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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 1,153 records · Page 64
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Sizing, Buckling, and Thermal-Structural Analysis of Tall Lunar Tower

Tall lunar towers enable direct collection of solar energy using solar panels that can generate power exceeding 100-kW above shadowed regions on the surface. Tall lunar towers also support solar reflectors and concentrators for solar farms, which enable various mission architectures on the lunar surface. The Tall Lunar Tower (TLT) project at NASA Langley Research Center is focused on the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of an assembled TLT Engineering Development Unit (EDU). In this paper, the design and analysis plan of a TLT is presented and predicted buckling and thermal-structural response of the TLT EDU on the lunar surface are investigated.

Kyongchan Song↗
NASA NTRS1995

Direct Radiative Forcing by Anthropogenic Airborne Mineral Aerosols

Although airborne mineral aerosols are traditionally considered a natural component of the earth-atmosphere climate system, an examination of dust production mechanisms and dust source regions reveals that a significant fraction of the dust loading could be due to human activities. We find that the global mean direct solar radiative forcing by anthropogenically generated mineral aerosols may be comparable to the direct solar radiative forcing by other anthropogenic aerosols. The net regional forcing by mineral aerosols can greatly exceed the regional forcing by sulfate aerosol and can even be comparable to the net forcing by clouds. An improved understanding of the radiative forcing due to mineral aerosols requires better knowledge of the regional patterns of dust production rates and dust optical depths, more comprehensive measurements of dust microphysical and optical characteristics, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the role of dust aerosols on infrared radiative forcing.

Sokolik, Irina N.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Diversity of Energy Generation and Storage Methods on the Lunar Surface

Solar light, solar wind, differences between temperatures of the lunar surface, solar photosphere, and deep space, as well as noticeable changes of surface temperature in the absence of atmosphere provide opportunities for energy production and storage on the Moon using generators ranging from solar panels and thermocouples to devices using phase transitions or magnetism. There are multiple and diverse possibilities for energy generation and storage. Compositions of the relevant materials can be compared to abundances of chemical elements in lunar regolith.

Energy↗
NASA NTRS1991

Hubble Extra Solar Planet Interferometer

This paper describes a proposed third-generation Hubble instrument for extra-solar planet detection, the Hubble Extra-Solar Planet Interferometer (HESPI). This instrument would be able to achieve starlight cancellation at the 10 exp 6 to 10 exp 8 level, given a stellar wavefront with phase errors comparable to the present Hubble telescope wavefront. At 10 exp 6 starlight cancellation, HESPI would be able to detect a Jupiter-like planet next to a star at a distance of about 10 parsec, for which there are about 400 candidate stars. This paper describes a novel approach for starlight suppression, using a combination of active control and single-mode spatial filters, to achieve starlight suppression far below the classical limit set by scattering due to microsurface imperfections. In preliminary lab experiments, suppression by a factor of 40 below the classical scatter limit due to optical wavefront errors has been demonstrated.

Shao, M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Solar collector installation design system including exceptional condition management and display

Embodiments may include systems and methods to create and edit a representation of a worksite, to create various data objects, to classify such objects as various types of pre-defined “features” with attendant properties and layout constraints. As part of or in addition to classification, an embodiment may include systems and methods to create, associate, and edit intrinsic and extrinsic properties to these objects. A design engine may apply of design rules to the features described above to generate one or more solar collectors installation design alternatives, including generation of on-screen and/or paper representations of the physical layout or arrangement of the one or more design alternatives. In some embodiments, metadata about the design process, including the process of classifying features and providing user input, generating layouts, and then modifying those layouts, may be generated. The metadata may include information about exceptional conditions in the project state information or design. A list of exceptions corresponding to exceptional conditions may be generated, and the designer may interact with these exceptions in a variety of ways, such as by complying with rules to remove an item from the exceptions list or overriding the application of the rules. The exceptions may be non-blocking relative to other user actions.

Wayne, Gary↗
DOE OSTI2022

SoLAr: Solar Neutrinos in Liquid Argon

SoLAr is a new concept for a liquid-argon neutrino detector technology to extend the sensitivities of these devices to the MeV energy range - expanding the physics reach of these next-generation detectors to include solar neutrinos. We propose this novel concept to significantly improve the precision on solar neutrino mixing parameters and to observe the "hep branch" of the proton-proton fusion chain. The SoLAr detector will achieve flavour-tagging of solar neutrinos in liquid argon. The SoLAr technology will be based on the concept of monolithic light-charge pixel-based readout which addresses the main requirements for such a detector: a low energy threshold with excellent energy resolution (approximately 7%) and background rejection through pulse-shape discrimination. The SoLAr concept is also timely as a possible technology choice for the DUNE "Module of Opportunity", which could serve as a next-generation multi-purpose observatory for neutrinos from the MeV to the GeV range. The goal of SoLAr is to observe solar neutrinos in a 10 ton-scale detector and to demonstrate that the required background suppression and energy resolution can be achieved. SoLAr will pave the way for a precise measurement of the 8-B flux, an improved precision on solar neutrino mixing parameters, and ultimately lead to the first observation of hep neutrinos in the DUNE Module of Opportunity.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Advanced Modular Sub-Atmospheric Hybrid Heat Engine (Final Report)

The Phase 1 Final Technical Report describes the results of the work completed during the “Advanced Modular Sub-Atmospheric Hybrid Heat Engine” project. A key part of the Phase 1 work was the completion of a thermodynamic cycle analysis for the MHHE at the selected module size. The hybrid heat engine has been developed as a modular unit (sized in the range of 500kW – 60MW) that can be used with modular coal or biomass gasifiers, with distributed power generation systems, with large power plants comprised of multiple generating units, and with natural gas compression stations. The MHHE will provide cleaner, more efficient, and lower cost generation with better load following capabilities than existing competing technologies with a singular generating source such as solar farm, gas turbine, or combustion engine. The drivers of the MHHE technology are: benefits of modular power generation (reduced equipment cost, construction cost and implementation time, connection ready on delivery, flexible scalability, serviceability), fuel flexibility, lowest cost power generation and reduced emissions.A logical progression of work and a clear path forward toward meeting the FOA goals and objectives have been established. Namely, a preliminary market analysis and primary fuel identification was completed first and then the modularity of the system was defined. The benefits of the proposed hybrid and modular heat engine were described when applied to modular coal gasifiers, distributed power generators, and larger power plants. Based on the market analysis, modularity, and chosen primary fuel, a conceptual design and layout of the hybrid heat engine was developed, analyzed, and characterized. The technology gaps already identified have been reviewed and expanded upon, and a test plan to address these gaps through bench scale testing in Phase 2 has been developed. Cost estimate methodology and considerations in support of a potential Phase 2 project have been described.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Refractory-based thermal energy storage for industrial process heat: one-dimensional modeling, control, and optimization

The variable and weather-dependent output of wind and solar power plants present a substantial challenge for planning and operating electricity-systems, particularly in the absence of cost-effective and dispatchable energy storage technologies. This study investigates a high-temperature, electrically heated, refractory-based thermal energy storage (RTES) system that stores electrical energy as sensible heat in dense ceramic bricks over the 950–1800 °C range. The stored heat can be discharged as a controlled hot-gas stream for industrial heating, fuel substitution in high-temperature processes, or electricity generation. The main novelty is a comprehensive modelling, control, mapping, and optimization framework that integrates one-dimensional transient gas–solid heat transfer, fan-assisted discharge, bypass-flow regulation, reheating logic, fan-power evaluation, insulation-loss assessment, and genetic-algorithm-based design optimization. The model uses feedback from outlet temperature and delivered power to regulate discharge, while a two-stage genetic algorithm optimizes brick-channel geometry, gas-flow operation, and multilayer insulation thicknesses. Storage capacities below 50 MWh and discharge powers of 5–30 MW are analyzed to evaluate hold time, thermal delivery, fan-power penalty, heat loss, state-of-charge evolution, and indicative capital cost. Results demonstrate that optimized and well-insulated refractory-based thermal energy storage units can provide stable, efficient, and repeatable heat delivery over multiple discharge cycles. The generated performance and cost maps support modular refractory thermal energy storage as a practical option for large-scale integration of wind and solar generation and for high-temperature industrial process heat.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1977

Solar electric propulsion thruster interactions with solar arrays

The effect of interactions of spacecraft-generated and naturally occurring plasmas with high voltage solar array components on an advanced solar electric propulsion system proposed for the Halley's Comet rendezvous mission was investigated. The spacecraft-generated plasma consists of mercury ions and neutralizing electrons resulting from the operation of ion thrusters (the charge-exchange plasma) and associated hollow cathode neutralizers. Quantitative results are given for the parasitic currents and power coupled into solar arrays with voltage fixed as a function of position on the array.

Parks, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Electrostatic Solitary Waves in the Solar Wind: Evidence for Instability at Solar Wind Current Sheets

A strong spatial association between bipolar electrostatic solitary waves (ESWs) and magnetic current sheets (CSs) in the solar wind is reported here for the first time. This association requires that the plasma instabilities (e.g., Buneman, electron two stream) which generate ESWs are preferentially localized to solar wind CSs. Distributions of CS properties (including shear angle, thickness, solar wind speed, and vector magnetic field change) are examined for differences between CSs associated with ESWs and randomly chosen CSs. Possible mechanisms for producing ESW-generating instabilities at solar wind CSs are considered, including magnetic reconnection.

Electrostatic Solitary Waves↗
NASA NTRS2003

Combination Solar Sail and Electrodynamic Tether Propulsion System

A propulsion system for a spacecraft includes a solar sail system and an electrodynamic tether system is presented. The solar sail system is used to generate propulsion to propel the spacecraft through space using solar photons and the electrodynamic tether system is used to generate propulsion to steer the spacecraft into orbit and to perform orbital maneuvers around a planet using the planet's magnetic field. The electrodynamic tether system can also be used to generate power for the spacecraft using the planet's magnetic field.

Charles L. Johnson↗
DOE OSTI2023

Interhemispheric Observations of ULF Waves Caused by Foreshock Transients Under Quiet Solar Wind Conditions

Abstract Foreshock transient (FT) events are frequently observed phenomena that are generated by discontinuities in the solar wind. These transient events are known to trigger global‐scale magnetic field perturbations (e.g., ULF waves). We report a series of FT events observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission in the upstream bow shock region under quiet solar wind conditions. During the event, ground magnetometers observed significant Pc1 wave activity as well as magnetic impulse events in both hemispheres. Ground Pc1 wave observations show ∼8 min time delay (with some time differences) from each FT event which is observed at the bow shock. We also find that the ground Pc1 waves are observed earlier in the northern hemisphere compared to the southern hemisphere. The observation time difference between the hemispheres implies that the source region of the wave is the off‐equatorial region.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1998

Power Management and Distribution System Developed for Thermionic Power Converters

A spacecraft solar, bimodal system combines propulsion and power generation into a single integrated system. An Integrated Solar Upper Stage (ISUS) provides orbital transfer capabilities, power generation for payloads, and onboard propulsion to the spacecraft. A key benefit of a bimodal system is a greater payload-to-spacecraft mass ratio resulting in lower launch vehicle requirements. Scaling down to smaller launch vehicles increases space access by reducing overall mission cost. NASA has joined efforts with the Air Force Phillips Laboratory to develop enabling technologies for such a system. The NASA/Air Force bimodal concept uses solar concentrators to focus energy into an integrated power plant. This power plant consists of a graphite core that stores thermal energy within a cavity. An array of thermionic converters encircles the graphite cavity and provides electrical energy conversion functions. During the power generation phase of the bimodal system, the thermionic converters are exposed to the heated cavity and convert the thermal energy to electricity. Near-term efforts of the ISUS bimodal program are focused on a ground demonstration of key technologies in order to proceed to a full space flight test. Thermionic power generation is one key technology of the bimodal concept. Thermionic power converters impose unique operating requirements upon a power management and distribution (PMAD) system design. Single thermionic converters supply large currents at very low voltages. Operating voltages can vary over a range of up to 3 to 1 as a function of operating temperature. Most spacecraft loads require regulated 28-volts direct-current (Vdc) power. A combination of series-connected converters and powerprocessing boosters is required to deliver power to the spacecraft's payloads at this level.

Baez, Anastacio N.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Usage of Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (MMRTGs) for Future Potential Missions

The goal of NASAs Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Program is to make RPS ready and available to support the exploration of the solar system in environments where the use of conventional solar or chemical power generation is impractical or impossible to meet the needs of the missions. To meet this goal, the RPS Program, working closely with the Department of Energy, performs mission and system studies (such as the recently released Nuclear Power Assessment Study), evaluates the readiness of promising technologies to infuse in future generators, assesses the sustainment of key RPS capabilities and knowledge, forecasts and tracks the Programs budgetary needs, and disseminates current information about RPS to the community of potential users. This presentation focuses on the needs of the mission community and provides users a better understanding of how to integrate the MMRTG (Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator).

Radioisotope↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of pumped thermal energy storage using particle media integrated with concentrating solar power

Pumped Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) is an electricity storage system that converts electricity into thermal energy which is stored and later transformed back into electricity. Previous work has illustrated that particles have low capital costs and can be operated over a wide range of temperatures. PTES with particle storage achieves higher round-trip efficiency and specific power output than when molten salt thermal energy storage is used. This article explores hybrid systems that combine PTES with Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). Hybrid systems share the majority of components thereby reducing costs compared to two stand-alone devices. In addition, hybrid systems can provide multiple services (such as renewable power generation and electricity storage services). Using particle thermal storage in these hybrid concepts provides freedom in choosing the design conditions, since a wide range of operating temperatures is allowable, therefore making it possible to identify hybrid system designs that have good performance. In this article, two concepts for hybrid PTES-CSP are introduced. Thermodynamic models are developed and these are used to evaluate the performance of two hybrid systems. These models account for turbomachinery efficiency, and approach temperature and pressure loss in heat exchangers, as well as other sources of inefficiency, such as motor-generator losses, and air fan power. The “Solar Top-Up” Concept uses CSP to increase the temperature delivered by the charging heat pump. The discharging system uses a topping gas cycle and a bottoming steam cycle to fully exploit the available energy. Using solar heat to increase the maximum temperature from 750 K to 1100 K increases the round-trip efficiency from 41 % to 62 % and the specific work output from 88 kJ/kg to 301 kJ/kg. The second concept is a “Dual-Mode” device which provides both electricity storage and solar electricity generation with the same set of components. The PTES-mode and CSP-mode performance are optimized at different design values but careful parameter selection leads to good performance of both modes: one design produces PTES round-trip efficiency > 60 %, CSP heat engine efficiency > 40 %, and specific work outputs > 150 kJ/kg (for both cycles), when the particle receiver temperature is > 1200 K and maximum heat pump temperature is 1100 K.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Load Control: A new era of intelligent automation

Imagine that we traveled into the future where more than 50% of electricity production is generated by wind and solar. Would you wonder how the grid would operate on an overcast, windless, extremely cold/hot day, where half of its generation fleet may become unavailable?

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Catalytic Reduction of Dinitrogen Under Mild Conditions (Final Report)

In order to use molecular hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels, large quantities of hydrogen (or protons and electrons) would have to be generated from water using a method based on solar energy and stored as a molecule in which hydrogen is a high weight percentage. The hydrogen must then be generated as needed from the form in which it is stored. An attractive molecule for this purpose is ammonia (~17% hydrogen by weight). Among the many problems that must be addressed for a successful implementation of this approach in the long term is the reduction of nitrogen catalytically to ammonia with protons and electrons under mild conditions, a goal that is addressed in this proposal. The first abiological catalytic reduction of N 2 to NH 3 by protons and electrons under mild conditions (22 °C and 1 atm) employed molybdenum catalysts, [(HIPTNCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N]Mo (HIPTN 3 N 3- ), where HIPT (hexaisopropylterphenyl) is 3,5- (2,4,6-i-Pr 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 C 6 H 3 . A total of approximately four turnovers (to give a maximum of eight equivalents of ammonia) along with approximately one equivalent of hydrogen per N 2 reduced, were found. A limitation of this catalytic approach is loss of the ligand from the metal. This project is aimed at developing a complex that contains a ligand that will not be removed from the metal. A macrocyclic TREN-based ligand of this type has been synthesized recently. The project is aimed at making similar ligands and molybdenum complexes that contain them and testing the new catalysts for catalytic reduction of dinitrogen. The results of these investigations will help guide further design of ligands for more efficient reduction of nitrogen to ammonia and ultimately an integrated device in which protons and electrons are generated using solar energy and employed to reduce nitrogen to ammonia using molybdenum catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗