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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

TU-C-12A-07: Characterization of Longitudinal Reproducibility of Quantitative Diffusion Imaging Data Acquired with Four Different Protocols Using a Phantom

Purpose: To characterize and compare the longitudinal reproducibility of diffusion imaging data acquired with four different protocols using a phantom. Methods: The Diffusive Quantitative Imaging Phantom (DQIP) was constructed using fifteen cylindrical compartments within a larger compartment, filled with deionized water doped with CuSO4 and NaCl. The smaller compartments contained arrays of hexagonal or cylindrical glass capillaries of varying inner diameters, for differing restraint of water diffusion. The sensitivity of diffusion imaging metrics to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was probed by doping compartments with differing ratios of deuterium oxide to H2O. A cork phantom enclosure was constructed to increase thermal stability during scanning and a cork holder was made to reproduce scanner positioning. Four different protocols of DWI (diffusion weighted imaging) and DTI (Diffusion tensor imaging) imaging were assembled on a GE Excite HDx 3.0T MRI scanner to collect imaging data over 9-10 days. Data was processed with in-house software created in Matlab to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Results: All DTI and DWI sequences showed good longitudinal stability of mean FA and ADC values per compartment, exhibiting low standard deviation ∼9%. A t-test was performed to compare mean FA values from the DTI clinical protocol to those of the DTI special protocol, indicating significantly different values in the majority of compartments. ANOVA performed on ADC values for all DTI and DWI sequences also showed significantly different values in a majority of compartments. Conclusion: This work has the potential for quantifying systemic variations between diffusion imaging sequences from different platforms. Characterization of DWI and DTI performance were done over four sequences with predictable results. This data suggests that the DQIP phantom may be a reliable method of monitoring day-to-day and scan-to-scan variation in diffusion imaging sequences from different platforms. Schott Glass North America and The Phantom Laboratory have donated materials and personnel time to this project.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Deep Learning and Structural Imaging of Materials

Deep learning has had a transformative effect on numerous domains and is actively utilized by many scientists in data-intensive fields such as high-energy physics and cosmology. Materials science, and in particular, the structural imaging of materials with electrons and X-rays are projected to enter the age of scientific data torrents, positioning them as new application spaces for modern artificial intelligence. In this contribution, we provide a synopsis on the foundations and latest progress in deep learning and present an in-depth application of utilizing modern deep artificial neural networks in scanning transmission electron microscopy to extract structural material properties. We use this case study to expose the strengths of deep learning-based models and discuss their current limitations, in the process highlighting their potential use in other data-intensive structural imaging modalities.

Laanait, Nouamane↗
DOE OSTI2014

COE Task Order 4. Final Report: Automated Threat Recognition

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) was tasked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) with developing an automated target recognition algorithm for finding objects of interest in checked baggage at airports. The project used x-ray computed tomography (CT) data collected on a medical scanner of various simulated checked bags. Target objects of interest include clay, rubber, and saline in various concentrations. The final results are 93.9% probability of detection (P D ) with 11.9% probability of false alarm (PFA) on all targets and 100% detection for pseudo target sheets. This result is achieved by using a three-stage algorithm made up of segmentation, post-processing, and feature extraction and object classification. The segmentation proved to be the most important stage and it involves merging two distinct segmentation results followed by a set of algorithms for cleaning up the merged segmentations. The first segmentation algorithm operates on planar 10x10 voxel slabs (two- dimensional segments) in the three spatial planes. The segmenter calculates a probability that each slab in the image is a part of a target, determines if the probability was above a threshold, and then merges all connected slabs together. The second segmentation algorithm is an ensemble segmenter, which generates a set of possible segmentations through random permutations and computes an average behavior. The distinct properties of these segmenters results in a merged segmentation with superior results than either segmenter alone. The merged segmentation is “cleaned up” using post processing techniques to achieve the final labeled images. The final classification stage made use of a random forest classifier algorithm to discriminate targets from non-targets based on a set of features of the segmented objects partially from the voxel slabs and partially from the individual voxels. Features include standard statistics such as mean, median, and standard deviations of the density, features capturing some aspects of texture, and some features about the surrounding bag structure. In addition to the detection and false alarm results above, we show how the algorithms can be trained to “overfit” to the limited data set provided and achieve near perfect results (P D =100% and P FA =0%). This over-training is not recommended for long-term operation, but instead is meant to demonstrate how test design is an important factor in aviation security. Possible improvements to the algorithm and the testing methodology (including blind testing) are also presented.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays (Final Report)

This report summarizes the research activities conducted at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) under the FY 2016 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) award CFA-16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays. This project is a collaboration between the ANL and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The research activities conducted at the LANL is summarized in the companion report, LA-UR-19-29312 titled “EVPSC Modeling of 316 Stainless Steel with and without Observed Phase Transformation.”

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

A White Paper on Design and Fabrication of SRF Deflecting Cavities for Elletra-2

Synchrotron Trieste (ST) operates an X-ray light source Elettra and plans to upgrade it to a low-emittance high-brightness X-ray source Elettra-2.0 based on a multi-bend achromat lattice. There is also a significant interest among Elettra users to pursue time-resolved studies of matter choosing the appropriate X-ray pulse duration in the range from 20 picoseconds to a few picoseconds FWHM. Recently, X. Huang (SLAC) and A. Zholents (ANL) performed a study sponsored by ST and proposed modifications to the Elettra-2.0 design that will allow production of picosecond x-ray pulses on many beamlines. They showed that two radio frequency deflecting cavities with slightly different frequencies can be installed in the ring’s sector 8 and produce time-dependent orbit deflection to a few dedicated electron bunches without affecting other regular bunches. These special bunches produce X-ray pulses in which transverse position or angle, or both, are correlated with time. The short X-ray pulse is then obtained by using a narrow slit positioned downstream in the beamline. Many technical details of the proposed modification to Elettra-2.0 are discussed in the supplemental report. We present here the design of a multicell superconducting deflecting cavity for the purpose of the ST Short Pulse X-ray (SPX) project.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

The Role of Mass Spectrometry in Structural Studies of Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcating Enzymes

For decades, biologists and biochemists have taken advantage of atomic resolution structural models of proteins from X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and more recently cryo-electron microscopy. However, not all proteins relent to structural analyses using these approaches, and as the depth of knowledge increases, additional data elucidating a mechanistic understanding of protein function is desired. Flavin-based electron bifurcating enzymes, which are responsible for producing high energy compounds through the simultaneous endergonic and exergonic reduction of two intercellular electron carriers (i.e., NAD + and ferredoxin) are one class of proteins that have challenged structural biologists and in which there is great interest to understand the mechanism behind electron gating. A limited number of X-ray crystallography projects have been successful; however, it is clear that to understand how these enzymes function, techniques that can reveal detailed in solution information about protein structure, dynamics, and interactions involved in the bifurcating reaction are needed. In this review, we cover a general set of mass spectrometry-based techniques that, combined with protein modeling, are capable of providing information on both protein structure and dynamics. Techniques discussed include surface labeling, covalent cross-linking, native mass spectrometry, and hydrogen/deuterium exchange. We cover how biophysical data can be used to validate computationally generated protein models and develop mechanistic explanations for regulation and performance of enzymes and protein complexes. Our focus will be on flavin-based electron bifurcating enzymes, but the broad applicability of the techniques will be showcased.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

The Chandra COSMOS Legacy Survey: Overview and point source catalog

The COSMOS-Legacy survey is a 4.6 Ms Chandra program that has imaged 2.2 deg{sup 2} of the COSMOS field with an effective exposure of ≃160 ks over the central 1.5 deg{sup 2} and of ≃80 ks in the remaining area. The survey is the combination of 56 new observations obtained as an X-ray Visionary Project with the previous C-COSMOS survey. We describe the reduction and analysis of the new observations and the properties of 2273 point sources detected above a spurious probability of 2 × 10{sup −5}. We also present the updated properties of the C-COSMOS sources detected in the new data. The whole survey includes 4016 point sources (3814, 2920 and 2440 in the full, soft, and hard band). The limiting depths are 2.2 × 10{sup −16}, 1.5 × 10{sup −15}, and 8.9 × 10{sup −16} erg cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} in the 0.5–2, 2–10, and 0.5–10 keV bands, respectively. The observed fraction of obscured active galactic nuclei with a column density >10{sup 22} cm{sup −2} from the hardness ratio (HR) is ∼50{sub −16}{sup +17}%. Given the large sample we compute source number counts in the hard and soft bands, significantly reducing the uncertainties of 5%–10%. For the first time we compute number counts for obscured (HR > −0.2) and unobscured (HR < −0.2) sources and find significant differences between the two populations in the soft band. Due to the unprecedent large exposure, COSMOS-Legacy area is three times larger than surveys at similar depths and its depth is three times fainter than surveys covering similar areas. The area-flux region occupied by COSMOS-Legacy is likely to remain unsurpassed for years to come.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Comparing XRISM Cluster Velocity Dispersions with Predictions from Cosmological Simulations: Are Feedback Models Too Ejective?

The dynamics of the intracluster medium (ICM), the hot plasma that fills galaxy clusters, are shaped by gravity-driven cluster mergers and feedback from supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in the cluster cores. XRISM measurements of ICM velocities in several clusters offer insights into these processes. We compare XRISM measurements for nine galaxy clusters (Virgo, Perseus, Centaurus, Hydra-A, PKS 0745–19, A2029, Coma, A2319, and Ophiuchus) with predictions from three state-of-the-art cosmological simulation suites, TNG-Cluster, the Three Hundred Project GADGET-X, and GIZMO-SIMBA, that employ different models of feedback. In cool cores, XRISM reveals systematically lower velocity dispersions than the simulations predict, with all 10 measurements below the median simulated values by a factor of 1.5–1.7 on average and all falling within the bottom 10% of the predicted distributions. The observed kinetic-to-total pressure ratio is also lower, with a median value of 2.2%, compared to the predicted 5.0%–6.5% for the three simulations. Outside the cool cores and in non-cool-core (NCC) clusters, simulations show better agreement with XRISM measurements, except for the outskirts of the relaxed, cool-core cluster A2029, which exhibits an exceptionally low kinetic pressure support (<1%), with none of the simulated systems in either of the three suites reaching such low levels. The NCC Coma and A2319 exhibit dispersions at the lower end but within the simulated spread. Our comparison suggests that the three numerical models may overestimate the kinetic effects of SMBH feedback in cluster cores. Additional XRISM observations of NCC clusters will clarify if there is a systematic tension in the gravity-dominated regime as well.

galaxy clusters↗
DOE OSTI2025

Assessing Seismic Risk for CO2 Geologic Storage: Comparative Analysis of the Delaware Basin and Basin and Range Province Projects

ABSTRACT: Effective management of induced seismicity is critical for safe and sustainable CO2 storage. This study evaluates fault slippage risks in the Delaware Basin (Texas) and Basin and Range Province (Utah), integrating geological, operational, and geomechanical parameters to assess fault stability and seismic hazard mitigation. In the Delaware Basin, two sites were analyzed under an injection rate of 20,000 bbl/day over 25 years. One site showed low fault slip risk, while the other exhibited higher reactivation potential due to proximity to critically stressed faults. Sensitivity analysis revealed that increased pore pressure significantly heightened slip potential, highlighting the necessity of precise pressure control and real-time monitoring. In the Basin and Range Province, fault stability was evaluated at Neck of the Desert, Escalante Desert, Parowan, and Beaver sites under injection rates of 8,750 bbl/day per site over 30 years. Minimal fault slip risk was observed at Neck of the Desert and Escalante Desert sites, whereas Parowan and Beaver sites exhibited elevated slip potential due to semi-critically stressed faults sensitive to modest pore pressure increases. The findings demonstrate that fault slippage analysis, combined with sensitivity analysis of pore pressure and friction coefficients, is essential for understanding seismic risks. Continuous monitoring, adaptive injection management, and rigorous geomechanical analysis are key strategies for minimizing induced seismicity in CO2 sequestration projects.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1976

Computer measurement and representation of the heart in two and three dimensions

Methods for the measurement and display by minicomputer of cardiac images obtained from fluoroscopy to permit an accurate assessment of functional changes are discussed. Heart contours and discrete points can be digitized automatically or manually, with the recorded image in a video, cine, or print format. As each frame is digitized it is assigned a code name identifying the data source, experiment, run, view, and frame, and the images are filed for future reference in any sequence. Two views taken at the same point in the heart cycle are used to compute the spatial position of the ventricle apex and the midpoint of the aortic valve. The remainder of the points on the chamber border are corrected for the linear distortion of the X-rays by projection to a plane containing the chord between the apex and the aortic valve center and oriented so that lines perpendicular to the chord are parallel to the image intensifier face. The image of the chamber surface is obtained by generating circular cross sections with diameters perpendicular to the major chord. The transformed two- and three-dimensional imagery can be displayed in either static or animated form using a graphics terminal.

Rasmussen, D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Polar cap electron acceleration regions

The characteristics of polar cap electron acceleration regions and the relationship of their occurrence to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) have been investigated by using data from Atmosphere Explorer D and Imp J. It was found that electron energy spectra and angular distributions within the acceleration regions are generally consistent with models of acceleration of auroral primaries and reflection of atmospheric secondaries by field-aligned electrostatic potential differences. However, localized strongly field-aligned fluxes are also observed at energies below the spectral peak. It is suggested that these transient beams of field-aligned low-energy electrons result from the acceleration of thermal electrons from within the acceleration regions and that this thermal electron population may be partially replenished by small pitch angle atmospheric secondaries. The occurrence of the polar cap acceleration regions in the northern hemisphere is strongly correlated with IMF vectors which project into the (-X, +Z) sector of the solar magnetospheric X-Z plane; that is, with northward 'away' IMF polarities.

Burch, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

X-ray satellite

An overview of the second quarter 1985 development of the X-ray satellite project is presented. It is shown that the project is proceeding according to plan and that the projected launch date of September 9, 1987 is on schedule. An overview of the work completed and underway on the systems, subsystems, payload, assembly, ground equipment and interfaces is presented. Problem areas shown include cost increases in the area of focal instrumentation, the star sensor light scattering requirements, and postponements in the data transmission subsystems.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1986

X-ray satellite (Rosat)

An overview of the current status of the ROSAT X-Ray satellite project is given. Areas discussed include an overview of problem areas, systems and mechanical subsystems, the electrical subsystem, power supply, data processing and transmission, the wide field camera, ground support equipment and the production scheduling. It is shown that the project is proceeding according to schedule, including the hardware production and costs. However, it is stated that estimated additional costs will exceed the plan. The previous schedule for production of the flight model will no longer be met. A modified milestone plan has been worked out with Dornier Systems. The current working schedule calls for a launch data of December 21, 1987; however, this does not take into account a 4-week buffer prior to transporting the flight model to the launch site. As of the date of this report, milestone M5 has been met. Previous problems with the gold vapor deposition on the flight model mirror due to contamination have been eliminated.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1987

Flaw imaging and ultrasonic techniques for characterizing sintered silicon carbide

The capabilities were investigated of projection microfocus x-radiography, ultrasonic velocity and attenuation, and reflection scanning acoustic microscopy for characterizing silicon carbide specimens. Silicon carbide batches covered a range of densities and different microstructural characteristics. Room temperature, four point flexural strength tests were conducted. Fractography was used to identify types, sizes, and locations of fracture origins. Fracture toughness values were calculated from fracture strength and flaw characterization data. Detection capabilities of radiography and acoustic microscopy for fracture-causing flaws were evaluated. Applicability of ultrasonics for verifying material strength and toughness was examined.

Baaklini, George Y.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Characterization of sintered SiC by using NDE

Capabilities of projection microfocus X-radiography and of ultrasonic velocity and attenuation for characterizing silicon carbide specimens were assessed. Silicon carbide batches covered a range of densities and different microstructural characteristics. Room-temperature, four-point flexural strength tests were conducted. Fractography was used to identify types, sizes, and locations of fracture origins. Fracture toughness values were calculated from fracture strength and flaw characterization data. Detection capabilities of radiography for fracture-causing flaws were evaluated. Applicability of ultrasonics for verifying material strength and toughness was examined. Radiography proved useful in detecting high-density inclusions and isolated voids, but failed in detecting surface and subsurface agglomerates and large grains as fracture origins. Ultrasonic velocity dependency on density was evident. Attenuation dependency on density and mean pore size was clearly demonstrated. Understanding attenuation as a function of toughness was limited by shortcomings in K sub IC determination.

Baaklini, George Y.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Radiographic and ultrasonic characterization of sintered silicon carbide

The capabilities were investigated of projection microfocus X-radiography, ultrasonic velocity and attenuation, and reflection scanning acoustic microscopy for characterizing silicon carbide specimens. Silicon carbide batches covered a range of densities and different microstructural characteristics. Room temperature, four point flexural strength tests were conducted. Fractography was used to identify types, sizes, and locations of fracture origins. Fracture toughness values were calculated from fracture strength and flaw characterization data. Detection capabilities of radiography and acoustic microscopy for fracture-causing flaws were evaluated. Applicability of ultrasonics for verifying material strength and toughness was examined.

Baaklini, G. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The relation between X-ray emission and rotation in late-type stars from the perspective of X-ray selection

An X-ray-selected sample of 128 late-type (F-M) stars analyzed. These stars were identified as optical counterparts to serendipitous X-ray detections made by the Einstein Observatory Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey. Once identified as X-ray sources, the sample was followed up by an extensive program of optical observations, including high-resolution and low-resolution spectroscopy and photometry. Spectral types, luminosity classes, distances, X-ray luminosities, projected rotation rates (v sin i), radial velocities, and binary status have been determined for the sample.

Fleming, Thomas A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Flow-aligned jets in the magnetospheric cusp: Results from the Geospace Environment Modeling Pilot program

The extended flight of the Airborne Ionospheric Observatory during the Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) Pilot program on January 16, 1990, allowed continuous all-sky monitoring of the two-dimensional ionospheric footprint of the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) cusp in several wavelengths. Especially important in determining the locus of magnetosheath electron precipitation was the 630.0-nm red line emission. The most striking morphological change in the images was the transient appearance of zonally elongated regions of enhanced 630.0-nm emission which resembled 'rays' emanating from the centroid of the precipitation. The appearance of these rays was strongly correlated with the Y component of the IMF: when the magnitude of B(sub y) was large compared to B(sub z), the rays appeared; otherwise, the distribution was relatively unstructured. Late in the flight the field of view of the imager included the field of view of flow measurements from the European incoherent scatter radar (EISCAT). The rays visible in 630.0-nm emission exactly aligned with the position of strong flow jets observed by EISCAT. We attribute this correspondence to the requirement of quasi-neutrality; namely, the soft electrons have their largest precipitating fluxes where the bulk of the ions precipitate. The ions, in regions of strong convective flow, are spread out farther along the flow path than in regions of weaker flow. The occurrence and direction of these flow bursts are controlled by the IMF in a manner consistent with newly opened flux tubes; i.e., when absolute value of B(sub y) greater than absolute value of B(sub z), tension in the reconnected field lines produce east-west flow regions downstream of the ionospheric projection of the x line. We interpret the optical rays (flow bursts), which typically last between 5 and 15 min, as evidence of periods of enhanced dayside (or lobe) reconnection when absolute value of B(sub y) greater than absolute value of B(sub z). The length of the reconnection pulse is difficult to determine, however, since strong zonal flows would be expected to persist until the tension force in the field line has decayed, even if the duration of the enhanced reconnection was relatively short.

Weiss, L. A.↗