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Report reviews history of tau ranging and advocates use of advanced electronic circuitry to revive this composite-code-uplink spacecraft-ranging technique. Very-large-scale integration gives new life to abandoned distance-measuring technique.
Simple parameterizations that relate cloud liquid water content to cloud reflectivity are often used in general circulation climate models to calculate the effect of clouds in the earth's energy budget. Such parameterizations have been developed by Stephens (1978) and by Slingo and Schrecker (1982) and others. Here researchers seek to verify the parametric relationship through the use of simultaneous observations of cloud liquid water content and cloud reflectivity. The column amount of cloud liquid was measured using a microwave radiometer on San Nicolas Island following techniques described by Hogg et al., (1983). Cloud reflectivity was obtained through spatial coherence analysis of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery data (Coakley and Beckner, 1988). They present the dependence of the observed reflectivity on the observed liquid water path. They also compare this empirical relationship with that proposed by Stephens (1978). Researchers found that by taking clouds to be isotropic reflectors, the observed reflectivities and observed column amounts of cloud liquid water are related in a manner that is consistent with simple parameterizations often used in general circulation climate models to determine the effect of clouds on the earth's radiation budget. Attempts to use the results of radiative transfer calculations to correct for the anisotropy of the AVHRR derived reflectivities resulted in a greater scatter of the points about the relationship expected between liquid water path and reflectivity. The anisotropy of the observed reflectivities proved to be small, much smaller than indicated by theory. To critically assess parameterizations, more simultaneous observations of cloud liquid water and cloud reflectivities and better calibration of the AVHRR sensors are needed.
The pacing items to reach the highly desirable goal of obtaining computationally accurate flow simulation of a wingtip vortex include; super-computer development, solver accuracy, grid generation and turbulence modeling. In these four areas, many advances have been made but the fact remains that most wing computations are, at best, five percent accurate (in drag coefficient, for example). This level of accuracy has been sufficient for many purposes such as airfoil design, rudimentary wing design, and some forms of optimization. However, this accuracy level will not allow commercial aircraft designers to extract the remaining few percent of efficiency theoretically possible for conventional aircraft configurations. Thus further research is needed, particularly in the areas of solver development and turbulence modeling, to advance the state of the art of viscous computational techniques as applied to problems in aerodynamics. During the course of this study, a substantial amount of measured and computed results have been acquired. In this paper, only a small selection of experimental and computational results will be presented. This paper will outline and discuss a simulation procedure for a wingtip vortex flow analysis using the method of artificial compressibility to solve the three-dimensional, incompressible, Navier-Stokes equations (INS3D-UP).
Estimates of surface precipitation and the associated vertical latent heating structure can be retrieved from space-borne passive microwave sensors such as the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I). Studies have shown that assimilation of microwave rain rates can improve the quality of global analysis and forecast. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) centers are beginning to make operational use of these data. In the next few years, there will be a gradual increase in microwave rain products available from operational and research satellites, culminating to a target constellation of 9 satellites to provide global rain measurements every 3 hours with the proposed Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission to be launched around 2007. Realizing the full potential of these observations in data assimilation will require continued advances in retrieval algorithms, assimilation techniques, and model physics. I present results from two research efforts at NASA GSFC. The first is on the assimilation of tropical precipitation using temperature/moisture tendency corrections within a continuous variational assimilation framework to improve analyses and forecasts produced by the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) global data assimilation system. Results show that assimilation of TMI and SSM/I rain rates improves not only precipitation and moisture, but also the related clouds, radiation energy fluxes, and large-scale circulations in GEOS analyses. The improved analyses also yield better short-range forecasts, quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) threat scores, and storm track predictions. The second part consists of results from exploratory experiments on variational assimilation of convective and stratiform latent heating profiles within the general framework of model parameter estimation as a way to identify systematic model errors and optimize physical paremeterization schemes in global forecast and climate models.
Advanced modeling and design efforts for many aerospace components require high temperature emittance data. Applications requiring emittance data include propulsion systems, radiators, aeroshells, heatshields/thermal protection systems, and leading edge surfaces. The objective of this work is to provide emittance data at ultra-high temperatures. MSFC has a new instrument for the measurement of emittance at ultra-high temperatures, the Ultra-High Temperature Emissometer System (Ultra-HITEMS). AZ Technology Inc. developed the instrument, designed to provide emittance measurements over the temperature range 700-3500K. The Ultra-HITEMS instrument measures the emittance of samples, heated by lasers, in vacuum, using a blackbody source and a Fourier Transform Spectrometer. Detectors in a Nicolet 6700 FT-IR spectrometer measure emittance over the spectral range of 0.4-25 microns. Emitted energy from the specimen and output from a Mikron M390S blackbody source at the same temperature with matched collection geometry are measured. Integrating emittance over the spectral range yields the total emittance. The ratio provides a direct measure of total hemispherical emittance. Samples are heated using lasers. Optical pyrometry provides temperature data. Optical filters prevent interference from the heating lasers. Data for Inconel 718 show excellent agreement with results from literature and ASTM 835. Measurements taken from levitated spherical specimens provide total hemispherical emittance data; measurements taken from flat specimens mounted in the chamber provide near-normal emittance data. Data from selected characterization studies will be presented. The Ultra-HITEMS technique could advance space and missile technologies by advancing the knowledge base and the technology readiness level for ultra-high temperature materials.
As part of the advanced manufacturing (AM) focus of the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation (ASI) Program, new in-house capabilities to fabricate and test novel active and passive in-pile sensors are being developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). These advanced-manufactured sensors, such as peak temperature monitors and strain gauges, must be miniaturized and be able to provide real-time feedback, all while withstanding the coupled extremes of temperature and radiation typically observed in the environment of a nuclear test reactor. Fabricating durable and robust in-pile sensors with high fidelity requires a fundamental understanding of the optimal process parameters required in the AM technique, as well as the effect of deviations from optimal process parameters on the sensor-substrate adhesion and the ultimate robustness of the sensor. This report presents the use of a laser-based, non-contact approach for characterizing the adhesion of sensors manufactured using aerosol jet printing (AJP) that comprise of silver nanoparticle inks deposited and sintered on austenitic stainless steel (SS) 316L substrates. The effect of substrate surface roughness, surface energy, ink sintering time and sintering temperature on the printed sensor topography and the sensor-substrate adhesion has been systematically investigated. The sensor-substrate interfacial adhesion strength was determined from the critical laser pulse energy required to ablate/ detach the printed sensor from the substrate. Measurements of the sensor topography using optical profilometry revealed that post-deposition sintering at 400°C for 60 minutes resulted in a reduced sensor thickness, while plasma treating the substrate prior to printing yielded sensors with uniform thickness profiles transverse to the print direction. Sintering temperature and time were found to be the dominant parameters that affected sensor-substrate adhesion, followed by substrate surface roughness. The laser-based and locally-destructive approach for adhesion strength measurements shows promise in overcoming the challenges and limitations of current standardized peel tests and can be developed into a post-fabrication process control protocol for evaluating the durability of AM printed sensors in a high throughput fashion. Future studies will investigate the use of laser-induced spallation techniques as well as non-destructive laser ultrasonic methods for sensor-substrate adhesion characterization on sensors manufactured using AJP and other AM techniques such as plasma jet printing (PJP).
Microgravity-induced changes in fluid distribution and other physiological factors due to space flight have been implicated as the cause of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in a number of space crewmembers. The modest levels of ICP elevation and absence of severe symptoms in this group do not warrant invasive diagnostic interventions. However, the long-term trends and residual or consequential changes secondary to the observed ICP elevation in this group are not yet known. Therefore, close attention is needed to evaluate the potential techniques of noninvasively assessing ICP, including those feasible for in-flight use. Of particular interest is continuity between ground and in-flight testing, whereby data from the same or different techniques allow reasonably dependable estimation of ICP trends and responses. Methods: A thorough review of current literature, analysis of NASA data, and interviews with subject matter experts were conducted to construct a presentation that reflects the state of the art for noninvasive ICP measurement and monitoring. Results: Multiple imaging and non-imaging modalities are available to assess ICP in terrestrial clinical and experimental environments. Imaging alternatives include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-resolution sonography. Non-imaging techniques include transcranial Doppler, certain audiological methods, and venous ophthalmodynamometry, among others. Special functional techniques have been proposed recently that allow the use of advanced MRI methods to calculate ICP in addition to the acquisition of high-resolution images. Our data include many of these applications, with several cases of correlation with lumbar puncture, the invasive "gold standard" measurement of ICP.
In the last decade, there has been a renaissance of fission research resulting in new high-precision experiments and advanced fission modeling. For instance, the Chi-Nu and CEA teams supplied, for the first time, the 239 Pu prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) for broad ranges of incident and outgoing neutron energies. The CEA team also measured 239 Pu average prompt neutron multiplicities, ν ̄ p , with lower statistical uncertainties and a technique significantly different than the one used in the past. The NIFFTE collaboration provided 239 Pu( n ,f)/ 235 U( n ,f) cross section shape ratios with uncertainties below 1% utilizing a novel detector type. Advanced fission event generators were developed, among them CGMF, FIFRELIN, FREYA, and GEF, which calculate post-scission fission observables in a correlated manner. These new experimental data and more consistent fission models change the evaluated PFNS, ν ̄ p , and ( n ,f) cross sections, some only modestly, compared to ENDF/B-VIII.0. In turn, the individual new nuclear data distinctly change simulated effective neutron multiplication factors of fast critical assemblies, but their combined impact is small, while affecting the prediction of LLNL pulsed sphere neutron leakage spectra and reaction rates only within experimental uncertainties. Also, the parameters obtained from fitting to ν ̄ p reproduce various post-scission fission observables within the uncertainties of experimental data. This indicates that new differential experiments and consistent fission modeling reduce compensating errors present in ENDF/B-VIII.0.
Gas chromatography (GC) technology was developed for flight experiments in solar system exploration. The GC is a powerful analytical technique with simple devices separating individual components from complex mixtures to make very sensitive quantitative and qualitative measurements. It monitors samples containing mixtures of fixed gases and volatile organic molecules. The GC was used on the Viking mission in support of life detection experiments and on the Pioneer Venus Large Probe to determine the composition of the venusian atmosphere. A flight GC is under development to study the progress and extent of STS astronaut denitrogenation prior to extravehicular activity. Advanced flight GC concepts and systems for future solar system exploration are also studied. Studies include miniature ionization detectors and associated control systems capable of detecting from ppb up to 100% concentration levels. Further miniaturization is investigated using photolithography and controlled chemical etching in silicon wafers. Novel concepts such as ion mobility drift spectroscopy and multiplex gas chromatography are also developed for future flight experiments. These powerful analytical concepts and associated hardware are ideal for the monitoring of cabin atmospheres containing potentially dangerous volatile compounds.
The NASA Glenn Research Center and the aerospace industry are designing and testing low-emission combustor concepts to build the next generation of cleaner, more fuel efficient aircraft powerplants. These combustors will operate at much higher inlet temperatures and at pressures that are up to 3 to 5 times greater than combustors in the current fleet. From a test and analysis viewpoint, there is an increasing need for measurements from these combustors that are nonintrusive, simultaneous, multipoint, and more quantitative. Glenn researchers have developed several unique test facilities (refs. 1 and 2) that allow, for the first time, optical interrogation of combustor flow fields, including subcomponent performance, at pressures ranging from 1 to 60 bar (1 to 60 atm). Experiments conducted at Glenn are the first application of a visible laser-pumped, one-dimensional, spontaneous Raman-scattering technique to analyze the flow in a high-pressure, advanced-concept fuel injector at pressures thus far reaching 12 bar (12 atm). This technique offers a complementary method to the existing two- and three-dimensional imaging methods used, such as planar laser-induced fluorescence. Raman measurements benefit from the fact that the signal from each species is a linear function of its density, and the relative densities of all major species can be acquired simultaneously with good precision. The Raman method has the added potential to calibrate multidimensional measurements by providing an independent measurement of species number-densities at known points within the planar laser-induced fluorescence images. The visible Raman method is similar to an ultraviolet-Raman technique first tried in the same test facility (ref. 3). However, the visible method did not suffer from the ultraviolet technique's fuel-born polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluorescence interferences.
Sensor applications have become ubiquitous in modern society as the digital age continues to advance. AI-based techniques (e.g., machine learning) are effective at extracting actionable information from large amounts of data. An example would be an automated water irrigation system that uses AI-based techniques on soil quality data to decide how to best distribute water. However, these AI-based techniques are costly in terms of hardware resources, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors are resource-constrained with respect to processing power, energy, and storage capacity. These limitations can compromise the security, performance, and reliability of sensor-driven applications. To address these concerns, cloud computing services can be used by sensor applications for data storage and processing. Unfortunately, cloud-based sensor applications that require real-time processing, such as medical applications (e.g., fall detection and stroke prediction), are vulnerable to issues such as network latency due to the sparse and unreliable networks between the sensor nodes and the cloud server [1]. As users approach the edge of the communications network, latency issues become more severe and frequent. A promising alternative is edge computing, which provides cloud-like capabilities at the edge of the network by pushing storage and processing capabilities from centralized nodes to edge devices that are closer to where the data are gathered, resulting in reduced network delays [2], [3].
Bone consists mainly of carbonated apatite (cAp) nanoplatelets embedded in a matrix of collagen fibrils. Earlier, high-energy small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies of archaeological adult human second metacarpal bones (mc2) found collagen D-period peaks with high-intensity I D in specimens in which microcomputed tomography (microCT) showed little diagenesis and I D ~ 0 for specimens where microCT revealed severe diagenesis (Park et al. 2022 Int. J. Osteoarchaeol. 32, 170–181 (doi:10.1002/oa.3053); Stock et al. 2022 Int. J. Osteoarchaeol. 32, 120–131 (doi:10.1002/oa.3049)). Here, the present paper uses SAXS at beamline 1-ID, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory and other techniques to study a set of 10 mc2 from an early Medieval cemetery at Greding, Germany. We hypothesized that non-invasive measurement of I D would provide an accurate and rapid (approx. 6 min/specimen) assessment of diagenesis in archaeological mc2. Results of Raman spectroscopy, laboratory microCT and backscattered electron, reflected light and polarized transmitted light microscopies confirmed the SAXS determinations, but lattice parameter values from X-ray diffraction were uncorrelated with I D value. Age-at-death estimates placed the 10 mc2 in three age categories (young adult, middle adult, old adult): lattice parameters from X-ray diffraction were uncorrelated with age at death. Cross-sectional bone area fraction from microCT dropped noticeably for the older age cohort.
Strong gravitational lensing at the galaxy scale is a valuable tool for various applications in astrophysics and cosmology. Some of the primary uses of galaxy-scale lensing are to study elliptical galaxies’ mass structure and evolution, constrain the stellar initial mass function, and measure cosmological parameters. Since the discovery of the first galaxy-scale lens in the 1980s, this field has made significant advancements in data quality and modeling techniques. In this review, we describe the most common methods for modeling lensing observables, especially imaging data, as they are the most accessible and informative source of lensing observables. We then summarize the primary findings from the literature on the astrophysical and cosmological applications of galaxy-scale lenses. We also discuss the current limitations of the data and methodologies and provide an outlook on the expected improvements in both areas in the near future.
This project is developing new Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) safeguards techniques for emergent thorium fuel cycles based on Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA), which can assay 233 U and 235 U when they are present together in a sample with potentially high gamma-ray backgrounds from fission products and 232 U. Existing passive techniques face large challenges for this task so new active interrogation methods are needed. This effort is also exploring how gamma-ray signatures can complement NRTA for enhanced assayed performance. This project leverages an NRTA system being developed at PNNL in collaboration with MIT, which uses a commercially available deuterium-tritium neutron generator at short standoff (~2 m). We aim to assess the feasibility and performance of these new NDA techniques for the range of relevant samples in thorium fuel cycles. Key advancements described in this mid-project report include NRTA system design for thorium safeguards measurements, characterization of 233 U oxide powder at PNNL, a survey of detector technologies suitable for NRTA in high gamma background environments, successful preliminary demonstration of a quantitative isotopic estimation algorithm, and first NRTA measurements of a thorium sample.
Chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs) are robust diagnostic sensors that are widely used to track detonation-driven and shock wave propagation. CFBGs are inscribed with a linearly chirped periodic index of refraction changes that alter the Bragg wavelength along the length of the probe. The light return of each individual Bragg element is captured by a detector at a unique time to map the full reflected spectrum. The CFBG spectrum is measured with a dispersive Fourier transform of the reflected light that temporally stretches the spectrum to increase spatial resolution and make a one-to-one map of the wavelength on a time axis. Here, we propose an improvement of CFBG temporal resolution by incorporating two co-linear laser pulses with orthogonal polarization states and a 5 ns time offset. The two separate signals were split and tracked by two separate detectors. An oscilloscope captured good separation in the signals, and two separate spectrograms were generated and interleaved in the post-processing of the data. This novel technique doubled the CFBG temporal resolution and led to a doubled location resolution. As a proof-of-concept of this technique, the resolution improvement was compared between standard CFBG measurements and the two polarization states method on a position-sensitive CFBG sensor. CFBG resolution doubling will advance sensor capabilities and will have a direct impact on improving capture and analysis in dynamic, high-explosive experiments.
A review of recent progress in the theory of collisional line broadening, particularly the impact of recent advances in collision dynamics calculations is presented. Some new approaches to the interpretation of experimentally measured linewidths and their impact on planetary atmosphere research are discussed. Experimental techniques which may have some advantage in providing pressure broadening data at very low temperatures are also mentioned.
Recent progress in techniques employed in the measurement of very high heat-transfer rates in reentry-type facilities at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is described. These advances include thermal analyses applied to transducer concepts used to make these measurements; improved heat-flux sensor fabrication methods, equipment, and procedures for determining the experimental time response of individual sensors; performance of absolute heat-flux calibrations at levels above 2,000 Btu/cu ft-sec (2.27 kW/cu cm); and innovative methods of performing in-situ run-to-run characterizations of heat-flux probes installed in the test facility. Graphical illustrations of the results of extensive thermal analyses of the null-point calorimeter and coaxial surface thermocouple concepts with application to measurements in aerothermal test environments are presented. Results of time response experiments and absolute calibrations of null-point calorimeters and coaxial thermocouples performed in the laboratory at intermediate to high heat-flux levels are shown. Typical AEDC high-enthalpy arc heater heat-flux data recently obtained with a Calspan-fabricated null-point probe model are included.
The objective of this sonic fatigue summary is to provide major findings and technical results of studies, initiated in 1994, to assess sonic fatigue behavior of structure that is being considered for the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). High Speed Research (HSR) program objectives in the area of sonic fatigue were to predict inlet, exhaust and boundary layer acoustic loads; measure high cycle fatigue data for materials developed during the HSR program; develop advanced sonic fatigue calculation methods to reduce required conservatism in airframe designs; develop damping techniques for sonic fatigue reduction where weight effective; develop wing and fuselage sonic fatigue design requirements; and perform sonic fatigue analyses on HSCT structural concepts to provide guidance to design teams. All goals were partially achieved, but none were completed due to the premature conclusion of the HSR program. A summary of major program findings and recommendations for continued effort are included in the report.