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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 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Portable Industrial Control Systems Simulator (Final Report)

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are more integrated than they have ever been before, but also the division between IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) is becoming a grey area. As the integration of IT and OT occurs more often, cyber attack will also increase. Cyber attacks on Critical Infrastructure can be highly detrimental to society, notably via compromised Industrial Control Systems (ICS). Virtual and physical simulation has been used in medical fields, mathematics, architecture, aeronautics, space, and many more. Virtualization & Simulation in a lab environment is ideal because there is a need for the ability to test theories and designs is a safe and cost-effective way without risking equipment damage or, more importantly, human life. Furthermore, OT and ICS are some of the most difficult systems to use for research and development. They are either committed to operations or widely expensive to set up in a life-like environment. Virtualization and simulation will allow these otherwise accessible systems to be a test bed for the training, development, and research of SRNL customers or engineers and scientists at SRNL. This will allow the testbed to fit into a small form factor and interact with a simulator with minimum hardware components for easy transports and replication effort within the environment.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Compositional Reasoning for Hierarchical State Machines

Harel statecharts and its derivatives are popular graphical languages for specifying discrete control systems via hierarchical state machines. Separately, there has been a long line of work on specifying concurrent systems with process calculi which come equipped with an algebraic theory, the ability reason compositionally about various temporal properties, and strong type systems. While these two approaches to modeling systems are tantalizingly similar, the integrated reasoning principles that exist for process calculi have not been demonstrated in hierarchical state machines. A key issue is that operational theories for process calculi do not behave like control systems, and thus, there is virtually no tool support for modeling control systems with such languages. For a control system designer, bringing the integrated, more scalable reasoning from the process calculi to state-machine languages would enable the specification of more complex systems and a more modular systems development process. Our insight is that we can recover many important results from the process calculi in hierarchical state machines with local scope. We employ a structural operational semantics, which is ubiquitous in process and 𝜆-calculi but uncommon in hierarchical statemachine formalizations, to enable inductive reasoning about behavior. Taking inspiration from the structure of process calculi metatheories, we define a calculus of refinement and equivalence that we prove sound with respect to local notion of (bi)simulation. Furthermore, we prove that the calculus preserves the behavioral properties of reactivity, observational determinism, traces, and linear temporal properties. Our results are mechanized in the Rocq proof assistant.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

A novel large-scale EV charging scheduling algorithm considering V2G and reactive power management based on ADMM

Electric vehicle aggregators (EVAs) that utilize vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies can function as both controllable loads and virtual power plants, providing key energy management services to the distribution system operator (DSO). EVAs can also balance the grid’s reactive power as a virtual static VAR compensator (SVC) and provide voltage stability by utilizing advanced electric vehicle (EV) chargers that are capable of four-quadrant operations to provide reactive power management. Finally, managed charging can benefit EVAs themselves by minimizing power factor penalties in their electricity bills. In this paper, we propose a novel EV charging scheduling algorithm based on a hierarchical distributed optimization framework that minimizes peak load and provides reactive power compensation for the DSO by collaboration with EVAs that manage both the active and the reactive charging and discharging power of participating EVs. Utilizing the alternative direction method of multipliers (ADMM), the proposed distributed optimization approach scales well with increased EV charging infrastructure by balancing active and reactive power while decreasing computational burden. In our proposed hierarchical approach, each EVA schedules the active and reactive EV charging and discharging power for 1) reactive power compensation in order to minimize power factor penalty and electricity cost accrued by the EVA, 2) satisfaction of each EV’s energy demand at minimal charging cost, and 3) peak shaving and load management for the DSO. When compared with an uncoordinated charging model, the efficacy of this proposed model is successfully demonstrated through a 300% decreased peak EV load for the DSO, 28% lower electricity costs for EV users, and 98.55% smaller power factor penalty, along with 17.58% lower overall electricity costs, for EVAs. The performance of our approach is validated in a case study with 50 EVs at multiple EVAs in an IEEE 13-bus test case and compared the results with uncoordinated EV charging.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Transient Catalytic Reaction Analysis Through Signal Defragmentation

The Temporal Analysis of Products (TAP) pulse response technique provides valuable insights into catalytic function and reaction kinetics. However, complex fragmentation patterns in the TAP mass spectrometry signals can complicate precise quantification, particularly when analyzing transient gas flux data typical of TAP experiments. This work demonstrates a standard defragmentation method that deconvolves transient TAP signals while maintaining the temporal resolution of the experiment. First, the integrals of calibration gas fluxes are used to determine the fingerprint fragmentation pattern and construct a fragmentation matrix. This matrix is then used to defragment experimental flux data at each recorded time point via a non-negative least squares regression. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated using virtual data and control experiments with a TAP reactor system. The defragmentation is then applied to the more complex propane dehydrogenation reaction on a chromia/alumina catalyst, which can contain up to ten significant gas species in the reactor outlet. Initial propane pulsing reveals an induction period during which propane is fully oxidized to CO2, followed by partial reduction to CO. Afterwards, there is a transition in chemistries towards coking and propylene production. Our example illustrates a practical method for the accurate determination of the time-dependent reactant/product concentrations and rates for a thorough analysis of the propane dehydrogenation kinetics. This approach can be broadly applied to any transient mass spectrometry experiment for a better understanding of catalyst-reaction dynamics.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1986

Detoxification of Halon Fire-Extinguishant Products

Ammonia compounds absorb toxic hydrogen halides as they are produced. Toxic acid vapors resulting from use of Halon (or equivalent) fire extinguishers immediately changed into nontoxic ammonium compounds when extinguishers contain some ammonia or ammonium carbonate. If ammonium carbonate used, particle size of resulting neutral compounds controlled to eliminate virtually any absorption into the lungs.

Miller, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Proposed Development of NASA Glenn Research Center's Aeronautical Network Research Simulator

Accurate knowledge and understanding of data link traffic loads that will have an impact on the underlying communications infrastructure within the National Airspace System (NAS) is of paramount importance for planning, development and fielding of future airborne and ground-based communications systems. Attempting to better understand this impact, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), through its contractor Computer Networks & Software, Inc. (CNS, Inc.), has developed an emulation and test facility known as the Virtual Aircraft and Controller (VAC) to study data link interactions and the capacity of the NAS to support Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) traffic. The drawback of the current VAC test bed is that it does not allow the test personnel and researchers to present a real world RF environment to a complex airborne or ground system. Fortunately, the United States Air Force and Navy Avionics Test Commands, through its contractor ViaSat, Inc., have developed the Joint Communications Simulator (JCS) to provide communications band test and simulation capability for the RF spectrum through 18 GHz including Communications, Navigation, and Identification and Surveillance functions. In this paper, we are proposing the development of a new and robust test bed that will leverage on the existing NASA GRC's VAC and the Air Force and Navy Commands JCS systems capabilities and functionalities. The proposed NASA Glenn Research Center's Aeronautical Networks Research Simulator (ANRS) will combine current Air Traffic Control applications and physical RF stimulation into an integrated system capable of emulating data transmission behaviors including propagation delay, physical protocol delay, transmission failure and channel interference. The ANRS will provide a simulation/stimulation tool and test bed environment that allow the researcher to predict the performance of various aeronautical network protocol standards and their associated waveforms under varying density conditions. The system allows the user to define human-interactive and scripted aircraft and controller models of various standards, such as (but not limited to) Very High Frequency Digital Link (VDL) of various modes.

Nguyen, Thanh C.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Proceedings from the 2nd International Symposium on Formation Flying Missions and Technologies

Topics discussed include: The Stellar Imager (SI) "Vision Mission"; First Formation Flying Demonstration Mission Including on Flight Nulling; Formation Flying X-ray Telescope in L2 Orbit; SPECS: The Kilometer-baseline Far-IR Interferometer in NASA's Space Science Roadmap Presentation; A Tight Formation for Along-track SAR Interferometry; Realization of the Solar Power Satellite using the Formation Flying Solar Reflector; SIMBOL-X : Formation Flying for High-Energy Astrophysics; High Precision Optical Metrology for DARWIN; Close Formation Flight of Micro-Satellites for SAR Interferometry; Station-Keeping Requirements for Astronomical Imaging with Constellations of Free-Flying Collectors; Closed-Loop Control of Formation Flying Satellites; Formation Control for the MAXIM Mission; Precision Formation Keeping at L2 Using the Autonomous Formation Flying Sensor; Robust Control of Multiple Spacecraft Formation Flying; Virtual Rigid Body (VRB) Satellite Formation Control: Stable Mode-Switching and Cross-Coupling; Electromagnetic Formation Flight (EMFF) System Design, Mission Capabilities, and Testbed Development; Navigation Algorithms for Formation Flying Missions; Use of Formation Flying Small Satellites Incorporating OISL's in a Tandem Cluster Mission; Semimajor Axis Estimation Strategies; Relative Attitude Determination of Earth Orbiting Formations Using GPS Receivers; Analysis of Formation Flying in Eccentric Orbits Using Linearized Equations of Relative Motion; Conservative Analytical Collision Probabilities for Orbital Formation Flying; Equations of Motion and Stability of Two Spacecraft in Formation at the Earth/Moon Triangular Libration Points; Formations Near the Libration Points: Design Strategies Using Natural and Non-Natural Ares; An Overview of the Formation and Attitude Control System for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Formation Flying Interferometer; GVE-Based Dynamics and Control for Formation Flying Spacecraft; GNC System Design for a New Concept of X-Ray Distributed Telescope; GNC System for the Deployment and Fine Control of the DARWIN Free-Flying Interferometer; Formation Algorithm and Simulation Testbed; and PLATFORM: A Formation Flying, RvD and Robotic Validation Test-bench.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2007

Interface for Physics Simulation Engines

DSS-Prototyper is an open-source, realtime 3D virtual environment software that supports design simulation for the new Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). This is a simulation of NASA's proposed Robotic Lunar Exploration Program, second mission (RLEP2). It simulates the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM), which is designed to carry up to four astronauts to the lunar surface for durations of a week or longer. This simulation shows the virtual vehicle making approaches and landings on a variety of lunar terrains. The physics of the descent engine thrust vector, production of dust, and the dynamics of the suspension are all modeled in this set of simulations. The RLEP2 simulations are drivable (by keyboard or joystick) virtual rovers with controls for speed and motor torque, and can be articulated into higher or lower centers of gravity (depending on driving hazards) to enable drill placement. Gravity also can be set to lunar, terrestrial, or zero-g. This software has been used to support NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in simulations of proposed vehicles for robotically exploring the lunar surface for water ice, and could be used to model all other aspects of the VSE from the Ares launch vehicles and Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) to the International Space Station (ISS). This simulator may be installed and operated on any Windows PC with an installed 3D graphics card.

Damer, Bruce↗
NASA NTRS2014

Spinoff 2013

Topics covered include: Innovative Software Tools Measure Behavioral Alertness; Miniaturized, Portable Sensors Monitor Metabolic Health; Patient Simulators Train Emergency Caregivers; Solar Refrigerators Store Life-Saving Vaccines; Monitors Enable Medication Management in Patients' Homes; Handheld Diagnostic Device Delivers Quick Medical Readings; Experiments Result in Safer, Spin-Resistant Aircraft; Interfaces Visualize Data for Airline Safety, Efficiency; Data Mining Tools Make Flights Safer, More Efficient; NASA Standards Inform Comfortable Car Seats; Heat Shield Paves the Way for Commercial Space; Air Systems Provide Life Support to Miners; Coatings Preserve Metal, Stone, Tile, and Concrete; Robots Spur Software That Lends a Hand; Cloud-Based Data Sharing Connects Emergency Managers; Catalytic Converters Maintain Air Quality in Mines; NASA-Enhanced Water Bottles Filter Water on the Go; Brainwave Monitoring Software Improves Distracted Minds; Thermal Materials Protect Priceless, Personal Keepsakes; Home Air Purifiers Eradicate Harmful Pathogens; Thermal Materials Drive Professional Apparel Line; Radiant Barriers Save Energy in Buildings; Open Source Initiative Powers Real-Time Data Streams; Shuttle Engine Designs Revolutionize Solar Power; Procedure-Authoring Tool Improves Safety on Oil Rigs; Satellite Data Aid Monitoring of Nation's Forests; Mars Technologies Spawn Durable Wind Turbines; Programs Visualize Earth and Space for Interactive Education; Processor Units Reduce Satellite Construction Costs; Software Accelerates Computing Time for Complex Math; Simulation Tools Prevent Signal Interference on Spacecraft; Software Simplifies the Sharing of Numerical Models; Virtual Machine Language Controls Remote Devices; Micro-Accelerometers Monitor Equipment Health; Reactors Save Energy, Costs for Hydrogen Production; Cameras Monitor Spacecraft Integrity to Prevent Failures; Testing Devices Garner Data on Insulation Performance; Smart Sensors Gather Information for Machine Diagnostics; Oxygen Sensors Monitor Bioreactors and Ensure Health and Safety; Vision Algorithms Catch Defects in Screen Displays; and Deformable Mirrors Capture Exoplanet Data, Reflect Lasers.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2023

Compliant Behaviors for Supervised and Autonomous Robotic Operations

The demands of traditional industrial robotics differ significantly from those of remote, supervised operations in hostile environments, such as operations in space. While industry requires robots that can perform repetitive tasks with precision and speed, the space environment needs robots to cope with uncertainties, dynamics, and communication delays or interruptions, similar to human astronauts. These demands make a well-suited application for compliant robotics and behavior-based programming. Pose Target Wrench Limiting (PTWL) is a compliant behavior paradigm developed specifically to meet these demands. PTWL controls a robot by moving a virtual attractor to a target pose. The attractor applies virtual forces, based on stiffness and damping presets, to an underlying admittance controller. Guided by virtual forces, the robot will follow the attractor until safety conditions are violated or success criteria are met. PTWL was tested on a variety of quasi-static and dynamic tasks that may be useful for future space operations. Results demonstrate that PTWL is a powerful tool. It makes teleoperation easy and safe for a wide range of quasi-static tasks. It also facilitates the creation of semi-autonomous state machines that can reliably complete complex tasks with minimal human intervention.

Joseph D. Cressman↗
DOE OSTI2018

Planning and Analyses Performed to Install Halden’s Advanced Control Room Concept in the Human Systems Simulation Laboratory

The United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) sponsors the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program, which has the goal of sustaining U.S. nuclear assets through conducting high-quality, value-added research and development (R&D) that provides the technical bases to extend the operating life of commercial NPPs. One area in the LWRS program is the Plant Modernization pathway, which includes human factors R&D, human factors engineering (HFE), and ergonomics, conducts targeted R&D to address aging and reliability concerns with the legacy instrumentation and control (I&C) and related information systems in NPPs. LWRS program researchers have been conducting R&D that enables the modernization of the I&C technologies in NPP main control rooms and have authored numerous reports on those research activities. Interestingly, however, virtually all of the control room modernization activities that have been researched in collaboration with various U.S. utility partners has been on upgrades that are the first steps to position these legacy control rooms for further full nuclear plant modernization. So, while many nuclear utility owners and operators have taken the first steps toward the digitalization of the control room I&C, LWRS program researchers are not aware of what any utility’s end-state vision is for full control room modernization. Thus, the purpose of this LWRS R&D activity is to start developing an advanced control room interface concept for legacy NPPs and to demonstrate it in the Human Systems Simulation Laboratory (HSSL) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) so that utility partners can see what a potential end state is for their control room upgrade activities. The end state shows what a fully modernized control room looks like and how it works, and is the result of HFE and I&C work to transition the existing control room and its concept of operations to a new advanced control room configuration. This report documents the planning and analyses performed to install an advanced control room concept in the HSSL. Future LWRS reports will document the process to set up the HSSL and the gPWR with the HSI developed in Halden, and then document how LWRS program researchers at INL and Halden are supporting the capability to conduct future studies by creating additional HSIs that support control room modernization.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Field Testing of a Hierarchical Model-Free Transactive Control Strategy in a Residential House

Demand response plays an important role in addressing the uncertain, intermittent, and variable nature of renewable energy sources. However, to be effective, it requires a significant amount of demand load flexibility, in which buildings are important flexible assets for electricity systems. In this regard, many transactive control tools have been developed to harness this demand flexibility. Yet, such tools are mostly simulation-based or deal with a single load, which may not be sufficient to demonstrate their effectiveness. Towards this end, this paper presents a field implementation and testing of a hierarchical model-free transactive control strategy using residential building thermostatically controlled loads. The transactive control implementation incorporates elements of virtual battery, game theory, and model-free control mechanisms. Experimental field-testing results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed transactive control strategy.

Olama, Mohammed M.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hierarchical Model-Free Transactive Control of Residential Building Loads: An Actual Deployment

The transformation of electricity systems into more sustainable configurations brought some new challenges. The uncertain, intermittent, and variable nature of renewable energy sources require a significant amount of load demand flexibility, in which grid-interactive buildings (GEBs) are important flexible assets for electricity systems. In this regard, many demand response (DR) tools have been developed to harness this demand flexibility. However, such tools are mostly simulation-based or deal with a single load, which may not be sufficient to demonstrate their effectiveness. Towards this end, this paper presents a real-world field implementation and testing of a hierarchical model-free transactive DR control approach on actual GEBs. The control implementation incorporates elements of virtual battery, game theory, and model-free control mechanisms. The proposed approach was tested using a total of five GEBs, each having three zones. The results show that the proposed approach can mostly achieve all intended objectives, including flexibility estimation, peak load reduction, power tracking, and controlling GEBs while maintaining occupants’ comfort.

Amasyali, Kadir↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Control-oriented Building Envelope and HVAC System Simulation Model for a Typical Large Office Building

To enable advanced controls research for buildings, in this paper we present a dynamic simulation model for a typical large office building. In this model, we utilized EnergyPlus for calculating the building thermal load and the Modelica HVAC equipment library to implement the dynamic behavior of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. We utilized a functional mockup interface to enable the run-time communication between the EnergyPlus model and the Modelica model. This simulation model can be driven by control inputs from supervisory decision making algorithms and thus can be used as a virtual testbed for advanced controls development and evaluation. To demonstrate the usage of the model, we implemented two HVAC control sequences representative for large office buildings, both based on the ASHRAE standard. Simulation results allowed us to compare the energy performance associated with the two control strategies, and the evolution of the system dynamics at a high temporal granularity.

Huang, Sen↗
DOE OSTI2020

Interactive Metadata Integration with Brick

Many different digital representations of a building are produced over the course of its lifecycle. While these representations individually contain metadata required to support different stages of the building's lifecycle, they are largely not interoperable due to differences in structure, syntax and semantics. This impedes the development and deployment of data-driven applications providing fault detection and diagnosis, virtual metering or optimal control. [4] introduces a new platform for the continuous curation of a unified, Brick [1]-based metadata model that can be maintained throughout the building lifecycle. In this demonstration, we present a live proof-of-concept implementation of the platform with support for several metadata representations in the context of a simulated building lifecycle.

Fierro, Gabe↗
DOE OSTI2025

Teleoperation of Construction Robots Using Human Interaction: Case Study Examples: Preprint

The integration of advanced teleoperation methods in construction robotics has the potential to enhance productivity and safety in demanding environments. Among different methods, hand gestures have emerged as an intuitive approach, enabling seamless communication between human operators and robotic systems. This study demonstrates the use of hand gestures for controlling a model robotic excavator and a virtual robotic arm in construction applications. Two case study examples are presented. In the first case study, a series of hand gestures are performed to control a model robotic excavator's bucket and arm movements. The second case study focuses on using hand gestures to control a virtual robotic arm to perform a material handling task in a simulated environment. In both cases, the performed hand gestures are all successfully captured and interpreted by the gesture-based teleoperation method to conduct the corresponding tasks, which demonstrates the application of the gesture-based control method for various types of construction robots. Also, the limitations of the gesture-based teleoperation method (e.g., recognition delay, sensitivity to motion outliers) are discussed. Future work will focus on developing a digital twin system to support gesture-based teleoperation for a wider range of construction robots.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS2020

UAS Integration in the NAS Project: Overview of Flight Test Series 6

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System (UAS-NAS) Project has conducted a series of flight test campaigns intended to support the reduction of barriers that prevent unmanned aircraft from flying without the required waivers from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The 2019 Flight Test Series 6 (FT6) campaign furthered this path and supported three test configurations: 1) Radar Characterization, 2) Scripted Encounters and 3) Full Mission. Radar Characterization assessed the performance of Honeywell’s low size, weight, and power (low SWaP) radar system; Scripted Encounters investigated the timing of Detect and Avoid (DAA) alerting thresholds using a Department of Defense (DoD) Group 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) equipped with low SWaP sensors and three different live intruder aircraft flown at varying encounter geometries; and Full Mission validated human-in-the-loop simulations by collecting pilot performance data from a ground control station while controlling a live unmanned aircraft on a mission in both virtual and live air traffic controlled airspace. The subject pilot observed a research display that presented DAA advisories to maintain separation from live and virtual aircraft. The test was conducted over a twenty-week period within the R-2508 special use airspace located near Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), CA. Over 240 encounters were flown during the test series and FT6 proved to be invaluable for the purposes of planning, managing, and executing this type of integrated flight test in both live and virtual environments. Data collected from FT6 was provided to the RTCA Special Committee 228 (SC-228) to help inform the Phase 2 Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS). FT6 was the final test series for the UAS-NAS project that began in 2012. This paper provides an overview of FT6 and its success can be directly attributed to the diligent work of the men and women who supported this effort.

UAS in the NAS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cooperative Systems in Presence of Cyber-Attacks: A Unified Framework for Resilient Control and Attack Identification

Here, this paper considers a cooperative control problem in presence of unknown attacks. The attacker aims at destabilizing the consensus dynamics by intercepting the system’s communication network and corrupting its local state feedback. We first revisit the virtual network based resilient control proposed in our previous work and provide a new interpretation and insights into its implementation. Based on these insights, a novel distributed algorithm is presented to detect and identify the compromised communication links. It is shown that it is not possible for the adversary to launch a harmful and stealthy attack by only manipulating the physical states being exchanged via the network. In addition, a new virtual network is proposed which makes it more difficult for the adversary to launch a stealthy attack even though it is also able to manipulate information being exchanged via the virtual network. A numerical example demonstrates that the proposed control framework achieves simultaneously resilient operation and real-time attack identification.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗