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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 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Measuring the In-Process Figure, Final Prescription, and System Alignment of Large Optics and Segmented Mirrors Using Lidar Metrology

The fabrication of large optics is traditionally a slow process, and fabrication capability is often limited by measurement capability. W hile techniques exist to measure mirror figure with nanometer precis ion, measurements of large-mirror prescription are typically limited to submillimeter accuracy. Using a lidar instrument enables one to measure the optical surface rough figure and prescription in virtuall y all phases of fabrication without moving the mirror from its polis hing setup. This technology improves the uncertainty of mirror presc ription measurement to the micron-regime.

Ohl, Raymond↗
DOE OSTI2023

Efficient Reinforcement Learning for Real-Time Hardware-Based Energy System Experiments: Preprint

In the context of urgent climate challenges and the pressing need for rapid technology development, Reinforcement Learning (RL) stands as a compelling data-driven method for controlling real-world physical systems. However, RL implementation often entails time-consuming and computationally intensive data collection and training processes, rendering them inefficient for real-time applications that lack non-real-time models. To address these limitations, real-time emulation techniques have emerged as valuable tools for the lab-scale rapid prototyping of intricate energy systems. While emulated systems offer a bridge between simulation and reality, they too face constraints, hindering comprehensive characterization, testing, and development. In this research, we construct a surrogate model using limited data from simulated systems, enabling an efficient and effective training process for a Double Deep Q-Network (DDQN) agent for future deployment. Our approach is illustrated through a hydropower application, demonstrating the practical impact of our approach on climate-related technology development.

deep Q-learning↗
NASA NTRS1985

An Algorithm for Efficient Maximum Likelihood Estimation and Confidence Interval Determination in Nonlinear Estimation Problems

An algorithm for maximum likelihood (ML) estimation is developed with an efficient method for approximating the sensitivities. The algorithm was developed for airplane parameter estimation problems but is well suited for most nonlinear, multivariable, dynamic systems. The ML algorithm relies on a new optimization method referred to as a modified Newton-Raphson with estimated sensitivities (MNRES). MNRES determines sensitivities by using slope information from local surface approximations of each output variable in parameter space. The fitted surface allows sensitivity information to be updated at each iteration with a significant reduction in computational effort. MNRES determines the sensitivities with less computational effort than using either a finite-difference method or integrating the analytically determined sensitivity equations. MNRES eliminates the need to derive sensitivity equations for each new model, thus eliminating algorithm reformulation with each new model and providing flexibility to use model equations in any format that is convenient. A random search technique for determining the confidence limits of ML parameter estimates is applied to nonlinear estimation problems for airplanes. The confidence intervals obtained by the search are compared with Cramer-Rao (CR) bounds at the same confidence level. It is observed that the degree of nonlinearity in the estimation problem is an important factor in the relationship between CR bounds and the error bounds determined by the search technique. The CR bounds were found to be close to the bounds determined by the search when the degree of nonlinearity was small. Beale's measure of nonlinearity is developed in this study for airplane identification problems; it is used to empirically correct confidence levels for the parameter confidence limits. The primary utility of the measure, however, was found to be in predicting the degree of agreement between Cramer-Rao bounds and search estimates.

Murphy, Patrick Charles↗
NASA NTRS1994

Gamma-ray bright quasars and BL Lacertae objects: EGRET data

The Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) Instruments, in particular, EGRET, have recently discovered new, gamma-ray bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs)(fluxes approximately 0.5-3 times as bright as 3C 273). Yet current sample sizes are modest (for example, EGRET as of 1993 January has detected 17 quasars and five BL Lac objects), and the sources probe only a small range in flux. Only by using a large, unbiased sample of AGNs can we answer key questions about source evolution, contributions to the gamma-ray background, and the different gamma-ray properties of quasars and BL Lac objects. Therefore, we need gamma-ray data on a much larger number of AGNs. We are currently pursuing two approaches toward remedying this situation: first, new (phase 2) OSSE, COMPTEL, and EGRET observations of X-ray selected AGNs predicted to be gamma-ray bright on simple assumptions; even an upper limit can set constraints on continuum models (e.g., pair production, synchrotron self-Compton); second, searches for radio-selected AGNs in wide-field EGRET data obtained during the pointings. For these AGN, we expect a large number of faint sources (i.e., mainly low signal-to-noise ratio detections and upper limits), a continuous progression down to the limiting EGRET sensitivity. Although special techniques must be employed to deal carefully with low-significance sources, the end product will be a much larger sample than currently available on which to base deductions about the gamma-ray properties of AGNs. Here we report the first results of this program. We find an upper limit for 3C 382 and demonstrate, using the 3C 382 field, how serendipitous blazars can systematically searched for in existing EGRET public (Phase 1) data. Preliminary results indicate that synchrotron self-Compton processes dominate.

Schachter, Jonathan↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantitative chemical assay of nanogram-level particulate matter using aerosol mass spectrometry: characterization of particles collected from uncrewed atmospheric measurement platforms

Abstract. Aerosol generation techniques have expanded the utility of aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) for offline chemical analysis of airborne particles and droplets. However, standard aerosolization techniques require relatively large liquid volumes (e.g., several milliliters) and high sample masses that limit their utility. Here we report the development and characterization of a micronebulization AMS (MN-AMS) technique that requires as low as 10 µL of sample and can provide the quantification of the nanogram level of organic and inorganic substances via the usage of an isotopically labeled internal standard (34SO42-). Using standard solutions, the detection limits for this technique were determined at 0.19, 0.75, and 2.2 ng for sulfate, nitrate, and organics, respectively. The analytical recoveries for these species are 104 %, 87 %, and 94 %, respectively. This MN-AMS technique was applied successfully to analyze filter and impactor samples collected using miniature particulate matter (PM) samplers deployable on uncrewed atmospheric measurement platforms, such as uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) and tethered balloon systems (TBSs). Chemical composition of PM samples collected from a UAS field campaign conducted at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Southern Great Plains (SGP) observatory was characterized. The offline MN-AMS data compared well with the in situ PM composition measured by a co-located aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM). In addition, the MN-AMS and ion chromatography (IC) agreed well for measurements of sulfate and nitrate concentrations in the PM extracts. This study demonstrates the utility of combining MN-AMS with uncrewed measurement platforms to provide quantitative measurements of ambient PM composition.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1990

Propulsion simulation for magnetically suspended wind tunnel models

The feasibility of simulating propulsion-induced aerodynamic effects on scaled aircraft models in wind tunnels employing Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems. The investigation concerned itself with techniques of generating exhaust jets of appropriate characteristics. The objectives were to: (1) define thrust and mass flow requirements of jets; (2) evaluate techniques for generating propulsive gas within volume limitations imposed by magnetically-suspended models; (3) conduct simple diagnostic experiments for techniques involving new concepts; and (4) recommend experiments for demonstration of propulsion simulation techniques. Various techniques of generating exhaust jets of appropriate characteristics were evaluated on scaled aircraft models in wind tunnels with MSBS. Four concepts of remotely-operated propulsion simulators were examined. Three conceptual designs involving innovative adaptation of convenient technologies (compressed gas cylinders, liquid, and solid propellants) were developed. The fourth innovative concept, namely, the laser-assisted thruster, which can potentially simulate both inlet and exhaust flows, was found to require very high power levels for small thrust levels.

Joshi, Prakash B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The space orientation of stars

Stellar rotation periods recently determined from short-term variations in Ca II H and K emission-line flux associated with starspot activity can be combined with both rotational spectral-line-broadening velocity measurements and independent measurements of stellar radii to give the inclination of the star's rotation axis to the line of sight. Assuming that the limits of distribution of sunspots on the sun apply similarly to solar-type stars, interferometric measurements of stellar radii in Ca II H and K flux may be performed to determine the clock-like, on-the-plane-of-the-sky orientation as well. Various stellar-radius measuring techniques are discussed, and photon limits on the measurability of this latter parameter are derived for Ca II H and K speckle interferometry. The accuracy with which the space orientation of stars can be determined is discussed in the context of existing data as well as photon limits. The importance of determining the space orientation of stars is then discussed, with emphasis on its important application to the present search for extrasolar planetary systems.

Doyle, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Wide-Field Imaging Using Nitrogen Vacancies

Nitrogen vacancies in bulk diamonds and nanodiamonds can be used to sense temperature, pressure, electromagnetic fields, and pH. Unfortunately, conventional sensing techniques use gated detection and confocal imaging, limiting the measurement sensitivity and precluding wide-field imaging. Conversely, the present sensing techniques do not require gated detection or confocal imaging and can therefore be used to image temperature, pressure, electromagnetic fields, and pH over wide fields of view. In some cases, wide-field imaging supports spatial localization of the NVs to precisions at or below the diffraction limit. Moreover, the measurement range can extend over extremely wide dynamic range at very high sensitivity.

Englund, Dirk Robert↗
DOE OSTI2022

Precision genome editing in plants using gene targeting and prime editing: existing and emerging strategies

Precise modification of plant genomes, such as seamless insertion, deletion, or replacement of DNA sequences at a predefined site, is a challenging task. Gene targeting (GT) and prime editing are currently the best approaches for this purpose. However, these techniques are inefficient in plants, which limits their applications for crop breeding programs. Recently, substantial developments have been made to improve the efficiency of these techniques in plants. Several strategies, such as RNA donor templating, chemically modified donor DNA template, and tandem-repeat homology-directed repair, are aimed at improving GT. Additionally, improved prime editing gRNA design, use of engineered reverse transcriptase enzymes, and splitting prime editing components have improved the efficacy of prime editing in plants. These emerging strategies and existing technologies are reviewed along with various perspectives on their future improvement and the development of robust precision genome editing technologies for plants.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2010

Smart materials: strain sensing and stress determination by means of nanotube sensing systems, composites, and devices

The present invention is directed toward devices comprising carbon nanotubes that are capable of detecting displacement, impact, stress, and/or strain in materials, methods of making such devices, methods for sensing/detecting/monitoring displacement, impact, stress, and/or strain via carbon nanotubes, and various applications for such methods and devices. The devices and methods of the present invention all rely on mechanically-induced electronic perturbations within the carbon nanotubes to detect and quantify such stress/strain. Such detection and quantification can rely on techniques which include, but are not limited to, electrical conductivity/conductance and/or resistivity/resistance detection/measurements, thermal conductivity detection/measurements, electroluminescence detection/measurements, photoluminescence detection/measurements, and combinations thereof. All such techniques rely on an understanding of how such properties change in response to mechanical stress and/or strain.

Barrera, Enrique V.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Compression of transmission bandwidth requirements for a certain class of band-limited functions.

A study of source-encoding techniques that afford a reduction of data-transmission rates is made with particular emphasis on the compression of transmission bandwidth requirements of band-limited functions. The feasibility of bandwidth compression through analog signal rooting is investigated. It is found that the N-th roots of elements of a certain class of entire functions of exponential type possess contour integrals resembling Fourier transforms, the Cauchy principal values of which are compactly supported on an interval one N-th the size of that of the original function. Exploring this theoretical result, it is found that synthetic roots can be generated, which closely approximate the N-th roots of a certain class of band-limited signals and possess spectra that are essentially confined to a bandwidth one N-th that of the signal subjected to the rooting operation. A source-encoding algorithm based on this principle is developed that allows the compression of data-transmission requirements for a certain class of band-limited signals.

Smith, I. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Theoretical hypervelocity ballistic limit for single or double plates using nonlinear modal analysis

The original research on the use on nonlinear vibration technique to solve for the hypervelocity ballistic limit for double plates is examined. Such structure is commonly found in typical Space Station design where the incoming space or man-made debris would be fragmented upon hitting the outer plate (shield) and the subsequent impact on the main wall would result in a much reduced damge of the space station or spacecraft. The existing few theoretical impact equations do not agree well with each other. The existing computer code bumper used at NASA-Johnson Space Center appears to predict an unconservative ballistic limit when compared with experimental data where the velocity ranges from 3 km/s to 8 km/s. Such unconservative prediction is unacceptable from a practical safe design point of view. The bumper code is based on Wilkinson's (1968) paper and his equations have not been improved nor modified even though they are viewed with suspicion due to lack of agreement with experiments. To make matters worse, there is not another theory which is better than Wilkinson's equation and the designers are forced to use purely empirical Nysmith (1969) or semiempirical equations developed by Cour-Palais in 1969. The Cour-Palais equations were later modified empirically in 1989. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the many assumptions of the Wilkinson equation. An attempt is made to present design charts based on the modified-Wilkinson equation so that the designer can get a feel of the ranges of the parameters which are of interest and discard a huge range of parameters, thus, significantly reducing the number of test shots required. The analysis is based on a solution of the governing nonlinear differential equations for a plate, assuming axisymmetric behavior using polar coordinates.

Hui, David↗
NASA NTRS1986

A methodology for airplane parameter estimation and confidence interval determination in nonlinear estimation problems

An algorithm for maximum likelihood (ML) estimation is developed with an efficient method for approximating the sensitivities. The ML algorithm relies on a new optimization method referred to as a modified Newton-Raphson with estimated sensitivities (MNRES). MNRES determines sensitivities by using slope information from local surface approximations of each output variable in parameter space. With the fitted surface, sensitivity information can be updated at each iteration with less computational effort than that required by either a finite-difference method or integration of the analytically determined sensitivity equations. MNRES eliminates the need to derive sensitivity equations for each new model, and thus provides flexibility to use model equations in any convenient format. A random search technique for determining the confidence limits of ML parameter estimates is applied to nonlinear estimation problems for airplanes. The confidence intervals obtained by the search are compared with Cramer-Rao (CR) bounds at the same confidence level. The degree of nonlinearity in the estimation problem is an important factor in the relationship between CR bounds and the error bounds determined by the search technique. Beale's measure of nonlinearity is developed in this study for airplane identification problems; it is used to empirically correct confidence levels and to predict the degree of agreement between CR bounds and search estimates.

Murphy, P. C.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Collimated phase measuring deflectometry

Phase measuring deflectometry has been applied for free-form specular surface metrology, but its measured slope results are sensitive to the depth of sample positioning, which is also called the height-slope ambiguity. The objective of this work is to tackle this height-slope ambiguity problem. The main idea is to introduce collimated camera rays using a telecentric imaging lens and collimated structured-light illumination with a Fourier lens. This setup makes the fringe phases become only sensitive to the surface slopes and insensitive to the depth of the sample positioning. In this way, the slope calculation is theoretically independent of the sample depth. We call this new deflectometry technique Collimated Phase Measuring Deflectometry (CPMD). With our developed CPMD experimental setup, the measurement is insensitive to the depth of sample positioning, e.g., the measured height dispersion is less than 30 nm RMS within a 10 mm depth range when measuring a 50-mm-diameter spherical mirror with a 200 mm radius of curvature. In conclusion, the merits and limitations of the proposed CPMD technique are discussed, revealing its prospects in practical metrology applications and potential future investigations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2006

2.4 Micrometer Cutoff Wavelength AlGaAsSb/InGaAsSb Phototransistors

We report the first AlGaAsSb/InGaAsSb phototransistors with a cutoff wavelength (50% of peak responsivity) of 2.4 micrometers operating in a broad range of temperatures. These devices are also the first AlGaAsSb/InGaAsSb heterojunction phototransistors (HPT) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). This work is a continuation of a preceding study, which was carried out using LPE (liquid phase epitaxy)-grown AlGaAsSb/InGaAsSb/GaSb heterostructures. Although the LPE-related work resulted in the fabrication of an HPT with excellent parameters [1-4], the room temperature cutoff wavelength of these devices (approximately 2.15 micrometers) was determined by fundamental limitations implied by the close-to-equilibrium growth from Al-In-Ga-As-Sb melts. As the MBE technique is free from the above limitations, AlGaAsSb/InGaAsSb/GaSb heterostructures for HPT with a narrower bandgap of the InGaAsSb base and collector - and hence sensitivity at longer wavelengths (lambda) - were grown in this work. Moreover, MBE - compared to LPE - provides better control over doping levels, composition and width of the AlGaAsSb and InGaAsSb layers, compositional and doping profiles, especially with regard to abrupt heterojunctions. The new MBE-grown HPT exhibited both high responsivity R (up to 2334 A/W for lambda=2.05 micrometers at -20 deg C.) and specific detectivity D* (up to 2.1 x 10(exp 11) cmHz(exp 1/2)/W for lambda=2.05 micrometers at -20 deg C).

Sulima, O. V.↗
NASA NTRS2007

[Overview of the GSFC Effort to Build Microwave Detectors for CMB Polarization]

Filled arrays of bolometers are currently being employed for use in astronomy from the far-infrared through millimeter portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because of the large range of wavelengths for which such detectors are applicable, the size of a pixel (p) relative to the wavelength (lambda) will vary according to the specific application of a given available technology. As the pixel size becomes comparable to a wavelength of the absorbed radiation, correlations in the radiation field at the pixel can affect the imaging properties of the system independent of the correlations introduced by the front-end optics. We study the dependence of image fidelity and induced polarization on the size of the pixel by employing a formalism in which diffraction due to the pixel boundary is treated by propagating the second-order statistical correlations of the radiation field through a model optical system. We construct simulated polarized images of square pixels for various ratios of p lambda. For the limit in which few modes are supported by the pixel (p lambda lesssiml), we find that the diffraction due to the pixel edges is non-negligible and hence must be considered along with the telescope diffraction pattern in modeling the ultimate spatial resolution of an imaging system. For the case in which the pixel is over-moded (p lambda ggl), the geometric limit is approached as expected. This technique provides a quantitative approach to understand and optimize the imaging properties of planar detectors in the few-mode limit.

Chuss, David↗
NASA NTRS1991

Inversion techniques for recovering two-dimensional distributions of auroral emission rates from tomographic rocket photometer measurements

This paper demonstrates how the spatial distribution of optical emission rates within an auroral arc may be recovered from rocket photometer measurements made in a tomographic spin scan mode. The tomographic inversion procedures required to recover this information and the implementation of two inversion algorithms that are particularly well suited for dealing with the problem of noise in the observational data are described. The performance of the inversion algorithms and the limitations of the rocket tomography technique are assessed using various sets of simulated rocket measurements that were generated from 'known' auroral emission-rate distributions. The simulations are used to investigate how the quality of the tomographic recovery may be influenced by various factors such as noise in the data, rocket penetration of the auroral form, background sources of emission, smearing due to the photometer field of view, and temporal variations in the auroral form.

Mcdade, Ian. C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A genetic technique for planning a control sequence to navigate the state space with a quasi-minimum-cost output trajectory for a non-linear multi-dimnensional system

There are many multi-stage optimization problems that are not easily solved through any known direct method when the stages are coupled. For instance, we have investigated the problem of planning a vehicle's control sequence to negotiate obstacles and reach a goal in minimum time. The vehicle has a known mass, and the controlling forces have finite limits. We have developed a technique that finds admissible control trajectories which tend to minimize the vehicle's transit time through the obstacle field. The immediate applications is that of a space robot which must rapidly traverse around 2-or-3 dimensional structures via application of a rotating thruster or non-rotating on-off for such vehicles is located at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama. However, it appears that the development method is applicable to a general set of optimization problems in which the cost function and the multi-dimensional multi-state system can be any nonlinear functions, which are continuous in the operating regions. Other applications included the planning of optimal navigation pathways through a transversability graph; the planning of control input for under-water maneuvering vehicles which have complex control state-space relationships; the planning of control sequences for milling and manufacturing robots; the planning of control and trajectories for automated delivery vehicles; and the optimization and athletic training in slalom sports.

Hein, C.↗