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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

Integrated Phase Array Antenna/Solar Cell System for Flexible Access Communication (IA/SAC)

This paper describes recent efforts to integrate advanced solar cells with printed planar antennas. Several previous attempts have been reported in the literature, but this effort is unique in several ways. It uses Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) multi-junction solar cell technology. The solar cells and antennas will be integrated onto a common GaAs substrate. When fully implemented, IA/SAC will be capable of dynamic beam steering. In addition, this program targets the X-band (8 - 12 GHz) and higher frequencies, as compared to the 2.2 - 2.9 GHz arrays targeted by other organizations. These higher operating frequencies enable a greater bandwidth and thus higher data transfer rates. The first phase of the effort involves the development of 2 x 2 cm GaAs Monolithically Integrated Modules (MIM) with integrated patch antennas on the opposite side of the substrate. Subsequent work will involve the design and development of devices having the GaAs MIMs and the antennas on the same side of the substrate. Results from the phase one efforts will be presented.

Clark, E. B.↗

Phase-space dynamics of Alfvén mode chirping

In tokamak discharges, toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes often experience complex semi-periodic frequency modulation known as chirping. These events modify the local high energy particle distribution and are expected to occur in many future fusion devices, which include energetic beams or fusion products. In this paper, we present a study of simulations of mode chirping made in order to better understand its phase-space properties in a realistic tokamak configuration. We find a mechanism that permits rapid repeated chirping with strong amplitude variation in each chirp. Each chirp is then associated with an amplitude crash to low magnitude and local manipulation of the density gradients through a shift of mode phase through π. The chirping produces high density clumps, which propagate down the fast ion density gradient and low density holes that propagate up the density gradient away from the resonance. This flow of particles across the resonance provides an energy source and local gradients for repeated chirping.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Multimodal Neurodiagnostic Tool for Exploration Missions

Linea Research Corporation has developed a neurodiagnostic tool that detects behavioral stress markers for astronauts on long-duration space missions. Lightweight and compact, the device is unobtrusive and requires minimal time and effort for the crew to use. The system provides a real-time functional imaging of cortical activity during normal activities. In Phase I of the project, Linea Research successfully monitored cortical activity using multiparameter sensor modules. Using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy signals, the company obtained photoplethysmography and electrooculography signals to compute the heart rate and frequency of eye movement. The company also demonstrated the functionality of an algorithm that automatically classifies the varying degrees of cognitive loading based on physiological parameters. In Phase II, Linea Research developed the flight-capable neurodiagnostic device. Worn unobtrusively on the head, the device detects and classifies neurophysiological markers associated with decrements in behavior state and cognition. An automated algorithm identifies key decrements and provides meaningful and actionable feedback to the crew and ground-based medical staff.

Lee, Yong Jin↗

Catalytic CO Oxidation on MgAl 2 O 4 -Supported Iridium Single Atoms: Ligand Configuration and Site Geometry

Probing and understanding the local chemical environment of an active site is essential for designing high-performance single-atom catalysts (SACs). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the ligand configuration and site geometry of MgAl 2 O 4 -supported iridium single atoms (Ir-1) toward catalytic carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation. We employed MgAl 2 O 4 (111) and MgAl 2 O 4 (211) as the model substrates with adsorbed Ir single atoms of different site geometries. DFT calculations revealed that the Mg-site on MgAl 2 O 4 (111) and the step site on MgAl 2 O 4 (211) are the most stable adsorption sites for Ir single atoms. Irrespective of site choices, CO oxidation on supported Ir single atoms follows the Eley-Rideal (E-R) mechanism, in which the surface oxygen vacancies close to the Ir single atoms activate molecular O 2 with a negligible barrier and the rate-limiting step is the gas-phase CO directly attacking the O-Ir species that is modulated by a CO ligand. Furthermore, first-principles X-ray absorption near-edge spectra of reaction intermediates along with in situ/operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) suggest that Ir single atoms adsorb primarily on the step sites of MgAl 2 O 4 . However, microkinetic modeling predicts that a higher activity can be attained on the equally stable Mg-site, maximizing the population of which in catalyst synthesis might prove fruitful in future studies. Electronic structure analysis indicates that the CO ligand increases the reactivity of adsorbed oxygen atoms bound to Ir single atoms by increasing the antibonding nature of the O-Ir bond.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Implementation of a Drift Flux Model into SAM with Development of a Verification and Validation Test Suite for Modeling of Noncondensable Gas Mixtures

The advanced thermal-hydraulic system code, System Analysis Module (SAM), was originally developed for the modeling of single-phase flow in advanced reactors. It has since been expanded to include a four-equation drift flux model for the modeling of two-phase flows containing a noncondensable gas. The model was expanded to support the modeling of molten salt reactor (MSR) designs in which the fuel is directly dissolved in the circulating coolant. These designs have shown that circulating gas bubbles can play an important role in the management of fission products and the operational behavior of the reactor. A drift flux model was implemented to more accurately capture the localized behavior of the void in the core and its impact on the mass transfer of fission products. A thorough assessment of the new model was performed by developing a verification and validation test suite. Verification problems were designed to test all major terms in the new governing equations. The new model converged to the correct solution at the expected order of accuracy for all verification cases. The validation cases included a wide range of flow and void conditions in different pipe geometries. Although higher void experiments show a slight underprediction of void by the drift flux model, experiments that aim to reproduce Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) experimental conditions show good agreement with the model. The gas transport model was activated for a SAM model of the MSRE to demonstrate that it can be used in a more complex model. Finally, this gas transport model will be used along with an interfacial area transport equation being implemented in SAM for the prediction of mass transport behavior in MSR conditions.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

AC to AC Solid State Transformer with Bidirectional Switches

This report details the work of the 3-year project for the AC-to-AC Solid State Transformer with Bidirectional Switches project devoted to developing and demonstrated a Type I Solid State Transformer. This report details the design, fabrication, and evaluation of both three-phase and single-phase versions of this solid state transformer operating as a single module, modules in parallel, and modules in cascade. Additionally, this report details the fabrication and evaluation of custom Silicon Carbide bidirectional switches to enable this topology with a comparison between monolithically integrated bidirectional switches as well as co-packaged back-to-back unidirectional devices. Finally, results for custom-fabricated Fe 4 N/ferrite laminated toroidal cores for high frequency transformers are present.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Improved ELMv1-ECA simulations of zero-curtain periods and cold-season CH 4 and CO 2 emissions at Alaskan Arctic tundra sites

Field measurements have shown that cold-season methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions contribute a substantial portion to the annual net carbon emissions in permafrost regions. However, most earth system land models do not accurately reproduce cold-season CH 4 and CO 2 emissions, especially over the shoulder (i.e., thawing and freezing) seasons. Here we use the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) land model version 1 (ELMv1-ECA) to tackle this challenge and fill the knowledge gap of how cold-season CH 4 and CO 2 emissions contribute to the annual totals at Alaska Arctic tundra sites. Specifically, we improved the ELMv1-ECA soil water phase-change scheme, environmental controls on microbial activity, and the methane module. Results demonstrate that both soil temperature and the duration of zero-curtain periods (i.e., the fall period when soil temperatures linger around 0°C) simulated by the updated ELMv1-ECA were greatly improved; e.g., the mean absolute error (MAE) in zero-curtain durations at 12 cm depth was reduced by 62 % on average. Furthermore, the MAEs of simulated cold-season carbon emissions at three tundra sites were improved by 72 % and 70 % on average for CH 4 and CO 2 , respectively. Overall, CH 4 emitted during the early cold season (September and October), which often includes most of the zero-curtain period in Arctic tundra, accounted for more than 50 % of the total emissions throughout the entire cold season (September to May) in the model, compared with around 49.4 % (43 %–58 %) in observations. From 1950 to 2017, both CO 2 emissions during the zero-curtain period and during the entire cold season showed increasing trends, for example, of 0.17 and 0.36 gC m -2 yr -1 at Atqasuk. This study highlights the importance of zero-curtain periods in facilitating cold-season CH 4 and CO 2 emissions from tundra ecosystems.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

The atom-molecule reaction D plus H2 yields HD plus H studied by molecular beams

Collisions between deuterium atoms and hydrogen molecules were studied in a modulated crossed beam experiment. The relative signal intensity and the signal phase for the product HD from reactive collisions permitted determination of both the angular distribution and HD mean velocity as a function of angle. From these a relative differential reactive scattering cross section in center-of-mass coordinates was deduced. The experiment indicates that reactively formed HD which has little or no internal excitation departs from the collision anisotropically, with maximum amplitude 180 deg from the direction of the incident D beam in center-of-mass coordinates, which shows that the D-H-H reacting configuration is short-lived compared to its rotation time. Non reactive scattering of D by H2 was used to assign absolute values to the differential reactive scattering cross sections.

Geddes, J.↗

Single-channel digital command-detection system

System, fabricated of highly-reliable digital logic elements, operates on binary pulse-code-modulated signals and derives internal synchronization from data signal. All-digital implementation of detector develops synchronization from data signal by computer cross-correlation of command modulation signal with its expected forms in sequence and adjusts detector phases in accordance with correlation peaks.

Carl, C. C.↗

HAL/S-360 compiler system specification

A three phase language compiler is described which produces IBM 360/370 compatible object modules and a set of simulation tables to aid in run time verification. A link edit step augments the standard OS linkage editor. A comprehensive run time system and library provide the HAL/S operating environment, error handling, a pseudo real time executive, and an extensive set of mathematical, conversion, I/O, and diagnostic routines. The specifications of the information flow and content for this system are also considered.

Johnson, A. E.↗

Launch, flight, and recovery

The final phase to fly five pocket mice in the Apollo XVII command module was carried out at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. Upon completion of the 13-d space flight, the package was removed from the spacecraft and, after having been purged with an oxygen-helium gas mixture, was flown to American Samoa. Four of the five mice were recovered alive from the package. Analysis of the mouse that died during the flight revealed several factors that could have contributed to its death, the chief of which was massive hemorrhage in its middle ear cavities.

Look, B. C.↗

Consequences of using nonlinear particle trajectories to compute spatial diffusion coefficients

In a study of cosmic ray propagation in interstellar and interplanetary space, a perturbed orbit resonant scattering theory for pitch angle diffusion in a slab model of magnetostatic turbulence is slightly generalized and used to compute the diffusion coefficient for spatial propagation parallel to the mean magnetic field. This diffusion coefficient has been useful for describing the solar modulation of the galactic cosmic rays, and for explaining the diffusive phase in solar flares in which the initial anisotropy of the particle distribution decays to isotropy.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

Electroacoustical imaging technique for encoding incoherent radiance fields as Gabor elementary signals

A technique is presented for directly encoding incoherent radiance fields as Gabor elementary signals. This technique uses an electro-acoustic sensor to modulate the electronic charges induced by the incident radiance field with the electric fields generated by Gaussian modulated sinusoidal acoustic waves. The resultant signal carries the amplitude and phase information required for localizing spatial frequencies of the radiance field. These localized spatial frequency representations provide a link between the either geometric or Fourier transform representations currently used in computer vision and pattern recognition.

Fales, C. L.↗

Volatiles on satellites of the outer solar system

Molecules of cosmochemically abundant elements can act as volatiles and hence play a dominant role in the climatic and surficial evolution of solid bodies. Examples on terrestrial planets are H2O on Earth and H2O and CO2 on Mars. Analogous processes in the outer solar system focussing on CH4, its associated hydrocarbons, and N2 on Titan and Triton, the large moons of Saturn and Neptune were explored. A kilometer-deep C2H6-CH4 ocean was proposed for the surface of Titan to reconcile data on the lower atmosphere with understanding of the photochemical conversion of methane to heavier hydrocarbons. If such ocean exists, then it has dissolved in it an amount of N2 equal to the present atmospheric abundance. Since N2 contributes with CH4 a substantial greenhouse effect, the atmospheric physical and chemical characteristics are strongly coupled to those of the ocean, which change with time as methane is photolyzed in the stratosphere. Some relationship exists to the runaway greenhouse model for primordial Venus and the possible climatic implications of the buffering of Earth's atmospheric CO2 by the oceans. Two important diagnostics, measurable in Titan's atmosphere, of the conditions under which icy satellites formed are the abundances of noble gases and the CHd/CH4 radio. Both of these indicators have been altered during the evolution of Titan's surface-atmosphere system, the former by interaction with the ocean and the latter by progressive photolysis of methane into heavier hydrocarbons. The physical state and composition of volatiles on the surface of Triton is controversial, but plausibly could include CH4 N2 and perhaps CO. If condensed CH4 and N2 are widespread, their transformation to and from the vapor phase dominates the surface energy balance with sunlight. The extreme seasonal modulation of subsolar latitude on Triton is thus primarily expressed by volatile transport rather than large teperature changes, with possibly drastic observational consequences. The presence of two volatile species differing greatly in their vapor pressures make Triton a crude analog of Mars. Triton might be more appropriately regarded as a deep-freeze version of Titan.

Lunine, J. I.↗

Drift and observations in cosmic-ray modulation, 1

It is illustrated that a relative simple drift model can, in contrast with no drift models, simultaneously fit proton and electron spectra observed in 1965-66 and 1977, using a single set of modulation parameters except for a change in the IMF polarity. This result is interpreted together with the observation of Evenson and Meyer that electrons are recovering more rapidly than protons after 1980, in contrast with what Burger and Swanenburg observed in 1968-72, as a charge sign dependent effect due to the occurrence of drift in cosmic ray modulation. The same set of parameters produces a shift in the phase and amplitude of the diurnal anisotropy vector, consistent with observations in 1969-71 and 1980-81.

Potgieter, M. S.↗

Rotational modulation in IUE spectra of cool dwarf chromospheres: Data analysis and period search techniques

The IUE spectra of bright F-K dwarfs were used to investigate rotational modulation in chromospheric and transition region emission lines, with Stellingwerf's phase dispersion minimization (PDM) technique as the basis of time series analysis. Sampling-related aliases are found to dominate the PDM spectra in these sparsely sampled, irregularly spaced time series. The star chosen to illustrate the techniques is epsilon Eridani, a young, chromospherically active K2 dwarf. Strong indications of a rotation period close to 2.8 days in epsilon Eridani from 2 seasons of observations, with evidence for the persistence in longitude of the active area(s) over several hundred rotation cycles are found.

Altner, B.↗

Development of 20 GHz monolithic transmit modules

The history of the development of a transmit module for the band 17.7 to 20.2 GHz is presented. The module was to monolithically combine, on one chip, five bits of phase shift, a buffer amplifier and a power amplifier to produce 200 mW to the antenna element. The approach taken was MESFET ion implanted device technology. A common pinch-off voltage was decided upon for each application. The beginning of the total integration phases revealed hitherto unencountered hazards of large microwave circuit integration which were successfully overcome. Yield and customer considerations finally led to two separate chips, one containing the power amplifiers and the other containing the complete five bit phase shifter.

Higgins, J. A.↗