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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 1,675 records · Page 93
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Sustained Satellite Missions for Climate Data Records

Satellite CDRs possess the accuracy, longevity, and stability for sustained moni toring of critical variables to enhance understanding of the global integrated Earth system and predict future conditions. center dot Satellite CDRs are a critical element of a global climate observing system. center dot Satellite CDRs are a difficult challenge and require high - level managerial commitment, extensive intellectual capital, and adequate funding.

climate data records↗
NASA NTRS2021

Analysis of Exercise Loads to Inform Vibration Isolation System Design

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted with the primary interest of providing data that would inform Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (VIS) system design and performance for the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D). In preparation for the International Space Station (ISS) in-flight demonstration, a list of critical Human Health Countermeasures (HHC) exercises was compiled [1]. The goal of this study was to assess the ground reaction forces and moments imposed by an exercising subject in each of the six VIS Degrees of Freedom (DOFs) during a comprehensive set of these critical exercises performed on the E4D. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ISS in-flight demonstration list of critical exercises included seated aerobic rowing, bent-over rowing, cycling, front squats, back squats, conventional deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts, heel raises, overhead presses, reverse chops, and power clean presses. At the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Prototype Immersive Technology (PIT) laboratory, motion capture data were collected on critical E4D exercises for six subjects. At the NASA JSC Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) facility, additional motion capture and load cell data were collected on offloaded trials for four subjects. Select data were extrapolated to represent a 5th percentile female subject and a 95th percentile male subject. A previous investigation comparing the forces obtained from the load cell and from motion capture based data found a satisfactory level of agreement between the two measurements [2]. The motion capture based data were analyzed for this study since it is driven by the subject’s trajectory alone, automatically excluding any forces exerted on the subject by the ARGOS offloading harness. The OpenSim [3, 4] biomechanical simulation inverse kinematics tool was used to calculate the joint angles based on the locations of motion capture markers placed at key positions on the subject’s body. An OpenSim plugin was then used to obtain the forces and moments generated by the subject during each trial, with the moments computed relative to the equilibrium location of the subject’s feet [5]. The force of gravity was also removed to simulate the loads generated by the exercise when performed in microgravity. The load plots for each trial were generated and visually analyzed to obtain the magnitudes of the peak loads for each exercise in each DOF. The typical period of exercise for each trial was also estimated and used to calculate the frequency for each trial. The exercise loads data was then organized in multiple ways to capture different aspects of the data. As a result of this study, we present a summary of the load magnitudes observed during these critical exercises utilizing the E4D.

C A Bell↗
DOE OSTI2025

All Kitted Out

The Hydropower Knowledge Sharing and Succession Planning Toolkit, created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), can help your organization effectively plan for workforce changes and share knowledge across employees. By proactively implementing knowledge sharing and succession planning strategies, hydropower organizations can safeguard institutional knowledge, enhance workforce resilience, and ensure long-term operational stability in an evolving industry landscape.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Alkali Cation Inhibition of Imidazolium-Mediated Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction on Silver

Imidazolium-based ionic liquids have led to enhanced CO 2 electroreduction activity due to cation effects at the cathode surface, stabilizing the reaction intermediates and decreasing the activation energy. In aqueous media, alkali cations are also known to improve CO 2 reduction activity on metals such as Ag, with the enhancement attributed to electrical double layer effects and trending with the size of the alkali cation. However, the effect of a mixed catholyte solution of alkali cations in the presence of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid has not been well-explored. Herein, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [EMIM][BF 4 ], in water was investigated with alkali salts to unravel the interaction effects for CO 2 electroreduction on Ag. Although both [EMIM] + and alkali cations have individually improved CO 2 to CO conversion on Ag in water, electrochemical results showed that alkali cations hindered imidazolium-mediated CO 2 electroreduction in most conditions. Li + , in particular, was sharply inhibitory compared to other alkali cations and strongly redirected the selectivity to hydrogen evolution. The nature of the alkali cation inhibition was investigated with spectroscopic techniques, including in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS). Along with computational insights from density functional theory (DFT), the electrochemical and spectroscopic data suggest that alkali cations inhibit [EMIM]-mediated CO 2 reduction by competing for surface adsorption sites, preventing the potential-dependent structural reorientation of imidazolium, and promoting hydrogen evolution by bringing solvated water to the cathode surface.

cations↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mechanical and Tribological Performance of Additively Manufactured Nanocrystalline Aluminum via Cryomilling and Cold Spray

In this study, nanocrystalline (NC) aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg)-doped Al bulk components were fabricated using a hybrid manufacturing process that combines cryomilling and high-pressure cold spray (HPCS) additive deposition techniques. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was also added during the HPCS process to improve deposition efficiency and build-up thickness via peening. The evolution of morphology, crystallite size, and elemental composition of both cryomilled powders and cold-sprayed (CS’ed) components was systematically characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Mechanical characterization was performed using Vickers microhardness and uniaxial tensile testing, while the tribological behavior was assessed using sliding wear tests under dry/lubricated conditions. XRD analysis revealed that increased cryomilling duration led to significant crystallite refinement, which directly correlated with enhanced hardness and strength. This mechanical strengthening was accompanied by an increase in coefficient of friction (COF) and lower wear rates. The results also showed that the Mg-doped Al exhibited superior hardness, tensile strength, and tribological performance compared to pure Al. The study further explores the underlying mechanisms responsible for these enhancements, highlighting the potential of solute-assisted grain boundary stabilization in tailoring high-performance NC Al alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2013

DRE-Enhanced Swept-Wing Natural Laminar Flow at High Reynolds Numbers

Nonlinear parabolized stability equations and secondary instability analyses are used to provide a computational assessment of the potential use of the discrete roughness elements (DRE) technology for extending swept-wing natural laminar flow at chord Reynolds numbers relevant to transport aircraft. Computations performed for the boundary layer on a natural laminar flow airfoil with a leading-edge sweep angle of 34.6deg, free-stream Mach number of 0.75 and chord Reynolds numbers of 17 x 10(exp 6), 24 x 10(exp 6) and 30 x 10(exp 6) suggest that DRE could delay laminar-turbulent transition by about 20% when transition is caused by stationary crossflow disturbances. Computations show that the introduction of small wavelength stationary crossflow disturbances (i.e., DRE) also suppresses the growth of most amplified traveling crossflow disturbances.

Malik, Mujeeb↗
NASA NTRS2015

Discrete-Roughness-Element-Enhanced Swept-Wing Natural Laminar Flow at High Reynolds Numbers

Nonlinear parabolized stability equations and secondary-instability analyses are used to provide a computational assessment of the potential use of the discrete-roughness-element technology for extending swept-wing natural laminar flow at chord Reynolds numbers relevant to transport aircraft. Computations performed for the boundary layer on a natural-laminar-flow airfoil with a leading-edge sweep angle of 34.6 deg, freestream Mach number of 0.75, and chord Reynolds numbers of 17 × 10(exp 6), 24 × 10(exp 6), and 30 × 10(exp 6) suggest that discrete roughness elements could delay laminar-turbulent transition by about 20% when transition is caused by stationary crossflow disturbances. Computations show that the introduction of small-wavelength stationary crossflow disturbances (i.e., discrete roughness element) also suppresses the growth of most amplified traveling crossflow disturbances.

Malik, Mujeeb↗
DOE OSTI2023

Stabilizing lattice oxygen redox in layered sodium transition metal oxide through spin singlet state

Abstract Reversible lattice oxygen redox reactions offer the potential to enhance energy density and lower battery cathode costs. However, their widespread adoption faces obstacles like substantial voltage hysteresis and poor stability. The current research addresses these challenges by achieving a non-hysteresis, long-term stable oxygen redox reaction in the P3-type Na 2/3 Cu 1/3 Mn 2/3 O 2 . Here we show this is accomplished by forming spin singlet states during charge and discharge. Detailed analysis, including in-situ X-ray diffraction, shows highly reversible structural changes during cycling. In addition, local CuO 6 Jahn-Teller distortions persist throughout, with dynamic Cu-O bond length variations. In-situ hard X-ray absorption and ex-situ soft X-ray absorption study, along with density function theory calculations, reveal two distinct charge compensation mechanisms at approximately 3.66 V and 3.99 V plateaus. Notably, we observe a Zhang-Rice-like singlet state during 3.99 V charging, offering an alternative charge compensation mechanism to stabilize the active oxygen redox reaction.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Amidination of ligands for chemical and field-effect passivation stabilizes perovskite solar cells

Surface passivation has driven the rapid increase in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, state-of-the-art surface passivation techniques rely on ammonium ligands that suffer deprotonation under light and thermal stress. We developed a library of amidinium ligands, of interest for their resonance effect–enhanced N–H bonds that may resist deprotonation, to increase the thermal stability of passivation layers on perovskite surfaces. This strategy resulted in a >10-fold reduction in the ligand deprotonation equilibrium constant and a twofold increase in the maintenance of photoluminescence quantum yield after aging at 85°C under illumination in air. Here, implementing this approach, we achieved a certified quasi–steady-state PCE of 26.3% for inverted PSCs; and we report retention of ≥90% PCE after 1100 hours of continuous 1-sun maximum power point operation at 85°C.

Yang, Yi↗
NASA NTRS2022

Human Stability While Exercising on a VIS Device in Zero Gravity

BACKGROUND: A Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (VIS) system is being designed for use with the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) [1]. The exercise bar is attached to cables that extend and retract through openings in the E4D platform, which the subject stands on while exercising. Since the E4D is mounted on a moving VIS device, the whole system moves under the subject’s feet. While tension in the cables does help stabilize a crew member in 0g by bracing him or her against the moving platform, flexible cables do not offer full support against falling. This raises the question of whether various exercises that are successfully performed in 1g on a stationary device can be performed without losing balance in 0g on a moving device. Quantifying stability conditions and establishing stability requirements for exercise countermeasure systems is a long-standing challenge and this work helped to inform this specific need for integrated E4D/VIS flight project development. METHODS AND RESULTS: A simplified stability analysis can be attempted based on platform accelerations generated by the VIS device simulation. In this type of analysis, the subject is conceived as standing on the platform in 0g while being held down to it by the tension in the cables. If the sideways acceleration of the platform is such that the cables cannot generate a sufficient moment relative to, e.g., the heels or the toes of the subject to overcome the tipping moment from the inertial forces on the accelerated subject’s body, the subject becomes unstable. This approach, which we refer to as the ‘static’ approximation, indicated failure of all the exercises that were considered in the comprehensive VIS analysis of the E4D. It was realized, however, that platform accelerations are not externally imposed but are themselves induced by the motion of the subject’s body during exercise, and a model calculation confirmed that this drastically altered the tipping moment on the subject, with the potential to even switch the direction in which the body would tip over. This made it imperative to consider in a coupled manner both the motion of the exercising subject’s body and the induced VIS platform motion while considering stability. The coupled dynamics requirement was met by the VIS simulation incorporating time-dependent human mass properties atop the platform and driven by the inertial forces from the prescribed subject motion relative to the platform based on motion-capture recorded human trajectories in 1g on a stationary E4D [2]. To analyze simulation results, a stability criterion was also needed. We do not know how to account for the human ‘control system’ that would take visual and vestibular cues as inputs as the platform moves in 0g. We thus chose to follow an approach we had previously used to analyze the dynamic feasibility of performing a task in lunar gravity along the human body trajectory recorded in 1g [3]. In this approach, one analyzes the center of pressure (COP) between the shoes and the ground (or platform) and checks if the COP remains within the convex hull of the footprints on the ground (or platform), commonly referred to as base of support (BOS). Since pressure is vertical and, in the absence of foot restraints, positive, the COP going outside the BOS indicates that the trajectory recorded in 1g is not dynamically feasible in microgravity and/or on the moving platform of the device. The outcome of the COP-based analysis was that some of the key exercises, especially the deadlift and the back squat exercises, were found to be dynamically feasible for at least some number of the exercise cycles, this number increasing with the cable tension. While this type of stability analysis does not account for the likely alteration of the exercise trajectory from its 1g form in space, it does show that there exist at least some realistic trajectories that pass the dynamic feasibility criterion. This adds confidence that, with further adjustment by the subject of the exercise form in 0g on a moving device, a number of exercises can be performed without losing balance.

D Frenkel↗
DOE OSTI2020

The second-generation Shifted Boundary Method and its numerical analysis

Recently, the Shifted Boundary Method (SBM) was proposed within the class of unfitted (or immersed, or embedded) finite element methods. By reformulating the original boundary value problem over a surrogate (approximate) computational domain, the SBM avoids integration over cut cells and the associated problematic issues regarding numerical stability and matrix conditioning. Accuracy is maintained by modifying the original boundary conditions using Taylor expansions. Hence the name of the method, that shifts the location and values of the boundary conditions. In this article, we present enhanced variational SBM formulations for the Poisson and Stokes problems with improved flexibility and robustness. These simplified variational forms allow to relax some of the assumptions required by the mathematical proofs of stability and convergence of earlier implementations. First, we show that these new SBM implementations can be proved asymptotically stable and convergent even without the rather restrictive assumption that the inner product between the normals to the true and surrogate boundaries is positive. Second, we show that it is not necessary to introduce a stabilization term involving the tangential derivatives of the solution at Dirichlet boundaries, therefore avoiding the calibration of an additional stabilization parameter. Finally, we prove enhanced L 2 -estimates without the cumbersome assumption – of earlier proofs – that the surrogate domain is convex. Instead we rely on a conventional assumption that the boundary of the true domain is smooth, which can also be replaced by requiring convexity of the true domain. The aforementioned improvements open the way to a more general and efficient implementation of the Shifted Boundary Method, particularly in complex three-dimensional geometries. We complement these theoretical developments with numerical experiments in two and three dimensions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Additive‐Free Oxidized Spiro‐MeOTAD Hole Transport Layer Significantly Improves Thermal Solar Cell Stability

Perovskite solar cells are among the most promising new solar technologies, already surpassing polycrystalline silicon solar cell efficiencies. The stability of the highest efficiency devices at elevated temperature is, however, poor. These cells typically use Spiro-MeOTAD as the hole transporting layer. It is generally believed that additives, required for enhancing electrical conductivity and optimizing energy level alignment, are responsible for the reduced stability—inferring that Spiro-MeOTAD based hole transporting layers are intrinsically unstable. Here, a reliable noble metal free synthesis of Spiro-MeOTAD (bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide) 4 is presented which is used as the oxidizing agent. No additives are added to the partially oxidized Spiro-MeOTAD hole-transporting layer. Device efficiencies up to 24.2% are achieved. Electrical conductivity is largely developed by the first 1% oxidation. Further oxidation shifts the energy levels away from the vacuum level, which allows tuning of the energy level alignment without the use of additives—contradicting the current understanding of this system. Without additives, devices demonstrate significant improvement in stability at elevated temperatures up to 85 °C under one sun over 1400 h continuous illumination. The remaining degradation is pinpointed to ion migration and reactions in the perovskite layer which may be further suppressed with compositional engineering and adequate ion barrier layers.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Trust-Based Detection and Mitigation of Cyber Attacks in Distributed Cooperative Control of Islanded AC Microgrids

In this study, we address the challenge of detecting and mitigating cyber attacks in the distributed cooperative control of islanded AC microgrids, with a particular focus on detecting False Data Injection Attacks (FDIAs), a significant threat to the Smart Grid (SG). The SG integrates traditional power systems with communication networks, creating a complex system with numerous vulnerable links, making it a prime target for cyber attacks. These attacks can lead to the disclosure of private data, control network failures, and even blackouts. Unlike machine learning-based approaches that require extensive datasets and mathematical models dependent on accurate system modeling, our method is free from such dependencies. To enhance the microgrid’s resilience against these threats, we propose a resilient control algorithm by introducing a novel trustworthiness parameter into the traditional cooperative control algorithm. Our method evaluates the trustworthiness of distributed energy resources (DERs) based on their voltage measurements and exchanged information, using Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence to dynamically adjust control actions. We validated our approach through simulations on both the IEEE-34 bus feeder system with eight DERs and a larger microgrid with twenty-two DERs. The results demonstrated a detection accuracy of around 100%, with millisecond range mitigation time, ensuring rapid system recovery. Additionally, our method improved system stability by up to almost 100% under attack scenarios, showcasing its effectiveness in promptly detecting attacks and maintaining system resilience. These findings highlight the potential of our approach to enhance the security and stability of microgrid systems in the face of cyber threats.

Computer Science↗
NASA NTRS1995

Spray combustion stability

The central purpose of this project is the improvement of liquid-fueled rocket motor design technology in order to assist the establishment of economical commercial access to space through the development of engines with enhanced performance and reliability. Specific research effort in the project is focused on spray physics and associated combustion instability phenomena. Results garnered from this work will contribute to the development of new computational tools for design of stable liquid propellant rocket engines. The specific objectives of the research effort include identifying and evaluating physical submodels which pertain to spray combustion stability with the idea of enhancing or refining existing submodels with a more comprehensive approach. In particular, any refinements to the spray combustion physical submodels which are achieved during the project will be channeled back to Rocketdyne for incorporation in their ARICC liquid rocket combustor code as second generation improvements. Also, as the ARICC code forms the basis or future CFD development, some effort is devoted to an evaluation of the code's capability for modeling oscillating pressure waves within the combustor.

Liang, Pak-Yan↗
DOE OSTI2023

Marginal stability constraint on runaway electron distribution

High-frequency kinetic instabilities of the strongly anisotropic runaway electrons (RE) can enhance the pitch-angle scattering of the runaways significantly. This wave-induced scattering can easily prevail over runaway scattering on high-Z impurities. In a steady state, collisional damping balances the kinetic drive of the unstable waves, keeping the RE distribution function at marginal stability. The marginal stability constraint limits the achievable RE densities and the shape of the RE distribution function. In this study, we consider whistler and compressional Alfvén waves as the primary source of enhanced elastic scattering of the runaways. By balancing the anomalous Doppler resonance drive with the collisional wave damping, we find the RE distribution function in the ultra-relativistic range of the phase space. We also derive an expression for the spectral energy density of the waves. We show that the power needed to compensate for the wave dissipation is negligible compared to the work of the electric field. The latter is in balance with the synchrotron losses of the runaway electrons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Demonstrating Advanced Nuclear Energy Solutions for Net Zero

Background/Objectives. The aggressive goals being set by nation states, communities, and private industry for decarbonization of grid electricity, industrial heat sources, and transportation around the world are imperative to mitigating the devastating effects that we are seeing from climate change. Although many of these goals focus on accomplishments by 2035 or 2050, the decisions that we make today won’t just impact the landscape of energy systems for the next 20 or 30 years—they will shape the world’s environment for centuries to come. That means that we can’t just focus on technologies that will get us to 2050, but technologies that will withstand our energy demands over that long-ranging future. Success will require us to utilize all of the clean energy resources that we have available to meet demands for electricity, heat, and steam, and we will need energy carriers such as hydrogen that do not emit additional greenhouse gases at the point of use. Nuclear energy, ranging from technologies in service today to advanced, higher temperature and modular systems that will be in service this decade, will provide a robust complement to renewable energy resources that operate variably. Researchers across the U.S. Department of Energy laboratory complex are working to advance multiple aspects of these clean energy solutions, with many focusing on integrated energy system solutions that leverage all available clean energy assets to meet wide-ranging energy demands. Approach/Activities. Nuclear energy is a proven, zero-emission option during operation that can provide consistent, dispatchable power to meet electricity demands while also providing high-quality heat that can meet energy demands beyond the electricity sector. Energy system design should seek to maximize these assets. As a dispatchable energy source with a small land utilization footprint, nuclear energy can be collocated with renewable resources, and the smaller systems that will be deployed this decade (ranging from a few megawatts to hundreds of megawatts) can be installed right where that energy is needed. Integrated nuclear and renewable systems will enhance power grid reliability and resilience, and they will help stabilize the grid through their increasingly flexible operation. Licensing, installation, and broad adoption of these advanced nuclear energy systems are expected to progress significantly in the 2020s, but this may be longer than desired by some stakeholders wishing to implement impactful clean energy decisions today. However, one must recall that nuclear energy systems will operate for 80 or more years, as is being demonstrated by current fleet nuclear systems. The nuclear community is extremely thorough in reviewing these systems with regard to safety and security; these efforts ensure that the deployed systems will continue to provide reliable, resilient energy over that operational lifetime. That investment of time up front will ensure that we can support energy demands over the centuries to come. While advanced nuclear technologies move through this process, communities and private industry may choose to install renewable generation systems that can later be coupled to the complementary nuclear systems as they become available—thus moving closer to the net zero goals in the near term. Choosing technologies and deployment configurations that allow small modular nuclear powerhouses to be added to these “energy parks” as they become available will ensure that advanced technologies can be readily adopted to support growing demands for clean energy. Results/Lessons Learned. The primary focus of integrated energy systems (IES) research is to assess the technical and economic potential of novel multi-input, multioutput solutions that are expected to enhance energy system flexibility, reliability, and resilience as we pursue a clean energy transition. Various energy applications and product streams beyond electricity are being evaluated, ranging from generation of potable water to production of hydrogen, fertilizers, synthetic fuels, and various chemicals. In early FY23 Idaho National Laboratory (INL) will commission thermal energy generation systems that emulate nuclear fission energy input using electric heating and will allow for integrated system testing with thermal energy storage, hydrogen production via high temperature electrolysis (HTE), and power systems hardware to demonstrate operation of a clean energy park within a microgrid or larger grid infrastructure, supporting up to 450 kW of heat input via electric heating and demonstrating operation of HTE systems at the multi-hundred kW scale. This presentation will highlight the wide array of RD&D being conducted at INL and partner laboratories to develop and deploy nuclear and renewable-based IES that will be key to achieving our net zero goals, including both computational and experimental demonstrations. By working with key collaborators in industry, analytical st

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1992

Model free simulations of a high speed reacting mixing layer

The effects of compressibility, chemical reaction exothermicity and non-equilibrium chemical modeling in a combusting plane mixing layer were investigated by means of two-dimensional model free numerical simulations. It was shown that increased compressibility generally had a stabilizing effect, resulting in reduced mixing and chemical reaction conversion rate. The appearance of 'eddy shocklets' in the flow was observed at high convective Mach numbers. Reaction exothermicity was found to enhance mixing at the initial stages of the layer's growth, but had a stabilizing effect at later times. Calculations were performed for a constant rate chemical rate kinetics model and an Arrhenius type kinetics prototype. The Arrhenius model was found to cause a greater temperature increase due to reaction than the constant kinetics model. This had the same stabilizing effect as increasing the exothermicity of the reaction. Localized flame quenching was also observed when the Zeldovich number was relatively large.

Steinberger, Craig J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Characterization of Measurement Error Sources in Doppler Global Velocimetry

Doppler global velocimetry uses the absorption characteristics of iodine vapor to provide instantaneous three-component measurements of flow velocity within a plane defined by a laser light sheet. Although the technology is straightforward, its utilization as a flow diagnostics tool requires hardening of the optical system and careful attention to detail during data acquisition and processing if routine use in wind tunnel applications is to be achieved. A development program that reaches these goals is presented. Theoretical and experimental investigations were conducted on each technology element to determine methods that increase measurement accuracy and repeatability. Enhancements resulting from these investigations included methods to ensure iodine vapor calibration stability, single frequency operation of the laser and image alignment to sub-pixel accuracies. Methods were also developed to improve system calibration, and eliminate spatial variations of optical frequency in the laser output, spatial variations in optical transmissivity and perspective and optical distortions in the data images. Each of these enhancements is described and experimental examples given to illustrate the improved measurement performance obtained by the enhancement. The culmination of this investigation was the measured velocity profile of a rotating wheel resulting in a 1.75% error in the mean with a standard deviation of 0.5 m/s. Comparing measurements of a jet flow with corresponding Pitot measurements validated the use of these methods for flow field applications.

Meyers, James F.↗