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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2019

Airborne Radar for sUAS Sense and Avoid

A primary challenge for the safe integration of small UAS operations into the National Airspace System (NAS) is traffic deconfliction, both from manned and unmanned aircraft. The UAS Traffic Management (UTM) project being conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) considers a layered approach to separation provision, ranging from segregation of operations through airspace volumes (geofences) to autonomous sense and avoid (SAA) technologies for higher risk, densely occupied airspace. Cooperative SAA systems, such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and/or vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems provide significant additional risk mitigation but they fail to adequately mitigate collision risks for non-cooperative (non-transponder equipped) airborne aircraft. The RAAVIN (Radar on Autonomous Aircraft to Verify ICAROUS Navigation) flight test being conducted by NASA and the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) was designed to investigate the applicability and performance of a prototype, commercially available sUAS radar to detect and track non-cooperative airborne traffic, both manned and unmanned. The radar selected for this research was a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar with 120 degree azimuth and 80 degree elevation field of view operating at 24.55GHz center frequency with a 200 MHz bandwidth. The radar transmits 2 watts of power thru a Metamaterial Electronically Scanning Array antenna in horizontal polarization. When the radar is transmitting, personnel must be at least 1 meter away from the active array to limit nonionizing radiation exposure. The radar physical dimensions are 18.7cm by 12.1cm by 4.1cm and it weighs less than 820 grams making it well suited for installation on small UASs. The onboard, SAA capability, known as ICAROUS, (Independent Configurable Architecture for Reliable Operations of Unmanned Systems), developed by NASA to support sUAS operations, will provide autonomous guidance using the traffic radar tracks from the onboard radar. The RAAVIN set of studies will be conducted in three phases. The first phase included outdoor, ground-based radar evaluations performed at the Virginia Tech’s Kentland Farm testing range in Blacksburg, VA. The test was designed to measure how well the radar could detect and track a small UAS flying in the radar’s field of view. The radar was used to monitor 5 test flights consisting of outbound, inbound and crossing routes at different ranges and altitudes. The UAS flown during the ground test was the Inspire 2, a quad copter weighing less than 4250 grams (10 pounds) at maximum payload. The radar was set up to scan and track targets over its full azimuthal field of view from 0 to 40 degrees in elevation. The radar was configured to eliminate tracks generated from any targets located beyond 2000 meters from the radar and moving at velocities under 1.45 meters per second. For subsequent phases of the study the radar will be integrated with a sUAS platform to evaluate its performance in flight for SAA applications ranging from sUAS to manned GA aircraft detections and tracking. Preliminary data analysis from the first outdoor ground tests showed the radar performed well at tracking the vehicle as it flew outbound and repeatedly maintained a track out to 1000 meters (maximum 1387 meters) until the vehicle slowed to a stop to reverse direction to fly inbound. As the Inspire flew inbound tracks from beyond 800 meters, a reacquisition time delay was consistently observed between when the Inspire exceeds a speed of 1.45 meters per second and when the radar indicated an inbound target was present and maintained its track. The time delay varied between 6 seconds to over 37 seconds for the inbound flights examined, and typically resulted in about a 200 meter closure distance before the Inspire track was maintained. The radar performed well at both acquiring and tracking the vehicle as it flew crossing routes out past 400 meters across the azimuthal field of view. The radar and ICAROUS software will be integrated and flown on a BFD-1400-SE8-E UAS during the next phase of the RAAVIN project. The main goal at the conclusion of this effort is to determine if this radar technology can reliably support minimum requirements for SAA applications of sUAS. In particular, the study will measure the range of vehicle detections, lateral and vertical angular errors, false and missed/late detections, and estimated distance at closest point of approach after an avoidance maneuver is executed. This last metric is directly impacted by sensor performance and indicates its suitability for the task.

Szatkowski, George N.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Grand Challenges in Soft Matter Science: Prospects for Microgravity Research

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: •Machines made out of machines •Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems •Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc.

Microgravity↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Auxetic Thermo-Responsive Shape-Memory Polyurethane Aerogels

Shape memory polymer aerogels are stimuli-responsive aerogel materials that incorporate polymer aerogel characteristics such as flexibility at low density, and high porosity with shape-changing capabilities upon exposure to external stimuli. By designing the structure of these materials at meso- to macroscale, their shape memory response can be efficiently engineered to show an auxetic response such as a negative Poisson’s ratio, leading to an active and tunable metamaterial. We present a material technology based on a shape memory polyurethane aerogel derived from aliphatic triisocyanate and triethylene glycol, which demonstrates and remembers an auxetic shape change through a thermomechanical cycle first below, and then back again above the glass transition temperature of the polyurethane. Our auxetic shape memory polyurethane aerogels exhibit a significant auxetic response with a negative Poisson’s ratio of approximately -0.8 at 15% compressive strain. This technology is expected to impact multiple areas of interest in relation to commercial, aeronautic, and aerospace industries. Potential applications include minimally invasive medical technologies, soft robotics, and self-deployable structures and habitats. Structure-property relationships of the auxetic shape memory polymer aerogels will be discussed.

Sadeq Malakooti↗
NASA NTRS2021

Chapter 1: Self-organization only possible far from equilibrium--machines making machines

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: • Machines made out of machines • Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems • Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc. Attached is a White Paper for the Decadal Survey that consists of an extended Title along with the previous Introduction and Chapter 2.1 from NASA/CP-20205010493.

soft matter↗
NASA NTRS2021

Chapter 2: Instrumentation--from neuromorphic computing to large-scale self-assembly

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: • Machines made out of machines • Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems • Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc. Attached is a White Paper for the Decadal Survey that consists of an extended Title along with the previous Introduction and Chapter 2.2 from NASA/CP-20205010493.

Soft Matter↗
NASA NTRS2021

Chapter 3: Suspensions, foams, emulsions, colloids, and granular materials--self-healing, tuning gravity, and life support for exploration

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: • Machines made out of machines • Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems • Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc. Attached is a White Paper for the Decadal Survey that consists of an extended Title along with the previous Introduction and Chapter 2.3 from NASA/CP-20205010493.

Soft matter↗
NASA NTRS2021

Chapter 4: Packings, simulation, and big data--artificial intelligence emulation of soft matter

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: • Machines made out of machines • Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems • Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc. Attached is a White Paper for the Decadal Survey that consists of an extended Title along with the previous Introduction and Chapter 2.4 from NASA/CP-20205010493.

Soft matter↗
NASA NTRS2021

Chapter 6: Soft matter, bioscience, and biotechnology--evolution and the marginal stability of life

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: • Machines made out of machines • Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems • Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc. Attached is a White Paper for the Decadal Survey that consists of an extended Title along with the previous Introduction and Chapter 2.6 from NASA/CP-20205010493.

Soft matter↗
NASA NTRS2021

Chapter 7: Active patterning and structure formation—self-limiting assembly, actuation, and integration

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: • Machines made out of machines • Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems • Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc. Attached is a White Paper for the Decadal Survey that consists of an extended Title along with the previous Introduction and Chapter 2.7 from NASA/CP-20205010493.

Soft matter↗
NASA NTRS2021

Chapter 8: Fluids: liquid crystals—self-assembly of the superlarge and superweak active clothing

At the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details: • Machines made out of machines • Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems • Active materials and metamaterials This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc. The attached is a White Paper for the Decadal Survey that consists of an extended Title along with the previous Introduction and Chapter 2.8 from NASA/CP-20205010493.

Soft matter↗
NASA NTRS2019

Nanopore-Templated Silver Nanoparticle Arrays Photopolymerized in Zero-Mode Wavelengths

In situ fabrication of nanostructures within a solid-polymer electrolyte confined to subwavelength-diameter nanoapertures is a promising approach for producing nanomaterials for nanophotonic and chemical sensing applications. The solid-polymerelectrolyte can be patterned by lithographic photopolymerization of poly(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based silver cation (Ag+)-containing polyelectrolyte. Here, we present a new method for fabricating nanopore-templated Ag nanoparticle (AgNP)arrays by in situ photopolymerization using a zero-mode waveguide (ZMW) array to simultaneously template embedded AgNPs and control the spatial distribution of the optical field used for photopolymerization. The approach starts with an array of nanopores fabricated by sequential layer-by-layer deposition and focused ion beam milling. These structures have an optically transparent bottom, allowing access of the optical radiation to the attoliter-volume ZMW region to photopolymerize a PEGDA monomer solution containing AgNPs and Ag+. The electric field intensity distribution is calculated for various ZMW optical cladding layer thicknesses using finite-element simulations, closely following the light-blocking efficiency of the optical cladding layer. The fidelity of the polyelectrolyte nanopillar pattern was optimized with respect to experimental conditions, including the presence or absence of Ag+ and AgNPs and the concentrations of PEGDA and Ag+. The self-templated approach for photo patterning high-resolution photolabile polyelectrolyte nanostructures directly within a ZMW array could lead to a new class of metamaterials formed by embedding metal nanoparticles within a dielectric in a well-defined spatial array.

Zero-mode waveguide↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Firmware Architecture of the ARMADAS Bolting Robot

The Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS) project, under development at NASA Ames Research Center, has demonstrated on-ground autonomous robotic assembly of extensive digital structures, and it is now moving forward towards in-space demonstration. The ARMADAS system comprises of the operation software, the operation user interface (opsUI), and a swarm of robots. The robotic system consists of a multitude of collaborative agents specifically designed to transport, place and bolt the building blocks, called voxels (volumetric pixels). This paper focuses on the bolting robot, referred to as Mobile Metamaterial Internal Co-Integrator (MMIC-I). MMIC-I is a battery-powered crawling robot. It navigates the structure through extension, contraction and gripping. Two distinct controller boards operate the robot's two symmetric modules, referred to as module A and B. Board A is the master board: it coordinates motion planning and motion primitives execution, hosts the WiFi client, performs periodic self-assessment and system idle check and triggers faults if anomalies are detected. Board B periodically sends a heartbeat to board A, through a wired communication channel that uses the Serial protocol. Additionally, board A's WiFi client receives heartbeat packet requests or motion/bolting commands from a dedicated server board, and acknowledges reception sending back a response heartbeat packet containing information about the overall robot status, e. g. electrical current and voltage values, target and actual angles, operating mode, fault status. Whenever a motion command is sent, the motion planning section of the firmware determines the current robot configuration, using Inertial Measurement Unit readings and the motors Pulse Width Modulation values. Afterwards, it calculates the list of primitives needed to reach the target state, and controls their execution in the proper order. MMIC-I can receive and execute motion and bolting commands only when it is in operational mode. MMIC-I has three operating modes: standby, operational and safed. Standby mode is automatically entered upon startup. While in standby mode, all motors are powered off, and the only accepted commands are the ones relative to a change of mode and heartbeat packet request. Fault detection causes the robot to automatically enter safed or standby mode. Whenever the detected fault occurs within a motion and requires immediate intervention, e. g. an over-current situation, the robot enters safed mode. Safed mode powers off all motors except for the locomotion module, thus preventing the robot from collapsing. Conversely, when the detected fault doesn't require immediate intervention (low battery warning, for instance), the robot enters standby mode after completing the ongoing motion. This paper provides a detailed discussion of MMIC-I's firmware architecture. It accurately describes the implementation approach for each module: sensor data reading, motor control and actuation, WiFi server-client communication, intra-boards Serial communication, operating modes and autonomous fault detection, motion planning, coordination and execution, etc. Moreover, in support of the software description, this paper includes a thorough characterization of MMIC-I's hardware and avionics.

In-space assembly↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS): Robotically Assembled Sustainable Lunar Infrastructure

Introduction: The Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS) project at NASA Ames Research Center is developing autonomous infrastructure, instrumentation, and spacecraft assembly and manufacturing capabilities for next generation exploration and science missions, with a goal to change the cost scaling of these missions relative to mission size and duration. Using a building-block approach with a 'kit of parts' composed of ultra-light, high-performance mechanical metamaterials, simplified robots leverage the period environment to achieve high levels of autonomy and reliability for in-space and surface assembly of large-scale apertures, solar-arrays, towers, habitats, and other infrastructure. Robots and structure break down into a compact form factor for launch. By leveraging economies of scale and achieving high-packing ratios, ARMADAS technology can revolutionize possible space missions by breaking the tyranny of the launch shroud, decreasing development times, decreasing mission costs for transformative science capability, and providing a scalable and versatile space infrastructure strategy. Capabilities: To date, the ARMADAS project has demonstrated autonomous assembly of large numbers of structural modules into a meters-scale structure in an earth gravity environment. The mechanical performance is on par with conventional space structures, at a fraction of the cost. By using highly repeatable manufacturing processes (injection molding carbon fiber reinforced space-rated polymers), the structures are both cost effective and highly precise. The ARAMADAS system carefully designs parts for high-precision assembly–the simple and cost-effective robots build structures much larger and more precise than themselves. While maintaining structural efficiency, the ARMADAS system encompasses many functional module types, including for solar power, comm/power routing, etc., that will enable entire infrastructure systems to be engineered and autonomously assembled with modular parts. With well-defined interfaces, custom instrumentation modules can easily be added to fit many mission objectives. Lunar Infrastructure Vision: At the LSIC spring meeting, ARMADAS will present a vision for a general-purpose lunar construction kit capable of meeting a wide variety of lunar surface infrastructure needs (Figure 1). Investing in an ecosystem of reconfigurable, discretely repairable parts and robots enables systems than can expand their capability, reconfigure to meet emergency or unforeseen needs, self-repair and reduce spare-part needs. With a small set of parts (module types), a wide variety of infrastructure needs can be met. Footing modules will allow infrastructure construction at locations with no surface preparation. Footer, primary structure, and rail modules can create reconfigurable rail systems. These rail systems can be used to reduce cost-of-transport between frequently accessed sites, provide dust mitigation, and convey power and communications. High-performance structure modules combined with power-routing and solar modules can create tall towers for power and communication. Concepts for habitats and garages encompass a structure to support regolith cover for a pre-integrated module to an entirely ARMADAS system-based structure. This system can be leveraged by many in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies to simplify processes and augment capabilities.

C. E. Gregg↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Autonomous Lunar Infrastructure Outfitting

The Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS) project at NASA Ames Research Center is developing autonomous infrastructure, instrumentation, and spacecraft assembly and manufacturing capabilities for next generation exploration and science missions, with a goal to change the cost scaling of these missions relative to mission size and duration. Using a building-block approach with a 'kit of parts' composed of ultra-light, high-performance mechanical metamaterials, simplified robots leverage the period environment to achieve high levels of autonomy and reliability for in-space and surface assembly of large-scale apertures, solar-arrays, towers, habitats, and other infrastructure. Robots and structure break down into a compact form factor for launch. By leveraging economies of scale and achieving high-packing ratios, ARMADAS technology can revolutionize space missions by breaking the tyranny of the launch shroud, decreasing development times, decreasing mission costs for transformative science capability, and providing a scalable and versatile space infrastructure strategy. An ecosystem of reconfigurable infrastructure modules can be reused, repaired, expanded reconfigured to meet emergency or unforeseen needs, and reduce spare parts.

Christine Gregg↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mitigating Grazing Flow Impedance Eduction Errors in Additively Manufactured Porous Liners

Additively manufactured porous metamaterials, including triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) cores, are promising candidates for aeroengine liners but often behave as extended-reacting treatments under grazing flow. Standard impedance eduction procedures assume locally-reacting behavior and can yield physically inconsistent results for such materials. This study evaluates internal partitions (thin solid walls inserted at regular intervals along the liner’s streamwise extent) as a means of suppressing internal streamwise propagation to improve eduction consistency. Six TPMS configurations were tested in the NASA Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube (GFIT) at partition spacings of 4′′, 2′′, and 1′′, as well as unpartitioned, and at Mach numbers up to 0.3. For most geometries, 2′′ partition spacing eliminated impedance discontinuities and substantially improved Prony correlation, though effectiveness varied with core topology. Partitions also altered the acoustic response of the liners: resistance increased, resonance frequencies shifted downward, and peak attenuation decreased while bandwidth broadened in some cases. Because partitions modify the liner itself, the educed impedance characterizes the partitioned system rather than the original unpartitioned core. These results establish partitioning as a practical pathway toward liners that are more compatible with standard eduction methods, while demonstrating that the intervention is itself an acoustic design change.

liners↗
NASA NTRS2023

P-ACTIVE Project Report

The Phase change material-based actively-tunable filter (P-ACTIVE, Dr. Hyun Jung Kim, the Principal Investigator / PI) project is a NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC)-led research endeavor that began as a NASA CIF (Center Innovation Fund) project in 2019. The goal of P-ACTIVE is to develop all-solid-state tunable optical filters that can serve as low-Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) replacements to the ubiquitous filter wheel technology current in use, and serve as a starting point for completely new optical component technologies. By using materials commonly used in electronic memory devices, namely chalcogenide phase-change materials (PCMs), in conjunction with nanostructured surfaces with exotic, tailored optical responses (“metasurfaces”), the P-ACTIVE filters are able to tune their optical transmission/reflection behavior in real-time. Because of this new functionality, P-ACTIVE filters are highlighted for NASA science and space programs such as next generation Lidar, landing system (SLS) thermal monitoring, thermal imaging, imaging spectroscopy, and disaster monitoring (e.g., volcanic eruption observations from SmallSats). This document intends to serve as a compendium of the P-ACTIVE project. We begin by describing the project from background science and assume no prior knowledge of the subject. We then address experimental and theoretical results of P-ACTIVE device performance, as well as recent results obtained from the MISSE-14 mission related to space qualification of P-ACTIVE devices and constituent materials. We conclude with a prospective view of the P-ACTIVE technology, and discuss the potential for these filters and other similar metasurface devices to serve NASA’s mission.

metamaterial↗