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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 1,261 records · Page 70
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

The Aligned Orbit of the Eccentric Warm Jupiter K2-232b

Measuring the obliquity distribution of stars hosting warm Jupiters may help us to understand the formation of close-orbiting gas giants. Few such measurements have been performed due to practical difficulties in scheduling observations of the relatively infrequent and long-duration transits of warm Jupiters. Here, we report a measurement of the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect for K2-232 b, a warm Jupiter on an 11.17 day orbit with an eccentricity of 0.26. The data were obtained with the Automated Planet Finder during two separate transits. The planet’s orbit appears to be well aligned with the spin axis of the host star, with a projected spin–orbit angle of λ = −11.°1 ± 6.°6. Combined with the other available data, we find that high obliquities are almost exclusively associated with planets that either have an orbital separation greater than 10 stellar radii or orbit stars with effective temperatures hotter than 6000 K. This pattern suggests that the obliquities of the closest-orbiting giant planets around cooler stars have been damped by tidal effects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Youngest Planet to Have a Spin-Orbit Alignment Measurement AU Mic b

We report measurements of the sky-projected spin–orbit angle for AU Mic b, a Neptune-size planet orbiting a very young (∼20 Myr) nearby pre-main-sequence M-dwarf star, which also hosts a bright, edge-on, debris disk. The planet was recently discovered from preliminary analysis of radial-velocity observations and confirmed to be transiting its host star from photometric data from the NASA’s TESS mission. We obtained radial-velocity measurements of AU Mic over the course of two partially observable transits and one full transit of planet b from high-resolution spectroscopic observations made with the Minerva-Australis telescope array. Only a marginal detection of the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect signal was obtained from the radial velocities, in part due to AU Mic being an extremely active star and the lack of full transit coverage plus sufficient out-of-transit baseline. As such, a precise determination of the obliquity for AU Mic b is not possible in this study and we find a sky-projected spin–orbit angle of λ=47{sub −54}{sup +26°}. This result is consistent with both the planet’s orbit being aligned or highly misaligned with the spin axis of its host star. Our measurement independently agrees with, but is far less precise than observations carried out on other instruments around the same time that measure a low-obliquity orbit for the planet. AU Mic is the youngest exoplanetary system for which the projected spin–orbit angle has been measured, making it a key data point in the study of the formation and migration of exoplanets—particularly given that the system is also host to a bright debris disk.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2016

Enhanced thermal conductance of polymer composites through embedding aligned carbon nanofibers

The focus of this work is to find a more efficient method of enhancing the thermal conductance of polymer thin films. This work compares polymer thin films embedded with randomly oriented carbon nanotubes to those with vertically aligned carbon nanofibers. Thin films embedded with carbon nanofibers demonstrated a similar thermal conductance between 40–60 μm and a higher thermal conductance between 25–40 μm than films embedded with carbon nanotubes with similar volume fractions even though carbon nanotubes have a higher thermal conductivity than carbon nanofibers

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

On the Need to Align Intent and Implementation in Uncertainty Quantification for Machine Learning

Quantifying uncertainties for machine learning (ML) models is a foundational challenge in modern data analysis. This challenge is compounded by at least two key aspects of the field: (a) inconsistent terminology surrounding uncertainty and estimation across disciplines, and (b) the varying technical requirements for establishing trustworthy uncertainties in diverse problem contexts. In this position paper, we aim to clarify the depth of these challenges by identifying these inconsistencies and articulating how different contexts impose distinct epistemic demands. We examine the current landscape of estimation targets (e.g., prediction, inference, simulation-based inference), uncertainty constructs (e.g., frequentist, Bayesian, fiducial), and the approaches used to map between them. Drawing on the literature, we highlight and explain examples of problematic mappings. To help address these issues, we advocate for standards that promote alignment between the \textit{intent} and \textit{implementation} of uncertainty quantification (UQ) approaches. We discuss several axes of trustworthiness that are necessary (if not sufficient) for reliable UQ in ML models, and show how these axes can inform the design and evaluation of uncertainty-aware ML systems. Our practical recommendations focus on scientific ML, offering illustrative cases and use scenarios, particularly in the context of simulation-based inference (SBI).

Trivedi, Shubhendu [MIT] (ORCID:0000000312374301)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Global polarization of hyperons and spin alignment of vector mesons in quark matters

Relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) as a dedicated nuclear facility has made a few major discoveries in physics. This year marks the 30th year STAR Collaboration formation and the 23th year of STAR detector operation and data collection at RHIC. In the last two decades, STAR has collected many datasets, exhibiting scientific versatility and flexibility of the RHIC facility. The total dataset in the first year is less than 1 million good events, and currently there are about 1 billion events per dataset. The Global Hyperon Polarization was proposed in 2004. This immediately prompted the STAR Collaboration to search for this phenomenon from the early datasets. The null results were presented at Quark Matter Conference in Shanghai in 2006 and subsequently published. Although there were peripheral and continuous efforts in the following decade, no positive result has been observed experimentally. This situation changed in the following decade with the upgrade of high data rate and time-of-flight (TOF) detector and the progress of the Beam Energy Scan Phase I (BES-I). The experimental discoveries of the global polarization of hyperons in 2017 and the spin alignment of vector mesons in 2023 at RHIC-STAR confirm the theory which was established nearly twenty years ago. The theory and these measurements open the way to studying the properties of the hot and dense nuclear matter created in high-energy heavy ion collisions from a new degree of freedom, spin. We briefly review these discoveries from the proposals of theory to the experimental measurements, and summarize the related measurements at the existing facilities and the theoretical explanations to the original proposal. The basic understanding and the original proposal are still valid and fundamental, that is, the angular momentum of system can transform into a spin effect observable in experiment. However, it appears that in each case a new model is needed to explain the new experimental observation. We need a more basic theory to help us unify all these spin related phenomena. Over the past five years, STAR has successfully installed 3 new detectors and we have begun to see the physical analysis results from datasets with those new functions. What makes the STAR detector viable after 20 years of operation is its continuous evolution through successful upgrades, with new scientific programs added year by year. The next big thing is to forward upgrade a tracking system (3 layers of silicon strips and 4 layers of sTGC chambers) and a calorimetry system (electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters). In addition to studying the spin structure of protons by using the polarized proton beams at RHIC, the upgrades also provide a unique ability to investigate the origin of Λ Global Polarization as a function of rapidity and rapidity (de-)correlations in Au+Au collisions.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2018

Crystallographically aligned 1.508 eV nitrogen pairs in ultra-dilute GaAs:N

Here, we measure polarized photoluminescence emitted from excitons bound to the 1.508 eV N-N impurity pairs in the ultra-dilute semiconductor alloy GaAs:N grown by both metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and MBE. In MOCVD-grown GaAs:N, the pair orientation is random, with pairs equally distributed over the two equivalent directions in the growth plane. In contrast, MBE results in a highly uniform ensemble of in-plane pairs preferentially aligned in a single < 110 > direction, and the population of out-of-plane pairs reduced. The results are important for quantum control of N pair qubits where observable energy levels depend on pair orientation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1965

Simple optical system used to align spectrograph

Optically fast, portable spectrograph incorporates auxiliary optics in a boresight technique to use the zero order of the grating for visual alignment. This device obtains moderately resolved spectra of a multitude of light sources.

Exton, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1965

Self-aligning fixture used in lathe chuck jaw refacing

Self-aligning tool positions and rigidly holds lathe chuck jaws for refacing and truing of the clamping surface. The jaws clamp the fixture in the manner of clamping a workpiece. The fixture can be modified to accommodate four-jawed checks.

Linn, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1965

Oil-damped mercury pool makes precise optical alignment tool

Mercury pool with a cover layer of high viscosity oil provides a reference reflector for precise alignment of optical instruments. The cover layer effectively damps any ripples in the mercury from support structure vibrations.

Thekaekara, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Turbine blade root design concept promises superior alignment

Blade-to-hub mounting concept assures excellent alignment integrity and results in elimination of some welding problems associated with designs. With this design, if rework is required, blade removal and replacement may be readily accomplished without damage to blade positioning media on the wheel hub.

King, O. D.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Quick attach and release fluid coupling assembly is self-aligning, self-sealing

Fluid coupling assembly that is self-aligning, self-sealing and contains a bellow ball and socket coupling for quick attach and release is highly reliable and can handle cryogenic fluids where icing is encountered. The fluid coupling assembly is used in many fluid systems but is particularly applicable to cryogenic systems.

Herold, C. P.↗