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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 559 records · Page 31

Tip-Enhanced Multipolar Raman Scattering

We record nanoscale chemical images of thiobenzonitrile (TBN)-functionalized plasmonic gold nanocubes via tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). The spatially averaged optical response is dominated by conventional (dipolar) TERS scattering from TBN but also contains weaker spectral signatures in the 1225-1500 cm-1 region. The weak optical signatures dominate some of the recorded single pixel spectra. We can uniquely assign these Raman forbidden transitions to multipolar Raman scattering, which implicates spatially varying enhanced electric field gradients at plasmonic tip-sample nanojunctions. Specifically, we can assign observations of tip-enhanced electric dipole-magnetic dipole as well as electric dipole-electric quadrupole driven transitions. These signals need to be understood and accounted for in the interpretation of TERS spectral images, particularly in on-going quests aimed at chemical reaction mapping via TERS.

Wang, Chih-Feng↗

Kinematically boosted pairs from the nonlinear Breit–Wheeler process in small-angle laser collisions

Here we discuss that a scheme of nonperturbative pair production by high energy photons (ω≳m) in a strong external field is achievable at the next high intensity laser experiments. The pair momentum is boosted, and for ω≳1.2m, the pair yield is increased when the external field is formed by two laser pulses converging at a small angle. These characteristics are nonperturbative in origin and related to the presence of magnetic field in addition to electric field. By enhancing the signal over perturbative backgrounds, these features allow the employment of above-threshold photons ω > 2m, which further increases the pair yield. We note the close relation of this photon-pair conversion mechanism to spontaneous pair creation, recommending it as an accessible stepping stone experiment using state-of-the-art or soon-to-be laser technology.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

High Dynamic Range AFM Cantilever With a Collocated Piezoelectric Actuator-Sensor Pair

We present a novel approach to fundamentally eliminate electrical feedthrough (cross-talk) signal in self-sensing piezoelectric microcantilevers, used in dynamic mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). The probe is an Si microcantilever on which a two-layer piezoelectric stack transducer is microfabricated. The top transducer in the stack functions as an actuator, while the bottom transducer is used as a deflection sensor. This arrangement leads to a collocated actuator-sensor pair that co-exist on the same surface area. We report experimental results that establish the sensor's ability to capture the full dynamic range of the cantilever with minimal feedthrough from the actuator.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Demographic Information Incorporated Household Energy Consumption Analysis

The high energy consumption from residential buildings provides them large potential to participate in demand response programs. To design appropriate demand response programs for residential buildings, it is important for electric utilities to know the energy consumption characteristics for different types of households so that utilities can send requests to the groups with a higher possibility to successfully respond. In this paper, we develop a load model to generate synthetic load profiles for different types of households incorporating demographical information including Current Population Survey data set and American Time Use Survey data set. The details of each data set and the details of the load models are presented. The synthetic household load profiles are generated by the load model and clustered into different groups based on state, age, number of occupants, income level, and city of the household. The average energy consumption characteristics for different groups of households are analyzed and compared, which will help electric utilities issue demand response signals to appropriate households.

building loads↗

Opportunities for Industry to Provide Flexibility While Increasing Profitability

Supply and demand flexibility will both be needed to ensure the electricity system functions properly as the share from variable renewable generation continues to grow. Industrial manufacturing currently consumes about a third of primary energy worldwide, and electricity is projected to supply an increasing share of this demand as the global economy decarbonizes. Therefore, the ability for industry to flex demand poses an enticing opportunity to enable grid flexibility. However, large capital outlays prevent industry from voluntarily altering demand. Here we show that as battery costs continue to fall, industry will soon be able to profitably alter demand in accordance with electricity price variations. Focusing on two established industries– chlor-alkali and electric arc furnaces – and two industries with large future potential – methane pyrolysis and atmospheric CO 2 capture, we use a linear program (LP) optimization to assess the technoeconomic feasibility of flexible industrial demand across both historical and future-looking wholesale day-ahead marginal prices for the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). We find positive net present values (NPV) from $\$$400K to $\$$50M using projected 2050 battery prices for industrial purchase of behind-the-meter batteries, using only arbitrage as a source of value. These results indicate that, with projected battery prices, profit-seeking industrial players could voluntarily play a future role in stabilizing a high-renewables grid where electricity prices act as accurate signals of grid needs.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

A real-time statistical time-series analyzer

Device extracts average frequency of human speech and produces second, third, and fourth moments of instantaneous frequency about this average. It operates on electrical time representation of input signal, performs statistical analysis on zero-crossing of almost any signal, and does not require specialized personnel to operate it.

Stewart, C. H.↗

HEPP - A low temperature Heat Pipe Experiment Package developed for flight on-board the Long Duration Exposure Facility /LDEF/

The Heat Pipe Experiment Package (HEPP) is designed to provide a flight evaluation system for low temperature heat pipes. The HEPP will be flown aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility which will be launched and retrieved as part of the Space Shuttle program. The experiment contains two heat pipes: an axially grooved fixed conductance heat pipe and a liquid blockage thermal diode. A phase change material canister is also integrated with a radiant cooler system. Additional hardware consists of supporting electrical equipment, including electronics for signal conditioning and command functions, a data recorder, and a hermetically sealed battery which powers the experiment. A thermal model was developed to simulate the behavior of the HEPP and a ground test program was conducted to verify the predicted performance of the equipment.

Suelau, H. J.↗

Getaway specials

The NASA Small Self-Contained Payload or 'Getaway Special' program, allowing small experimental payloads to be flown on the Space Shuttle at low cost, is presented. The program allows any responsible person, organization or educational institution able to enter into a contract with NASA to fly a self-contained research and development payload compatible with spacecraft requirements and of weight less than 200 lb and volume less than 5 cu ft on the Space Shuttle, subject to space availability. Charges, based on package volume, range from $3000 to $10,000 in 1975 dollars, with a $500 deposit required as earnest money. NASA, in turn, will supply the shuttle flight and return, planning and technical information, the cylindrical container in which the payload is carried, control signals from the crew station, electrical power to the payload if available, elementary crew support, prelaunch testing or servicing and postflight information. Procedures for program participation are outlined.

Lee, C. M.↗

DE-1 measurements of AKR wave directions

In addition to its wave rotation sense, the direction of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) can also be measured with the plasma wave instrument on Dynamics Explorer 1, from the relative phase of the signals received by its orthogonal electric dipole antennas. By this method, which differs in principle from the previous spin-null method for measuring wave directions, it has been found possible to pinpoint the AKR source by triangulation, using measurements from different points along the DE-1 orbit. The resulting apparent source, in one instance, seemed to occupy a well-defined auroral-zone invariant magnetic latitude and showed the expected increase of altitude with decreasing frequency. An analysis of the method also confirmed the validity of the previous rotation sense measurements.

Calvert, W.↗

Design optimization for cost and quality: The robust design approach

Designing reliable, low cost, and operable space systems has become the key to future space operations. Designing high quality space systems at low cost is an economic and technological challenge to the designer. A systematic and efficient way to meet this challenge is a new method of design optimization for performance, quality, and cost, called Robust Design. Robust Design is an approach for design optimization. It consists of: making system performance insensitive to material and subsystem variation, thus allowing the use of less costly materials and components; making designs less sensitive to the variations in the operating environment, thus improving reliability and reducing operating costs; and using a new structured development process so that engineering time is used most productively. The objective in Robust Design is to select the best combination of controllable design parameters so that the system is most robust to uncontrollable noise factors. The robust design methodology uses a mathematical tool called an orthogonal array, from design of experiments theory, to study a large number of decision variables with a significantly small number of experiments. Robust design also uses a statistical measure of performance, called a signal-to-noise ratio, from electrical control theory, to evaluate the level of performance and the effect of noise factors. The purpose is to investigate the Robust Design methodology for improving quality and cost, demonstrate its application by the use of an example, and suggest its use as an integral part of space system design process.

Unal, Resit↗

Spline screw multiple rotations mechanism

A system for coupling two bodies together and for transmitting torque from one body to another with mechanical timing and sequencing is reported. The mechanical timing and sequencing is handled so that the following criteria are met: (1) the bodies are handled in a safe manner and nothing floats loose in space, (2) electrical connectors are engaged as long as possible so that the internal processes can be monitored throughout by sensors, and (3) electrical and mechanical power and signals are coupled. The first body has a splined driver for providing the input torque. The second body has a threaded drive member capable of rotation and limited translation. The embedded drive member will mate with and fasten to the splined driver. The second body has an embedded bevel gear member capable of rotation and limited translation. This bevel gear member is coaxial with the threaded drive member. A compression spring provides a preload on the rotating threaded member, and a thrust bearing is used for limiting the translation of the bevel gear member so that when the bevel gear member reaches the upward limit of its translation the two bodies are fully coupled and the bevel gear member then rotates due to the input torque transmitted from the splined driver through the threaded drive member to the bevel gear member. An output bevel gear with an attached output drive shaft is embedded in the second body and meshes with the threaded rotating bevel gear member to transmit the input torque to the output drive shaft.

Vranish, John M.↗

Plasmoid formation and evolution in a numerical simulation of a substorm

Plasmoids are thought to occur as a consequence of the formation of a near-Earth neutral line during the evolution of a geomagnetic substorm. Using a 3D, global MHD simulation of the interaction of the Earth's magnetosphere with the solar wind, we initiate a substorm by a southward turning of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) after a long period of steady northward field. A large plasmoid is formed and ejected. We show field line maps of its shape and relate its formation time to the progress of the substorm as indicated by the cross polar potential. Because of the large region of closed field in the magnetotail at the time of the substorm, this plasmoid is longer in axial dimension than is typically observed. We compare the simulation results with the type of satellite observations which have been used to argue for the existence of plasmoids or of traveling compression regions (TCRs) in the lobes or magnetosheath. The simulation predicts that plasmoid passage would result in a strong signal in the cross tail electric field.

Slinker, S. P.↗

Fiber-Optic Distribution Of Pulsed Power To Multiple Sensors

Optoelectronic systems designed according to time-sharing scheme distribute optical power to multiple integrated-circuit-based sensors in fiber-optic networks. Networks combine flexibility of electronic sensing circuits with advantage of electrical isolation afforded by use of optical fibers instead of electrical conductors to transmit both signals and power. Fiber optics resist corrosion and immune to electromagnetic interference. Sensor networks of this type useful in variety of applications; for example, in monitoring strains in aircraft, buildings, and bridges, and in monitoring and controlling shapes of flexible structures.

Kirkham, Harold↗

Principles of Space Plasma Wave Instrument Design

Space plasma waves span the frequency range from somewhat below the ion cyclotron frequency to well above the electron cyclotron frequency and plasma frequency. Because of the large frequency range involved, the design of space plasma wave instrumentation presents many interesting challenges. This chapter discusses the principles of space plasma wave instrument design. The topics covered include: performance requirements, electric antennas, magnetic antennas, and signal processing. Where appropriate, comments are made on the likely direction of future developments.

Gurnett, Donald A.↗

Differentiation of mammalian skeletal muscle cells cultured on microcarrier beads in a rotating cell culture system

The growth and repair of adult skeletal muscle are due in part to activation of muscle precursor cells, commonly known as satellite cells or myoblasts. These cells are responsive to a variety of environmental cues, including mechanical stimuli. The overall goal of the research is to examine the role of mechanical signalling mechanisms in muscle growth and plasticity through utilisation of cell culture systems where other potential signalling pathways (i.e. chemical and electrical stimuli) are controlled. To explore the effects of decreased mechanical loading on muscle differentiation, mammalian myoblasts are cultured in a bioreactor (rotating cell culture system), a model that has been utilised to simulate microgravity. C2C12 murine myoblasts are cultured on microcarrier beads in a bioreactor and followed throughout differentiation as they form a network of multinucleated myotubes. In comparison with three-dimensional control cultures that consist of myoblasts cultured on microcarrier beads in teflon bags, myoblasts cultured in the bioreactor exhibit an attenuation in differentiation. This is demonstrated by reduced immunohistochemical staining for myogenin and alpha-actinin. Western analysis shows a decrease, in bioreactor cultures compared with control cultures, in levels of the contractile proteins myosin (47% decrease, p < 0.01) and tropomyosin (63% decrease, p < 0.01). Hydrodynamic measurements indicate that the decrease in differentiation may be due, at least in part, to fluid stresses acting on the myotubes. In addition, constraints on aggregate size imposed by the action of fluid forces in the bioreactor affect differentiation. These results may have implications for muscle growth and repair during spaceflight.

Non-NASA Center↗

Rotor balancing apparatus and system

Rotor balancing apparatus and a system comprising balance probes for measuring unbalance at the ends of a magnetically suspended rotor are disclosed. Each balance probe comprises a photocell which is located in relationship to the magnetically suspended rotor such that unbalance of the rotor changes the amount of light recorded by each photocell. The signal from each photocell is electrically amplified and displayed by a suitable device, such as an oscilloscope.

Lyman, Frank↗

Demographic Information Incorporated Household Energy Consumption Analysis: Preprint

The high energy consumption from residential buildings provides them large potential to participate in demand response programs. To design appropriate demand response programs for residential buildings, it is important for electric utilities to know the energy consumption characteristics for different types of households so that utilities can send requests to the groups with a higher possibility to successfully respond. In this paper, we develop a load model to generate synthetic load profiles for different types of households incorporating demographical information including Current Population Survey data set and American Time Use Survey data set. The details of each data set and the details of the load models are presented. The synthetic household load profiles are generated by the load model and clustered into different groups based on state, age, number of occupants, income level, and city of the household. The average energy consumption characteristics for different groups of households are analyzed and compared, which will help electric utilities issue demand response signals to appropriate households.

building loads↗

Demographic Information Incorporated Household Energy Consumption Analysis

The high energy consumption from residential buildings provides them large potential to participate in demand response programs. To design appropriate demand response programs for residential buildings, it is important for electric utilities to know the energy consumption characteristics for different types of households so that utilities can send requests to the groups with a higher possibility to successfully respond. In this paper, we develop a load model to generate synthetic load profiles for different types of households incorporating demographical information including Current Population Survey data set and American Time Use Survey data set. The details of each data set and the details of the load models are presented. The synthetic household load profiles are generated by the load model and clustered into different groups based on state, age, number of occupants, income level, and city of the household. The average energy consumption characteristics for different groups of households are analyzed and compared, which will help electric utilities issue demand response signals to appropriate households.

building loads↗