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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

New Particle Formation in Anthropogenic Plumes Advecting from Asia Observed During TRACE-P

The characteristics and sources of what are believed to be newly formed 3 to 4 nm particles in anthropogenic plumes advecting from Asian are reported. Airborne measurements were made from March to April 2001 as part of the NASA TRACE-P experiment at latitudes ranging from North of the Philippines to Northern Japan (20 to 45 deg. N). In the more polluted plumes, high concentrations of 3 to 4 nm diameter particles (less than 100/qu cm) were observed both within and along the upper outer edges of plumes that were identified by enhanced carbon monoxide and fine particulate sulfate concentrations. The results from two research flights are investigated in detail. Three to four-nm particle concentrations are generally correlated with gas phase sulfuric acid and found in regions of low surface areas relative to the immediate surroundings or where there are steep transitions to lower surface areas. Sulfuric acid and surface area concentrations in the most polluted plume reached 6 x l0(exp 7) and 750 micro sq m/qu cm, respectively, in regions of particle formation. In contrast to these anthropogenic plumes, few 3 to 4 nm particles were observed in the clean background and few were detected within a volcanic plume where the studies highest H2SO4 concentrations (less than lO(exp 8)/qu cm) were recorded. Enhanced SO2 concentrations in the range of approximately 2 to 7 ppb, in conjunction with other unidentified, possibly coemitted species, appear to be the driving factor for nucleation. (0345, 4801); 0322 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Constituent sources and sinks; 0345 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pollution-urban and regional (0305); 4801 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Aerosols (0305).

Weber, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

"Ames Research Center: Linking our Origins to our Future"

Our research traces a path from interstellar materials to inhabited worlds and beyond. We examine how protoplanetary disks evolve and form terrestrial planets, the evolutionary paths of habitable planets, and how external factors (e.g., orbital eccentricity) and internal factors (atmospheric circulation) affect habitability. We trace, spectroscopically and chemically, the evolution of organic molecules from the interstellar medium onto habitable bodies. We examine how membranes might form under prebiotic planetary conditions. We evolve proteins capable of sustaining early metabolism, such as synthesis of biopolymers and transport of ions across membranes. We estimate the frequency of finding a functional prebiotic protein that formed spontaneously. We characterize the formation of diagnostic microbial biosignatures in rock-hosted ecosystems in ophiolite springs as an analog for subsurface life within our solar system, and photosynthetic microbial mats as biota that could be detected on extrasolar planets. We develop quantitative models that simulate energy relationships, biogeochemical cycling, trace gas exchange, and biodiversity. We examine the effects of climate variability on a vegetation-rich biosphere over intermediate time scales, using South American ecosystems as a model. We address natural transport of life beyond its planet of origin, such as on a meteorite, where survivors must withstand radiation, desiccation, and time in transit. We fly organisms and ecosystems in low Earth orbit to test their resistance to space. The Ames E&PO program disseminates these themes to national- and international-scale audiences through partnerships with the California Academy of Sciences, Yellow stone National Park, New York Hall of Science, and several K-14 educational organizations.

DesMarais, David J.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Men and Women in Space: Bone Loss and Kidney Stone Risk after Long-Duration Space Flight

Bone loss on Earth is more prevalent in women than men, leading to the assumption that women may be at greater risk from bone loss during flight. Until recently, the number of women having flown long-duration missions was too small to allow any type of statistical analysis. We report here data from 42 astronauts on long-duration missions to the International Space Station, 33 men and 9 women. Bone mineral density (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), bone biochemistry (from blood and urine samples), and renal stone risk factors were evaluated before and after flight. Data were analyzed in two groups, based on available resistance exercise equipment. The response of bone mineral density to flight was the same for men and women, and the typical decrease in bone mineral density (whole body and/or regional) after flight was not observed for either sex for those using an Advanced Resistive Exercise Device. Bone biochemistry, specifically markers of formation and resorption, generally responded similarly in male and female astronauts. The response of urinary supersaturation risk to space flight was not significantly different between men and women, although risks were typically increased after flight in both groups and risks were generally greater in men than in women before and after flight. Overall, the bone and renal stone responses of men and women to space flight were not different.

Smith, Scott M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Ion radial diffusion in an electrostatic impulse model for stormtime ring current formation

Two refinements to the quasi-linear theory of ion radial diffusion are proposed and examined analytically with simulations of particle trajectories. The resonance-broadening correction by Dungey (1965) is applied to the quasi-linear diffusion theory by Faelthammar (1965) for an individual model storm. Quasi-linear theory is then applied to the mean diffusion coefficients resulting from simulations of particle trajectories in 20 model storms. The correction for drift-resonance broadening results in quasi-linear diffusion coefficients with discrepancies from the corresponding simulated values that are reduced by a factor of about 3. Further reductions in the discrepancies are noted following the averaging of the quasi-linear diffusion coefficients, the simulated coefficients, and the resonance-broadened coefficients for the 20 storms. Quasi-linear theory provides good descriptions of particle transport for a single storm but performs even better in conjunction with the present ensemble-averaging.

Chen, Margaret W.↗
DOE OSTI2021

FHOD formin and SRF promote post-embryonic striated muscle growth through separate pathways in C. elegans

Highlights: • Reduced SRF or formin FHOD-1 activity similarly inhibit muscle growth in worms. • Formin does not promote worm SRF-dependent muscle gene transcription. • Proteasome-driven myosin proteolysis is increased in worm muscle lacking formin. Previous work with cultured cells has shown transcription of muscle genes by serum response factor (SRF) can be stimulated by actin polymerization driven by proteins of the formin family. However, it is not clear if endogenous formins similarly promote SRF-dependent transcription during muscle development in vivo. We tested whether formin activity promotes SRF-dependent transcription in striated muscle in the simple animal model, Caenorhabditis elegans. Our lab has shown FHOD-1 is the only formin that directly promotes sarcomere formation in the worm's striated muscle. We show here FHOD-1 and SRF homolog UNC-120 both support muscle growth and also muscle myosin II heavy chain A expression. However, while a hypomorphic unc-120 allele blunts expression of a set of striated muscle genes, these genes are largely upregulated or unchanged by absence of FHOD-1. Instead, pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome restores myosin protein levels in worms lacking FHOD-1, suggesting elevated proteolysis accounts for their myosin deficit. Interestingly, proteasome inhibition does not restore normal muscle growth to fhod-1(Δ) mutants, suggesting formin contributes to muscle growth by some alternative mechanism. Overall, we find SRF does not depend on formin to promote muscle gene transcription in a simple in vivo system.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data for "Soil texture and environmental conditions influence the biogeochemical responses of soils to drought and flooding"

This dataset contains data used for the paper "Soil texture and environmental conditions influence the biogeochemical responses of soils to drought and flooding". The Related References field will be updated with a full citation when available.Climate change is intensifying the global water cycle, with increased frequency of drought and flood. Water is an important driver of soil carbon dynamics, and it is crucial to understand how moisture disturbances will affect carbon availability and fluxes in soils. Here we investigate the role of water in substrate-microbe connectivity and soil carbon cycling under extreme moisture conditions. We collected soils from Alaska, Florida, and Washington USA, and incubated them under Drought and Flood conditions. Drought had a stronger effect on soil respiration, pore-water carbon, and microbial community composition than flooding. Soil response was not consistent across sites, and was influenced by site-level pedological and environmental factors. Soil texture and porosity can influence microbial access to substrates through the pore network, driving the chemical response. Further, the microbial communities are adapted to the historic stress conditions at their sites and therefore show site-specific responses to drought and flood.This dataset contains a compressed (.zip) archive of the data and R scripts used for this manuscript. The dataset includes files in .csv and .txt format, which can be accessed and processed using MS Excel or R. This archive can also be accessed on GitHub at https://github.com/kaizadp/TES_3Soils_2021 (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4792655).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1971

The dayside of the plasmasphere.

The concentrations of H(+) ions in the dayside region of the plasmasphere, measured from March 1968 through February 1969 by the Lockheed light-ion mass spectrometer aboard the OGO 5 satellite, are presented and analyzed. The position of the plasmapause on the dayside appears to be determined by the level of magnetic activity present during the previous corotation of the dayside sector through the formative nightside region. Observations of the buildup of H(+) density versus local time following magnetic storms indicate that H(+) ions flow from the dayside ionosphere into the plasmasphere and plasma trough. Plasmapause density profiles in the afternoon-dusk sector show the effects of the dayside filling from the ionosphere. In addition, several of the dayside profiles display a steep drop in the H(+) density of about a factor of 10 inside the plasmapause position.

Chappell, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The thermal state and internal structure of Mars

The evolution and state of the interior of Mars are studied through the use of theoretically calculated thermal history and density models. Invoking melting of an Fe-FeS mixture permits initial core formation within the first billion years. At the present time the core radius ranges from about 1300 to 1800 km, depending on composition, and the core is liquid even if the composition is varied from the eutectic. Large-scale differentiation of the silicates occurs in the last 2 b.y. When the mean density is 3.96 g/cu cm, the radius is 3389 km, and the moment of inertia factor is 0.377, the density models indicate high mantle densities near 3.74 g/cu cm. Thus an FeO content of about 29% is implied, consistent with the production of a low-viscosity magma. Chemical models of the Martian mantle indicate a composition primarily of olivine with about 56% forsterite.

Johnston, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Environmental observations from space present and future

Spaceborne systems for measuring and predicting environmental conditions have achieved a level of development that justifies a look at the total environmental system. There are common requirements in all the disciplines, and many of the same measurements are needed to satisfy various discipline needs. It is this factor - the commonality of needs and measurements - that will be used in our future missions. The needs and requirements in the future plan will be faced by combining mission and data requirements that may be satisfied from orbiting spacecraft. There are also similarities in information requirements, as a result of which there is a need for developing an integrated data/information system where information will be produced in a format that will be of immediate utility to the users.

Greenwood, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Integrated Composite Analyzer (ICAN): Users and programmers manual

The use of and relevant equations programmed in a computer code designed to carry out a comprehensive linear analysis of multilayered fiber composites is described. The analysis contains the essential features required to effectively design structural components made from fiber composites. The inputs to the code are constituent material properties, factors reflecting the fabrication process, and composite geometry. The code performs micromechanics, macromechanics, and laminate analysis, including the hygrothermal response of fiber composites. The code outputs are the various ply and composite properties, composite structural response, and composite stress analysis results with details on failure. The code is in Fortran IV and can be used efficiently as a package in complex structural analysis programs. The input-output format is described extensively through the use of a sample problem. The program listing is also included. The code manual consists of two parts.

Murthy, P. L. N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Absolute ages from crater statistics: Using radiometric ages of Martian samples for determining the Martian cratering chronology

In the absence of dates derived from rock samples, impact crater frequencies are commonly used to date Martian surface units. All models for absolute dating rely on the lunar cratering chronology and on the validity of its extrapolation to Martian conditions. Starting from somewhat different lunar chronologies, rather different Martian cratering chronologies are found in the literature. Currently favored models are compared. The differences at old ages are significant, the differences at younger ages are considerable and give absolute ages for the same crater frequencies as different as a factor of 3. The total uncertainty could be much higher, though, since the ratio of lunar to Martian cratering rate which is of basic importance in the models is believed to be known no better than within a factor of 2. Thus, it is of crucial importance for understanding the the evolution of Mars and determining the sequence of events to establish an unambiguous Martian cratering chronology from crater statistics in combination with clean radiometric ages of returned Martian samples. For the dating goal, rocks should be as pristine as possible from a geologically simple area with a one-stage emplacement history of the local formation. A minimum of at least one highland site for old ages, two intermediate-aged sites, and one very young site is needed.

Neukum, G.↗
NASA NTRS1992

STELAR: An experiment in the electronic distribution of astronomical literature

STELAR (Study of Electronic Literature for Astronomical Research) is a Goddard-based project designed to test methods of delivering technical literature in machine readable form. To that end, we have scanned a five year span of the ApJ, ApJ Supp, AJ and PASP, and have obtained abstracts for eight leading academic journals from NASA/STI CASI, which also makes these abstracts available through the NASA RECON system. We have also obtained machine readable versions of some journal volumes from the publishers, although in many instances, the final typeset versions are no longer available. The fundamental data object for the STELAR database is the article, a collection of items associated with a scientific paper - abstract, scanned pages (in a variety of formats), figures, OCR extractions, forward and backward references, errata and versions of the paper in various formats (e.g., TEX, SGML, PostScript, DVI). Articles are uniquely referenced in the database by journal name, volume number and page number. The selection and delivery of articles is accomplished through the WAIS (Wide Area Information Server) client/server models requiring only an Internet connection. Modest modifications to the server code have made it capable of delivering the multiple data types required by STELAR. WAIS is a platform independent and fully open multi-disciplinary delivery system, originally developed by Thinking Machines Corp. and made available free of charge. It is based on the ISO Z39.50 standard communications protocol. WAIS servers run under both UNIX and VMS. WAIS clients run on a wide variety of machines, from UNIX-based Xwindows systems to MS-DOS and macintosh microcomputers. The WAIS system includes full-test indexing and searching of documents, network interface and easy access to a variety of document viewers. ASCII versions of the CASI abstracts have been formatted for display and the full test of the abstracts has been indexed. The entire WAIS database of abstracts is now available for use by the astronomical community. Enhancements of the search and retrieval system are under investigation to include specialized searches (by reference, author or keyword, as opposed to full test searches), improved handling of word stems, improvements in relevancy criteria and other retrieval techniques, such as factor spaces. The STELAR project has been assisted by the full cooperation of the AAS, the ASP, the publishers of the academic journals, librarians from GSFC, NRAO and STScI, the Library of Congress, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Warnock, A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Gravitational Effects on Distortion in Sintering

During sintering a powder compact gains strength through low-temperature interparticle bonding, usually induced by solid-state surface diffusion, followed by further strength contributions from high-temperature densification. In cases where a liquid phase forms, sintering densification is accelerated and shape retention is sustained while open pores remain and contribute capillary forces. Unfortunately, sintering densification requires the compact become thermally softened to a point where creep strain rates reach levels near 10(exp -2)/s when the liquid forms. On the other hand, thermal softening of the powder compact substantially reduces the strength at high temperatures. Therefore, the in situ strength evolution during sintering is a primary focus to separate compact densification (as required for high performance) with minimized distortion (as required for net-shaping). With respect to gravitation effects on distortion during sintering there are two points of substantial weakness - prior to significant interparticle bonding and during final pore closure. This research is focused on understanding the competition among interparticle neck growth, densification, thermal softening, grain boundary wetting, capillary effects associated with liquid wetting and residual porosity, and gravity. Most surprising is the apparent role of gravity, where the deviatoric stress acting on the powder structure induces skeletal formation that reduces distortion. In contrast with theory, microgravity samples exhibit more distortion yet fail to fully densify. Results are presented on the experimental concepts supporting an emerging model of sintering strength evolution that enables understanding of both distortion and densification. The experiments have relied on tungsten heavy alloys, various combinations of dihedral angle, pore size, initial porosity, liquid:solid ratio, and heating rates. On Earth, the dominant factor with respect to distortion is the starting body heterogeneity. Current modeling efforts are seeking some means to uniformly predict the distortion based on a starting pore structure heterogeneity parameter. Densification is largely unaffected by the initial pore structure, but distortion is highly variable, suggesting that nonuniform pore closure might be a significant parameter during sintering. With respect to flight experiments, plans include removal of the solid body forces acting on the solid grains, allowing stabilization of the pore structure and examination of the buoyancy effects with regard to distortion. In microgravity there is the surprising result that compacts do not densify, yet distort a factor that is contrary to all current sintering models. Densification without distortion during liquid phase sintering was achieved by manipulating microstructure and its evolution during sintering. Microstructure parameters such as the solid volume fraction, dihedral angle, initial porosity, and pore size were varied to measure densification and distortion behavior during LPS using W-Ni-Cu alloys. Green compacts were formed using ethylene-bis-stearamide as a pore-forming agent with the amount of polymer controlling the initial porosity. Different initial pore sizes were generated by varying the polymer particle size. Dihedral angle was varied by changing the Ni:Cu ratio in the alloys. Finally, the solid volume fraction was adjusted via the tungsten content. Distortion was quantified using profiles determined with a coordinate measuring machine to calculate a distortion parameter. Sintering results showed that solid volume fraction and dihedral angle are the dominant factors on densification and distortion during liquid phase sintering. Distortion decreases with increasing solid volume fraction and dihedral angle, while initial porosity and pore size have no observable effect on distortion at nearly full densification. Various strategies emerge to improve distortion control in liquid phase sintering.

German, Randall M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

The Fractal-based Analysis of the Regulation of Vascular Remodeling in the Quail Chorioallantoic Membrane

Critical to the advancement of space exploration is the safety and well being of astronauts while in space. This study focuses on the second highest of NASA-defined risk categories for human space exploration, cardiovascular alterations. Current research of this problem is being tackled by investigating angiogenesis through vascular remodeling. Angiogenesis is the growth and formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is an important part of maintaining normal development and bodily functions. The loss of control of this process, either insufficient or excessive vascular growth, is considered a common denominator in many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Objectives are presently being met by observing the effects of various regulators, like thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) and a novel vessel tortuosity factor (TF), through the use of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of Japanese quail embryos, which enables the direct optical imaging of 2-dimensional vascular branching trees. Research within the CAM is being performed to deduce numerous methods of regulating vessel growth. This project centers on the ability of a novel vessel regulator to affect angiogenesis. For example, it is hypothesized that the TSP-1 will inhibit the growth of CAM vasculature. Fractal/VESGEN-based techniques and PTV analysis are the methodologies used to investigate vascular differentiation. This tactic is used to quantify results and measure the growth patterns and morphology of blood vessels. The regulatory mechanisms posed by this vessel regulator can be deduced by alterations found within the vasculature patterns of quail embryos.

Smith, Genee S.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Direct Ink Write 3D Printing of Fully Dense and Functionally Graded Liquid Metal Elastomer Foams

Liquid metal (LM) elastomer composites offer promising potential in soft robotics, wearable electronics, and human-machine interfaces. Direct ink write (DIW) 3D printing offers a versatile manufacturing technique capable of precise control over LM microstructures, yet challenges such as interfilament void formation in multilayer structures impact material performance. Here, a DIW strategy is introduced to control both LM microstructure and material architecture. Investigating three key process parameters–nozzle height, extrusion rate, and nondimensionalized nozzle velocity–it is found that nozzle height and velocity predominantly influence filament geometry. The nozzle height primarily dictates the aspect ratio of the filament and the formation of voids. A threshold print height based on filament geometry is identified; below the height, significant surface roughness occurs, and above the ink fractures, which facilitates the creation of porous structures with tunable stiffness and programmable LM microstructure. These porous architectures exhibit reduced density and enhanced thermal conductivity compared to cast samples. When used as a dielectric in a soft capacitive sensor, they display high sensitivity (gauge factor = 9.0), as permittivity increases with compressive strain. These results demonstrate the capability to simultaneously manipulate LM microstructure and geometric architecture in LM elastomer composites through precise control of print parameters, while maintaining geometric fidelity in the printed design.

Spencer Pak↗
NASA NTRS1992

Effect of impact angle on central-peak/peak-ring formation and crater collapse on Venus

Although asymmetry in ejecta patterns and craters shape-in-plan are commonly cited as diagnostic features of impact angle, the early-time transfer of energy from impactor to target also creates distinctive asymmetries in crater profile with the greatest depth uprange. In order to simulate gravity-controlled crater-growth, laboratory experiments use loose particulate targets as analogs for low-strength material properties following passage of the shock. As a result, impact crater diameter D in laboratory experiments generally is many times greater than the impactor diameter 2r (factor of 40), and early-time asymmetries in energy transfer from oblique impacts are consumed by subsequent symmetrical crater growth, except at the lowest angles (less than 25 deg). Such asymmetry is evident for oblique (less than 60 deg from horizontal) impacts into aluminum where D/2r is only 2 to 4. Because cratering efficiency decreases with increasing crater size and decreasing impact angle, large scale planetary craters (4080 km) should have transient excavation diameters only 6-10 times larger than the impactor. At basin scales, D/2r is predicted to be only 3-5, i.e., approaching values for impacts into aluminum in laboratory experiments. As a result, evidence for early-time asymmetry in impactor energy transfer should become evident on planetary surfaces, yet craters generally retain a circular outline for all but the lowest impact angles.

Schultz, Peter H.↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Origin and Evolution of Saturn's 2011-2012 Stratospheric Vortex

The planet-encircling springtime storm in Saturn's troposphere (December 2010-July 2011, Fletcher, L.N. et al. [2011]. Science 332, 1413-1414; Sánchez-Lavega, A. et al. [2011]. Nature 475, 71-74; Fischer, G. et al. [2011]. Nature 475, 75-77) produced dramatic perturbations to stratospheric temperatures, winds and composition at mbar pressures that persisted long after the tropospheric disturbance had abated. Thermal infrared (IR) spectroscopy from the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS), supported by ground-based IR imaging from the VISIR instrument on the Very Large Telescope and the MIRSI instrument on NASA's IRTF, is used to track the evolution of a large, hot stratospheric anticyclone between January 2011 and March 2012. The evolutionary sequence can be divided into three phases: (I) the formation and intensification of two distinct warm airmasses near 0.5 mbar between 25 and 35degN (B1 and B2) between January-April 2011, moving westward with different zonal velocities, B1 residing directly above the convective tropospheric storm head; (II) the merging of the warm airmasses to form the large single 'stratospheric beacon' near 40degN (B0) between April and June 2011, disassociated from the storm head and at a higher pressure (2 mbar) than the original beacons, a downward shift of 1.4 scale heights (approximately 85 km) post-merger; and (III) the mature phase characterised by slow cooling (0.11 +/- 0.01 K/day) and longitudinal shrinkage of the anticyclone since July 2011. Peak temperatures of 221.6 +/- 1.4 K at 2 mbar were measured on May 5th 2011 immediately after the merger, some 80 K warmer than the quiescent surroundings. From July 2011 to the time of writing, B0 remained as a long-lived stable stratospheric phenomenon at 2 mbar, moving west with a near-constant velocity of 2.70 +/- 0.04 deg/day (24.5 +/- 0.4 m/s at 40degN relative to System III longitudes). No perturbations to visible clouds and hazes were detected during this period. With no direct tracers of motion in the stratosphere, we use thermal windshear calculations to estimate clockwise peripheral velocities of 200-400 m/s at 2 mbar around B0. The peripheral velocities of the two original airmasses were smaller (70-140 m/s). In August 2011, the size of the vortex as defined by the peripheral collar was 65deg longitude (50,000 km in diameter) and 25deg latitude. Stratospheric acetylene (C2H2) was uniformly enhanced by a factor of three within the vortex, whereas ethane (C2H6) remained unaffected. The passage of B0 generated a new band of warm stratospheric emission at 0.5 mbar at its northern edge, and there are hints of warm stratospheric structures associated with the beacons at higher altitudes (p < 0.1 mbar) than can be reliably observed by CIRS nadir spectroscopy. Analysis of the zonal windshear suggests that Rossby wave perturbations from the convective storm could have propagated vertically into the stratosphere at this point in Saturn's seasonal cycle, one possible source of energy for the formation of these stratospheric anticyclones.

evolution↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effects of surface species and homogeneous reactions on rates and selectivity in ethane oxidation on oxide catalysts

Selective alkane oxidations on metal oxide catalysts involve complex mechanisms with multiple reactions in series and parallel, different types of reduced and oxidized surface species, and potential contributions from gas-phase reactions. We report kinetics and thermodynamics of elementary steps involved in C 2 H 6 -O 2 reactions on SiO 2 -supported small vanadium oxide domains are determined using density functional theory. These surface reactions together with gas-phase mechanisms are incorporated in kinetic simulations to determine how surface and gaseous reactions interact and contribute to rates and selectivity. The results show that gas-phase reactions within pore volumes in contact with the catalyst contribute significantly to C 2 H 6 activation rates, even at conditions where gas-phase reactions in empty volumes without catalyst are negligible. The majority of C 2 H 6 activations occur on the surface, via H abstraction by vanadium oxo species present at terminal lattice oxygens. The gas-phase activations via H-abstraction by OH radicals also exhibit significant contributions. The reduced centers formed by reactions at vanadium oxo species are re-oxidized rapidly and, therefore, are present in very small concentrations at reaction conditions. The re-oxidation steps lead to the formation of HO 2 radicals and surface peroxo species that are also rapidly consumed and are present in small concentrations. The peroxo species preferentially convert C 2 H 4 to its epoxide product and influence selectivity even at low concentrations. The gas-phase reactions decrease the concentrations of peroxo species and improve selectivity slightly. The effects of reaction conditions and catalyst site density provide further insights into how factors beyond conversions at lattice oxygens influence rates and selectivity in alkane oxidation reactions of significant industrial importance.

42 ENGINEERING↗