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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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DOE OSTI2017

Connected Lighting System Interoperability Study Part 1: Application Programming Interfaces

First in a series of studies that focuses on interoperability as realized by the use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), explores the diversity of such interfaces in several connected lighting systems; characterizes the extent of interoperability that they provide; and illustrates challenges, limitations, and tradeoffs that were encountered during this exploration.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2023

TOWARDS RAPID RESPONSE UPDATES OF POPULATIONS AT RISK

Understanding population at risks has been a focus of the LandScan program through its development of population estimates. With advancements in computer vision, deep learning technologies and access to High Performance Computing (HPC) and high resolution imagery, population estimates are now modeled at the building level. However, when those patterns are disrupted, rapid updates to population distribution estimates are needed to support humanitarian aid and response. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) recently adapted an existing deep learning building footprint extraction model in development of a scalable approach to Building Damage Assessments (BDA). This new opportunity opens the possibility of automating BDA to support rapid population distribution estimate updates for geographic areas involved in geopolitical conflicts or natural events for humanitarian aid and response or where to focus recovery efforts. In addition, incorporate social surveys to further model human behavior under conflict or other scenarios that disrupt normal patterns of life.

Urban, Marie↗

DOE OSTI2014

A Preliminary Review of U.S. Forest Service Business Practices To Authorize Special Uses, Including Energy Infrastructure Projects, on National Forest System Lands

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Special Uses-Lands Program is in jeopardy. Although this program, authorized in Title 36, Part 251, of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR Part 251), ranks among the top four revenue-generating programs for use of National Forest System (NFS) lands, along with the Timber, Minerals, and Special Uses-Recreation Programs, the Special Uses-Lands Program is in a state of neglect. Repeated cuts in funding (a decrease of 26% from fiscal years 2010 to 2014) are adversely affecting staffing and training, which in turn is affecting timely permit processing and ultimately the public’s ability to use and benefit from NFS lands. In addition, highly experienced staff with valuable institutional knowledge of the program have begun to retire. The ability of the program to function under these dire circumstances can be attributed to the dedication of Special Uses staff to the program and their commitment to the public. The initial focus of this report was to identify opportunities for improving performance of permitting and review for large energy infrastructure-related projects. However, it became clear during this analysis that these projects are generally adequately staffed and managed. This is due in large part to the availability of cost-recovery dollars and the high-profile nature of these projects. However, it also became apparent that larger issues affecting the bulk of the work of the Special Uses-Lands Program need to be addressed immediately. This report is a preliminary examination of the state of the Special Uses-Lands Program and focuses on a few key items requiring immediate attention. Further investigation through case studies is recommended to dig deeper into the Special Uses-Lands Program business process to determine the most costeffective strategies for streamlining the overall process and the metrics by which performance can be evaluated, including for the permitting and tracking of energy infrastructure projects.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2022

BioGeoChemistry at Interfaces (LLNL SFA OBER FY22 Program Management and Performance Report)

The focus of the BioGeoChemistry at Interfaces SFA is to identify and quantify the biogeochemical processes and the underlying mechanisms that control actinide mobility in an effort to reliably predict and control the cycling and migration of actinides in the environment. The research approach includes: (1) Field Studies that capture actinide behavior on the timescale of decades (Research Thrust 1), and (2) Fundamental Laboratory Studies that isolate specific biogeochemical processes observed in the field (Research Thrust 2). These Research Thrusts are underpinned by the unique capabilities and staff expertise at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, allowing the BioGeoChemistry at Interfaces SFA to advance our understanding of actinide migration behavior in the environment, and serve as an resource for environmental radiochemistry research internationally. In the past year, our greater focus on transient redox gradients across stratified waters, sediment-water interfaces, and mineral-water interfaces extended our research beyond actinides to address processes controlling cycling of redox-sensitive metals more broadly. Nevertheless, Research Thrusts 1 and 2 are guided by the following broad central hypotheses that were developed during our last program review held at the end of FY18: Thrust 1 Hypothesis: Biogeochemical processes occurring on the timescale of years to decades lead to greater actinide recalcitrance in sediments and limits their migration in surface and groundwater. Thrust 2 Hypothesis: Long-term biogeochemical processes include mineral and surface alteration, which leads to stabilization of actinide surface associations or incorporation into mineral precipitates. Our strategic goal is to use the knowledge gained from our Science Plan to advance our understanding of the behavior of actinides and other radionuclides (e.g. Cs) and provide DOE with the scientific basis for remediation and long-term stewardship of DOE’s legacy sites. More broadly, we will enhance our understanding of transport phenomena in environmental systems sciences with a particular emphasis on environmentally relevant (long-term) timescales. While we retain our focus on actinide biogeochemistry, our increased focus on overall biogeochemical processes occurring at unique Test Bed locations associated with this SFA provides fundamental information on abiotic and biotic redox processes that control the cycling of redox sensitive metals under dynamic and transient conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS2003

Microsample Characterization of Coatings for Grcop-84 for High Heat Flux Applications

A multidisciplinary Johns Hopkins University-NASA Glenn team is undertaking a collaborative research program to elucidate and model the thermal stability and mechanical integrity of candidate coatings for GRCop-84. GRCop-84 is a high conductivity, high strength copper alloy that was recently developed at NASA Glenn for use in high temperature, high heat flux applications. With potential applications in rocket motor combustion chamber liners, nozzle ramps and other actively cooled structures, this new material offers great potential for decreasing weight and increasing reliability of third generation reusable launch vehicles. Current emphasis has turned toward the development of environmentally resistant and thermal barrier coatings for this alloy. Metallic coatings such as NiCrAlY and Cu-8-30%Cr have shown promise in: prohibiting blanching, reducing dog-house failures, increasing operating temperatures and decreasing cooling requirements. The focus of this research program is to develop a fundamental understanding of the substrate-coating interactions that occur during thermal cycling (inter-diffusion, viscoplasticity, morphological evolution, crack formation, etc.) and to derive a science-based protocol for future coating selection, optimization and reliability assurance. The microsample tensile testing approach adopted for this study allows us to characterize small-scale and highly scale-specific coatings and properties in a way not possible by conventional means. In addition to providing much needed design data, the integration of microsample testing with detailed microstructural observations provides a mechanistic foundation for coating optimization and life prediction modeling.

Hemker, Kevin↗

NASA NTRS1966

Ion trajectory studies of the integral-focus, linear-strip cesium contact thrustor.

Computer program for current profile and trajectory analysis for cesium contact thrustor leading to integral focus configuration of multistrip contact engines for long space missions

TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS↗

DOE OSTI2013

Recommendations for Tritium Science and Technology Research and Development in Support of the Tritium Readiness Campaign, TTP-7-084

Between 2006 and 2012 the Tritium Readiness Campaign Development and Testing Program produced significant advances in the understanding of in-reactor TPBAR performance. Incorporating these data into existing TPBAR performance models has improved permeation predictions, and the discrepancy between predicted and observed tritium permeation in the WBN1 coolant has been decreased by about 30%. However, important differences between predicted and observed permeation still remain, and there are significant knowledge gaps that hinder the ability to reliably predict other aspects of TPBAR performance such as tritium distribution, component integrity, and performance margins. Based on recommendations from recent Tritium Readiness Campaign workshops and reviews coupled with technical and programmatic priorities, high-priority activities were identified to address knowledge gaps in the near- (3-5 year), middle- (5-10 year), and long-term (10+ year) time horizons. It is important to note that there are many aspects to a well-integrated research and development program. The intent is not to focus exclusively on one aspect or another, but to approach the program in a holistic fashion. Thus, in addition to small-scale tritium science studies, ex-reactor tritium technology experiments such as TMED, and large-scale in-reactor tritium technology experiments such as TMIST, a well-rounded research and development program must also include continued analysis of WBN1 performance data and post-irradiation examination of TPBARs and lead use assemblies to evaluate model improvements and compare separate-effects and integral component behavior.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

NASA NTRS1989

Lincoln Advanced Science and Engineering Reinforcement (LASER) program

Lincoln University, under the Lincoln Advanced Science and Engineering Reinforcement (LASER) Program, has identified and successfully recruited over 100 students for majors in technical fields. To date, over 70 percent of these students have completed or will complete technical degrees in engineering, physics, chemistry, and computer science. Of those completing the undergraduate degree, over 40 percent have gone on to graduate and professional schools. This success is attributable to well planned approaches to student recruitment, training, personal motivation, retention, and program staff. Very closely coupled to the above factors is a focus designed to achieve excellence in program services and student performance. Future contributions by the LASER Program to the pool of technical minority graduates will have a significant impact. This is already evident from the success of the students that began the first year of the program. With program plans to refine many of the already successful techniques, follow-on activities are expected to make even greater contributions to the availability of technically trained minorities. For example, undergraduate research exposure, broadened summer, and co-op work experiences will be enhanced.

Williams, Willie E.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Flash Memory Reliability: Read, Program, and Erase Latency Versus Endurance Cycling

This report documents the efforts and results of the fiscal year (FY) 2010 NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program (NEPP) task for nonvolatile memory (NVM) reliability. This year's focus was to measure latency (read, program, and erase) of NAND Flash memories and determine how these parameters drift with erase/program/read endurance cycling.

latency↗

NASA NTRS2024

Exploring the Moon: Preserving the Legacy Through Spacesuit Knowledge Capture and Strategic Communication

NASA is returning to the Moon to stay. To establish a sustained lunar presence, astronauts will pack spacesuits, surface-mobility tools, rovers, and decades’ worth of knowledge. The U.S. Spacesuit Knowledge Capture (SKC) and Strategic Communications (Strat Comm) team is specialized in capturing, preserving, and sharing space-related knowledge with NASA scientists, technicians, engineers, vendors, and the public to support space exploration. Since the SKC Program’s 2007 inception, its focus has been to capture and share valuable spacesuit-related knowledge with the NASA community. As the program evolved, its notoriety, funding, scope, and staffing expanded from a one-person, part-time, unfunded operation to a small-team, funded entity. Currently, this team has been formulated with a diverse skillset to meet the requirements of its stakeholders. The SKC and Strat Comm team has used its skills to produce over 260 recorded knowledge captures of subject-matter experts (SMEs) and photoshoots. These knowledge captures are in the form of photographs, lectures, workshops, vignettes, videos, and interviews containing essential space-related knowledge. To help educate the space community and public, this trove of information (e.g., videos of world-class facilities, photographs, and SME lectures), produced inside NASA Johnson Space Center, can be obtained through various sources. During Fiscal Year 2024, the SKC and Strat Comm team will focus on several initiatives. Examples of initiatives include the following: 1) share lessons learned during NASA’s internal venues such as Safety & Health Day and Day of Remembrance; 2) share knowledge with the public, educators, and students through a media production titled Exploring the Moon; and 3) highlight NASA’s unique capabilities and expertise in a video series titled What’s Behind This Door? This paper discusses the team's approach, unique capture capability, initiatives, and much more.

Cinda Chullen↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Exploring the Moon: Preserving the Legacy Through Spacesuit Knowledge Capture and Strategic Communication

Cinda Chullen↗

NASA NTRS1997

An Overview of the Tropospheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing Observational Experiment

Aerosol effects on atmospheric radiation are a leading source of uncertainty in predicting future climate. As a result, the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Program has established a Focus on Atmospheric Aerosols (IGAC/FAA) and endorsed a series of aerosol field campaigns. TARFOX, the second in the IGAC/FAA series, was designed to reduce this uncertainty by measuring aerosol properties and effects in the US eastern seaboard, where one of the world's major plumes of industrial haze moves from the continent over the Atlantic Ocean. TARFOX's objectives are to: 1. Make simultaneous measurements of: (a) aerosol effects on radiation fields, and (b) the chemical, physical, and optical properties of the aerosols causing those effects. 2. Perform a variety of closure studies by using overdetermined data sets to test the mutual consistency of measurements and calculations of a wide range of aerosol properties and effects. 3. Use the results of the closure studies to assess and reduce uncertainties in estimates of aerosol radiative forcing, as well as to guide future field programs. An important subset of the closure studies is tests and improvements of algorithms used to derive aerosol properties and radiative effects from satellite measurements. The TARFOX Intensive Field Period (IFP) was conducted July 10-31, 1996. It included coordinated measurements from four satellites (GOES-8, NOAA-14, ERS-2, LANDSAT), four aircraft (ER-2, C-130, C-131, and a modified Cessna), land sites, and ships. A variety of aerosol conditions was sampled, ranging from relatively clean behind frontal passages to moderately polluted with aerosol optical depths exceeding 0.5 at mid-visible wavelengths. The latter conditions included separate incidents of enhancements caused primarily by anthropogenic sources and another incident of enhancement apparently influenced by recent fog processing. Spatial gradients of aerosol optical thickness were sampled to aid in isolating aerosol effects from other radiative effects and to more tightly constrain closure tests, including those of satellite retrievals. This talk gives an overview of TARFOX goals, rationale, methods, and initial key findings.

Russell, P. B.↗

DOE OSTI2015

Advanced thermal barrier coatings for operation in high hydrogen content fueled gas turbines

The Center for Thermal Spray Research (CTSR) at Stony Brook University in partnership with its industrial Consortium for Thermal Spray Technology is investigating science and technology related to advanced metallic alloy bond coats and ceramic thermal barrier coatings for applications in the hot section of gasified coal-based high hydrogen turbine power systems. In conjunction with our OEM partners (GE and Siemens) and through strategic partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) (materials degradation group and high temperature materials laboratory), a systems approach, considering all components of the TBC (multilayer ceramic top coat, metallic bond coat & superalloy substrate) is being taken during multi-layered coating design, process development and subsequent environmental testing. Recent advances in process science and advanced in situ thermal spray coating property measurement enabled within CTSR has been incorporated for full-field enhancement of coating and process reliability. The development of bond coat processing during this program explored various aspects of processing and microstructure and linked them to performance. The determination of the bond coat material was carried out during the initial stages of the program. Based on tests conducted both at Stony Brook University as well as those carried out at ORNL it was determined that the NiCoCrAlYHfSi (Amdry) bond coats had considerable benefits over NiCoCrAlY bond coats. Since the studies were also conducted at different cycling frequencies, thereby addressing an associated need for performance under different loading conditions, the Amdry bond coat was selected as the material of choice going forward in the program. With initial investigations focused on the fabrication of HVOF bond coats and the performance of TBC under furnace cycle tests , several processing strategies were developed. Two-layered HVOF bond coats were developed to render optimal balance of density and surface roughness and resulted in improved TBC lifetimes. Processing based approaches of identifying optimal processing regimes deploying advanced in-situ coating property measurements and in-flight diagnostic tools were used to develop process maps for bond coats. Having established a framework for the bond coat processing using the HVOF process, effort were channeled towards fabrication of APS and VPS bond coats with the same material composition. Comparative evaluation of the three deposition processes with regard to their microstrcuture , surface profiles and TBC performance were carried out and provided valuable insights into factors that require concurrent consideration for the development of bond coats for advanced TBC systems. Over the course of this program several advancements were made on the development of durable thermal barrier coatings. Process optimization techniques were utilized to identify processing regimes for both conventional YSZ as well as other TBC compositions such as Gadolinium Zirconate and other Co-doped materials. Measurement of critical properties for these formed the initial stages of the program to identify potential challenges in their implementation as part of a TBC system. High temperature thermal conductivity measurements as well as sintering behavior of both YSZ and GDZ coatings were evaluated as part of initial efforts to undersand the influence of processing on coating properties. By effectively linking fundamental coating properties of fracture toughness and elastic modulus to the cyclic performance of coatings, a durability strategy for APS YSZ coatings was developed. In order to meet the goals of fabricating a multimaterial TBC system further research was carried out on the development of a gradient thermal conductivity model and the evaluation of sintering behavior of multimaterial coatings. Layer optimization for desired properties in the multimaterial TBC was achieved by an iterative feedback approach utilizing process maps and in-situ and ex-situ coating property sensors. Addressing the challenges pertaining to the integration of the two materials YSZ and GDZ led to one of most the critical outcomes of this program, the development of durable multimaterial, multifunctional TBC systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Analysis of fission product distribution and composition in the TRISO layers of AGR-2 fuel

The Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Qualification and Development Program's second irradiation experiment focuses on the performance of fuel particles produced in an industrial-scale coating system. Ongoing post-irradiation examination efforts include exploration of tristructural-isotropic (TRISO)-coated particle fuel in the as-irradiated state and subjected to elevated temperatures to simulate accident conditions (safety testing). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to show the distribution of fission products within the TRISO layers. The SEM analysis showed a variation of fission product distribution within the TRISO layers based on irradiation temperature, burnup, individual particle fission product inventory retention, safety testing history and kernel composition. Finally, a key observation is that particles which likely experienced higher temperature showed a greater diversity and distribution of fission products and actinides in the IPyC and SiC layers, implying that temperature is a dominant variable influencing the transport of radionuclides in TRISO particles.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

NASA NTRS1997

JOVE

The focus of our JOVE research has been to develop a field instrument that provides high quality data for atmospheric corrections and in-flight calibration of airborne and satellite remote sensing imaging systems. The instrument package is known as the Portable Ground-based Atmospheric Monitoring System or PGAMS. PGAMS collects a comprehensive set of spectroscopic/radiometric observations that describe the optical properties of the atmosphere and reflectance of a target area on the earth's surface at the time of the aircraft or satellite overpass. To date, the PGAMS instrument system and control software has been completed and used for data collection in several NASA field experiments across the continental US and Puerto Rico. Where do you see your JOVE research going after the initial JOVE Funding Expires? Our JOVE initiated research will continue to be very active in supporting validation and calibration activities in remote sensing involving NASA, DOE, DOD, NSF, and possibly commercial supported programs. Future effort will focus on projects related to NASA's Mission to Planet Earth. This will include field work using PGAMS and data analysis that evaluates sensor calibration and atmospheric effects in images recorded by ASTER, MODIS, and MISR instruments aboard the AM-1 platform.

Schiller, Stephen↗

DOE OSTI2021

FIPD: The SFR metallic fuels irradiation & physics database

The DOE Advanced Reactor Technology (ART) program has supported efforts to recover and preserve metallic fuel data generated throughout the US sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) program. Those efforts have been focused on establishing databases of the experimental data that were mainly generated during the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) program including data generated at Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II), Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), and Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) reactors, as well as out of pile data. The data is essential for future licensing activities of metallic fuel based advanced fast reactors. This paper describes the development of the SFR Metallic Fuels Irradiation & Physics Database (FIPD) and covers the scientific knowledge available in the database. Furthermore, the architecture of the FIPD is described by showing the available reactor operation data, fabrication, and post-irradiation examination (PIE) data, and other documents. The applications of the fuel database are also discussed.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2013

FLC Nomination: Carole Rutten

STEM Mentorship Award: Given to an individual who may or may not be a direct employee of a government laboratory or facility in the Mid Continent Region, but has demonstrated exceptional character, mentorship, and creativity in the areas of science and math or by promoting the development of young people in grades K-12 or higher in technical career fields. Contributions must be unique and show measurable benefit to the laboratory, school system/students and must have occurred within the past three calendar years. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) would like to nominate Carole Rutten for the FLC STEM Mentorship Award. Carole has been responsible for the Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) Institutional Education Investments since 2007. In 2012, Carole initiated and led the review of the education programs and investments’ impact in Northern New Mexico. An Education Impact Study conducted in 2010 indicated that there was an abundance of STEM Programs for kindergarten through sixth grade (K-6) students, but relatively few STEM Programs existed for students in middle school and beyond. To address this gap, Carole worked with LANS to focus its education investments on programs for middle and high school students to better prepare them for collegiate studies leading to STEM careers.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

NASA NTRS2004

Assessment of the NASA AvSTAR Project Plan

This report is a preliminary evaluation of NASA's proposed Aviation System Technology Advanced Research (AvSTAR) Program during the early stages of its definition, in the first half of the year 2001. This evaluation focuses on how well the program goals address the needs of the U.S. National Airspace System, the technical feasibility of the program goals, and the logistical feasibility of the program plan. This report also provides recommendations on how the AvSTAR program could be strengthened and improved. This document has two appendices.

Ulrey, Michael L.↗