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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

A parametric analysis of oilfield design factors affecting the detectability and characterization of electrically conductive hydrofracks

Electrical responses in the vicinity of energized steel-cased well sources offer significant potential for monitoring induced fractures. However, the high complexity of well-fracture-host models spanning multiple length scales compels analysts to simplify their numerical models due to enormous computational costs. This consequently limits our understanding regarding monitoring capabilities and the limitations of electrical measurements on realistic hydraulically fracturing systems. In this paper, we use the hierarchical finite element approach to construct geoelectric models in which geometrically complex fractures and steel-cased wells are discretely represented in 3D conducting media without sacrificing the model realism and computation efficiency. We have discovered systematic numerical analyses of the electrical responses to evaluate the influences of borehole material conductivity and the source type as well as the effects of well geometry, conductivity contrast, source location, fracture growth, and fracture propagation. Furthermore, the numerical results indicate that the borehole material property has a strong control on the electrical potentials along the production and monitoring wells. The monopole source located at a steel-cased well results in a current density distribution that decays away from the source location throughout the well length, whereas the dipole source produces a current density that dominates mainly along the dipole length. Moreover, the conductivity contrast between the fractures and host does not change the overall pattern of the electrical potentials but varies its amplitude. The fracture models near different well systems indicate that the well geometry controls the entire distribution of potentials, while the characteristics of the voltage difference profiles along the wells before and after fracturing are insensitive to the well geometry and the well in which the source is located. Further, the hydraulic-fracturing models indicate that the voltage differences along the production well before and after fracturing have strong sensitivity to fracture growth and fracture set propagation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2011

Utilization of Ancillary Data Sets for Conceptual SMAP Mission Algorithm Development and Product Generation

The planned Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission is one of the first Earth observation satellites being developed by NASA in response to the National Research Council's Decadal Survey, Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond [1]. Scheduled to launch late in 2014, the proposed SMAP mission would provide high resolution and frequent revisit global mapping of soil moisture and freeze/thaw state, utilizing enhanced Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) mitigation approaches to collect new measurements of the hydrological condition of the Earth's surface. The SMAP instrument design incorporates an L-band radar (3 km) and an L band radiometer (40 km) sharing a single 6-meter rotating mesh antenna to provide measurements of soil moisture and landscape freeze/thaw state [2]. These observations would (1) improve our understanding of linkages between the Earth's water, energy, and carbon cycles, (2) benefit many application areas including numerical weather and climate prediction, flood and drought monitoring, agricultural productivity, human health, and national security, (3) help to address priority questions on climate change, and (4) potentially provide continuity with brightness temperature and soil moisture measurements from ESA's SMOS (Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity) and NASA's Aquarius missions. In the planned SMAP mission prelaunch time frame, baseline algorithms are being developed for generating (1) soil moisture products both from radiometer measurements on a 36 km grid and from combined radar/radiometer measurements on a 9 km grid, and (2) freeze/thaw products from radar measurements on a 3 km grid. These retrieval algorithms need a variety of global ancillary data, both static and dynamic, to run the retrieval models, constrain the retrievals, and provide flags for indicating retrieval quality. The choice of which ancillary dataset to use for a particular SMAP product would be based on a number of factors, including its availability and ease of use, its inherent error and resulting impact on the overall soil moisture or freeze/thaw retrieval accuracy, and its compatibility with similar choices made by the SMOS mission. All decisions regarding SMAP ancillary data sources would be fully documented by the SMAP Project and made available to the user community.

freeze/thaw↗
NASA NTRS1997

AMU NEXRAD Exploitation Task

This report documents the results of the Applied Meteorology Unit's NEXRAD Exploitation Task. The objectives of this task are to determine what radar signatures are present prior to and at the time of convection initiation, and to determine radar signatures which will help distinguish whether the ensuing convection will become severe. Radar data from the WSR-88D radar located at NWS Melbourne (WSR-88D/KMLB) were collected between June and September 1995, and 16 convective case studies were analyzed for which the radar was operating during the entire period of interest. All WSR-88D/KMLB products were scrutinized for their utility in detecting convection initiation and severe storm signatures. Through process of elimination, it was found that the 0.5 deg reflectivity product with the lowest reflectivity values displayed is the best product to monitor for convection initiation signatures. Seven meteorological features associated with the initiation of deep convection were identified: the Merritt Island and Indian River convergence zones, interlake convergence, horizontal convective rolls, the sea breeze, storm outflow boundaries, and fires. Their reflectivity values ranged from -5 to 20 dBZ. Of the three severe weather phenomena (winds greater than or equal to 50 kts, tornado, 3/4 inch hail), high wind events due to microbursts were most common in the data set. It was found that the values and trends of composite reflectivity, vertically integrated liquid, and core aspect ratio were key indicators of the potential of a cell to produce a microburst. The data were not analyzed for the other two severe weather phenomena because they rarely occurred during the data collection period. This report also includes suggestions for new WSR-88D products, summaries of ongoing research aimed at creating new products, and explicit recommended procedures for detecting convection initiation and severe storm signatures in the radar data using the currently available technology.

Lambert, Winifred C.↗
DOE OSTI2022

The EGS Collab Project – Stimulations at Two Depths

The EGS Collab project, supported by the US Department of Energy, is performing intensively monitored rock stimulation and flow tests at the 10-m scale in an underground research laboratory to address challenges in implementing enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Data and observations from the field tests are compared to simulations to understand processes and build confidence in numerical modeling of the processes. We have completed Experiment 1 (of 3), which examined hydraulic fracturing in a well-characterized underground fractured phyllite test bed at a depth of approximately 1.5 km at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. Testbed characterization included fracture mapping, borehole acoustic and optical televiewers, full waveform sonic, conductivity, resistivity, temperature, campaign p- and s-wave investigations and electrical resistance tomography. Borehole geophysical techniques including passive seismic, continuous active source seismic monitoring, electrical resistance tomography, fiber-based distributed strain, distributed temperature, and distributed acoustic monitoring, were used to carefully monitor stimulation events and flow tests. More than a dozen stimulations and nearly one year of flow tests were performed. Quality data and detailed observations were collected and analyzed during stimulation and water flow tests using ambient temperature and chilled water. We achieved adaptive control of the tests using real-time monitoring and rapid dissemination of data and near-real-time simulation. More detailed numerical simulation was performed to answer key experimental design questions, forecast fracture propagation trajectories and extents, and analyze and evaluate results. Data are freely available from the Geothermal Data Repository. Experiment 2 examines the potential for hydraulic shearing in amphibolite at a depth of about 1.25 km at SURF. This site has a different set of stress and fracture conditions than Experiment 1. The Experiment 2 testbed consists of nine subhorizontal boreholes configured in two fans of two boreholes which surround the testbed and contain grouted-in electrical resistance tomography, seismic sensors, active seismic sources and distributed fiber sensors. A “five-spot” set of test wells that extends from a custom mined alcove includes an injection well and four production/monitoring wells. The testbed was characterized geophysically and hydrologically, and three stimulations have been performed using the Step-Rate Injection Method for Fracture In-Situ Properties (SIMFIP) tool to measure strains, and a new strain quantifying tool (downhole robotic strain analysis tool -DORSA) was deployed in a monitoring hole during stimulation. Real-time data were broadcast during stimulations to allow real-time response to arising issues.

EGS Collab, Enhanced Geothermal Systems, EGS, fiel↗
DOE OSTI2021

Overview of Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 in the Permian Delaware Basin (HFTS-2)

Here, the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS-2) is a large collaborative field-based R&D program in the Permian Delaware Basin, funded by the US Department of Energy through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and the E&P industry, with support from academia. The projects' main objective is to improve the understating of the hydraulic fracturing process through utilization of advanced diagnostics and collection of through-fracture cores to provide undisputable evidence and attributes of the created hydraulic fractures. At the HFTS-2, in excess of $30 million was used to perform hydraulic fracturing research focusing on the Wolfcamp formation at a field site hosted and operated by Occidental. In addition to the research data collected by the project, Occidental provided a significant amount of background data for about a dozen existing wells in the test area as well as access to previously collected core. Additional technical and laboratory support was provided by the program members. Building on learnings and unanswered questions from HFTS-1 in the Permian Midland basin, the HFTS-2 used eight new producing wells and two existing (parent) wells to perform hydraulic fracturing research. Multiple science wells were drilled to sample and characterize the subsurface, including the collection of 540 feet of core in a vertical pilot hole and 948 feet of high-angle through-fracture core. The project installed permanent fiber optic cables in 3 wells to monitor near wellbore signals during fracturing and to collect cross-well strain measurements. Additional advanced diagnostics included a significant formation evaluation program on the vertical whole core, multi array moment tensor inversion capable microseismic survey, multi-well time-lapse geochemistry analysis, analysis of proppant distribution in producing child and slant core well, and others. We will provide an overview of the HFTS-2 project, including list of the consortium members, details of the test site, experiments performed, and technologies tested.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2007

Potential of VIIRS Time Series Data for Aiding the USDA Forest Service Early Warning System for Forest Health Threats: A Gypsy Moth Defoliation Case Study

This report details one of three experiments performed during FY 2007 for the NASA RPC (Rapid Prototyping Capability) at Stennis Space Center. This RPC experiment assesses the potential of VIIRS (Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite) and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data for detecting and monitoring forest defoliation from the non-native Eurasian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar). The intent of the RPC experiment was to assess the degree to which VIIRS data can provide forest disturbance monitoring information as an input to a forest threat EWS (Early Warning System) as compared to the level of information that can be obtained from MODIS data. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) plans to use MODIS products for generating broad-scaled, regional monitoring products as input to an EWS for forest health threat assessment. NASA SSC is helping the USFS to evaluate and integrate currently available satellite remote sensing technologies and data products for the EWS, including the use of MODIS products for regional monitoring of forest disturbance. Gypsy moth defoliation of the mid-Appalachian highland region was selected as a case study. Gypsy moth is one of eight major forest insect threats listed in the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003; the gypsy moth threatens eastern U.S. hardwood forests, which are also a concern highlighted in the HFRA of 2003. This region was selected for the project because extensive gypsy moth defoliation occurred there over multiple years during the MODIS operational period. This RPC experiment is relevant to several nationally important mapping applications, including agricultural efficiency, coastal management, ecological forecasting, disaster management, and carbon management. In this experiment, MODIS data and VIIRS data simulated from MODIS were assessed for their ability to contribute broad, regional geospatial information on gypsy moth defoliation. Landsat and ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) data were used to assess the quality of gypsy moth defoliation mapping products derived from MODIS data and from simulated VIIRS data. The project focused on use of data from MODIS Terra as opposed to MODIS Aqua mainly because only MODIS Terra data was collected during 2000 and 2001-years with comparatively high amounts of gypsy moth defoliation within the study area. The project assessed the quality of VIIRS data simulation products. Hyperion data was employed to assess the quality of MODIS-based VIIRS simulation datasets using image correlation analysis techniques. The ART (Application Research Toolbox) software was used for data simulation. Correlation analysis between MODIS-simulated VIIRS data and Hyperion-simulated VIIRS data for red, NIR (near-infrared), and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) image data products collectively indicate that useful, effective VIIRS simulations can be produced using Hyperion and MODIS data sources. The r(exp 2) for red, NIR, and NDVI products were 0.56, 0.63, and 0.62, respectively, indicating a moderately high correlation between the 2 data sources. Temporal decorrelation from different data acquisition times and image misregistration may have lowered correlation results. The RPC experiment also generated MODIS-based time series data products using the TSPT (Time Series Product Tool) software. Time series of simulated VIIRS NDVI products were produced at approximately 400-meter resolution GSD (Ground Sampling Distance) at nadir for comparison to MODIS NDVI products at either 250- or 500-meter GSD. The project also computed MODIS (MOD02) NDMI (Normalized Difference Moisture Index) products at 500-meter GSD for comparison to NDVI-based products. For each year during 2000-2006, MODIS and VIIRS (simulated from MOD02) time series were computed during the peak gypsy moth defoliation time frame in the study area (approximately June 10 through July 27). Gypsy moth defoliation mapping products from simated VIIRS and MOD02 time series were produced using multiple methods, including image classification and change detection via image differencing. The latter enabled an automated defoliation detection product computed using percent change in maximum NDVI for a peak defoliation period during 2001 compared to maximum NDVI across the entire 2000-2006 time frame. Final gypsy moth defoliation mapping products were assessed for accuracy using randomly sampled locations found on available geospatial reference data (Landsat and ASTER data in conjunction with defoliation map data from the USFS). Extensive gypsy moth defoliation patches were evident on screen displays of multitemporal color composites derived from MODIS data and from simulated VIIRS vegetation index data. Such defoliation was particularly evident for 2001, although widespread denuded forests were also seen for 2000 and 2003. These visualizations were validated using aforementioned reference data. Defoliation patches were visible on displays of MODIS-based NDVI and NDMI data. The viewing of apparent defoliation patches on all of these products necessitated adoption of a specialized temporal data processing method (e.g., maximum NDVI during the peak defoliation time frame). The frequency of cloud cover necessitated this approach. Multitemporal simulated VIIRS and MODIS Terra data both produced effective general classifications of defoliated forest versus other land cover. For 2001, the MOD02-simulated VIIRS 400-meter NDVI classification produced a similar yet slightly lower overall accuracy (87.28 percent with 0.72 Kappa) than the MOD02 250-meter NDVI classification (88.44 percent with 0.75 Kappa). The MOD13 250-meter NDVI classification had a lower overall accuracy (79.13 percent) and a much lower Kappa (0.46). The report discusses accuracy assessment results in much more detail, comparing overall classification and individual class accuracy statistics for simulated VIIRS 400-meter NDVI, MOD02 250-meter NDVI, MOD02-500 meter NDVI, MOD13 250-meter NDVI, and MOD02 500-meter NDMI classifications. Automated defoliation detection products from simulated VIIRS and MOD02 data for 2001 also yielded similar, relatively high overall classification accuracy (85.55 percent for the VIIRS 400-meter NDVI versus 87.28 percent for the MOD02 250-meter NDVI). In contrast, the USFS aerial sketch map of gypsy moth defoliation showed a lower overall classification accuracy at 73.64 percent. The overall classification Kappa values were also similar for the VIIRS (approximately 0.67 Kappa) versus the MOD02 (approximately 0.72 Kappa) automated defoliation detection product, which were much higher than the values exhibited by the USFS sketch map product (overall Kappa of approximately 0.47). The report provides additional details on the accuracy of automated gypsy moth defoliation detection products compared with USFS sketch maps. The results suggest that VIIRS data can be effectively simulated from MODIS data and that VIIRS data will produce gypsy moth defoliation mapping products that are similar to MODIS-based products. The results of the RPC experiment indicate that VIIRS and MODIS data products have good potential for integration into the forest threat EWS. The accuracy assessment was performed only for 2001 because of time constraints and a relative scarcity of cloud-free Landsat and ASTER data for the peak defoliation period of the other years in the 2000-2006 time series. Additional work should be performed to assess the accuracy of gypsy moth defoliation detection products for additional years.The study area (mid-Appalachian highlands) and application (gypsy moth forest defoliation) are not necessarily representative of all forested regions and of all forest threat disturbance agents. Additional work should be performed on other inland and coastal regions as well as for other major forest threats.

Spruce, Joseph P.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Field Experiments and Model Validation: The EGS Collab Project

Implementing enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) will require improvements in understanding stimulation of crystalline rock to create appropriate flow pathways, and the ability to effectively simulate both the stimulation and the flow and transport processes in the resulting fracture network. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is addressing these and other challenges at multiple scales. The EGS Collab project, addressed here, is performing tests and modeling at the 10 m scale. The FORGE project is performing tests at the full reservoir scale. The EGS Collab team created an underground testbed at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota, at a depth of approximately 1.5 km to examine hydraulic fracturing (Experiment 1). We are currently building a second testbed at SURF at a depth of about 1.25 km aimed at investigating shear stimulation (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, we drilled eight boreholes in a well-characterized phyllite and installed geophysical sensors in six of them to create a well-instrumented testbed to allow careful monitoring of stimulation events and flow tests. Numerical simulation was used to answer key experimental design questions, to forecast fracture propagation trajectories and extents, and to analyze and evaluate results both in near-real-time and in detailed process studies. Stimulations performed in this testbed allowed quantification of processes occurring during stimulation and the examination of dynamic flow occurrences. Long-term ambient temperature and chilled water flow tests were performed in addition to many tracer tests to examine system behavior. Our second testbed, targeted at shear stimulation, is currently being built at the SURF Facility at a depth of about 1.25 km in amphibolite under a different set of stress and fracture conditions than Experiment 1.

artificial intelligence↗
NASA NTRS2010

Using Leaf Chlorophyll to Parameterize Light-Use-Efficiency Within a Thermal-Based Carbon, Water and Energy Exchange Model

Chlorophylls absorb photosynthetically active radiation and thus function as vital pigments for photosynthesis, which makes leaf chlorophyll content (C(sub ab) useful for monitoring vegetation productivity and an important indicator of the overall plant physiological condition. This study investigates the utility of integrating remotely sensed estimates of C(sub ab) into a thermal-based Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB) model that estimates land-surface CO2 and energy fluxes using an analytical, light-use-efficiency (LUE) based model of canopy resistance. The LUE model component computes canopy-scale carbon assimilation and transpiration fluxes and incorporates LUE modifications from a nominal (species-dependent) value (LUE(sub n)) in response to short term variations in environmental conditions, However LUE(sub n) may need adjustment on a daily timescale to accommodate changes in plant phenology, physiological condition and nutrient status. Day to day variations in LUE(sub n) were assessed for a heterogeneous corn crop field in Maryland, U,S.A. through model calibration with eddy covariance CO2 flux tower observations. The optimized daily LUE(sub n) values were then compared to estimates of C(sub ab) integrated from gridded maps of chlorophyll content weighted over the tower flux source area. The time continuous maps of daily C(sub ab) over the study field were generated by focusing in-situ measurements with retrievals generated with an integrated radiative transfer modeling tool (accurate to within +/-10%) using at-sensor radiances in green, red and near-infrared wavelengths acquired with an aircraft imaging system. The resultant daily changes in C(sub ab) within the tower flux source area generally correlated well with corresponding changes in daily calibrated LUE(sub n) derived from the tower flux data, and hourly water, energy and carbon flux estimation accuracies from TSEB were significantly improved when using C(sub ab) for delineating spatio-temporal variations in LUE(sub n). The results demonstrate the synergy between thermal infrared and shortwave reflective wavebands in producing valuable remote sensing data for operational monitoring of carbon and water fluxes.

Houlborg, Rasmus↗
DOE OSTI2026

Micro-photoluminescence mapping and Chemometrics for the rapid classification of rare earth materials

This article introduces advancements in chemically mapping rare earth materials using photoluminescence (PL) and chemometrics. By leveraging the high sensitivity and selectivity of PL compared to alternative optical techniques, as well as its compatibility with microscopy, we present enhanced capabilities for noninvasive material screening and characterization. Exemplary PL spectra of samarium(III) and europium(III) in oxide, nitrate, and chloride forms demonstrated the ability to extract detailed chemical information of diverse rare earth particles. Additionally, we introduced efficient PL mapping sequences capable of covering a 9 mm diameter carbon tab within minutes, which highlighted the benefits of rapid, large-area imaging. Furthermore, an integrated approach combining PL mapping with principal component analysis and a random forest classifier enabled the resolution of overlapping spectral peaks from different chemistries and provided accurate material classification. In conclusion, these advancements underscored the versatility and robustness of PL for chemically mapping rare earth materials, with the potential to support applications in mining, energy, environmental monitoring, isotope production and beyond.

Chemometrics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Constraining the Reaction Rate of Criegee Intermediates with Carboxylic Acids during the Multiphase Ozonolysis of Aerosolized Alkenes

Criegee intermediates (CIs) are central to the ozonolysis of unsaturated organic compounds, controlling the formation of small fragmentation reaction products and higher molecular weight oligomeric compounds through competing unimolecular and bimolecular pathways. In particular, the reaction of thermalized CI with carboxylic acids (RCOOH) to produce oligomeric α-acyloxyalkyl hydroperoxides (AAHPs) is of interest to the chemical transformation of organic compounds in the atmosphere. In the gas phase, the CI + RCOOH reaction proceeds at supercollisional rates, consistent with a barrierless reaction mechanism. However, the rate of this reaction in condensed phases remains uncertain. Here, we report the results of aerosol flow tube studies of the ozonolysis of submicron organic aerosol containing mixtures of an internal n-alkene (Z-9-tricosene, tri) and a saturated acid (2-hexyldecanoic acid, HDA). The decay of the reactants and formation of reaction products are monitored using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI–MS). A 6-fold decrease in the reactive uptake of ozone is observed with increasing acid concentration, consistent with a previous study using alcohol additives. The decay of HDA with ozone exposure shows that HDA scavenges CIs at rates comparable to competing unimolecular pathways involving CIs. The decay kinetics of HDA are analyzed using a simple kinetic model in order to constrain the ratio of the CI + RCOOH and unimolecular CI rate constants. Empirical fitting to this model, combined with theoretical estimates of the unimolecular loss rate, yields a CI + RCOOH rate constant of 1.85 ± 0.27 × 10 –19 cm 3 molec –1 s –1 , which is six orders of magnitude slower than the expected diffusion limit in a liquid organic matrix. Stochastic kinetic simulations are conducted with different values of the CI + RCOOH rate constant to validate this result and show that the diffusion-limited rate is indeed much too rapid to reproduce the experimental results.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Time-resolved luminescence detection of peroxynitrite using a reactivity-based lanthanide probe

Peroxynitrite (ONOO - ) is a powerful and short-lived oxidant formed in vivo, which can react with most biomolecules directly. To fully understand the roles of ONOO - in cell biology, improved methods for the selective detection and real-time analysis of ONOO - are needed. We present a water-soluble, luminescent europium(III) probe for the rapid and sensitive detection of peroxynitrite in human serum, living cells and biological matrices. We have utilised the long luminescence lifetime of the probe to measure ONOO - in a time-resolved manner, effectively avoiding the influence of autofluorescence in biological samples. To demonstrate the utility of the Eu(III) probe, we monitored the production of ONOO - in different cell lines, following treatment with a cold atmospheric plasma device commonly used in the clinic for skin wound treatment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Squeezed Light Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) Microscopy for Bioenergy Applications

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy using picosecond near-IR pulses have provided a great penetration depth with reduced fluorescence interference when imaging biological samples for bioenergy applications. These tools have provided insight into 1) tracking the degradation of chemical composites in biomass feedstocks to investigate the recalcitrant factors during the deconstruction processes, 2) monitoring the production of chemicals in photosynthetic plants and wood-digesting microorganisms, and 3) probing plant-bacteria interactions. However, the above processes are usually slow and require continuous imaging for an extended period. This is challenging for classic SRS because the laser power needed to achieve enough sensitivity causes photodamage in the samples during such long experiments. Quantum-squeezed light with reduced noise in the intensity quadrature can improve the sensitivity of classic SRS microscopy beyond the shot noise limit. The successful squeezing of one of the picosecond pulses in the above SRS will improve sensitivity and reduce photodamage, greatly expanding the range of studies available to SRS microscopy.

BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Detection of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria from commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks

ABSTRACT Tattooing and use of permanent makeup (PMU) have dramatically increased over the last decade, with a concomitant increase in ink-related infections. Studies have shown evidence that commercial tattoo and PMU inks are frequently contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Considering that tattoo inks are placed into the dermal layer of the skin where anaerobic bacteria can thrive and cause infections in low-oxygen environments, the prevalence of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria should be assessed in tattoo and PMU inks. In this study, we tested 75 tattoo and PMU inks using the analytical methods described in the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual Chapter 23 for the detection of both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial contamination, followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial identification. Of 75 ink samples, we found 26 contaminated samples with 34 bacterial isolates taxonomically classified into 14 genera and 22 species. Among the 34 bacterial isolates, 19 were identified as possibly pathogenic bacterial strains. Two species, namelyCutibacterium acnes(four strains) andStaphylococcus epidermidis(two strains) were isolated under anaerobic conditions. Two possibly pathogenic bacterial strains,Staphylococcus saprophyticusandC. acnes, were isolated together from the same ink samples (n= 2), indicating that tattoo and PMU inks can contain both aerobic (S. saprophyticus) and anaerobic bacteria (C. acnes). No significant association was found between sterility claims on the ink label and the absence of bacterial contamination. The results indicate that tattoo and PMU inks can also contain anaerobic bacteria. IMPORTANCE The rising popularity of tattooing and permanent makeup (PMU) has led to increased reports of ink-related infections. This study is the first to investigate the presence of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in commercial tattoo and PMU inks under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Our findings reveal that unopened and sealed tattoo inks can harbor anaerobic bacteria, known to thrive in low-oxygen environments, such as the dermal layer of the skin, alongside aerobic bacteria. This suggests that contaminated tattoo inks could be a source of infection from both types of bacteria. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring these products for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including possibly pathogenic microorganisms.

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2020

Spectroscopy of Palladium Nanoparticle Synthesis: Tailoring Nanoparticle Growth Parameters for Hydrogen Storage

Using palladium for hydrogen storage requires palladium (Pd) particles exhibiting specific parameters, including surface area, particle size, and particle shape, with increased interest in palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). In order to routinely monitor the synthesis of these particles a spectroscopic method is being developed using infrared (IR), Raman, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. By monitoring the production of Pd NPs, the growth of the NPs can be controlled to ensure quality of the product to match the desired finished particle specifications. For the reaction presented, the conversion of the intermediate tetraamminepalladium(II) chloride (PTC) to diamminepalladium(II) chloride (PDC) can influence the Pd NPs properties. This study is first being developed in lab bench scale quantities to allow ultimate control of the Pd NPs.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Numerical Simulation of Biogenic Fluid Catalytic Cracking (BFCC) Regenerators at Different Scales with MFIX-Exa

Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis (CFP) is a process that converts biomass into liquid intermediates suitable for transportation fuels by rapidly heating it in the presence of a catalyst, aiming to produce stable oils with reduced oxygen content. During CFP, the catalyst can become deactivated by the accumulation of coke, a carbon-rich deposit formed from the decomposition of biomass components. Unlike in petroleum refining, regenerating coked catalysts from biomass pyrolysis requires specific approaches due to the different chemical nature of the coke formed. An experimental technique, Temperature Programmed Oxidation (TPO), was used to study the de-coking process by gradually increasing temperature while monitoring the production of CO and CO2, which provides data for kinetic modeling. Utilizing data from TPO experiments, coke combustion kinetic model was developed to describe the rate of coke removal at different temperatures, allowing for simulation of regeneration processes. Then kinetic model is integrated into MFIX-Exa for the simulation of Biogenic Fluid Catalytic Cracker (BFCC) regenerator at different scales, enabling analysis of catalyst flow, temperature distribution, and regeneration efficiency under various operating conditions.

biogenic fluid catalytic cracking↗
NASA NTRS1969

Weld quality monitor

Weld quality monitor for production testing of welding strength in electronic circuitry

Etzel, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Overview of Reclamation's geothermal program in Imperial Valley, California

The Bureau of Reclamation is presently involved in a unique Geothermal Resource Development Program in Imperial Valley, California. The main purpose of the investigations is to determine the feasibility of providing a source of fresh water through desalting geothermal fluids stored in the aquifers underlying the valley. Significant progress in this research and development stage to date includes extensive geophysical investigations and the drilling of five geothermal wells on the Mesa anomaly. Four of the wells are for production and monitoring the anomaly, and one will be used for reinjection of waste brines from the desalting units. Two desalting units, a multistage flash unit and a vertical tube evaporator unit, have been erected at the East Mesa test site. The units have been operated on shakedown and continuous runs and have produced substantial quantities of high-quality water.

Fulcher, M. K.↗