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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 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Hydrokinetic Power Conversion Using Vortex-Induced Oscillation with Cubic Restoring Force

A cubic-spring restoring function with high-deformation stiffening is introduced to passively improve the harnessed marine hydrokinetic power by using flow-induced oscillations/vibrations (FIO/V) of a cylinder. In these FIO/V experiments, a smooth, rigid, single-cylinder on elastic end-supports is tested at Reynolds numbers ranging from 24,000 < Re < 120,000. The parameters of the tested current energy converter (CEC) are cubic stiffness and linear damping. Using the second generation of digital virtual spring-damping (Vck) controller developed by the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory (MRELab), the cubic modeling of the oscillator stiffness is tested. Experimental results show the influence of the parameter variation on the amplitude, frequency, energy conversion, energy efficiency, and power of the converter. All experiments are conducted in the low turbulence-free surface water (LTFSW) channel of the MRELab of the University of Michigan. The main conclusions are: (1) The nonlinearity in the cubic oscillator is an effective way to extend the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) upper branch, which results in higher harnessing power and efficiency compared to the linear stiffness cylinder converter. (2) Compared to the linear converter, the overall power increase is substantial. The nonlinear power optimum, occurring at the end of the VIV upper branch, is 63% higher than its linear counterpart. (3) The cubic stiffness converter with low harnessing damping achieves consistently good performance in all the VIV regions because of the hardening restoring force, especially at higher flow velocity.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Continuous and Time-Domain Coherent Signal Conversion between Optical and Microwave Frequencies

A quantum network consisting of computational nodes connected by high-fidelity communication channels could expand information-processing capabilities significantly beyond those of classical networks. Superconducting qubits hold promise for scalable and high-fidelity quantum computation at microwave frequencies but must operate in an isolated cryogenic environment, obviating the potential for practical long-range communication. Quantum communication has, however, been demonstrated with optical photons. A fast efficient quantum-coherent interface between superconducting qubits and optical photons would provide a key resource for a large-scale quantum network or distributed quantum computer. Here, we describe the design and experimental operation of a device incorporating a silicon optomechanical nanobeam combined with an aluminum-nitride-based electromechanical transducer. We experimentally demonstrate classical continuous-wave operation of this device at room temperature with external conversion efficiencies of (2.5 +/- 0.4) x 10 -5 (microwave to optical) and (3.8 +/- 0.4) x 10 -5 (optical to microwave), corresponding to internal efficiencies of 2.4% and 3.7%, respectively. Finally, this device also has a larger bandwidth than previous efficient microwave-optical transducers, allowing us to operate in the time domain with 20-ns pulses.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Assessments of data centers for provision of frequency regulation

There are numerous opportunities for data centers to participate in demand response programs considering their large energy capacities, flexible working environments and workloads, redundant design and operation, etc. As a type of demand response, frequency regulation requires fast response, and its potential is not fully explored by data centers yet. This paper proposes a synergistic control strategy for data center frequency regulation which uses both IT and cooling systems. It combines power management techniques at the server level with control of the chilled water supply temperature to track the regulation signal from the electrical market. A frequency regulation flexibility factor is also proposed to increase the IT capacity for frequency regulation. The performance of the control strategy is studied through numerical simulations using an equation based object-oriented Modelica platform designed for data centers. Simulation results show that with well-tuned control parameters, data centers can provide frequency regulation service in both regulation up and down. The performance of data centers in providing frequency regulation service is largely influenced by the regulation capacity bid, frequency regulation flexibility factor, workload condition, and cooling mode of the cooling system, and not significantly influenced by the time constant of chillers. In addition, compared with a server-only control strategy, the proposed synergistic control strategy can provide an extra regulation capacity of 3% of the design power when chillers are activated. Here, when chillers are deactivated, both strategies have a similar regulation capacity.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Influence of Time and Frequency Domain Wave Forcing on the Power Estimation of a Wave Energy Converter Array

Industry-specific tools for analyzing and optimizing the design of wave energy converters (WECs) and associated power systems are essential to advancing marine renewable energy. This study aims to quantify the influence of phase information on the device power output of a virtual WEC array. We run the phase-resolving wave model FUNWAVE-TVD (Total Variation Diminishing) to generate directional waves at the PacWave South site offshore from Newport, Oregon, where future WECs are expected to be installed for testing. The two broad cases presented correspond to mean wave climates during warm months (March–August) and cold months (September–February). FUNWAVE-TVD time series of sea-surface elevation are then used in WEC-Sim, a time domain numerical model, to simulate the hydrodynamic response of each device in the array and estimate their power output. For comparison, WEC-Sim is also run with wave energy spectra calculated from the FUNWAVE-TVD simulations, which do not retain phase information, and with wave spectra computed using the phase-averaged model Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN). The use of spectral data in WEC-Sim requires a conversion from frequency to time domain by means of random superposition of wave components, which are not necessarily consistent because of the linear assumption implicit in this method. Thus, power response is characterized by multiple realizations of the wave climates.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Perspective: Magnon-magnon coupling in hybrid magnonics

The internal coupling of magnetic excitations (magnons) with themselves has created a new research sub-field in hybrid magnonics, i.e., magnon-magnon coupling, which focuses on materials discovery and engineering for probing and controlling magnons in a coherent manner. This is enabled by, one, the abundant mechanisms of introducing magnetic interactions, with examples of exchange coupling, dipolar coupling, Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) coupling, and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) coupling, and two, the vast knowledge of how to control magnon band structure, including field and wavelength dependences of frequencies, for determining the degeneracy of magnon modes with different symmetries. In particular, we discuss how magnon-magnon coupling is implemented in various materials systems, with examples of magnetic bilayers, synthetic antiferromagnets, nanomagnetic arrays, layered van der Waals magnets, and (DMI spin-orbit torque materials) in magnetic multilayers. Here, we then introduce new concept of applications for these hybrid magnonic materials systems, with examples of frequency up/down conversion and magnon-exciton coupling, and discuss what properties are desired for achieving those applications.

Materials science↗
DOE OSTI2023

Uncovering extreme nonlinear dynamics in solids through time-domain field analysis

Time-domain analysis of harmonic fields with sub-cycle resolution is now experimentally viable due to the emergence of sensitive, on-chip techniques for petahertz-scale optical-field sampling. We demonstrate how such a time-domain, field-resolved analysis uncovers the extreme nonlinear electron dynamics responsible for high-harmonic generation within solids. Time-dependent density functional theory was used to simulate harmonic generation from a solid-state band-gap system driven by near- to mid-infrared waveforms. Particular attention was paid to regimes where both intraband and interband emission mechanisms play a critical role in shaping the nonlinear response. We show that a time-domain analysis of the harmonic radiation fields identifies the interplay between intra- and interband dynamical processes underlying the nonlinear light generation. With further analysis, we show that changes to the dominant emission regime can occur after only slight changes to the peak driving intensity and central driving wavelength. Furthermore, time-domain analysis of harmonic fields also reveals, for the first time, the possibility of rapid changes in the dominant emission mechanism within the temporal window of the driving pulse envelope. Finally, we examine the experimental viability of performing time-domain analysis of harmonic fields with sub-cycle resolution using realistic parameters.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

The advent of third-harmonic-generation laser systems: personal recollections

In the mid to late 1970s there was considerable debate as to which laser technology should be pursued—glass lasers (1-μm wavelength) or CO 2 lasers (10 μm). Based on target-physics considerations, theorists were advocating for shorter wavelengths. The physics understanding was confirmed by exciting results from the group at the École Polytechnique, who observed close to 100% target absorption with just a few joules of fourth-harmonic energy. These results motivated the leadership at LLE to plan similar experiments at the third harmonic, with a few more joules. This presentation covers a small time period from 1979 to 1980 during which highly efficient Third-Harmonic Generation (THG) became understood theoretically and demonstrated experimentally, leading to the worldwide adoption of THG with glass lasers for fusion research.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Resolving femtosecond photoinduced energy flow: capture of nonadiabatic reaction pathway topography and wavepacket dynamics from photoexcitation through the conical intersection seam (Final Technical Report)

The dynamics that take place within just tens to hundreds of femtoseconds following the absorption of light by a molecule can play a critical role in how the absorbed energy is directed, allowing it to be used for a specific function or dissipated harmlessly. The form of chemical change that occurs rapidly in these molecules is called a “nonadiabatic electronic transition.” Such transitions are known to mediate energy flow in natural biological systems such as the ultraviolet photoprotection mechanism of DNA and the first step of the human vision response. Understanding how these mechanisms work precisely may help scientists achieve controlled manipulation of solar energy or optical control of a wide range of energy management functions in artificial systems. Experimental methods, however, have not yet allowed a precisely resolved and complete measurement of nonadiabatic electronic transitions. This constitutes a major obstacle to progress in the field. For progress to occur that would inform a wide body of research aiming to efficiently harness the energy of light for practical purposes, it is especially important to benchmark computational models of the molecules undergoing these rapid changes with experimental measurements, in order to learn which models are accurate. With Dept. of Energy funding, we have made strong progress towards establishing a new optical method for experimentally detecting the full nonadiabatic electronic transition. This requires having coordinated pulses of light covering the visible through the mid-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum that last only ten femtoseconds. We have developed a new, relatively simple approach for generating such pulses of laser light, and have incorporated them into a time-resolved spectrometer for measuring rapid changes in molecules. These tools can provide the greater precision and new types of data that are needed to benchmark computational models of molecular change and thus to make progress in the field. Our tools were tested on graphene, an excellent solid-state sample for verifying the capabilities and limitations of our instrumentation. The investment made in these tools by the Dept. of Energy Office of Science will allow new fundamental scientific understanding of energy dynamics in molecules in future studies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1981

Direct conversion of light to radio frequency energy

A description is presented of the test results obtained with the latest models of the phototron. The phototron was conceived as a replacement for the high voltage solar cell-high power klystron combination for the solar power satellite concept. Physically, the phototron is a cylindrical evacuated glass tube with a photocathode, two grids, and a reflector electrode in a planar configuration. The phototron can be operated either in a biased mode where a low voltage is used to accelerate the electron beam produced by the photocathode or in an unbiased mode referred to as self-oscillation. The device is easily modulated by light input or voltage to broadcast in AM or FM. The range of operation of the present test model phototrons is from 2 to 200 MHz.

Freeman, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

An X-Band Mixer Engineered for 77 K Operation

An X-band Si-diode singly balanced mixer developed specifically for cryogenic operation is presented. In order to reduce thermal demands on a mechanical cooler, the mixer was designed to operate with a minimum of local oscillator (LO) power. That is, since the LO had to be cooled to reduce phase noise, it was desirable to minimize the LO drive. Novel embedding circuit strategy was responsible for nearly theoretical performance. The signal-matching circuit simultaneously provided a reactive termination to the image, sum, and first, second, and third LO harmonic frequencies. A conversion loss of 3.2 dB at 77 K with an LO drive of +1 dBm was measured. This loss included IF filter, dc block, and hybrid coupler losses. Mixer conversion loss is shown to be consistent with the theoretical performance limit expected from the intrinsic diode. The relationship among junction capacitance, flat-band potential, and conversion loss is examined.

Romanofsky, Robert R.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Nonlinear optics and crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators

We report on our recent results concerning fabrication of high-Q whispering gallery mode (WGM) crystalline resonators, and discuss some possible applications of lithium niobate WGM resonators in nonlinear optics and photonics. In particular, we demonstrate experimentally a tunable third-order optical filter fabricated from the three metalized resonators; and report observation of parametric frequency dobuling in a WGM resonator made of periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN).

whispering gallery mode↗
NASA NTRS2012

670-GHz Down- and Up-Converting HEMT-Based Mixers

A large category of scientific investigation takes advantage of the interactions of signals in the frequency range from 300 to 1,000 GHz and higher. This includes astronomy and atmospheric science, where spectral observations in this frequency range give information about molecular abundances, pressures, and temperatures of small-sized molecules such as water. Additionally, there is a minimum in the atmospheric absorption at around 670 GHz that makes this frequency useful for terrestrial imaging, radar, and possibly communications purposes. This is because 670 GHz is a good compromise for imaging and radar applications between spatial resolution (for a given antenna size) that favors higher frequencies, and atmospheric losses that favor lower frequencies. A similar trade-off applies to communications link budgets: higher frequencies allow smaller antennas, but incur a higher loss. All of these applications usually require converting the RF (radio frequency) signal at 670 GHz to a lower IF (intermediate frequency) for processing. Further, transmitting for communication and radar generally requires up-conversion from IF to the RF. The current state-of-the-art device for performing the frequency conversion is based on Schottky diode mixers for both up and down conversion in this frequency range for room-temperature operation. Devices that can operate at room temperature are generally required for terrestrial, military, and planetary applications that cannot tolerate the mass, bulk, and power consumption of cryogenic cooling. The technology has recently advanced to the point that amplifiers in the region up to nearly 1,000 GHz are feasible. Almost all of these have been based on indium phosphide pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs), in the form of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). Since the processing of HEMT amplifiers is quite differ en t from that of Schottky diodes, use of Schottky mixers requires separate MMICs for the mixers and amplifiers. Fabrication of all the down-/up-conversion circuitry on single MMICs, using a ll-HEMT circuits, would constitute a major advance in circuit simplicity.

Schlecht, Enrich T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Experiment and theoretical study of the propagation of high power microwave pulse in air breakdown environment

In the study of the propagation of high power microwave pulse, one of the main concerns is how to minimize the energy loss of the pulse before reaching the destination. In the very high power region, one has to prevent the cutoff reflection caused by the excessive ionization in the background air. A frequency auto-conversion process which can lead to reflectionless propagation of powerful EM pulses in self-generated plasmas is studied. The theory shows that under the proper conditions the carrier frequency, omega, of the pulse will indeed shift upward with the growth of plasma frequency, omega(sub pe). Thus, the plasma during breakdown will always remain transparent to the pulse (i.e., omega greater than omega(sub pe)). A chamber experiment to demonstrate the frequency auto-conversion during the pulse propagation through the self-generated plasma is then conducted in a chamber. The detected frequency shift is compared with the theoretical result calculated y using the measured electron density distribution along the propagation path of the pulse. Good agreement between the theory and the experiment results is obtained.

Kuo, S. P.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Self-powered ocean buoy using a disk-type triboelectric nanogenerator with a mechanical frequency regulator

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) systems have been demonstrated to generate power with high density. However, the electrical output power obtained from wave energy harvesting using TENG systems is typically limited to several milliwatts. To address this limitation and support various ocean buoy systems, an efficient method to scale-up TENG systems is required. In this paper, we present a self-powered ocean buoy (SPOB) incorporating a disk-type, soft-contact, mechanical frequency regulator TENG (DSMFR-TENG). The mechanical frequency regulator (MFR) enables the conversion of low-frequency wave energy to high-speed mechanical rotation, facilitating high power generation with the disk-type TENG. Here, the SPOB was tested in a wave tank, reaching a peak power output of 470 mW and an average power output of 130 mW after the MFR released the rotational energy. To further enhance the functionality of the buoy, the DSMFR-TENG and a microcontroller, temperature sensor, and acoustic transmitter were integrated with the SPOB. The acoustic transmitter successfully transmitted signals 7, 23, and 30 times over a one-minute period at wave frequencies of 0.33 Hz, 0.5 Hz, and 1 Hz, respectively, thereby demonstrating the power supply capability of the TENG system for ocean buoys.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1972

Frequency-to-amplitude converter: A concept

Circuit allows direct frequency to amplitude conversion without special counters and discriminators and provides for individual or simultaneous emphasis of high or low frequencies. Circuit is simple, small, light weight, and versatile in its frequency range and region of conversion.

Stewart, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Dual-frequency feed system for 26-meter antenna conversion

New cassegrain feed cone assemblies were designed as part of the upgrade of three 26-meter diameter antennas to 34-meter diameter with improved performance. The new dual-frequency feed cone (SXD) will provide both S- and X-band feed systems and traveling wave masers, with a reflex reflector system to permit simultaneous operation analogous to the 64-meter antennas. Tasks involved in adding the X-band receiving capability and improving the S-band feed performance in support of Voyager and later missions described in.

Hartop, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Psychoacoustic Analysis of Synthesized Jet Noise

An aircraft noise synthesis capability is being developed so the annoyance caused by proposed aircraft can be assessed during the design stage. To make synthesized signals as realistic as possible, high fidelity simulation is required for source (e.g., engine noise, airframe noise), propagation and receiver effects. This psychoacoustic study tests whether the jet noise component of synthesized aircraft engine noise can be made more realistic using a low frequency oscillator (LFO) technique to simulate fluctuations in level observed in recordings. Jet noise predictions are commonly made in the frequency domain based on models of time-averaged empirical data. The synthesis process involves conversion of the frequency domain prediction into an audible pressure time history. However, because the predictions are time-invariant, the synthesized sound lacks fluctuations observed in recordings. Such fluctuations are hypothesized to be perceptually important. To introduce time-varying characteristics into jet noise synthesis, a method has been developed that modulates measured or predicted 1/3-octave band levels with a (<20Hz) LFO. The LFO characteristics are determined through analysis of laboratory jet noise recordings. For the aft emission angle, results indicate that signals synthesized using a generic LFO are perceived as more similar to recordings than those using no LFO, and signals synthesized with an angle-specific LFO are more similar to recordings than those synthesized with a generic LFO.

Okcu, Selen↗