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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 127 records · Page 7

Status of permanent magnet radiation resiliency studies at CEBAF

An ongoing investigation for the future of Jefferson Lab’s Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) lies in upgrading its maximum nominal energy using Fixed-Field Alternating-gradient (FFA) technology for its recirculating arcs, using permanent magnets for the FFA arcs. A common concern among the community is the degradation of these permanent magnets during operation due to the radiation environment in which they will be present. This work, funded by a Laboratory Directed R&D grant, aims to measure the permanent magnet degradation in the CEBAF tunnel enclosure, and extrapolate to the energies expected from the upgrade. We present the latest results of this study, as well as plans moving forward.

Accelerator Physics↗

Improved Platform for the Benchtop Study of Complex Radiological Environments that Affect Fallout Formation: DHS Feasbility Study (Final Report)

Fallout analysis is a crucial field of study as it provides insight into the structural interactions that occur between radiological components and their surroundings following a nuclear event. Due to the complexity of actual fallout samples, setups like the plasma flow reactor (PFR) at LLNL have been developed to synthesize fallout in a controlled environment. While the PFR allows for control of parameters such as initial temperature, cooling rate, and concentration of radiological species, controlling the concentration of water has remained a challenge as samples are introduced into the setup via aqueous solution. To that end, our goal with this project was to develop methodologies to (1) monitor and (2) control the presence of water in the PFR. We found that a commercially available FTIR and MCT detector was sufficient to monitor the presence of both condensed and vapor-phase water, while a desolvating nebulizer could be used to control the amount of water injected into the system. In total, the results of this feasibility study have expanded the ability of the flow reactor to investigate key sensitivities that influence fallout formation.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Scoping Study: Scintillator Array for Fission Correlation Studies

This scoping study uses a simulation based on the PROSPECT (1) detector to assess the conceptual design of a modular system that could efficiently and simultaneously measure the Prompt Fast Neutron Spectrum (PFNS), the prompt fission neutron multiplicity, the prompt fission gamma-ray multiplicity and total energy, as well as temporal and angular correlations between the detected particles. The proposed experiment would require a mono-energetic pulsed neutron beam incident on an actinide target in the center of the detector. Beam induced backgrounds due to elastic and inelastic neutron scattering on the target are considered, while other backgrounds are ignored for this study.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Low-Temperature Plasma Assisted Kinetics Study of Ethanol

Non-equilibrium plasma assisted kinetics of ethanol at 0.5 atm over a temperature range of 523-1203 K were studied at stoichiometric conditions by using a plasma flow reactor (PFR). The effects of plasma chemistry on fuel and its influence on neutral chemistry is decoupled with both experimental and modelling efforts. Enhanced reactivity was observed experimentally in both plasma-assisted oxidation and pyrolysis cases with fuel consumption beginning at temperatures as low as 523 K. Absolute fuel consumption was observed at temperatures nearly 200 K earlier than pure thermal reactions highlighting the effectiveness of non-equilibrium plasma to promote reactivity. Furthermore, modelling results illustrated the effect of electron impact reactions towards accelerating fuel consumption and promoting low temperature chemistry by generating excited state N2 and reactive O and OH radicals.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Multi-Site Observational Study to Assess Biomarkers for Susceptibility or Resilience to Chronic Pain: The Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS) Study Protocol

Chronic pain has become a global health problem contributing to years lived with disability and reduced quality of life. Advances in the clinical management of chronic pain have been limited due to incomplete understanding of the multiple risk factors and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of chronic pain. The Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS) Program aims to characterize the predictive nature of biomarkers (brain imaging, high-throughput molecular screening techniques, or “omics,” quantitative sensory testing, patient-reported outcome assessments and functional assessments) to identify individuals who will develop chronic pain following surgical intervention. The A2CPS is a multisite observational study investigating biomarkers and collective biosignatures (a combination of several individual biomarkers) that predict susceptibility or resilience to the development of chronic pain following knee arthroplasty and thoracic surgery. This manuscript provides an overview of data collection methods and procedures designed to standardize data collection across multiple clinical sites and institutions. Pain-related biomarkers are evaluated before surgery and up to 3 months after surgery for use as predictors of patient reported outcomes 6 months after surgery. The dataset from this prospective observational study will be available for researchers internal and external to the A2CPS Consortium to advance understanding of the transition from acute to chronic postsurgical pain.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Experimental and Numerical Study on the Effect of Nitric Oxide on Autoignition and Knock in a Direct-Injection Spark-Ignition Engine

We report Nitric Oxide (NO) can significantly influence the autoignition reactivity and this can affect knock limits in conventional stoichiometric SI engines. Previous studies also revealed that the role of NO changes with fuel type. Fuels with high RON (Research Octane Number) and high Octane Sensitivity (S = RON – MON (Motor Octane Number)) exhibited monotonically retarding knocklimited combustion phasing (KL-CA50) with increasing NO. In contrast, for a high-RON, low-S fuel, the addition of NO initially resulted in a strongly retarded KL-CA50 but beyond the certain amount of NO, KL-CA50 advanced again. The current study focuses on same high-RON, low-S Alkylate fuel to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the reversal in the effect of NO on KLCA50 beyond a certain amount of NO. Experiments were conducted to measure the responses of KL-CA50 and trace-autoignition CA50, the latter being indicative of CA50 at which end-gas autoignition starts to become measurable from the apparent heat-release rate. Chemical-kinetics simulations were conducted to reveal the role of NO for end-gas autoignition, with a specific focus on sequential autoignition in a thermally stratified end-gas. The simulation results reveal that the magnitude of low-temperature heat release (LTHR) generally increases with NO. However, the relative importance of NO for enhancing LTHR diminishes when the LTHR inherent to a fuel’s chemistry is strong, such as at lower temperatures in a thermal boundary layer. This rendered more uniform LTHR within a hypothetical thermal boundary and led to a more sequential (i.e. slower) autoignition event. It was also revealed that a change in compression ratio influences the importance of intermediate-temperature heat release (ITHR) due to changes of the temperature-pressure history of the end-gas. Together with the condition where end-gas autoignition occurs more sequentially, the shorter time spent in LTHR and ITHR regime can counter the increase in autoignition reactivity at high NO levels and allow KLCA50 to advance

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Hypersonic Research Facilities Study - Volume II, Part 2: Phase I Preliminary Studies Flight Vehicle Synthesis

Airbreathing hypersonic aircraft employing liquid hydrogen fuel have the potential of satisfying a number of mission requirements in the 1980-2000 time period. However, major advances in the technological state of the art are necessary before such aircraft can be considered either feasible or practical. The objective was to assess the research and development requirements for hypersonic aircraft and based on these requirements, to provide the NASA with characteristics of a number of desirable hypersonic research facilities. The study is organized in three phases. Phase I is a preliminary analysis of a broad group of concepts. The purpose of Phase I was to compare the characteristics of these facilities considering research capability, versatility, adaptability, system confidence and costs and based on these comparisons select those facilities that appear most attractive for parametric study and further refinement in Phase II. This part of Volume II presents the results of the design and cost synthesis of the flight research facilities.

Source record↗

Hypersonic Research Facilities Study - Volume IV, Part 1: Phase III Final Studies Flight Research Facilities

The Phase III analyses of Flight Research Facilities performed as a portion of the Hypersonic Research Facilities (HYFAC) Study are presented herein. Two attractive flight research vehicle concepts, geared to the development needs of future (1980-2n00) operational hypersonic aircraft systems, are defined. The inherent research capability of each concept is further expanded by incorporating provisions within the basic vehicle design to accommodate the testing of several additional research options. The design feasibility of this approach to achieving increased research flexibility is examined. Near term propulsion systems are employed as the basic power plants to shorten acquisition time, reduce development costs, and provide high confidence in attaining the performance capability desired, Performance is determined for each basic vehicle and for the vehicles when incorporating several optional research packages. Total program cost estimates are developed for each vehicle and for the various research options. This study provides the necessary framework for the formulation of an attractive and needed flight research program which is a key element in the systematic development of an overall advanced research plan.

Source record↗

Information management system study results. Volume 1: IMS study results

The information management system (IMS) special emphasis task was performed as an adjunct to the modular space station study, with the objective of providing extended depth of analysis and design in selected key areas of the information management system. Specific objectives included: (1) in-depth studies of IMS requirements and design approaches; (2) design and fabricate breadboard hardware for demonstration and verification of design concepts; (3) provide a technological base to identify potential design problems and influence long range planning (4) develop hardware and techniques to permit long duration, low cost, manned space operations; (5) support SR&T areas where techniques or equipment are considered inadequate; and (6) permit an overall understanding of the IMS as an integrated component of the space station.

Source record↗

Tracking and data relay satellite system configuration and tradeoff study. Volume 1: Study summary

A study was conducted to determine the configuration and tradeoffs of a tracking and data relay satellite. The study emphasized the design of a three axis stabilized satellite and a telecommunications system optimized for support of low and medium data rate user spacecraft. Telecommunications support to low and high, or low medium, and high data rate users, considering launches with the Delta 2914, the Atlas/Centaur, and the space shuttle was also considered. The following subjects are presented: (1) launch and deployment profile, (2) spacecraft mechanical and structural design, (3) attitude stabilization and control subsystem, and (4) reliability analysis.

Hill, T. E.↗

Long life assurance study for manned spacecraft long life hardware. Volume 5: Long life assurance test and study recommendations

A study was conducted to establish the guidelines to be applied to the selection of equipment for manned spacecraft systems. Recommendations for expansion of the original study are submitted. The subjects considered are: (1) designing to severe dynamic requirements; (2) analysis of in-space failures due to life limitations; (3) accelerated testing of semiconductors; (4) fan life verification; (5) testing of solid tantalum capacitors; (6) testing of teflon valve seats; and (7) electromigration model verification.

Source record↗

DOD/NASA system impact analysis (study 2.1). Volume 2: Study results

Results of the tug turnaround cost study and the space transportation system (STS) abort modes and effects study are presented for DOD/NASA system impact analysis. Cost estimates are given for tug turnabout; and vehicle description, abort assessment, and abort performance capability are given for the STS.

Source record↗

Life sciences payload definition and integration study. Volume 2: Requirements, design, and planning studies for the carry-on laboratories

The task phase concerned with the requirements, design, and planning studies for the carry-on laboratory (COL) began with a definition of biomedical research areas and candidate research equipment, and then went on to develop conceptual layouts for COL which were each evaluated in order to arrive at a final conceptual design. Each step in this design/evaluation process concerned itself with man/systems integration research and hardware, and life support and protective systems research and equipment selection. COL integration studies were also conducted and include attention to electrical power and data management requirements, operational considerations, and shuttle/Spacelab interface specifications. A COL program schedule was compiled, and a cost analysis was finalized which takes into account work breakdown, annual funding, and cost reduction guidelines.

Source record↗

Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report no. 1: Orbit/launch vehicle tradeoff studies and recommendations

A study was conducted to determine the recommended orbit for the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) Land Resources Mission. It was determined that a promising sun synchronous orbit is 366 nautical miles when using an instrument with a 100 nautical mile swath width. The orbit has a 17 day repeat cycle and a 14 nautical mile swath overlap. Payloads were developed for each mission, EOS A through F. For each mission, the lowest cost booster that was capable of lifting the payload to the EOS orbit was selected. The launch vehicles selected for the missions are identified on the basis of tradeoff studies and recommendations. The reliability aspects of the launch vehicles are analyzed.

Source record↗