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At least 1,621 records · Page 90
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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

COBRA-DDP: Trajectory Generation and Collision Avoidance Augmentations for eVTOL Vehicles

This paper presents a receding horizon model predictive control variation of the combined Bernstein polynomial optimal reciprocal collision avoidance (ORCA) differential dynamic programming (COBRA-DDP) algorithm for AAM vehicles. Collision avoidance in combination with effective trajectory replanning are expected to be core components of AAM vehicles operating within a crowded airspace. This environment necessitates the use of real-time trajectory planning algorithms that are capable of planning around large amounts of stationary and moving obstacles. Previous work on COBRA-DDP demonstrated the capability of the algorithm to produce dynamically feasible trajectories for AAM vehicles and general collision avoidance. This paper improves upon the previous work by increasing the number of stationary and moving obstacles, implementing a variation of COBRA-DDP that lends itself to real-time application. These advancements are demonstrated on a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle simulation with highly nonlinear vehicle dynamics.

COBRA-DDP↗
DOE OSTI2026

Sub-daily virus sampling at the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series reveals diel and depth-structured population dynamics without community-level shifts

Ocean microbes contribute to biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem function, but they do so under top-down pressure imposed by viruses. While viruses are increasingly understood spatially and beginning to be incorporated into predictive modeling, high-frequency ocean virus dynamics remain understudied due to methodological challenges. Here we sampled stratified Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) waters for 112 hours at sub-daily 4- (surface) or 12- (deep chlorophyll maximum) hour intervals, purified viral particles from these samples, sequenced their metagenomes, and used the resulting data to characterize high-frequency virus community dynamics. Aggregated community diversity metrics changed with depth, but were not statistically significant temporally at a fixed location. However, finer-scale population-level analyses revealed both depth and temporal change, including physicochemical depth-driven differences and, in surface waters, thousands of viral populations that exhibited statistically significant diel rhythms. Statistical analyses revealed three main archetypes of temporal dynamics that themselves differed in abundance patterns, host predictions, viral taxonomy, and gene functions. Among these, highlights include viruses resembling an archetype with a night peaking pattern in activity that include an over-representation of viruses that putatively infect Prochlorococcus, a phototrophic cyanobacteria. Together, these efforts provide baseline community- and population-scale short-time-frame observations relevant to future climate state modeling.

Carrillo, Alfonso [The Ohio State University, Colu↗
NASA NTRS1987

Advanced solar receiver conceptual design study

High temperature solar dynamic Brayton and Stirling receivers are investigated as candidate electrical power generating systems for future LEO missions. These receivers are smaller and more efficient than conventional receivers, and they offer less structural complexity and fewer thermal stress problems. Use of the advanced Direct Absorption Storage Receiver allows many of the problems associated with working with high-volumetric-change phase-change materials to be avoided. A specific mass reduction of about 1/3 with respect to the baseline receiver has been realized.

Kesseli, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Flight Testing of the Space Launch System (SLS) Adaptive Augmenting Control (AAC) Algorithm on an F/A-18

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Flight Mechanics and Analysis Division developed an adaptive augmenting control (AAC) algorithm for launch vehicles that improves robustness and performance on an as-needed basis by adapting a classical control algorithm to unexpected environments or variations in vehicle dynamics. This was baselined as part of the Space Launch System (SLS) flight control system. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) was asked to partner with the SLS Program and the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) Game Changing Development Program (GCDP) to flight test the AAC algorithm on a manned aircraft that can achieve a high level of dynamic similarity to a launch vehicle and raise the technology readiness of the algorithm early in the program. This document reports the outcome of the NESC assessment.

Dennehy, Cornelius J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Order-of-magnitude laser imprint reduction using pre-expanded high-Z coatings on targets driven by a third harmonic Nd:glass laser

A hybrid early time x-ray drive followed by conventional laser direct drive obtained by utilizing a thin high-Z overcoat on plastic ablator targets has proven to be very effective at reducing laser imprint in experiments driven by the Nike krypton-fluoride laser. An inherent low level laser prepulse from that laser system heated and expanded the coating prior to the main pulse. Here, we report on results using a frequency tripled Nd:glass laser system (Omega EP) where the inherent prepulse was several orders of magnitude smaller. By applying a separate prepulse, these experiments allowed us to test if the prepulse is important for mitigating imprint with the high-Z layer. The results show that the high-Z coating is much more effective at reducing laser imprint when it is pre-expanded, in this case, by an externally generated low level soft x-ray prepulse of ∼10 J/cm2. With the x-ray prepulse, laser imprint at spatial wavelengths below 100 μm was reduced by an order of magnitude, similar to that observed with the laser prepulse on Nike. Furthermore, the experiments here establish that high-Z coating is effective in reducing imprint even in the case of a fixed speckle pattern. Rayleigh–Taylor-amplified laser imprint and high-Z layer dynamics were measured using through-foil and side-on x-ray radiography. Pre-expansion times from 30 down to 6 ns were effective, potentially compatible with laser prepulse generation using existing NIF and OMEGA front ends; however, temporal beam smoothing appears to be necessary for the laser prepulse that directly illuminates the high-Z coating. The highest imprint reduction is observed for Pd and Au coatings of at least 400 Å thickness; thicknesses down to 200 Å show a reduction in imprint with an adjusted prepulse.

Karasik, Max (ORCID:0000000162354670)↗
NASA NTRS1988

Adaptive independent joint control of manipulators - Theory and experiment

The author presents a simple decentralized adaptive control scheme for multijoint robot manipulators based on the independent joint control concept. The proposed control scheme for each joint consists of a PID (proportional integral and differential) feedback controller and a position-velocity-acceleration feedforward controller, both with adjustable gains. The static and dynamic couplings that exist between the joint motions are compensated by the adaptive independent joint controllers while ensuring trajectory tracking. The proposed scheme is implemented on a MicroVAX II computer for motion control of the first three joints of a PUMA 560 arm. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate that trajectory tracking is achieved despite strongly coupled, highly nonlinear joint dynamics. The results confirm that the proposed decentralized adaptive control of manipulators is feasible, in spite of strong interactions between joint motions. The control scheme presented is computationally very fast and is amenable to parallel processing implementation within a distributed computing architecture, where each joint is controlled independently by a simple algorithm on a dedicated microprocessor.

Seraji, H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The kinetic response of a stochastic plasma to low frequency perturbations

Following suggestion that substorm breakup might be caused by an interchange or ballooning instability, several magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and gyro-kinetic stability analysis have been performed for plasma sheet magnetic field geometries. However, the stochastic ion dynamics in the highly stressed, thin high-beta near earth plasma sheet violate the locality requirements of MHD and the invarience of the magnetic moment, mu, required by gyro-kinetic theories. In this paper we develop a new linear Vlasov kinetic theory (for low frequency modes omega less than omega(sub b), omega(sub b) being the bounce frequency) which includes the dynamics of stochastic ions.

Hurricane, Omar A.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Optimization of Membrane-based Carbon Capture using Dimensional Analysis, CFD and Process System Engineering

Carbon capture is a promising option to mitigate CO2 emissions from existing coal-fired power plants, cement and steel industries, and petrochemical complexes. Among the available technologies, membrane-based carbon capture presents the lowest energy consumption, operating costs, and carbon footprint. In addition, membrane processes have important operational flexibil-ity and response times. On the other hand, the major challenges to widespread application of this technology are related to reducing capital costs and improving membrane stability and durability.To upscale the technology into stacked flat sheet configurations, high fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that describes the separation process accurately are required. High fidelity simulations have been shown to be effective in studying the complex transport phenomena in membrane systems. In addition, obtaining high CO2 recovery percentages and product purity requires a multi-stage membrane process, where the optimal network configuration of the membrane modules must be studied in a systematic way. In order to address the design problem at process scale, we formulate a superstructure for the membrane-based carbon capture, including up to three separation stages. In the formulation of the optimization problem, we include reduced models, based on rigorous CFD simulations of the membrane modules. Numerical results indicate that the optimal design includes three membrane stages, and the capture cost is 45.4 $/t-CO2.

Pedrozo, Hector A.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Membrane-based Carbon Capture Process Optimization using CFD Modeling

Carbon capture is a promising option to mitigate CO2 emissions from existing coal-fired power plants, cement and steel industries, and petrochemical complexes. Among the available technologies, membrane-based carbon capture presents the lowest energy consumption, operating costs, and carbon footprint. In addition, membrane processes have important operational flexibility and response times. On the other hand, the major challenges to widespread application of this technology are related to reducing capital costs and improving membrane stability and durability. To upscale the technology into stacked flat sheet configurations, high fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that describes the separation process accurately are required. High fidelity simulations have been shown to be effective in studying the complex transport phenomena in membrane systems. In addition, obtaining high CO2 recovery percentages and product purity re-quires a multi-stage membrane process, where the optimal network configuration of the mem-brane modules must be studied in a systematic way. In order to address the design problem at process scale, we formulate a superstructure for the membrane-based carbon capture, including up to three separation stages. In the formulation of the optimization problem, we include reduced models, based on rigorous CFD simulations of the membrane modules.

Pedrozo, Hector A.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Membrane-based carbon capture process optimization using CFD modeling

Carbon capture is a promising option to mitigate CO2 emissions from existing coal-fired power plants, cement and steel industries, and petrochemical complexes. Among the available technologies, membrane-based carbon capture presents the lowest energy consumption, operating costs, and carbon footprint. In addition, membrane processes have important operational flexibility and response times. On the other hand, the major challenges to widespread application of this technology are related to reducing capital costs and improving membrane stability and durability. To upscale the technology into stacked flat sheet configurations, high fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that describes the separation process accurately are required. High fidelity simulations have been shown to be effective in studying the complex transport phenomena in membrane systems. In addition, obtaining high CO2 recovery percentages and product purity requires a multi-stage membrane process, where the optimal network configuration of the membrane modules must be studied in a systematic way. In order to address the design problem at process scale, we formulate a superstructure for the membrane-based carbon capture, including up to three separation stages. In the formulation of the optimization problem, we include reduced models, based on rigorous CFD simulations of the membrane modules. Numerical results indicate that the optimal design includes three membrane stages, and the capture cost is 45.4 $/t-CO2.

Pedrozo, Hector A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Whole Genome Sequencing Links Mycobacterium bovis From Cattle, Cheese and Humans in Baja California, Mexico

Mycobacterium bovis causes tuberculosis (TB) in cattle, which in turn can transmit the pathogen to humans. Tuberculosis in dairy cattle is of particular concern where the consumption of raw milk and dairy products is customary. Baja California (BCA), Mexico, presents high prevalence of TB in both cattle and humans, making it important to investigate the molecular epidemiology of the disease in the region. A long-term study was undertaken to fully characterize the diversity of M. bovis genotypes circulating in dairy cattle, cheese and humans in BCA by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). During a 2-year period, 412 granulomatous tissue samples were collected from local abattoirs and 314 cheese samples were purchased from local stores and vendors in BCA and sent to the laboratory for mycobacterial culture, histology, direct PCR and WGS. For tissue samples M. bovis was recovered from 86.8%, direct PCR detected 90% and histology confirmed 85.9% as mycobacteriosis-compatible. For cheese, M. bovis was recovered from 2.5% and direct PCR detected 6% of the samples. There was good agreement between diagnostic tests. Subsequently, a total of 345 whole-genome SNP sequences were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these isolates into 10 major clades. SNP analysis revealed putative transmission clusters where the pairwise SNP distance between isolates from different dairies was ≤3 SNP. Also, human and/or cheese isolates were within 8.45 (range 0–17) and 5.8 SNP (range 0–15), respectively, from cattle isolates. Finally, a comparison between the genotypes obtained in this study and those reported previously suggests that the genetic diversity of M. bovis in BCA is well-characterized, and can be used to determine if BCA is the likely source of M. bovis in humans and cattle in routine epidemiologic investigations and future studies. In conclusion, WGS provided evidence of ongoing local transmission of M. bovis among the dairies in this high-TB burden region of BCA, as well as show close relationships between isolates recovered from humans, cheese, and cattle. This confirms the need for a coordinated One Health approach in addressing the elimination of TB in animals and humans. Overall, the study contributes to the knowledge of the molecular epidemiology of M. bovis in BCA, providing insight into the pathogen's dynamics in a high prevalence setting.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2017

Solar Activity Across the Scales: from Small-Scale Quiet-Sun Dynamics to Magnetic Activity Cycles

Observations as well as numerical and theoretical models show that solar dynamics is characterized by complicated interactions and energy exchanges among different temporal and spatial scales. It reveals magnetic self-­‐organization processes from the smallest scale magnetized vortex tubes to the global activity variation known as the solar cycle. To understand these multiscale processes and their relationships, we use a two-­fold approach: 1) рealistic 3D radiative MHD simulations of local dynamics together with high-­‐resolution observations by IRIS, Hinode, and SDO; and 2) modeling of solar activity cycles by using simplified MHD dynamo models and mathematical data assimilation techniques. We present recent results of this approach, including the interpretation of observational results from NASA heliophysics missions and predictive capabilities. In particular, we discuss the links between small-­‐scale dynamo processes in the convection zone and atmospheric dynamics, as well as an early prediction of Solar Cycle 25.

Magneti↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solvent Transport in Disordered and Dynamic Membrane Pores: Implications for Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Membranes

Pressure-driven separations with nanoporous membranes, such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration, play a vital role in addressing water scarcity and enabling resource recovery. Understanding water or solvent transport in membrane pores is essential for advancing membrane separation technologies. A key question in transport modeling is to establish a relationship between solvent permeability and membrane porous structure properties, such as porosity or pore size. The nano- and subnanometer pores in polymeric membranes such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes are highly tortuous and dynamically connected, which challenges the conventional methods of transport modeling. This study addresses this challenge by developing a theoretical framework to describe solvent transport through membranes with dynamic and disordered porous structure. Specifically, we propose a lattice model to describe the pore network, while preserving the viscous nature of solvent permeation. We further establish a relationship between solvent permeability and membrane porosity or pore size, which is validated by molecular dynamics simulations and experimental data. By integrating this relationship into the solution-friction model, we define pore connectivity and local friction coefficient to quantify the impact of pore structure on solvent permeability. Our analysis highlights the dominant influence of pore connectivity on the permeability of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes, particularly when the pore size approaches the dimensions of solvent molecules. Overall, this study provides critical insights into water and solvent transport mechanisms in nanoporous membranes, opening the door for strategies to substantially enhance membrane performance.

membranes↗
NASA NTRS2017

Solar Activity Across the Scales: From Small-Scale Quiet-Sun Dynamics to Magnetic Activity Cycles

Observations as well as numerical and theoretical models show that solar dynamics is characterized by complicated interactions and energy exchanges among different temporal and spatial scales. It reveals magnetic self-organization processes from the smallest scale magnetized vortex tubes to the global activity variation known as the solar cycle. To understand these multiscale processes and their relationships, we use a two-fold approach: 1) realistic 3D radiative MHD simulations of local dynamics together with high resolution observations by IRIS, Hinode, and SDO; and 2) modeling of solar activity cycles by using simplified MHD dynamo models and mathematical data assimilation techniques. We present recent results of this approach, including the interpretation of observational results from NASA heliophysics missions and predictive capabilities. In particular, we discuss the links between small-scale dynamo processes in the convection zone and atmospheric dynamics, as well as an early prediction of Solar Cycle 25.

Solar↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spectroscopic Signatures of MQ-Resins in Silicone Elastomers

Polysiloxane elastomers have a large application space due to their versatile cross-linking chemistry and highly tunable physical and mechanical properties. One approach for improving the mechanical integrity of commercial polysiloxane “silicone” elastomers while maintaining their optical transparency is the addition of small, silicone-resin molecules to the network. However, both the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) network and the silicone-resin particles have an amorphous structure and complex chemistry, which makes the characterization of their structural properties and segmental network dynamics difficult. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of model silicone networks modified with a specific class of silicone-resin known as MQ-resin using Raman and advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy methods. Raman spectroscopy was successfully used to quantify the contribution of the MQ-resin to the network, to determine the type of MQ-resin present in the network, and to investigate the completeness of the network cross-linking reaction. Furthermore, solid-state and 1H double-quantum (DQ) NMR spectroscopies were used not only as a detection method for the MQ-resins but also to quantify changes in the segmental dynamics of the network as a function of MQ-resin concentration. The combination of Raman and NMR spectroscopies describes a series of samples where the MQ-resin particles and PDMS chains maintain their independent segmental dynamics up to high concentrations of MQ-resins (40–50% MQ), where the physical properties of the resin dominate the physical properties of the overall network. The results from our spectroscopic analyses are consistent with the results from macroscopic characterization techniques such as solvent uptake and mechanical testing. The spectroscopic insights into the structure–property relationships of PDMS-MQ composites presented in this study are a valuable tool not only for the synthesis and reverse engineering of future generations of commercial silicone elastomers but also for understanding the mechanisms of aging and degradation over the material lifetime.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1984

Performance of computer-designed small-size multistage depressed collectors for a high-perveance traveling wave tube

Computer designed axisymmetric 2.4-cm-diameter three-, four-, and five-stage depressed collectors were evaluated in conjunction with an octave bandwidth, high-perveance, and high-electronic-efficiency, griddled-gun traveling wave tube (TWT). Spent-beam refocusing was used to condition the beam for optimum entry into the depressed collectors. Both the TWT and multistage depressed collector (MDC) efficiencies were measured, as well as the MDC current, dissipated thermal power, and DC input power distributions, for the TWT operating both at saturation over its bandwidth and over its full dynamic range. Relatively high collector efficiencies were obtained, leading to a very substantial improvement in the overall TWT efficiency. In spite of large fixed TWT body losses (due largely to the 6 to 8 percent beam interception), average overall efficiencies of 45 to 47 percent (for three to five collector stages) were obtained at saturation across the 2.5-, to 5.5-GHz operating band. For operation below saturation the collector efficiencies improved steadily, leading to reasonable ( 20 percent) overall efficiencies as far as 6 dB below saturation.

Ramins, P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Pump instability phenomena generated by fluid forces

Rotor dynamic behavior of high energy centrifugal pumps is significantly affected by two types of fluid forces; one due to the hydraulic interaction of the impeller with the surrounding volute or diffuser and the other due to the effect of the wear rings. The available data on these forces is first reviewed. A simple one degree-of-freedom system containing these forces is analytically solved to exhibit the rotor dynamic effects. To illustrate the relative magnitude of these phenomena, an example of a multistage boiler feed pump is worked out. It is shown that the wear ring effects tend to suppress critical speed and postpone instability onset. But the volute-impeller forces tend to lower the critical speed and the instability onset speed. However, for typical boiler feed pumps under normal running clearances, the wear ring effects are much more significant than the destabilizing hydraulic interaction effects.

Gopalakrishnan, S.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Method to Enhance the Operation of an Optical Inspection Instrument Using Spatial Light Modulators

For many aspheric and freeform optical components, existing interferometric solutions require a custom computer-generated hologram (CGH) to characterize the part. The overall objective of this research is to develop hardware and a procedure to produce a combined, dynamic, Hartmann/ Digital Holographic interferometry inspection system for a wide range of advanced optical components, including aspheric and freeform optics. This new instrument would have greater versatility and dynamic range than currently available measurement systems. The method uses a spatial light modulator to pre-condition wavefronts for imaging, interferometry, and data processing to improve the resolution and versatility of an optical inspection instrument. Existing interferometers and Hartmann inspection systems have either too small a dynamic range or insufficient resolution to characterize conveniently unusual optical surfaces like aspherical and freeform optics. For interferometers, a specially produced, computer-generated holographic optical element is needed to transform the wavefront to within the range of the interferometer. A new hybrid wavefront sensor employs newly available spatial light modulators (SLMs) as programmable holographic optical elements (HOEs). The HOE is programmed to enable the same instrument to inspect an optical element in stages, first by a Hartmann measurement, which has a very large dynamic range but less resolution. The first measurement provides the information required to precondition a reference wave that avails the measurement process to the more precise phase shifting interferometry. The SLM preconditions a wavefront before it is used to inspect an optical component. This adds important features to an optical inspection system, enabling not just wavefront conditioning for null testing and dynamic range extension, but also the creation of hybrid measurement procedures. This, for example, allows the combination of dynamic digital holography and Hartmann sensing procedures to cover a virtually unlimited dynamic range with high resolution. Digital holography technology brings all of the power and benefits of digital holographic interferometry to the requirement, while Hartmann-type wavefront sensors bring deflectometry technologies to the solution. The SLM can be used to generate arbitrary wavefronts in one leg of the interferometer, thereby greatly simplifying its use and extending its range. The SLM can also be used to modify the system into a dynamic Shack-Hartmann system, which is useful for optical components with large amounts of slope. By integrating these capabilities into a single instrument, the system will have tremendous flexibility to measure a variety of optical shapes accurately.

Trolinger, James↗