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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 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

SCOPE: Spectral cloud optical property estimation using real-time GOES-R longwave imagery

The output of ground-based, solar power generation systems is strongly dependent on cloud cover, which is the main contributor to solar power variability and uncertainty. Cloud optical properties are typically over-simplified in forecasting applications due to the lack of realtime, accurate estimates. In this work, we introduce a method, the Spectral Cloud Optical Property Estimation (SCOPE), for estimating cloud optical properties directly from high-resolution (5-min, 2 km) imagery from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R, which is the newest generation of the GOES system. The SCOPE method couples a two-stream, spectrally resolved radiative model with the longwave GOES-R sensor output to simultaneously estimate the cloud optical depth, cloud top height, and cloud thickness during both day and night at 5-min intervals. The accuracy of SCOPE is evaluated using one year (2018) of downwelling longwave (DLW) radiation measurements from the Surface Radiation Budget Network, which consists of seven sites spread across climatically diverse regions of the contiguous United States. During daytime clear-sky periods, SCOPE predicts DLW within instrument uncertainty (10 W m -2 ) for four of the seven locations, with the remaining locations yielding errors of the order of 11.2, 17.7, and 20.2 W m -2 . For daytime cloudy-sky, daytime all-sky (clear or cloudy), and nighttime all-sky periods, SCOPE achieves root mean square error values of 23.0–34.5 W m -2 for all seven locations. These results, together with the low-latency of the method (1 s per sample), show that SCOPE provides a viable solution to real-time, accurate estimation of cloud optical properties for both day and night.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Microwave-Based Quantum Control and Coherence Protection of Tin-Vacancy Spin Qubits in a Strain-Tuned Diamond-Membrane Heterostructure

Robust spin-photon interfaces in solids are essential components in quantum networking and sensing technologies. Ideally, these interfaces combine a long-lived spin memory, coherent optical transitions, fast and high-fidelity spin manipulation, and straightforward device integration and scaling. The tin- vacancy center (SnV) in diamond is a promising spin-photon interface with desirable optical and spin properties at 1.7 K. However, the SnV spin lacks efficient microwave control, and its spin coherence degrades with higher temperature. In this work, we introduce a new platform that overcomes these challenges—SnV centers in uniformly strained thin diamond membranes. The controlled generation of crystal strain introduces orbital mixing that allows microwave control of the spin state with 99.36(9)% gate fidelity and spin coherence protection beyond a millisecond. Moreover, the presence of crystal strain suppresses temperature-dependent dephasing processes, leading to a considerable improvement of the coherence time up to 223(10) μs at 4 K, a widely accessible temperature in common cryogenic systems. Critically, the coherence of optical transitions is unaffected by the elevated temperature, exhibiting nearly lifetime-limited optical linewidths. Combined with the compatibility of diamond membranes with device integration, the demonstrated platform is an ideal spin-photon interface for future quantum technologies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1984

The National Symposium and Workshop on Optical Platforms, Huntsville, AL, June 12-14, 1984, Proceedings

The present conference is concerned with space-based observatories (including future systems), interplanetary observation platforms, Space Station optical utilization, orbital earth viewing systems, and Spacelab's use as an observations platform. Attention is given to the pointing system for the Space Telescope, the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, the conceptual definition of the Space IR Telescope Facility's spacecraft, satellite servicing in light of the Solar Maximum Repair Mission, a large deployable reflector telescope concept, moon-based astronomical observatories, Space Station-based remote sensing of the earth, optical systems is geosynchronous orbit, multispectral linear array detector technology, Spacelab-based space plasma and materials processing investigations, and space construction technology for large space observatories. Also discussed are military optical platforms for sea, land and air stationing.

Wyman, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A fiber-optic current sensor for aerospace applications

A robust, accurate, broadband, alternating current sensor using fiber optics is being developed for space applications at power frequencies as high as 20 kHz. It can also be used in low- and high-voltage 60-Hz terrestrial power systems and in 400-Hz aircraft systems. It is intrinsically EMI (electromagnetic interference) immune and has the added benefit of excellent isolation. The sensor uses the Faraday effect in optical fiber and standard polarimetric measurements to sense electrical current. The primary component of the sensor is a specially treated coil of single-mode optical fiber, through which the current carrying conductor passes. Improved precision is accomplished by temperature compensation by means of signals from a fiber-optic temperature sensor embedded in the sensing head. The authors report on the technology contained in the sensor and also relate the results of precision tests conducted at various temperatures within the wide operating range. The results of early EMI tests are shown.

Patterson, Richard L.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Introduction: Photons and Ground-Based

A Conference on Measurement Techniques for Solar and Space Physics was held on 20-24 April 2015 in Boulder, Colorado, at the National Center for Atmospheric Research Center Green Campus. The present volume collects together the conference papers for photons and ground-based categories. This gathering of over 200 scientists and instrumentalists was born out of the desire to collect in one place the latest experiment and instrument technologies required for advancement of scientific knowledge in the disciplines of solar and space physics. The two goals for this conference and the subsequent publication of its content are (a) to describe measurement techniques and technology development needed to advance high priority science in the fields of solar and space physics; and (b) to provide a survey or reference of techniques for in situ measurement and remote sensing of space plasmas. Towards this end, our goal has always been inspired by the two 1998 Geophysical Monographs (Nos. 102 and 103) entitled, "Measurement Techniques in Space Plasmas" (particles and fields) [Pfaff et al., 1998a, 1998b], which have served as a reference and resource for advanced students, engineers, and scientists who wish to learn the fundamentals of measurement techniques and technology in this field. Those monographs were the product of an American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference that took place in Santa Fe, NM, in 1995: "Measurement Techniques in Space Plasmas-What Works, What Doesn't." Two decades later, we believe that it is appropriate to revisit this subject, in light of recent advances in technology, research platforms, and analysis techniques. Moreover, we now include direct measurements of neutral gases in the upper atmosphere, optical imaging techniques, and remote observations in space and on the ground. Accordingly, the workshop was organized among four areas of measurement techniques: particles, fields, photons, and ground-based. This two-set volume is largely composed of the content of that workshop. Special attention is given to those techniques and technologies that demonstrate promise of significant advancement in measurements that will enable the highest priority science as described in the 2012 National Research Council Decadal Survey [Baker and Zurbuchen et al., 2013]. Additionally, a broad tutorial survey of the current technologies is provided to serve as reference material and as a basis from which advanced and innovative ideas can be discussed and pursued. Included are instrumentation and techniques to observe the solar environment from its interior to its outer atmosphere, the heliosphere out to the interstellar regions, in geospace, and other planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres. To make significant progress in priority science as expressed in the National Research Council solar and space physics decadal survey and recent NASA Heliophysics roadmaps, identification of enabling new measurement techniques and technologies to be developed is required. Also, it is valuable to the community and future scientists and engineers to have a complete survey of the techniques and technologies used by the practitioners of solar and space physics. As with the 1995 conference and subsequent 1998 publication, it is incumbent on the community to identify those measurements that are particularly challenging and still require new techniques to be identified and tested to enable the necessary accuracy and resolution of certain parameters to be achieved. The following is a partial list of the measurement technique categories that are featured in these special publications: Particles; Thermal plasma to MeV energetic particles, neutral gas properties including winds, density, temperature, and composition, and enhanced neutral atom imaging; Fields; DC electric and magnetic fields, plasma waves, and electron drift instruments from which the plasma velocity information provides a measure of the DC electric field; Photons; Instruments sensitive from the near-infrared to X-rays; Contributions of techniques and technology for optical design, optical components, sensors, material selection for cameras, telescopes, and spectrographs; Ground based; Remote sensing methods for solar and geospace activity and space weather. The focus includes solar observatories, all-sky cameras, lidars, and ionosphere thermosphere mesosphere observatory systems such as radars, ionosondes, GPS receivers, magnetometers, conjugate observations, and airborne campaigns. The present volume collects together the papers for photons and ground-based categories. The companion volume collects together the papers for particles and fields categories. It is recognized that there are measurement techniques that overlap among the four categories. For example, use of microchannel plate detectors is used in photon and particle measurement techniques or the observation of visible photons and magnetic fields in space and on the ground share common technologies. Therefore, the reader should consider the entire collection of papers as they seek to understand particular applications. We hope that these volumes will be as valuable as a reference for our community as the earlier 1998 volumes have been.

Spann, James↗
NASA NTRS1986

Sensor technology for advanced space missions

The capability and applications of two sensors, Spatial, High-Accuracy, Position-Encoding Sensor (SHAPES) and Fiber Optics Rotation Sensor (FORS), for advanced missions are discussed. The multiple target, 3-D position sensing capability of SHAPES meets a critical technology need for many developing applications. A major milestone of the SHAPES task was completed on schedule on May 30, 1986, by demonstrating simultaneous ranging to eight moving targets at a rate of 10 measurements per second. The range resolution to static target was shown to be 25 microns. SHAPES scheduled technology readiness will support the sensor needs of a number of early users. The next phase in the development of SHAPES is to incorporate an angular measurement CCD to provide the full 3-dimensional sensing. A flight unit design and fabrication can be complete by FY89. FORS, with its significant improvement over present technology in lifetime, performance, weight, power, and recurrent cost, will be an important technology for future space systems. Technology readiness will be demonstrated with a FORS brassboard with fully integrated IO chips by FY88. The unique capability of miniature remote sensing heads, connected to a central system, will open up new areas in control and stability of large space structures. This application requires additional study.

Nerheim, N. M.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Recent Advances in 3D Printed Sensors: Materials, Design, and Manufacturing

Sensors are of great importance in different aspects of research and industry. Future sensors will require high-efficient and low-cost manufacturing, as well as high-performance functionality in areas, such as mechanical sensing, biomedical, and optical applications. Recent advances in 3D printing open a new paradigm for sensors fabrication as a precision, customizable, and seamless process. Here, in this article, the state-of-the-art 3D printing methods in sensors manufacturing is reviewed and the performance of the 3D printed sensing materials and devices is summarized. Special attention is paid to emerging multimaterial printing and 4D printing technologies, which will benefit the fabrication of a new generation of structures with multifunctionalities. The content on 3D printed sensors covers piezoelectric sensors, medical, and optical sensing devices. The performance of 3D printed sensors in comparison with the sensors made by traditional manufacturing is also covered. Finally, section 4 provides the viewpoints on the future development of 3D printed sensors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Point-localized, site-specific membrane potential optical recording by single fluorescent nanodiscs

Nanodisc technology was implemented as a platform for voltage nanosensors. A fluorescence (Förster) resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based voltage-sensing scheme employing fluorescent nanodiscs and the hydrophobic ion dipicrylamine was developed and utilized to optically record membrane potentials on the single-nanodisc level. Ensemble and single-nanosensor recordings were demonstrated for HEK293 cells and primary cortical neuron cells. Conjugation of nanodiscs to anti-GABA A antibodies allowed for site-specific membrane potential measurements from postsynaptic sites.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Earthquake detection in a simulated lunar regolith using distributed acoustic sensing

Current models of inner lunar geology have largely been inferred from the seismic experiments and observations performed during the Apollo missions that comprised a relatively small number of seismic instruments. Refining constraints on fundamental lunar relationships such as crust-mantle and mantle-core boundaries in the future will require seismic arrays spanning larger epicentral distances. A promising technology for installing dense seismic arrays with minimal human effort is distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), an approach that allows a single length of fiber optic cable to act as hundreds or thousands of sensors when coupled with a DAS interrogator. While terrestrial uses of DAS technology for seismic monitoring rely on burying the cable to maximize fidelity of seismic signal transmission to the fiber, digging meters of trench to bury optical fiber on lunar or planetary surfaces is logistically infeasible. To evaluate DAS signal attenuation due to surface deployment of cable in lunar regolith, we completed earthquake detection analyses that evaluated the sensitivity of an optic-fiber DAS system to seismic signals at different burial depths. We deployed a single-mode fiber in a 10-m open-bottom wooden box filled with a lunar regolith simulant (LRS) with fiber buried at different depths within the LRS and recorded signals for four regional and local earthquakes. The results were used to identify and evaluate signal attenuation in surface-deployed fiber compared to buried fiber in the LRS. Burial depth responses to active-source signals were also evaluated similar to previous studies characterizing DAS sensitivity of surface-deployed fiber. Atmospheric noise was minimal as the cable was deployed in an indoor environment; however, where observed, atmospheric and anthropogenic noise was filtered out using the same bandpass filtering used to identify earthquake events. We found that signal attenuation of the surface-deployed fiber compared to buried fiber was relatively high in active-source experiments but was not consistently observed in earthquake signals. That burial depth is not highly correlated to attenuation of the observed earthquake signals indicates that in a noise-limited environment, placing DAS-interrogated fiber directly at the regolith surface may be a promising deployment strategy to consider for sensing remote seismic signals during lunar exploration.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1990

Active optical sensor technology

An account is given of the development status, performance capabilities, and prospective applications of lidar systems in earth remote sensing, as envisioned by researchers at NASA-Marshall, NASA-Goddard, NASA-Langley, and NASA-Wallops Island. Lidar systems can conduct measurements in research efforts concerned with wind fields, altimetry, ozone depletion, water vapor mixing ratios, temperature and pressure, phytoplankton chlorophyll fluorescence, forest folliage, and ice sheets. It is in all cases that lidar lasers be lightweight, compact, and efficient; most lasers need to be tunable. Detectors used range from photomultipliers to photodiodes.

Melfi, Harvey↗
NASA NTRS2000

Smart Microsystems with Photonic Element and Their Applications to Aerospace Platforms

The need to make manufacturing, operation, and support of airborne vehicles safer and more efficient forces engineers and scientists to look for lighter, cheaper, more reliable technologies. Light weight, immunity to EMI, fire safety, high bandwidth, and high signal fidelity have already made photonics in general and fiber optics in particular an extremely attractive medium for communication purposes. With the fiber optics serving as a central nervous system of the vehicle, generation, detection, and processing of the signal occurs at the peripherals that include smart structures and devices. Due to their interdisciplinary nature, photonic technologies cover such diverse areas as optical sensors and actuators, embedded and distributed sensors, sensing schemes and architectures, harnesses and connectors, signal processing and algorithms. The paper includes a brief description of work in the photonic area that is going on at NASA, especially at the Glenn Research Center (GRC).

Adamovsky, G.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Enabling Technologies for High-accuracy Multiangle Spectropolarimetric Imaging from Space

Satellite remote sensing plays a major role in measuring the optical and radiative properties, environmental impact, and spatial and temporal distribution of tropospheric aerosols. In this paper, we envision a new generation of spaceborne imager that integrates the unique strengths of multispectral, multiangle, and polarimetric approaches, thereby achieving better accuracies in aerosol optical depth and particle properties than can be achieved using any one method by itself. Design goals include spectral coverage from the near-UV to the shortwave infrared; global coverage within a few days; intensity and polarimetric imaging simultaneously at multiple view angles; kilometer to sub-kilometer spatial resolution; and measurement of the degree of linear polarization for a subset of the spectral complement with an uncertainty of 0.5% or less. The latter requirement is technically the most challenging. In particular, an approach for dealing with inter-detector gain variations is essential to avoid false polarization signals. We propose using rapid modulation of the input polarization state to overcome this problem, using a high-speed variable retarder in the camera design. Technologies for rapid retardance modulation include mechanically rotating retarders, liquid crystals, and photoelastic modulators (PEMs). We conclude that the latter are the most suitable.

photoelastic modulators (PEMs)↗
NASA NTRS1989

Sensor technology for smart structures

Advanced aerospace structures are discussed that will very likely be fabricated with integral sensors, actuators, and microprocessors for monitoring and dynamic control of configuration. The concept of 'smart structures' integrates fiber-optic sensor technology with advanced composite materials, whereby the optical fibers are embedded in a composite material and provide internal sensing capability for monitoring parameters which are important for the safety, performance, and reliability of the material and the structure. Along with other research facilities, NASA has initiated a cooperative program to design, fabricate, and test composite trusses, tubes, and flat panels with embedded optical fibers for testing and developing prototype smart structures. It is shown that fiber-optic sensor technology can be combined with advanced material and structure concepts to produce a new class of materials with internal sensors for health monitoring of structures.

Rogowski, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Fiber Optic Sensing System (FOSS)

This presentation and video is a description of the FOSS portfolio and discusses the recent improvements to the current technology.

Parker, Allen R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of fracture diagnostic methods for fluid distribution based on quantitative interpretation of distributed acoustic sensing and distributed temperature sensing

Multistage hydraulic fracturing design on horizontal wells has significantly evolved with larger fluid volume, more fracturing stages, and tighter perforation cluster spacing to efficiently stimulate unconventional reservoirs. From the published field observations, the recent fracturing design results in complex fracture networks or swarm of fractures. Fracture treatment evaluation is extremely challenging in such a case because of the large amount of variables in well completion and stimulation design. Combined measurements from different technologies can help in fracture diagnosis. Fluid distribution, either during fracture injection or during production, directly relates to the stimulation efficiency at the cluster level and at the stage level. Because it is unlikely in the real world to distribute the injected fluid uniformly among all the clusters, we need diagnostic techniques to generate the flow profile along a lateral. Fiber-optic measurements, such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and distributed temperature sensing (DTS), are currently used to diagnose downhole flow conditions. This technology allows us to qualitatively confirm the fluid flow profile and other issues occurring downhole during fracturing such as leakage through plugs. For optimizing a fracturing design, we also need to understand how the design parameters are correlated with the stimulation efficiency. In this study, we combine two sets of models of DAS and DTS data interpretation for injected fluid volume distribution. The DAS is interpreted based on an empirical correlation between fluid flow rates and frequency band energy from the acoustic signals. The DTS is interpreted by performing temperature history match-based thermal energy conservation. Because of the completely different physics behind the interpretations, the confirmation of two interpretations provides confidence in fluid distribution.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
NASA NTRS2007

Advanced Optical Technologies for Space Exploration

NASA Langley Research Center is involved in the development of photonic devices and systems for space exploration missions. Photonic technologies of particular interest are those that can be utilized for in-space communication, remote sensing, guidance navigation and control, lunar descent and landing, and rendezvous and docking. NASA Langley has recently established a class-100 clean-room which serves as a Photonics Fabrication Facility for development of prototype optoelectronic devices for aerospace applications. In this paper we discuss our design, fabrication, and testing of novel active pixels, deformable mirrors, and liquid crystal spatial light modulators. Successful implementation of these intelligent optical devices and systems in space, requires careful consideration of temperature and space radiation effects in inorganic and electronic materials. Applications including high bandwidth inertial reference units, lightweight, high precision star trackers for guidance, navigation, and control, deformable mirrors, wavefront sensing, and beam steering technologies are discussed. In addition, experimental results are presented which characterize their performance in space exploration systems.

Clark, Natalie↗
DOE OSTI2025

SRF-Based Quantum Transduction for Quantum Computing and Sensing

The next groundbreaking frontier in Quantum Information Science (QIS) is the development of low-noise interconnections over fiber optics between superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) quantum devices. High-efficiency microwave-optical transduction serves as a pivotal enabler for distributed quantum computing and sensor networks. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of quantum transduction achieved by coupling SRF cavities to electro-optic optical resonators, enabling efficient conversion between microwave and optical photons. This research, supported by the DOE Early Career Research Program, advances technologies for quantum computing and sensing, and complements the mission of the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems (SQMS) Center at Fermilab.

Zorzetti, Silvia [Fermilab] (ORCID:000000023208338↗