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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Overview of Research in Nondestructive Evaluation at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center

The primary focus of the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) effort at Langley Research Center (LaRC) is to pioneer advances in NDE and structural health monitoring (SHM) through fundamental scientific research, technology development, and transferring these to the scientific and aerospace communities. This research supports a variety of NASA missions in space operations, exploration and aeronautics. The work presented will focus on the development of advanced inspection systems to detect critical flaws in both metallic and non-metallic materials and structures for aerospace applications. The emphasis is on increasing the performance of inspection systems to provide defect detection and quantitative characterization of the material state. LaRC NDE utilizes expertise in computational ultrasonic, thermal and eddy current simulations to reduce measured responses to size and locations of flaws, establish technique limitations and optimize performance. This presentation will highlight research into five strategic areas: (1) The development of novel solutions using state-of-the-art NDE technologies such as eddy current, ultrasound, thermography and x-ray computed tomography; (2) Research in the development of unique NDE technologies such as terahertz, wavefield imaging and nonlinear ultrasound; (3) The application of both computational and analytic models to NDE problems; (4) The development of advanced analytic methods to interpret large complex data sets; and (5) Advanced methods of applying and interrogating sensors for structural health monitoring.

NDE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The NASA Facility for Astromaterials Research at the Johnson Space Center – A National Laboratory for Planetary Research

The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division at the NASA Johnson Space Center houses a unique combination of laboratories, instruments, infrastructure, technical ex-pertise, and other assets for conducting broad-based world-class planetary research. These facilities have been accessed for decades by hundreds of external scientists, including faculty, post-docs, students, and interns, most at no cost and on a collaborative basis. With funding through NASA’s Planetary Science Enabling Facilities (PSEF) program, we have estab-lished the NASA Facility for Astromaterials Research (NFAR) to expand access to and enhance these labora-tories for a diverse and inclusive external user base, thus maximizing the science return from research funded by R&A programs in NASA’s Planetary Sci-ence Division (PSD). NFAR enables cutting edge planetary sample analyses, making new scientific dis-coveries possible, in addition to training the next-generation of planetary scientists. NFAR laboratories are co-located with JSC Curation that houses all NASA-controlled astromaterials collections, thus ena-bling direct access to both research and curation exper-tise, to facilitate specialized sample handling and anal-ysis of allocated samples (from JSC and other sample collections) to PIs, particularly those affiliated with institutions that historically have limited or no access to in-house analytical or experimental facilities.

J Filiberto↗
NASA NTRS2024

The NASA Facility for Astromaterials Research at the Johnson Space Center – A National Laboratory for Planetary Research

The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division at the NASA Johnson Space Center houses a unique combination of laboratories, instruments, infrastructure, technical expertise, and other assets for conducting broad-based world-class planetary research. These facilities have been accessed for decades by hundreds of external scientists, including faculty, post-docs, students, and interns, most at no-cost and on a collaborative basis. With funding through NASA’s Planetary Science Enabling Facilities (PSEF) program, we have established the NASA Facility for Astromaterials Research (NFAR) to expand access to and enhance these laboratories for a diverse and inclusive external user base, focusing on training of the next generation of scientists and, thus, maximizing the science return from research funded by R&A programs in NASA’s Planetary Science Division (PSD). NFAR enables new planetary sample analyses, making new scientific discoveries possible, including training the next generation of planetary scientists. NFAR laboratories are co-located with JSC Curation that houses the NASA-controlled astromaterials collections, thus enabling direct access to both research and curation expertise, to facilitate specialized sample handling and analysis of allocated samples to sample PIs, particularly those affiliated with institutions that historically have limited access to or lack in-house analytical or experimental facilities.

J. I. Simon↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Fundamental Research to Enable In-Situ Resource Utilization for NASA’s Artemis Program and Beyond Taking Place at The Glenn Research Center

In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is regarded by many to be the key to future sustainability in space. The National Aeronautics & Space Administration’s (NASA) Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) recently published a list of ranked technology shortfalls. ISRU specific capabilities of ‘Extraction and separation of water from extraterrestrial surface material’, ‘Extraction and separation of oxygen from extraterrestrial surface material’, and ‘Produce propellants and mission consumables from extracted in-situ resources’ are within the top 80 shortfalls identified. A team of researchers and engineers at NASA’s Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, are performing fundamental research and technology maturation to ensure concepts and technologies are ready to support when the mission architecture is primed for ISRU to activate. Through analytical modeling and initial lab-scale testing, researchers are establishing concepts that mature to more sophisticated tests in relevant environments. Numerous studies are underway assessing fundamental behaviors of regolith during various steps of a conceptual ISRU production plant. This paper shares some of GRC’s recent advancements in ISRU research and technology development, in the hopes of providing valuable information to the ISRU community at large, spark ideas for future collaborative endeavors, as well as spur interest in utilizing some of the world-class expertise and facilities GRC has to offer.

ISRU↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Wasatch Environmental Observatory: A mountain to urban research network in the semi‐arid western US

Abstract The 2085 km 2 Jordan River Basin, and its seven sub‐catchments draining the Central Wasatch Range immediately east of Salt Lake City, UT, are home to an array of hydrologic, atmospheric, climatic and chemical research infrastructure that collectively forms the Wasatch Environmental Observatory (WEO). WEO is geographically nested within a wildland to urban land‐use gradient and built upon a strong foundation of over a century of discharge and climate records. A 2200 m gradient in elevation results in variable precipitation, temperature and vegetation patterns. Soil and subsurface structure reflect systematic variation in geology from granitic, intrusive to mixed sedimentary clastic across headwater catchments, all draining to the alluvial or colluvial sediments of the former Lake Bonneville. Winter snowfall and spring snowmelt control annual hydroclimate, rapid population growth dominates geographic change in lower elevations and urban gas and particle emissions contribute to episodes of severe air pollution in this closed‐basin. Long‐term hydroclimate observations across this diverse landscape provide the foundation for an expanding network of infrastructure in both montane and urban landscapes. Current infrastructure supports both basic and applied research in atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemistry, climate, ecology, hydrology, meteorology, resource management and urban redesign that is augmented through strong partnerships with cooperating agencies. These features allow WEO to serve as a unique natural laboratory for addressing research questions facing seasonally snow‐covered, semi‐arid regions in a rapidly changing world and an excellent facility for providing student education and research training.

Follstad Shah, Jennifer J.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fusion materials science and technology research opportunities now and during the ITER era

Several high-priority near-term potential research activities to address fusion nuclear science challenges are summarized. General recommendations include: (1) Research should be preferentially focused on the most technologically advanced options (i.e., options that have been developed at least through the singleeffects concept exploration stage, technology readiness levels >3), (2) Significant near-term progress can be achieved by modifying existing facilities and/or moderate investment in new medium-scale facilities, and (3) Computational modeling for fusion nuclear sciences is generally not yet sufficiently robust to enable truly predictive results to be obtained, but large reductions in risk, cost and schedule can be achieved by careful integration of experiment and modeling.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Developments in time-resolved x-ray research at APS beamline 7ID

The 7ID beamline of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) is dedicated to time-resolved research using x-ray imaging, scattering, and spectroscopy techniques. Time resolution is achieved via gated detectors and/or mechanical choppers in conjunction with the time structure of the x-ray beam. Three experimental hutches allow for a wide variety of experimental setups. Major areas of research include atomic, molecular, and optical physics; chemistry; condensed matter physics in the bulk, thin film, and surface regimes; and fluid-spray dynamics. Recent developments in facilities at 7ID include a high-power, high-repetition-rate picosecond laser to complement the 1 kHz ultrafast laser. For the ultrafast laser, a newly commissioned optical parametric amplifier provides pump wavelength from 0.2 to 15 µm with energy per pulse up to 200 µJ. A nanodiffraction station has also been commissioned, using Fresnel zone-plate optics to achieve a focused x-ray spot of 300 nm. This nanoprobe is not only used to spatially resolve the evolution of small features in samples after optical excitation, but also has been combined with an intense THz source to study material response under ultrafast electric fields.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Alcator C-Mod: research in support of ITER and steps beyond

This paper presents an overview of recent highlights from research on Alcator C-Mod. Significant progress has been made across all research areas over the last two years, with particular emphasis on divertor physics and power handling, plasma–material interaction studies, edge localized mode-suppressed pedestal dynamics, core transport and turbulence, and RF heating and current drive utilizing ion cyclotron and lower hybrid tools. Specific results of particular relevance to ITER include: inner wall SOL transport studies that have led, together with results from other experiments, to the change of the detailed shape of the inner wall in ITER; runaway electron studies showing that the critical electric field required for runaway generation is much higher than predicted from collisional theory; core tungsten impurity transport studies reveal that tungsten accumulation is naturally avoided in typical C-Mod conditions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Comparison of Mean and Dynamic Wake Characteristics between Research-Scale and Full-Scale Wind Turbines

Comprehensive utility-scale wake measurements from commercial wind plants are difficult to obtain. As a result, research in wind farm aerodynamics is often based on smaller-scale measurements and on numerical experiments. It is therefore crucial for the scientific community to understand how results compare across scales. In this work, three actuator-line large-eddy simulations are performed to investigate the sensitivity of mean and dynamic wake characteristics to changes in hub height (for the same turbine model) and in rotor size and properties (for a research-scale and a land-based-scale rotor at the same hub height). Results reveal that ground proximity has a large effect on wake expansion via turbulent transport of axial momentum and on the magnitude of lateral and vertical meandering. The rotor-size experiment suggests that wakes from different-scale turbines expand similarly when not limited by the ground, but that the meandering magnitude is not easily translatable across scales. Finally, the short-rotor wake recovers faster than the tall-rotor wake, but the far wakes of the different-sized rotors at the same absolute height are scalable.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Data-driven glass/ceramic science research: Insights from the glass and ceramic and data science/informatics communities

Data-driven science and technology have helped achieve meaningful results in areas such as materials/drug discovery and health care, but efforts to apply high-end data science algorithms to the areas of glass and ceramics are still limited. Many glass and ceramic researchers are interested in enhancing their work by using more data and data analytics to efficiently develop better functional materials. Simultaneously, the data science community is looking for a way to access materials data resources to test and validate their advanced computational learning algorithms. To bring together the glass/ceramic and data science communities to address this issue, The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) convened a Glass/Ceramics Data Science Workshop on February 6, 2018, at Nexight Group offices in Silver Spring, Maryland. The workshop, sponsored by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMTech) program, brought together a select group of 20 key leaders in the data science, informatics, and glass/ceramics communities to identify the greatest opportunities and mechanisms for facilitating increased collaboration and coordination between these communities. This article summarizes workshop discussions about the current challenges that limit interactions and collaboration between the glass/ceramic and data science communities, opportunities for a coordinated approach that leverages existing knowledge in both communities, and a clear path toward the enhanced use of data science technologies for functional glass and ceramic research and development.

data science, ceramics, informatics↗
DOE OSTI2015

Monte Carlo reference data sets for imaging research: Executive summary of the report of AAPM Research Committee Task Group 195

The use of Monte Carlo simulations in diagnostic medical imaging research is widespread due to its flexibility and ability to estimate quantities that are challenging to measure empirically. However, any new Monte Carlo simulation code needs to be validated before it can be used reliably. The type and degree of validation required depends on the goals of the research project, but, typically, such validation involves either comparison of simulation results to physical measurements or to previously published results obtained with established Monte Carlo codes. The former is complicated due to nuances of experimental conditions and uncertainty, while the latter is challenging due to typical graphical presentation and lack of simulation details in previous publications. In addition, entering the field of Monte Carlo simulations in general involves a steep learning curve. It is not a simple task to learn how to program and interpret a Monte Carlo simulation, even when using one of the publicly available code packages. This Task Group report provides a common reference for benchmarking Monte Carlo simulations across a range of Monte Carlo codes and simulation scenarios. In the report, all simulation conditions are provided for six different Monte Carlo simulation cases that involve common x‐ray based imaging research areas. The results obtained for the six cases using four publicly available Monte Carlo software packages are included in tabular form. In addition to a full description of all simulation conditions and results, a discussion and comparison of results among the Monte Carlo packages and the lessons learned during the compilation of these results are included. This abridged version of the report includes only an introductory description of the six cases and a brief example of the results of one of the cases. This work provides an investigator the necessary information to benchmark his/her Monte Carlo simulation software against the reference cases included here before performing his/her own novel research. In addition, an investigator entering the field of Monte Carlo simulations can use these descriptions and results as a self‐teaching tool to ensure that he/she is able to perform a specific simulation correctly. Finally, educators can assign these cases as learning projects as part of course objectives or training programs.

Sechopoulos, Ioannis↗
DOE OSTI2015

The United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN): Enhancing Microbial Genomics Research through Living Microbe Culture Collections

The mission of the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN; http://usccn.org) is "to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of human kind." Microbial culture collections are a key component of life science research, biotechnology, and emerging global biobased economies. Representatives and users of several microbial culture collections from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California, Davis, to discuss how collections of microorganisms can better serve users and stakeholders and to showcase existing resources available in public culture collections.

Boundy-Mills, K.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enhancing Cloud Radiative Processes and Radiation Efficiency in the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model

The objective of this research has been to evaluate and implement enhancements to the computational performance of the RRTMG radiative transfer option in the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Efficiency is as essential as accuracy for effective numerical weather prediction, and radiative transfer is a relatively time-consuming component of dynamical models, taking up to 30-50 percent of the total model simulation time. To address this concern, this research has implemented and tested a version of RRTMG that utilizes graphics processing unit (GPU) technology (hereinafter RRTMGPU) to greatly improve its computational performance; thereby permitting either more frequent simulation of radiative effects or other model enhancements. During the early stages of this project the development of RRTMGPU was completed at AER under separate NASA funding to accelerate the code for use in the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Goddard Earth Observing System GEOS-5 global model. It should be noted that this final report describes results related to the funded portion of the originally proposed work concerning the acceleration of RRTMG with GPUs in WRF. As a k-distribution model, RRTMG is especially well suited to this modification due to its relatively large internal pseudo-spectral (g-point) dimension that, when combined with the horizontal grid vector in the dynamical model, can take great advantage of the GPU capability. Thorough testing under several model configurations has been performed to ensure that RRTMGPU improves WRF model run time while having no significant impact on calculated radiative fluxes and heating rates or on dynamical model fields relative to the RRTMG radiation. The RRTMGPU codes have been provided to NCAR for possible application to the next public release of the WRF forecast model.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Advanced Scientific Computing Research Exascale Requirements Review. An Office of Science review sponsored by Advanced Scientific Computing Research, September 27-29, 2016, Rockville, Maryland

The widespread use of computing in the American economy would not be possible without a thoughtful, exploratory research and development (R&D) community pushing the performance edge of operating systems, computer languages, and software libraries. These are the tools and building blocks — the hammers, chisels, bricks, and mortar — of the smartphone, the cloud, and the computing services on which we rely. Engineers and scientists need ever-more specialized computing tools to discover new material properties for manufacturing, make energy generation safer and more efficient, and provide insight into the fundamentals of the universe, for example. The research division of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Advanced Scientific Computing and Research (ASCR Research) ensures that these tools and building blocks are being developed and honed to meet the extreme needs of modern science. See also http://exascaleage.org/ascr/ for additional information.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

IX Cell Wall Research Conference 2022 (IXCWRC): Cell wall research for new fundamental discoveries and applications in plant biology

This application is for securing funds to offset the registration fees and lodging costs for US-based early career investigators (ERCs) to participate to the IX Cell Wall Research Conference 2022 (IXCWRC 2022): Cell wall research for new fundamental discoveries and applications in plant biology. The conference will be held in East Lansing, Michigan on June 13-17, 2022. The conference will focus on the plant cell wall. Plant cells are encapsulated by the cell wall, a dynamic structure that protects them, enables them to interface with the external environment and supports the growth of the entire organism. There is a growing interest in understanding the complex processes necessary to build and deconstruct the plant cell wall. A better understanding of how the cell wall is synthesized during plant growth and in response to the environment, and how it is deconstructed for a broad variety of applications can inform and improve biotechnological processes for increasing biomass yield and improving industrial processes for the recovery of valuable, sustainable polymers. Acquiring such knowledge requires the exchange of new ideas and results as well as the development and application of new technologies. The IXCWRC 2022 aims to reach this goal by providing an opportunity for an open forum to discuss new ideas and theories and develop collaborations for scientists across the globe in a diverse and supportive environment. A distinction of the IXCWRC 2022 from all the preceding plant cell wall conferences will be its focus on the training and inclusion of the next generation of scientists, the ERCs. The overall goal of this application is to broaden the participation of ERCs with a focus on underrepresented communities. The specific goal of this application is to secure support for registration and lodging for US-based ERCs to attend the conference. Priority will be given to ERCs from underrepresented communities in science. We expect that support from DOE will allow the development of an exciting and innovative program to discuss the latest scientific advances in cell wall biology research, advance the next generation of plant cell wall researchers and foster the foundations of an inclusive community in science.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Summary of LWRS Research in Addressing RPV Research Gaps in NRC EMDA Report

Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs) are critical components in nuclear reactors, housing the reactor core and coolant under extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, and radiation. These harsh environments contribute to the degradation of RPV materials over time, presenting challenges for extending reactor operations beyond their original design lifespans. The NRC Expanded Materials Degradation Assessment (EMDA) report volume 3 have been instrumental in guiding research to support extending the operational life of light water reactors (LWRs) up to 80 years. It provides a comprehensive framework to address technical challenges related to aging and degradation mechanisms in RPVs. The LWRS program has played a key role in advancing this research, supporting projects such as the UCSB ATR-2 Experiment, material testing from Zion and Palisades reactors, and the development of advanced mini-compact tension testing techniques. These efforts have been crucial in identifying and addressing gaps in our understanding of RPV aging, contributing to the successful subsequent license renewals of eight LWR units in the U.S. The EMDA report volume 3, built on the Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT) analysis from earlier versions of the EPRI Materials Degradation Matrix (MDM) and Issue Management Tables (IMTs), provides a detailed assessment of RPV degradation mechanisms. However, as EPRI has updated the MDM and IMT, it is important to revisit research priorities and methodologies to reflect these changes. The revised MDM and IMT may introduce new factors affecting long-term RPV performance and safety, highlighting the need for continued research and updated guidance to ensure the reliable and safe operation of reactors beyond 80 years.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Comprehensive Evaluation of Agrivoltaics Research: Breadth, Depth, and Insights for Future Research

Agrivoltaics integrates agricultural production with solar energy generation to address challenges related to land use, food security, and renewable energy development. This study provides the most comprehensive evaluation to date of global agrivoltaic research, aiming to classify the literature, identify strengths and gaps, and guide future work. We systematically screened over 3000 English-language publications through 2023 for relevant agrivoltaic publications. A total of 670 studies were categorized in the InSPIRE Data Portal across five agrivoltaic activities and multiple hierarchical themes, including physical, biological, technological, social, and crosscutting domains. We found that research was concentrated on crop production, microclimate dynamics, and PV performance, with gaps in areas like human health, wildlife, policy, and standardized methodologies. Although the U.S. emphasizes animal grazing and habitat-based systems in practice, most U.S.-based studies focused disproportionately on crop production. The analysis revealed uneven geographic and topical representation and highlighted a lack of integrated, interdisciplinary approaches. This study concludes that while agrivoltaic research has grown rapidly, more coordinated efforts could support standardized data collection, address overlooked ecological and social impacts, and align research focus with real-world system implementation, ultimately improving the scalability and successful deployment of agrivoltaic systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1977

Main lines of scientific and technical research at the Soviet Jet Propulsion Research Institute (RNII), 1933 - 1942

The rapid development of rocketry in the U.S.S.R. during the post-war years was due largely to pre-war activity; in particular, to investigations conducted in the Jet Propulsion Research Institute (RNII). The history of RNII commenced in 1933, resulting from the merger of two rocket research organizations. Previous research was continued in areas of solid-propellant rockets, jet-assisted take-off of aircraft, liquid propellant engines (generally with nitric acid as the oxidizer), liquid-propellant rockets (generally with oxgen as the oxidizer), ram jet engines, rockets with and without wings, and rocket planes. RNII research is described and summarized for the years 1933-1942.

Shchetinkov, Y. S.↗