Engineering topics

Panas, Robert Matthew

Publications and source records attributed to Panas, Robert Matthew.

At least 19 records

DOE OSTI2024

System and method for computed axial lithography (CAL) for 3D additive manufacturing

In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a system for forming a three dimensional (3D) object from a volume of photo-responsive material contained within a material container. A plurality of optical projection subsystems are adapted to be arranged at least partially circumferentially around a material container containing the volume of photo-responsive material, and are controlled by a controller. The optical projection subsystems direct optical projections at a plurality of angles θ through the volume of photo-responsive material. The optical projections are further directed about a z axis extending through the volume of photo-responsive material. The plurality of optical subsystems are further controlled by the controller to provide each of the optical projections with a calculated three-dimensional intensity distribution acting over a fixed temporal exposure period, which is sufficient to at least one of cure or remove selected portions of the volume of photo-responsive material, and leave other portions unmodified, to form a desired 3D part.

Kelly, Brett↗

DOE OSTI2024

Multi-body coherent aperture synthesis

An antenna is provided with sub-apertures whose relative locations change and that are not connected via a mechanical link. a Multi-Body Coherent Aperture Synthesis system supports an antenna with sub-aperture devices that collect views, collect (using an optical link) ranging information (that includes timing information) relating to distance between sub-aperture devices, and transmit the collected views and ranging information to a master device. The master device synthesizes the collected views into a synthesized image based on the ranging information.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2024

Systems and methods for optical sensor protection

The present disclosure relates to an optical sensor protection system. The system may have a sensor for receiving an incoming optical signal, a passive sensing and modulation component, and an active sensing and modulation subsystem. The passive sensing and modulation component is configured to sense when a first characteristic is associated with the incoming optical signal is present that adversely affects operation of the sensor, and redirects at least a portion of the incoming optical signal thereof away from the sensor to thus reduce an intensity of the incoming optical signal reaching the sensor. The sensor is located on an image plane downstream of the ISM subsystem, relative to a path of travel of the incoming optical signal. The active sensing and modulation subsystem has an active modulation component and is located upstream of the passive sensing and modulation component, relative to the path of travel of the incoming optical signal, and is also located on a conjugate image plane, and is configured to use the redirected portion of the incoming optical signal as feedback in controlling a modification of the incoming optical signal to reduce a risk of damage to the passive sensing and modulation component.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2024

System and method for adaptable lidar imaging

The present disclosure relates to an adaptive light detection and ranging (lidar) system. In one implementation the system may have a controller and lidar control software in communication with the controller. A focusing control subsystem may be included which is configured to control focusing and detection of a laser beam. An emitter/detector subsystem may be included which is responsive to commands from the focusing control subsystem to generate at least one laser beam which is used to implement a plurality of different focusing modes for imaging a scene.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2024

System and method for thermal emission control using segmented array

The present disclosure relates to a thermal emissivity control system. The system may have a segmented array that makes use of a thermally conductive base layer configured to be connectable to an external heat generating subsystem, with the base layer including a thermally emissive surface. The array may also have a plurality of actuation elements at least one of positioned on or adjacent to the thermally emissive surface. A plurality of movable shutter elements is disposed adjacent one another in a grid pattern, and controlled in movement by the actuation elements to create gaps of controllably varying dimension therebetween. The shutter elements control at least one of a magnitude of, or direction of, thermal radiation through the gaps.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2024

System and method for in situ volumetric sensing of 3D cure state of resin being used in an additive manufacturing system

An in situ cure monitoring control system for use with a volumetric three dimensional (3D) printing system, wherein the volumetric 3D system includes a container defining a build volume, the container includes a photocurable resist used for making a 3D part, and the resist is responsive to an optical curing beam from a light source, which is controlled by a controller, and which is passed through the resist. The cure monitoring control system includes an optical signal source which generates optical signals having a wavelength selected in relation to a characteristic of the resist, and directed to pass through the build volume. A detector detects the optical signals and generates output signals in accordance therewith. Software monitors the output signals and uses the output signals to modify the curing beam to help optimize curing of the resist.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2023

Position sensing circuit for an electrostatically driven MEMS device

The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system uses a drive voltage signal source for generating a low frequency drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. An excitation signal source may be used for generating an excitation signal which is also applied to the MEMS device. The excitation signal has a frequency which is above a physical response capability of the MEMS device, such that operation of the MEMS device is not significantly affected by the excitation signal. A sensing impedance is used to help generate a signal which is responsive to the capacitance of the MEMS device. The capacitance of the MEMS device changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output subsystem is provided which responds to changes sensed by the sensing impedance, and which produces an output voltage signal. A filter filters the output voltage signal to produce a filtered output voltage signal. The filtered output voltage signal is indicative of a position of the MEMS device.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2023

System and method for temporal dispersion compensator

The present disclosure relates to a system for modifying temporal dispersion in an optical signal. The system makes use of a segmented array including a plurality of independently controllable, reflective optical elements. The optical elements are configured to segment a received input optical signal into a plurality of beamlets, and to reflect and steer selected ones of the plurality of beamlets in predetermined angular orientations therefrom. A variable optical dispersion subsystem is used which has a plurality of optical components configured to receive and impart different predetermined time delays to different ones of the received beamlets, and to output the plurality of beamlets therefrom.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2023

Multi-beam resin curing system and method for whole-volume additive manufacturing

A multi-beam volumetric resin curing system and method for whole-volume additive manufacturing of an object includes a bath containing a photosensitive resin, a light source for producing a light beam, and a spatial light modulator which produces a phase- or intensity-modulated light beam by impressing a phase profile or intensity profile of an image onto a light beam received from the light source. The system and method also include projection optics which then produces multiple sub-image beams from the modulated light beam which are projected to intersect each other in the photosensitive resin to cure select volumetric regions of the resin in a whole-volume three-dimensional pattern representing the object.

Shusteff, Maxim↗

DOE OSTI2023

Photocurable resins for volumetric additive manufacturing

Methods and materials for volumetric additive manufacturing, including computed axial lithography (“CAL”), using photosensitive resins comprising a photocurable resin prepolymer; a photoinitiator; and (optionally) a curing inhibitor. In various embodiments, such photosensitive polymers comprise (a) one or more monomer (or prepolymer) molecules, which form the backbone of the polymer network of the polymeric material and define its architecture; and (b) a photoinitiator that captures illumination energy and initiates polymerization.

Shusteff, Maxim↗

DOE OSTI2023

System and method for micromechanical logical and gate

The present disclosure relates to a mechanical AND-gate logic system that may make use of a first and second lever arms, a first pivot linkage coupling the lever arms, an output member, and a second pivot linkage coupling the second lever arm to the output member. The first lever arm has first and second spaced apart ends for independently receiving separate logic level 1 or logic level 0 input signals thereon, and an output end spaced apart from the first and second input ends. The output end is disposed generally equidistant from the first and second spaced apart ends. The second lever arm has an input end and an output end and can move in both pivoting and translating movements. The first pivot linkage couples the output end of the first lever arm to the input end of the second lever arm such that both the input end and the output end of the second lever arm are able to either pivot and or to translate. The second lever arm is only able to translate and apply a logic 1 level input signal to the output member, to thus generate a logic 1 level output signal, when a logic level 1 input signal is applied simultaneously to both of the first and second input ends of the first lever arm.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2023

System and method for adaptive object-oriented sensor fusion for environmental mapping

The present disclosure relates to a mapping system adapted for detecting objects in an environmental scene, by scanning an environmental scene with propagating energy, and receiving reflected energy back from objects present in the environmental scene, in a prioritized manner, for later use. The system may comprise an imaging subsystem which includes a detection and ranging subsystem for initially identifying primitive objects in the environmental scene. The imaging subsystem may also include an identification and mapping subsystem for prioritizing the primitive objects for further scanning and analysis, to ultimately identify one or more of the primitive objects as one or more abstract objects. An environmental model, updated in real time, is used to maintain a map of the primitive objects and the known abstract objects within the environmental scene, as new primitive objects and new abstract objects are obtained with repeated scans of the environmental scene.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2023

System and method for adaptive optical tracking with selectable tracking modes

The present disclosure relates to an adaptive, free-space optical system. The system may have a controller and a digital micromirror (DMM) array responsive to the controller. The digital micromirror may include a plurality of independently controllable micromirror elements forming a receiver for receiving optical signals from an environmental scene. At least two of the plurality of independently controllable micromirror elements are steerable in different directions to receive optical signals emanating from two or more locations within the environmental scene. A beam steering subsystem forms a portion of the micromirror array and is in communication with the controller for receiving control signals from the controller. A detector is used to receive an incoming free space optical signal imaged by at least one of the micromirror elements.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2022

System and method for sub micron additive manufacturing

An apparatus is disclosed for performing an additive manufacturing operation to form a structure by processing a photopolymer resist material. The apparatus may incorporate a laser for generating a laser beam, and a tunable mask for receiving the laser beam which has an optically dispersive element. The mask splits the laser beam into a plurality of emergent beams each having a subplurality of beamlets of varying or identical intensity, with each beamlet emerging from a unique subsection of illuminated regions of the mask. A collimator collimates at least one of the emergent beams to form a collimated beam. One or more focusing elements focuses the collimated beam into a focused beam which is projected as a focused image plane on or within the resist material. The focused beam simultaneously illuminates a layer of the resist material to process an entire layer in a parallel fashion.

Saha, Sourabh Kumar↗

DOE OSTI2021

System and method for compact, adaptive optical sensor for obtaining areal images

The present disclosure relates to an imaging system which may make use of an electronic controller, a digital micromirror array, an aperture control system and a detector to image a desired scene. The digital micromirror array has a plurality of micromirror elements responsive to control signals generated by the electronic controller for electronically aiming the micromirror elements in a desired direction to image the desired area, and for receiving and reflecting light emanating from the desired area. The aperture control system receives light reflected from the digital micromirror array and passes a predetermined subportion of the received light therethrough. The detector is responsive to the predetermined subportion of light.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2021

Massively parallel hierarchical control system and method

An electronic control system is disclosed for controlling individually controllable elements of an external component. In one embodiment the system may include a state translator subsystem for receiving a state command from an external subsystem. The state translator subsystem may have at least one module for processing the state command and generating operational commands for controlling the elements to achieve a desired state or condition. A programmable calibration command translation layer (PCCTL) subsystem may be included which receives and uses the operational commands to generate granular level commands for controlling the elements. A feedback control layer subsystem may be included which applies the granular level commands to the elements, and further modifies the granular level commands as needed to control the elements in closed loop fashion.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

DOE OSTI2020

Multi-beam resin curing system and method for whole-volume additive manufacturing

Shusteff, Maxim↗

DOE OSTI2020

Systems and methods for micromechanical displacement-based logic circuits

The present disclosure relates to a micromechanical displacement logic, signal propagation system that makes use of first and second bistable elements, and first and second mounting structures arranged adjacent opposing surfaces of the first bistable element. A plurality of pivotal lever arms are used to support the first bistable element in either one of two positions of equilibrium. A support structure and a compressible flexure element disposed between the support structure and the first mounting structure apply a preload force to the first mounting structure, which imparts the preload force to the first bistable element. The first bistable element is moveable from one of the two stable equilibrium positions to the other in response to an initial signal applied thereto. The preload force, at least one stiffness characteristic of the lever arms, and a compressibility of a compressible coupling element which links the second bistable element to the first, are all selected to tune signal propagation from the first bistable element to the second bistable element.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗