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DOE OSTI2024

In Situ Monitoring the Nucleation and Growth of Nanoscale CaCO 3 at the Oil–Water Interface

Interfaces can actively control the nucleation kinetics, orientations, and polymorphs of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ). Prior studies have revealed that CaCO 3 formation can be affected by the interplay between chemical functional moieties on solid–liquid or air–liquid interfaces as well as CaCO 3 ’s precursors and facets. Yet little is known about the roles of a liquid–liquid interface, specifically an oil–liquid interface, in directing CaCO 3 mineralization which are common in natural and engineered systems. Here, in this study, by using in situ X-ray scattering techniques to locate a meniscus formed between water and a representative oil, isooctane, we successfully monitored CaCO 3 formation at the pliable isooctane–water interface and systematically investigated the pivotal roles of the interface in the formation of CaCO 3 (i.e., particle size, its spatial distribution with respect to the interface, and its mineral phase). Different from bulk solution, ∼5 nm CaCO 3 nanoparticles form at the isooctane–water interface. They stably exist for a long time (36 h), which can result from interface-stabilized dehydrated prenucleation clusters of CaCO 3 . There is a clear tendency for enhanced amounts and faster crystallization of CaCO 3 at locations closer to isooctane, which is attributed to a higher pH and an easier dehydration environment created by the interface and oil. Our study provides insights into CaCO 3 nucleation at an oil–water interface, which can deepen our understanding of pliable interfaces interacting with CaCO 3 and benefit mineral scaling control during energy-related subsurface operation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

Unraveling nonperturbative QCD with transverse momentum hadronic structures

The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate the theoretical foundations of the factorization theorems that involve transverse quark and gluon momentum distributions, and to better understand the interface between foundational questions and phenomenological applications. Many of these applications involve using transverse parton momentum dependent (TMD) correlation functions as tools for probing the complex nonperturbative structures of the hadrons. We first introduce the concepts of collinear and TMD factorization in a toy-model theory and, by leveraging the comparative simplicity of such a model, we test the range of validity and limitations of the factorization approach. At the same time, we introduce the conventional approaches that are adopted for the phenomenological extractions of the TMD distributions, and catalog the advantages and disadvantages. Following the general theoretical framework of factorization, we then develop a different approach to TMD phenomenology that is able to systematically integrate the perturbative and non perturbative information in parametrizations of TMD distributions, while being completely consistent with their operator definitions and the predictions of QCD, including their nontrivial evolution. The name Hadron Structure Oriented approach, or HSO, is coined in order to emphasize the central role of the nonperturbative nature of QCD and its relation to the partonic structure of hadrons. Finally, we provide a first phenomenological implementation of the HSO approach by extracting TMD distributions relying on low-to-moderate energy Drell-Yan data. The quality and robustness of the results are then compared against higher energy processes like high-Q2 Z0 boson production. Our analysis demonstrates the feasibility of this novel approach and points the way toward the improvements it can achieve in future applications.

Rainaldi, Tommaso [Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA↗

DOE OSTI2025

Anisotropic structure and optical engineering of strontium titanate and zirconia responding to sequential hydrogen and helium irradiation

Unraveling the correlation between strain engineering with anisotropic optical properties via nanoscale defects gradually evolved into a strategy for fundamental studies and technological applications, yet it remains understudied in functional complex oxides compared to metals and semiconductors. Here, the methodology of strain engineering for the determination of the lattice parameters, parallel/normal to the sample surface, in the individual layers of single-crystalline superlattices is derived, which is based on analysis of high-angle X-ray diffraction measurements in combination with diffraction reciprocal space mapping. With modeling that takes into account the effect of elastic properties, two elastically anisotropic materials, SrTiO 3 and ZrO 2 , have been compared in terms of defect-induced elastic strain caused by individual and sequential H + and He 2+ irradiation. The anisotropic lattice swelling with corresponding refractive index, and obstructive behavior of elastic strain recovery are demonstrated in SrTiO 3 , while approaching strain behaviors accompanied by isotropic refractive index distribution in both orientations are confirmed in ZrO 2 . Under sequential He 2+ /H + irradiation, pre-existing He-vacancy complexes acted as vacancy traps, preferentially capturing H + clusters to induce lattice distortion and enhance absorption. Nanohardness increments (ΔH) calculated by the DBH model matched nanoindentation results, confirming that sequential irradiation generated higher indentation yield stress than individual irradiations.

Anisotropic expansion↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Deflection of Solar Energetic Protons by an Ion Thruster

While Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) represent a long-term cancer risk to deep space human missions, Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) represent a significant acute radiation hazard to human spaceflight. This work investigates wave-particle interactions caused by the incidence of a beam of energetic protons, representing a notional SEP event, onto a cloud of ions representing a notional ion thruster plume. The resulting electromagnetic ion/ion instability is developed to investigate the degree to which energetic protons can be scattered out of the initial beam. This work includes investigations of deflection rate dependences on incident SEP energy and flux, ion thruster power and orientation relative to SEP incidence, plume ion species, and background plasma. Also investigated are the spectrum and angular distribution of electromagnetic radiation resulting from the wave-particle interactions. The primary objective of this investigation is to develop a technique for active mitigation of SEP radiation threats to spacecraft and crew, by exploring the wave-particle interaction of a SEP event with the plasma plume expelled from an ion thruster. Since the cost in expended fuel restricts this technique to intermittent use during interplanetary flights, effective prediction of when a SEP event might impact the mission is still important, and the observation of conditions that might lead to SEP events, human-in-the-loop space weather analyses, and development of SEP prediction models remain essential to crew safety, spacecraft function, and mission success.

Interplanetary Space Flight↗

DOE OSTI2021

Immunotargeting of Nanocrystals by SpyCatcher Conjugation of Engineered Antibodies

Inorganic nanocrystals such as quantum dots (QDs) and upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are uniquely suited for quantitative live-cell imaging and are typically functionalized with ligands to study specific receptors or cellular targets. Antibodies (Ab) are among the most useful targeting reagents owing to their high affinities and specificities, but common nanocrystal labeling methods may orient Ab incorrectly, be reversible or denaturing, or lead to Ab-NP complexes too large for some applications. Here, we report that SpyCatcher proteins, which bind and spontaneously form covalent isopeptide bonds with cognate SpyTag peptides, can conjugate engineered Ab to nanoparticle surfaces with control over stability, orientation, and stoichiometry. Compact SpyCatcher-functionalized QDs and UCNPs may be labeled with short-chain variable fragment Ab (scFv) engineered to bind urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptors (uPAR) that are overexpressed in many human cancers. Confocal imaging of anti-uPAR scFv-QD conjugates shows the antibody mediates specific binding and internalization by breast cancer cells expressing uPAR. Time-lapse imaging of photostable scFv-UCNP conjugates shows that Ab binding causes uPAR internalization with a ~20 min half-life on the cell surface, and uPAR is internalized to endolysosomal compartments distinct from general membrane stains and without significant recycling to the cell surface. The controlled and stable conjugation of engineered Ab to NPs enables targeting of diverse receptors for live-cell study of their distribution, trafficking, and physiology.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Modelling galaxy cluster triaxiality in stacked cluster weak lensing analyses

Counts of galaxy clusters offer a high-precision probe of cosmology, but control of systematic errors will determine the accuracy of this measurement. Using Buzzard simulations, we quantify one such systematic, the triaxiality distribution of clusters identified with the redMaPPer optical cluster finding algorithm, which was used in the Dark Energy Survey Year-1 (DES Y1) cluster cosmology analysis. We test whether redMaPPer selection biases the clusters’ shape and orientation and find that it only biases orientation, preferentially selecting clusters with their major axes oriented along the line of sight. Modelling the richness–mass relation as log-linear, we find that the log-richness amplitude ln (A) is boosted from the lowest to highest orientation bin with a significance of 14σ, while the orientation dependence of the richness-mass slope and intrinsic scatter is minimal. We also find that the weak lensing shear-profile ratios of cluster-associated dark haloes in different orientation bins resemble a ‘bottleneck’ shape that can be quantified with a Cauchy function. We test the correlation of orientation with two other leading systematics in cluster cosmology – miscentering and projection – and find a null correlation. The resulting mass bias predicted from our templates confirms the DES Y1 finding that triaxiality is a leading source of bias in cluster cosmology. However, the richness-dependence of the bias confirms that triaxiality does not fully resolve the tension at low-richness between DES Y1 cluster cosmology and other probes. Our model can be used for quantifying the impact of triaxiality bias on cosmological constraints for upcoming weak lensing surveys of galaxy clusters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1989

Radiative transfer theory for active remote sensing of a forested canopy

A canopy is modeled as a two-layer medium above a rough interface. The upper layer stands for the forest crown, with the leaves modeled as randomly oriented and distributed disks and needles and the branches modeled as randomly oriented finite dielectric cylinders. The lower layer contains the tree trunks, modeled as randomly positioned vertical cylinders above the rough soil. Radiative-transfer theory is applied to calculate EM scattering from such a canopy, is expressed in terms of the scattering-amplitude tensors (SATs). For leaves, the generalized Rayleigh-Gans approximation is applied, whereas the branch and trunk SATs are obtained by estimating the inner field by fields inside a similar cylinder of infinite length. The Kirchhoff method is used to calculate the soil SAT. For a plane wave exciting the canopy, the radiative-transfer equations are solved by iteration to the first order in albedo of the leaves and the branches. Numerical results are illustrated as a function of the incidence angle.

Karam, M. A.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurements of radial neutral density profiles from Balmer- α emission in Wendelstein 7-X

Radial neutral density profiles are estimated from measurements of passive H α emission in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator. To parametrize the generally three-dimensional distribution with a low number of degrees of freedom, the neutral density is reduced to a flux surface quantity. Accounting for emission from excitation and recombination processes, neutral density profiles are derived independently for each of the available lines of sight. Density profiles obtained from the different viewing geometries are found to vary within one order of magnitude. Toroidally oriented lines of sight predict systematically lower neutral densities when compared to poloidally oriented ones. This discrepancy is attributed to the simplifications inherent in the imposed model and significant differences in integration volumes across the viewing geometries. In line with expectations, obtained neutral densities are found to decrease with increasing plasma density. Key restrictions of the model include the reduction of the neutral density to a flux surface quantity, uncertainties in the plasma profiles and instrument function, and line integration effects outside the last closed flux surface.

Wendelstein 7-X↗

NASA NTRS1988

Integrated resource scheduling in a distributed scheduling environment

The Space Station era presents a highly-complex multi-mission planning and scheduling environment exercised over a highly distributed system. In order to automate the scheduling process, customers require a mechanism for communicating their scheduling requirements to NASA. A request language that a remotely-located customer can use to specify his scheduling requirements to a NASA scheduler, thus automating the customer-scheduler interface, is described. This notation, Flexible Envelope-Request Notation (FERN), allows the user to completely specify his scheduling requirements such as resource usage, temporal constraints, and scheduling preferences and options. The FERN also contains mechanisms for representing schedule and resource availability information, which are used in the inter-scheduler inconsistency resolution process. Additionally, a scheduler is described that can accept these requests, process them, generate schedules, and return schedule and resource availability information to the requester. The Request-Oriented Scheduling Engine (ROSE) was designed to function either as an independent scheduler or as a scheduling element in a network of schedulers. When used in a network of schedulers, each ROSE communicates schedule and resource usage information to other schedulers via the FERN notation, enabling inconsistencies to be resolved between schedulers. Individual ROSE schedules are created by viewing the problem as a constraint satisfaction problem with a heuristically guided search strategy.

Zoch, David↗

DOE OSTI2024

Reactor assemblies and methods of performing reactions

Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided. The processes can include transporting reactants via a first set of fluid channels to a second set of fluid channels, and thermally engaging at least one of the first set of fluid channels with at least two of the second set of fluid channels.

Zheng, Richard F.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Overview of NASA's Ocean Color Instrument Solar Calibration Architecture, Pre-Launch Tests and Preliminary On-Orbit Results

Launched in February 2024, the PACE mission represents NASA’s next investment in ocean biology, clouds, and aerosol data records. A key feature of PACE is the inclusion of an advanced satellite radiometer known as the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI), a global mapping radiometer that combines multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing. Like its predecessors, OCI will provide two day global coverage of TOA radiances. Unlike its predecessors, OCI will cover a spectral range from 340nm to 2260nm. Below 900nm, OCI will include two spectrometers that continuously span the ultraviolet to 600nm and 600nm to near-infrared spectral regions to provide hyperspectral radiances sampled every 2.5 nm, with a bandwidth of 5 nm for each channel. Wavelengths above 900nm are measured in seven discrete multispectral bands of varying bandwidths, six of which are at similar wavelengths to those on heritage missions to support both atmospheric and ocean color applications. Nominal spatial resolution is similar to the SeaWiFS instrument with 1050 m at nadir. As for SeaWiFS, the pixel size increases due to a ~20 degree tilt and as a function of scan angle. Variations in the radiometric sensitivity of each OCI channel over time will be monitored by solar diffuser measurements for short term instrument gain adjustments and independent lunar measurements for trend adjustments of long time periods, similar to the approach employed for the VIIRS instrument [4]. The OCI flight-unit was built at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. At the time of this writing, OCI has completed on-orbit commissioning activities and normal science operations have begun. A key aspect of the OCI architecture is the capability to trend absolute and relative calibration changes over the course of mission life with solar calibration. Every 24 hours, the PACE spacecraft performs an inertial hold as the ground track nears the North Pole which orients a Quasi-Volume Diffuser (QVD) mounted on OCI towards the sun. By knowing the irradiance of the sun and the reflectivity of the target, the absolute radiance at the input to the OCI aperture can be computed as OCI scans the target. The allowable absolute uncertainty budget for each solar calibration measurement is 1.6% 1-sigma below 900nm at beginning of life (BOL) and the allowable relative uncertainty budget is ~0.26% 1-sigma. The Solar Calibration Assembly (SCA) consists of three targets selectable via a single mechanism which also opens a door. The targets consist of a Daily Bright Target (DBT), Monthly Bright Target (MBT), and Daily Dim Target (DDT). The bright targets are quartz QVDs with the monthly target being used to track the degradation of the daily target. The dim target is used to track CCD linearity using Progressive Time-Delay Integration (PTDI). A composite baffle is attached to the SCA housing aperture to block Earth shine and stray light from the spacecraft. The SCA assembly is mounted to a view port ~90° from OCI nadir. This paper provides an overview of driving solar calibration requirements, error-budgets and early trade studies which drove the solar calibration assembly (SCA) architecture and on-orbit maneuver. Measurements of the diffuser Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) at TNO, Netherlands and GSFC are briefly described. Optical modelling and test results at the sub-system and instrument level are included. Finally, preliminary measurements on-orbit are compared to pre-launch predictions.

Joseph J Knuble↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Overview of NASA's Ocean Color Instrument Solar Calibration Architecture, Pre-Launch Tests and Preliminary On-Orbit Results

ocean color↗

DOE OSTI2020

A method for characterization of multiple dynamic constitutive parameters of FRCs

We propose a method to measure multiple dynamic material constitutive parameters of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites (FRCs) in a single experiment. Dynamic short-beam shear (DSBS) experiments were performed on a modified Kolsky compression bar, with integration of high-speed imaging and digital image correlation (DIC). The unidirectional FRCs investigated were S-2 glass fiber reinforced matrix of TGDDM-Jeffamine® D230 with monoamine functionalized partially reacted substructures (mPRS) and commercially available SC-15. Analytical solutions of normal and shear strains of a composite beam were derived based on Timoshenko beam theory, assuming material to be transversely isotropic and have different moduli in tension and compression in each principle material orientation. Tensile and compressive moduli were inversely computed through monitoring normal strain slope when specimen was constantly loaded at a speed of ~7.3 m/s within a small deflection. Non-linear shear stress-strain behavior of the composite was described via Ramberg–Osgood equation. Finite element (FE) analysis was conducted in ABAQUS, simultaneously defining via user subroutine UMAT the transverse isotropy of material, bi-modulus constitutive model, and non-linear shear stress-strain relation. The method proposed in this work was validated by comparing strain distributions computed by FE model and DIC measurements. Comparing with traditional dynamic tensile, compressive, and shear experiments on FRCs, this method significantly simplifies the specimen preparation and design of complicated gripping fixtures for multiple experiments. Here, systematic errors resulting from variations of specimen geometry and dimension, loading direction, and instrumentation are reduced, thereby providing compatible data for numerical studies on impact behavior of composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2004

Advanced Optical Diagnostic Methods for Describing Fuel Injection and Combustion Flowfield Phenomena

Over the past decade advanced optical diagnostic techniques have evolved and matured to a point where they are now widely applied in the interrogation of high pressure combusting flows. At NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), imaging techniques have been used successfully in on-going work to develop the next generation of commercial aircraft gas turbine combustors. This work has centered on providing a means by which researchers and designers can obtain direct visual observation and measurements of the fuel injection/mixing/combustion processes and combustor flowfield in two- and three-dimensional views at actual operational conditions. Obtaining a thorough understanding of the chemical and physical processes at the extreme operating conditions of the next generation of combustors is critical to reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. To accomplish this and other tasks, the diagnostic team at GRC has designed and constructed optically accessible, high pressurer high temperature flame tubes and sectar rigs capable of optically probing the 20-60 atm flowfields of these aero-combustors. Among the techniques employed at GRC are planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) for imaging molecular species as well as liquid and gaseous fuel; planar light scattering (PLS) for imaging fuel sprays and droplets; and spontaneous Raman scattering for species and temperature measurement. Using these techniques, optical measurements never before possible have been made in the actual environments of liquid fueled gas turbines. 2-D mapping of such parameters as species (e.g. OH-, NO and kerosene-based jet fuel) distribution, injector spray angle, and fuel/air distribution are just some of the measurements that are now routinely made. Optical imaging has also provided prompt feedback to researchers regarding the effects of changes in the fuel injector configuration on both combustor performance and flowfield character. Several injector design modifications and improvements have resulted from this feedback. Alternate diagnostic methods are constantly being evaluated as to their suitability as a diagnostic tool in these environments. A new method currently under examination is background oriented Schlieren (BOS) for examining the fuel/air mixing processes. While ratioing the Stokes and anti-Stokes nitrogen lines obtained from spontaneous Raman is being refined for temperature measurement. While the primary focus of the GRC diagnostic work remains optical species measurement and flow stream characterization, an increased emphasis has been placed on our involvement in flame code validation efforts. A functional combustor code should shorten and streamline future combustor design. Quantitative measurements of flow parameters such as temperature, species concentration, drop size and velocity using such methods as Raman and phase Doppler anemometry will provide data necessary in this effort.

Locke, Randy J.↗

NASA NTRS2017

Evolution of NASA's Earth Science Digital Object Identifier Registration System

NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project has implemented a fully automated system for assigning Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to Earth Science data products being managed by its network of 12 distributed active archive centers (DAACs). A key factor in the successful evolution of the DOI registration system over last 7 years has been the incorporation of community input from three focus groups under the NASA's Earth Science Data System Working Group (ESDSWG). These groups were largely composed of DOI submitters and data curators from the 12 data centers serving the user communities of various science disciplines. The suggestions from these groups were formulated into recommendations for ESDIS consideration and implementation. The ESDIS DOI registration system has evolved to be fully functional with over 5,000 publicly accessible DOIs and over 200 DOIs being held in reserve status until the information required for registration is obtained. The goal is to assign DOIs to the entire 8000+ data collections under ESDIS management via its network of discipline-oriented data centers. DOIs make it easier for researchers to discover and use earth science data and they enable users to provide valid citations for the data they use in research. Also for the researcher wishing to reproduce the results presented in science publications, the DOI can be used to locate the exact data or data products being cited.

DOI; digital object identifier; mappin↗

DOE OSTI2024

Non-covalent planarizing interactions yield highly ordered and thermotropic liquid crystalline conjugated polymers

Controlling the multi-level assembly and morphological properties of conjugated polymers through structural manipulation has contributed significantly to the advancement of organic electronics. In this work, a redox active conjugated polymer, TPT–TT, composed of alternating 1,4-(2-thienyl)-2,5-dialkoxyphenylene (TPT) and thienothiophene (TT) units is reported with non-covalent intramolecular S⋯O and S⋯H–C interactions that induce controlled main-chain planarity and solid-state order. As confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, these intramolecular interactions influence the main chain conformation, promoting backbone planarization, while still allowing dihedral rotations at higher kinetic energies (higher temperature), and give rise to temperature-dependent aggregation properties. Thermotropic liquid crystalline (LC) behavior is confirmed by cross-polarized optical microscopy (CPOM) and closely correlated with multiple thermal transitions observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This LC behavior allows us to develop and utilize a thermal annealing treatment that results in thin films with notable long-range order, as shown by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD). Specifically, we identified a first LC phase, ranging from 218 °C to 107 °C, as a nematic phase featuring preferential face-on π–π stacking and edge-on lamellar stacking exhibiting a large extent of disorder and broad orientation distribution. A second LC phase is observed from 107 °C to 48 °C, as a smectic A phase featuring sharp, highly ordered out-of-plane lamellar stacking features and sharp tilted backbone stacking peaks, while the structure of a third LC phase with a transition at 48 °C remains unclear, but resembles that of the solid state at ambient temperature. Furthermore, the significance of thermal annealing is evident in the ∼3-fold enhancement of the electrical conductivity of ferric tosylate-doped annealed films reaching 55 S cm −1 . More importantly, thermally annealed TPT–TT films exhibit both a narrow distribution of charge-carrier mobilities (1.4 ± 0.1) × 10 −2 cm 2 V −1 s −1 along with a remarkable device yield of 100% in an organic field-effect transistor (OFET) configuration. This molecular design approach to obtain highly ordered conjugated polymers in the solid state affords a deeper understanding of how intramolecular interactions and repeat-unit symmetry impact liquid crystallinity, solution aggregation, solution to solid-state transformation, solid-state morphology, and ultimately device applications.

Chemistry↗

NASA NTRS2005

International Space Station Electric Power System Performance Code-SPACE

The System Power Analysis for Capability Evaluation (SPACE) software analyzes and predicts the minute-by-minute state of the International Space Station (ISS) electrical power system (EPS) for upcoming missions as well as EPS power generation capacity as a function of ISS configuration and orbital conditions. In order to complete the Certification of Flight Readiness (CoFR) process in which the mission is certified for flight each ISS System must thoroughly assess every proposed mission to verify that the system will support the planned mission operations; SPACE is the sole tool used to conduct these assessments for the power system capability. SPACE is an integrated power system model that incorporates a variety of modules tied together with integration routines and graphical output. The modules include orbit mechanics, solar array pointing/shadowing/thermal and electrical, battery performance, and power management and distribution performance. These modules are tightly integrated within a flexible architecture featuring data-file-driven configurations, source- or load-driven operation, and event scripting. SPACE also predicts the amount of power available for a given system configuration, spacecraft orientation, solar-array-pointing conditions, orbit, and the like. In the source-driven mode, the model must assure that energy balance is achieved, meaning that energy removed from the batteries must be restored (or balanced) each and every orbit. This entails an optimization scheme to ensure that energy balance is maintained without violating any other constraints.

Hojnicki, Jeffrey↗

NASA NTRS1990

Building distributed rule-based systems using the AI Bus

The AI Bus software architecture was designed to support the construction of large-scale, production-quality applications in areas of high technology flux, running heterogeneous distributed environments, utilizing a mix of knowledge-based and conventional components. These goals led to its current development as a layered, object-oriented library for cooperative systems. This paper describes the concepts and design of the AI Bus and its implementation status as a library of reusable and customizable objects, structured by layers from operating system interfaces up to high-level knowledge-based agents. Each agent is a semi-autonomous process with specialized expertise, and consists of a number of knowledge sources (a knowledge base and inference engine). Inter-agent communication mechanisms are based on blackboards and Actors-style acquaintances. As a conservative first implementation, we used C++ on top of Unix, and wrapped an embedded Clips with methods for the knowledge source class. This involved designing standard protocols for communication and functions which use these protocols in rules. Embedding several CLIPS objects within a single process was an unexpected problem because of global variables, whose solution involved constructing and recompiling a C++ version of CLIPS. We are currently working on a more radical approach to incorporating CLIPS, by separating out its pattern matcher, rule and fact representations and other components as true object oriented modules.

Schultz, Roger D.↗