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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

Time-Dependent Electric Bus and Charging Station Deployment Problem

Battery electric buses (BEBs) have gained popularity due to their emission-free and energy-efficient features. Many transit authorities worldwide have set goals to gradually replace their bus fleets with BEBs. Considering the potential decline in BEB battery and charger prices, this study proposes a time-dependent bus fleet transition model to determine the optimal bus fleet transition plan, which includes selecting the bus lines to be electrified, determining the timing and type of BEBs to be purchased, and deploying on-route fast chargers and depot chargers. The model is a bi-objective integer linear program that considers the trade-off between electrified transit mileages and bus electrification costs. A normalized normal constraint method is applied to solve the bi-objective optimization model. The effectiveness of the proposed model is tested using a real-world bus network. Additionally, sensitivity analyses are conducted to better understand the impact of different parameter values on the optimal solutions. Our proposed model can provide transit authorities with a powerful tool to make informed decisions about their BEB fleet replacement plans.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Understanding arsenic incorporation in CdTe with atom probe tomography

Overcoming the open circuit voltage deficiency in Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) photovoltaics may be achieved by increasing p-type doping while maintaining or increasing minority carrier lifetimes. Here, routes to higher doping efficiency using arsenic are explored through an atomic scale understanding of dopant incorporation limits and activation in molecular beam epitaxy grown CdTe layers. Atom probe tomography reveals spatial segregation into nanometer scale clusters containing > 60 at% As for samples with arsenic incorporation levels greater than 7-8 x 10^17 cm-3. The presence of arsenic clusters was accompanied by crystal quality degradation, particularly the introduction of arsenic-enriched extended defects. Post-growth annealing treatments are shown to increase the size of the As precipitates and the amount of As within the precipitates.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

The Ebola virus glycoprotein mediates entry via a non-classical dynamin-dependent macropinocytic pathway

Ebola virus (EBOV) has been reported to enter cultured cell lines via a dynamin-2-independent macropinocytic pathway or clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The route(s) of productive EBOV internalization into physiologically relevant cell types remain unexplored, and viral-host requirements for this process are incompletely understood. Here, we use electron microscopy and complementary chemical and genetic approaches to demonstrate that the viral glycoprotein, GP, induces macropinocytic uptake of viral particles into cells. GP's highly-glycosylated mucin domain is dispensable for virus-induced macropinocytosis, arguing that interactions between other sequences in GP and the host cell surface are responsible. Unexpectedly, we also found a requirement for the large GTPase dynamin-2, which is proposed to be dispensable for several types of macropinocytosis. Our results provide evidence that EBOV uses an atypical dynamin-dependent macropinocytosis-like entry pathway to enter Vero cells, adherent human peripheral blood-derived monocytes, and a mouse dendritic cell line.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

High‐Resolution National‐Scale Water Modeling Is Enhanced by Multiscale Differentiable Physics‐Informed Machine Learning

Abstract The National Water Model (NWM) is a key tool for flood forecasting, planning, and water management. Key challenges facing the NWM include calibration and parameter regionalization when confronted with big data. We present two novel versions of high‐resolution (∼37 km 2 ) differentiable models (a type of hybrid model): one with implicit, unit‐hydrograph‐style routing and another with explicit Muskingum‐Cunge routing in the river network. The former predicts streamflow at basin outlets whereas the latter presents a discretized product that seamlessly covers rivers in the conterminous United States (CONUS). Both versions use neural networks to provide a multiscale parameterization and process‐based equations to provide a structural backbone, which were trained simultaneously (“end‐to‐end”) on 2,807 basins across the CONUS and evaluated on 4,997 basins. Both versions show great potential to elevate future NWM performance for extensively calibrated as well as ungauged sites: the median daily Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency of all 4,997 basins is improved to around 0.68 from 0.48 of NWM3.0. As they resolve spatial heterogeneity, both versions greatly improved simulations in the western CONUS and also in the Prairie Pothole Region, a long‐standing modeling challenge. The Muskingum‐Cunge version further improved performance for basins >10,000 km 2 . Overall, our results show how neural‐network‐based parameterizations can improve NWM performance for providing operational flood predictions while maintaining interpretability and multivariate outputs. The modeling system supports the Basic Model Interface (BMI), which allows seamless integration with the next‐generation NWM. We also provide a CONUS‐scale hydrologic data set for further evaluation and use.

Song, Yalan [Civil and Environmental Engineering T↗

Coherent approach to two-dimensional heterolayered oxychalcogenides using molten hydroxides.

Heterolayered structures consist of two or more different types of layer and can exhibit exceptional physical properties. Rational routes to synthesize new members of such compounds are required because most of these compounds have been discovered unintentionally. So far there is no generic method to vertically stack chemically different layers to form two-dimensional compounds owing to a lack of understanding of the synthesis of these materials. Here we report the use of molten hydroxides as unconventional solutions for the rapid stacking of oxide and chalcogenide layers with precise composition control. In addition, the crystal growth of heterolayered phases can be achieved by the reaction of different components at their diffusion front in molten hydroxides. This approach creates conditions in which the building blocks for each heterolayer can coexist, enabling heterolayered structures and bypassing the challenges of traditional solid-state chemistry methods where short reactant diffusion lengths predominate. This crystal growth methodology for heterolayers is also applicable to systems that do not form congruent melts at high temperatures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Prime factorization using magnonic holographic devices

Determining the prime factors of a given number $N$ is a problem that requires super-polynomial time for conventional digital computers. A polynomial-time algorithm was invented by Shor for quantum computers. In this paper, we present experimental data that demonstrate prime factorization using spin-wave interference but without quantum entanglement. Prime factorization includes three major steps. First, a general-type computer calculates the sequence of numbers m k mod($N$), where $N$ is the number to be factorized, m is a randomly chosen positive integer, and k = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…. Next, the period of the calculated sequence $r$ is determined by exploiting spin-wave interference. Finally, the general-type computer determines the primes based on the obtained $r$. The experiment for period finding was conducted on a six-terminal Y 3 Fe 2 (FeO 4 ) 3 device. We chose number 15 for testing and determined its primes using a sequence of measurements. The obtained experimental data for a micrometer-sized prototype aimed to demonstrate the benefits of using spin-wave devices to solve complex computational problems. Scalability is one of the major strengths inherent in this type of wave-based device, which may provide a route to nanometer-sized logic circuits. We discuss the physical and technological limitations of this approach, which define the maximum size of N and the computational speed. Although this classical approach cannot compete with the quantum algorithm in terms of efficiency, magnonic holographic devices can potentially be used as complementary logic units aimed at speeding up prime factorization for classical computers.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Automated Conflict Resolution, Arrival Management and Weather Avoidance for ATM

The paper describes a unified solution to three types of separation assurance problems that occur in en-route airspace: separation conflicts, arrival sequencing, and weather-cell avoidance. Algorithms for solving these problems play a key role in the design of future air traffic management systems such as NextGen. Because these problems can arise simultaneously in any combination, it is necessary to develop integrated algorithms for solving them. A unified and comprehensive solution to these problems provides the foundation for a future air traffic management system that requires a high level of automation in separation assurance. The paper describes the three algorithms developed for solving each problem and then shows how they are used sequentially to solve any combination of these problems. The first algorithm resolves loss-of-separation conflicts and is an evolution of an algorithm described in an earlier paper. The new version generates multiple resolutions for each conflict and then selects the one giving the least delay. Two new algorithms, one for sequencing and merging of arrival traffic, referred to as the Arrival Manager, and the other for weather-cell avoidance are the major focus of the paper. Because these three problems constitute a substantial fraction of the workload of en-route controllers, integrated algorithms to solve them is a basic requirement for automated separation assurance. The paper also reviews the Advanced Airspace Concept, a proposed design for a ground-based system that postulates redundant systems for separation assurance in order to achieve both high levels of safety and airspace capacity. It is proposed that automated separation assurance be introduced operationally in several steps, each step reducing controller workload further while increasing airspace capacity. A fast time simulation was used to determine performance statistics of the algorithm at up to 3 times current traffic levels.

Erzberger, H.↗

Friction Consolidation Processing of n-Type Bismuth-Telluride Thermoelectric Material

This work focused on the development of a new mechanical processing route, called Friction Consolidation Processing (FCP), for densifying bismuth-telluride (Bi2Te3) powders into bulk form. FCP is a solid-state process wherein a rotating tool was used to generate severe plastic deformation within the Bi2Te3 powder, resulting in a recrystallizing flow of material. Upon cooling, the non-equilibrium microstructure within the flow was locked into the material. FCP was demonstrated on -325 mesh (~44 micron) n-type Bi2Te3 feedstock powder to form pucks with 92% theoretical density having a diameter of 25.4mm and thickness of 4.2mm. FCP was shown to achieve highly textured bulk materials, with sub-micron grain size, directly from coarse particle feedstock powders in a single process. An average grain size of 0.8 microns was determined for one sample and a multiple of uniform distribution (MUD) value of 15.49 was calculated for the (0001) pole figure from another sample. These results indicate that FCP can yield highly refined grains and textural alignment of the (0001) basal planes in Bi2Te3. ZT=0.37 at 336K was achieved for undoped stoichiometric Bi2Te3, which is near the “text book” value of ZT=0.5.

Whalen, Scott A.↗

A new n-type half-Heusler thermoelectric material NbCoSb

Highlights: • Half-Heusler alloy NbCoSb with 19 valence electron count was studied as TE material. • It is surprising that NbCoSb is n-type. • A maximum ZT of ∼0.4 is achieved at 700 °C without optimization. • It opens up a new route to develop new half-Heusler thermoelectric materials. • It is very interesting that a traditionally thought of VEC of 18 is not required. - Abstract: We surprisingly made a new n-type thermoelectric compound NbCoSb with half-Heusler (HH) structure having valence electron count of 19, different from the traditional 18, which opens up a new route to develop new half-Heusler thermoelectric materials not following the traditional valence electron count of 18. The samples are made by arc melting followed by ball milling and hot pressing. The effect of hot pressing temperature on the thermoelectric properties of NbCoSb samples has been studied. A maximum thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) of ∼0.4 is achieved at 700 °C in NbCoSb sample that is hot pressed at 1000 °C. This work add a new member to HH compounds for thermoelectric applications, although the peak ZT of ∼0.4 is still lower than that of the traditional HHs. Moreover, it is very interesting to see that a traditionally thought of valence electron counts of 18 is not required.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Synthesis and structure of a new layered oxyfluoride Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F with photocatalytic property

Highlights: • A new oxyfluoride compound Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F was prepared by a solid state route. • The structure of this compound was determined by GSAS program based on XRD data. • The photocatalytic property was investigated under UV irradiation. - Abstract: A new Ruddlesden–Popper type scandium oxyfluoride, Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F, was synthesized by a conventional solid state reaction route. The detailed structure of Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The disorder distribution pattern of fluorine anions was determined by the {sup 19}F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum. The compound crystallizes in a K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type tetragonal structure (space group I4/mmm) with O/F anions disordered over the apical sites of the perovskite-type Sc(O,F){sub 6} octahedron layers interleaved with strontium cations. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflection spectrum of the prepared Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F indicates that it has an absorption in the UV–vis region. The photocatalytic activity of Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F was further investigated, showing an effective photodegradation of Rhodamine-B (RB) within 2 h under UV light irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

THE ARECIBO DETECTION OF THE COOLEST RADIO-FLARING BROWN DWARF

Radio detection provides unique means to measure and study magnetic fields of the coolest brown dwarfs. Previous radio surveys have observed quiescent and flaring emission from brown dwarfs down to spectral type L3.5, but only upper limits have been established for even cooler objects. We report the detection of sporadic, circularly polarized flares from the T6.5 dwarf, 2MASS J1047+21, with the Arecibo radio telescope at 4.75 GHz. This is by far the coolest brown dwarf yet detected at radio frequencies. The fact that such an object is capable of generating observable, coherent radio emission, despite its very low, {approx}900 K temperature, demonstrates the feasibility of studies of brown dwarfs of the meagerly explored L, T, and Y spectral types, using radio detection as a tool.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Integration of Automated Systems (IAS) Flight Test - Hazard Perception & Avoidance (HPA) Results

The Integration of Automated Systems (IAS) flight test series concluded in October 2023 in support of NASA's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project. These flights include crewed, test (i.e., ownship) and traffic (i.e., intruder) aircraft that flew with unique technologies onboard. The presentation includes overviews of the flight tet itself and the specific results that pertain to the Hazard Perception and Avoidance (HPA) technical areas. HPA tested the FAA's Airborne Collision Avoidance System X (ACAS X), a next-generation collision avoidance tool developed to support different aircraft types and operations. The rotorcraft variant, ACAS Xr, is designed to accommodate existing helicopter platforms and in-development, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) concepts, which are critical to the emerging AAM concept of operations. Two configurations of ACAS Xr were examined: Collision Avoidance System (CAS, similar to the Traffic Collision Avoidance System [TCAS] II) and Detect and Avoid (DAA, previously developed to provide added situational awareness for remote pilots). Additionally, this system was flown in cruise and low-speed flight regimes as well as within en-route and (emulated), structured (i.e., dense/urban), and terminal airspaces. Results include the types of alerts generated by ACAS Xr across the different configurations, the distances at which the alerts were generated, response times, manuever sizes, miss distances, and general comments from pilots. Key takeaways and next steps are also provided.

detect and avoid↗

Flight Deck Weather Avoidance Decision Support: Implementation and Evaluation

Weather related disruptions account for seventy percent of the delays in the National Airspace System (NAS). A key component in the weather plan of the Next Generation of Air Transportation System (NextGen) is to assimilate observed weather information and probabilistic forecasts into the decision process of flight crews and air traffic controllers. In this research we explore supporting flight crew weather decision making through the development of a flight deck predicted weather display system that utilizes weather predictions generated by ground-based radar. This system integrates and presents this weather information, together with in-flight trajectory modification tools, within a cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) prototype. that the CDTI features 2D and perspective 3D visualization models of weather. The weather forecast products that we implemented were the Corridor Integrated Weather System (CIWS) and the Convective Weather Avoidance Model (CWAM), both developed by MIT Lincoln Lab. We evaluated the use of CIWS and CWAM for flight deck weather avoidance in two part-task experiments. Experiment 1 compared pilots' en route weather avoidance performance in four weather information conditions that differed in the type and amount of predicted forecast (CIWS current weather only, CIWS current and historical weather, CIWS current and forecast weather, CIWS current and forecast weather and CWAM predictions). Experiment 2 compared the use of perspective 3D and 21/2D presentations of weather for flight deck weather avoidance. Results showed that pilots could take advantage of longer range predicted weather forecasts in performing en route weather avoidance but more research will be needed to determine what combinations of information are optimal and how best to present them.

CWAM↗

From fluorite to pyrochlore: Characterisation of local and average structure of neodymium zirconate, Nd{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7}

The structural characterisation of Nd{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} prepared via a precursor route was performed using a combination of local and average structure probes (neutron total scattering, X-ray and neutron diffraction). We present the first total scattering and reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modelling study of Nd{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7}, which provides compelling evidence for the adoption of a disordered fluorite-type structure by Nd{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} prepared by a low-temperature precursor route. Annealing the material at high temperatures leads to a transformation to a pyrochlore-type structure; however, Rietveld refinement using powder neutron diffraction data shows that the oxygen sublattice retains a degree of disorder. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • The first total scattering and RMC modelling study of Nd{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7}. • Demonstration that the synthetic route influences the crystal structure adopted. • Insight into the importance of total scattering in studies of complex superstructures, especially for nano-sized materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

ASPIRES: Airport Shuttle Planning and Improved Routing Event-driven Simulation

Most of the existing traffic simulation packages require significant calibration work to be able to reflect reality. To evaluate special operations including emerging technologies, a microscopic simulation that tracks detailed interactions of all the elements of the traffic systems is usually needed. This type of simulation is usually computationally demanding. This work developed an Airport Shuttle Planning and Improved Routing Event-driven Simulation (ASPIRES) package to simulate and evaluate current, potential, and future airport shuttle operations. Here, the simulation was driven by data and thus did not require much calibration effort. The discrete-event simulation nature of ASPIRES makes the simulation computationally efficient. Simulating 1 day of shuttle operations takes less than 2s. The study site of this work is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in the U.S. The shuttle service that connects the five terminals of the airport and the rental car center was studied. Travel times, dwell times, and passenger arrivals were simulated using empirical distributions derived mainly from real data to capture the stochastic nature of the rental car center shuttle bus operations. Data on bus miles traveled, bus energy consumption, passenger wait times, and passengers left behind at stops were collected to study the trade-off between energy use and passenger experience. Electric bus and on-demand bus operations were also included. The simulation outputs can show passengers statistics at terminals, shuttles statistics, and charging station statistics. ASPIRES cannot be used to model a generic traffic system but is well-suited for fleet systems.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Properties of Air Traffic Conflicts for Free and Structured Routing

This paper analyzes the properties of air traffic conflicts in a future free routing system against those in the current structured routing system. Simulation of en route air traffic operations (above 18,000 ft) over the contiguous United States for a 24-hour period, constructed with initial conditions from actual air traffic data, were conducted using the Future ATM Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET). Free routes were modeled as great circle (direct) routes from origin to destination, and structured routes were derived from actual flight plans along the current system of air routes. The conflict properties analyzed in this study include: (1) Total number of conflicts; (2) Distributions of key conflict parameters; and, (3) Categorization of conflicts into independent conflicts and two types of interacting conflicts. Preliminary results (for Denver Center traffic) indicate that conflict properties in a free routing system are different from those in the current structured routing system. In particular, a free routing system has significantly fewer conflicts, involving a correspondingly smaller number of aircraft, compared to the current structured routing system. Additionally, the conflict parameter distributions indicate that free routing conflicts are less intrusive than structured routing conflicts, and would therefore require small trajectory deviations for resolution.

Bilimoria, Karl D.↗

The crystal structure and electrical properties of K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type (Ca{sub 2−x}Sm{sub x})MnO{sub 4}

Graphical abstract: The relationship between log ρ of K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type (Ca{sub 2−x}Sm{sub x})MnO{sub 4} and 1000/T. - Highlights: • K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type (Ca{sub 2−x}Sm{sub x})MnO{sub 4} was synthesized using a polymerized complex route. • The semiconductive samples had minimum values of ρ and E{sub a} at x = 0.1. • The log ρ–1/T curve of x = 0.3 consisted of two different lines at 315 K. • The 1/χ − T curve of x = 0.3 had a peak at 325 K. • These results indicated the presence of a charge-ordering transition at x = 0.3. - Abstract: K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type (Ca{sub 2−x}Sm{sub x})MnO{sub 4} (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) was synthesized using a polymerized complex route. The crystal structure changed from tetragonal to orthorhombic at x = 0.3. A variation in the lattice parameters was explained by the Mn–O(2) distance, the Mn−O(2)−Mn angle, and the (Ca,Sm)–(Ca,Sm) distance. The samples were n-type semiconductors, and the minimum values of electrical resistivity (ρ) and an energy gap (E{sub g}) at x = 0.1 were accounted by electron transfer through an Mn−O(2)−Mn path and overlap between the Mnt{sub 2g} and Op{sub π} orbitals. In the sample (x = 0.3), the log ρ–1000/T curve consisted of two different lines that intersected at ca. 325 K, and a peak was observed at ca. 315 K in the magnetic susceptibility–temperature curve. These results indicated the presence of a charge-ordering (CO) transition at 315–325 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗