Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Image Processing”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,045 records · Page 58
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. I. Bulge luminosities from dedicated near-infrared data

In an effort to secure, refine, and supplement the relation between central supermassive black hole masses, M {sub •}, and the bulge luminosities of their host galaxies, L {sub bul}, we obtained deep, high spatial resolution K-band images of 35 nearby galaxies with securely measured M {sub •}, using the wide-field WIRCam imager at the Canada-France-Hawaii-Telescope. A dedicated data reduction and sky subtraction strategy was adopted to estimate the brightness and structure of the sky, a critical step when tracing the light distribution of extended objects in the near-infrared. From the final image product, bulge and total magnitudes were extracted via two-dimensional profile fitting. As a first order approximation, all galaxies were modeled using a simple Sérsic-bulge+exponential-disk decomposition. However, we found that such models did not adequately describe the structure that we observed in a large fraction of our sample galaxies which often include cores, bars, nuclei, inner disks, spiral arms, rings, and envelopes. In such cases, we adopted profile modifications and/or more complex models with additional components. The derived bulge magnitudes are very sensitive to the details and number of components used in the models, although total magnitudes remain almost unaffected. Usually, but not always, the luminosities and sizes of the bulges are overestimated when a simple bulge+disk decomposition is adopted in lieu of a more complex model. Furthermore, we found that some spheroids are not well fit when the ellipticity of the Sérsic model is held fixed. This paper presents the details of the image processing and analysis, while we discuss how model-induced biases and systematics in bulge magnitudes impact the M {sub •}-L {sub bul} relation in a companion paper.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Correlation between macro- and nano-scopic measurements of carbon nanostructured paper elastic modulus

Extensive work has been done in order to determine the bulk elastic modulus of isotropic samples from force curves acquired with atomic force microscopy. However, new challenges are encountered given the development of new materials constructed of one-dimensional anisotropic building blocks, such as carbon nanostructured paper. In the present work, we establish a reliable framework to correlate the elastic modulus values obtained by amplitude modulation atomic force microscope force curves, a nanoscopic technique, with that determined by traditional macroscopic tensile testing. In order to do so, several techniques involving image processing, statistical analysis, and simulations are used to find the appropriate path to understand how macroscopic properties arise from anisotropic nanoscale components, and ultimately, being able to calculate the value of bulk elastic modulus.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

TU-C-17A-03: An Integrated Contour Evaluation Software Tool Using Supervised Pattern Recognition for Radiotherapy

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) contours delineated either manually or semiautomatically require verification before clinical usage. Manual evaluation is very time consuming. A new integrated software tool using supervised pattern contour recognition was thus developed to facilitate this process. Methods: The contouring tool was developed using an object-oriented programming language C# and application programming interfaces, e.g. visualization toolkit (VTK). The C# language served as the tool design basis. The Accord.Net scientific computing libraries were utilized for the required statistical data processing and pattern recognition, while the VTK was used to build and render 3-D mesh models from critical RT structures in real-time and 360° visualization. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for system self-updating geometry variations of normal structures based on physician-approved RT contours as a training dataset. The inhouse design of supervised PCA-based contour recognition method was used for automatically evaluating contour normality/abnormality. The function for reporting the contour evaluation results was implemented by using C# and Windows Form Designer. Results: The software input was RT simulation images and RT structures from commercial clinical treatment planning systems. Several abilities were demonstrated: automatic assessment of RT contours, file loading/saving of various modality medical images and RT contours, and generation/visualization of 3-D images and anatomical models. Moreover, it supported the 360° rendering of the RT structures in a multi-slice view, which allows physicians to visually check and edit abnormally contoured structures. Conclusion: This new software integrates the supervised learning framework with image processing and graphical visualization modules for RT contour verification. This tool has great potential for facilitating treatment planning with the assistance of an automatic contour evaluation module in avoiding unnecessary manual verification for physicians/dosimetrists. In addition, its nature as a compact and stand-alone tool allows for future extensibility to include additional functions for physicians’ clinical needs.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Imaging pyrometry for most color cameras using a triple pass filter

A simple combination of the Planck blackbody emission law, optical filters, and digital image processing is demonstrated to enable most commercial color cameras (still and video) to be used as an imaging pyrometer for flames and explosions. The hardware and data processing described take advantage of the color filter array (CFA) that is deposited on the surface of the light sensor array present in most digital color cameras. In this work, a triple-pass optical filter incorporated into the camera lens allows light in three 10-nm wide bandpass regions to reach the CFA/light sensor array. These bandpass regions are centered over the maxima in the blue, green, and red transmission regions of the CFA, minimizing the spectral overlap of these regions normally present. A computer algorithm is used to retrieve the blue, green, and red image matrices from camera memory and correct for remaining spectral overlap. A second algorithm calibrates the corrected intensities to a gray body emitter of known temperature, producing a color intensity correction factor for the camera/filter system. The Wien approximation to the Planck blackbody emission law is used to construct temperature images from the three color (blue, green, red) matrices. A short pass filter set eliminates light of wavelengths longer than 750 nm, providing reasonable accuracy (±10%) for temperatures between 1200 and 6000 K. The effectiveness of this system is demonstrated by measuring the temperature of several systems for which the temperature is known.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2016

Image Analysis for Plug Bubbles in Horizontal Flow

Horizontal plug flow is different from horizontal slug flow in that relatively few small bubbles exist in plug flow, whereas slug flow is characterized by highly aerated liquid slugs and liquid films. While the nose position and nose propagation velocity of plug bubbles may provide physical insights in understanding the flow regime transition mechanism between the plug and slug flows, few systematic investigations on these parameters have been performed in previous research. In view of this, this paper presents the development of an image processing method for the purpose of (a) obtaining data for nose position and nose propagation velocity of plug bubbles and (b) benchmarking local four-sensor conductivity probe measurements of time-averaged bubble velocity and void fraction. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1977

Processing the Viking lander camera data

Over 1000 camera events were returned from the two Viking landers during the Primary Mission. A system was devised for processing camera data as they were received, in real time, from the Deep Space Network. This system provided a flexible choice of parameters for three computer-enhanced versions of the data for display or hard-copy generation. Software systems allowed all but 0.3% of the imagery scan lines received on earth to be placed correctly in the camera data record. A second-order processing system was developed which allowed extensive interactive image processing including computer-assisted photogrammetry, a variety of geometric and photometric transformations, mosaicking, and color balancing using six different filtered images of a common scene. These results have been completely cataloged and documented to produce an Experiment Data Record.

Levinthal, E. C.↗
DOE OSTI2013

SWAP OBSERVATIONS OF THE LONG-TERM, LARGE-SCALE EVOLUTION OF THE EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET SOLAR CORONA

The Sun Watcher with Active Pixels and Image Processing (SWAP) EUV solar telescope on board the Project for On-Board Autonomy 2 spacecraft has been regularly observing the solar corona in a bandpass near 17.4 nm since 2010 February. With a field of view of 54 × 54 arcmin, SWAP provides the widest-field images of the EUV corona available from the perspective of the Earth. By carefully processing and combining multiple SWAP images, it is possible to produce low-noise composites that reveal the structure of the EUV corona to relatively large heights. A particularly important step in this processing was to remove instrumental stray light from the images by determining and deconvolving SWAP's point-spread function from the observations. In this paper, we use the resulting images to conduct the first-ever study of the evolution of the large-scale structure of the corona observed in the EUV over a three year period that includes the complete rise phase of solar cycle 24. Of particular note is the persistence over many solar rotations of bright, diffuse features composed of open magnetic fields that overlie polar crown filaments and extend to large heights above the solar surface. These features appear to be related to coronal fans, which have previously been observed in white-light coronagraph images and, at low heights, in the EUV. We also discuss the evolution of the corona at different heights above the solar surface and the evolution of the corona over the course of the solar cycle by hemisphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Complex optimization for big computational and experimental neutron datasets

Here, we present a framework to use high performance computing to determine accurate solutions to the inverse optimization problem of big experimental data against computational models. We demonstrate how image processing, mathematical regularization, and hierarchical modeling can be used to solve complex optimization problems on big data. We also demonstrate how both model and data information can be used to further increase solution accuracy of optimization by providing confidence regions for the processing and regularization algorithms. Finally, we use the framework in conjunction with the software package SIMPHONIES to analyze results from neutron scattering experiments on silicon single crystals, and refine first principles calculations to better describe the experimental data.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Calibration of 2-D soil zymography for correct analysis of enzyme distribution

Soil zymography is a new technique developed to visualize two-dimensional distributions of enzyme activities. The method is composed of incubating a membrane saturated with an enzyme-specific fluorogenic substrate on a surface of the soil sample, followed by recording the membrane image generated by a fluorescent product (e.g. MUF: methylumbelliferone) in ultraviolet light. Despite its relative ease of use, performing zymography involves multiple user-made decisions that might affect the accuracy of enzyme activity estimates. Thus, unification of the zymography methodology is required for correct estimations and comparisons of various studies. We investigated the following methodological aspects of the implementation of zymography: (a) camera settings and image processing, (b) effects of evaporation and (c) calibration procedures. Camera settings (shutter speeds or exposure time) affected the intensity of background fluorescence and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). However, because their combined effects varied depending on MUF concentrations, light and camera setting need to be optimized for the expected range of MUF concentrations prior to zymography. Evaporation of MUF solution from the membrane had no effect on fluorescence. Relations between MUF concentration and intensity of fluorescence during calibrations demonstrated a saturated pattern and were strongly affected by image noise outside the optimal range (e.g. 8–14 μm MUF pixel -1 ). We developed a new calibration approach that is based on a piecewise linear regression. The new approach accounted for specific ranges of MUF concentration and uses nonuniformly saturated membranes, reflecting the real distribution of enzyme activities in soil. The new calibration algorithm eliminated biases of the standard calibration and resulted in greater accuracy in predicting MUF concentrations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-486: A Simple Approach to Performing Light Versus Radiation Field Coincidence Quality Assurance Using An Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID)

Purpose: To develop an accurate, straightforward, and user-independent method for performing light versus radiation field coincidence quality assurance utilizing EPID images, a simple phantom made of readily-accessible materials, and a free software program. Methods: A simple phantom consisting of a blocking tray, graph paper, and high-density wire was constructed. The phantom was used to accurately set the size of a desired light field and imaged on the electronic portal imaging device (EPID). A macro written for use in ImageJ, a free image processing software, was then use to determine the radiation field size utilizing the high density wires on the phantom for a pixel to distance calibration. The macro also performs an analysis on the measured radiation field utilizing the tolerances recommended in the AAPM Task Group #142. To verify the accuracy of this method, radiochromic film was used to qualitatively demonstrate agreement between the film and EPID results, and an additional ImageJ macro was used to quantitatively compare the radiation field sizes measured both with the EPID and film images. Results: The results of this technique were benchmarked against film measurements, which have been the gold standard for testing light versus radiation field coincidence. The agreement between this method and film measurements were within 0.5 mm. Conclusion: Due to the operator dependency associated with tracing light fields and measuring radiation fields by hand when using film, this method allows for a more accurate comparison between the light and radiation fields with minimal operator dependency. Removing the need for radiographic or radiochromic film also eliminates a reoccurring cost and increases procedural efficiency.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Image analysis of jet structure on electrospinning from free liquid surface

The work analyses intra-jet distances during electrospinning from a free surface of water based poly(vinyl alcohol) solution confined by two thin metallic plates employed as a spinning electrode. A unique computer vision system and digital image processing were designed in order to track position of every polymer jet. Here, we show that jet position data are in good compliance with theoretically predicted intra-jet distances by linear stability analysis. Jet density is a critical parameter of electrospinning technology, since it determines the process efficiency and homogeneity of produced nanofibrous layer. Achievements made in this research could be used as essential approach to study jetting from two-dimensional spinning electrodes, or as fundamentals for further development of control system related to Nanospider{sup ™} technology.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Spatially dependent regularization parameter selection for total generalized variation-based image denoising

We propose a novel image denoising model based on the total generalized variation (TGV) regularization. In the model, a spatially dependent regularization parameter is utilized to adaptively fit the local image features, resulting in further exploitation of the denoising potential of the TGV regularization. The proposed model is formulated under a joint optimization framework, by which the estimations of the restored image and the regularization parameter are achieved simultaneously. Furthermore, the model is general purpose that can handle various types of noise occurring in image processing. An alternating minimization-based numerical scheme is especially developed, which leads to an efficient algorithmic solution to the nonconvex optimization problem. Numerical experiments are reported to illustrate the effectiveness of our model in terms of both peak signal-to-noise ratio and visual perception.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2014

Comparison of infinite and wedge fringe settings in Mach Zehnder interferometer for temperature field measurement

Interferometric method, which utilizes the interference of coherent light beams, is used to determine the temperature distribution in the vicinity of a vertical heater plate. The optical components are arranged so as to obtain wedge fringe and infinite fringe patterns and isotherms obtained in each case were compared. In wedge fringe setting, image processing techniques has been used for obtaining isotherms by digital subtraction of initial parallel fringe pattern from deformed fringe pattern. The experimental results obtained are compared with theoretical correlations. The merits and demerits of the fringe analysis techniques are discussed on the basis of the experimental results.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Real time drift measurement for colloidal probe atomic force microscope: a visual sensing approach

Drift has long been an issue in atomic force microscope (AFM) systems and limits their ability to make long time period measurements. In this study, a new method is proposed to directly measure and compensate for the drift between AFM cantilevers and sample surfaces in AFM systems. This was achieved by simultaneously measuring z positions for beads at the end of an AFM colloidal probe and on sample surface through an off-focus image processing based visual sensing method. The working principle and system configuration are presented. Experiments were conducted to validate the real time drift measurement and compensation. The implication of the proposed method for regular AFM measurements is discussed. We believe that this technique provides a practical and efficient approach for AFM experiments requiring long time period measurement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Characterizing X-ray Attenuation of Containerized Cargo

X-ray inspection systems can be used to detect radiological and nuclear threats in imported cargo. In order to better understand performance of these systems, the attenuation characteristics of imported cargo need to be determined. This project focused on developing image processing algorithms for segmenting cargo and using x-ray attenuation to quantify equivalent steel thickness to determine cargo density. These algorithms were applied to over 450 cargo radiographs. The results are summarized in this report.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2014

Vision Based Autonomous Robotic Control for Advanced Inspection and Repair

The advanced inspection system is an autonomous control and analysis system that improves the inspection and remediation operations for ground and surface systems. It uses optical imaging technology with intelligent computer vision algorithms to analyze physical features of the real-world environment to make decisions and learn from experience. The advanced inspection system plans to control a robotic manipulator arm, an unmanned ground vehicle and cameras remotely, automatically and autonomously. There are many computer vision, image processing and machine learning techniques available as open source for using vision as a sensory feedback in decision-making and autonomous robotic movement. My responsibilities for the advanced inspection system are to create a software architecture that integrates and provides a framework for all the different subsystem components; identify open-source algorithms and techniques; and integrate robot hardware.

sensory feedback↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simulating image coaddition with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – I. Simulation methodology and general results

The upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will carry out a wide-area survey in the near-infrared. A key science objective is the measurement of cosmic structure via weak gravitational lensing. Roman data will be undersampled, which introduces new challenges in the measurement of source galaxy shapes; a potential solution is to use linear algebra-based coaddition techniques such as imcom that combine multiple undersampled images to produce a single oversampled output mosaic with a desired ‘target’ point spread function (PSF). We present here an initial application of imcom to 0.64 square degrees of simulated Roman data, based on the Roman branch of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) Data Challenge 2 (DC2) simulation. We show that imcom runs successfully on simulated data that includes features such as plate scale distortions, chip gaps, detector defects, and cosmic ray masks. We simultaneously propagate grids of injected sources and simulated noise fields as well as the full simulation. We quantify the residual deviations of the PSF from the target (the ‘leakage’), as well as noise properties of the output images; we discuss how the overall tiling pattern as well as Moiré patterns appear in the final leakage and noise maps. We include appendices on interpolation algorithms and the interaction of undersampling with image processing operations that may be of broader applicability. The companion paper (‘Paper II’) explores the implications for weak lensing analyses.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Reimagining Building Sensing and Control (Presentation)

Buildings are responsible for 40% of US energy consumption, and sensing and control technologies are an important element in creating a truly sustainable built environment. Motion-based occupancy sensors are often part of these control systems, but are usually altered or disabled in response to occupants' complaints, at the expense of energy savings. Can we leverage commodity hardware developed for other sectors and embedded software to produce more capable sensors for robust building controls? The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) 'Image Processing Occupancy Sensor (IPOS)' is one example of leveraging embedded systems to create smarter, more reliable, multi-function sensors that open the door to new control strategies for building heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting control. In this keynote, we will discuss how cost-effective embedded systems are changing the state-of-the-art of building sensing and control.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗