Award Data

Current research tools to understand tumor cell migration and metastases are limited to linear gradients or constant flow across cells skewing results. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology developed a tool called the microfluidic palette which exposes cells to chemical stimuli in a static environment overcoming the limitations above. Several improvements are necessary ...

The objective of the proposed work (Phases I and II) is to develop uncertainty quantification methodologies and software suitable for use in CFD simulations of aerodynamic flows, ranging from sub-sonic to hypersonic. We will address both pressure and density-based methods, as well as the class of algorithms addressing all-Mach number flows. The software developed here will be based on an existing ...

The overall objective of this proposal (Phases I and II) is to develop a robust and accurate solver for fluid-structure interaction computations capable of addressing multi-body flexible structures as well as rigid body motion. The fluid flow solution will be performed using our unstructured solution-adaptive flow solver TETHYS. We propose to develop a structural solver based on the Galerkin finit ...

ORBITEC proposes to develop processes and waste heat recovery techniques to be incorporated into the existing Plastic Melt Waste Compactor (PMWC) to increase efficiency and throughput. The end goal will be to incorporate these processes and techniques into the PMWC system developed by Ames Research Center (ARC). The PMWC has shown to be the best technology for waste management for space applicati ...

ORBITEC proposes to develop the Advanced Carbothermal Electric (ACE) reactor to efficiently extract oxygen from lunar regolith. Unlike state-of-the-art carbothermal reactors that use concentrated solar energy or laser energy to heat the regolith, the ACE reactor uses new innovative electric resistant elements to heat the regolith. The ACE reactor eliminates the problems encountered with traditiona ...

Challenges arise in the propulsion systems for the new exploration architecture. The currently operational and proven storable hypergolic systems raise toxicity concerns. Because MMH is a carcinogen, measures must be taken to prevent exposure of personnel to the fuel from the time of its synthesis to the time of it neutralization. This extra care translates into increased expense for the missio ...

Techshot, Inc. proposes continued research and development of an on-orbit cell counter culminating in a deliverable hand-held blood cell counter in the form of a "Microfluidic Multichannel Flow Cytometer". Crew health monitoring, the Human Research Program and research in Fundamental Biology will all benefit from the availability of on-orbit cell counters that can provide immediate and repeated b ...

The proposed "Observation platform for dynamic biomedical and biotechnology experiments using the ISS Light Microscopy Module" consists of a platen sized to fit the stage of NASA's Light Microscopy Module (LMM) on the International Space Station (ISS). At the heart of the innovation is a small hollow microscope slide into which specimens and reagent solutions can be injected by a combination of s ...

The International X-Ray observatory (IXO) is due to be launched in 2021. The core of the instrument is a very large (3.2 meter diameter) Wolter I optic, to be assembled from approximately 13,000 individual elements. Each element will, in turn, be created by 'slumping' glass over a precision mandrel, of which there must be in excess of 700. In addition to the very large size of the mandrels (up t ...

THE STUDY PROPOSED HEREIN IS OF A NOVEL PROPULSION SYSTEM, CONTINUOUSLY OPERABLE FROM STATIC SEA-LEVEL CONDITIONS TO HIGH ALTITUDE HYPERSONIC CONDITIONS. THIS PROPULSION SYSTEMDOES NOT REQUIRE A SEPARATE SUBSYSTEM FOR TAKEOFF AND TRANSONIC ACCELERATION. THE SYSTEM PROPOSED IS A CRYOGENICLY FUELED AIR-BREATHING ENGINE WITH TAKEOFF AND TRANSONIC IN THE 3000 TO 5000 SECOND RANGE, WITH RELATIVELY HIGH ...