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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Responder Technology Alert Monthly (Oct-Nov 2014)

As part of technology foraging for the Responder Technology Alliance, established by the Department of Homeland Science and Technologies First Responders Group, this report summarizes technologies that are relevant in the area of “wearables,” with the potential for use by first responders. The content was collected over the previous month(s) and reproduced from a general Internet search using the term wearables. Additional information is available at the websites provided. This report is not meant to be an exhaustive list nor an endorsement of any technology described herein. Rather, it is meant to provide useful information about current developments in the areas wearable technology. The content is organized by technology function including: Sensors – Devices that detect physiological, particle, and chemical activity; Displays – Heads-up and body-worn visual displays; Power – Wearable power systems including chargers, batteries, self-powering or harvesting technologies, and power supplies; Integrated Communications – Voice and data communications systems utilizing Bluetooth, wireless, hands-free, ergonomically optimized systems, noise-filtering digital speakers or microphones, etc.; Exoskeletons – Whole or partial body suit that enhances mobility and physical performance; Wearable Computers – Body-worn data processing devices; General – Miscellaneous technologies as well as emerging trends or recent advances in the field of wearables.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
DOE OSTI2013

FLC Nomination: Through-The-Earth™ technology - Vital Alert Communications, Inc.

Through-The-Earth™ technology, developed by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory in collaboration with Vital Alert Communications, Inc. (Vital Alert), is a wireless communications device that transmits and receives two-way voice and text communications through more than 600 ft of dense material, including solid rock, giving this technology various applications within the mining industry.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Roundtable Report: Terahertz and 6G Wireless Communications in Science and Extreme Environments

The main objective of the roundtable is to bring together computer scientists and wireless communications experts from industry, academia, and government to explore the electromagnetic spectrum in the Terahertz (THz) bands for ultra-high-speed short-distance wireless communications in extreme environments. This new generation of THz wireless communications is the key to future machine-to-machine communications critical for the mass deployment of an intelligent Internet of Things (IoT). The roundtable discussion explores THz and 6G wireless technologies along with Visible Light Communications (VLC), intelligent reflection surfaces, free-space quantum and optical communications, and nano communications. The roundtable considers the suitability of these technologies for extreme environments from the nanoscale to the mesoscale for the following: scientific facilities and associated instruments, as well as industry, and manufacturing. Such use cases are not traditionally the primary customer of commercial wireless networks which are focused on personal broadband voice and data communications. Finally, the discussion identifies high-level opportunities and challenges for leveraging THz and 6G wireless communications and related Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can catalyze the advancement of the development of hyperconnected smart scientific instruments and facilities.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Prevalence of Self-Reported Voice Concerns and Associated Risk Markers in a Nonclinical Sample of Military Service Members

Introduction: Difficult communication environments are common in military settings, and effective voice use can be critical to mission success. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported voice disorders among U.S. military service members and to identify factors that contribute to their voice concerns. Method: A nonclinical sample of 4,123 active-duty service members was recruited across Department of Defense hearing conservation clinics. During their required annual hearing evaluation, volunteers provided responses to voice-related questions including a slightly adapted version of the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) as part of a larger survey about communication issues. Changepoint detection was applied to age and years of service to explore cohort effects in the reporting of voice concerns. Logistic regression analyses examined multiple available factors related to communication to identify factors associated with abnormal results on the VHI-10. Results: Among the respondents, 41% reported experiencing vocal hoarseness or fatigue at least several times per year, and 8.2% ( n = 336) scored above the recommended abnormal cut-point value of 11 on the VHI-10. Factors independently associated with the greatest risk for self-reported voice concerns were sex (female), cadmium exposure, vocal demands (the need for a strong, clear voice), and auditory health measures (frequency of experiencing temporary threshold shifts; self-reported hearing difficulties). Conclusions: Based on self-reported voice concerns and false negative rates reported in the literature, the prevalence of dysphonia in a large sample of active-duty service members is estimated to be 11.7%, which is higher than that in the general population. Certain predictors for voice concerns were expected based on previous literature, like female sex and voice use, but frequency of temporary threshold shifts and exposure to cadmium were surprising. The strong link between voice and auditory problems has particular implications regarding the need for effective communication in high-noise military and other occupational environments.

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effects of Voice Rehabilitation After Radiation Therapy for Laryngeal Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Patients treated with radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer often experience voice problems. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of voice rehabilitation for laryngeal cancer patients after having undergone radiation therapy and to investigate whether differences between different tumor localizations with regard to rehabilitation outcomes exist. Methods and Materials: Sixty-nine male patients irradiated for laryngeal cancer participated. Voice recordings and self-assessments of communicative dysfunction were performed 1 and 6 months after radiation therapy. Thirty-three patients were randomized to structured voice rehabilitation with a speech-language pathologist and 36 to a control group. Furthermore, comparisons with 23 healthy control individuals were made. Acoustic analyses were performed for all patients, including the healthy control individuals. The Swedish version of the Self Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngeal Cancer and self-ratings of voice function were used to assess vocal and communicative function. Results: The patients who received vocal rehabilitation experienced improved self-rated vocal function after rehabilitation. Patients with supraglottic tumors who received voice rehabilitation had statistically significant improvements in voice quality and self-rated vocal function, whereas the control group did not. Conclusion: Voice rehabilitation for male patients with laryngeal cancer is efficacious regarding patient-reported outcome measurements. The patients experienced better voice function after rehabilitation. Patients with supraglottic tumors also showed an improvement in terms of acoustic voice outcomes. Rehabilitation with a speech-language pathologist is recommended for laryngeal cancer patients after radiation therapy, particularly for patients with supraglottic tumors.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Energy star compliant voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telecommunications network including energy star compliant VoIP devices

A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications system, a method of managing a communications network in such a system and a program product therefore. The system/network includes an ENERGY STAR (E-star) aware softswitch and E-star compliant communications devices at system endpoints. The E-star aware softswitch allows E-star compliant communications devices to enter and remain in power saving mode. The E-star aware softswitch spools messages and forwards only selected messages (e.g., calls) to the devices in power saving mode. When the E-star compliant communications devices exit power saving mode, the E-star aware softswitch forwards spooled messages.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Videoshare

SAND2023-05132O Videoshare is an application that allows users to communicate in a variety of ways, including voice, video, and text, over a local network without having to use a central server or an internet connection. The software features: • Screen-sharing and connecting to external IP cameras. • Ability to hold group calls on computers running the same software and network. • Ability to connect to other computers running the same software. • Curating potential connections and manually adding IP addresses to available connections. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

McIlraith, Aiden↗
DOE OSTI2014

Cyberspace modernization. An interest protocol planning advisory

A common challenge across the communications and information technology (IT) sectors is Internet + modernization + complexity + risk + cost. Cyberspace modernization and cyber security risks, issues, and concerns impact service providers, their customers, and the industry at large. Public and private sectors are struggling to solve the problem. New service opportunities lie in mobile voice, video, and data, and machine-to-machine (M2M) information and communication technologies that are migrating not only to predominant Internet Protocol (IP) communications, but also concurrently integrating IP, version 4 (IPv4) and IP, version 6 (IPv6). With reference to the Second Internet and the Internet of Things, next generation information services portend business survivability in the changing global market. The planning, architecture, and design information herein is intended to increase infrastructure preparedness, security, interoperability, resilience, and trust in the midst of such unprecedented change and opportunity. This document is a product of Sandia National Laboratories Tribal Cyber and IPv6 project work. It is a Cyberspace Modernization objective advisory in support of bridging the digital divide through strategic partnership and an informed path forward.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2013

Technician's Perspective on an Ever-Changing Research Environment: Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Fuels

The biomass thermochemical conversion platform at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) develops and demonstrates processes for the conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals including gasification, pyrolysis, syngas clean-up, and catalytic synthesis of alcohol and hydrocarbon fuels. In this talk, I will discuss the challenges of being a technician in this type of research environment, including handling and working with catalytic materials and hazardous chemicals, building systems without being given all of the necessary specifications, pushing the limits of the systems through ever-changing experiments, and achieving two-way communication with engineers and supervisors. I will do this by way of two examples from recent research. First, I will describe a unique operate-to-failure experiment in the gasification of chicken litter that resulted in the formation of a solid plug in the gasifier, requiring several technicians to chisel the material out. Second, I will compare and contrast bench scale and pilot scale catalyst research, including instances where both are conducted simultaneously from common upstream equipment. By way of example, I hope to illustrate the importance of researchers 1) understanding the technicians' perspective on tasks, 2) openly communicating among all team members, and 3) knowing when to voice opinions. I believe the examples in this talk will highlight the crucial role of a technical staff: skills attained by years of experience to build and operate research and production systems. The talk will also showcase the responsibilities of NREL technicians and highlight some interesting behind-the-scenes work that makes data generation from NREL's thermochemical process development unit possible.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Patient-Reported Voice and Speech Outcomes After Whole-Neck Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer: Prospective Longitudinal Study

Purpose: To describe voice and speech quality changes and their predictors in patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer treated on prospective clinical studies of organ-preserving chemotherapy–intensity modulated radiation therapy (chemo-IMRT). Methods and Materials: Ninety-one patients with stage III/IV oropharyngeal cancer were treated on 2 consecutive prospective studies of definitive chemoradiation using whole-field IMRT from 2003 to 2011. Patient-reported voice and speech quality were longitudinally assessed from before treatment through 24 months using the Communication Domain of the Head and Neck Quality of Life (HNQOL-C) instrument and the Speech question of the University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL-S) instrument, respectively. Factors associated with patient-reported voice quality worsening from baseline and speech impairment were assessed. Results: Voice quality decreased maximally at 1 month, with 68% and 41% of patients reporting worse HNQOL-C and UWQOL-S scores compared with before treatment, and improved thereafter, recovering to baseline by 12-18 months on average. In contrast, observer-rated larynx toxicity was rare (7% at 3 months; 5% at 6 months). Among patients with mean glottic larynx (GL) dose ≤20 Gy, >20-30 Gy, >30-40 Gy, >40-50 Gy, and >50 Gy, 10%, 32%, 25%, 30%, and 63%, respectively, reported worse voice quality at 12 months compared with before treatment (P=.011). Results for speech impairment were similar. Glottic larynx dose, N stage, neck dissection, oral cavity dose, and time since chemo-IMRT were univariately associated with either voice worsening or speech impairment. On multivariate analysis, mean GL dose remained independently predictive for both voice quality worsening (8.1%/Gy) and speech impairment (4.3%/Gy). Conclusions: Voice quality worsening and speech impairment after chemo-IMRT for locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer were frequently reported by patients, underrecognized by clinicians, and independently associated with GL dose. These findings support reducing mean GL dose to as low as reasonably achievable, aiming at ≤20 Gy when the larynx is not a target.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Colleen M. Iversen

Colleen Iversen is an ecosystem ecologist who utilizes a variety of field and laboratory techniques to understand and predict how ecosystems are shaped by environmental change. Her research takes her from upland forests to flooded peatlands to thawing Arctic tundra, chasing a better understanding of the secret lives of roots hidden beneath the soil surface. She works at the millimetre scale to answer a global question: how will ecosystems respond to the climate of the future? Colleen completed her Masters in Wetland Ecology at the University of Notre Dame (IN, USA) in 2004, and her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN, USA) in 2008. She is now a Senior Staff Scientist in the Environmental Sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (TN, USA) and serves as a Theme Lead in the Climate Change Science Institute. Colleen is an elected Early Career Fellow of the Ecological Society of America, and a member of the inaugural cohort of ‘New Voices’ at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. She views science communication as the foundation for a shared understanding of society's future, and she has shared her scientific vision on Public Radio International's ‘Science Friday’, and in the Alda School's ‘Flame Challenge’, as well as in organized symposia, sessions, and workshops.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Environmental Brand Guidelines

The Environmental Brand Guidelines have been prepared by the CEA-CAS Visual Design team for use primarily by IFPROG, but they apply to all LANL employees ordering signage for new and existing buildings. By adhering to this guidance, you will be a responsible steward of the “One Lab, one voice” mentality and successfully implement the Lab’s brand on all of your communications.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Campaign Guidelines: Security Starts With You [Slides]

The Security Starts With You Campaign Guidelines have been prepared by the CEA-CAS Visual Design team for use primarily by DSOs, FODs, and/or any LANL employee who wishes to extend the messaging to new and existing buildings. By adhering to this guidance, you will be a responsible steward of the “One Lab, one voice” mentality and successfully implement the Lab’s brand and security messaging on all of your communications.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

MO-C-18C-01: Radiation Risks at Level of Few CT Scans: How Real?- Science to Practice

There are controversies surrounding radiation effects in human population in the range of radiation doses encountered by patients resulting from one to several CT scans. While it is understandable why the effects from low levels of diagnostic radiation are controversial, the situation is complicated by the media which may distort the known facts. There is need to understand the state of science regarding low-level radiation effects and also to understand how to communicate the potential risk with patients, the public and media. This session will seek to come to a consensus in order to speak with one voice to the media and the public. This session will review radiation effects known so far from a variety of exposed groups since the nuclear holocaust, provide clarification where effects are certain and where they are not, at what level extrapolation is the only way and at what level there is weak but agreeable acceptance. We will depict where and why there is agreement among organizations responsible for studying radiation effects, and how to deal with situations where effects are uncertain. Specific focus on radiation effects in children will be provided.Finally, the session will attempt to bridge the communication gap from the science to how to be an effective communicator with patients, parents, and media about ionizing radiation. Learning Objectives: To have a clear understanding about certainties and uncertainties of radiation effects at the level of a few CT scans To understand the results and limitations from 3 major pediatric CT scientific studies on childhood exposures published recently. To understand successful strategies used in risk communication.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Diversity and the citizens' advisory board: aligning disparate views for better results - 15469

The Northern New Mexico Citizens' Advisory Board (NNMCAB) is a group of -citizen experts,- i.e., experts on being citizens who take the time and focus their attention to grow more informed about nuclear science, nuclear waste remediation, and environmental monitoring issues. The Board digests complex information associated with these topics in light of the Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL) and Department of Energy's (DOE) activities in Northern New Mexico and discusses and conveys this information clearly to a diverse regional stakeholder population that includes a 400+ year old Hispanic culture, a 1,000+ year old Native American pueblo culture, a highly educated scientific and technical community of federal workers and their families, rural agricultural communities, creative/artistic communities, and political and peace activists. Our Board has either representation from each of these diverse New Mexican sectors or enjoys public comment from these sectors. Projects that involve such stakeholder-expert exchanges include remediation of an underground chromium plume, continued investigation and remediation associated with a radiation leak at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, the transport of Transuranic Waste off the Los Alamos 'Hill,- the ultimate disposition of -33 Shafts,- currently in place at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the distilled voice of the citizen for continued and sufficient federal funding each year for responsible clean-up and monitoring of nuclear activities. Through the NNMCAB's communication venue of regular public meetings, mis-characterization is prevented, public input is incorporated into the official record, and recommendations to the DOE are promulgated. Scientific and technical experts join the bi-monthly NNMCAB meetings and monthly committee meetings to present and discuss current topics. The availability of these experts and their deeper reference materials is key to the interchange, as is the respectful and patient dialogue that exists between board members and the subject matter experts, both in the public forums and between meetings. Meetings are professionally organized and orchestrated to maximize the value of the experts' and board members' participation time. The professional format of the meetings ensures maximum learning and relationship-building which fosters effective channels for public dialogue. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Development of Software Defined Radio Protocol for Acoustic Communication on Pipes

Nuclear Science Engineering Division at Argonne has been developing a new method of transmitting information via acoustic waves on pipes in a nuclear facility. This method provides the capability to communicate information from within the containment building under the conditions of total power outage following a severe accident. Compared to traditional RF communications, acoustic communications allows for signal transmission across thick concrete barriers, and better information security due to spatial confinement of the signal. Data of interest consists of sensor readings, voice, and images. Transmission of images is most challenging because corruption of the header string might render the reconstructed image unreadable.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

2018 Annual Site Environmental Report

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (the Laboratory’s) annual site environmental reports are prepared annually by the Laboratory’s environmental organizations, as required by U.S. Department of Energy Order 231.1B, Administrative Change 1, Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting, and Order 458.1, Administrative Change 3, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment. The following chapters in this report discuss our success in complying with environmental laws, regulations, and orders (Chapter 2, Compliance Summary); how we manage the Laboratory’s environmental performance (Chapter 3, Environmental Programs); how we monitor for air emissions of radioactive materials and climate conditions (Chapter 4, Air Quality); how we monitor for effects of Laboratory operations on groundwater quality (Chapter 5, Groundwater Monitoring); how we monitor the movement of chemicals and radionuclides by storm water runoff and the levels of chemicals and radionuclides in deposited sediment (Chapter 6, Watershed Quality); how we monitor for the presence, levels, and effects of chemicals and radionuclides in plants, animals, soil, and vegetation (Chapter 7, Ecosystem Health); and finally, what radionuclide dose or risk from chemical exposure members of the public may experience as a result of Laboratory operations (Chapter 8, Public Dose and Risk Assessment). This report follows plain language guidelines, as required for federal agencies by the Plain Language Act of 2010. More information about plain language can be found at http://www.plainlanguage.gov/index.cfm. You will notice we have substantially reduced the use of acronyms and abbreviations and are using active voice and personal pronouns. We hope you find this report useful. If you have suggestions for improving this report, additional questions, or want a copy of this report, please contact us at envoutreach@lanl.gov, or call the Communications Office at 505-665-7000. This report, its supplemental tables, and the 2018 Annual Site Environmental Report Summary are available at http://www.lanl.gov/environment/environmental-report.php. Note: This document has been revised since it was initially published on September 23, 2019. The revisions included corrections to figure and table references, changes in heading levels, adding blank pages where appropriate, and changes of an editorial nature.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

2019 Wireless Test Bed Range Manual

Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Next Generation Wireless Test Bed (NGWTB) program, is part of the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) initiative. Our nation’s reliance on wireless and Internet technology is rapidly evolving as more corporations and government agencies, employees, and handheld devices include mobile connectivity for both voice and data. The competitive advantage offered by a mobile workforce is leading many corporations to make wireless integration and convergence a top business priority. Similarly, military systems worldwide are rapidly embracing next-generation commercial technologies to accelerate network-centric capabilities and provide enhanced situational awareness. While handheld devices such as laptops, BlackBerrys, and cell phones once had limited mobility and range, they are rapidly incorporating new and multiple protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Satellite, and broadband cellular (3G/4G) on a single platform to increase their effectiveness and agility. Worldwide there is exponential growth in public Wi-Fi and/or Satellite connectivity access nodes, and 3G/4G cellular continues to evolve and expand the range and speed of these devices. Additionally, critical infrastructure networks, previously isolated or connected with dedicated wireline circuits, are incorporating Zigbee for wireless sensor networks, wireless LANs for maintenance functions, and cellular or Internet based backhaul to manage control centers. Yet with all the build-up surrounding wireless technology, few understand the complexities surrounding wireless protocols and security, the risks of converged network infrastructures, need for interoperability of communication systems, or mitigation measures to safely use and improve new technologies in both commercial and military environments. With no single vendor source for all the telecommunications equipment needed for wireless infrastructure upgrades, and no one entity providing end-to-end testing or independent validation, the INL's NGWTB program fulfills a niche for facilitating integrated testing of multiple technologies, across multiple wireless domains, of next generation wireless telecommunications systems. NGWTB engineers and technicians have constructed and operate domain infrastructure in the Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN), and Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN). Advantages that make the INL's NGWTB the place to conduct project and programmatic testing include: • NTIA Experimental Station authority • Geographically isolated and low-noise radio frequency (RF) test areas located on a 890 sm DOE reservation • Access to isolated high-speed LAN and FOT networks The rollout of next-generation networks will involve deploying new technologies at every level including new: handsets, frequencies, antenna arrays, cell configurations that are optimized for both data and voice, massive upgrade of cell controllers’ “land-line” phone links from low bandwidth connections to higher capacity fiber or wireless backhaul, and integration of voice switching and Internet/data network protocols (Voice-Over-IP, Web phones). These systems are expected to greatly transform our nation's communications infrastructure and the types of services it provides.

2G↗