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At least 307 records · Page 17

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2012

The topics include: Pattern Generator for Bench Test of Digital Boards; 670-GHz Down- and Up-Converting HEMT-Based Mixers; Lidar Electro-Optic Beam Switch with a Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder; Feedback Augmented Sub-Ranging (FASR) Quantizer; Real-Time Distributed Embedded Oscillator Operating Frequency Monitoring; Software Modules for the Proximity-1 Space Link Interleaved Time Synchronization (PITS) Protocol; Description and User Instructions for the Quaternion to Orbit v3 Software; AdapChem; Mars Relay Lander and Orbiter Overflight Profile Estimation; Extended Testability Analysis Tool; Interactive 3D Mars Visualization; Rapid Diagnostics of Onboard Sequences; MER Telemetry Processor; pyam: Python Implementation of YaM; Process for Patterning Indium for Bump Bonding; Archway for Radiation and Micrometeorite Occurrence Resistance; 4D Light Field Imaging System Using Programmable Aperture; Device and Container for Reheating and Sterilization; Radio Frequency Plasma Discharge Lamps for Use as Stable Calibration Light Sources; Membrane Shell Reflector Segment Antenna; High-Speed Transport of Fluid Drops and Solid Particles via Surface Acoustic Waves; Compact Autonomous Hemispheric Vision System; A Distributive, Non-Destructive, Real-Time Approach to Snowpack Monitoring; Wideband Single-Crystal Transducer for Bone Characterization; Numerical Simulation of Rocket Exhaust Interaction With Lunar Soil; Motion Imagery and Robotics Application (MIRA): Standards-Based Robotics; Particle Filtering for Model-Based Anomaly Detection in Sensor Networks; Ka-band Digitally Beamformed Airborne Radar Using SweepSAR Technique; Composite With In Situ Plenums; Multi-Beam Approach for Accelerating Alignment and Calibration of HyspIRI-Like Imaging Spectrometers; JWST Lifting System; Next-Generation Tumbleweed Rover; Pneumatic System for Concentration of Micrometer-Size Lunar Soil.

Source record↗

The future of Earth system prediction: Advances in model-data fusion

Predictions of the Earth system, such as weather forecasts and climate projections, require models informed by observations at many levels. Some methods for integrating models and observations are very systematic and comprehensive (e.g., data assimilation), and some are single purpose and customized (e.g., for model validation). We review current methods and best practices for integrating models and observations. We highlight how future developments can enable advanced heterogeneous observation networks and models to improve predictions of the Earth system (including atmosphere, land surface, oceans, cryosphere, and chemistry) across scales from weather to climate. As the community pushes to develop the next generation of models and data systems, there is a need to take a more holistic, integrated, and coordinated approach to models, observations, and their uncertainties to maximize the benefit for Earth system prediction and impacts on society.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Automatic labeling and characterization of objects using artificial neural networks

Existing NASA supported scientific data bases are usually developed, managed and populated in a tedious, error prone and self-limiting way in terms of what can be described in a relational Data Base Management System (DBMS). The next generation Earth remote sensing platforms, i.e., Earth Observation System, (EOS), will be capable of generating data at a rate of over 300 Mbs per second from a suite of instruments designed for different applications. What is needed is an innovative approach that creates object-oriented databases that segment, characterize, catalog and are manageable in a domain-specific context and whose contents are available interactively and in near-real-time to the user community. Described here is work in progress that utilizes an artificial neural net approach to characterize satellite imagery of undefined objects into high-level data objects. The characterized data is then dynamically allocated to an object-oriented data base where it can be reviewed and assessed by a user. The definition, development, and evolution of the overall data system model are steps in the creation of an application-driven knowledge-based scientific information system.

Campbell, William J.↗

The CHUVA Lightning Mapping Campaign

The primary science objective for the CHUVA lightning mapping campaign is to combine measurements of total lightning activity, lightning channel mapping, and detailed information on the locations of cloud charge regions of thunderstorms with the planned observations of the CHUVA (Cloud processes of tHe main precipitation systems in Brazil: A contribUtion to cloud resolVing modeling and to the GPM (GlobAl Precipitation Measurement) field campaign. The lightning campaign takes place during the CHUVA intensive observation period October-December 2011 in the vicinity of S o Luiz do Paraitinga with Brazilian, US, and European government, university and industry participants. Total lightning measurements that can be provided by ground-based regional 2-D and 3-D total lightning mapping networks coincident with overpasses of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and the SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager) on the Meteosat Second Generation satellite in geostationary earth orbit will be used to generate proxy data sets for the next generation US and European geostationary satellites. Proxy data, which play an important role in the pre-launch mission development and in user readiness preparation, are used to develop and validate algorithms so that they will be ready for operational use quickly following the planned launch of the GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) in 2015 and the Meteosat Third Generation Lightning Imager (LI) in 2017. To date there is no well-characterized total lightning data set coincident with the imagers. Therefore, to take the greatest advantage of this opportunity to collect detailed and comprehensive total lightning data sets, test and validate multi-sensor nowcasting applications for the monitoring, tracking, warning, and prediction of severe and high impact weather, and to advance our knowledge of thunderstorm physics, extensive measurements from lightning mapping networks will be collected in conjunction with electric field mills, field change sensors, high speed cameras and other lightning sensors, dual-polarimetric radars, and aircraft in-situ microphysics which will allow for excellent cross-network inter-comparisons, assessments, and physical understanding.

Goodman, Steven J.↗

The mechanics of plant morphogenesis

Understanding the mechanism by which patterned gene activity leads to mechanical deformation of cells and tissues to create complex forms is a major challenge for developmental biology. Plants offer advantages for addressing this problem because their cells do not migrate or rearrange during morphogenesis, which simplifies analysis. We synthesize results from experimental analysis and computational modeling to show how mechanical interactions between cellulose fibers translate through wall, cell, and tissue levels to generate complex plant tissue shapes. Genes can modify mechanical properties and stresses at each level, though the values and pattern of stresses differ from one level to the next. Here, the dynamic cellulose network provides elastic resistance to deformation while allowing growth through fiber sliding, which enables morphogenesis while maintaining mechanical strength.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Sequencing and analysis of 131 SARS-CoV-2 isolates in previously sampled and unsampled regions of Jordan from 2020 to 2023

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan remains an understudied country for next generation sequencing analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected during the 2019 pandemic. Here we provide 131 additional reference genomes collected between 2020–2023 from SARS-CoV-2-positive patients across Jordan. Phylogenetic analysis supports existing pandemic narratives of changing clade dominance over time and adds genomes in novel Jordanian locations and timepoints to make Jordan SARS-CoV-2 databases more comprehensive. Samples from the less-sequenced cities of Ajloun, Jaresh, Karak, and Madaba identified previously unreported lineages while Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa have existing sequencing efforts bolstered. Despite many incomplete patient records and a relatively small sample size, we observe interesting symptom patterns that support existing global and Jordanian pandemic narratives. We note how in-country COVID-19 pandemic genomic studies showcase Jordan’s efforts to expand next generation sequencing capabilities, especially through the leveraging of EDGE COVID-19, a bioinformatics platform for performing rapid, batched analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing that streamlines sample processing prepared from a network of hospital locations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Ambassador Project (Final Report)

SEL Inc., Juniper Networks and Dragos Networks, in association with our industry partners Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and New York Power Authority (NYPA) (collectively: the Parties), have completed contractual agreement DOE-0000900 with U.S. Dept. of Energy developing next generation automation, analytics and security solution architectures that leveraged.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

IceNet for FireBox - A Berkeley Warehouse-Scale Computer

Berkeley’s FireBox is a next-generation warehouse-scale computer (WSC) that utilizes the energy-efficiency and bandwidth density of integrated silicon-photonic interconnects to enable a new high-bandwidth and low-latency network fabric connecting thousands of compute nodes to petabytes of DRAM and Flash storage. The high bandwidth, low latency and high connectivity of FireBox’s WSC network fabric (IceNet) will enable dramatic improvements in the overall system energy efficiency enabling fine-grain power control on system resources (processors, links and memory/storage components). IceNet is a special 3-stage photonic Clos network architected to achieve ultra-low-latency connectivity between processor nodes and memory, drastically cutting down on the energy wasted in resource idling (processors and memory stalled due to pending network requests). This is achieved by integration of the first and last switch stages into processor/memory hub clients and by heavy over-provisioning of the high-radix middle switches (FlareSwitches). A key hardware component developed in this program is an active laser power management photonic integrated circuits called LightSpark. It interacts with the FlareSwitch and provides laser power to a subset of occupied switch ports, increasing the utilization of laser light in the photonic network by an order of magnitude. In addition to guiding the laser power where it is needed, the laser-power management module enables both wavelength and laser redundancy, significantly increasing the robustness of the system. The goal of the IceNet fabric is to enable communication between 1000s of processor nodes and PBs of memory/storage with <100ns latency, <10pJ/b wall-plug energy cost at multiple Pb/s of available connectivity bandwidth. These metrics represent two-orders of magnitude improvement with respect to the status of current data-center technology.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Accelerating Next-Generation Cybersecurity R&D Using AI Workflows: BADGER Project Development

The Broadband Automation for Distributed Grid Efficiency and Resilience (BADGER) project aligns with national strategic priorities for integrating emerging wireless technologies and advancing AI-driven security. As critical infrastructure modernizes toward increasingly software-defined and interconnected systems, the ability to leverage 5G/NextG networks and AI-enabled control becomes essential. This report outlines work at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) to develop a NextG-native security architecture powered by AI-RAN concepts and evaluate workflows that enable efficient and reliable architectures. Together, these efforts position the laboratory to accelerate innovation while directly supporting national security and resilience objectives.

5G/6G↗

Parallel Wavefront Analysis for a 4D Interferometer

This software provides a programming interface for automating data collection with a PhaseCam interferometer from 4D Technology, and distributing the image-processing algorithm across a cluster of general-purpose computers. Multiple instances of 4Sight (4D Technology s proprietary software) run on a networked cluster of computers. Each connects to a single server (the controller) and waits for instructions. The controller directs the interferometer to several images, then assigns each image to a different computer for processing. When the image processing is finished, the server directs one of the computers to collate and combine the processed images, saving the resulting measurement in a file on a disk. The available software captures approximately 100 images and analyzes them immediately. This software separates the capture and analysis processes, so that analysis can be done at a different time and faster by running the algorithm in parallel across several processors. The PhaseCam family of interferometers can measure an optical system in milliseconds, but it takes many seconds to process the data so that it is usable. In characterizing an adaptive optics system, like the next generation of astronomical observatories, thousands of measurements are required, and the processing time quickly becomes excessive. A programming interface distributes data processing for a PhaseCam interferometer across a Windows computing cluster. A scriptable controller program coordinates data acquisition from the interferometer, storage on networked hard disks, and parallel processing. Idle time of the interferometer is minimized. This architecture is implemented in Python and JavaScript, and may be altered to fit a customer s needs.

Rao, Shanti R.↗

Results of the Photometric LSST Astronomical Time-series Classification Challenge (PLAsTiCC)

Abstract Next-generation surveys like the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory (Rubin) will generate orders of magnitude more discoveries of transients and variable stars than previous surveys. To prepare for this data deluge, we developed the Photometric LSST Astronomical Time-series Classification Challenge (PLAsTiCC), a competition that aimed to catalyze the development of robust classifiers under LSST-like conditions of a nonrepresentative training set for a large photometric test set of imbalanced classes. Over 1000 teams participated in PLAsTiCC, which was hosted in the Kaggle data science competition platform between 2018 September 28 and 2018 December 17, ultimately identifying three winners in 2019 February. Participants produced classifiers employing a diverse set of machine-learning techniques including hybrid combinations and ensemble averages of a range of approaches, among them boosted decision trees, neural networks, and multilayer perceptrons. The strong performance of the top three classifiers on Type Ia supernovae and kilonovae represent a major improvement over the current state of the art within astronomy. This paper summarizes the most promising methods and evaluates their results in detail, highlighting future directions both for classifier development and simulation needs for a next-generation PLAsTiCC data set.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Microstructural Engineering of Cu-Rich Nanoprecipitate formation in NiCoFeCrCu0.12 High-Entropy Alloy via Severe Plastic Deformation for Enhanced Irradiation Tolerance

This study demonstrates a defect-engineering approach for controlling Cu-rich precipitates in FeNiCrCoCu0.2 high-entropy alloys (Cu-HEAs), delivering a novel pathway for next-generation nuclear reactor materials with superior irradiation resistance. This work establishes that severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing via Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) and Friction Stir Layer Deposition (FSLD) creates dense dislocation networks and subgrain boundaries that fundamentally alter precipitation behavior under identical thermal treatments. Atom probe tomography (APT) indicates that SPD produces a metastable, atomically homogeneous solid solution that, upon moderate heat treatment (500°C/10 hour), develops remarkedly stronger Cu clustering than the as-cast counterpart. High-temperature exposure (800°C/100 h) produces near-pure Cu precipitates (~90 at% Cu) with significantly enhanced defect-sink efficacy in SPD-processed alloys: precipitate sizes of 50-60 nm and number densities of 2.7-3.8 × 10¹7 m?³, compared to 89 nm and 0.44 × 10¹7 m?³ in as-cast materials. Collectively, the findings establish defect-mediated precipitation control as a scalable, high-impact route to tailor sink density and distribution in HEAs, enabling microstructures optimized for irradiation tolerance and mechanical robustness in nuclear reactor environments.

Meher, Subhashish↗

Highly disordered amorphous Li-battery electrolytes

"Medium-entropy" highly disordered amorphous Li garnets, with ≥4 unique local bonding units (LBUs), hold promise for use as solid-state electrolytes in hybrid or all-solid-state batteries owing to their grain-boundary-free nature and low-temperature synthesis requirement. Through this work, we resolved the local structure of amorphous Li garnet and understood their implication for Li dynamics. These medium-entropy amorphous structures possess unique characteristics with edge- and face-sharing LBUs, not conforming to the classic Zachariasen glass formation rules, and can be synthesized in a wide but processing-friendly temperature range (<680°C). Within these amorphous structures, Li and Zr are identified as the network formers and La as network modifier, with maxima in Li dynamics observed for smaller Li-O and Zr-O coordination; this structure understanding serves as a baseline for identifying additional network formers to further modulate Li transport. In conclusion, our insight provides fundamental guidelines for the structure and phase design for amorphous Li garnets and paves the way for their integration in next-generation batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

High‐Resolution National‐Scale Water Modeling Is Enhanced by Multiscale Differentiable Physics‐Informed Machine Learning

Abstract The National Water Model (NWM) is a key tool for flood forecasting, planning, and water management. Key challenges facing the NWM include calibration and parameter regionalization when confronted with big data. We present two novel versions of high‐resolution (∼37 km 2 ) differentiable models (a type of hybrid model): one with implicit, unit‐hydrograph‐style routing and another with explicit Muskingum‐Cunge routing in the river network. The former predicts streamflow at basin outlets whereas the latter presents a discretized product that seamlessly covers rivers in the conterminous United States (CONUS). Both versions use neural networks to provide a multiscale parameterization and process‐based equations to provide a structural backbone, which were trained simultaneously (“end‐to‐end”) on 2,807 basins across the CONUS and evaluated on 4,997 basins. Both versions show great potential to elevate future NWM performance for extensively calibrated as well as ungauged sites: the median daily Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency of all 4,997 basins is improved to around 0.68 from 0.48 of NWM3.0. As they resolve spatial heterogeneity, both versions greatly improved simulations in the western CONUS and also in the Prairie Pothole Region, a long‐standing modeling challenge. The Muskingum‐Cunge version further improved performance for basins >10,000 km 2 . Overall, our results show how neural‐network‐based parameterizations can improve NWM performance for providing operational flood predictions while maintaining interpretability and multivariate outputs. The modeling system supports the Basic Model Interface (BMI), which allows seamless integration with the next‐generation NWM. We also provide a CONUS‐scale hydrologic data set for further evaluation and use.

Song, Yalan [Civil and Environmental Engineering T↗

Can the United States Maintain Its Leadership in High-Performance Computing? - A report from the ASCAC Subcommittee on American Competitiveness and Innovation to the ASCR Office

The United States (U.S.) is no longer the unambiguous leader in the vitally important field of high performance computing (HPC). Japan, the European Union (EU), and China have fielded systems that are on par with our fastest supercomputers. The supply chain for everything from semiconductors to scientific software is globally distributed. Yet our economic future and security depend critically on our ability to innovate faster than our competitors, and the speed of innovation depends increasingly on large-scale computational science and engineering and thus HPC. How should the United States respond to this challenge? This report seeks to initiate a new and potentially transformative national discussion on this vital question. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program is well-positioned to make informed, targeted decisions about where the United States should cooperate and where it should compete in the global market for scientific exploration and discovery. By setting its sights on problems critical to our nation and the world, by establishing productive new collaborations, and by making strategic investments, ASCR can restore and maintain U.S. scientific leadership in the critical areas described in this report while strengthening our research infrastructure and training a large, diverse cohort of scientists. In doing so, ASCR and its scientists will pave the way for a secure and prosperous future for America. For more than 30 years, the ASCR program has provided the HPC and networking capabilities and expertise needed to support DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. The program now faces the challenge of developing and deploying the next generation of HPC systems and technologies, as well as supporting the application of HPC and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to a wide range of scientific and engineering research problems. Through its research and development efforts, the ASCR program must also advance the state of the art in HPC and accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and technological innovation. Fulfilling this promise will require significantly increased investments, as well as innovative policies and programs. This subcommittee is aware that we are making recommendations and calls for action at a time when federal resources are limited. We understand that a wide range of competing priorities must be balanced by the nation’s leaders and that there is a need to leverage resources in new ways and seek efficiencies in facilities and operations. However, we must not let these realities limit our imagination or silence our advocacy. The ASCR program is a key part of the U.S. research infrastructure and an important component of economic growth and U.S. competitiveness. ASCR has a responsibility to pursue its mission, including advanced scientific computing, applications of AI technologies, and the required advanced research facilities, with determination and enthusiasm. To fulfill the scientific enterprise’s responsibility to the nation, the ASCR program must not only develop and publish a clear vision with an associated list of goals, priorities, and recommendations but also demonstrate scientific leadership by consistently securing long-term funding. This will allow the program to build on its achievements to date, to realize its ambitious vision, and to make lasting contributions to the field.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

X-Band CubeSat Communication System Demonstration

Today's CubeSats mostly operate their communications at UHF- and S-band frequencies. UHF band is presently crowded, thus downlink communications are at lower data rates due to bandwidth limitations and are unreliable due to interference. This research presents an end-to-end robust, innovative, compact, efficient and low cost S-band uplink and X-band downlink CubeSat communication system demonstration between a balloon and a Near Earth Network (NEN) ground system. Since communication systems serve as umbilical cords for space missions, demonstration of this X-band communication system is critical for successfully supporting current and future CubeSat communication needs. This research has three main objectives. The first objective is to design, simulate, and test a CubeSat S- and X-band communication system. Satellite Tool Kit (STK) dynamic link budget calculations and HFSS Simulations and modeling results have been used to trade the merit of various designs for small satellite applications. S- and X-band antennas have been tested in the compact antenna test range at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to gather radiation pattern data. The second objective is simulate and test a CubeSat compatible X-band communication system at 12.5Mbps including S-band antennas, X-band antennas, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) /GSFC transmitter and an S-band receiver from TRL-5 to TRL-8 by the end of this effort. Different X-band communication system components (antennas, diplexers, etc.) from GSFC, other NASA centers, universities, and private companies have been investigated and traded, and a complete component list for the communication system baseline has been developed by performing analytical and numerical analysis. This objective also includes running simulations and performing trades between different X-band antenna systems to optimize communication system performance. The final objective is to perform an end-to-end X-band CubeSat communication system demonstration between a balloon and/or a sounding rocket and a Near Earth Network (NEN) ground system. This paper presents CubeSat communication systems simulation results, analysis of X-band and S-band antennas and RF front-end components, transceiver design, analysis and optimization of space-to-ground communication performance, subsystem development, as well as the test results for an end-to-end X-band CubeSat communication system demonstration. The outcome of this work will be used to pave the way for next generation NEN-compatible X-band CubeSat communication systems to support higher data rates with more advanced modulation and forward error correction (FEC) coding schemes, and to support and attract new science missions at lower cost. It also includes an abbreviated concept of operations for CubeSat users to utilize the NEN, starting from first contact with NASA's communication network and continuing through on-orbit operations.

NEN↗

The Advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (ATDRSS) - The next generation

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) is currently in operation and is providing support to users. This paper describes a candidate satellite configuration which will continue system operation when the current satellite fleet is expended in the 1996 to 1997 time frame. The new system is intended to meet the growth in space network user population and service needs expected through approximately 2010. It is believed that the candidate architecture described will lead to a low-risk evolution from the TDRS architecture used prior to implementation of the ATDRS. NASA is using the architecture described herein as a reference, but has not selected an implementation architecture for the ATDRS system. This selection will be made when an implementing contractor is chosen and will be based on reducing life cycle costs and the ability to meet mission needs.

Brandel, Daniel↗

Cost and Performance Comparison of an Earth-Orbiting Optical Communication Relay Transceiver and a Ground-Based Optical Receiver Subnet

Optical communications can provide high-data-rate telemetry from deep-space probes with subsystems that have lower mass, consume less power, and are smaller than their radio frequency (RF) counterparts. However, because optical communication is more a.ected by weather than is RF communication, it requires groundstation site diversity to mitigate the adverse e.ects of inclement weather on the link. An optical relay satellite is not a.ected by weather and can provide 24-hour coverage of deep-space probes. Using such a relay satellite for the deep-space link and an 8.4-GHz (X-band) link to a ground station would support high-data-rate links from small deep-space probes with very little link loss due to inclement weather. We have reviewed past JPL-funded work on RF and optical relay satellites, and on proposed clustered and linearly dispersed optical subnets. Cost comparisons show that the life cycle costs of a 7-m optical relay station based on the heritage of the Next Generation Space Telescope is comparable to that of an 8-station subnet of 10- m optical ground stations. This makes the relay link an attractive option vis- a-vis a ground-station network.

Wilson, K. E.↗