The Keck Interferometer Nuller (KIN): configuration, measurement approach, and first results
The Keck Interferometer Nuller (KIN) will be used to examine nearby stellar systems for the presence of circumstellar exozodiacal emission.
interferometry↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “mooring system”
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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Universality of Shallow Global Quenches in Critical Spin Chains
Measuring universal data in the strongly correlated regime of quantum critical points remains a fundamental objective for quantum simulators. In foundational work, Calabrese and Cardy demonstrated how these data govern the dynamics of certain global quenches to 1+1-dimensional conformal field theories. While the quasiparticle picture they introduce has been widely successful in both theory and experiment, their seminal prediction that the critical exponents are simply encoded in the relaxation rates of local observables is challenging to investigate experimentally. In this Letter, we examine the critical quench dynamics of local observables from two types of readily accessible initial conditions: ground states and finite-temperature ensembles. Here, we identify universal scaling collapses and scaling functions, utilizing a combination of conformal perturbation theory and tensor network numerics. For the finite-temperature quenches, we determine a regime in which the conformal field theory results are recovered, thereby allowing universal quantum critical data to be extracted from realistic quenches.
Quantum many-body systems↗
Static second-order polarizability calculations for large molecular systems
A procedure to calculate all second-order polarizability tensor elements in static fields has been developed. The calculations are based on semiempirical Hamiltonians (MNDO) that include shaped electric fields. The technique has been applied to mono-, di-, and trisubstituted benzenes incorporating nitro, methyl, and primary and secondary amino groups.
Cardelino, Beatriz H.↗
Performance and verification of the Keck Interferometer fringe detection and tracking system
We briefly discuss the instrument design of the Keck Interferometer from a hardware and realtime controls standpoint. We also show some recent visibility data from the instrument and summarize Fatcat's limiting sensitivity. Finally, we will discuss near and longterm evolution of the instrument through planned upgrades and summarize avenues for enhanced capability.
stellar↗
Systematically derived thermodynamic properties for alkane oxidation
Key combustion properties, such as ignition delay time, show strong sensitivity to the thermochemistry of the main species in the standard radical oxidation pathway at low temperatures (600-1000K). Significant uncertainties persist in current estimates of thermodynamic properties, particularly for the larger species of relevance to common practical fuels. In this article, we use advanced computational schemes to evaluate thermodynamic properties for the fuel, fuel radical, peroxy, hydroperoxy-alkyl radical, and hydroperoxide species for a set of 17 fuels containing up to 9 carbon atoms, and with various degrees of branching in the alkane backbone. The procedure, termed STAR-1D, combines conformer sampling to find the minimum geometry, B2PLYP-D3/cc-pVTZ harmonic frequency evaluations, and omega B97X-D/cc-pVTZ one-dimensional torsional mapping. It includes two physically-based scaling routines: a frequency-dependent scaling to B2PLYP-D3/cc-pVTZ anharmonic frequencies and a scaling of one-dimensional omega B97X-D/ccpVTZ torsional profiles to reproduce the product of the B2PLYP-D3/cc-pVTZ frequencies in the harmonic limit. Substantive comparisons with existing experimental databases, together with careful examinations of key theoretical assumptions, are used to explore the accuracy of the predictions. These computationally intensive explorations of 195 species were facilitated by automated thermochemistry software. Further, high accuracy 0 K heats of formation from a separate study are used with the STAR-1D computations to generate NASA polynomial representations. In addition to their intrinsic value, the present results also provide a reliable database for the optimization of group additivity or machine learning schemes for scaling to larger combustion systems. Towards this end a complementary extensive conformational analysis is carried out for the medium sized species and the thermodynamic properties of the lowest energy hydrogen-bonded and non-hydrogen bonded conformers are contrasted for larger hydroperoxy-alkyl radical species.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Fracture Adjacent Matrix Permeability: Insights from a Direct Experimental Approach
Description of a measurement technique, using a triple-pressure tap Hassler Style Core holder, that facilitates pressure measurement perpendicular to a fracture. Through the measurement of permeability changes at multiple distances from the fracture, this system enables an understanding of how end effects and localized ‘skin effects’ can impact the ability of fluids to move to and from the bulk matrix. Measurements of this type may lead to improved input values for reservoir simulations involving discrete fractures and/or dual-permeability.
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
The radiometer transfer function for the AAFE composite two-frequency radiometer scatterometer
A model was developed for the switching radiometer utilizing a continuous method of calibration. Sources of system degradation were identified and include losses and voltage standing wave ratios in front of the receiver input. After computing the three modes of operation, expressions were developed for the normalized radiometer output, the minimum detectable signal (normalized RMS temperature fluctuation), sensitivity, and accuracy correction factors).
Moore, J. H.↗
Radiation Protection Using Carbon Nanotube Derivatives
BHA and BHT are well-known food preservatives that are excellent radical scavengers. These compounds, attached to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), could serve as excellent radical traps. The amino-BHT groups can be associated with SWNTs that have carbolyxic acid groups via acid-base association or via covalent association. The material can be used as a means of radiation protection or cellular stress mitigation via a sequence of quenching radical species using nano-engineered scaffolds of SWNTs and their derivatives. It works by reducing the number of free radicals within or nearby a cell, tissue, organ, or living organism. This reduces the risk of damage to DNA and other cellular components that can lead to chronic and/or acute pathologies, including (but not limited to) cancer, cardiovascular disease, immuno-suppression, and disorders of the central nervous system. These derivatives can show an unusually high scavenging ability, which could prove efficacious in protecting living systems from radical-induced decay. This technique could be used to protect healthy cells in a living biological system from the effects of radiation therapy. It could also be used as a prophylactic or antidote for radiation exposure due to accidental, terrorist, or wartime use of radiation- containing weapons; high-altitude or space travel (where radiation exposure is generally higher than desired); or in any scenario where exposure to radiation is expected or anticipated. This invention s ultimate use will be dependent on the utility in an overall biological system where many levels of toxicity have to be evaluated. This can only be assessed at a later stage. In vitro toxicity will first be assessed, followed by in vivo non-mammalian screening in zebra fish for toxicity and therapeutic efficacy.
Conyers, Jodie L., Jr.↗
Development of a Water Recovery System Resource Tracking Model
A simulation model has been developed to track water resources in an exploration vehicle using regenerative life support (RLS) systems. The model integrates the functions of all the vehicle components that affect the processing and recovery of water during simulated missions. The approach used in developing the model results in the RTM being a part of of a complete vehicle simulation that can be used in real time mission studies. Performance data for the variety of components in the RTM is focused on water processing and has been defined based on the most recent information available for the technology of the component. This paper will describe the process of defining the RLS system to be modeled and then the way the modeling environment was selected and how the model has been implemented. Results showing how the variety of RLS components exchange water are provided in a set of test cases.
Chambliss, Joe↗
The Architecture of the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Ground Stations: An Overview
NASA's Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will be NASA's first long-duration demonstration of laser communications (lasercom) in space, providing geosynchronous-satellite-hosted bidirectional relay services between two Earth ground stations. LCRD will leverage and enhance existing ground stations. Ground Station 1 (GS-1) will leverage the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory (OCTL) built by JPL, while Ground Station 2 (GS-2) will leverage the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD) Ground Terminal (LLGT) built by MIT Lincoln Laboratory. While each ground system has unique telescopes and integrated optics, many of the backend subsystems (e.g., communications, environmental monitoring, control, user simulators) will be common to both terminals. Here we provide an overview of the architecture of the LCRD ground stations, and the planned enhancements to the existing facilities.
deformable mirror↗
A data collection scheme for identification of parameters in a driver model
A high gain steering controller to compensate for limitations in a handicapped driver's range of motion is employed when adapting vehicle to his use. A driver/vehicle system can become unstable as vehicle speed is increased, therefore it is desirable to use a computer simulation of the driver/vehicle combination as a design tool to investigate the system response prior to construction of a controller and road testing. Unknown driver parameters must be identified prior to use of the model for system analysis. A means to collect the data necessary for identification of these driver model parameters without extensive instrumentation of a vehicle to measure and record vehicle states is addressed. Initial tests of the procedure identified all of the driver parameters with errors of 6% or less.
Mooring, B. W.↗
Public-Facilities Locator For The Blind
Proposed optoelectronic system guides blind people to important locations in public buildings, With system, sightless person easily determines directions and distances of restrooms, water fountains, stairways, emergency exits, and elevators. Circuitry uncomplicated and inexpensive, in both transmitter and receiver. Readily-available light-emitting diodes, photodiodes, and integrated-circuit chips used to build locator aid for the blind.
Moore, Kevin D.↗
Combustion synthesis of ceramic-metal composite materials - The TiC-Al2O3-Al system
Combustion synthesis was applied for producing ceramic-metal composites with reduced levels of porosity, by allowing an excess amount of liquid metal, generated by the exothermic reaction during synthesis, to infiltrate the pores. It is shown that this method, when applied to TiC-Al2O3 system, led to a decreased level of porosity in the resulting TiC-Al2O3-Al product, as compared with that of TiC-Al2O3 system. This in situ procedure is more efficient than the two-stage conventional processes (i.e., sintering followed by liquid metal infiltration), although there are limitations with respect to total penetration of the liquid metal and maintaining a stable propagation of the combustion reaction.
Feng, H. J.↗
Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program, Version 6.0
The Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) is a general purpose computer program for analyzing steady state and time-dependent flow rates, pressures, temperatures, and concentrations in a complex flow network. The program is capable of modeling real fluids with phase changes, compressibility, mixture thermodynamics, conjugate heat transfer between solid and fluid, fluid transients, pumps, compressors, and external body forces such as gravity and centrifugal. The thermofluid system to be analyzed is discretized into nodes, branches, and conductors. The scalar properties such as pressure, temperature, and concentrations are calculated at nodes. Mass flow rates and heat transfer rates are computed in branches and conductors. The graphical user interface allows users to build their models using the 'point, drag, and click' method; the users can also run their models and post-process the results in the same environment. Two thermodynamic property programs (GASP/WASP and GASPAK) provide required thermodynamic and thermophysical properties for 36 fluids: helium, methane, neon, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, fluorine, hydrogen, parahydrogen, water, kerosene (RP-1), isobutene, butane, deuterium, ethane, ethylene, hydrogen sulfide, krypton, propane, xenon, R-11, R-12, R-22, R-32, R-123, R-124, R-125, R-134A, R-152A, nitrogen trifluoride, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and air. The program also provides the options of using any incompressible fluid with constant density and viscosity or ideal gas. The users can also supply property tables for fluids that are not in the library. Twenty-four different resistance/source options are provided for modeling momentum sources or sinks in the branches. These options include pipe flow, flow through a restriction, noncircular duct, pipe flow with entrance and/or exit losses, thin sharp orifice, thick orifice, square edge reduction, square edge expansion, rotating annular duct, rotating radial duct, labyrinth seal, parallel plates, common fittings and valves, pump characteristics, pump power, valve with a given loss coefficient, Joule-Thompson device, control valve, heat exchanger core, parallel tube, and compressible orifice. The program has the provision of including additional resistance options through User Subroutines. GFSSP employs a finite volume formulation of mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations in conjunction with the thermodynamic equations of state for real fluids as well as energy conservation equations for the solid. The system of equations describing the fluid network is solved by a hybrid numerical method that is a combination of the Newton-Raphson and successive substitution methods. The application and verification of the code has been demonstrated through 30 example problems.
Majumdar, A. K.↗
SMART Mobility. Advanced Fueling Infrastructure Capstone Report
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Systems and Modeling for Accelerated Research in Transportation (SMART) Mobility Consortium is a multiyear, multi-laboratory collaborative, managed by the Energy Efficient Mobility Systems Program of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office, dedicated to further understanding the energy implications and opportunities of advanced mobility technologies and services. The first three-year research phase of SMART Mobility occurred from 2017 through 2019 and included five research pillars: Connected and Automated Vehicles, Mobility Decision Science, Multi-Modal Freight, Urban Science, and Advanced Fueling Infrastructure. A sixth research thrust integrated aspects of all five pillars to develop a SMART Mobility Modeling Workflow to evaluate new transportation technologies and services at scale. This report summarizes the work of the Advanced Fueling Infrastructure Pillar. This Pillar investigated the charging infrastructure needs of electric ride-hailing and car-sharing vehicles, automated shuttle buses, and freight-delivery truck fleets. For information about the other Pillars and about the SMART Mobility Modeling Workflow, please refer to the relevant Pillar’s Capstone Report.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Decoupling spin-orbital correlations in a layered manganite amidst ultrafast hybridized charge-transfer band excitation
Not Available
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Technical Feasibility of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Utilizing a Porous Rock Reservoir
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) conducted a project to explore the viability of underground compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology. CAES uses low-cost, off-peak electricity to compress air into a storage system in an underground space such as a rock formation or salt cavern. When electricity is needed, the air is withdrawn and used to drive a generator for electricity production.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Use of combined radar and radiometer systems in space for precipitation measurement: Some ideas
A brief survey is given of some fundamental physical concepts of optimal polarization characteristics of a transmission path or scatter ensemble of hydrometers. It is argued that, based on this optimization concept, definite advances in remote atmospheric sensing are to be expected. Basic properties of Kennaugh's optimal polarization theory are identified.
Moore, R. K.↗