and automatic code generation are some of the basic technologies that will be brought into play in realizing VEST.

Bailin, Sidney C.↗

Concepts in Distributed Scheduling and Control

To support instrument and experiment operations effectively in the Space Station era, planning, scheduling and control must allow for: interactive, realtime, remote operations; responsive scheduling and rescheduling; support of the full range of distributed science, application and commercial users; interaction and cooperation among distributed users; and efficient use of on-board, communications, and ground-based resources. We suggest conceptual and managerial approaches that address these needs. Specifically, we describe an approach to distributed planning, scheduling and control functions that is based on resources and on a distributed knowledge hierarchy. We describe these functions as components of an integrated management system. We discuss automated scheduling assistants and integration of planning and scheduling functions with realtime operations control. The suggested approach, taken from a users' point-of-view, has resulted in the Science User Resource Planning and Scheduling System (SURPASS). In this paper, we describe the major components of SURPASS and discuss the features of this innovative prototype. Further ideas concerning instrument planning, scheduling, and control may be found in the Space Station Instrument Control System Study.

Hansen, Elaine R.↗

Solar-thermal membrane for dewatering aqueous organic-acid solutions

A thermally conductive porous membrane has been developed to directly absorb solar energy and conduct heat that can effectively evaporate liquid water at the interface between the membrane and the bulk feed solution. Here, black, porous, thermally conductive graphite foam support is employed as an effective photothermal-energy absorber and heat conductor that heats up an aqueous feed solution to produce vapor. Graphite nanoparticle-slurry coating is applied onto the foam surface to reduce the pore size and generate a microporous membrane. Then, application of a dense graphene oxide membrane coating as an active separation layer on the microporous nanoparticle surface of internal foam channels allows vapor permeation of volatile molecules. Acetic acid/water solution was studied as a model feed system to experimentally demonstrate effective separation. This model vapor permeation system demonstrates excellent acetic acid separation, with a separation factor of 8.3, under simulated 0.7 sun irradiation. The membrane hydrophobicity and nanostructure, including pore size and surface chemistry, played a significant role in enabling high permselectivity of water vapor over acetic acid molecules, as well as liquid solution. Pore size reduction from open pores to a nonporous dense layer in the membrane enables effective separation of water vapor from the organic vapor, while it reduces the permeation flux. Also, the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface shows ~3 times higher permeation flux with higher permselectivity, compared with the hydrophobic membrane surface. This work introduces a process of directly using renewable energy instead of conventional heating to drive selective separation of water from organic acids.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Chemical release and radiation effects experiment advanced planning and coordination

The efforts conducted to provide assessments and planning support for the Chemical Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) Experiments are summarized. Included are activities regarding scientific working group and workshop development including the preparation of descriptive information on the CRRES Project.

Vaughan, William W.↗

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Ni nanoparticles supported on the TiC(001) surface

Metals supported on transition metal carbides are known to exhibit good catalytic activity and selectivity, which is interpreted in terms of electron polarization induced by the support. In the present work we go one step further and investigate the effect that a titanium carbide (TiC) support has on the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of a series of Ni nanoparticles of increasing size exhibiting a two- or three-dimensional morphology. Furthermore, the obtained results show that three-dimensional nanoparticles are more stable and easier to form than their homologous two-dimensional counterparts. Also, comparison to previous results indicates that, when used as the support, transition metal carbides have a marked different chemical activity with respect to oxides. The analysis of the magnetic moments of the supported nanoparticles evidences a considerable quenching of the magnetic moment that affects mainly the Ni atoms in close contact with the TiC substrate indicating that these atoms are likely to be responsible for the catalytic activity reported for these systems. Overall, the analysis of the electronic structure reveals the existence of chemical interactions between the Ni nanoparticles and the TiC support, even if the net charge transfer between both systems is negligible.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

First Measurement of the EMC effect in 10 B and 11 B

The nuclear dependence of the inclusive inelastic electron scattering cross section (the EMC effect) has been measured for the first time in 10 B and 11 B. Previous measurements of the EMC effect in A ≤ 12 nuclei showed an unexpected nuclear dependence; 10 B and 11 B were measured to explore the EMC effect in this region in more detail. Results are presented for 9 Be, 10 B, 11 B, and 12 C at an incident beam energy of 10.6 GeV. The EMC effect in the boron isotopes was found to be similar to that for 9 Be and 12 C, yielding almost no nuclear dependence in the EMC effect in the range A = 4–12. Furthermore, this represents important new data supporting the hypothesis that the EMC effect depends primarily on the local nuclear environment due to the cluster structure of these nuclei.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

Enhancing Interdisciplinary Human System Risk Research Through Modeling and Network Approaches

NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) supports research to reduce human health and performance risks inherent in future human space exploration missions. Understanding risk outcomes and contributing factors in an integrated manner allows HRP research to support development of efficient and effective mitigations from cross‐disciplinary perspectives, and to enable resilient human and engineered systems for spaceflight. The purpose of this work is to support scientific collaborations and research portfolio management by utilizing modeling for analysis and visualization of current and potential future interdisciplinary efforts.

Mindock, Jennifer↗

Spectral quality affects disease development of three pathogens on hydroponically grown plants

Plants were grown under light-emitting diode (LED) arrays with various spectra to determine the effects of light quality on the development of diseases caused by tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), powdery mildew [Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlectend:Fr.) Pollaci] on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum Smith) on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). One LED (660) array supplied 99% red light at 660 nm (25 nm bandwidth at half-peak height) and 1% far-red light between 700 to 800 nm. A second LED (660/735) array supplied 83% red light at 660 nm and 17% far-red light at 735 nm (25 nm bandwidth at half-peak height). A third LED (660/BF) array supplied 98% red light at 660 nm, 1% blue light (BF) between 350 to 550 nm, and 1% far-red light between 700 to 800 nm. Control plants were grown under broad-spectrum metal halide (MH) lamps. Plants were grown at a mean photon flux (300 to 800 nm) of 330 micromoles m-2 s-1 under a 12-h day/night photoperiod. Spectral quality affected each pathosystem differently. In the ToMV/pepper pathosystem, disease symptoms developed slower and were less severe in plants grown under light sources that contained blue and UV-A wavelengths (MH and 660/BF treatments) compared to plants grown under light sources that lacked blue and UV-A wavelengths (660 and 660/735 LED arrays). In contrast, the number of colonies per leaf was highest and the mean colony diameters of S. fuliginea on cucumber plants were largest on leaves grown under the MH lamp (highest amount of blue and UV-A light) and least on leaves grown under the 660 LED array (no blue or UV-A light). The addition of far-red irradiation to the primary light source in the 660/735 LED array increased the colony counts per leaf in the S. fuliginea/cucumber pathosystem compared to the red-only (660) LED array. In the P. solanacearum/tomato pathosystem, disease symptoms were less severe in plants grown under the 660 LED array, but the effects of spectral quality on disease development when other wavelengths were included in the light source (MH-, 660/BF-, and 660/735-grown plants) were equivocal. These results demonstrate that spectral quality may be useful as a component of an integrated pest management program for future space-based controlled ecological life support systems.

NASA Center KSC↗

Contrasting effects of vasodilators on blood pressure and sodium balance in the hypertension of autonomic failure

Supine hypertension, which is very common in patients with autonomic failure, limits the use of pressor agents and induces nighttime natriuresis. In 13 patients with severe orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic failure (7 women, 6 men, 72 +/- 3 yr) and supine hypertension, the effect of 30 mg nifedipine (n = 10) and 0.025 to 0.2 mg/h nitroglycerin patch (n = 11) on supine BP, renal sodium handling, and orthostatic tolerance was determined. Medications were given at 8 p.m.; patients stood up at 8 a.m. Nitroglycerin was removed at 6 a.m. Compared with placebo, nifedipine and nitroglycerin decreased systolic BP during the night by a maximum of 37 +/- 9 and 36 +/- 10 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.01). At 8 a.m., supine systolic BP was 23 +/- 7 mmHg lower with nifedipine than with placebo (P < 0.05), but was similar with nitroglycerin and placebo. Sodium excretion during the night was not reduced with nitroglycerin (0.13 +/- 0.02 mmol/mg creatinine [Cr] versus 0.15 +/- 0.03 mmol/mg Cr with placebo), but it was increased with nifedipine (0.35 +/- 0.06 mmol/mg Cr versus 0.13 +/- 0.02 mmol/mg Cr with placebo, P < 0.05). Nifedipine but not nitroglycerin worsened orthostatic hypotension in the morning. It is concluded that nifedipine and transdermal nitroglycerin are effective in controlling supine hypertension in patients with autonomic failure. However, nifedipine has a prolonged depressor effect and worsens orthostatic hypotension in the morning. The decrease in pressure natriuresis that would be expected with the substantial decrease in BP obtained with nitroglycerin and nifedipine may be offset by a direct effect of both drugs on renal sodium handling.

Clinical Trial↗

Axion strings are superconducting

We explore the cosmological consequences of the superconductivity of QCD axion strings. Axion strings can support a sizeable chiral electric current and charge density, which alters their early universe dynamics. We examine the possibility that shrinking axion string loops can become effectively stable remnants called vortons, supported by the repulsive electromagnetic force of the string current. We find that vortons in our scenario are generically unstable, and so do not pose a cosmological difficulty. Furthermore, if a primordial magnetic field (PMF) exists in the early universe, a large current is induced on axion strings, creating a significant drag force from interactions with the surrounding plasma. As a result, the strings are slowed down, which leads to an orders of magnitude enhancement in the number of strings per Hubble volume. Finally, we study potential implications for the QCD axion relic abundance. The QCD axion window is shifted by orders of magnitude in some parts of our parameter space.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Concepts in distributed planning, scheduling, and control

To support instrument and experiment operations effectively in the Space Station era, planning, scheduling, and control must allow for: (1) interactive real-time remote operations; (2) responsive scheduling and rescheduling; (3) support of the full range of distributed science, application and commercial users; (4) interaction and cooperation among distributed users; and (5) efficient use of often onboard, communications, and ground-based resources. We suggest conceptual and managerial approaches that address these needs. Specifically, we describe approaches to distributed planning, scheduling and control functions that are based on resources and on a distributed knowledge hierarchy. We describe the scheduling functions as the component of the integrated space-ground Operations Management System. We include the integration of the planning and scheduling functions with the real-time operations control system, and we discuss automated scheduling assistants. These suggested approaches, taken from the users' point-of-view, have resulted in two prototype systems: Operations and Science Instrument Support package and Science User Resource Planning and Scheduling System.

Hansen, Elaine↗

Elastic guides reduce hysteresis effect in Belleville spring package

Peripheral support guides that elastically flex with the slight breathing on radial displacement during actuation can greatly reduce the hysteresis present in a Belleville spring package. This technique provides a control device that enhances the precision of pressure regulating valves, pressure switches, and vacuum actuators.

Mc Glashan, W. F., Jr.↗