Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “University Collaboration”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,549 records · Page 86

WM26 Paper Multi-Robot Collaboration for Hazardous Environments

Hazardous nuclear and industrial facilities are rarely designed for robots. Work in these domains demand precise manipulation and robust mobility in cluttered, constrained spaces where off-the-shelf platforms struggle and “one-size-fits-all” machines become costly and complex. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is developing an autonomous, multi-robot inspection system that coordinates task-specific platforms rather than relying on a single omni-tool robot. An electric truck serves as a power and compute hub for a custom manipulator co-developed with Florida International University (FIU), a commercial mini crawler, a pan–tilt–zoom camera, and a Nexxis Argus LiDAR mapping system. Working in concert, these robots generate spatial, radiation, and temperature maps of the pit environments at the Hanford Waste Tank Farms. These systems will capture visual records and environmental telemetry to allow for analysis post inspection. The system architecture uses Robot Operating System 2 (ROS 2) for publish/subscribe integration, NVIDIA Isaac Sim and Unity for simulation and visualization, and algorithms such as NVBlox to fuse data into unified 3D overlays. This robot-agnostic approach reduces operator burden by enabling autonomy across heterogeneous platforms and lets each robot be used where it is strongest. Having autonomous functions means operators don’t have to fully control multiple different components. The ease of use could allow for more widespread adoption of advanced robotics at waste management sites that see continued use. By coordinating simpler, purpose-built mechanisms, the approach lowers design and manufacturing complexity, reduces capital risk in contaminated settings, and improves controllability for complex inspection and manipulation tasks. We present the architecture, early results, and lessons learned from building and deploying this coordinated multi-robot system, with the goal of accelerating safe, cost-effective adoption of advanced robotics at waste-management sites.

42 - ENGINEERING↗

Contributions of David Mauzerall to Photosynthesis Research - Celebrating His 95th Birthday

We honor here Professor David Mauzerall, a pioneer in the fields of photochemistry and photobiology of porphyrins and chlorophylls in vitro and in vivo, on the occasion of his 95th birthday. Throughout his career at The Rockefeller University, he refined our understanding of how chlorophyll converts light energy into chemical energy. He exploited top-of-the-line laser technology in developing photoacoustics and a variety of other innovative experimental approaches. His experimental work and conceptual insights contributed greatly to our understanding of photosynthesis and the possible role of photosynthesis in the origin of life. His contributions include many landmark single-authored and collaborative papers, and his legacy includes the training of others who have become authorities themselves. After providing a brief description of his research accomplishments, we include tributes from several of his coworkers and his daughters highlighting their valuable experiences with David Mauzerall on this milestone birthday.

chlorophyll↗

Remote Sensing and Fluxes Upscaling for Real-world Impact (Workshop Report)

The "Remote Sensing and Fluxes Upscaling for Real-world Impact" workshop, held on July 9-10, 2024, at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, was a collaborative effort led by the AmeriFlux Management Project, NEON, and the Carbon Dew Community of Practice. The event brought together over 200 registrants and approximately 100 attendees each day, including leading experts, researchers, and practitioners. The primary focus was on bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications in environmental monitoring by integrating remote sensing and flux data. Key themes included the importance of site-level measurements for validating remote sensing products, providing nature-based climate solutions, and addressing challenges such as instrument costs and the need for standardized methods. At the regional scale, discussions centered on addressing spatial heterogeneity and using high-resolution remote sensing and machine learning methods to enhance data interpretation. Global scale challenges included data consistency, gap filling, and accurate emission source identification, with opportunities for international collaboration and standardized practices to improve global carbon budget assessments. The workshop emphasized the critical need for integrating data across local, regional, and global scales through explicit scale-matching and developed a workflow for scaling flux data using "straight shot" and "explicit nesting" approaches. The event highlighted the importance of connecting scientific research with real-world applications in carbon, energy, and water management, ensuring that advancements translate into tangible societal benefits. These insights will guide future research, technology transfer, and collaboration, maximizing the potential of environmental fluxes to address real-world challenges.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Experimental and Modeling Investigation of Overcooling Transients that Include Freezing, in Fluoride-Salt Cooled High-Temperature Reactors (FHRs). Final Report

The goal of this project was an experimental and modeling investigation of overcooling transients that include freezing in Fluoride-Salt Cooled High-Temperature Reactors (FHRs). The most impactful product of this research collaboration between Professor Scarlat’s group at UW Madison and subsequently at UC Berkeley, and Dr. Rui Hu’s group at Argonne National Laboratory was the initial demonstration of SAM application to FHR transients, and the generation of a freezing module for the SAM code. The national laboratory and industry graduate student internships enabled by this project were valuable for workforce development, and also for knowledge transfer between university, national lab, and industry.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Quantum Computing Strategy 2026

Quantum computing (QC) is a rapidly maturing technology with the potential for revolutionary impacts on stockpile stewardship science and national security. Recent developments in fault-tolerant architectures have compressed vendor roadmaps, and predictions of a production-ready quantum computer by the mid-2030s are becoming increasingly credible. This strategy provides a roadmap for integrating QC into the Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) program by investing in four strategic focus areas: 1. Develop Capabilities in Mission-Relevant Quantum Applications: ASC will prioritize developing quantum-ready applications in mission areas that have shown significant promise for quantum advantage, including simulations of materials in extreme environments, nuclear dynamics, solving linear and nonlinear partial differential equations, and uncertainty quantification. These applications directly support stockpile stewardship science and modernization objectives. 2. Conduct R&D in Algorithms, Software, and Hardware: Sustained research into quantum algorithms, robust software tools, and quantum hardware is essential. ASC will develop efficient quantum algorithms; invest in quantum compilers, debuggers, and performance tools; and explore specialized quantum hardware tailored to NNSA’s unique requirements. 3. Engage with Vendors and Partners: Early and active collaboration with commercial quantum hardware vendors and academic partners is critical. Through testbeds, co-design agreements, and quantum demonstration facilities, ASC will influence hardware design, gain early access to emerging technologies, and ensure that quantum platforms evolve to meet mission needs. 4. Build Knowledge, Experience, and Workforce: Expanding and upskilling the quantum-trained workforce is essential to long-term success. This includes hiring, internal training, university outreach, and postdoctoral support to ensure ASC maintains the expertise required to operate, program, and integrate quantum systems as they become available. While quantum computing will never replace classical computing, it has the potential to solve certain problems with speed and accuracy that would be unachievable using any conceivable classical high-performance computing (HPC) system. By investing strategically in QC, ASC will help propel the emergent QC industry, maintain U.S. technological leadership, ensure mission readiness, and position itself to rapidly adopt quantum technologies as they mature.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Strengthening the US Department of Energy’s Recruitment Pipeline: The DOE/NNSA Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program (PSAAP) Experience

The US Department of Energy (DOE) oversees a system of 17 national laboratories responsible for developing unique scientific capabilities beyond the scope of academic and industrial institutions. These labs strive to keep America at the forefront of discovery and are home to some of the Nation’s best minds and the world’s best scientific and research facilities. Collaborations between national laboratories and academic institutions are critical to develop and recruit talent for the DOE workforce. Academia’s cooperative education model poses challenges for DOE recruitment pipelines centered around traditional internships. This paper discusses a promising DOE recruitment pipeline, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program (PSAAP) initiative. As a part of this, experiences capturing the successes and challenges faced by the University of Utah’s Carbon Capture Multidisciplinary Simulation Center (CCMSC) through their participation in the PSAAP-II initiative are shared. These experiences demonstrate the success of Utah’s PSAAP center as a recruitment pipeline with approximately 43% of CCMSC students going to a national laboratory after graduation. Potential opportunities to strengthen the DOE’s recruitment pipeline are also discussed.

Holmen, John↗

The Grid Analysis and Display System (GrADS)

During the period 1 September 1993 - 31 August 1994, further development of the Grid Analysis and Display System (GrADS) was conducted at the Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies (COLA) of the Institute of Global Environment and Society, Inc. (IGES) under subcontract 5555-31 from the University Space Research Association (USRA) administered by The Center of Excellence in Space Data and Information Sciences (CESDIS). This final report documents progress made under this subcontract and provides directions on how to access the software and documentation developed therein. A short description of GrADS is provided followed by summary of progress completed and a summary of the distribution of the software to date and the establishment of research collaborations.

Kinter, James L., III↗

Utilization of Internet Protocol-Based Voice Systems in Remote Payload Operations

Due to limited crew availability to support science and the large number of experiments to be operated simultaneously, telescience is key to a successful International Space Station (ISS) science program. Crew, operations personnel at NASA centers, and researchers at universities and companies around the world must work closely together to per orm scientific experiments on-board ISS. The deployment of reliable high-speed Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks promises to greatly enhance telescience capabilities. These networks are now being used to cost-effectively extend the reach of remote mission support systems. They reduce the need for dedicated leased lines and travel while improving distributed workgroup collaboration capabilities. NASA has initiated use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to supplement the existing mission voice communications system used by researchers at their remote sites. The Internet Voice Distribution System (IVoDS) connects remote researchers to mission support "loopsll or conferences via NASA networks and Internet 2. Researchers use NODS software on personal computers to talk with operations personnel at NASA centers. IVoDS also has the ;capability, if authorized, to allow researchers to communicate with the ISS crew during experiment operations. NODS was developed by Marshall Space Flight Center with contractors & Technology, First Virtual Communications, Lockheed-Martin, and VoIP Group. NODS is currently undergoing field-testing with full deployment for up to 50 simultaneous users expected in 2002. Research is being performed in parallel with IVoDS deployment for a next-generation system to qualitatively enhance communications among ISS operations personnel. In addition to the current voice capability, video and data/application-sharing capabilities are being investigated. IVoDS technology is also being considered for mission support systems for programs such as Space Launch Initiative and Homeland Defense.

Chamberlain, jim↗

Exploring Nontrivial Topological Superconductivity in 2M-WS2 for Topological Quantum Computation

This project has two main research goals: (1) growing the high-quality two-dimensional (2D) 2M-pahse WS 2 (2M-WS 2 ) single crystals and identifying clear signatures of the unconventional superconductivity in the 2M-WS 2 ; and (2) establishing the layer-dependence of the Majorana zero mode in the 2M-WS 2 down to the monoatomic layer limit. These goals were planned to be achieved by growing high-quality and large-scale 2M-WS 2 single crystals and transferring their thin layers onto different substrates for the proposed measurements. The layer-dependent unconventional superconductivity in 2M-WS 2 were systematically studied by different techniques, including transport measurements (charge, thermal and spin), scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/S), angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), and theoretical calculations. The research team is comprised of researchers from University of Wyoming (UW) and three DOE National Laboratories (DOE NLs), including Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), with complete and complementary expertise: PI Tian: Handling 2D materials, nanofabrication, nanodevices, and quantum transport; Co-Is: Ackerman and Leonard: van der Waals material crystal growth and handling; Chien: Nanoimaging with STM/S; and Tang: Magnetic measurements and charge and thermal transport; National lab collaborators (NLs): Guisinger (ANL): STM/S and nanoimaging; Mo and Rotenberg (LBNL): ARPES and nano ARPES (nARPES); Lu (SNL): Quantum information science, quantum transport, and nanofabrication; and Baczewski (SNL): Theoretical modeling and calculations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Orion Nebula and Planetary Nebulae

This report summarizes the research performed at Rice University related to NASA-Ames University consortium grant NCC2-5199 during the two year period 1996 September 1 through 1998 August 31. The research program, titled Orion Nebula and Planetary Nebulae, involved the analysis of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imagery and spectroscopy of the Orion Nebula and of the planetary nebulae NGC 6818 and NGC 6210. In addition, we analyzed infrared spectra of the Orion Nebula taken with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) The primary collaborators at NASA-Ames were Drs. R. H. Rubin, A. G. C. M. Tielens, S. W. J. Colgan, and S. D. Lord (Tielens & Lord has since changed institutions). Other collaborators include Drs. P. G. Martin (CITA, Toronto), G. J. Ferland (U. KY), J. A. Baldwin (CTIO, Chile), J. J. Hester (ASU), D. K. Walter (SCSU), and P. Harrington (U. MD). In addition to the Principal Investigator, Professor Reginald J. Dufour of the Department of Space Physics & Astronomy, the research also involved two students, Mr. Matthew Browning and Mr. Brent Buckalew. Mr. Browning will be graduating from Rice in 1999 May with a B.A. degree in Physics and Mr. Buckalew continues as a graduate student in our department, having recently received a NASA GSRP research fellowship (sponsored by Ames). The collaboration was very productive, with two refereed papers already appearing in the literature, several others in preparation, numerous meeting presentations and two press releases. Some of our research accomplishments are highlighted below. Attached to the report are copies of the two major publications. Note that this research continues to date and related extensions of it recently has been awarded time with the HST for 1999-2000.

Dufour, Reginald J.↗

LISA Activities at NASA

NASA will participate as a junior partner in the ESA-led LISA mission, which will provide the first view of the universe in milliHertz gravitational waves. While the exact set of NASA-provided contributions is still under negotiation, they are expected to include significant contributions to the LISA instrument and participation in the scientific operations of the observatory. The NASA LISA Study Office is tasked with coordinating NASA’s activities on LISA including the development of a number of technologies as candidate contributions to the LISA payload as well as collaboration with ESA and the LISA Consortium on development of the LISA spacecraft, instrument, data analysis infrastructure, and science case. This talk will provide an overview of these activities, their current status, and an outlook for progress in the near-term.

Ira Thorpe↗

The Status and Outlook of Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization Measurements

Abstract Measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) over the last 50+ years have yielded a wealth of information about the universe and LambdaCDM cosmology. Modern CMB instruments continue to search for the B-mode polarization signal from gravitational waves produced during the inflationary epoch. In this talk I will cover a brief history of measurements of the CMB and give a survey of the current status of the field. I will also talk about my work at Goddard Space Flight Center with the Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS) collaboration. CLASS is a ground-based series of telescopes in the Atacama desert in northern Chile, designed to measure the CMB and large angular scale B-mode polarization.

Kyle Helson↗

The effects of biomass burning on the concentration of trace gases in the atmosphere

Over the past several years, there has been considerable interest concerning the global effects of biomass burning on concentrations of trace gases in the atmosphere. The paucity of reported studies and investigations into the effects of the Greenhouse Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), up until about a decade ago, would suggest that the topic was not then one of universal concern. Efforts are now being made to understand the biogenic, anthropogenic and photochemical sources of atmospheric trace gases. Biomass burning which includes the burning of forests for clearing, the burning of vegetative stubble after harvesting, and lightning and human-induced wildfires is but one consideration under the general paradigm of atmospheric perturbations. A team of researchers from the Langley Research Center, along with the Canadian Forest Ministry, Ontario, Canada collaborated in an experiment in a deforestration effort through a prescribed burn. Through a specially designed experimental modeling and instrumentation, a substantial pre-burn data set was collected. The primary focus of the pre-burn experimental activities was the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) gas from selected sites.

Donaldson, Leon M.↗

Liquid Crystals

Thermochromic liquid crystals, or TLCs, are a type of liquid crystals that react to changes in temperature by changing color. The Hallcrest/NASA collaboration involved development of a new way to visualize boundary layer transition in flight and in wind tunnel testing of aircraft wing and body surfaces. TLCs offered a new and potentially better method of visualizing the boundary layer transition in flight. Hallcrest provided a liquid crystal formulation technique that afforded great control over the sensitivity of the liquid crystals to varying conditions. Method is of great use to industry, government and universities for aerodynamic and hydrodynamic testing. Company's principal line is temperature indicating devices for industrial use, such as non-destructive testing and flaw detection in electric/electronic systems, medical application, such as diagnostic systems, for retail sale, such as room, refrigerator, baby bath and aquarium thermometers, and for advertising and promotion specials. Additionally, Hallcrest manufactures TLC mixtures for cosmetic applications, and liquid crystal battery tester for Duracell batteries.

Source record↗

Development of integrated screening, cultivar optimization, and verification research (DISCOVR): A coordinated research-driven approach to improve microalgal productivity, composition, and culture stability for commercially viable biofuels production

To address major knowledge gaps and barriers to the commercial development of algal biomass for biofuels and co-products, a collaborative consortium, Development of Integrated Screening, Cultivar Optimization, and Verification Research (DISCOVR), was established in 2016. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), this consortium constitutes a partnership between four DOE national laboratories - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) - and the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) at Arizona State University. To address the barriers of strain selection for achieving high seasonal productivities with a suitable composition and culture resilience, a tiered strain down-selection pipeline is implemented. At Tier I, the temperature and salinity tolerance of strains is determined in flask cultures; at Tier II, the areal biomass productivity and composition is determined in climate-simulation photobioreactors; at Tier III, the productivity and culture stability are determined in outdoor raceways. The top performing strains move forward to long-term testing at the algae testbed site at AzCATI to generate annual biomass productivity data. Concurrent to the strain down-selection in the DISCOVR pipeline, hypotheses for increasing biomass productivity, shifting biomass composition to enhance intrinsic value, and improving culture stability and resistance to pests are also tested. Techno-economic analyses are carried out to determine whether promising findings from laboratory studies or proposed modifications in outdoor pond cultivation conditions translate into reductions in the minimum biomass selling price (MBSP). Notably, in the three years following the launch of DISCOVR, annual biomass productivity has increased from 11.7 to 17.6 g m -2 day -1 , resulting in an MBSP decrease from 824 to 611 $ ton -1 .

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Developing Scenario‐Based Strategies for Health, Climate, and Environmental Preparedness: The One Health, One Earth Approach

Climate change amplifies many threats to human health. Despite advances in understanding climate change dynamics and impacts, there remains a critical gap in translating scientific knowledge into equitable, and community-driven health interventions. The inaugural One Earth, One Health workshop sought to explore this gap through human-centered design exercises involving interdisciplinary researchers from climate and Earth sciences, engineering, epidemiology, microbiology, and environmental health. Although participants did not co-develop solutions with affected communities, they used stakeholder role-playing to guide ideation and lay groundwork for actionable plans. Through these methods, participants identified community needs and proposed prototype solutions to alleviate health threats exacerbated by global environmental change. Prototypes were organized around infectious diseases, extreme weather, and air quality, as illustrative themes rather than an exhaustive set of risks. Key solutions included strategies for anticipatory systems and early warning (e.g., integrating environmental signals with health data), inclusive communication and infrastructure needs for responding to extreme weather events, and integrated platforms visualizing air quality trends to support tailored, context-aware guidance beyond one-size-fits-all alerts. The workshop highlighted opportunities such as leveraging machine learning, Earth observation, and real-time surveillance to protect communities, but also noted barriers including data quality, technological redundancy, privacy, and governance challenges. Additionally, participants emphasized the need for interdisciplinary teams capable of collaborating across sectors, breaking down silos and addressing gaps in training and education. Overall, the workshop illustrates how process-driven, human-centered approaches can help surface user needs and generate testable prototype concepts, while underscoring the importance of direct community partnership for implementation.

Abadi, Azar M. [University of Alabama, Birmingham,↗

A Call to Arms Control: Synergies between Nonproliferation Applications of Neutrino Detectors and Large-Scale Fundamental Neutrino Physics Experiments (A Snowmass White Paper)

The High Energy Physics community can benefit from a natural synergy in research activities into next-generation large-scale water and scintillator neutrino detectors, now being studied for remote reactor monitoring, discovery and exclusion applications in cooperative nonproliferation contexts. Since approximately 2010, US nonproliferation researchers, supported by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), have been studying a range of possible applications of relatively large (100 ton) to very large (hundreds of kiloton) water and scintillator neutrino detectors. In parallel, the fundamental physics community has been developing detectors at similar scales and with similar design features for a range of high-priority physics topics, primarily in fundamental neutrino physics. These topics include neutrino oscillation studies at beams and reactors, solar, and geological neutrino measurements, supernova studies, and others. Examples of ongoing synergistic work at U.S. national laboratories and universities include prototype gadolinium-doped water and water-based and opaque scintillator test-beds and demonstrators, extensive testing and industry partnerships related to large area fast position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes, and the development of concepts for a possible underground kiloton-scale water-based detector for reactor monitoring and technology demonstrations. Some opportunities for engagement between the two communities include bi-annual Applied Antineutrino Physics conferences, collaboration with U.S. National Laboratories engaging in this research, and occasional NNSA funding opportunities supporting a blend of nonproliferation and basic science R&D, directed at the U.S. academic community.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Completeness of the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) Local Volume Sample

We introduce the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) Local Volume Sample (NED-LVS), a subset of ~1.9 million objects with distances out to 1000 Mpc. We use UV and IR fluxes available in NED from all-sky surveys to derive physical properties, and estimate the completeness relative to the expected local luminosity density. The completeness relative to near-IR luminosities (which traces a galaxy's stellar mass) is roughly 100% at D < 30 Mpc and remains moderate (70%) out to 300 Mpc. For brighter galaxies (≳L * ), NED-LVS is ~100% complete out to ~400 Mpc. When compared to other local Universe samples (GLADE and HECATE), all three are ~100% complete below 30 Mpc. At distances beyond ~80 Mpc, NED-LVS is more complete than both GLADE and HECATE by ~10%–20%. NED-LVS is the underlying sample for the NED gravitational-wave follow-up service (NED-GWF), which provides prioritized lists of host candidates for GW events within minutes of alerts issued by the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA collaboration. We test the prioritization of galaxies in the volume of GW170817 by three physical properties, where we find that both stellar mass and inverse specific star formation rate place the correct host galaxy in the top 10. In addition, NED-LVS can be used for a wide variety of other astrophysical studies: galaxy evolution, star formation, large-scale structure, galaxy environments, and more. The data in NED are updated regularly, and NED-LVS will be updated concurrently. Consequently, NED-LVS will continue to provide an increasingly complete sample of galaxies for a multitude of astrophysical research areas for years to come.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗