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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 73 records · Page 4

Obstacle Detection Algorithms for Aircraft Navigation: Performance Characterization of Obstacle Detection Algorithms for Aircraft Navigation

The research reported here is a part of NASA's Synthetic Vision System (SVS) project for the development of a High Speed Civil Transport Aircraft (HSCT). One of the components of the SVS is a module for detection of potential obstacles in the aircraft's flight path by analyzing the images captured by an on-board camera in real-time. Design of such a module includes the selection and characterization of robust, reliable, and fast techniques and their implementation for execution in real-time. This report describes the results of our research in realizing such a design. It is organized into three parts. Part I. Data modeling and camera characterization; Part II. Algorithms for detecting airborne obstacles; and Part III. Real time implementation of obstacle detection algorithms on the Datacube MaxPCI architecture. A list of publications resulting from this grant as well as a list of relevant publications resulting from prior NASA grants on this topic are presented.

Kasturi, Rangachar↗

Model-based fault detection and isolation for intermittently active faults with application to motion-based thruster fault detection and isolation for spacecraft

The present invention is a method for detecting and isolating fault modes in a system having a model describing its behavior and regularly sampled measurements. The models are used to calculate past and present deviations from measurements that would result with no faults present, as well as with one or more potential fault modes present. Algorithms that calculate and store these deviations, along with memory of when said faults, if present, would have an effect on the said actual measurements, are used to detect when a fault is present. Related algorithms are used to exonerate false fault modes and finally to isolate the true fault mode. This invention is presented with application to detection and isolation of thruster faults for a thruster-controlled spacecraft. As a supporting aspect of the invention, a novel, effective, and efficient filtering method for estimating the derivative of a noisy signal is presented.

Wilson, Edward↗

Flash Detection Efficiencies of Long Range Lightning Detection Networks During GRIP

We flew our Lightning Instrument Package (LIP) on the NASA Global Hawk as a part of the Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) field program. The GRIP program was a NASA Earth science field experiment during the months of August and September, 2010. During the program, the LIP detected lighting from 48 of the 213 of the storms overflown by the Global Hawk. The time and location of tagged LIP flashes can be used as a "ground truth" dataset for checking the detection efficiency of the various long or extended range ground-based lightning detection systems available during the GRIP program. The systems analyzed included Vaisala Long Range (LR), Vaisala GLD360, the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN), and the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN). The long term goal of our research is to help understand the advantages and limitations of these systems so that we can utilize them for both proxy data applications and cross sensor validation of the GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) sensor when it is launched in the 2015 timeframe.

Mach, Douglas M.↗

Terrestrial Planet Finder, Planet Detection Test-Bed: Latest Results of Planet Light Detection in the Presence of Starlight

The Terrestrial Planet Finder, Planet Detection Test-bed is a lab based simulation of the optics and control systems for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Interferometer mission. The test-bed supports starlight nulling at 10um infrared wavelengths, with fringe tracking at 2um wavelengths and angle and shear tracking at visible wavelengths. It further allows injection of simulated planet light in the presence of the nulled star light, to allow testing of planet detection methods. We will describe the detailed construction and operation of the test-bed from an optical and control system perspective. We will also report the latest results for narrow band nulls, and the detection of broad band planet light in the presence of nulled starlight.

Interferometry↗

Radar Detectability Studies of Slow and Small Zodiacal Dust Cloud Particles. III. The Role of Sodium and the Head Echo Size on the Probability of Detection

We present a path forward on a long-standing issue concerning the flux of small and slow meteoroids, which are believed to be the dominant portion of the incoming meteoric mass flux into the Earth's atmosphere. Such a flux, which is predicted by dynamical dust models of the Zodiacal Cloud, is not evident in ground-based radar observations. For decades this was attributed to the fact that the radars used for meteor observations lack the sensitivity to detect this population, due to the small amount of ionization produced by slow-velocity meteors. Such a hypothesis has been challenged by the introduction of meteor head echo (HE) observations with High Power and Large Aperture radars, in particular the Arecibo 430 MHz radar. Janches et al. developed a probabilistic approach to estimate the detectability of meteors by these radars and initially showed that, with the current knowledge of ablation and ionization, such particles should dominate the detected rates by one to two orders of magnitude compared to the actual observations. In this paper, we include results in our model from recently published laboratory measurements, which showed that (1) the ablation of Na is less intense covering a wider altitude range; and (2) the ionization probability, Beta ip, for Na atoms in the air is up to two orders of magnitude smaller for low speeds than originally believed. By applying these results and using a somewhat smaller size of the HE radar target we offer a solution that reconciles these observations with model predictions.

meteorites↗

Development of a Freeze-Dried CRISPR-Cas12 Sensor for Detecting Wolbachia in the Secondary Science Classroom

Training the future synthetic biology workforce requires the opportunity for students to be exposed to biotechnology concepts and activities in secondary education. Detecting Wolbachia bacteria in arthropods using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become a common way for secondary students to investigate and apply recombinant DNA technology in the science classroom. Despite this important activity, cutting-edge biotechnologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based diagnostics have yet to be widely implemented in the classroom. To address this gap, we present a freeze-dried CRISPR-Cas12 sensing reaction to complement traditional recombinant DNA technology education and teach synthetic biology concepts. The reactions accurately detect Wolbachia from arthropod-derived PCR samples in under 2 h and can be stored at room temperature for over a month without appreciable degradation. Here, the reactions are easy-to-use and cost less than $40 to implement for a classroom of 22 students including the cost of reusable equipment. We see these freeze-dried CRISPR-Cas12 reactions as an accessible way to incorporate synthetic biology education into the existing biology curriculum, which will expand biology educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A Comparison of Radiation-Induced and High-Field Electrically Stress-Induced Interface Defects in Si/SiO 2 MOSFETs via Electrically Detected Magnetic Resonance

Here, we utilize electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) measurements to compare high-field stressed, and gamma irradiated Si/SiO 2 metal–oxide–silicon (MOS) structures. We utilize spin-dependent recombination (SDR) EDMR detected using the Fitzgerald and Grove dc I-V approach to compare the effects of high-field electrical stressing and gamma irradiation on defect formation at and near the Si/SiO 2 interface. As anticipated, both greatly increase the concentration of P b centers (silicon dangling bonds at the interface) densities. The irradiation also generated a significant increase in the dc I-V EDMR response of E' centers (oxygen vacancies in the SiO 2 films), whereas the generation of an E' EDMR response in high-field stressing is much weaker than in the gamma irradiation case. These results likely suggest a difference in their physical distribution resulting from radiation damage and high electric field stressing.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Detecting rare earth elements via optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) and spin-relaxometry using nitrogen vacancy centers in nanodiamonds

Nanodiamonds embedded with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are emerging as powerful tools in quantum sensing due to their remarkable sensitivity to local variations in electromagnetic fields, temperature, and pressure. These point defects in the diamond lattice can be probed using optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) and spin relaxometry techniques, allowing for the detection and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles and ions. The sensing mechanism relies on laser-induced excitation of the NV center's non-degenerate triplet ground state, which promotes electrons to an excited state. Subsequent photoluminescence (PL) emission, which is spin-state dependent, is then measured. These spin states are highly responsive to magnetic perturbations in the surrounding environment. By analyzing changes in the ODMR spectra and spin relaxation times, we can effectively monitor how magnetic species influence the NV center's spin dynamics, thus enabling sensitive and selective characterization of nanoscale magnetic materials. These techniques have been applied for the characterization of transition metals and rare earth elements which shows natural ferromagnetic properties.

magnetic nanopartgicles and ions↗

Modeling the use of mobile modular gas samplers in near-field detection

The Wireless Independent Noble Gas Sampler (WINGS) is a mobile, modular gas sampling system designed for use in low infrastructure environments. In the case of a suspected underground nuclear explosion (UNE), WINGS units could be deployed to detect noble gases emanating from the suspected explosion site or identify gases originating from another source entering the local area from offsite. In conclusion, this work uses the atmospheric transport modeling tool inline WRF-HYSPLIT to test the effectiveness of WINGS units around a suspected UNE site as a function of sampler density and distance from the emission point of gases from a UNE.

Air sampling↗

Breaking the Window of Detection: Using Multi-Scale Solute Tracer Studies to Assess Mass Recovery at the Detection Limit

Stream solute tracers are commonly injected to assess transport and transformation in study reaches, but results are biased toward the shortest and fastest storage locations. While this bias has been understood for decades, the impact of an experimental constraint on our understanding has yet to be considered. Here, we ask how different our understanding of reach- and segment-scale transport would be if our empirical limits were extended. We demonstrate a novel approach to manipulate experimental conditions and observe mass that is stored at timescales beyond the traditional reach-scale window of detection. We are able to explain the fate of an average of 26% of solute tracer mass that would have been considered as “lost” in a traditional study design across our 14 replicates, extending our detection limits to characterize flowpaths that would have been previously unmeasured. We demonstrate how this formerly lost mass leads to predicting lower magnitudes of gross gains and losses in individual reaches, and ultimately show that the network turnover we infer from solute tracers represents an upper limit on actual, expected behavior. Finally, we review the evolution of tracer studies and their interpretation including this approach and provide a proposed future direction to extend empirical studies to not-before-seen timescales.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Atmospheric River Detection Under Changing Seasonality and Mean-State Climate: ARTMIP Tier 2 Paleoclimate Experiments

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are filamentary structures within the atmosphere that account for a substantial portion of poleward moisture transport and play an important role in Earth's hydroclimate. However, there is no one quantitative definition for what constitutes an atmospheric river, leading to uncertainty in quantifying how these systems respond to global change. This study seeks to better understand how different AR detection tools (ARDTs) respond to changes in climate states utilizing single-forcing climate model experiments under the aegis of the Atmospheric River Tracking Method Intercomparison Project (ARTMIP). We compare a simulation with an early Holocene orbital configuration and another with CO2 levels of the Last Glacial Maximum to a preindustrial control simulation to test how the ARDTs respond to changes in seasonality and mean climate state, respectively. We find good agreement among the algorithms in the AR response to the changing orbital configuration, with a poleward shift in AR frequency that tracks seasonal poleward shifts in atmospheric water vapor and zonal winds. In the low CO2 simulation, the algorithms generally agree on the sign of AR changes, but there is substantial spread in their magnitude, indicating that mean-state changes lead to larger uncertainty. This disagreement likely arises primarily from differences between algorithms in their thresholds for water vapor and its transport used for identifying ARs. These findings warrant caution in ARDT selection for paleoclimate and climate change studies in which there is a change to the mean climate state, as ARDT selection contributes substantial uncertainty in such cases.

Atmospheric river, paleoclimate↗

Double Chooz {theta}13 measurement via total neutron capture detection

Neutrinos were assumed to be massless particles until the discovery of the neutrino oscillation process. This phenomenon indicates that the neutrinos have non-zero masses and the mass eigenstates (nu(1), nu(2), nu(3)) are mixtures of their flavour eigenstates (nu(e), nu(mu), nu(tau)). The oscillations between different flavour eigenstates are described by three mixing angles (theta(12), theta(23), theta(13)), two differences of the squared neutrino masses of the nu(2)/nu(1) and nu(3)/nu(1) pairs and a charge conjugation parity symmetry violating phase delta(CP). The Double Chooz experiment, located near the Chooz Electricite de France reactors, measures the oscillation parameter theta(13) using reactor neutrinos. Here, the Double Chooz collaboration reports the measurement of the mixing angle theta(13) with the new total neutron capture detection technique from the full data set, yielding sin(2)(2 theta(13)) = 0.105 +/- 0.014. This measurement exploits the multidetector configuration, the isoflux baseline and data recorded when the reactors were switched off. In addition to the neutrino mixing angle measurement, Double Chooz provides a precise measurement of the reactor neutrino flux, given by the mean cross-section per fission <sigma(f)& rang; = (5.71 +/- 0.06) x 10(-43) cm(2) per fission, and reports an empirical model of the distortion in the reactor neutrino spectrum. The Double Chooz collaboration reports the neutrino oscillation parameter theta(13) from a measurement of the disappearance of reactor anti-electron neutrinos with the total neutron capture technique.

Djurcic, Z.↗

Broadband Solenoidal Haloscope for Terahertz Axion Detection

We introduce the Broadband Reflector Experiment for Axion Detection (BREAD) conceptual design and science program. This haloscope plans to search for bosonic dark matter across the [ 10 - 3 , 1 ] eV ([0.24, 240] THz) mass range. BREAD proposes a cylindrical metal barrel to convert dark matter into photons, which a novel parabolic reflector design focuses onto a photosensor. This unique geometry enables enclosure in standard cryostats and high-field solenoids, overcoming limitations of current dish antennas. A pilot 0.7 m 2 barrel experiment planned at Fermilab is projected to surpass existing dark photon coupling constraints by over a decade with one-day runtime. Axion sensitivity requires < 10 - 20 W / Hz sensor noise equivalent power with a 10 T solenoid and 10 m 2 barrel. We project BREAD sensitivity for various sensor technologies and discuss future prospects.

Liu, Jesse↗

Enhancing Network Anomaly Detection Using Graph Neural Networks

In the world of Internet of Things (IoT) networks, where devices are constantly communicating, keeping them secure from cyber threats is critical. This paper introduces a novel approach to detecting unusual and potentially harmful activities in these networks using graph neural networks (GNNs). We combine two specific types of GNNs-GraphSAGE and graph attention networks (GAT)-to create a model that understands and represents the behaviors and interactions in a network. GraphSAGE creates an embedding of network activities by examining local data interactions, while GAT directs the model's focus to the most critical interactions. By integrating these two methods in a single model that considers different types of interactions (both host and flow nodes), we aim to create a system that accurately represents the current state of a network and can also spot anomalies effectively while reducing false positives and negatives. Our innovative approach has demonstrated promising results, achieving an accuracy of 98% on the UNSW-NB15 dataset, significantly outperforming standalone GraphSAGE and GAT models. This underscores its potential as a robust framework for securing IoT networks against cyber threats and anomalies.

Marfo, William↗

I/O Bottleneck Detection and Tuning: Connecting the Dots using Interactive Log Analysis

Using parallel file systems efficiently is a tricky problem due to inter-dependencies among multiple layers of I/O software, including high-level I/O libraries (HDF5, netCDF, etc.), MPI-IO, POSIX, and file systems (GPFS, Lustre, etc.). Profiling tools such as Darshan collect traces to help understand the I/O performance behavior. However, there are significant gaps in analyzing the collected traces and then applying tuning options offered by various layers of I/O software. Seeking to connect the dots between I/O bottleneck detection and tuning, we propose DXT Explorer, an interactive log analysis tool. In this paper, we present a case study using our interactive log analysis tool to identify and apply various I/O optimizations. We report an evaluation of performance improvement achieved for four I/O kernels extracted from science applications.

Bez, Jean Luca↗