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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of Polarized Dust Emission Using Data from the First Flight of SPIDER

Using data from the first flight of Spider and from the Planck High Frequency Instrument, we probe the properties of polarized emission from interstellar dust in the Spider observing region. Component-separation algorithms operating in both the spatial and harmonic domains are applied to probe their consistency and to quantify modeling errors associated with their assumptions. Analyses of diffuse Galactic dust emission spanning the full Spider region demonstrate (i) a spectral energy distribution that is broadly consistent with a modified-blackbody (MBB) model with a spectral index of β d = 1.45 ± 0.05 (1.47 ± 0.06) for E (B)-mode polarization, slightly lower than that reported by Planck for the full sky; (ii) an angular power spectrum broadly consistent with a power law; and (iii) no significant detection of line-of-sight polarization decorrelation. Tests of several modeling uncertainties find only a modest impact (~10% in σ r ) on Spider's sensitivity to the cosmological tensor-to-scalar ratio. The size of the Spider region further allows for a statistically meaningful analysis of the variation in foreground properties within it. Assuming a fixed dust temperature T d = 19.6 K, an analysis of two independent subregions of that field results in inferred values of β d = 1.52 ± 0.06 and β d = 1.09 ± 0.09, which are inconsistent at the 3.9σ level. Furthermore, a joint analysis of Spider and Planck 217 and 353 GHz data within one subregion is inconsistent with a simple MBB at more than 3σ, assuming a common morphology of polarized dust emission over the full range of frequencies. This evidence of variation may inform the component-separation approaches of future cosmic microwave background polarization experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of an inexpensive matrix-assisted laser desorption—time of flight mass spectrometry method for the identification of endophytes and rhizobacteria cultured from the microbiome associated with maize

Many endophytes and rhizobacteria associated with plants support the growth and health of their hosts. The vast majority of these potentially beneficial bacteria have yet to be characterized, in part because of the cost of identifying bacterial isolates. Matrix-assisted laser desorption-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) has enabled culturomic studies of host-associated microbiomes but analysis of mass spectra generated from plant-associated bacteria requires optimization. In this study, we aligned mass spectra generated from endophytes and rhizobacteria isolated from heritage and sweet varieties of Zea mays. Multiple iterations of alignment attempts identified a set of parameters that sorted 114 isolates into 60 coherent MALDI-TOF taxonomic units (MTUs). These MTUs corresponded to strains with practically identical (>99%) 16S rRNA gene sequences. Mass spectra were used to train a machine learning algorithm that classified 100% of the isolates into 60 MTUs. These MTUs provided >70% coverage of aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria readily cultured with nutrient rich media from the maize microbiome and allowed prediction of the total diversity recoverable with that particular cultivation method. Acidovorax sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Cellulosimicrobium sp. dominated the library generated from the rhizoplane. Relative to the sweet variety, the heritage variety contained a high number of MTUs. The ability to detect these differences in libraries, suggests a rapid and inexpensive method of describing the diversity of bacteria cultured from the endosphere and rhizosphere of maize.

dereplication↗
DOE OSTI2019

Predictive guidance flight

The various technologies presented herein relate to utilizing predictive guidance during one or more phases of a trajectory flown by an interceptor during interception with a target. The trajectory of the interceptor comprises an initial phase, a predictive phase, and a final phase. The initial phase includes the launching of the interceptor and can be unguided. The predictive phase directs the interceptor towards the target, wherein the predictive phase utilizes predictive guidance to control the trajectory of the interceptor based upon a predicted location of the target relative to the current locations of the target and the interceptor. During the predictive phase, a motor(s) can be cycled on and off, causing a period(s) where the interceptor is being propelled by the ignited motor, and a period(s) where the interceptor is propelled by its own momentum after cessation of power from the motor, e.g., unpowered flight.

Spooner, Jeffrey T.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Swainson's hawk migration flight characteristics across a variable landscape

Swainson’s hawk migration can be best described in terms of conditions that support soaring flight, rather than any kind of habitat selection. These birds fly a relatively straight path to make their migration as short as possible, but are constrained by the landscape available to them between their breeding and wintering grounds.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multi-sensor fusion for robust autonomous flight in indoor and outdoor environments with a rotorcraft micro-aerial vehicle (MAV)

The subject matter described herein includes a modular and extensible approach to integrate noisy measurements from multiple heterogeneous sensors that yield either absolute or relative observations at different and varying time intervals, and to provide smooth and globally consistent estimates of position in real time for autonomous flight. We describe the development of the algorithms and software architecture for a new 1.9 kg MAV platform equipped with an IMU, laser scanner, stereo cameras, pressure altimeter, magnetometer, and a GPS receiver, in which the state estimation and control are performed onboard on an Intel NUC 3rd generation i3 processor. We illustrate the robustness of our framework in large-scale, indoor-outdoor autonomous aerial navigation experiments involving traversals of over 440 meters at average speeds of 1.5 m/s with winds around 10 mph while entering and exiting buildings.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Method and apparatus for radiation detection based on time-of-flight within optical fibers

A radiation detection system using time of flight (TOF) information within multiple optical fiber complexes coupled with a scintillating material at intersections of repeatedly crossing over shape. Light detectors are placed at the ends of each fiber to detect scintillation events. A timing processor is collecting light detector signal to compute TOF difference and estimate the location and strength of radioactivity. The system is scalable in one dimension, capable of being shaped or curved, and customizable in terms of special resolution and sensitivity. The system is suitable for long range and coarse radiation detection.

Lee, Seung Jae↗
DOE OSTI2022

Pathways to a Sustainable Aviation Ecosystem: Flight DNA: An Anonymized Aviation Data Tool and Repository

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has deep experience developing secure, national data repositories, which it augments with analysis, technology and market expertise, high-performance computing, and innovative data visualization. By adapting the architecture of existing mobility databases (i.e., Fleet DNA, the Transportation Secure Data Center, the National Fuel Cell Technology Evaluation Center), NREL can build a powerful aviation data clearinghouse - Flight DNA - that helps stakeholders navigate the web of pitfalls and possibilities generated by new aviation technologies.

aviation↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multi-axis oscillating flight simulator

An apparatus for simulating an oscillating flight path is provided. The apparatus comprises a slide extending along a first axis; a support structure slidably coupled to the slide; and a table connected to the support structure. The support structure is operable to move along the slide. The table is coupled to the support structure and operable to rotate about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The table comprises a surface that is parallel to the second axis and that is operable to rotate about a third axis orthogonal to the second axis.

Dark, Philip Ryan↗
DOE OSTI2024

Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Reducing Emissions from Commercial Flight

Demand for jet fuel is expected to balloon over the next three decades, which adds to the aviation industry’s challenge of meeting goals for cutting aviation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in half by 2050.1 Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) made from renewable biomass and waste resources have the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint, giving airlines solid footing for reducing GHG emissions from flight.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Data Exploration of UAV Flights Recorded on Smartphones

The increasing accessibility and technological advancements of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose legitimate concerns to nuclear non-proliferation efforts. To deter and combat unwanted or nefarious UAV activity near or around nuclear sensitive sites, the ability to quickly and easily detect drones becomes vital. Our team is exploring the use of ubiquitous smartphones as multi-modal sensors (microphone, accelerometer, gyroscope, etc.) to meet this challenge. In conjunction with Idaho National Lab, two UAV flight tests and one stationary in-air test were conducted and recorded with eight Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphones. This work presents initial characterization and annotation of acoustic signals associated with UAV activity.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2023

Systematic Validation of Ensemble Cloud-Process Simulations using Polarimetric Radar Observations and Simulator over the NASA Wallops Flight Facility

The BiLateral Operational Storm-Scale Observation and Modeling (BLOSSOM) project was initiated to establish a long-term supersite to improve understanding of cloud physical states and processes as well as to support satellite and climate model programs over the WFF site via a bilateral approach of storm-scale observations and process modeling. This study highlights a noble systematic validation framework of the BLOSSOM ensemble cloud-process simulations through mixed-phase, light-rain, and deep-convective precipitation cases. The framework consists of creating a domain-shifted ensemble of large-scale forcing datasets, and configuring and performing cloud-process simulations with three different bulk microphysics schemes. Validation uses NASA S-band dual-POLarimetric radar (NPOL) observations in the form of statistical composites and skill scores via a polarimetric radar simulator and newly developed CfRad Data tool (CfRAD). While the simulations capture the overall structures of the reflectivity composites, polarimetric signals are still poorly simulated, mainly due to a lack of representation of ice microphysics diversity in shapes, orientation distributions, and their complex mixtures. Despite the limitation, this new ensemble-based validation framework demonstrates that 1) no particular forcing or microphysics scheme outperforms the rest and 2) the skill scores of coarse- and fine-resolution ensemble simulations with different domain-shifted forcing and microphysics schemes are highly correlated with each other with no clear improvement. On the other hand, this suggests that coarse-resolution ensemble simulations are relevant for selecting the best meteorological forcing and microphysics scheme before conducting computationally demanding large eddy simulations (LESs) in support of aircraft and satellite instrument development as well as cloud-precipitation-convection parameterizations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Laser Ablation Generation of Antimony Selenide Clusters: Laser Desorption Ionization (LDI) Quadrupole Ion Trap Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

The binary system Sb-Se was studied via laser ablation using antimony-selenium mixtures made from powdered elements in various ratios generating new Sb{sub m}Se{sub n} clusters. The results show that in addition to Sb{sub m}{sup +} (m = 1–8) and Se{sub n}{sup +} (n = 2–9) clusters, a series of Sb{sub m}Se{sub n}{sup +} clusters such as SbSe{sub 1–8}{sup +}, Sb{sub 2}Se{sub 1–6}{sup +}, Sb{sub 3}Se{sub 1–5}{sup +}, Sb{sub 4}Se{sub 1–3}{sup +}, and Sb{sub 5}Se{sub 1,2}{sup +} is generated. In addition, some low intensity oxidized clusters like Se{sub 6}O{sub 2}{sup +}, Se{sub 7}O{sub 2}{sup +}, and SbSe{sub 2-6}O{sub 5}{sup +} and partially hydroxylated clusters (SbSeO{sub 2}H{sub 7}{sup +}, SbSe{sub 5}O{sub 4}H{sup +}) are also formed. In total, 24 new antimony selenide clusters were generated. The knowledge gained can contribute to the elucidation of the structure of Sb{sub m}Se{sub n} glasses. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Basicity and Structure on the Hydration of Protonated Molecules, Proton-Bound Dimer and Cluster Formation: An Ion Mobility-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry and Theoretical Study

Protonation, hydration, and cluster formation of ammonia, formaldehyde, formic acid, acetone, butanone, 2-ocatanone, 2-nonanone, acetophenone, ethanol, pyridine, and its derivatives were studied by IMS-TOFMS technique equipped with a corona discharge ion source. It was found that tendency of the protonated molecules, MH{sup +}, to participate in hydration or cluster formation depends on the basicity of M. The molecules with higher basicity were hydrated less than those with lower basicity. The mass spectra of the low basic molecules such as formaldehyde exhibited larger clusters of M{sub n}H{sup +}(H{sub 2}O){sub n}, while for compounds with high basicity such as pyridine, only MH{sup +} and MH{sup +}M peaks were observed. The results of DFT calculations show that enthalpies of hydrations and cluster formation decrease as basicities of the molecules increases. Using comparison of mass spectra of formic acid, formaldehyde, and ethanol, effect of structure on the cluster formation was also investigated. Formation of symmetric (MH{sup +}M) and asymmetric proton-bound dimers (MH{sup +}N) was studied by ion mobility and mass spectrometry techniques. Both theoretical and experimental results show that asymmetric dimers are formed more easily between molecules (M and N) with comparable basicity. As the basicity difference between M and N increases, the enthalpy of MH{sup +}N formation decreases. .

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Methodology for physics-informed generation of synthetic neutron time-of-flight measurement data

Accurate neutron cross section data are a vital input to the simulation of nuclear systems for a wide range of applications from energy production to national security. The evaluation of experimental data is a key step in producing accurate cross sections. There is a widely recognized lack of reproducibility in the evaluation process due to its artisanal nature and therefore there is a call for improvement within the nuclear data community. This can be realized by automating/standardizing viable parts of the process, namely, parameter estimation by fitting theoretical models to experimental data. This automation effort could greatly benefit from a synthetic data resource. This work leverages problem-specific physics, Monte Carlo sampling, and a general methodology for data synthesis to generate unlimited, labelled experimental cross-section data that is statistically indistinguishable to the observed data. Heuristic and, where applicable, rigorous statistical comparisons to observed data support this claim. The demonstration is based on/limited to transmission measurements at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and energy-differential cross sections in the resolved resonance region (RRR). An open-source software is published alongside this article that executes the complete methodology to produce high-utility synthetic datasets. The goal of this work is to provide an approach and corresponding tool that will allow the evaluation community to begin exploring more data-driven, ML-based solutions to long-standing challenges in the field.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗