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At least 199 records · Page 11

Integrating Oil Debris and Vibration Measurements for Intelligent Machine Health Monitoring

A diagnostic tool for detecting damage to gears was developed. Two different measurement technologies, oil debris analysis and vibration were integrated into a health monitoring system for detecting surface fatigue pitting damage on gears. This integrated system showed improved detection and decision-making capabilities as compared to using individual measurement technologies. This diagnostic tool was developed and evaluated experimentally by collecting vibration and oil debris data from fatigue tests performed in the NASA Glenn Spur Gear Fatigue Rig. An oil debris sensor and the two vibration algorithms were adapted as the diagnostic tools. An inductance type oil debris sensor was selected for the oil analysis measurement technology. Gear damage data for this type of sensor was limited to data collected in the NASA Glenn test rigs. For this reason, this analysis included development of a parameter for detecting gear pitting damage using this type of sensor. The vibration data was used to calculate two previously available gear vibration diagnostic algorithms. The two vibration algorithms were selected based on their maturity and published success in detecting damage to gears. Oil debris and vibration features were then developed using fuzzy logic analysis techniques, then input into a multi sensor data fusion process. Results show combining the vibration and oil debris measurement technologies improves the detection of pitting damage on spur gears. As a result of this research, this new diagnostic tool has significantly improved detection of gear damage in the NASA Glenn Spur Gear Fatigue Rigs. This research also resulted in several other findings that will improve the development of future health monitoring systems. Oil debris analysis was found to be more reliable than vibration analysis for detecting pitting fatigue failure of gears and is capable of indicating damage progression. Also, some vibration algorithms are as sensitive to operational effects as they are to damage. Another finding was that clear threshold limits must be established for diagnostic tools. Based on additional experimental data obtained from the NASA Glenn Spiral Bevel Gear Fatigue Rig, the methodology developed in this study can be successfully implemented on other geared systems.

Dempsey, Paula J.↗

Inter-Domain Fusion for Enhanced Intrusion Detection in Power Systems: An Evidence Theoretic and Meta-Heuristic Approach

False alerts due to misconfigured or compromised intrusion detection systems (IDS) in industrial control system (ICS) networks can lead to severe economic and operational damage. However, research using deep learning to reduce false alerts often requires the physical and cyber sensor data to be trustworthy. Implicit trust is a major problem for artificial intelligence or machine learning (AI/ML) in cyber-physical system (CPS) security, because when these solutions are most urgently needed is also when they are most at risk (e.g., during an attack). To address this, the Inter-Domain Evidence theoretic Approach for Inference (IDEA-I) is proposed that reframes the detection problem as how to make good decisions given uncertainty. Specifically, an evidence theoretic approach leveraging Dempster–Shafer (DS) combination rules and their variants is proposed for reducing false alerts. A multi-hypothesis mass function model is designed that leverages probability scores obtained from supervised-learning classifiers. Using this model, a location-cum-domain-based fusion framework is proposed to evaluate the detector’s performance using disjunctive, conjunctive, and cautious conjunctive rules. The approach is demonstrated in a cyber-physical power system testbed, and the classifiers are trained with datasets from Man-In-The-Middle attack emulation in a large-scale synthetic electric grid. For evaluating the performance, we consider plausibility, belief, pignistic, and general Bayesian theorem-based metrics as decision functions. To improve the performance, a multi-objective-based genetic algorithm is proposed for feature selection considering the decision metrics as the fitness function. Finally, we present a software application to evaluate the DS fusion approaches with different parameters and architectures.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Spatiotemporal Automatic Calibration of Infrastructure Lidar, Radar, and Camera with a Global Navigation Satellite System

Robust and accurate perception is important for modern intelligent transportation systems (ITS), which use sensors of various modalities for data fusion to create a digital twin of an intersection. Sensor calibration is an important process that creates a unified coordinate frame for the sensor output data so that it can be used for data fusion. Classical approaches for sensor calibration are time-consuming, require an overlapping field of view for feature matching, and are not feasible for ITS application as they cause disruptions in the flow of traffic. In this paper, we present a spatiotemporal automatic calibration approach to calibrate multiple infrastructure lidar, radar, and cameras installed at a traffic intersection. The approach uses global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information shared by connected vehicles, and when the vehicle is detected by the sensor, we match the sensor detections with the GNSS coordinates. The proposed algorithm is evaluated with a real-world dataset utilizing detections from two radars, cameras, and lidars with a test vehicle instrumented with a post-processing kinematic (PPK)-corrected GNSS driving past the sensors installed at a four-way traffic intersection. The experimental results show that the proposed automatic calibration approach can achieve the transformation with a root mean squared error of less than 0.5 for radar and lidar and less than 2 for camera detections. The ability to rapidly calibrate sensors not only benefits initial installations, but can also be used for system health monitoring, while utilizing available connected vehicle data to test the real-time sensor fidelity and operational status.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY CONSERVATION, C↗

Simulated JWST Data Sets for Multispectral and Hyperspectral Image Fusion

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will provide multispectral and hyperspectral infrared images of a large number of astrophysical scenes. Multispectral images will have the highest angular resolution, while hyperspectral images (e.g., with integral field unit spectrometers) will provide the best spectral resolution. This paper aims at providing a comprehensive framework to generate an astrophysical scene and to simulate realistic hyperspectral and multispectral data acquired by two JWST instruments, namely, NIRCam Imager and NIRSpec IFU. We want to show that this simulation framework can be resorted to assess the benefits of fusing these images to recover an image of high spatial and spectral resolutions. To do so, we make a synthetic scene associated with a canonical infrared source, the Orion Bar. We develop forward models including corresponding noises for the two JWST instruments based on their physical features. JWST observations are then simulated by applying the forward models to the aforementioned synthetic scene. We test a dedicated fusion algorithm we developed on these simulated observations. We show that the fusion process reconstructs the high spatio-spectral resolution scene with a good accuracy on most areas, and we identify some limitations of the method to be tackled in future works. The synthetic scene and observations presented in the paper can be used, for instance, to evaluate instrument models, pipelines, or more sophisticated algorithms dedicated to JWST data analysis. Besides, fusion methods such as the one presented in this paper are shown to be promising tools to fully exploit the unprecedented capabilities of the JWST.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Deep convolutional neural networks for multi-scale time-series classification and application to tokamak disruption prediction using raw, high temporal resolution diagnostic data

In this paper we discuss recent advances in deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) for sequence learning, which allow identifying long-range, multi-scale phenomena in long sequences, such as those found in fusion plasmas. We point out several benefits of these deep CNN architectures, such as not requiring experts such as physicists to hand-craft input data features, the ability to capture longer range dependencies compared to the more common sequence neural networks (recurrent neural networks like long short-term memory (LSTM) networks), and the comparative computational efficiency. We apply this neural network architecture to the popular problem of disruption prediction in fusion energy tokamaks, utilizing raw data from a single diagnostic, the Electron Cyclotron Emission imaging (ECEi) diagnostic from the DIII-D tokamak. Initial results trained on a large ECEi dataset show promise, achieving an F 1 -score of ~91% on individual time-slices using only the ECEi data. This indicates the ECEi diagnostic by itself can be sensitive to a number of pre-disruption markers useful for predicting disruptions on timescales not only for mitigation but also avoidance. Future opportunities for utilizing these deep CNN architectures with fusion data are outlined, including impact of recent upgrades to the ECEi diagnostic.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Reduction or Enhancement of Stellarator Turbulence by Impurities

A systematic study of the impact of impurities on the turbulent heat fluxes is presented for the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) and, for comparison, the Large Helical Device and ITER. By means of nonlinear multispecies gyrokinetic simulations, it is shown that impurities, depending on the sign of their density gradient, can significantly enhance or reduce turbulent ion heat losses. For the relevant scenario of turbulence reduction, an optimal impurity concentration that minimizes the ion heat diffusivity emerges as a universal feature. This result demonstrates the potential of impurities for controlling turbulence and accessing enhanced confinement regimes in fusion plasmas and, in particular, in W7-X. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Simple Integral Transport for Charged Particles

A short description of the simple integral transport (SIT) design, framework, and code is given. Explicit details are given for problems with spherical symmetry, as an explanation of the general features in context. This discussion sets up a simple calculation of alpha particle transport in inertial confinement fusion systems, as a proof of concept.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Spatiotemporal Automatic Calibration of Infrastructure Lidar, Radar, and Camera with a Global Navigation Satellite System: Preprint

Robust and accurate perception is important for modern intelligent transportation systems (ITS), which use sensors of various modalities for data fusion to create a digital twin of an intersection. Sensor calibration is an important process that creates a unified coordinate frame for the sensor output data so that it can be used for data fusion. Classical approaches for sensor calibration are time-consuming, require an overlapping field of view for feature matching, and are not feasible for ITS application as they cause disruptions in the flow of traffic. In this paper, we present a spatiotemporal automatic calibration approach to calibrate multiple infrastructure lidar, radar, and cameras installed at a traffic intersection. The approach uses global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information shared by connected vehicles, and when the vehicle is detected by the sensor, we match the sensor detections with the GNSS coordinates. The proposed algorithm is evaluated with a real-world dataset utilizing detections from two radars, cameras, and lidars with a test vehicle instrumented with a post-processing kinematic (PPK)-corrected GNSS driving past the sensors installed at a four-way traffic intersection. The experimental results show that the proposed automatic calibration approach can achieve the transformation with a root mean squared error of less than 0.5 for radar and lidar and less than 2 for camera detections. The ability to rapidly calibrate sensors not only benefits initial installations, but can also be used for system health monitoring, while utilizing available connected vehicle data to test the real-time sensor fidelity and operational status.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Printed Targets with Micron-Scale Feature Patterns for the Study of Ablator Defects on OMEGA

As per present models, laser imprint and implosion symmetry are insufficient to account for observed performance degradation of direct-drive cryogenic fusion implosions. More and better data are needed on ablator defects as a source of hydrodynamic instability and mix. To investigate this, a series of OMEGA experimental campaigns is underway to study isolated target defects. Key requirements are systematic variation of the laser intensity and pulse shape at shot, with highly controlled defect type, geometry, and location. Here, given the need for sub-micron resolution and precise registration of multiple features, two-photon polymerization (TPP) printing was identified as an ideal method to fabricate these targets. TPP printing has enabled controlled formation of designed domes, divots, and vacuoles for studying the combined effect of size and proximity of these features on the hydro performance.

Two-photon polymerization printing↗

Temperature effects of ion irradiation on the nanostructural features in ductile-phase-toughened tungsten composites

Ductile-phase toughened tungsten (DPT W) composites have emerged as promising candidates for load-bearing components behind the plasma-facing tungsten armor in fusion reactors due to their enhanced thermomechanical properties. This study focuses on a composite consisting of W particles embedded in a ductile NiFeW solution matrix, hot-rolled to a thickness reduction of 87% (87R DPT W). Sequential irradiations with Ni2+ and He+ ions were performed to identical doses and helium concentrations at room temperature (RT) and 1273 K. Irradiation at RT produced no discernible nanostructural features due to the immobility of mono-vacancies, whereas cavity formation was observed at 973 K. At 1273 K, the W phase exhibited larger cavities, reduced cavity number density, and lower volumetric swelling compared to 973 K. Notably, nanosized NiFeW precipitates formed within the W phase at 1273 K, a phenomenon absent at 973 K. A new phase of cubic (NiFe)6W6C was also observed at the interphase boundary. In contrast, the NiFeW matrix showed no nanostructural changes at 1273 K, likely due to cavity dissociation. Separate irradiations at 1273 K indicated that Ni2+ ions induced precipitate formation in the W phase, while He+ ions exclusively caused cavity formation. The microstructure of 87R DPT W irradiated at RT and subsequently annealed at 1273 K closely resembled that of material irradiated directly at 1273 K. Like oxide-dispersion-strengthened steels, the observed nanoparticle-embedded W can inhibit dislocation propagation, potentially delaying the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. These findings highlight the potential of NiFeW nanoparticle-reinforced W composites as irradiation-resistant materials for fusion reactors.

Jiang, Weilin (ORCID:0000000183028313)↗

Kinetic simulations of collision-less plasmas in open magnetic geometries

Laboratory plasmas in open magnetic geometries can be found in many different applications such as (a) scrape-of-layer (SOL) and divertor regions in toroidal confinement fusion devices, (b) linear divertor simulators, (c) plasma-based thrusters and (d) magnetic mirrors etc. A common feature of these plasma systems is the need to resolve, in addition to velocity space, at least one physical dimension (e.g. along flux lines) to capture the relevant physics. In general, this requires a kinetic treatment. Fully kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations can be applied but at the expense of large computational effort. A common way to resolve this is to use a hybrid approach: kinetic ions and fluid electrons. In the present work, the development of a hybrid PIC computational tool suitable for open magnetic geometries is described which includes (a) the effect of non-uniform magnetic fields, (b) finite fully-absorbing boundaries for the particles and (c) volumetric particle sources. Analytical expressions for the momentum transport in the paraxial limit are presented with their underlying assumptions and are used to validate the results from the PIC simulations. A general method is described to construct discrete particle distribution functions in a state of mirror-equilibrium. This method is used to obtain the initial state for the PIC simulation. Collisionless simulations in a mirror geometry are performed. The results show that the effect of magnetic compression is correctly described and momentum is conserved. The self-consistent electric field is calculated and is shown to modify the ion velocity distribution function in a manner consistent with analytic theory. Based on this analysis, the ion distribution function is understood in terms of a loss-cone distribution and an isotropic Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution driven by a volumetric plasma source. Finally, the inclusion of a Monte Carlo based Fokker-Planck collision operator is discussed in the context of future work.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A novel tiered sensor fusion approach for terrain characterization and safe landing assessment

This paper presents a novel tiered sensor fusion methodology for real-time terrain safety assessment. A combination of active and passive sensors, specifically, radar, lidar, and camera, operate in three tiers according to their inherent ranges of operation. Low-level terrain features (e.g. slope, roughness) and high-level terrain features (e.g. hills, craters) are integrated using principles of reasoning under uncertainty. Three methodologies are used to infer landing safety: Fuzzy Reasoning, Probabilistic Reasoning, and Evidential Reasoning. The safe landing predictions from the three fusion engines are consolidated in a subsequent decision fusion stage aimed at combining the strengths of each fusion methodology. Results from simulated spacecraft descents are presented and discussed.

fuzzy reasoning↗

A Collaboration Website for Muon Catalyzed Fusion and Muon Beam Production

This project sets up a website to support the nascent Muon Catalyzed Fusion collaboration including development of particle accelerators and transport beamlines for muon beams. The website is envisioned as having the general public information pages and private pages for collaboration members. Multimedia elements like images, text animations, and video lectures, covering a broad spectrum of topics will populate the educational site, covering muon facilities, to comprehensive explorations and seminal documents that define the science of Muon Catalyzed Fusion, Acceleration, Applications, Instrumentation, Beamline Design, and beam dynamics design codes. Ensuring compatibility across devices and operating systems, it also features integration with Google Docs for collaboration, a code repository (GitHub), a blog platform with comments (WordPress), the potential for ChatGPT integration and interactive graph plotting with Python Plotty to enhance data visualization. This project will maintain public and protected private pages, due to the proprietary nature of the work or research in progress. The public sections will be built to foster dissemination of information and highlight recent work within the NK Labs collaboration, including lectures, published papers, and regular blog posts with open commenting. The private section will support unpublished or nonpublic research, by facilitating collaborative efforts through integrated Google Docs and Python Plotty for shared graphing work. Ultimately, this project strives to make complex scientific knowledge more accessible to the public, foster enhanced collaboration, and serve as a platform for sharing cutting-edge research in Muon Catalyzed Fusion and Accelerators.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Fuzzy set methods for object recognition in space applications

Progress on the following tasks is reported: (1) fuzzy set-based decision making methodologies; (2) feature calculation; (3) clustering for curve and surface fitting; and (4) acquisition of images. The general structure for networks based on fuzzy set connectives which are being used for information fusion and decision making in space applications is described. The structure and training techniques for such networks consisting of generalized means and gamma-operators are described. The use of other hybrid operators in multicriteria decision making is currently being examined. Numerous classical features on image regions such as gray level statistics, edge and curve primitives, texture measures from cooccurrance matrix, and size and shape parameters were implemented. Several fractal geometric features which may have a considerable impact on characterizing cluttered background, such as clouds, dense star patterns, or some planetary surfaces, were used. A new approach to a fuzzy C-shell algorithm is addressed. NASA personnel are in the process of acquiring suitable simulation data and hopefully videotaped actual shuttle imagery. Photographs have been digitized to use in the algorithms. Also, a model of the shuttle was assembled and a mechanism to orient this model in 3-D to digitize for experiments on pose estimation is being constructed.

Keller, James M.↗

Exploration of Rayleigh-Taylor seeding mechanisms in laser- and pulsed-power-driven inertial fusion

The ubiquitous Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) has been observed in fluids and plasmas in a wide range of parameter regimes from astrophysical to laboratory plasmas. In high-energy-density (HED) laboratory plasmas, such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) plasmas, the RTI can have a detrimental impact on achieving fusion ignition through the generation of hydrodynamic mix. Hence, an understanding of the seeding mechanisms that produce the RTI and identifying ways to mitigate hydrodynamic mix is of critical importance. Appropriately aligned magnetic fields have been known to stabilize short-wavelength RTI. A number of numerical and experimental studies have demonstrated the benefits of using imposed magnetic fields in laser-driven ICF to achieve higher ion temeratures, higher neutron yields, and a relaxation of the ignition criteria. This work addresses seeding mechanisms in laser-driven implosions to understand critical early-stage physics that ultimately leads to substantial growth of the RTI along with mechanisms for mitigation of this growth. Surface perturbations due to machining tolerances and single-feature seeds (for example due to fill tubes) can produce substantial RTI growth in the ignition-relevant high-convergence ratio targets for laser- driven ICF implosions. RTI growth from single-feature seeding in laser-based implosions has the potential to be mitigated through appropriately aligned externally applied magnetic fields and the goal of this work has been to quantify that numerically and experimentally. Resistive-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simu- lations are used to study the seeding and evolution of the RTI leveraging previous support from the DOE HEDLP program. Furthermore, experimental data has been obtained and applied towards code validation of unmagnetized and magnetized evolution of single-feature seeded RTI growth.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A mesoscopic digital twin that bridges length and time scales for control of additively manufactured metal microstructures

We present our recent development of an integrated mesoscale digital twin (DT) framework for relating processing conditions, microstructures, and mechanical responses of additively manufactured (AM) metals. In particular, focusing on the laser powder bed fusion technique, we describe how individual modeling and simulation capabilities are coupled to investigate and control AM microstructural features at multiple length and time scales. We review our prior case studies that demonstrate the integrated modeling schemes, in which high-fidelity melt pool dynamics simulations provide accurate local thermal profiles and histories to subsequent AM microstructure simulations. We also report our new mechanical response modeling results for predicted AM microstructures. In addition, we illustrate how our DT framework has been validated through modeling–experiment integration, as well as how it has been practically utilized to guide and analyze AM experiments. Finally, we share our perspectives on future directions of further development of the DT framework for more efficient, accurate predictions and wider ranges of applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhancing Power Distribution System Resilience with Fusion-GNN: A Dynamic Graph Representation Learning Approach

This paper explores the applications of Fusion Graph Neural Network (FuGNN) on power distribution systems. FuGNN effectively models dynamic networks with evolving topology and features. Applied to power system network reconfiguration, FuGNN demonstrates its feasibility in optimizing switch configurations to minimize unserved loads and operational costs during extreme events. Additionally, FuGNN supports various downstream tasks, such as node feature prediction, further enhancing its versatility and applicability in power system resilience.

Liu, Boming↗

Preliminary prediction of long-term aging and creep behavior of AM 316 SS

This report describes the development of initial mechanism models for the long term behavior of additively manufactured (AM), laser powder-bed fusion 316H stainless steel under the conditions expected in future advanced nuclear reactors. These models focus on key features of the material microstructure and response that differ from the conventionally-manufactured wrought material. Specifically, the report describes the development of models to capture the unique response of the AM material focusing on irradiation creep and swelling, the effect of internal stress, for example caused by dislocation structure, on precipitation, and the effect of the AM grain and dislocation structure on the macroscale creep and thermal aging behavior. This single mechanism models represent progress towards a complete, physics-based model for the long-term material behavior as well as elucidate key differences in the AM material behavior, when compared to the better-understood, conventionally-manufactured 316H.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗