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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Sustainable Polymer for Polyolefin Replacement (CRADA Final Report)

Sustainable Chemicals, LLC (Participant, Sust-Chem) develops renewable, biodegradable bioplastics for the replacement of large-volume petrochemical plastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Participant’s patented bioplastics will find use in everyday items such as plastic bags, flexible containers, packaging, and toys and will address customers' ask for goods that are sustainable but don't cost a premium. Participants’ plastic comes from plant biomass and at the end of its lifecycle, is compostable or chemically recyclable. During the CRADA, Participant and Contractor will jointly refine the polymerization process used to make our bioplastic. Participant and Contractor will focus on technologies that are economically and industrially feasible, complete with full polymer characterization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Production of high-performance biodegradable polyurethane products made from algae precursors

We successfully developed and scaled the production of high-performance, fully biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) derived from algae-based precursors. By employing innovative flow chemistry and chemo-enzymatic methodologies, the research team produced materials with up to 100% bio-based content that match or exceed the mechanical properties of traditional petroleum-based plastics. These algae-derived TPUs were proven to be fully home-compostable, achieving over 90% decomposition within 110 to 120 days while demonstrating practical advantages such as reduced solvent requirements in fabric coating applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microbial Biomass in Soils Receiving Varying Levels of Organic Inputs - A Data Compilation

This dataset contains soil microbial biomass data compiled from published laboratory studies and field manipulations of organic inputs to soils. Each study included at least three levels of a given type of organic input applied to a given type of soil. Studies were selected from the literature that had experimentally manipulated organic input rates to soils using unburned, non-synthetic material (e.g. plant litters, manures, and composts). Fifty-five (55) studies, conducted from 1997 to October 2019, were chosen and compiled into a dataset with 358 observations from 96 combinations of a given organic material applied to a given soil in agricultural systems, laboratory incubations, forests, or grasslands. • Studies were selected when biomass measurements used the chloroform fumigation-extraction procedure followed by carbon analysis, or, in two instances, studies estimated microbial biomass using phospholipid fatty acid analysis. • Studies that used fewer than three input rates or characterized microbial biomass via substrate induced respiration were excluded. • The temporal and spatial aspects of the laboratory and field studies were not essential to the analyses (Craig et al., 2021) and were not included with the measurement data. These data were used to assess the relationship between organic input amounts and microbial biomass. Complete reference citations are provided if additional information is needed. The compiled data are provided in two .csv files: (1) soil treatments and microbial biomass data and (2) literature citations. The “Study” field is the cross reference between files. Also provided is the R code for reproducing the results in the related publication.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

KBase Narrative - van den Bergh et al

We report 14 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) recovered from agricultural soils, composts, and enrichment cultures enriched therefrom, originating from the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. Recovered MAGs constitute methane-cycling related organisms sequenced from isolated cultures or environmental DNA, elucidating their metabolic potential in important ecological processes like the oxidation or production of atmospheric trace gases as methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide.

Rocha, Gabriel Silvestre↗
DOE OSTI2026

Data Mining of Groundwater to Identify MAGs with Methane, Propane and Toluene Monooxygenases

Whole genome sequencing datasets, involving more than 600 groundwater samples, from nine countries, were analyzed to identify metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) containing full operons for propane monooxygenase, soluble methane monooxygease, toluene monooxygenase and particulate ammonia/methane monooxygenase. The enzymes encoded by these genes are a focus of interest because of their ability to degrade common groundwater contaminants. Due to the large amount of data, sequence analyses involved more than 80 individual KBase narratives. The approach followed the KBase tutorial called "Metagenome-Assembled Genome Extraction from a Compost Microbiome Enrichment" The generated MAGs were exported from each individual narrative into separate summary KBase narratives for each monooxygenase. Three KBase narratives were generated for particulate ammonia/methane monooxygenase, due to the large number of MAGs identified.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Advanced biorefinery feedstock from non-recyclable municipal solid waste by mechanical preprocessing

Because of accelerated urbanization and the development of a global economy, a large quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) has been collected and disposed of by the municipalities. Due to this drastic increase in the disposal of MSW, the need for its management is a must to preserve the environment. Currently, approximately 50% of the total MSW generated in the United States has been utilized through various recycling, combustion, and composting technologies, which means the remaining 50% is sent to landfill; this is often known as non-recyclable MSW (nMSW). As this nMSW is physically and chemically heterogenous and contains very high amounts of inorganic material, processing is required prior to using it as a biorefinery feedstock. Thus, this study focused on how mechanical preprocessing advanced the physical and chemical properties of nMSW. The physical and chemical properties were investigated in terms of particle size distribution, bulk density, ultimate and proximate analysis, and the higher heating value (HHV). The combustion properties were examined in terms of ignition temperature, peak heat release rate, and combustion efficiency. Results showed that the variability of physical and chemical properties of nMSW can be reduced by mechanical preprocessing. For example, the variability of the bulk density of the as-received nMSW was approximately 17.3% while it reduced to 5.8% when the sample size was reduced to 2 mm. Similarly, the variability of ash and HHV reduced from 49.2% to 11.0% and 13.4%–4.2%, respectively. Combustion thermograms showed that the size reduction positively improved the combustion properties. For example, 2 mm of spec sample started to ignite approximately 4 times earlier and took 6.5 folds less time to reach the peak heating rate compared to as-received nMSW. Overall, the mechanical preprocessing reduced the variability of physical and chemical properties in addition to the improvement of combustion behavior of the nMSW which is one step forward toward the biorefinery feedstock.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Valorization of Hemp-Based Packaging Waste with One-Pot Ionic Liquid Technology

The range of applications for industrial hemp has consistently increased in various sectors over the years. For example, hemp hurd can be used as a resource to produce biodegradable packaging materials when incorporated into a fungal mycelium composite, a process that has been commercialized. Although these packaging materials can be composted after usage, they may present an opportunity for valorization in a biorefinery setting. Here, we demonstrate the potential of using this type of discarded packaging composite as a feedstock for biofuel production. A one-pot ionic liquid-based biomass deconstruction and conversion process was implemented, and the results from the packaging material were compared with those obtained from untreated hemp hurd. At a 120 °C reaction temperature, 7.5% ionic liquid loading, and 2 h reaction time, the packaging materials showed a higher lignocellulosic sugar yield and sugar concentrations than hemp hurd. Hydrolysates prepared from packaging materials also promoted production of higher titers (1400 mg/L) of the jet-fuel precursor bisabolene when used to cultivate an engineered strain of the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides. Box–Behnken experiments revealed that pretreatment parameters affected the hemp hurd and packaging materials differently, evidencing different degrees of recalcitrance. This study demonstrated that a hemp hurd-based packaging material can be valorized a second time once it reaches the end of its primary use by supplying it as a feedstock to produce biofuels.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Circular Perspective for Utilization of Industrial Wastewaters via Phytoremediation

Wastewater generated in municipal rendering facilities requires multi-step treatment, but it may also serve as a source of nutrients and water and thus may be valorized before or instead of the necessary wastewater treatment operations. In this work, wastewaters from a composting plant were utilized to support the growth of Miscanthus x giganteus, known as both a remediation plant and an energy biomass source. A pot experiment was established to compare the effects of different wastewater doses (0, 50, 100, and 200 mL per pot per week) on the miscanthus biomass yield, phytoextraction of heavy metals, biomass heat of combustion, and plant condition. The increase in the wastewater dose resulted in increases in both biomass yield (from about 44 to 139%) and biomass heat of combustion (from 7 to 17%) when compared to the control sample, with no adverse effects on plant physiological parameters. The highest concentrations of metals were found in miscanthus grown with the highest dose of wastewaters. It was found that higher wastewater dose correlates to both higher phytoextraction and phytorecovery of metals from plant substrate and wastewaters. The highest metal uptake was identified for Fe (431 mg·pot −1 ), followed by Al, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr. The lowest metal uptake was noted for Pb, Co and Cd (0.88, 0.11, and 0.95 mg·pot −1 , respectively). The results indicate that miscanthus can be recommended for industrial wastewater treatment. In addition, due to high absorption efficiency of the substrate components, miscanthus can be used as a remediation tool, e.g., for the ecological stabilization of remediation of metal-polluted soils, especially in municipal facilities like rendering plants. This presents a circular perspective for the valorization of post-fermentation wastewaters with subsequent growth of energy crops, with other potential benefits for the environment, such as soil treatment, absorption of CO 2 , and air purification.

Miscanthus x giganteus↗
NASA NTRS1969

Burn-rate testing apparatus

Combustibility tester fits into a sealed chamber so that tests may be performed under controlled atmospheric pressure and compostion. Support frame allows rotation of the test sample so that ignition combustion may be tested in various orientations from horizontal to vertical.

Dawn, F. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Compact reactor for onboard hydrogen generation

Hydrogen, chemically stored as methanol, is promising internal-combustion fuel. Methanol is readily obtainable from natural products such as wood, compost, or various organic wastes. Steam reformation of methanol as source for hydrogen is relatively simple operation.

Brabbs, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Nature and origin of mineral coatings on volcanic rocks of the Black Mountain, Stonewall Mountain and Kane Springs wash volcanic centers, southern Nevada

Mineral coatings, including desert varnish on volcanic rocks of the semi-arid Basin and Range province are composted of amorphous, translucent films of Fe, Mn, Si, and Al rich compounds. Coatings are chiefly thin films that impregnate intergranularly to depths of about 0.1 to 0.3 mm, rarely deeper. Sixteen coating sections and subsurface interiors were probed by SEM; 20 samples were scanned by infrated spectrometry; 10 samples were scanned for visible-near IR spectra; inductin coupling plasma analyses were collected on 34 samples; 2 desert varnish surgaces were investigated by optical density slice imagery; a few XRD analyses were conducted in addition to the 50 reported in the last period; thin section observation continued; and imagery processing focused on classification techniques. In late May, approximately 10 field days were spent at the Stonewall and Black Mountain study sited conducting more detailed mapping and observation base on imagery results and collecting spectra with the Collins Field Spectrometer. Approximately 100 spectral analyses were collected and are currently being processed.

Taranik, James V.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Alphonsus region - A geologic and remote-sensing perspective

A number of interesting questions exist concerning the composition and origin of a number of geologic units in the west-central highlands crater Alphonsus. This paper utilizes a variety of newly obtained remote sensing data to address these questions and improve the current understanding of the geologic history of the Alphonsus region. Near-infrared and UV/VIS reflectance spectra were obtained and analyzed for many of the geologic features, the results of which are presented here. Spectra collected for pyroclastic debris associated with three endogenic dark halo crater complexes on the floor of Alphonsus indicate a basaltic assemblage rich in olivine. These pyroclastic deposits exhibit generally low returns on the depolarized 3.8 cm radar image. An exogenic dark halo crater was identified on the interior of Alphonsus and appears to be composed of a mixture of pyroclastic debris and highlands material. The light plains deposits and other highland units in the Alphonsus region generally exhibit a noritic compostion. However, the Alphonsus central peak is composed of pure anorthosite. This composition is unique within the region.

Coombs, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Microwave Pretreatment For Hydrolysis Of Cellulose

Microwave pretreatment enhances enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic wastes into soluble saccharides used as feedstocks for foods, fuels, and other products. Low consumption of energy, high yield, and low risk of proposed hydrolysis process incorporating microwave pretreatment makes process viable alternative to composting.

Cullingford, Hatice S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Venus steep-sided domes: Relationships between geological associations and possible petrogenetic models

Venus domes are characterized by steep sides, a circular shape, and a relatively flat summit area. In addition, they are orders of magnitude larger in volume and have a lower height/diameter ratio than terrestrial silicic lava domes. The morphology of the domes is consistent with formation by lava with a high apparent viscosity. Twenty percent of the domes are located in or near tessera (highly deformed highlands), while most other (62 percent) are located in and near coronae (circular deformational features thought to represent local mantle upwelling). These geological associations provide evidence for mechanisms of petrogenesis and several of these models are found to be plausible: remelting of basaltic or evolved crust, differentiation of basaltic melts, and volatile enhancement and eruption of basaltic foams. Hess and Head have shown that the full range of magma compositions existing on the Earth is plausible under various environmental conditions on Venus. Most of the Venera and Vego lander compostional data are consistent with tholeiitic basalt; however, evidence for evolved magmas was provided by Venera 8 data consistent with a quartz monzonite composition. Pieters et al. have examined the color of the Venus surface from Venera lander images and interpret the surface there to be oxidized. Preliminary modeling of dome growth has provided some interpretations of lava rheology. Viscosity values obtained from these models range from 10(exp 14) - 10(exp 17) pa*s, and the yield strength has been calculated to be between 10(exp 4) and 10(exp 6) Pa, consistent with terrestrial silicic rocks. The apparent high viscosity of the dome lavas suggests that the domes have a silicic composition or must augment their viscosity with increased visicularity or crystal content. Sixty-two percent of the Venus domes are associated with coronae, circular features that have been proposed as sites of mantle upwelling, and 20 percent of the domes are located near tessera, relatively high areas of complex deformed terrain. We have investigated several models that are consistent with these geologic associations. The first case involves the differentiation of basalt in a magma reservoir in the crust, perhaps produced by partial melting within a mantle plume. The second case is melting at the base of thickened basaltic crust, and the final case is volatile exsolution and enhancement within a basaltic magma reservoir. The association of domes with tessera might be explained by crustal remelting, while the association with coronae may be consistent with chemical differentiation of a magma reservoir or the exsolution and concentration of volatiles in the reservoir before eruption.

Pavri, B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The Charge, Element, and Isotope Analysis System CELIAS on SOHO

The CELIAS instrument is designed to study the composition of the Solar Wind (SW) and of solar and interplanetary accelerated energetic particles on SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory). It consists of three different sensors with associated electronics, which are optimized each for a particular aspect of ion composition. These aspects are the elemental, isotopic, and ionic charge compostion of SW or energetic ions emanating from the Sun. A fourth sensor, the Solar EUV Monitor (SEM) was included into CELIAS for monitoring the absolute EUV flux from the Sun.

Hovestadt, Dietrich↗
NASA NTRS1994

Basalt generation at the Apollo 12 site. Part 1: New data, classification, and re-evaluation

New data are reported from five previously unanalyzed Apollo 12 mare basalts that are incorporated into an evaluation of previous petrogenetic models and classification schemes for these basalts. This paper proposes a classification for Apollo 12 mare basalts on the basis of whole-rock Mg# (molar 100*(Mg/(Mg+Fe))) and Rb/Sr ratio (analyzed by isotope dilution), whereby the ilmenite, olivine, and pigeonite basalt groups are readily distinguished from each other. Scrutiny of the Apollo 12 feldspathic 'suite' demonstrates that two of the three basalts previously assigned to this group (12031, 12038, 12072) can be reclassified: 12031 is a plagioclase-rich pigeonite basalt; and 12072 is an olivine basalt. Only basalt 12038 stands out as a unique sample to the Apollo 12 site, but whether this represents a single sample from another flow at the Apollo 12 site or is exotic to this site is equivocal. The question of whether the olivine and pigeonite basalt suites are co-magmatic is addressed by incompatible trace-element chemistry: the trends defined by these two suites when Co/Sm and Sm/Eu ratios are plotted against Rb/Sr ratio demonstrate that these two basaltic types cannot be co-magmatic. Crystal fractionation/accumulation paths have been calculated and show that neither the pigeonite, olivine, or ilmenite basalts are related by this process. Each suite requires a distinct and separate source region. This study also examines sample heterogeneity and the degree to which whole-rock analyses are representative, which is critical when petrogenetic interpretation is undertaken. Sample heterogeneity has been investigated petrographically (inhomogeneous mineral distribution) with consideration of duplicate analyses, and whether a specific sample (using average data) plots consistently upon a fractionation trend when a number of different compostional parameters are considered. Using these criteria, four basalts have been identified where reported analyses are not representative of the whole-rock composition: 12005, an ilmenite basalt; 12006 and 12036, olivine basalts; and 12031 previously classified as a feldspathic basalt, but reclassified as part of the pigeonite suite.

Neal, Clive R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Multicolor eclipse studies of UU Aquarii. 1: Observations and system parameters

A study of the eclipses in UU Aqr from multicolor high-speed photometry is presented. A revised ephemeris for the times of minimum and an upper limit for orbital period variations are obtained. We use measurements of contact phases in the eclipse light curve to derive the binary geometry and to estimate masses and relevant dimensions. We find a mass ratio of q = 0.30 +/- 0.07 and an inclination of i = 78 deg +/- 2 deg. The masses of the component stars are M(sub 1) = 0.67 +/- 0.14 solar mass and M(sub 2) = 0.20 +/- 0.07 solar mass. Our photometric model predicts K(sub 1) = 84 +/- 26 km/s, which is approximately 30% smaller than the velocity amplitude obtained from the emission lines. From the white dwarf fluxes we estimate T(sub wd) approximately = 34,000 K and a distance of d = 270 +/- 50 pc if the inner disk is opaque. UU Aqr has long term brightness variations of approximately = 0.3 m on timescales of approximately 4 yr. The system was in a 'high' state in 1989 and 1990 and in a 'low' state in 1988 and 1992. The high state results from an increase in the brightness of the outer and cooler parts of the disk, mainly due to the appearance of a bright spot at disk rim. Based on the smooth and gradual eclipse shape and on the absence of a prominent hump in the light curve we suggest that UU Aqr is a high mass-transfer nova-like system with a relatively bright and optically thick accretion disk. We find no perceptible eclipse in the H-alpha emission line. The fluxes at mid-eclipse can be fitted by a compostion of a late-type spectrum plus an optically thin hydrogen emission-line spectrum. These evidences suggest that the emission lines are formed in an extended region only partially occulted during eclipse.

Baptista, R.↗