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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 739 records · Page 41

Thoreau: A fully-buried wireless underground sensor network in an urban environment

This paper describes the design and deployment of a functional Wireless Underground Sensor Network (WUSN) on a university campus. This is an unique system that is operational over a large area and over a long period of time, providing real time monitoring of the environment with the data being curated and displayed on an open website. The system details, including the architecture, node design, user interface, and deployment are provided. Initial measurement results are analyzed to show the functionality and performance of the system.

internet of things↗

Helping IT and OT Defenders Collaborate

Cyber-physical systems, especially in critical infrastructures, have become primary hacking targets in international conflicts and diplomacy. However, cyber-physical systems present unique challenges to defenders, starting with an inability to communicate. This paper outlines the results of our interviews with information technology (IT) defenders and operational technology (OT) operators and seeks to address lessons learned from them in the structure of our notional solutions. We pre-sent two problems in this paper: (1) the difficulty of coordinat-ing detection and response between defenders who work on the cyber/IT and physical/OT sides of cyber-physical infrastruc-tures, and (2) the difficulty of estimating the safety state of a cyber-physical system while an intrusion is underway but be-fore damage can be effected by the attacker. To meet these chal-lenges, we propose two solutions: (1) a visualization that will enable communication between IT defenders and OT operators, and (2) a machine-learning approach that will estimate the distance from normal the physical system is operating and send information to the visualization.

Cyber Physical Systems, internet of things, visual↗

Overview of RFID Applications Utilizing Neural Networks

As Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) methods continue to evolve to higher levels of complexity, one form of machine learning is making its appearance. The use of Neural Networks (NN) in the RFID field is steadily increasing, and in the fields of localization and activity recognition, promising results are being shown from a variety of research. RFID applications fall primarily under two types of problems including regression and classification. We analyze RIFD localization techniques which fall under regression, and activity recognition which falls under classification. Many works don’t classify themselves as activity recognition methods, but because they fall under the classification category, we still consider them as activity recognition techniques. This research overviews the Neural Network models in the localization field based on whether they can perform independently of the environment in which they were tested. For activity recognition and accessory fields, the major methods involve tag-based and tag-free approaches. In conclusion, after the models are surveyed, a comparison study is given to examine what may be the cause for increased accuracy between different Neural Network models.

42 ENGINEERING↗

RuralAI in Tomato Farming: Integrated Sensor System, Distributed Computing, and Hierarchical Federated Learning for Crop Health Monitoring

Precision horticulture is evolving due to scalable sensor deployment and machine learning (ML) integration. These advancements boost the operational efficiency of individual farms, balancing the benefits of analytics with autonomy requirements. However, given concerns that affect wide geographic regions (e.g., climate change), there is a need to apply models that span farms. Federated learning (FL) has emerged as a potential solution. FL enables decentralized ML across different farms without sharing private data. Traditional FL assumes simple two-tier network topologies and, thus, falls short of operating on more complex networks found in real-world agricultural scenarios. Networks vary across crops and farms and encompass various sensor data modes, extending across jurisdictions. New hierarchical FL (HFL) approaches are needed for more efficient and context-sensitive model sharing, accommodating regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Here, we present the RuralAI architecture deployment for tomato crop monitoring, featuring sensor field units for soil, crop, and weather data collection. HFL with personalization is used to offer localized and adaptive insights. Model management, aggregation, and transfers are facilitated via a flexible approach, enabling seamless communication between local devices, edge nodes, and the cloud.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

A Global Real-Time Superlab: Enabling High Penetration of Power Electronics in the Electric Grid

The Global Real-Time Superlaboratory (Global RT Superlab) represents a vendor-neutral distributed platform based on the virtual interconnection of digital real-time simulators (DRTSs) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setups hosted at eight geographically distributed laboratories in the United States and Europe (Figure 1). This article describes the efforts toward the realization of this largescale virtual infrastructure and explains a demonstration of the multilab setup for simulation and testing of next-generation global power grids.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Evaluating Time Varying Connectivities and System Throughput in Opportunistic Networks for Smart Grid Applications

With increasing proliferation of smart phones, there is an opportunity to employ mobile ad hoc networks to connect to distributed energy assets located in remote areas. With embedded intelligence and edge computing capabilities, autonomous ‘edge control nodes’ can enable a decentralized energy nexus, without the need for on-demand communications. Authors have developed an opportunistic networking framework using Bluetooth Low Energy and a specialized mobile phone application that enables delay tolerant networking for the above framework. Here, this paper presents the analysis of time varying graph connectivity for such an opportunistic mobile ad hoc network. Dependence of connectivity on different network parameters such as radio characteristics, the mobility of data mules and parameters governing how connections are established are explored. Simulation results showing the variation of above trends have been presented.

Bluetooth↗

Methods for the Automated Determination of Sustained Maximum Amplitudes in Oscillating Signals

Machine condition monitoring has been proven to reduce machine downtime and increase productivity. The state-of-the-art research uses vibration monitoring for tasks such as maintenance and tool wear prediction. A less explored aspect is how vibration monitoring might be used to monitor equipment sensitive to vibration. In a manufacturing environment, one example of where this might be needed is in monitoring the vibration of optical linear encoders used in high-precision machine tools and coordinate measuring machines. Monitoring the vibration of sensitive equipment presents a unique case for vibration monitoring because an accurate calculation of the maximum sustained vibration is needed, as opposed to extracting trends from the data. To do this, techniques for determining sustained peaks in vibration signals are needed. Here, this work fills this gap by formalizing and testing methods for determining sustained vibration amplitudes. The methods are tested on simulated signals based on experimental data. Results show that processing the signal directly with the novel Expire Timer method produces the smallest amounts of error on average under various test conditions. Additionally, this method can operate in real-time on streaming vibration data.

Industrial Internet of Things↗

Identifiers for the 21st century: How to design, provision, and reuse persistent identifiers to maximize utility and impact of life science data

In many disciplines, data are highly decentralized across thousands of online databases (repositories, registries, and knowledgebases). Wringing value from such databases depends on the discipline of data science and on the humble bricks and mortar that make integration possible; identifiers are a core component of this integration infrastructure. Drawing on our experience and on work by other groups, we outline 10 lessons we have learned about the identifier qualities and best practices that facilitate large-scale data integration. Specifically, we propose actions that identifier practitioners (database providers) should take in the design, provision and reuse of identifiers. We also outline the important considerations for those referencing identifiers in various circumstances, including by authors and data generators. While the importance and relevance of each lesson will vary by context, there is a need for increased awareness about how to avoid and manage common identifier problems, especially those related to persistence and web-accessibility/resolvability. We focus strongly on web-based identifiers in the life sciences; however, the principles are broadly relevant to other disciplines.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Selecting Essential Information for Biosurveillance—A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

The National Strategy for Biosurveillancedefines biosurveillance as ‘‘the process of gathering, integrating, interpreting, and communicating essential information related to all-hazards threats or disease activity affecting human, animal, or plant health to achieve early detection and warning, contribute to overall situational awareness of the health aspects of an incident, and to enable better decision-making at all levels.’’ However, the strategy does not specify how ‘‘essential information’’ is to be identified and integrated into the current biosurveillance enterprise, or what the metrics qualify information as being ‘‘essential’’. Thequestion of data stream identification and selection requires a structured methodology that can systematically evaluate the tradeoffs between the many criteria that need to be taken in account. Multi-Attribute Utility Theory, a type of multi-criteria decision analysis, can provide a well-defined, structured approach that can offer solutions to this problem. While the use of Multi-Attribute Utility Theoryas a practical method to apply formal scientific decision theoretical approaches to complex, multi-criteria problems has been demonstrated in a variety of fields, this method has never been applied to decision support in biosurveillance.We have developed a formalized decision support analytic framework that can facilitate identification of ‘‘essential information’’ for use in biosurveillance systems or processes and we offer this framework to the global BSV community as a tool for optimizing the BSV enterprise. To demonstrate utility, we applied the framework to the problem of evaluating data streams for use in an integrated global infectious disease surveillance system.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Leveraging Flexible Smart Manufacturing to Accelerate Industrial Supply Chain Recovery

Any major crisis such as the latest coronavirus disease pandemic will have a monumental effect on the worldwide economy and on the international supply chain. Much of the global supply chain relies on China, Germany, and the United States for manufacturing and distribution; this fragile system is subject to failure. Climactic changes in demand and rapid shortages in necessities are the results of the pandemic’s disruption. The recovery forecast for the ongoing pandemic is uncertain and, therefore, any recovery effort will need to be adaptable to build the supply chain resiliency. A wide adoption of flexible smart automated technologies in the manufacturing sector are helping to build robust supply chains and assisting in recovery. Here, a brief discussion of these smart manufacturing technologies is presented, along with a list of potential supply chain issues and corresponding solutions. Such smart manufacturing technologies possess the potential to empower and revolutionize the traditional manufacturing environment by enhancing its resiliency and flexibility. These smart technologies will play a crucial role in accelerating the worldwide supply chain recovery in and after a pandemic.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Software-Defined Solutions for Managing Energy Use in Small to Medium Sized Commercial Buildings

The Project uses state-of-the-art computer science to extend the benefits of Building Automation Systems (BAS) typically found in large buildings (>100,000 square foot) to medium-sized commercial buildings (<50,000 sq ft). The BAS developed in this project, termed OpenBAS, uses an open-source and open software architecture platform, user interface, and plug-and-play control devices to facilitate adoption of energy efficiency strategies in the commercial building sector throughout the United States. At the heart of this “turn key” BAS is the platform with three types of controllers—thermostat, lighting controller, and general controller—that are easily “discovered” by the platform in a plug-and-play fashion. The user interface showcases the platform and provides the control system set-up, system status display and means of automatically mapping the control points in the system.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Update on Small Modular Reactors Dynamic System Modeling Tool: Web Application

Previous reports focused on the development of component and system models as well as end-to-end system models using Modelica and Dymola for two advanced reactor architectures: (1) Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor and (2) fluoride high-temperature reactor (FHR). The focus of this report is the release of the first beta version of the web-based application for model use and collaboration, as well as an update on the FHR model. The web-based application allows novice users to configure end-to-end system models from preconfigured choices to investigate the instrumentation and controls implications of these designs and allows for the collaborative development of individual component models that can be benchmarked against test systems for potential inclusion in the model library. A description of this application is provided along with examples of its use and a listing and discussion of all the models that currently exist in the library.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

The National Opportunity for Interoperability and its Benefits for a Reliable, Robust, and Future Grid Realized Through Buildings

Today, increasing numbers of intermittent generation sources (e.g., wind and photovoltaic) and new mobile intermittent loads (e.g., electric vehicles) can significantly affect traditional utility business practices and operations. At the same time, a growing number of technologies and devices, from appliances to lighting systems, are being deployed at consumer premises that have more sophisticated controls and information that remain underused for anything beyond basic building equipment operations. The intersection of these two drivers is an untapped opportunity and underused resource that, if appropriately configured and realized in open standards, can provide significant energy efficiency and commensurate savings on utility bills, enhanced and lower cost reliability to utilities, and national economic benefits in the creation of new markets, sectors, and businesses being fueled by the seamless coordination of energy and information through device and technology interoperability. Or, as the Quadrennial Energy Review puts it, “A plethora of both consumer-level and grid-level devices are either in the market, under development, or at the conceptual stage. When tied together through the information technology that is increasingly being deployed on electric utilities’ distribution grids, they can be an important enabling part of the emerging grid of the future. However, what is missing is the ability for all of these devices to coordinate and communicate their operations with the grid, and among themselves, in a common language — an open standard.” In this paper, we define interoperability as the ability to exchange actionable information between two or more systems within a home or building, or across and within organizational boundaries. Interoperability relies on the shared meaning of the exchanged information, with agreed-upon expectations and consequences, for the response to the information exchange.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Overview of Existing and Future Residential Use Cases for Connected Thermostats

This paper is intended to help inform future technology deployment opportunities for connected thermostats (CTs), based on investigation and review of the U.S. residential housing and CT markets, as well as existing, emerging, and future use cases for CT hardware and CT-generated data. The CT market has experienced tremendous growth over the last five years — both in terms of the number of units sold and the number of firms offering competing products — and can be characterized by its rapid pace of technological innovation. Despite many assuming CTs would become powerful tools for increasing comfort while saving energy, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about the actual energy and cost savings that are likely to be realized from deployment of CTs, particularly under different conditions.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

User Location-Specific Data for Smarter Smart Grids

This project focused on modifying and evaluating the Readings at Desk (RAD) controller, a lighting control system developed and patented by Erik Page & Associates, Inc. (EP&A) that: 1) Measures the amount of light present in the workstation; 2) Allows occupants to define desired light levels at the workstation; 3) Communicates to wirelessly-controllable overhead lighting systems. In measuring conditions at the desk, the RAD controller differs from typical lighting control systems that rely on daylight sensors located at the ceiling. There are inherent advantages associated with using sensors that are located at the occupant’s workstation in that they more accurately represent what the occupant is experiencing, theoretically providing a much better closed-loop control point. The technical objectives of this Phase I project were: 1) Objective 1: Modify the RAD controller such that it can report energy use of connected devices and receive status updates and/or commands from external sources, such as grid or demand response signals. 2) Objective 2: Modify the RAD controller to measure the temperature at a workstation, accept temperature preferences from users, and communicate controls information to a building’s HVAC systems. 3) Objective 3: Carry out a comprehensive performance test of the modified RAD controller in controlling lighting and HVAC systems. All three technical objectives were met in the Phase I project execution, as well as an additional “bonus” technical achievement not described in the original proposal: the development of a computer monitor-mounted occupancy and lighting sensor board.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗