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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2020

Point Cloud of Cloud Points (PCCP) Value-Added Product Report

In this report, we refer to a pair of cameras that capture synchronized pictures with overlapping fields of view (FOV) as a stereo pair. Each stereo pair independently performs a stereo reconstruction of cloud points. Currently, there are three U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility stereo pairs (six cameras in total) positioned around the Southern Great Plains (SGP) observatory’s Central Facility (CF; Romps and Oktem 2017). Time-synchronized pictures from the two cameras in a stereo pair can be paired together to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of feature points by triangulation. This document explains how we use ARM stereo cameras and stereophotogrammetric principles to generate the Point Cloud of Cloud Points (PCCP) Value-Added Product (VAP). The PCCP VAP is essentially a set of 3D positions representing the locations of cloud features in the sky. Thousands of cloud features can be reconstructed instantly in each stereo pair's FOV, which covers an area of tens of square kilometers. Cloud base and cloud top heights can be extracted from the PCCP product.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Retrieving Point Cloud of Cloud Points (PCCP) Value-Added Product from Stereo Cameras

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Millimeter-wave Point Sources from the 2500 Square Degree SPT-SZ Survey: Catalog and Population Statistics

In this work, we present a catalog of emissive point sources detected in the SPT-SZ survey, a contiguous 2530- square-degree area surveyed with the South Pole Telescope (SPT) from 2008 - 2011 in three bands centered at 95, 150, and 220GHz. The catalog contains 4845 sources measured at a significance of 4.5σ or greater in at least one band, corresponding to detections above approximately 9.8, 5.8, and 20.4 mJy in 95, 150, and 220 GHz, respectively. Spectral behavior in the SPT bands is used for source classification into two populations based on the underlying physical mechanisms of compact, emissive sources that are bright at millimeter wavelengths: synchrotron radiation from active galactic nuclei and thermal emission from dust. The latter population includes a component of high-redshift sources often referred to as submillimeter galaxies (SMGs). In the relatively bright flux ranges probed by the survey, these sources are expected to be magnified by strong gravitational lensing. The survey also contains sources consistent with protoclusters, groups of dusty galaxies at high redshift undergoing collapse. We cross-match the SPT-SZ catalog with external catalogs at radio, infrared, and X-ray wavelengths and identify available redshift information. The catalog splits into 3980 synchrotron-dominated and 865 dust-dominated sources and we determine a list of 506 SMGs. Ten sources in the catalog are identified as stars. We calculate number counts for the full catalog, and synchrotron and dusty components, using a bootstrap method and compare our measured counts with models. This paper represents the third and final catalog of point sources in the SPT-SZ survey.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2014

Using Lunar Observations to Validate Pointing Accuracy and Geolocation, Detector Sensitivity Stability and Static Point Response of the CERES Instruments

Validation of in-orbit instrument performance is a function of stability in both instrument and calibration source. This paper describes a method using lunar observations scanning near full moon by the Clouds and Earth Radiant Energy System (CERES) instruments. The Moon offers an external source whose signal variance is predictable and non-degrading. From 2006 to present, these in-orbit observations have become standardized and compiled for the Flight Models -1 and -2 aboard the Terra satellite, for Flight Models-3 and -4 aboard the Aqua satellite, and beginning 2012, for Flight Model-5 aboard Suomi-NPP. Instrument performance measurements studied are detector sensitivity stability, pointing accuracy and static detector point response function. This validation method also shows trends per CERES data channel of 0.8% per decade or less for Flight Models 1-4. Using instrument gimbal data and computed lunar position, the pointing error of each detector telescope, the accuracy and consistency of the alignment between the detectors can be determined. The maximum pointing error was 0.2 Deg. in azimuth and 0.17 Deg. in elevation which corresponds to an error in geolocation near nadir of 2.09 km. With the exception of one detector, all instruments were found to have consistent detector alignment from 2006 to present. All alignment error was within 0.1o with most detector telescopes showing a consistent alignment offset of less than 0.02 Deg.

Daniels, Janet L.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Two-point and multiple-point spot heating and cooling

Apparatus and methods for producing thermal comfort using two point or multipoint heating or cooling that is applied to portion of a human body part to produce a warm or cool sensation over a larger area than that where the heating or cooling is directly applied. The body is induced to heat or cool itself by adjusting its neutral temperature setpoints. Increased warming perception from two-point, multipoint, and switching point stimulation causes downward adaptation in the neutral skin temperature of the user. Because spot heating and cooling sources operate at higher temperature differences from the skin than do area sources, they create a stronger perceived thermal sensation for the same power consumption. Point heating or cooling, rather than whole-area heating, can result in power savings and cost savings while improving occupant comfort.

Arens, Edward↗

DOE OSTI2025

Spontaneous Localization at a Potential Saddle Point from Edge State Reconstruction in a Quantum Hall Point Contact

Quantum point contacts (QPCs) are an essential component in mesoscopic devices. Here, in this work, we study the transmission of quantum Hall edge modes through a gate-defined QPC in monolayer graphene. We observe resonant tunneling peaks and a nonlinear conductance pattern characteristic of Coulomb-blockaded localized states. The in-plane electric polarizability reveals the states are localized at a classically unstable electrostatic saddle point. We explain this unexpected finding within a self-consistent Thomas-Fermi model, finding that localization of a zero-dimensional state at the saddle point is favored whenever the applied confinement potential is sufficiently soft compared to the Coulomb energy. Our results provide a direct demonstration of Coulomb-driven reconstruction at the boundary of a quantum Hall system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2016

A systems engineering analysis of three-point and four-point wind turbine drivetrain configurations

This study compares the impact of drivetrain configuration on the mass and capital cost of a series of wind turbines ranging from 1.5 MW to 5.0 MW power ratings for both land-based and offshore applications. The analysis is performed with a new physics-based drivetrain analysis and sizing tool, Drive Systems Engineering (DriveSE), which is part of the Wind-Plant Integrated System Design & Engineering Model. DriveSE uses physics-based relationships to size all major drivetrain components according to given rotor loads simulated based on International Electrotechnical Commission design load cases. The model's sensitivity to input loads that contain a high degree of variability was analyzed. Aeroelastic simulations are used to calculate the rotor forces and moments imposed on the drivetrain for each turbine design. DriveSE is then used to size all of the major drivetrain components for each turbine for both three-point and four-point configurations. The simulation results quantify the trade-offs in mass and component costs for the different configurations. On average, a 16.7% decrease in total nacelle mass can be achieved when using a three-point drivetrain configuration, resulting in a 3.5% reduction in turbine capital cost. This analysis is driven by extreme loads and does not consider fatigue. Thus, the effects of configuration choices on reliability and serviceability are not captured. Furthermore, a first order estimate of the sizing, dimensioning and costing of major drivetrain components are made which can be used in larger system studies which consider trade-offs between subsystems such as the rotor, drivetrain and tower.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Bubble Point Measurements of Three Binary Mixtures of Refrigerants: R-32/1234yf, R-32/1234ze(E), and R-1132a/1234yf

In this article, bubble point pressures of three binary mixtures at two compositions each have been measured utilizing a static method. The mixtures studied were difluoromethane + 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (R-32/1234yf), difluoromethane + (E)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (R-32/1234ze(E)), and 1,1-difluoroethene + 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (R-1132a/1234yf). For all of the mixtures, the minimum temperature measured was 270 K. The maximum temperatures measured for the R-32/1234ze(E), R-32/1234yf, and R-1132a/1234yf mixtures were 360, 345, and 325 K, respectively. A total of 100 bubble point pressures are reported and compared to available literature data relative to the REFPROP database. Lemmon, E. W. [ NIST Standard Reference Database 23: Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties-REFPROP, 10.0; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Standard Reference Data Program: Gaithersburg, 2018]. Additionally, the bubble point pressures obtained in this study are modeled using the perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) equation of state. The PC-SAFT model parameters, as well as deviations of this work and literature data from the model, are reported.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2021

Unusual Role of Point Defects in Perovskite Nickelate Electrocatalysts

Low-cost transition-metal oxide is regarded as a promising electrocatalyst family for an oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The classic design principle for an oxide electrocatalyst believes that point defect engineering, such as oxygen vacancies (VO .. ) or heteroatom doping, offers the opportunities to manipulate the electronic structure of material toward optimal OER activity. Oppositely, in this work, we discover a counterintuitive phenomenon that both VO .. and an aliovalent dopant (i.e., proton (H + )) in perovskite nickelate (i.e., NdNiO 3 (NNO)) have a considerably detrimental effect on intrinsic OER performance. Detailed characterizations unveil that the introduction of these point defects leads to a decrease in the oxidative state of Ni and weakens Ni-O orbital hybridization, which triggers the local electron-electron correlation and a more insulating state. Evidenced by first-principles calculation using the density functional theory (DFT) method, the OER on nickelate electrocatalysts follows the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM). The incorporation of point defect increases the energy barrier of transformation from OO*(V O ) to OH*(V O ) intermediates, which is regarded as the rate-determining step (RDS). Furthermore, this work offers a new and significant perspective of the role that lattice defects play in the OER process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2016

Point-in-convex polygon and point-in-convex polyhedron algorithms with O(1) complexity using space subdivision

There are many space subdivision and space partitioning techniques used in many algorithms to speed up computations. They mostly rely on orthogonal space subdivision, resp. using hierarchical data structures, e.g. BSP trees, quadtrees, octrees, kd-trees, bounding volume hierarchies etc. However in some applications a non-orthogonal space subdivision can offer new ways for actual speed up. In the case of convex polygon in E{sup 2} a simple Point-in-Polygon test is of the O(N) complexity and the optimal algorithm is of O(log N) computational complexity. In the E{sup 3} case, the complexity is O(N) even for the convex polyhedron as no ordering is defined. New Point-in-Convex Polygon and Point-in-Convex Polyhedron algorithms are presented based on space subdivision in the preprocessing stage resulting to O(1) run-time complexity. The presented approach is simple to implement. Due to the principle of duality, dual problems, e.g. line-convex polygon, line clipping, can be solved in a similarly.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2019

X-point ion orbit physics in scrape-off layer and generation of a localized electrostatic potential perturbation around X-point

It has been well-known that the logarithmically vanishing poloidal magnetic field strength Bθ near the magnetic X-point in a tokamak plasma yields the so-called ion X-loss or X-transport of ions when the ion temperature is high enough [C.S. Chang et al., Phys. Plasmas 9, 3884 (2002)], which has a notable impact on the physics just inside the magnetic separatrix surface; e.g., most prominently, to force a well-structure in the global negative radial electric field hence a pressure pedestal buildup. In this brief communication, we show that a similar effect exists in the scrape-off (SOL) layer near the X-point that can create a localized electrostatic potential structure around the X-point and have a significant impact on the near-SOL physics in the case when the ion dynamics are not collision-dominated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2019

Atmospheric observations made at Oliktok Point, Alaska, as part of the Profiling at Oliktok Point to Enhance YOPP Experiments (POPEYE) campaign

Between 1 July and 30 September 2018, small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), tethered balloon systems (TBSs), and additional radiosondes were deployed at Oliktok Point, Alaska, to measure the atmosphere in support of the second special observing period for the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP). These measurements, collected as part of the Profiling at Oliktok Point to Enhance YOPP Experiments (POPEYE) campaign, targeted quantities related to enhancing our understanding of boundary layer structure, cloud and aerosol properties and surface–atmosphere exchange and providing extra information for model evaluation and improvement work. Over the 3-month campaign, a total of 59 DataHawk2 sUAS flights, 52 TBS flights, and 238 radiosonde launches were completed as part of POPEYE. The data from these coordinated activities provide a comprehensive three-dimensional data set of the atmospheric state (air temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind), surface skin temperature, aerosol properties, and cloud microphysical information over Oliktok Point.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1974

Refinement of the Goloseyev catalog point coordinates in the limb zone and determination of point coordinates on the back side of the moon

Lunar photography from Zond 6 showed half the side of the moon which is not visible from the earth, and this made it possible to construct a photogrammetric grid encompassing the entire Western Hemisphere and referenced to points of the visible side, whose coordinates were taken from the Goloseyev catalog. The problem was solved using two pictures taken from approximately 9000 km above the lunar surface. The photogrammetric grid was constructed by joint statistical analysis of the measurements of both pictures and the selenographic coordinates of the catalog points. A special algorithm was developed and a program compiled realizing the maximum likelihood method which permitted working with up to 120 catalog points simultaneously.

Krasikov, V. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Analysis of a method for precisely relating a seafloor point to a distant point on land

A study of the environmental constraints and engineering aspects of the acoustic portion of a system for making geodetic ties between undersea reference points and others on land is described. Important areas in which to make such observations initially would be from the California mainland out to oceanic points seaward of the San Andreas fault, and across the Aleutian Trench. The overall approach would be to operate a GPS receiver in a relative positioning (interferometric) mode to provide the long range element of the baseline determination (10 to 1,000 km) and an array of precision sea floor acoustic transponders to link the locally moving sea surface GPS antenna location to a fixed sea floor point. Analyses of various environmental constrants (tides, waves, currents, sound velocity variations) lead to the conclusion that, if one uses a properly designed transponder having a remotely controllable precise retransmission time delay, and is careful with regard to methods for installing these on the sea floor, one should, in many ocean locations, be able to achieve sub-decimeter overall system accuracy. Achievements of cm accuracy or better will require additional understanding of time and space scales of variation of sound velocity structure in the ocean at relevant locations.

Spiess, F. N.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Simultaneous observations of 20 centimeter bright points and He I 10830 A dark points in the quiet sun

Simultaneous observations of the quiet sun at 20 cm radio and He I wavelengths are used to establish the relationship between coronal bright points, as inferred from the 20-cm radio emission, and He I dark points. It is shown that the 20-cm radio emission, which originates from the low corona-transition region, is always associated with regions of enhanced He I absorption; however, it does not always coincide with strong He I 10830 A absorption regions known as He I 'dark points'. Significant fluctuations in the intensity of 20-cm radio emission and He I absorption take place on time scales of minutes.

Habbal, Shadia R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A chronology of the on-orbit pointing control system changes on the Hubble Space Telescope and associated pointing improvements

The pointing control system on the Hubble Space Telescope was designed to keep an image stable in the focal plane to 0.007 arc seconds (rms) for observations lasting from seconds to hours. Following the on-orbit deployment, this level of pointing performance was achieved only for short intervals during each orbit because of unexpected disturbances originating in the Solar Arrays. Since this problem was first recognized, several control system redesigns have been carried out and uplinked to the spacecraft with increasing degrees of success. This paper presents a chronology of those activities. In addition, sufficient background material is included regarding the pointing control system and the Solar Array disturbance so that the contents can be understood without reverting to the details in the reference material.

Sharkey, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Orbit Determination (OD) Error Analysis Results for the Triana Sun-Earth L1 Libration Point Mission and for the Fourier Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) Sun-Earth L2 Libration Point Mission Concept

The Triana spacecraft was designed to be launched by the Space Shuttle. The nominal Triana mission orbit will be a Sun-Earth L1 libration point orbit. Using the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Orbit Determination Error Analysis System (ODEAS), orbit determination (OD) error analysis results are presented for all phases of the Triana mission from the first correction maneuver through approximately launch plus 6 months. Results are also presented for the science data collection phase of the Fourier Kelvin Stellar Interferometer Sun-Earth L2 libration point mission concept with momentum unloading thrust perturbations during the tracking arc. The Triana analysis includes extensive analysis of an initial short arc orbit determination solution and results using both Deep Space Network (DSN) and commercial Universal Space Network (USN) statistics. These results could be utilized in support of future Sun-Earth libration point missions.

Marr, Greg C.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Guaranteeing Pointing Performance of the SDO Sun-Pointing Controllers in Light of Nonlinear Effects

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission is the first Space Weather Research Network mission, part of NASA s Living With a Star program.1 This program seeks to understand the changing Sun and its effects on the Solar System, life, and society. To this end, the SDO spacecraft will carry three Sun-observing instruments to geosynchronous orbit: Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), led by Stanford University; Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), led by Lockheed Martin Space and Astrophysics Laboratory; and Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), led by the University of Colorado. Links describing the instruments in detail may be found through the SDO web site.2 The basic mission goals are to observe the Sun for a very high percentage of the 5-year mission (10-year goal) with long stretches of uninterrupted observations and with constant, high-data-rate transmission to a dedicated ground station. These goals guided the design of the spacecraft bus that will carry and service the three-instrument payload. At the time of this publication, the SDO spacecraft bus is well into the integration and testing phase at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). A three-axis stabilized attitude control system (ACS) is needed both to point at the Sun accurately and to keep the roll about the Sun vector correctly positioned. The ACS has four reaction wheel modes and 2 thruster actuated modes. More details about the ACS in general and the control modes in particular can be found in Refs. [3-6]. All four of SDO s wheel-actuated control modes involve Sun-pointing controllers, as might be expected from such a mission. Science mode, during which most science data is collected, uses specialized guide telescopes to point accurately at the Sun. Inertial mode has two sub-modes, one tracks a Sun-referenced target orientation, and another maintains an absolute (star-referenced) target orientation, that both employ a Kalman filter to process data from a digital Sun sensor and two star trackers. However, this paper is concerned only with the other two modes: Safe Hold (SH) and Sun Acquisition (SA).

Starin, Scott R.↗