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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Evaluation of Shot-to-Shot In-Nozzle Flow Variations in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Injector Using Real Nozzle Geometry

Cyclic variability in internal combustion engines (ICEs) arises from multiple concurrent sources, many of which remain to be fully understood and controlled. This variability can, in turn, affect the behavior of the engine resulting in undesirable deviations from the expected operating conditions and performance. Shot-to-shot variation during the fuel injection process is strongly suspected of being a source of cyclic variability. This study focuses on the shot-to-shot variability of injector needle motion and its influence on the internal nozzle flow behavior using diesel fuel. High-speed x-ray imaging techniques have been used to extract high-resolution injector geometry images of the sac, orifices, and needle tip that allowed the true dynamics of the needle motion to emerge. These measurements showed high repeatability in the needle lift profile across multiple injection events, while the needle radial displacement was characterized by a much higher degree of randomness. A robust and previously validated computational setup from the authors’ research group using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code has been adapted for the eight-hole heavy-duty common-rail diesel injector used for the measurements. The simulation results obtained using the x-ray-scanned geometry have been validated against available experimental data of mass flow rate at the nozzle exit. The fuel mass flow rate has then been analyzed at three different injection pressures that cover the conditions at which the injector typically operates during normal engine operation. Finally, the average off-axis motion of the needle has been perturbed (based on the variability found in the experimental measurements) to generate three new cases that present different amplitude and phasing of the radial displacement with respect to the baseline average motion. Furthermore, this revealed the effects of off-axis motion on shot-to-shot and orifice-to-orifice variations.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2011

Measurement of the Critical Distance Parameter Against Icing Conditions on a NACA 0012 Swept Wing Tip

This work presents the results of three experiments, one conducted in the Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) at NASA Glenn Research Center and two in the Goodrich Icing Wind Tunnel (IWT). The experiments were designed to measure the critical distance parameter on a NACA 0012 Swept Wing Tip at sweep angles of 45deg, 30deg, and 15deg. A time sequence imaging technique (TSIT) was used to obtain real time close-up imaging data during the first 2 min of the ice accretion formation. The time sequence photographic data was used to measure the critical distance at each icing condition and to study how it develops in real time. The effect on the critical distance of liquid water content, drop size, total temperature, and velocity was studied. The results were interpreted using a simple energy balance on a roughness element

Vargas, Mario↗
NASA NTRS1996

Further Developments of the Fringe-Imaging Skin Friction Technique

Various aspects and extensions of the Fringe-Imaging Skin Friction technique (FISF) have been explored through the use of several benchtop experiments and modeling. The technique has been extended to handle three-dimensional flow fields with mild shear gradients. The optical and imaging system has been refined and a PC-based application has been written that has made it possible to obtain high resolution skin friction field measurements in a reasonable period of time. The improved method was tested on a wingtip and compared with Navier-Stokes computations. Additionally, a general approach to interferogram-fringe spacing analysis has been developed that should have applications in other areas of interferometry. A detailed error analysis of the FISF technique is also included.

Zilliac, Gregory C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A sensitive infrared imaging up converter and spatial coherence of atmospheric propagation

An infrared imaging technique based on the nonlinear interaction known as upconversion was used to obtain images of several astronomical objects in the 10 micrometer spectral region, and to demonstrate quantitatively the sharper images allowed for wavelengths beyond the visible region. The deleterious effects of atmospheric inhomogeneities on telescope resolution were studied in the infrared region using the technique developed. The low quantum efficiency of the device employed severely limited its usefulness as an astronomical detector.

Boyd, R. W.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Microfocus x-ray imaging of traceable pointlike {sup 22}Na sources for quality control

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to propose a microfocus x-ray imaging technique for observing the internal structure of small radioactive sources and evaluating geometrical errors quantitatively, and to apply this technique to traceable pointlike {sup 22}Na sources, which were designed for positron emission tomography calibration, for the purpose of quality control of the pointlike sources. Methods: A microfocus x-ray imaging system with a focus size of 0.001 mm was used to obtain projection x-ray images and x-ray CT images of five pointlike source samples, which were manufactured during 2009-2012. The obtained projection and tomographic images were used to observe the internal structure and evaluate geometrical errors quantitatively. Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the effect of possible geometrical errors on the intensity and uniformity of 0.511 MeV annihilation photon pairs emitted from the sources. Results: Geometrical errors were evaluated with sufficient precision using projection x-ray images. CT images were used for observing the internal structure intuitively. As a result, four of the five examined samples were within the tolerance to maintain the total uncertainty below {+-}0.5%, given the source radioactivity; however, one sample was found to be defective. Conclusions: This quality control procedure is crucial and offers an important basis for using the pointlike {sup 22}Na source as a basic calibration tool. The microfocus x-ray imaging approach is a promising technique for visual and quantitative evaluation of the internal geometry of small radioactive sources.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Toward high-throughput defect density quantification: A comparison of techniques for irradiated samples

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an established tool used for the investigation of defects in materials. Traditionally, diffraction contrast techniques—two-beam bright-field and weak-beam dark-field—have been used to image defects due to contrast sensitivity from weak lattice strains. Use of these methods entail an intricate tilt series of imaging using different diffracting vectors, g, to verify the g•b invisibility criterion relative to the different defect types and habit planes inherent to the material. Recently, the addition of down-zone imaging and STEM imaging has also proven to be effective imaging techniques for defect density analysis. Interest in nanocrystalline (NC) materials, spurred by their conjectured superior properties compared to their coarse-grain counterparts, has been thriving and the investigation of their defect morphologies is essential. Maneuvering within NC samples in the TEM adds another layer of difficulty making the aforementioned techniques not practical for application to specimens with complex microstructures. For this reason, we have devised a protocol for identifying NC grains optimally oriented for quantitative analysis using NanoMegas ASTAR automated crystal orientation mapping (ACOM) in the TEM. In this work, we conduct a series of experiments assessing the effectiveness of conventional two-beam bright-field, weak-beam dark-field, and down-zone STEM imaging. Here, we also evaluate an ACOM-assisted multibeam imaging method and compare defect density results obtained using each technique in an irradiated nanocrystalline Au sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-I-64: X-Ray Coherent Scatter Mammography Simulation

Purpose: Conventional mammography has poor contrast between healthy and cancerous tissues due to the small difference in attenuation properties. Coherent scatter potentially provides more information because interference of coherently scattered radiation depends on the average intermolecular spacing, and can be used to characterize tissue types. However, typical coherent scatter analysis techniques are not compatible with rapid low dose screening modalities. Coherent scatter slot scan imaging is a novel imaging technique which provides new information with higher contrast. In this work a simulation was performed of coherent scatter slot scan imaging to assess its performance and provide system optimization. Methods: In coherent scatter imaging, the coherent scatter is exploited using a conventional slot scan mammography system with anti-scatter grids tilted at the characteristic angle of cancerous tissues. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to simulate the coherent scatter imaging. System optimization was performed across several parameters, including source voltage and filtration, tilt angle, source and grid distances, grid ratio, and shielding geometry. Results: The contrast was high and increased as the grid tilt angle was increased beyond the characteristic angle for the modeled carcinoma, and as the source voltage increased. Source filtration did not have a significant effect on contrast. Increasing grid ratio improved contrast at the expense of decreasing the signal to noise ratio (SNR). As the tumor size is decreased, additional shields to block the fat signal are necessary in order to detect the cancer signal. Conclusion: Coherent scatter analysis using a wide slot setup is promising as an enhancement for screening mammography. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health, # 7 R01EB009715.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

MRI of testicular malignancies

Although testicular carcinoma represents approximately only 1% of solid neoplasms in men, it is the most common malignancy between young men. The two main histologic categories are testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), including seminomas and nonseminomas, accounting for 90–95% of testicular neoplasms and sex cord-stromal tumors. Scrotal MRI, including a multiparametric protocol, has been proposed as a valuable supplemental imaging technique in the investigation of testicular pathology. Recently, the Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group appointed by the board of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology has produced recommendations on when to perform scrotal MRI. Regarding intratesticular masses, MRI of the scrotum may be used for their characterization, when US findings are indeterminate and for local staging of TGCTs, when organ-sparing surgery is planned. Differentiation between seminomas and nonseminomas is possible based on MRI features, when clinically needed. Scrotal MRI may also help in differentiating between TGCTs and nongerm cell tumors. Functional information based on diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI data improve testicular mass lesion characterization. Preliminary observations on diffusion tensor imaging, magnetization transfer imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy bring about new data in the understanding of testicular microstructure and pathophysiology.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Beyond Annulus Size: Imaging for TAVR Planning

Purpose of Review: The aim of this article is to review the role of imaging in pre-procedural assessment prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)—with a focus on relevant anatomic findings apart from the size of the aortic annulus. Recent Findings: Pre-procedure imaging prior to TAVR heavily emphasizes assessment of the aortic annulus for appropriate valve sizing, with computed tomography angiography (CTA) emerging as the test of choice due to its ability to assess not only the aortic annulus but also the thoracoabdominal aorta and peripheral vasculature. Some patients with underlying kidney disease may be at increased risk of renal dysfunction following contrast-enhanced CTA; however, alternate imaging techniques can be performed to mitigate this risk such as magnetic resonance imaging. Summary: Familiarity with underlying anatomic variability and pathology relevant to TAVR implantation in addition to annulus size, as well as imaging approaches in patients with renal dysfunction, will allow radiologists to better contribute to multidisciplinary discussion for potential TAVR candidates.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2014

The importance of prostate bed tilt during postprostatectomy intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Variations in rectal and bladder filling can create a tilt of the prostate bed, which generates the potential for a geographic miss during postprostatectomy radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to assess the effect that bladder and rectum filling has on planning target volume angle, to determine a method to assess prostate bed tilt leading to potential geographic miss, and to discuss possible implementation issues. The cone-beam computed tomography images (n = 377) of 40 patients who received postprostatectomy radiotherapy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy were reviewed. The amount of tilt in the prostate bed was defined as the angle change between 2 surgical clips, one in the upper prostate bed and another in the lower. A potential geographic miss was defined as movement of any clip of more than 1 cm in any direction or 0.5 cm posteriorly when aligned to bone anatomy. Variations in bladder and rectum size were correlated with the degree of prostate bed tilt, and the rate of potential geographic miss was determined. A possible clinical use of prostate bed tilt was then assessed for different imaging techniques. A tilt of more than 10° was seen in 20.2% of images, which resulted in a 57.9% geographic miss rate of the superior clip. When tilt remained within 10°, there was only a 9% rate of geographic miss. Potential geographic miss of the inferior surgical clip was rare, occurring in only 1.9% of all images reviewed. The most common occurrence when the prostate bed tilt increased by more than 10° was a smaller bladder and larger rectum (6.4% of all images). The most common occurrence when the prostate bed tilt decreased by more than 10° was a larger bladder and smaller rectum (1.3% of all images). Significant prostate bed tilt (>± 10°) occurred in more than 20% of images, creating a 58% rate of geographic miss. Greatest prostate bed tilt occurred when the bladder size increased or reduced by more than 2 cm or the superior rectum size increased by more than 1.5 cm or reduced by more than 1 cm from the planned size. Using prostate bed tilt could be an effective measurement for assessing potential geographic miss on orthogonal images if volumetric imaging is unavailable.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multimodal, Multidimensional, and Multiscale X-ray Imaging at the National Synchrotron Light Source II

Over the last couple of decades, the synchrotron radiation research community has witnessed tremendous advancement in the field of x-ray imaging and microscopy. Continuing enhancement of the light sources’ brightness, advances in x-ray focusing optics, incorporation of precision instruments, and development of innovative imaging techniques are some of the leading contributors for the rapid progress. New imaging and microscopy beamlines, such as the ones at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility located at DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, are capable of performing more sophisticated and complicated measurements than ever before, either on their own or used together as a suite of tools. These sophisticated and complex measurements exhibit attributes for multimodal, multidimensional, and multiscale imaging. Recent popularity of these methods is strongly driven by the current trends in materials characterizations, where researchers desire to map out hierarchical materials structure over a large range of length scales, to understand structure-property correlation, to quantify materials structures in 3D, and/or to perform operando or in situ experiments. It is important to emphasize that “materials” under investigation are not only synthesized materials but also the natural materials. In this article, we describe multimodal, multidimensional and multiscale x-ray imaging capabilities of the NSLS-II beamlines and how these methods are used to tackle complex scientific problems.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Two datasets are better than one: method of double moments for 3D reconstruction in cryo-EM

Cryo-electron microscopy is a powerful imaging technique for reconstructing three-dimensional molecular structures from noisy tomographic projection images of randomly oriented particles. We introduce a new data fusion framework, termed the method of double moments, which reconstructs molecular structures from two instances of the second-order moment of projection images obtained under distinct orientation distributions: one uniform, the other non-uniform and unknown. We prove that these moments generically uniquely determine the underlying structure, up to a global rotation and reflection, and we develop a convex-relaxation-based algorithm that achieves accurate recovery using only second-order statistics. Our results demonstrate the advantage of collecting and modeling multiple datasets under different experimental conditions, illustrating that leveraging dataset diversity can substantially enhance reconstruction quality in computational imaging tasks.

Kam’s method↗
DOE OSTI2023

Towards the usage of quarry blasts as an active seismic source for subsurface characterization and imaging

SUMMARY Active or man-made seismic sources are often used to delineate subsurface geological structures via seismic imaging techniques. Although conventional controlled seismic sources have provided high-resolution subsurface images, the high cost of data acquisition necessitates improved use of cheaper alternative seismic sources for subsurface imaging, such as traffic noise, quarry blasts and earthquakes. Here, we explore the potential use of quarry blasts as an active seismic source for subsurface imaging. The goal of our study is to demonstrate the utility of quarry blasts as seismic sources for investigating subsurface structure with a field experiment in Mill Creek, southern Oklahoma. We deployed a 7455-m-long receiver line of 72 receivers (105 m spacing) extending away from a quarry, with a recording time of 28 d. We analyse similarities between blasts, wave types, origin time and excitation location of quarry blasts, which is important information for using such signal as an active source. Given a relative homogeneous geological condition in the study area, we could not observe clear reflected waves. However, the use of P- and S-wave velocities led to the delineation of a major basement damage zone in the study area, which further demonstrates the viability of quarry blasts as a useful seismic source for subsurface geological imaging.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measuring the Burgers vector of dislocations with dark-field X-ray microscopy

The subsurface dynamics of dislocations are essential to many properties of bulk crystalline materials. However, it is challenging to characterize a bulk crystal by conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) due to the limited penetration depth of electrons. A novel X-ray imaging technique – dark-field X-ray microscopy (DFXM) – was developed to image hierarchical dislocation structures in bulk crystals. While today's DFXM can effectively map the line structures of dislocations, it is still challenging to quantify the Burgers vectors, the key characterization governing the dislocation behaviors. Here, we extend the 'invisibility criterion' formalism from the TEM theory to the geometrical-optics model of DFXM and demonstrate the consistency between DFXM and dark-field TEM using multi-diffraction-peak imaging for a single edge dislocation. Due to the practical difficulty of multi-peak DFXM experiments, we further study how the Burgers vector effect is encoded for a single-peak DFXM experiment. Using the geometrical-optics DFXM simulation, we explore the asymmetry of rocking tilt scans at different rolling tilts and develop a new method to characterize the Burgers vector. The conclusions of this study advance our understanding of the use of DFXM in characterizing individual dislocations, enabling the connection from bulk DFXM imaging to dislocation mechanics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Geometry planning and image registration in magnetic particle imaging using bimodal fiducial markers

Purpose: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a quantitative imaging modality that allows the distribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles to be visualized. Compared to other imaging techniques like x-ray radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MPI only provides a signal from the administered tracer, but no additional morphological information, which complicates geometry planning and the interpretation of MP images. The purpose of the authors’ study was to develop bimodal fiducial markers that can be visualized by MPI and MRI in order to create MP–MR fusion images. Methods: A certain arrangement of three bimodal fiducial markers was developed and used in a combined MRI/MPI phantom and also during in vivo experiments in order to investigate its suitability for geometry planning and image fusion. An algorithm for automated marker extraction in both MR and MP images and rigid registration was established. Results: The developed bimodal fiducial markers can be visualized by MRI and MPI and allow for geometry planning as well as automated registration and fusion of MR–MP images. Conclusions: To date, exact positioning of the object to be imaged within the field of view (FOV) and the assignment of reconstructed MPI signals to corresponding morphological regions has been difficult. The developed bimodal fiducial markers and the automated image registration algorithm help to overcome these difficulties.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1988

Auroral energy deposition rate, characteristic electron energy, and ionospheric parameters derived from Dynamics Explorer 1 images

Auroral images obtained by the Spin Scan Auroral Imager (SAI) aboard the DE-1 satellite were used to derive auroral energy deposition rate, characteristic electron energy, and ionospheric parameters. The principles involved in the imaging technique and the physical mechanisms that underlie the relationship between the spectral images and the geophysical parameters are discussed together with the methodology for implementing such analyses. It is shown that images obtained with the SAI provide global parameters at 12-min temporal resolution; the spatial resolution is limited by the field of view of a pixel. The analysis of the 12-min images presented yielded a representation of ionospheric parameters that was better than can be obtained using empirical models based on local measurements averaged over long periods of time.

Rees, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Flow Visualization of Aircraft in Flight by Means of Background Oriented Schlieren Using Celestial Objects

The Background Oriented Schlieren using Celestial Objects series of flights was undertaken in the spring of 2016 at National Aeronautics and Space Administration Armstrong Flight Research Center to further develop and improve a flow visualization technique which can be performed from the ground upon flying aircraft. Improved hardware and imaging techniques from previous schlieren tests were investigated. A United States Air Force T-38C and NASA B200 King Air aircraft were imaged eclipsing the sun at ranges varying from 2 to 6 nautical miles, at subsonic and supersonic speeds.

schlieren photography↗
NASA NTRS2007

35-45 Giga Hertz Transceiver System for Phase and Magnitude Detection

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is the science and practice of examining an object in a way that the object's usefulness is not adversely affected. Different types of NDE methods exist but this thesis is based on microwave and millimeter wave NDE using imaging techniques. Microwave NDE is based on illuminating the object under test with a microwave signal and studying the various properties of the reflected signal from the object. This reflected signal contains some information about the inner structure of the object under test. This information may be contained in several parameters including the phase and magnitude of the reflected signal. The goal of this project is to design and build a Q-band coherent transceiver that is capable of measuring the reflected signal's phase and magnitude so that an image of the object under test may be reconstructed. From the several techniques that can be used to construct an image of the object under test, techniques of interest to this work include synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) and microwave holography. The transceiver system should have the ability to sweep a large portion of Q-band frequency range in small frequency steps as quick as possible while the detected phase and magnitude of the reflected signal is very accurate. Several different designs were studied and the final schematic diagram of the transceiver system was determined. One of the most important modules that was designed, implemented and tested in the laboratory was an accurate phase/magnitude detector circuit. The compared results of the scans using the transceiver system and vector network analyzer (VNA) showed that this transceiver system has a great potential to replace a VNA for the purpose of microwave and millimeter wave imaging.

Beni, Aman Aflaki↗