Engineering topics
Olson, D.
Publications and source records attributed to Olson, D..
50% continuous-wave wallplug efficiency from 1.53μm-emitting broad-area diode lasers
Long-wavelength InP-based diode lasers emitting at 1.53 μm have been optimized for maximum continuous-wave (CW) electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiency, so-called wallplug efficiency (WPE). Efficient electron and hole capture into a single-quantum-well (SQW) active region as well as suppression of electron and hole leakage out of the SQW result in high values for the internal differential efficiency: ∼97% for long-cavity (≥2 mm) uncoated-facet devices and ∼85%–89% for short-cavity (1.5 mm) optimized facet-coated devices. The characteristic temperature of the slope efficiency, T{sub 1}, reaches a high value of 323 K. Doping-level optimization of the p-cladding layer and the use of the SQW result in low values for the internal loss coefficient: ∼1.1 cm{sup −1} for long-cavity (≥2 mm) uncoated-facet devices and ∼1.5–2.0 cm{sup −1} for short-cavity (1.5 mm) optimized facet-coated devices. In turn, a maximum CW WPE value of 50% is achieved at room temperature and ∼1 W output power from conductively-cooled 100 μm-wide-aperture devices. The maximum CW power is 2.5 W. One beneficial byproduct of the CW-WPE maximization process is a large transverse spot size which, in turn, provides a very narrow transverse beamwidth: 26° full width half maximum. Reliability tests show no degradation when devices are run CW at high currents (4–5 A) and high temperatures (40–50 °C) for over 4000 h, at ∼2 W output power.
New N-Type Polymers for Organic Photovoltaics: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-06-177
This CRADA will develop improved thin film organic solar cells using a new n-type semiconducting polymer. High efficiency photovoltaics (PVs) based on inorganic semiconductors have good efficiencies (up to 30%) but are extremely expensive to manufacture. Organic PV technology has the potential to overcome this problem through the use of high-throughput production methods like reel-to-reel printing on flexible substrates. Unfortunately, today's best organic PVs have only a few percent efficiency, a number that is insufficient for virtually all commercial applications. The limited choice of stable n-type (acceptor) organic semiconductor materials is one of the key factors that prevent the further improvement of organic PVs. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) previously developed a new class of electron-deficient (n-type) conjugated polymers for use in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). During this project TDA in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will incorporate these electron-deficient polymers into organic photovoltaics and investigate their performance. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) is developing new materials and polymers to improve the performance of organic solar cells. Materials being developed at TDA include spin coated transparent conductors, charge injection layers, fullerene derivatives, electron-deficient polymers, and three-phase (fullerene/polythiophene/dye) active layer inks.
Development of New Absorber Materials to Achieve Organic Photovoltaic Commercial Modules with 15% Efficiency and 20 Years Lifetime: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-12-498
Under this CRADA the parties will develop intermediates or materials that can be employed as the active layer in dye sensitized solar cells printed polymer systems, or small molecule organic photovoltaics.
Extracellular calcium elicits a chemokinetic response from monocytes in vitro and in vivo
Recruitment of macrophages to sites of cell death is critical for induction of an immunologic response. Calcium concentrations in extracellular fluids vary markedly, and are particularly high at sites of injury or infection. We hypothesized that extracellular calcium participates in modulating the immune response, perhaps acting via the seven-transmembrane calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) on mature monocytes/macrophages. We observed a dose-dependent increase in monocyte chemotaxis in response to extracellular calcium or the selective allosteric CaR activator NPS R-467. In contrast, monocytes derived from mice deficient in CaR lacked the normal chemotactic response to a calcium gradient. Notably, CaR activation of monocytes bearing the receptor synergistically augmented the transmigration response of monocytes to the chemokine MCP-1 in association with increased cell-surface expression of its cognate receptor, CCR2. Conversely, stimulation of monocytes with MCP-1 or SDF-1alpha reciprocally increased CaR expression, suggesting a dual-enhancing interaction of Ca(2+) with chemokines in recruiting inflammatory cells. Subcutaneous administration in mice of Ca(2+), MCP-1, or (more potently) the combination of Ca(2+) and MCP-1, elicited an inflammatory infiltrate consisting of monocytes/macrophages. Thus extracellular calcium functions as an ionic chemokinetic agent capable of modulating the innate immune response in vivo and in vitro by direct and indirect actions on monocytic cells. Calcium deposition may be both consequence and cause of chronic inflammatory changes at sites of injury, infection, and atherosclerosis.
Engine Gaseous, Aerosol Precursor and Particulated Flight Altitude Conditions
The overall objective of the NASA Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project (AEAP) is to develop scientific bases for assessing atmospheric impacts of the exhaust emissions by both current and future fleets of subsonic and supersonic aircraft. Among the six primary elements of the AEAP is Emissions Characterization. The objective of the Emission Characterization effort is to determine the exhaust emission constituents and concentrations at the engine exit plane. The specific objective of this engine test is to obtain a database of gaseous and particulate emissions as a function of fuel sulfur and engine operating conditions. The database of the particulate emission properties is to be used as a comparative baseline with subsequent flight measurement. The engine used in this test was a Pratt & Whitney F1OO-200E turbofan engine. Aviation fuel (Jet A) with a range of fuel sulfur was used. Low and high sulfur values are limited by commercially available fuels and by fuel specification limits of O.3% by weight. Test matrix was set by parametrically varying the combustor inlet temperature (T(sub 3) between idle and maximum power setting at simulated SLS and up to five other altitudes for each fuel. Four diagnostic systems, extractive and non-intrusive, were assembled for the gaseous and particulate emissions characterization measurements study. NASA extractive system includes smoke meter and analyzers for measurement of CO, CO2, NO, NOx, O2, total unburnt hydrocarbons (THC), and SO2. Particulate emissions were characterized by University of Missouri-Rolla Mobile Aerosol Sampling System. A chemical ionization mass spectrometer from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Hanscom AFB was used to measure SO2 and HNO3. Aerodyne Research. Inc. used infrared tunable diode laser absorption to measure SO2, SO3, NO, H2O and CO2.
Rapid evolution of a Gulf Stream warm-core ring
Satellite images are used to show that major alterations in the structure of Gulf Stream warm-core rings can occur during very short periods of two to five days when an interaction with the Gulf Stream is particularly intense. The role of these interactions in the evolution of a ring are discussed.
Two dimensional recursive digital filters for near real time image processing
A program was designed toward the demonstration of the feasibility of using two dimensional recursive digital filters for subjective image processing applications that require rapid turn around. The concept of the use of a dedicated minicomputer for the processor for this application was demonstrated. The minicomputer used was the HP1000 series E with a RTE 2 disc operating system and 32K words of memory. A Grinnel 256 x 512 x 8 bit display system was used to display the images. Sample images were provided by NASA Goddard on a 800 BPI, 9 track tape. Four 512 x 512 images representing 4 spectral regions of the same scene were provided. These images were filtered with enhancement filters developed during this effort.
Predicting human performance in space environments
Predicting human performance in space environments