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Optical archiving for scientific data
Write-once-read-many (WORM) optical disk technology is now practical for use as (1) a near online storage media, (2) long-term storage in a passive repository, and (3) under some circumstances, transporting from and to data generators and data users at remote sites. Optical technology provides several significant advantages over magnetic tapes as a data storage media because it is more compact, provides random access, has a longer lifetime, at least 30 years, and is less sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Two major archival projects using optical technology underway are discussed: the Coastal Zone Color Scanner data and the Dynamics Explorer data. Both projects have used the software for optical archive and retrieval (SOAR) to transfer data in a volume format that can be read transparently by VAX/VMS. Through the use of this software technique, (1) data generators and data users do not have to rewrite extant software and (2) the VAX/VMS Files-11 volume format is in wide use, so it can serve as an interim standard and will be accessible in the long-term.
Instrumentation of the variable-angle magneto-optic ellipsometer and its application to M-O media and other non-magnetic films
A new and comprehensive dielectric tensor characterization instrument is presented for characterization of magneto-optical recording media and non-magnetic thin films. Random and systematic errors of the system are studied. A series of TbFe, TbFeCo, and Co/Pt samples with different composition and thicknesses are characterized for their optical and magneto-optical properties. The optical properties of several non-magnetic films are also measured.
An Initial Non-Equilibrium Porous-Media Model for CFD Simulation of Stirling Regenerators
The objective of this paper is to define empirical parameters (or closwre models) for an initial thermai non-equilibrium porous-media model for use in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes for simulation of Stirling regenerators. The two CFD codes currently being used at Glenn Research Center (GRC) for Stirling engine modeling are Fluent and CFD-ACE. The porous-media models available in each of these codes are equilibrium models, which assmne that the solid matrix and the fluid are in thermal equilibrium at each spatial location within the porous medium. This is believed to be a poor assumption for the oscillating-flow environment within Stirling regenerators; Stirling 1-D regenerator models, used in Stirling design, we non-equilibrium regenerator models and suggest regenerator matrix and gas average temperatures can differ by several degrees at a given axial location end time during the cycle. A NASA regenerator research grant has been providing experimental and computational results to support definition of various empirical coefficients needed in defining a noa-equilibrium, macroscopic, porous-media model (i.e., to define "closure" relations). The grant effort is being led by Cleveland State University, with subcontractor assistance from the University of Minnesota, Gedeon Associates, and Sunpower, Inc. Friction-factor and heat-transfer correlations based on data taken with the NASAlSunpower oscillating-flow test rig also provide experimentally based correlations that are useful in defining parameters for the porous-media model; these correlations are documented in Gedeon Associates' Sage Stirling-Code Manuals. These sources of experimentally based information were used to define the following terms and parameters needed in the non-equilibrium porous-media model: hydrodynamic dispersion, permeability, inertial coefficient, fluid effective thermal conductivity (including themal dispersion and estimate of tortuosity effects}, and fluid-solid heat transfer coefficient. Solid effective thermal conductivity (including the effect of tortuosity) was also estimated. Determination of the porous-media model parameters was based on planned use in a CFD model of Infinia's Stirling Technology Demonstration Convertor (TDC), which uses a random-fiber regenerator matrix. The non-equilibrium porous-media model presented is considered to be an initial, or "draft," model for possible incorporation in commercial CFD codes, with the expectation that the empirical parameters will likely need to be updated once resulting Stirling CFD model regenerator and engine results have been analyzed. The emphasis of the paper is on use of available data to define empirical parameters (and closure models) needed in a thermal non-equilibrium porous-media model for Stirling regenerator simulation. Such a model has not yet been implemented by the authors or their associates. However, it is anticipated that a thermal non-equilibrium model such as that presented here, when iacorporated in the CFD codes, will improve our ability to accurately model Stirling regenerators with CFD relative to current thermal-equilibrium porous-media models.
Fairness problems at the media access level for high-speed networks
Most lower speed (approx. 10 Mbps) local area networks use adaptive or random access protocols like Ethernet. Others at higher speed use demand assignment like token or slotted rings. These include Cambridge ring and electronic token ring systems. Fairness issues in representatives of such protocols are discussed. In particular, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) was selected as a demand access protocol using tokens, Carrier Sensed Multiple Access/Ring Network (CSMA/RN) a random access protocol, and Distributed Queue Dual Bus (DQDB) a demand access protocol using reservations. Fairness at the media access level was the focus, i.e., attaining access or being excessively delayed when a message is queued to be sent as a function of network location. Within that framework, the essential fairness of FDDI was observed along with severe fairness problems in DQDB and some problems for CSMA/RN. Several modifications were investigated and their ameliorative effect is shown. Finally, a unified presentation which allows comparisons of the three protocols' fairness when normalized to their capacity is given.
Nanopore networks in colloidal silica assemblies characterized by XCT for confined fluid flow modeling
Fluid flow through nanopore structures has exhibited different behavior than that described by Darcy's law, derived from pore networks of micrometer scale. Here, pressure assemblies of colloidal silica spheres of specified diameters from 94 to 620 nanometers were prepared as model nano-porous media. The smaller silica spheres tended to form random packing, but some substantial ordering was found in the packing of the larger silica spheres. X-ray computed tomography (XCT), with a voxel resolution of 16 nm, was used to characterize the nanopore networks. The porosity of the Nano-XCT pore network (34%) was less than the total porosity of the assemblies as determined by X-ray attenuation (52%), possibly due to the limits of voxel resolution during segmentation. Fluid flow in the nanopore networks was simulated using the single-phase Lattice Boltzmann Method, and the simulated permeability was compared with the empirical and experimental values. Based on our characterization, although a well-ordered packing of silica spheres was not achieved, it was found that the nanopore networks in the colloidal silica assemblies had pore size distributions corresponding to the particle sizes. The simulated permeability was less than the experimental measurement for water flow, but the complex packing of silica spheres and surface chemistry issues need to be considered in future research.
Microwave propagation constant for a vegetation canopy with vertical stalks
An equivalent-medium model is developed to relate the propagation constant gamma, associated with propagation of the mean field through a vegetation canopy, to the geometrical and dielectric parameters of the canopy constituents. The model is intended for media containing vertical cylinders, representing the stalks, and randomly oriented disks, representing the leaves. The formulation accounts for both absorption and scattering by the cylinders, but uses a quasi-static approximation with respect to the leaves. The model was found to be in good agreement with experimental results at 1.62 and 4.75 GHz, but underestimates the extinction loss at 10.2 GHz. The experimental component of the study included measurements of the attenuation loss for horizontally polarized and vertically polarized waves transmitted through a fully grown corn canopy, and of the phase difference between the two transmitted waves. The measurements were made at incidence angles of 20, 40, 60, and 90 deg relative to normal incidence. The major conclusion of this study is that the proposed model is suitable for corn-like canopies, provided the leaves are smaller than lambda in size.
Post-embedding tem signal-to-noise ratio of S-100
We assessed the reactivity of purified S-100 antiserum in immuno-electron microscopy by counting the number of gold particles per microns 2 over inner ear tissues embedded in different media. Sections containing predominantly Schwann's cell cytoplasm and nucleus, afferent fiber axoplasm and myelin sheath of chick cochleae were reacted with anti-S-100 IgG, an antibody to a calcium binding protein of neuronal tissues, then labeled with anti-IgG-gold conjugate. This investigation was conducted because previously published procedures, unmodified, did not yield acceptable results. Preparation of all specimens was identical. Only the medium (PolyBed 812, Araldite or Spurr epoxies; and LR White, LR Gold or Lowicryl plastics) was changed. The medium was made the changing variable because antigens available in post-embedding immuno-electron microscopy are decreased by heat, either used and/or released during polymerization of the embedding medium. The results indicate that: (a) none of the embedding media above provided optimal signal-to-noise ratio for all parts of the nerve stained in the same section; (b) aggregation of gold particles over cells was highest in embedding media with high background labeling over areas devoid of tissue (noise); (c) aggregation occurred randomly throughout both cellular and acellular regions; and (d) particles aggregated less and were distributed more evenly in tissues from media yielding good ultrastructural integrity.
Coherent Random Lasing in Subwavelength Quasi‐2D Perovskites
Abstract Quasi‐2D lead halide perovskites have garnered increasing interest as lasing gain media. Relatively simple fabrication, high refractive index, and unique quantum well structure encourage their use in traditional cavity lasers and cavity‐free systems called random lasers (RLs). Despite tremendous advances reported thus far, coherent random lasing in quasi‐2D perovskite subwavelength films has not been reported. Consequently, coherent optical feedback mechanisms in quasi‐2D perovskite systems are still unexplored. Here, this work reports the observation of coherent random lasing in subwavelength quasi‐2D perovskite films. Statistical analysis of spectral measurements reveals Lévy‐like intensity fluctuations, replica symmetry breaking confirms random lasing, and the coherent modes are studied with spectral and spatial correlation techniques. The observed coherent lasing modes are found to be extended states that arise from the random crystal grain structure during fabrication and span the entire pump volume. These modes out‐compete diffusive lasing due to their coherence.
Microwave remote sensing of a two-layer random medium
A two-variable expansion technique is used to solve for the mean Green's. function from the Dyson equation under the nonlinear approximation. The Bethe-Salpeter equation then gives rise to a set of modified radiative transfer (MRT) equations which accommodate coherent effects essential to bounded media. It is found that the nonlinear approximation, instead of the more popular bilocal approximation, should be used for the case of bounded media. The two approximations yield identical results for unbounded media. The MRT equations are then solved for a two-layer random medium. The MRT equations give rise to simple and useful solutions which are applicable to both active and passive microwave remote sensing.
THE INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL FRICTION AND HEAT EXCHANGE ON THE MOTION OF AN IGNITION SURFACE AND A SHOCK-DISCONTINUITY IN A CHEMICALLY REACTIVE MEDIUM
Effect of grid and constriction friction on flame propagation velocity, heat exchange and acoustic shock discontinuity formation in reactive media
Correspondence between discrete and continuous models of excitable media: trigger waves
We present a theoretical framework for relating continuous partial differential equation (PDE) models of excitable media to discrete cellular automata (CA) models on a randomized lattice. These relations establish a quantitative link between the CA model and the specific physical system under study. We derive expressions for the CA model's plane wave speed, critical curvature, and effective diffusion constant in terms of the model's internal parameters (the interaction radius, excitation threshold, and time step). We then equate these expressions to the corresponding quantities obtained from solution of the PDEs (for a fixed excitability). This yields a set of coupled equations with a unique solution for the required CA parameter values. Here we restrict our analysis to "trigger" wave solutions obtained in the limiting case of a two-dimensional excitable medium with no recovery processes. We tested the correspondence between our CA model and two PDE models (the FitzHugh-Nagumo medium and a medium with a "sawtooth" nonlinear reaction source) and found good agreement with the numerical solutions of the PDEs. Our results suggest that the behavior of trigger waves is actually controlled by a small number of parameters.
Octahedral to tetrahedral bonding transitions in the local structure of phase change optical media Ge 2 Sb 2 Se 5 x Te 5-5 x with Se doping
Random access memories utilize fast, reversible switching between ordered and disordered states of matter in phase change materials (PCMs) such as Ge2Sb2Te5-5x. The short-range structure in the disordered phase has been described either as (i) a network of Ge tetrahedra or (ii) Peierls distorted Ge/Sb octahedra. The PCM transition was investigated in bulk Ge2Sb2Se5xTe5-5x (GSST), in which amorphization sets in with Se doping (x ≈ 0.85) upon quenching. GSST has a hexagonal crystalline ground state with Ge/Sb octahedral coordination, but the phase change transition to the amorphous state that is only observed when the system is quenched brings a short-range structure with sharp, tetrahedrally coordinated Ge/Sb correlations and shortened bonds that are distinctly different from the expected octahedral pairing.
The effect of dissipative inhomogeneous medium on the statistics of the wave intensity
One of the main theoretical points in the theory of wave propagation in random medium is the derivation of closed form equations to describe the statistics of the propagating waves. In particular, in one dimensional problems, the closed form representation of the multiple scattering effects is important since it contributes in understanding such problems like wave localization, backscattering enhancement, and intensity fluctuations. In this the propagation of plane waves in a layer of one-dimensional dissipative random medium is considered. The medium is modeled by a complex permittivity whose real part is a constant representing the absorption. The one dimensional problem is mathematically equivalent to the analysis of a transmission line with randomly perturbed distributed parameters and a single mode lossy waveguide and the results can be used to study the propagation of radio waves through atmosphere and the remote sensing of geophysical media. It is assumed the scattering medium consists of an ensemble of one-dimensional point scatterers randomly positioned in a layer of thickness L with diffuse boundaries. A Poisson impulse process with density lambda is used to model the position of scatterers in the medium. By employing the Markov properties of this process an exact closed form equation of Kolmogorov-Feller type was obtained for the probability density of the reflection coefficient. This equation was solved by combining two limiting cases: (1) when the density of scatterers is small; and (2) when the medium is weakly dissipative. A two variable perturbation method for small lambda was used to obtain solutions valid for thick layers. These solutions are then asymptotically evaluated for small dissipation. To show the effect of dissipation, the mean and fluctuations of the reflected power are obtained. The results were compared with a lossy homogeneous medium and with a lossless inhomogeneous medium and the regions where the effect of absorption is not essential were discussed.
Hierarchical reconstruction of 3D well-connected porous media from 2D exemplars using statistics-informed neural network
The relationships between porous microstructures and transport properties are of fundamental importance in various scientific and engineering applications. Due to the intricacy, stochasticity and heterogeneity of porous media, reliable characterization and modeling of transport properties often require a complete dataset of internal microstructure samples. However, it is often an unbearable cost to acquire sufficient 3D digital microstructures by purely using microscopic imaging systems. Herein this paper presents a machine learning-based technique to hierarchically reconstruct 3D well-connected porous microstructures from one isotropic or several anisotropic low-cost 2D exemplar(s). To compactly characterize the large-scale microstructural features, a Gaussian image pyramid is built for each 2D exemplar. Local morphology patterns are collected from the Gaussian image pyramids, and then they serve as the training data to embed the 2D morphological statistics into feed-forward neural networks at multiple length levels. By using a specially-developed morphology integration scheme, the 3D morphological statistics at different levels can be inferred from the statistics-informed neural networks. Gibbs sampling is adopted to hierarchically reconstruct 3D microstructures by using multi-level 3D morphological statistics, where the large-scale, regional and local morphological patterns are statistically generated and successively added to the same 3D random field. The proposed method is tested on a series of porous media with distinct morphologies, and the statistical equivalence between the reconstructed and the real microstructures is systematically evaluated by comparing morphological descriptors and transport properties. The results demonstrate that the proposed 2D-to-3D microstructure reconstruction method is a universal and efficient approach to generating morphologically and physically realistic samples of porous media.
NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Report 30: Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) and the communication of technical information in aerospace
This research used survey research to examine the use of communication media in general and electronic media specifically in the U.S. aerospace industry. The survey population included 1,006 randomly selected U.S. aerospace engineers and scientists who belong to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Survey data were compared with qualitative information obtained from 32 AIAA members in telephone and face-to-face conversations. The Information Processing (IP) model developed by Tushman and Nadler and Daft and Lengel constituted the study's theoretical basis. This research analyzed responses regarding communication methods of U.S. aerospace engineers and scientists who create use and disseminate aerospace knowledge and explored selected contextual environmental variables related to media use and effective performance. The results indicate that uncertainty is significantly reduced in environments when levels of analyzability are high. When uncertainty is high there is significantly more use of electronic media. However no relation was found between overall effectiveness and media use in environments stratified by levels by analyzability or equivocality. The results indicate modest support for the influences of uncertainty and analyzability on electronic media use. Although most respondents reported that electronic networks are important for their work the data suggest that there are sharply disparate levels of use.
Waveform Perturbations os Spherical Transiet Waves Propagating in a Random Medium
Of those aspects of sonic-boom propagation that are not yet fully understood, one of the more important is that which relates to the perturbations of the waveform. This phenomenon, which arises also in connection with the propagation of other types of transient waves in real media, generally take the form, in the case of sonic-boom N-waves, of a random high-frequency structure (sometimes called fine structure) that is most prominent in the regions immediately behind each of the shocks. The perturbations in those regions can be large, occasionally attaining magnitudes comparable to that of th incident wave itself. Such magnitudes, in combination with the high-frequency character of the perturbations, can lead to a considerable increase in the perceived noisiness of the sonic boom. Waveform perturbations are consequently an important factor as regards the question of sonic-boom acceptability. On the basis of observations, and some early theoretical studies, it is now generally accepted that perturbations of sonic-boom waveforms are a manifestation of the effect on the propagating wave of relatively small-scale variations in the acoustic properties of the atmosphere- variations that are usually associated with turbulence. Although the mechanism underlying perturbations of sonic-boom waveforms seems thus to be well understood, no fully-satisfactory theory of such perturbations has emerged. Indeed, even for the relatively simple case of an incident step-function pulse, no theory of waveform perturbations, formulated in a realistic three-dimensional context, has been advanced that is valid in the region of strongest perturbations; viz., the region immediately behind, and including, the wave front. The work reported herein represents an attempt to develop such a theory.
Interaction between photons and leaf canopies
The physics of neutral particle interaction for photons traveling in media consisting of finite-dimensional scattering centers that cross-shade mutually is investigated. A leaf canopy is a typical example of such media. The leaf canopy is idealized as a binary medium consisting of randomly distributed gaps (voids) and regions with phytoelements (turbid phytomedium). In this approach, the leaf canopy is represented by a combination of all possible open oriented spheres. The mathematical approach for characterizing the structure of the host medium is considered. The extinction coefficient at any phase-space location in a leaf canopy is the product of the extinction coefficient in the turbid phytomedium and the probability of absence gaps at that location. Using a similar approach, an expression for the differential scattering coefficient is derived.