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At least 847 records · Page 47

Rapid Polymer Sequencer

Method and system for rapid and accurate determination of each of a sequence of unknown polymer components, such as nucleic acid components. A self-assembling monolayer of a selected substance is optionally provided on an interior surface of a pipette tip, and the interior surface is immersed in a selected liquid. A selected electrical field is impressed in a longitudinal direction, or in a transverse direction, in the tip region, a polymer sequence is passed through the tip region, and a change in an electrical current signal is measured as each polymer component passes through the tip region. Each of the measured changes in electrical current signals is compared with a database of reference electrical change signals, with each reference signal corresponding to an identified polymer component, to identify the unknown polymer component with a reference polymer component. The nanopore preferably has a pore inner diameter of no more than about 40 nm and is prepared by heating and pulling a very small section of a glass tubing.

Stolc, Viktor↗

Space-Based Precipitation Measurements in Tropical Cyclones: Past, Present, and Future

Passive and active remote sensing of precipitation from space has led to significant advances in the understanding and prediction of tropical cyclones around the globe. This presentation will highlight the role of past NASA space-based measurements of precipitation by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM, 1998-2015), ongoing measurements by the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission (2014-current), and future measurements from the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS, nominal launch date in 2020) as well as a potential new mission on Aerosols, Clouds, Convection, and Precipitation (ACCP) from the 2017 NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey. TRMM, which flew the first precipitation radar in space, provided the first systematic descriptions of the radial and azimuthal variations of rainfall in tropical cyclones around the globe and their relationship to storm motion and vertical wind shear. GPM is the lynchpin of a global constellation of precipitation satellites that provides high spatial (0.1°) and temporal (30 min) resolution real-time estimates of precipitation globally, making them essential to applications related to tropical cyclone prediction, disaster response, flood and landslide monitoring, and vector-borne disease monitoring. TROPICS will be a constellation of 6 Cubesat satellites with microwave imaging and sounding channels that will provide information on temperature and humidity in the storm environment, as well as estimates of precipitation and tropical cyclone intensity. ACCP is yet to be fully defined, but is envisioned to potentially carry multi-frequency radar with possible Doppler capability.

Braun, Scott↗

Real time trajectory optimization for hybrid energy management utilizing connected information technologies

The disclosure is directed to solving a full trajectory optimization problem in real-time for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) such that future driving conditions and energy usage may be fully considered in determining optimal engine energy usage and battery energy usage in real-time during a trip. An electronic control unit of the HEV may be configured to: receive route information for a route to be driven by the HEV; and after receiving the route information, iterating the operations of: measuring a current state of charge (SOC) of the battery; using at least the measured SOC and an initial co-state value stored in a memory, performing a process to iteratively update the co-state value to obtain an updated co-state value; using at least the updated co-state value, computing an updated control value; and applying the updated control value to control a usage of the battery and the internal combustion engine.

Huang, Mike X.↗

Collective Thomson scattering measurement of plasma evolution during the current pulse in a laser-triggered switch

High-voltage laser-triggered switches (HV-LTSs) are used in pulsed-power applications where low jitter and precise timing are required. The switches allow operation in the megaampere, megavolt regime while maintaining low insertion losses. Currently, there is a lack of detailed plasma measurements in these switches, yet such measurements are needed to elucidate the detailed physics, which include a range of processes such as laser breakdown, streamer formation and growth, current flow, plasma evolution, and cooling. Detailed spatially- and temporally resolved measurements of plasma properties within the switches could contribute to validating and advancing numeric models of these systems. This contribution presents laser Thomson scattering measurements of the electron number density and temperature evolution in a HV-LTS. The switch was operated at 6 kV with current flow for a duration of 145 ns and a peak current density of 0.2 MA/cm2 into a matched load. The Thomson scattering diagnostic system uses a 532 nm probe from an Nd:YAG laser allowing a temporal resolution of ∼10 ns. We find that during the switch current pulse, the plasma electron temperature rose from a starting value of 8.1 ± 1.6 eV (due to cooling of the earlier trigger laser plasma) to a peak value of 26 ± 5 eV with an associated increase in the electron density from 8.6 ± 1.7 × 1017 to 3.1 ± 0.6 × 1018 cm−3.

Gottfried, Jacob A. (ORCID:0000000290058841)↗

Eddy Current Model of a Coil Over An Infinite Perfectly Electrical Conductor (PEC) Half-Plane

Eddy current sensors measure the lift-off or distance between the sensor and a conducting surface. They operate on the principle of an alternating current in a conduction coil inducing a magnetic field within the surface. An eddy current is set up in the surface to counter the incident magnetic field which, in turn, sets up a magnetic field which counters that of the coil. This changes the coil impedance which is a function of the lift-off. As the lift-off increases, the effect of the eddy current magnetic field on the coil magnetic field weakens, resulting in a higher inductance and lower resistance. Thus, the lift-off may be derived from an impedance measurement. Dodd and Deeds developed an analytic model for an eddy current sensor coil impedance with an air core which has been implemented in MATLAB. LLNL assembled an eddy current sensor with a mu-metal core for which there is no analytic model. Rather than derive an analytic model which includes the mu-metal core, analytic empirically based functions are derived to map the Dodd and Deeds model to measured inductance and resistance.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Lightweight, Low-Loss dc Transducer

Direct current is measured by lightweight, magnetically coupled transducer that weighs only 4 grams, without actually being wired into circuit under test. Miniature dc transducer has five windings: 2 for ac excitation inputs, 2 for dc control inputs, and 1 for feedback. Wire gages are selected for minimum size and weight. Size and number of turns of dc windings are selected according to dc current range to be measured.

Nagano, S.↗

Can Neutron Star Tidal Effects Obscure Deviations from General Relativity?

Abstract One of the main goals of gravitational-wave astrophysics is to study gravity in the strong-field regime and constrain deviations from general relativity (GR). Any such deviation affects not only binary dynamics and gravitational-wave emission but also the structure and tidal properties of compact objects. In the case of neutron stars, masses, radii, and tidal deformabilities can all differ significantly between different theories of gravity. Currently, the measurement uncertainties in neutron star radii and tidal deformabilities are quite large. However, much less is known about how the large uncertainty in the nuclear equation of state (EOS) might affect tests of GR using binary neutron star mergers. Conversely, using the wrong theory of gravity might lead to incorrect constraints on the nuclear EOS. Here, we study this problem within scalar–tensor (ST) theory. We apply the recently derived ℓ = 2 tidal Love numbers in this theory to parameter estimation of GW170817. Correspondingly, we test if physics beyond GR could bias measurements of the nuclear EOS and neutron star radii. We find that parameter inference for both the GR and ST cases returns consistent component masses and tidal deformabilities. The radius and the EOS posteriors, however, differ between the two theories, but neither is excluded by current observational limits. This indicates that measurements of the nuclear EOS may be biased and that deviations from GR could go undetected when analyzing current binary neutron star mergers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Initial Characterization of the 30 kW Miniature Arc Jet (mARC II) at NASA Ames Research Center

The second-generation Miniature Arc jet Research Chamber (mARC II) at NASA Ames is undergoing integrated systems testing. Once fully operational, this facility will be added to the range of available test facilities operated by the NASA Ames Thermophysics Facilities Branch, with primary focus on applications such as new arc jet flow diagnostics and new arc column diagnostics. Initial characterization of the mARC II is reported here, specifically, measured arc current, arc voltage, column and chamber pressures, mass flow rates, and initial emission measurements carried out at a range of conditions.

arc jet↗

High Current Hollow Cathode Plasma Plume Measurements

Plasma plume measurements are reported for a hollow cathode assembly (HCA) oper-ated at discharge currents of 50, 70, and 100 A at xenon ow rates between 19 - 46 sccm.The HCA was centrally mounted in the annulus of the NASA-300MS Hall Thruster andwas operated in the spot and plume modes with additional data taken with an appliedmagnetic eld. Langmuir probes, retarding potential analyzers, and optical emission spec-troscopy were employed to measure plasma properties near the orice of the HCA and toassess the charge state of the near-eld plasma. Electron temperatures (2-6 eV) and plasmapotentials are consistent with probe-measured values in previous investigations. Operationwith an applied-eld yields higher discharge voltages, increased Xe III production, andincreased signals from the 833.5 nm C I line. While operating in plume mode and with anapplied eld, ion energy distribution measurements yield ions with energies signicantlyexceeding the applied discharge voltage. These ndings are correlated with high-frequencyoscillations associated with each mode.

Plasma diagnostics↗

Lidar Measurements of Atmospheric CO2 From Regional to Global Scales

Atmospheric CO2 is a critical forcing for the Earth's climate and the knowledge on its distributions and variations influences predictions of the Earth's future climate. Large uncertainties in the predictions persist due to limited observations. This study uses the airborne Intensity-Modulated Continuous-Wave (IMCW) lidar developed at NASA Langley Research Center to measure regional atmospheric CO2 spatio-temporal variations. Further lidar development and demonstration will provide the capability of global atmospheric CO2 estimations from space, which will significantly advances our knowledge on atmospheric CO2 and reduce the uncertainties in the predictions of future climate. In this presentation, atmospheric CO2 column measurements from airborne flight campaigns and lidar system simulations for space missions will be discussed. A measurement precision of approx.0.3 ppmv for a 10-s average over desert and vegetated surfaces has been achieved. Data analysis also shows that airborne lidar CO2 column measurements over these surfaces agree well with in-situ measurements. Even when thin cirrus clouds present, consistent CO2 column measurements between clear and thin cirrus cloudy skies are obtained. Airborne flight campaigns have demonstrated that precise atmospheric column CO2 values can be measured from current IM-CW lidar systems, which will lead to use this airborne technique in monitoring CO2 sinks and sources in regional and continental scales as proposed by the NASA Atmospheric Carbon and Transport â€" America project. Furthermore, analyses of space CO2 measurements shows that applying the current IM-CW lidar technology and approach to space, the CO2 science goals of space missions will be achieved, and uncertainties in CO2 distributions and variations will be reduced.

Lin, Bing↗

Measurement of muon antineutrino charged current - 0 meson scattering, using the NOvA Near Detector

Antineutrino interaction cross sections are, at present, poorly constrained, particularly regarding the role of multi-nucleon processes such as 2-particle 2-hole (2p2h) interactions. The associated crosssection systematic uncertainties represent a significant challenge for precision oscillation measurements, especially for the next generation of neutrino experiments such as DUNE. We present a new measurement of the muon antineutrino charged-current cross section without mesons in the final state, using the high-statistics data set of the NOvA Near Detector. The analysis employs a cut-based selection enhanced by machine learning techniques to isolate a high-purity sample dominated by quasielastic (QE) and 2p2h interactions. We present the cross section as a function of the kinetic energy and scattering angle of the outgoing muon. We also present measurements of more model-dependent kinematic variables such as the neutrino energy and momentum transfer, to better probe the underlying nuclear physics. The results are compared against various neutrino event generators to test the robustness of current interaction models.

Vockerodt, Kevin John [Ohio State U.; Queen Mary, ↗

Techniques for aerodynamic and turbulence measurements in turbomachinery rotors

Nonoptical techniques currently used to measure flows in turbomachine rotors are reviewed, with particular reference to the measurement of the three-dimensional mean velocity, turbulence intensity, Reynolds stresses, static and stagnation pressures, and blade surface measurements. The high level of sophistication of rotor flow measurement techniques is demonstrated. Rotating probe measurements are well suited for low- and moderate-speed turbomachinery, while stationary quick-response probes (hot-wire and pressure probes) are applicable both in low- and high-speed turbomachines. Hot-wire probes, blade pressure transducers, and telemetry systems will provide the urgently needed basic information on steady and unsteady flow through a blade passage, including blade boundary layer, shock configuration, leakage and secondary flows.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

Critical currents and high-temperature superconductors

Experimental information on critical currents and epitaxial thin films of high temperature superconductors is summarized. Experiments performed to measure critical currents across single grain boundaries are described. A variety of mechanisms responsible for limiting currents in films as well as across grain boundaries are presented and their predictions compared with experimental data.

Chaudhari, P.↗

A Wireless Fluid-Level Measurement Technique

This paper presents the application of a recently developed wireless measurement acquisition system to fluid-level measurement. This type of fluid-level measurement system alleviates many shortcomings of fluid-level measurement methods currently being used, including limited applicability of any one fluid-level sensor design. Measurement acquisition shortcomings include the necessity for power to be supplied to each sensor and for the measurement to be extracted from each sensor via a physical connection to the sensor. Another shortcoming is existing measurement systems require that a data channel and signal conditioning electronics be dedicated to each sensor. Use of wires results in other shortcomings such as logistics needed to add or replace sensors, weight, potential for electrical arcing and wire degradations. The fluid level sensor design is a simple passive inductor-capacitor circuit that is not subject to mechanical failure that is possible when float and lever-arm systems are used. Methods are presented for using the sensor in caustic, acidic or cryogenic fluids. Oscillating magnetic fields are used to power the sensor. Once electrically excited, the sensor produces a magnetic field response. The response frequency corresponds to the amount to fluid within the capacitor s electric field. The sensor design can be modified for measuring the level of any fluid or fluent substance that can be stored in a non-conductive reservoir. The interrogation method for discerning changes in the sensor response frequency is also presented.

Woodard, Stanley E.↗