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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 487 records · Page 27

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2020

Phase stability and mechanical properties of wire + arc additively manufactured H13 tool steel at elevated temperatures

Wire + arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is considered an innovative technology that can change the manufacturing landscape in the near future. WAAM offers the benefits of inexpensive initial system setup and a high deposition rate for fabricating medium- and large-sized parts such as die-casting tools. Here, AISI H13 tool steel, a popular die-casting tool metal, is manufactured by cold metal transfer (CMT)-based WAAM and is then comprehensively analyzed for its microstructural and mechanical properties. Location-dependent phase combinations are observed, which could be explained by nonequilibrium thermal cycles that resulted from the layer-by-layer stacking mechanism used in WAAM. In addition, remelting and reheating of the layers reduces welding anomalies (e.g., pores and voids). The metallurgical characteristics of the H13 strongly correlate with the mechanical properties. The combinations of phases at different locations of the additively manufactured part exhibit a periodic microhardness profile. Martensite, Retained Austenite, Ferrite, and Carbide phases are found in combination at different locations of the part based on the part’s temperature distribution during additive deposition. Moreover, the tensile properties at elevated temperatures (23 °C, 300 °C, and 600 °C) are comparable to those from other WAAM and additive manufacturing (AM) processes. The X-ray diffraction results verify that the microstructural stability of the fabricated parts at high temperatures would allow them to be used in high temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2005

Variable-Pressure Washer

The variable-pressure washer (VPW) is a proposed device that is so named because (1) it would play the role similar to that played by an ordinary washer, except that (2) the clamping pressure applied by it would vary with either circumferential or radial position. In a typical contemplated application, the radially varying clamping pressure would be used to obtain more nearly uniform compression on a pair of concentric seals (e.g., an O-ring or a gasket) in an assembly that experiences larger deformations normal to the sealing surface for locations around the outer diameter of the attachment flange when compared to locations around the inner diameter. The VPW (see figure) would include two interlocking channel rings pushed axially away from each other by compression spring-like components located at two or more radial positions. Each spring would have a different stiffness based on the radial location. Overlapping splits in each interlocking channel ring would allow for the non-uniform deformation in the rings. Each spring would be held in place by retaining cups attached to the inner flat surfaces of the channel rings. A plunger attached to one channel ring on the central axis would be captured in a plunger housing attached to the other channel ring: The capture of the plunger would hold the VPW together. When the VPW was clamped between two flat surfaces, the clamping force would be distributed unevenly across the face of the washer in the radial direction. The different stiffnesses of the springs would be chosen, in conjunction with other design parameters, to obtain a specified radial variation of clamping pressure in the presence of a specified clamping force.

Smeltzer, Stanley S., III↗

DOE OSTI2021

Flexible optimized data handling in systems with multiple memories

Methods and systems for optimizing an application for a computing system having multiple distinct memory locations that are interconnected by one or more communication channels include determining one or more data handling properties for a data region in an application. One or more data handling policies for the data region are determined based on the one or more data handling properties. Data setup costs are determined for a scope in the application that uses the data region in different memory locations based on the one or more data handling properties. The application is optimized in accordance with the one or more data handling policies and the data setup costs for the different memory locations.

Chen, Tong↗

DOE OSTI2023

Flexible optimized data handling in systems with multiple memories

Chen, Tong↗

DOE OSTI2021

Electron-beam energy reconstruction for neutrino oscillation measurements

Neutrinos exist in one of three types or ‘flavours’—electron, muon and tau neutrinos—and oscillate from one flavour to another when propagating through space. This phenomena is one of the few that cannot be described using the standard model of particle physics (reviewed in ref. 1), and so its experimental study can provide new insight into the nature of our Universe (reviewed in ref. 2). Neutrinos oscillate as a function of their propagation distance (L) divided by their energy (E). Therefore, experiments extract oscillation parameters by measuring their energy distribution at different locations. As accelerator-based oscillation experiments cannot directly measure E, the interpretation of these experiments relies heavily on phenomenological models of neutrino–nucleus interactions to infer E. Here we exploit the similarity of electron–nucleus and neutrino–nucleus interactions, and use electron scattering data with known beam energies to test energy reconstruction methods and interaction models. We find that even in simple interactions where no pions are detected, only a small fraction of events reconstruct to the correct incident energy. More importantly, widely used interaction models reproduce the reconstructed energy distribution only qualitatively and the quality of the reproduction varies strongly with beam energy. This shows both the need and the pathway to improve current models to meet the requirements of next-generation, high-precision experiments such as Hyper-Kamiokande (Japan) and DUNE (USA).

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS1985

The Landsat thematic mapper World Data Base

A World Data Base of potential thematic mapper (TM) scenes was developed to aid in acquisition planning. The World Data Base contains geopolitical, geographic and economic regions along with a format that enables users to find the satellite day, sun angle and cloud cover probability for any month of the year. Scenes that have been acquired by TM and have an average cloud cover of 30 percent of less from July 1982 when TM was launched until the Landsat system was taken over by NOAA in September 1984 are also in the World Data Base. Processed data are referenced in maps and data bases at EROS Data Center; however, a large number of acquistions have never been processed and therefore are not accessible. The World Data Base enables the rapid location of scenes and areas with the least effort making it invaluable in TM scheduling. Users of TM data can use the World Data Base to determine if scenes of interest have been acquired, the acquisition date, and if scenes have been processed to computer-compatible tape (CCT). These uses of the World Data Base make it a valuable tool in the acquisition and location of TM scenes.

Ludwig, R. W.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Harnessing the power of ab initio calculations, distributed computing and machine learning to efficiently locate extreme molecules for use in carbon-based solar cells (Final Technical Report)

The use of high-throughput virtual screening (HTVS) tools is a powerful tool to expedite the materials discovery of commercially relevant materials. In previous years, our group has developed a molecular discovery platform to generate libraries in order to obtain suitable candidates for different applications, starting from the Harvard Clean Energy Project. This platform is suitable to test in-silico on traditional supercomputing clusters and shared resources, for example, in the IBM World Community Grid. In this project, we used the molecular discovery platform to create and screen a library of candidates of organic photovoltaic (OPVs) molecules. Based on a set of candidates created with combinations of molecular moieties, we were able to filter, by conformation stability, the energy of electronic orbitals and approximated power conversion efficiencies (PCE). To improve the predictions of orbital energies calculated and the PCEs, we used Gaussian Process regression and two sets of molecules. These sets correspond to electronic structure calculations of a higher level of theory and experimental PCE values, respectively. Finally, we selected a subset of the best candidates (molecules with a PCE higher than 10%) to understand its absorbance properties with TD-DFT. This project has demonstrated the capabilities of our molecular discovery platform for HTVS. Finally, machine learning can help us to introduce more complex effects included in bulk conditions and computational intensive calculations on models.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Live State of Health Monitoring of Inverter Subsystems

This presentation talks about different failure modes and corresponding detection schemes of PV panels, PV inverters, electric machines such as motors and power converter. Several novel techniques have been presented that are capable of measuring degradation as well as detecting faults in various location in a PV based power system.

ENGINEERING,SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1989

A robotically constructed production and supply base on Phobos

PHOBIA Corporation is involved with the design of a man-tenable robotically constructed, bootstrap base on Mars' moon, Phobos. This base will be a pit-stop for future manned missions to Mars and beyond and will be a control facility during the robotic construction of a Martian base. An introduction is given to the concepts and the ground rules followed during the design process. Details of a base design and its location are given along with information about some of the subsystems. Since a major purpose of the base is to supply fuel to spacecraft so they can limit their fuel mass, mining and production systems are discussed. Surface support activities such as docks, anchors, and surface transportation systems are detailed. Several power supplies for the base are investigated and include fuel cells and a nuclear reactor. Tasks for the robots are defined along with descriptions of the robots capable of completing the tasks. Finally, failure modes for the entire PHOBIA Corporation design are presented along with an effects analysis and preventative recommendations.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2006

Human Factors Considerations for Performance-Based Navigation

A transition toward a performance-based navigation system is currently underway in both the United States and around the world. Performance-based navigation incorporates Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures that do not rely on the location of ground-based navigation aids. These procedures offer significant benefits to both operators and air traffic managers. Under sponsorship from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has undertaken a project to document human factors issues that have emerged during RNAV and RNP operations and propose areas for further consideration. Issues were found to include aspects of air traffic control and airline procedures, aircraft systems, and procedure design. Major findings suggest the need for human factors-specific instrument procedure design guidelines. Ongoing industry and government activities to address air-ground communication terminology, procedure design improvements, and chart-database commonality are strongly encouraged.

Barhydt, Richard↗

NASA NTRS1981

Significance of turbulence and transition location on radiative heating with ablation injection

This paper presents forebody flowfield solutions for Jupiter entry conditions where the ablation injection rate is coupled with the surface heating rate. The calculations are made with a time-dependent viscous-shock-layer analysis where the flow is assumed to be in chemical equilibrium. Both laminar and turbulent solutions are presented to describe the impact of turbulence on surface mass loss rates for flow conditions where the heating is due primarily to radiation. Results are also presented where the transition location to turbulent flow is arbitrarily varied. Results show that the radiative heating rate values based on several downstream transition locations adjust quickly to the corresponding values based on transition near the stagnation point.

Moss, J. N.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Automated Construction of Artificial Lattice Structures with Designer Electronic States

Manipulating matter with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) enables the creation of atomically defined artificial structures that host designer quantum states. However, the time-consuming nature of the manipulation process, coupled with the sensitivity of the STM tip, constrains the exploration of diverse configurations and limits the size of the designed features. In this study, we present a reinforcement learning (RL)-based framework for creating artificial structures by spatially manipulating carbon monoxide (CO) molecules on a copper substrate by using the STM tip. The automated workflow combines molecule detection and manipulation, employing deep-learning-based object detection to locate CO molecules and linear assignment algorithms to allocate these molecules to designated target sites. We initially perform molecule maneuvering based on randomized parameter sampling for sample bias, tunneling current set point, and manipulation speed. This data set is then structured into an action trajectory used to train an RL agent. The model is subsequently deployed on the STM for real-time fine-tuning of the manipulation parameters during structure construction. Our approach incorporates path-planning protocols coupled with active drift compensation to enable atomically precise fabrication of structures with significantly reduced human input while realizing larger-scale artificial lattices with the desired electronic properties. Furthermore, using our approach, we demonstrate the automated construction of an extended artificial graphene lattice and confirm the existence of a characteristic Dirac point in its electronic structure. Further challenges regarding the RL-based structural assembly scalability are discussed.

Algorithms↗

NASA NTRS1988

Vibration analysis using digital correlation

This paper demonstrates the use of a computer-based optical method for locating the positions of nodes and antinodes in vibrating members. Structured light patterns are projected at an angle onto the vibrating surface using a 35 mm slide projector. The vibrating surface and the projected images are captured in a time averaged photograph which is subsequently digitized. The inherent fringe patterns are filtered to determine amplitudes of vibration, and computer programs are used to compare the time averaged images to images recorded prior to excitation to locate nodes and antinodes. Some of the influences of pattern regularity on digital correlation are demonstrated, and a speckle-based method for determining the mode shapes and the amplitudes of vibration with variable sensitivity is suggested.

Gilbert, John A.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Geographic Mapping Tool for Power Systems

Power systems models are continuously updated to reflect changing infrastructure and modeling techniques. Open source geographic locations of power systems infrastructure do not include attributes that directly tie to electrical models. Moreover, relationships established between electric models and geospatial data sets do not apply to a future model because of nomenclature changes and architecture changes. The software titled “Geographic Mapping Tool for Power Systems” starts with a known set of locations, then runs multiple iterations to identify missing locations with a triangulation algorithm based on the branch connections and distances to the known locations.”

Snyder, Isabelle B↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Determining Optimal Asset Location for Rapid and Efficient Wildfire Suppression: A Simulation-Based Approach

The impact of wildfire incidents has been growing in recent years, posing a serious threat to communities at the urban-wildland interface. To address this problem, there have been growing calls to use UAVs to increase the capacity of responsible agencies to quickly and effectively suppress fires and to reduce risks associated with firefighting. One of the opportunities associated with UAVs is the ability to rapidly and autonomously operate from limited-access air bases where fires are expected to burn. This study provides an approach to determine where these air bases should be placed in order to most rapidly extinguish fires, given provided fuel distributions. This approach uses an integrated simulation of fire propagation and UAV-based suppression actions to determine how much of a given environment was burned over a range of scenarios. It then uses an optimization method to explore the space and determine the location with the least burned area. Results show the approach to efficiently and effectively provide optimal bases for single-base placements over a range of scenarios, though future work is required to adequately calibrate the model and study how it can be used in multiple-base placement problems.

Daniel Hulse↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Determining Optimal Asset Location for Rapid and Efficient Wildfire Suppression: A Simulation-Based Approach

Daniel Hulse↗

DOE OSTI2021

Meso-scale modelling of compressive fracture in concrete with irregularly shaped aggregates

This paper presents a meso-scale modelling framework to investigate the fracture process in concrete subjected to uniaxial and biaxial compression accounting for its mesostructural characteristics. 3D mesostructure of concrete consisting of coarse aggregates, mortar and interfacial transition zone between them was developed using an in-house code based on the Voronoi tessellation and splining method, which enables to generate the realistic-look aggregates with controllable structural features such as content, location, size and shape. Based on the generated 3D mesostructure, the concrete damage plasticity approach was employed to simulate the compressive fracture behaviour of concrete in terms of crack morphology and stress-strain response against the shape parameters of aggregate. Results indicate that the shape of aggregate has a negligible effect on compressive strength of concrete, which is highly associated with the random location and size distribution of aggregate. The aggregate irregularity has a significant influence on crack initiation and growth of concrete.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Behavioral Robotics Approach to Radiation Mapping Using Adaptive Sampling

Radiation mapping is a desirable task to automate because of the inherent risks involved and its tedious nature. A novel system was designed to address this by combining various existing technologies, utilizing behavior-based robotics and Bayesian optimization. The system uses a quadruped robot equipped with a manipulator and gamma detector to take measurements at locations that are selected based on the uncertainty of a surrogate model used to estimate the true radiation field. The robot uses input from the world with depth cameras to avoid collisions with the robot’s body, and unreachable points for the end effector are addressed by both allowing for a soft collision with the environment to occur, prompting the system to abandon that point, and varying the exploration tendency of the optimization based on consecutive collisions. This approach provides unique traversability and adaptability over other strategies in the literature. Experiments were performed by placing a Cesium-137 source on the ground and varying geometric setups and an optimization parameter demonstrating the adaptability to diverse environments and the increased robustness resulting from the designed behavior. The results additionally demonstrate that dynamically adjusting the optimization algorithm’s exploration tendency based on the arm’s collision history improves the system’s ability to navigate cluttered environments and construct accurate radiation maps without getting stuck in unreachable areas.

Adams, Joel↗