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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 1,315 records · Page 73
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2019

The Arctic-Boreal vulnerability experiment model benchmarking system

NASA's Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) integrates field and airborne data into modeling and synthesis activities for understanding Arctic and Boreal ecosystem dynamics. The ABoVE Benchmarking System (ABS) is an operational software package to evaluate terrestrial biosphere models against key indicators of Arctic and Boreal ecosystem dynamics, i.e.: carbon biogeochemistry, vegetation, permafrost, hydrology, and disturbance. The ABS utilizes satellite remote sensing data, airborne data, and field data from ABoVE as well as collaborating research networks in the region, e.g.: the Permafrost Carbon Network, the International Soil Carbon Network, the Northern Circumpolar Soil Carbon Database, AmeriFlux sites, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2, and the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission. The ABS is designed to be interactive for researchers interested in having their models accurately represent observations of key Arctic indicators: a user submits model results to the system, the system evaluates the model results against a set of Arctic-Boreal benchmarks outlined in the ABoVE Concise Experiment Plan, and the user then receives a quantitative scoring of model strengths and deficiencies through a web interface. This interactivity allows model developers to iteratively improve their model for the Arctic-Boreal Region by evaluating results from successive model versions. We show here, for illustration, the improvement of the Lund–Potsdam–Jena-Wald Schnee und Landschaft (LPJwsl) version model through the ABoVE ABS as a new permafrost module is coupled to the existing model framework. The ABS will continue to incorporate new benchmarks that address indicators of Arctic-Boreal ecosystem dynamics as they become available.

ABoVE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Machine-Learned Committor Functions for Reactive Molecular Dynamics

Reactive molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful tool for atomistic-scale modeling of a diverse range of chemical processes. However, scaling these simulations to large systems and long times scales remains a challenge because of the complexity of the potential energy function required. The authors previously developed a heuristic approach, called REACTER, that incorporates reactivity in MD simulations in a less general but much more computationally efficient manner. REACTER uses standard, fixed valence force fields as the underlying potentialenergy surface for describing all interatomic interactions but adds a procedure for enforcing user-defined reactions that occur when certain geometric constraints on relative atomic positions are satisfied. Further, these bonding changes can be accepted or rejected with a probability related tothe local thermal energy. This work seeks to generalize this approach by replacing the set of user defined geometric constraints and energetic criteria with a committor function that specifies the probability of a reaction occurring on the basis of the local atomic configuration. The committor function is a useful mathematical tool for modeling rare events but, unfortunately, is very difficult to compute for realistic systems in a general way. This work describes a method for approximating the committor function using a machine learning approach, specifically a deep neural network trained with data from reactive MD and DFT-based dynamics simulations. This network is coupled to the existing REACTER protocol, as implemented in the LAMMPS MD package, and used to make on-the-fly predictions of reaction probabilities without the more extensive user input previously required. The new method is demonstrated using the polymerization of polystyrene as a case study. Although very dependent on the quality and quantity of training data, machine-learned committor functions show promise as a method for incorporating reaction probability from higher level calculations into highly scalable MD simulations.

polymer simulations↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Method for Integrating an UBEM with GIS for Spatiotemporal Visualization and Analysis

Leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatiotemporal visualization and analysis of simulated UBEM datasets and real-world data simultaneously can assist in identifying opportunities, as well as potential barriers, to energy efficient and climate adaptation strategies. However, current GIS-based models that support interactive exploration of adaptation strategies and future scenarios are scarce and do not easily incorporate building energy use data for visual analysis over time. This paper describes a workflow to integrate simulated building energy consumption data associated with variable energy efficiency scenarios within a GIS platform for interactive spatiotemporal visualization to support climate adaptation decision-making. The contribution of the work presented is in the ability to selectively view and analyze simulated building energy performance data layered with other real-world geospatial data through an automated feedback loop between an UBEM and ArcGIS. An interactive interface is designed in ArcGIS to enable users to explore building performance scenarios spatially and over time. Using a downtown neighborhood in Syracuse, New York, USA, as a case study, preliminary results demonstrate how the workflow provides insight into existing energy use issues and potential for implementing strategies such as energy load shifting or building retrofits. A discussion includes opportunities as well as challenges to the workflow in facilitating understanding of urban energy model outputs by multiple stakeholders in evaluating potential energy efficient strategies.

ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION↗
NASA NTRS2011

Flight Planning in the Cloud

This new interface will enable Principal Investigators (PIs), as well as UAVSAR (Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar) members to do their own flight planning and time estimation without having to request flight lines through the science coordinator. It uses an all-in-one Google Maps interface, a JPL hosted database, and PI flight requirements to design an airborne flight plan. The application will enable users to see their own flight plan being constructed interactively through a map interface, and then the flight planning software will generate all the files necessary for the flight. Afterward, the UAVSAR team can then complete the flight request, including calendaring and supplying requisite flight request files in the expected format for processing by NASA s airborne science program. Some of the main features of the interface include drawing flight lines on the map, nudging them, adding them to the current flight plan, and reordering them. The user can also search and select takeoff, landing, and intermediate airports. As the flight plan is constructed, all of its components are constantly being saved to the database, and the estimated flight times are updated. Another feature is the ability to import flight lines from previously saved flight plans. One of the main motivations was to make this Web application as simple and intuitive as possible, while also being dynamic and robust. This Web application can easily be extended to support other airborne instruments.

Flores, Sarah L.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Continuum Electrostatics Approaches to Calculating pKas and Ems in Proteins

Proteins change their charge state through protonation and redox reactions as well as through binding charged ligands. The free energy of these reactions are dominated by solvation and electrostatic energies and modulated by protein conformational relaxation in response to the ionization state changes. Although computational methods for calculating these interactions can provide very powerful tools for predicting protein charge states, they include several critical approximations of which users should be aware. This chapter discusses the strengths, weaknesses, and approximations of popular computational methods for predicting charge states and understanding their underlying electrostatic interactions. The goal of this chapter is to inform users about applications and potential caveats of these methods as well as outline directions for future theoretical and computational research.

biomolecules↗
NASA NTRS2002

Fast interactive real-time volume rendering of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography: an implementation for low-end computers

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) is an innovative cardiac imaging modality. However, partly due to lack of user-friendly software, RT3DE has not been widely accepted as a clinical tool. The object of this study was to develop and implement a fast and interactive volume renderer of RT3DE datasets designed for a clinical environment where speed and simplicity are not secondary to accuracy. Thirty-six patients (20 regurgitation, 8 normal, 8 cardiomyopathy) were imaged using RT3DE. Using our newly developed software, all 3D data sets were rendered in real-time throughout the cardiac cycle and assessment of cardiac function and pathology was performed for each case. The real-time interactive volume visualization system is user friendly and instantly provides consistent and reliable 3D images without expensive workstations or dedicated hardware. We believe that this novel tool can be used clinically for dynamic visualization of cardiac anatomy.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗
NASA NTRS1994

FRANC2D: A two-dimensional crack propagation simulator. Version 2.7: User's guide

FRANC 2D (FRacture ANalysis Code, 2 Dimensions) is a menu driven, interactive finite element computer code that performs fracture mechanics analyses of 2-D structures. The code has an automatic mesh generator for triangular and quadrilateral elements. FRANC2D calculates the stress intensity factor using linear elastic fracture mechanics and evaluates crack extension using several methods that may be selected by the user. The code features a mesh refinement and adaptive mesh generation capability that is automatically developed according to the predicted crack extension direction and length. The code also has unique features that permit the analysis of layered structure with load transfer through simulated mechanical fasteners or bonded joints. The code was written for UNIX workstations with X-windows graphics and may be executed on the following computers: DEC DecStation 3000 and 5000 series, IBM RS/6000 series, Hewlitt-Packard 9000/700 series, SUN Sparc stations, and most Silicon Graphics models.

Wawrzynek, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2014

NASA VERVE: Interactive 3D Visualization Within Eclipse

At NASA, we develop myriad Eclipse RCP applications to provide situational awareness for remote systems. The Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA Ames Research Center has developed VERVE - a high-performance, robot user interface that provides scientists, robot operators, and mission planners with powerful, interactive 3D displays of remote environments.VERVE includes a 3D Eclipse view with an embedded Java Ardor3D scenario, including SWT and mouse controls which interact with the Ardor3D camera and objects in the scene. VERVE also includes Eclipse views for exploring and editing objects in the Ardor3D scene graph, and a HUD (Heads Up Display) framework allows Growl-style notifications and other textual information to be overlayed onto the 3D scene. We use VERVE to listen to telemetry from robots and display the robots and associated scientific data along the terrain they are exploring; VERVE can be used for any interactive 3D display of data.VERVE is now open source. VERVE derives from the prior Viz system, which was developed for Mars Polar Lander (2001) and used for the Mars Exploration Rover (2003) and the Phoenix Lander (2008). It has been used for ongoing research with IRG's K10 and KRex rovers in various locations. VERVE was used on the International Space Station during two experiments in 2013 - Surface Telerobotics, in which astronauts controlled robots on Earth from the ISS, and SPHERES, where astronauts control a free flying robot on board the ISS.We will show in detail how to code with VERVE, how to interact between SWT controls to the Ardor3D scenario, and share example code.

3D Visualization↗
DOE OSTI2013

Incident Management Preparedness and Coordination Toolkit

As with many professions, safety planners and first responders tend to be specialists in certain areas. To be truly useful, tools should be tailored to meet their specific needs. Thus, general software suites aimed at the professional geographic information system (GIS) community might not be the best solution for a first responder with little training in GIS terminology and techniques. On the other hand, commonly used web-based map viewers may not have the capability to be customized for the planning, response, and recovery (PR&R) mission. Data formats should be open and foster easy information flow among local, state, and federal partners. Tools should be free or low-cost to address real-world budget constraints at the local level. They also need to work both with and without a network connection to be robust. The Incident Management Preparedness and Coordination Toolkit (IMPACT) can satisfy many of these needs while working in harmony with established systems at the local, state, and federal levels. The IMPACT software framework, termed the Geospatial Integrated Problem Solving Environment (GIPSE), organizes tasks, tools, and resources for the end user. It uses the concept of software wizards to both customize and extend its functionality. On the Tasks panel are a number of buttons used to initiate various operations. Similar to macros, these task buttons launch scripts that utilize the full functionality of the underlying foundational components such as the SQL spatial database and ORNL-developed map editor. The user is presented with a series of instruction pages which are implemented with HTML for interactivity. On each page are links which initiate specific actions such as creating a map showing various features. Additional tasks may be quickly programmed and added to the panel. The end user can customize the graphical interface to faciltate its use during an emergency. One of the major components of IMPACT is the ORNL Geospatial Viewer (OGV). It is used to provide various map displays for the Tasks and Maps panels. Unlike typical maps however, the OGV display is highly interactive and can be customized, automated, and animated to meet the needs of the user. It is also a means to both import and export geospatial data from or to existing GIS systems. The built-in simulation capability can be used as the basis of table-top exercises.

Koch, Daniel B.↗
DOE OSTI2021

HydrogenAR: Interactive Data-Driven Presentation of Dispenser Reliability: Preprint

When delivering presentations to a co-located audience, we typically use slides with text and 2D graphics to complement the spoken narrative. Though presentations have largely been explored on 2D media, augmented reality (AR) allows presentation designers to add data and augmentations to existing physical infrastructure on display. This could provide a more engaging experience to the audience and support comprehension. With HydrogenAR, we present a novel application that leverages the benefits of data-driven storytelling with those of AR to explain the unique challenges of hydrogen dis- penser reliability. Utilizing physical props, situated data, and virtual augmentations and animations, HydrogenAR serves as a unique presentation tool, particularly critical for stakeholders, tour groups, and VIPs. HydrogenAR is a product of multiple collaborative de- sign iterations with a local Hydrogen Fuel research team and is evaluated through interviews with team members and a user study with end-users to evaluate the usability and quality of the interactive AR experience. Through this work, we provide design considera- tions for AR data-driven presentations and discuss how AR could be used for innovative content delivery beyond traditional slide-based presentations.

augmented reality↗
NASA NTRS2009

Data Management Applications for the Service Preparation Subsystem

These software applications provide intuitive User Interfaces (UIs) with a consistent look and feel for interaction with, and control of, the Service Preparation Subsystem (SPS). The elements of the UIs described here are the File Manager, Mission Manager, and Log Monitor applications. All UIs provide access to add/delete/update data entities in a complex database schema without requiring technical expertise on the part of the end users. These applications allow for safe, validated, catalogued input of data. Also, the software has been designed in multiple, coherent layers to promote ease of code maintenance and reuse in addition to reducing testing and accelerating maturity.

Luong, Ivy P.↗
DOE OSTI2023

A centralized resource for bacterial–fungal interactions research

Research on bacterial-fungal interactions (BFIs) has revealed that fungi and bacteria frequently interact with one another within diverse ecosystems and microbiomes. Assessing the current state of knowledge within the field of BFI research, particularly with respect to what interactions between bacteria and fungi have been previously described, is very challenging and time consuming. This is largely due to a lack of any centralized resource, with reports of BFIs being spread across publications in numerous journals using non-standardized text to describe the relationships. To address this issue, we have developed the BFI Research Portal, a publicly accessible database of previously reported interactions between bacterial and fungal taxa to serve as a centralized resource for the field. Users can query bacterial or fungal taxa to see what members from the other kingdom have been observed as interaction partners. Search results are accompanied by interactive and intuitive visual outputs, and the database is a dynamic resource that will be updated as new BFIs are reported.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2018

Tactile Display for EVA

As human spaceflight crews engage in more complex missions beyond low Earth orbit, their need for autonomy increases. ISS-like operations in which Earth-based mission control monitors life-critical systems and provides real time support for crew tasks will be limited by communication bandwidth and delays, forcing the crew to take on a subset of these responsibilities. This presents the biggest challenge during Extravehicular Activity (EVA)s, where the crew is already overloaded and their ability to interact with information systems is severely limited. Tactile displays, which present information using the sense of touch, expand the users' communication bandwidth. This untapped interface modality can be used for a wide range of interactions during EVA, including emergency alerts, non-emergency situational awareness, and simple instruction.

Aceves, Ricco↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tower Illuminance Model (TIM): Interactive Real-Time Flyover Simulation Tool to Evaluate Glare and Avian-Flux Hazards

Solar glare reflections and avian solar-flux hazards are an important concern for concentrating solar installations. Reflected sunlight from 'standby' heliostats has been noted by pilots as potentially hazardous, and reports of birds being singed by concentrated sunlight has created concern. This paper presents the Tower Illuminance Model ('TIM'), a software application developed to investigate glare and avian-flux hazards at concentrating solar power towers in a convenient and interactive manner. TIM simulates a field of heliostats in standby mode, wherein sunlight is not reflected toward the central receiver but at some location in the airspace around the receiver. The user can select a range of aiming strategies and field configurations and can navigate the simulated airspace above the heliostat field in real-time using an interactive 3D interface. As the user 'flies' through the airspace, TIM calculates the irradiance, glare hazard, and potential avian flux hazard. TIM is currently undergoing validation and industry testing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Level-2 Milestone 4468: Lorenz Simulation Interface Beta Release

The goal of Lorenz is to develop a sophisticated web-based framework as a front end to Livermore Computing Center resources. The primary features include: a personalized dashboard for each user, giving an at-a-glace overview of all computing center resources; a front-end to job submission and management; and a software framework to extend the convenience of web interfaces into simulation codes, including support for setting up, launching, steering, and monitoring simulations. Because the breadth of desktop operating systems in use both inside and outside LLNL spans all flavors of Linux, Mac, and Windows, the decision was made to use exclusively web-based technologies in Lorenz. Recent advancements in AJAX and Javascript programming, along with coming advances in the form of HTML5 and CSS3, made the browser the preferred development platform. The goal is to provide the user with a robust application interface that requires nothing more than a modern, standards-based web browser. This approach not only provides convenient access to Lorenz for internal and external users, but also has significant advantages over conventional applications in terms of rapid deployment and updates. The first phase of the Lorenz project is a system “dashboard”, known as MyLC, that gives LC users a rich set of portal applications, or “portlets”, from which to choose. Information that previously required knowledge of dozens of different commands, files, and web pages is now available in one convenient location. This includes account information, bank and disk usage, quotas, cluster utilization, news items, active jobs on LC systems, and more. The extensible software design of the dashboard allows users and staff members to develop their own portlets, and for them to be shared with all users or just within work groups. The second major phase of Lorenz was built on the idea that HPC centers are managed around batch processing, and “jobs” (or “runs”) progress through several discrete stages: setup, submission, queuing/waiting, running, completion, analysis, and archiving. Lorenz aims to ultimately tie all of these pieces together, including integration with the dashboard and application portals. In addition to helping guide users through the process of defining batch parameters, monitoring job progress, and interacting with jobs and job output, Lorenz also aims to promote access to additional tools and capabilities which to this point have been limited to use by power users. Ultimately Lorenz will assist users in choosing the appropriate resources, such as cluster and file system, given the requirements of a job. The third major phase of Lorenz, the subject of this milestone, is the development of an application portal. This involves teaming with application codes to provide a simple graphical interface to the simulations, which in turn seamlessly ties into job submission and monitoring. This will allow users to directly define simulation parameters and launch applications using a simple but powerful web front-end. Because many complex multi-physics codes can have thousands of inputs, providing a general GUI for building an input deck from scratch is impractical. However, most users of large applications start with an existing input file, and make some number of small changes to it. The application portal will feature a process that combines trusted and validated input files with a GUI that guides the user toward making the relatively minor changes needed for their particular problem. The input files will be in the form of templates, containing most of the data needed for a particular problem along with parameterization of changeable inputs. For expert users, there ultimately will be a way to edit the final input file directly - in the event that there are input changes needed that were not captured in the GUI.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS1983

TAWFIVE: A user's guide

The Transonic Analysis of a Wing and Fuselage with Interacted Viscous Effects (TAWFIVE) was developed. A finite volume full potential method is used to model the outer inviscid flow field. First-order viscous effects are modeled by a three dimensional integral boundary layer method. Both turbulent and laminar boundary layers are treated. Wake thickness and curvature effects are modeled using a two dimensional strip method. A very brief discussion of the engineering aspects of the program is given. The input and use of the program are covered in great detail.

Melson, N. D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

INHYD: Computer code for intraply hybrid composite design. A users manual

A computer program (INHYD) was developed for intraply hybrid composite design. A users manual for INHYD is presented. In INHYD embodies several composite micromechanics theories, intraply hybrid composite theories, and an integrated hygrothermomechanical theory. The INHYD can be run in both interactive and batch modes. It has considerable flexibility and capability, which the user can exercise through several options. These options are demonstrated through appropriate INHYD runs in the manual.

Chamis, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Space Station Freedom integrated fault model

A demonstration of an integrated fault propagation model for Space Station Freedom is described. The demonstration uses a HyperCard graphical interface to show how failures can propagate from one component to another, both within a system and between systems. It also shows how hardware failures can impact certain defined functions like reboost, atmosphere maintenance or collision avoidance. The demonstration enables the user to view block diagrams for the various space station systems using an overview screen, and interactively choose a component and see what single or dual failure combinations can cause it to fail. It also allows the user to directly view the fault model, which is a collection of drawing and text listings accessible from a guide screen. Fault modeling provides a useful technique for analyzing individual systems and also interactions between systems in the presence of multiple failures so that a complete picture of failure tolerance and component criticality can be achieved.

Becker, Fred J.↗