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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 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Two-Dimensional Systolic Array For Kalman-Filter Computing

Two-dimensional, systolic-array, parallel data processor performs Kalman filtering in real time. Algorithm rearranged to be Faddeev algorithm for generalized signal processing. Algorithm mapped onto very-large-scale integrated-circuit (VLSI) chip in two-dimensional, regular, simple, expandable array of concurrent processing cells. Processor does matrix/vector-based algebraic computations. Applications include adaptive control of robots, remote manipulators and flexible structures and processing radar signals to track targets.

Chang, Jaw John↗
NASA NTRS1991

Airborne observations of electric fields around growing and decaying cumulus clouds

Airborne electric field data were gathered in an atmospheric electrification study near Cape Canaveral, FL. A Learjet 36A was instrumented with eight electric field meters (mills) and five different particle probes. The local electric field enhancements at each field mill site were determined under lab conditions and verified using in-flight data. The overdetermined system of eight equations (one for each field mill) was solved using a weighted least squares algorithm to compute the magnitude and direction of the ambient electric field. The signal processing system allowed the measured data to be expressed in terms of earth coordinates, regardless of the attitude of the aircraft. Thus, it was possible to take maximum advantage of the Learjet's speed and maneuverability in studying the electric field structure in the vicinity of the clouds. Data gathered while circling just outside the boundary of a growing cumulus cloud show a nonsymmetric pattern of electric field strength. Field intensity grew rapidly over a period of less than 10 minutes. The observed direction of the ambient electric field vector can be explained by an ascending motion of the charge centers of a classic tripole model of a thunderstorm.

Giori, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The paradigm compiler: Mapping a functional language for the connection machine

The Paradigm Compiler implements a new approach to compiling programs written in high level languages for execution on highly parallel computers. The general approach is to identify the principal data structures constructed by the program and to map these structures onto the processing elements of the target machine. The mapping is chosen to maximize performance as determined through compile time global analysis of the source program. The source language is Sisal, a functional language designed for scientific computations, and the target language is Paris, the published low level interface to the Connection Machine. The data structures considered are multidimensional arrays whose dimensions are known at compile time. Computations that build such arrays usually offer opportunities for highly parallel execution; they are data parallel. The Connection Machine is an attractive target for these computations, and the parallel for construct of the Sisal language is a convenient high level notation for data parallel algorithms. The principles and organization of the Paradigm Compiler are discussed.

Dennis, Jack B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A three dimensional multigrid Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver for unstructured meshes

A three-dimensional unstructured mesh Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes solver is described. Turbulence is simulated using a single field-equation model. Computational overheads are minimized through the use of a single edge-based data-structure, and efficient multigrid solution technique, and the use of multi-tasking on shared memory multi-processors. The accuracy and efficiency of the code are evaluated by computing two-dimensional flows in three dimensions and comparing with results from a previously validated two-dimensional code which employs the same solution algorithm. The feasibility of computing three-dimensional flows on grids of several million points in less than two hours of wall clock time is demonstrated.

Mavriplis, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Direct adaptive performance optimization of subsonic transports: A periodic perturbation technique

Aircraft performance can be optimized at the flight condition by using available redundancy among actuators. Effective use of this potential allows improved performance beyond limits imposed by design compromises. Optimization based on nominal models does not result in the best performance of the actual aircraft at the actual flight condition. An adaptive algorithm for optimizing performance parameters, such as speed or fuel flow, in flight based exclusively on flight data is proposed. The algorithm is inherently insensitive to model inaccuracies and measurement noise and biases and can optimize several decision variables at the same time. An adaptive constraint controller integrated into the algorithm regulates the optimization constraints, such as altitude or speed, without requiring and prior knowledge of the autopilot design. The algorithm has a modular structure which allows easy incorporation (or removal) of optimization constraints or decision variables to the optimization problem. An important part of the contribution is the development of analytical tools enabling convergence analysis of the algorithm and the establishment of simple design rules. The fuel-flow minimization and velocity maximization modes of the algorithm are demonstrated on the NASA Dryden B-720 nonlinear flight simulator for the single- and multi-effector optimization cases.

Espana, Martin D.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Optimization of Microelectronic Devices for Sensor Applications

The NASA/JPL goal to reduce payload in future space missions while increasing mission capability demands miniaturization of active and passive sensors, analytical instruments and communication systems among others. Currently, typical system requirements include the detection of particular spectral lines, associated data processing, and communication of the acquired data to other systems. Advances in lithography and deposition methods result in more advanced devices for space application, while the sub-micron resolution currently available opens a vast design space. Though an experimental exploration of this widening design space-searching for optimized performance by repeated fabrication efforts-is unfeasible, it does motivate the development of reliable software design tools. These tools necessitate models based on fundamental physics and mathematics of the device to accurately model effects such as diffraction and scattering in opto-electronic devices, or bandstructure and scattering in heterostructure devices. The software tools must have convenient turn-around times and interfaces that allow effective usage. The first issue is addressed by the application of high-performance computers and the second by the development of graphical user interfaces driven by properly developed data structures. These tools can then be integrated into an optimization environment, and with the available memory capacity and computational speed of high performance parallel platforms, simulation of optimized components can proceed. In this paper, specific applications of the electromagnetic modeling of infrared filtering, as well as heterostructure device design will be presented using genetic algorithm global optimization methods.

Cwik, Tom↗
NASA NTRS2010

Improving Global Mass Flux Solutions from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Through Forward Modeling and Continuous Time Correlation

We describe Earth's mass flux from April 2003 through November 2008 by deriving a time series of mas cons on a global 2deg x 2deg equal-area grid at 10 day intervals. We estimate the mass flux directly from K band range rate (KBRR) data provided by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission. Using regularized least squares, we take into account the underlying process dynamics through continuous space and time-correlated constraints. In addition, we place the mascon approach in the context of other filtering techniques, showing its equivalence to anisotropic, nonsymmetric filtering, least squares collocation, and Kalman smoothing. We produce mascon time series from KBRR data that have and have not been corrected (forward modeled) for hydrological processes and fmd that the former produce superior results in oceanic areas by minimizing signal leakage from strong sources on land. By exploiting the structure of the spatiotemporal constraints, we are able to use a much more efficient (in storage and computation) inversion algorithm based upon the conjugate gradient method. This allows us to apply continuous rather than piecewise continuous time-correlated constraints, which we show via global maps and comparisons with ocean-bottom pressure gauges, to produce time series with reduced random variance and full systematic signal. Finally, we present a preferred global model, a hybrid whose oceanic portions are derived using forward modeling of hydrology but whose land portions are not, and thus represent a pure GRACE-derived signal.

Sabaka, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

High resolution observations of the L1551 bipolar outflow

The nearby dark cloud Lynds 1551 contains one of the closest examples of a well-collimated bipolar molecular outflow. This source has the largest angular size of any known outflow and was the first bipolar outflow to be detected. The outflow originates from a low-luminosity young stellar object, IRS-5. Optical and radio continuum observations show the presence of a highly collimated, ionized stellar wind orginating from close to IRS-5 and aligned with the molecular outflow. However, we have little information on the actual mechanism that generates the stellar wind and collimates it into opposed jets. The Very Large Array (VLA) observations indicate that the winds originate within 10(15) cm of IRS-5, unfortunately at a size scale difficult to resolve. For these reasons, observations of the structure and dynamics of the hypersonic molecular gas may provide valuable information on the origin and evolution of these outflows. In addition, the study of the impact of the outflowing gas on the surrounding molecular material is essential to understand the consequence these outflows have on the evolution and star formation history of the entire cloud. Moriarty-Schieven et al. (1986) obtained a oversampled map of the CO emission of a portion of both the blueshifted and redshifted outflows in LI551 using Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory 14 m telescope. The oversampled maps have been reconstructed to an effective angular resolution of 20 arcsec using a maximum entropy algorithm. A continuation of the study of Moriarty-Schieven et al. is presented. The entire L1551 outflow has now been mapped at 12 arcsec sampling requiring roughly 4000 spectra. This data has been constructed to 20 arcsec resolution to provide the first high resolution picture of the entire L1551 outflow. This new data has shown that the blueshifted lobe is more extended than previously thought and has expanded downstream sufficiently to break out of the dense molecular cloud, but the redshifted outflow is still confined within the molecular cloud. Details of the structure and kinematics of the high velocity gas are used to test the various models of the origin and evolution of outflows.

Snell, R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Force Field X: A computational microscope to study genetic variation and organic crystals using theory and experiment

Force Field X (FFX) is an open-source software package for atomic resolution modeling of genetic variants and organic crystals that leverages advanced potential energy functions and experimental data. FFX currently consists of nine modular packages with novel algorithms that include global optimization via a many-body expansion, acid–base chemistry using polarizable constant-pH molecular dynamics, estimation of free energy differences, generalized Kirkwood implicit solvent models, and many more. Applications of FFX focus on the use and development of a crystal structure prediction pipeline, biomolecular structure refinement against experimental datasets, and estimation of the thermodynamic effects of genetic variants on both proteins and nucleic acids. The use of Parallel Java and OpenMM combines to offer shared memory, message passing, and graphics processing unit parallelization for high performance simulations. Overall, the FFX platform serves as a computational microscope to study systems ranging from organic crystals to solvated biomolecular systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Demonstrating UPC++/Kokkos Interoperability in a Heat Conduction Simulation (Extended Abstract)

We describe the replacement of MPI with UPC++ in an existing Kokkos code that simulates heat conduction within a rectangular 3D object, as well as an analysis of the new code’s performance on CUDA accelerators. The key challenges were packing the halos in Kokkos data structures in a way that allowed for UPC++ remote memory access, and streamlining synchronization costs. Additional UPC++ abstractions used included global pointers, distributed objects, remote procedure calls, and futures. We also make use of the device allocator concept to facilitate data management in memory with unique properties, such as GPUs. Our results demonstrate that despite the algorithm’s good semantic match to message passing abstractions, straightforward modifications to use UPC++ communication deliver vastly improved performance and scalability in the common case. We find the one-sided UPC++ version written in a natural way exhibits good performance, whereas the message-passing version written in a straightforward way exhibits performance anomalies. We argue this represents a productivity benefit for one-sided communication models.

Waters, Daniel↗
DOE OSTI2023

Allosterically coupled conformational dynamics in solution prepare the sterol transfer protein StarD4 to release its cargo upon interaction with target membranes

Complex mechanisms regulate the cellular distribution of cholesterol, a critical component of eukaryote membranes involved in regulation of membrane protein functions directly and through the physiochemical properties of membranes. StarD4, a member of the steroidogenic acute regulator-related lipid-transfer (StART) domain (StARD)-containing protein family, is a highly efficient sterol-specific transfer protein involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Its mechanism of cargo loading and release remains unknown despite recent insights into the key role of phosphatidylinositol phosphates in modulating its interactions with target membranes. We have used large-scale atomistic Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study how the dynamics of cholesterol bound to the StarD4 protein can affect interaction with target membranes, and cargo delivery. We identify the two major cholesterol (CHL) binding modes in the hydrophobic pocket of StarD4, one near S136&S147 (the Ser-mode), and another closer to the putative release gate located near W171, R92&Y117 (the Trp-mode). We show that conformational changes of StarD4 associated directly with the transition between these binding modes facilitate the opening of the gate. To understand the dynamics of this connection we apply a machine-learning algorithm for the detection of rare events in MD trajectories (RED), which reveals the structural motifs involved in the opening of a front gate and a back corridor in the StarD4 structure occurring together with the spontaneous transition of CHL from the Ser-mode of binding to the Trp-mode. Further analysis of MD trajectory data with the information-theory based NbIT method reveals the allosteric network connecting the CHL binding site to the functionally important structural components of the gate and corridor. Mutations of residues in the allosteric network are shown to affect the performance of the allosteric connection. These findings outline an allosteric mechanism which prepares the CHL-bound StarD4 to release and deliver the cargo when it is bound to the target membrane.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dynamics and Formation of Antiferromagnetic Textures in MnBi 2 Te 4 Single Crystal

We report coherent X-ray imaging of antiferromagnetic (AFM) domains and domain walls in MnBi 2 Te 4 , an intrinsic AFM topological insulator. This technique enables direct visualization of domain morphology without reconstruction algorithms, allowing us to resolve antiphase domain walls as distinct dark lines arising from the A-type AFM structure. The wall width is determined to be 550(30) nm, in good agreement with earlier magnetic force microscopy results. The temperature dependence of the AFM order parameter extracted from our images closely follows previous neutron scattering data. Remarkably, however, we find a pronounced hysteresis in the evolution of domains and domain walls: upon cooling, dynamic reorganizations occur within a narrow ∼1 K interval below 𝑇 𝑁 , whereas upon warming, the domain configuration remains largely unchanged until AFM order disappears. These findings reveal a complex energy landscape in MnBi 2 Te 4 , governed by the interplay of exchange, anisotropy, and domain-wall energies, and underscore the critical role of AFM domain-wall dynamics in shaping its physical properties. These sharply defined and hysteretically evolving walls may provide a controllable AFM texture in MnBi 2 Te 4 , hinting at potential use in low-power spintronic devices based on domain-wall dynamics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1985

Cognitive network organization and cockpit automation

Attention is given to a technique for the derivation of pilot cognitive networks from empirical data, which has been successfully used to guide the redesign of the Control Display Unit that serves as the primary interface of the complex flight management system being developed by NASA's Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator program. The 'pathfinder' algorithm of Schvaneveldt et al. (1985) is used to obtain the conceptual organization of four pilots by generating a family of link-weighted networks from a set of psychological distance data derived through similarity ratings. The degree of conceptual agreement between pilots is assessed, and the means of translating a cognitive network into a menu structure are noted.

Roske-Hofstrand, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Constitutive modeling for isotropic materials

A state-of-the-art review of applicable constitutive models with selection of two for detailed comparison with a wide range of experimental tests was conducted. The experimental matrix contained uniaxial and biaxial tensile, creep, stress relaxation, and cyclic fatigue tests at temperatures to 1093 C and strain rates from .0000001 to .001/sec. Some nonisothermal cycles will also be run. The constitutive models will be incorporated into the MARC finite element structural analysis program with a demonstration computation made for advanced turbine blade configuration. In the code development work, particular emphasis is being placed on developing efficient integration algorithms for the highly nonlinear and stiff constitutive equations. Another area of emphasis is the appropriate and efficient methodology for determing constitutive constants from a minimum extent of experimental data.

Lindholm, U. S.↗
NASA NTRS2017

GPS/Optical/Inertial Integration for 3D Navigation Using Multi-Copter Platforms

In concert with the continued advancement of a UAS traffic management system (UTM), the proposed uses of autonomous unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have become more prevalent in both the public and private sectors. To facilitate this anticipated growth, a reliable three-dimensional (3D) positioning, navigation, and mapping (PNM) capability will be required to enable operation of these platforms in challenging environments where global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) may not be available continuously. Especially, when the platform's mission requires maneuvering through different and difficult environments like outdoor opensky, outdoor under foliage, outdoor-urban and indoor, and may include transitions between these environments. There may not be a single method to solve the PNM problem for all environments. The research presented in this paper is a subset of a broader research effort, described in [1]. The research is focused on combining data from dissimilar sensor technologies to create an integrated navigation and mapping method that can enable reliable operation in both an outdoor and structured indoor environment. The integrated navigation and mapping design is utilizes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a monocular digital camera, and three short to medium range laser scanners. This paper describes specifically the techniques necessary to effectively integrate the monocular camera data within the established mechanization. To evaluate the developed algorithms a hexacopter was built, equipped with the discussed sensors, and both hand-carried and flown through representative environments. This paper highlights the effect that the monocular camera has on the aforementioned sensor integration scheme's reliability, accuracy and availability.

Dill, Evan T.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Semi-Automated, Object-Based Tomography of Dislocation Structures

The characterization of the three-dimensional arrangement of dislocations is important for many analyses in materials science. Dislocation tomography in transmission electron microscopy is conventionally accomplished through intensity-based reconstruction algorithms. Although such methods work successfully, a disadvantage is that they require many images to be collected over a large tilt range. Here, we present an alternative, semi-automated object-based approach that reduces the data collection requirements by drawing on the prior knowledge that dislocations are line objects. Our approach consists of three steps: (1) initial extraction of dislocation line objects from the individual frames, (2) alignment and matching of these objects across the frames in the tilt series, and (3) tomographic reconstruction to determine the full three-dimensional configuration of the dislocations. Drawing on innovations in graph theory, we employ a node-line segment representation for the dislocation lines and a novel arc-length mapping scheme to relate the dislocations to each other across the images in the tilt series. We demonstrate the method for a dataset collected from a dislocation network imaged by diffraction-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy. Based on these results and a detailed uncertainty analysis for the algorithm, we discuss opportunities for optimizing data collection and further automating the method.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1993

SAR terrain classifier and mapper of biophysical attributes

In preparation for the launch of SIR-C/X-SAR and design studies for future orbital SAR, a program has made considerable progress in the development of an SAR terrain classifier and algorithms for quantification of biophysical attributes. The goal of this program is to produce a generalized software package for terrain classification and estimation of biophysical attributes and to make this package available to the larger scientific community. The basic elements of the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) terrain classifier are outlined. An SAR image is calibrated with respect to known system and processor gains and external targets (if available). A Level 1 classifier operates on the data to differentiate: urban features, surfaces and tall and short vegetation. Level 2 classifiers further subdivide these classes on the basis of structure. Finally, biophysical and geophysical inversions are applied to each class to estimate attributes of interest. The process used to develop the classifiers and inversions is shown. Radar scattering models developed from theory and from empirical data obtained by truck-mounted polarimeters and the JPL AirSAR are validated. The validated models are used in sensitivity studies to understand the roles of various scattering sources (i.e., surface trunk, branches, etc.) in determining net backscatter. Model simulations of sigma (sup o) as functions of the wave parameters (lambda, polarization and angle of incidence) and the geophysical and biophysical attributes are used to develop robust classifiers. The classifiers are validated using available AirSAR data sets. Specific estimators are developed for each class on the basis of the scattering models and empirical data sets. The candidate algorithms are tested with the AirSAR data sets. The attributes of interest include: total above ground biomass, woody biomass, soil moisture and soil roughness.

Ulaby, Fawwaz T.↗
DOE OSTI2020

2D-FFTLog: efficient computation of real-space covariance matrices for galaxy clustering and weak lensing

ABSTRACT Accurate covariance matrices for two-point functions are critical for inferring cosmological parameters in likelihood analyses of large-scale structure surveys. Among various approaches to obtaining the covariance, analytic computation is much faster and less noisy than estimation from data or simulations. However, the transform of covariances from Fourier space to real space involves integrals with two Bessel integrals, which are numerically slow and easily affected by numerical uncertainties. Inaccurate covariances may lead to significant errors in the inference of the cosmological parameters. In this paper, we introduce a 2D-FFTLog algorithm for efficient, accurate, and numerically stable computation of non-Gaussian real-space covariances for both 3D and projected statistics. The 2D-FFTLog algorithm is easily extended to perform real-space bin-averaging. We apply the algorithm to the covariances for galaxy clustering and weak lensing for a Dark Energy Survey Year 3-like and a Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time Year 1-like survey, and demonstrate that for both surveys, our algorithm can produce numerically stable angular bin-averaged covariances with the flat sky approximation, which are sufficiently accurate for inferring cosmological parameters. The code CosmoCov for computing the real-space covariances with or without the flat-sky approximation is released along with this paper.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗