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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 OSTI2022

Spiking retina microscope

A spiking retina microscope comprising microscope optics and a neuromorphic imaging sensor. The microscope optics are configured to direct a magnified image of a specimen onto the neuromorphic imaging sensor. The neuromorphic imaging sensor comprises a plurality of sensor elements that are configured to generate spike signals in response to integrated light from the magnified image reaching a threshold. The spike signals may be processed by a processor unit to generate a result, such as tracking biological particles in a specimen comprising biological material.

Severa, William Mark↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tuning the output of a laser

In a general aspect, a laser system includes a laser and a frequency comb generator system. The laser is configured to generate a laser signal, and the frequency comb generator system is configured to generate a frequency comb based on the laser signal. The frequency comb includes frequency comb signals at respective comb frequencies. The laser system also includes a frequency comb dispersion system configured to spatially separate the frequency comb signals onto respective optical channels of the frequency comb dispersion system. The laser system additionally includes a frequency selector system configured to generate a selected frequency signal from the frequency comb signals after separation. The selected frequency signal includes a target separated frequency comb signal. The laser system also includes a frequency shifter configured to alter the selected frequency signal toward a target output frequency of the laser system.

Liu, Chang↗
DOE OSTI2023

In-network compute assistance

A method and apparatus for performing operations by network interface cards in a network of computers. A network interface card is configured to receive a message and to interpret the message to identify a primitive operation to be performed. The primitive operation is one of a plurality of primitive operations that are performed to perform an operation. The primitive operation is performed by the network interface card and a trigger signal is generated in response to performing the primitive operation. The trigger signal is interpreted to identify a triggered message. The triggered message identifies a next one of the plurality of primitive operations to be performed. The triggered message is transmitted back to the network interface card or to another network interface card in the network for processing.

Grant, Ryan↗
DOE OSTI2022

Multiplicity trigger detector for the S π RIT experiment

A multiplicity trigger detector (MTD) was developed for the SπRIT experiment that aims to probe the high- density symmetry energy via heavy-ion collisions (HICs). The MTD is designed to measure the charged-particle multiplicity in HICs to provide a trigger signal that can be used to select high-multiplicity events induced by central collisions. The MTD consists of two side-walls segmented into 30 plastic scintillation paddles, each equipped with a multi-pixel photon counter. A custom board with EASIROC front-end ASIC is used as readout electronics. A multiplicity logic signal is generated by an on-board FPGA that processes the discriminated signals from EASIROCs. The overall latency of the whole detector system for outputting the trigger is less than 100 ns, including 52 ns of electronics latency for processing the signals. During the measurement of 112 Sn + 124 Sn reactions at an incident energy of 270 MeV/nucleon, the minimum multiplicity threshold of the MTD was set to 4, where the overall trigger efficiency was obtained to be about 39 % for inclusive nuclear reactions. Furthermore, a simulation study with a numerical calculation of HICs found that the central collisions of impact parameters of less than 4 fm can be triggered with a high efficiency of more than 95 % by the experimental trigger condition.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Coherent spin wave excitation with radio-frequency spin–orbit torque

Spin waves, collective perturbations of magnetic moments, are both fundamental probes for magnetic physics and promising candidates for energy-efficient signal processing and computation. Traditionally, coherent propagating spin waves have been generated by radio frequency (RF) inductive Oersted fields from current-carrying electrodes. An alternative mechanism, spin–orbit torque (SOT), offers more localized excitation through interfacial spin accumulation but has been mostly limited to DC to kHz frequencies. SOT driven by RF currents, with potentially enhanced pumping efficiency and unique spin dynamics, remains largely unexplored, especially in magnetic insulators. Here, we conduct a comprehensive theoretical and computational investigation into the generation of coherent spin waves via RF-SOT in the prototypical yttrium iron garnet. We characterize the excitation of forward volume, backward volume, and surface modes in both linear and nonlinear regimes, employing single and interdigitated electrode configurations. We reveal and explain several unique and surprising features of RF-SOT compared to inductive excitation, including higher efficiency, distinct mode selectivity, and directional symmetry, a ~ $3π/4$ phase offset, reduced anharmonic distortion in the nonlinear regime, and the absence of second harmonic generation. These insights position RF-SOT as a promising new mechanism for future magnonic and spintronic applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Methods and systems for electromagnetic near-field coherent sensing

The present disclosure may be embodied as methods and/or systems for non-contact measuring of an on-body and/or inside-body motion of an individual. A sensing signal is provided within a near-field coupling range of a motion to be measured. In this way, a measurement signal may be generated as the sensing signal modulated by the motion. The sensing signal may be an ID-modulated signal. In some embodiments, the sensing signal is a backscattered RFID link provided a wireless tag. A downlink signal may be provided to power the wireless tag. The sensing signal may be a harmonic of the downlink signal. The measurement signal is detected. The motion is measured based on the measurement signal. The measurement signal may be detected as far-field radiation after transmission through a source of the motion. The measurement signal may be detected as reflected from a source of the motion as antenna reflection.

Hui, Xiaonan↗
DOE OSTI2021

Universal Bound to the Amplitude of the Vortex Nernst Signal in Superconductors

A liquid of superconducting vortices generates a transverse thermoelectric response. This Nernst signal has a tail deep in the normal state due to superconducting fluctuations. Here, we present a study of the Nernst effect in two-dimensional heterostructures of Nb-doped strontium titanate (STO) and in amorphous MoGe. Additionally, the Nernst signal generated by ephemeral Cooper pairs above the critical temperature has the magnitude expected by theory in STO. On the other hand, the peak amplitude of the vortex Nernst signal below Tc is comparable in both and in numerous other superconductors despite the large distribution of the critical temperature and the critical magnetic fields. In four superconductors belonging to different families, the maximum Nernst signal corresponds to an entropy per vortex per layer of ≈kBln 2 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dimensionally Aligned Signal Projection Algorithms Library

Dimensionally aligned signal projection (DASP) algorithms are used to analyze fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) and generate visualizations that help focus on the harmonics for specific signals. At a high level, these algorithms extract the FFT segments around each harmonic frequency center, and then align them in equally sized arrays ordered by increasing distance from the base frequency. This allows for a focused view of the harmonic frequencies, which, among other use cases, can enable machine learning algorithms to more easily identify salient patterns. This work seeks to provide an effective open-source implementation of the DASP algorithms proposed by Vann et al. (2018) as well as functionality to help explore and test how these algorithms work with an interactive dashboard and signal-generation tool. The DASP library is implemented in Python and contains four types of algorithms for implementing these feature engineering techniques: fixed harmonically aligned signal projection (HASP), decimating HASP, interpolating HASP, and frequency aligned signal projection (FASP). Each algorithm returns a numerical array, which can be visualized as an image. The HASP algorithms are variations of the algorithms originally presented by Vann et al. (2018). For consistency, FASP, which is the terminology used for the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), has been implemented as part of the library to provide a similar interface to the STFT of the raw signal. Additionally, the library contains an algorithm to generate artificial signals with basic customizations such as the base frequency, sample rate, duration, number of harmonics, noise, and number of signals. Finally, the library provides multiple interactive visualizations, each of which is implemented using IPyWidgets and works in a Jupyter environment. A dashboard-style visualization is provided, which contains some common signal-processing visual components (signal, FFT, spectogram) updating in unison with the HASP functions (see Figure 1 below). Separate from the dashboard, an independent visualization is provided for each of the DASP algorithms as well as for the artifical signal generator. These visualizations are included in the library to aid in developing an intuitive understanding how the algorithms are affected by different input signals and parameter selections.

harmonics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Communication enabled fast-acting imbalance reserve

A system and method for control of dispatchable resources on an electrical power distribution grid is disclosed. The disclosed method provides improved response to power imbalance based on a communications signal independent of system frequency. The communication signal provides a feed-forward control of dispatchable power resources. A communications network is employed to generate a signal to dispatchable resources that a power imbalance has occurred. Due to fast response power transmission network interfaces associated with the dispatchable resources, the respective resources respond in significantly less time than feedback controlled conventional generators which depend on line frequency sensing. The rapid response mitigates the impact of power imbalances and enables greater penetrations of converter-interfaced power generation units such as renewable energy sources to be connected to the grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Data for Monitoring Fracture Saturation with Internal Transportable Seismic Sources and Twin Neural Networks

Seismic coda-wave analysis is a well-developed method for detecting subtle physical changes in complex media by measuring arrival times in the late-arriving energy from multiply-scattered or reflected waves. However, a challenge arises when multiply-scattered waves are not sufficiently separated in time from the direct arrivals to provide a clear coda wave train. Additional complications for monitoring changes in fracture systems arise when the signals originate from unsynchronized internal sources, such as natural induced seismicity, from acoustic emission, or from transportable intra-fracture sources (chattering dust), that generate uncontrolled signals that vary in arrival time, amplitude and frequency content. Here, we use a twin neural network (also known as a Siamese neural network) for dimensionality reduction to analyze signals from chattering dust to classify the fluid saturation state of a synthetic fracture system. The twin neural network with shared weights generates a low-dimensional representation of the data input by minimizing contrastive loss, serving as the input to a multiclass classifier that accurately classifies whether multiple fractures in a fracture system are fully saturated or partially saturated, or whether a change in saturation has occurred in different fractures in the system. These results show that information buried in unresolved codas from uncontrolled sources can be extracted using machine learning to monitor the evolution of fracture systems caused by physical and chemical processes even when the scattered and direct wave fields overlap.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Monitoring Fracture Saturation With Internal Seismic Sources and Twin Neural Networks

Seismic coda-wave analysis is a well-developed method for detecting subtle physical changes in complex media by measuring arrival times in the late-arriving energy from multiply scattered or reflected waves. However, a challenge arises when multiply scattered waves are not sufficiently separated in time from the direct arrivals to provide a clear coda wave train. Additional complications for monitoring changes in fracture systems arise when the signals originate from unsynchronized internal sources, such as natural or induced seismicity, from acoustic emission, or from transportable intra-fracture sources (chattering dust), that generate uncontrolled signals that vary in arrival time, amplitude and frequency content. Here, we use a twin neural network (TNN also known as a Siamese neural network) for dimensionality reduction to analyze signals from chattering dust to classify the fluid saturation state of a synthetic fracture system. The TNN with shared weights generates a low-dimensional representation of the data input by minimizing contrastive loss, serving as the input to a multiclass classifier that accurately classifies whether multiple fractures in a fracture system are fully saturated or partially saturated, or whether a change in saturation has occurred in different fractures in the system. Furthermore, these results show that information buried in unresolved codas from uncontrolled sources can be extracted using machine learning to monitor the evolution of fracture systems caused by physical and chemical processes even when the scattered and direct wave fields overlap.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Pulsar Based Timing for Grid Synchronization

Existing synchronization systems in the power grid, such as the global positioning system, are susceptible to temporary or permanent failures due to various unpredictable and uncontrollable factors such as cyber-attack and electromagnetic interferences, thus affecting the accuracy and reliability of generated timing signal. In this article, a pulsar astronomy-based timing system is proposed to provide an alternative synchronization signal. Further, this clock will offer significant security improvements to power grid applications, such as a wide-area monitoring system, which depends on a precise timing signal. The hardware and software frameworks are described in detail. First, a high-speed sampling hardware platform is designed to collect signals from radio telescopes. Then a periodic pulse extraction method with three steps is proposed to process the pulsar signal, including polyphase filterbanks, incoherent de-dispersion, and sliding window folding. Lastly, three experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the frameworks. The generated pulsar timing pulse is presented, and the factors affecting its accuracy are also discussed. The analysis results demonstrate that the pulsar signals can provide high-accurate timing pulses for grid synchronization.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Spatially enhanced electric field induced second harmonic (SEEFISH) generation for measurements of electric field distributions in high-pressure plasmas

Abstract The spatial resolution of the ps electric field induced second harmonic (EFISH) generation has been enhanced by using non-collinear pump laser beam arrangements. The pump laser beam (1064 nm, nominal pulse duration 150 ps, pulse energy 20–40 mJ) is separated into two coaxial or crossing beams, overlapping only near the focal point. The spatially enhanced EFISH (SEEFISH) signal is generated over a shorter beam overlap region compared to the collinear beam arrangement. Blocking of either of the two beams results in a complete suppression of the signal. The signal is spatially isolated from the ‘conventional’ EFISH signal and measured by a photomultiplier detector. Measurements of a known Laplacian field generated between two parallel cylinder electrodes in ambient air shows that SEEFISH improves the spatial resolution of the measurements by up to a factor of 2, such that the measurement results agree with the Laplacian field distribution. The spatial resolution is improved further by reducing the focal distance of the lens. The magnitude of the SEEFISH signal is significantly lower compared to that of the single-beam EFISH and decreases rapidly as the beam crossing angle is increased, due to the phase mismatch. This approach has a significant potential for measurements of electric field distributions in high-pressure plasmas, with an additional benefit of removing the stray second harmonic signal from the optical access windows.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Back-Azimuth Estimation of Air-to-Ground Coupled Infrasound from Transverse Coherence Minimization [Slides]

Infrasonic signals are generated by a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources and can propagate long distances through a windy, layered atmosphere. When these signals impinge on the ground, the resulting deformation can be recorded by buried seismometers, we call this signal a ground coupled airwave (GCA). GCAs are relatively common, and several methods now exist to leverage an infrasound microphone to separate GCAs from pure seismic motion.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Systems and methods for augmenting a satellite based navigation system with alternative position and timing data

Various technologies pertaining to integrating a positioning or timing solution from an alternative position, navigation, or timing (PNT) system into a satellite-based-navigation system are described herein. The PNT system generates a position/timing (P/T) solution that indicates a current position or current time of the PNT system. The P/T solution is provided as input to a simulation of a satellite constellation of the satellite-based-navigation system, and a constellation signal is generated based on the simulation and the P/T solution. The constellation signal is formatted according to a navigation signal format of the satellite-based-navigation system such that when the constellation signal is provided to a receiver of the satellite-based-navigation system, the receiver computes a P/T solution that indicates the current position or the current time identified by the PNT system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Partial discharge detector

A partial discharge (PD) detection system includes a PD sensor configured to sense a PD event of an electrical system and to generate a sensor signal in response to the PD event. An envelope generator is coupled to receive the sensor signal from the PD sensor. The envelope generator extracts an envelope signal from the sensor signal. A digitizer is configured to convert the envelope signal to a digital representation of the PD event.

Karin, Todd↗
DOE OSTI2026

X-ray and γ-ray beam interstellar communication and implications for SETI

The possibility of detecting artificial signals transmitted by alien civilizations via collimated X-ray or gamma-ray beams is investigated. The prospect of using such beams for human communication within the solar system and beyond is also discussed. Detector responses were simulated for input signals and analyzed using relative entropy. For simplicity, all signals were assumed to use on-off keying (OOK) modulation. “Real” signals were generated by taking digital files and sequentially feeding their raw binary data to the detector simulator, the resulting normalized information content of the detector signals was plotted and compared to random noise signals. Since jpeg files contain compressed information, these served as a proxy for artificial alien signals. This showed that there is a clear difference in measured information content between natural and artificial signals, even with relatively poor time resolution in the detector causing the signals to be smeared (dead-time/rise-time intervals many times longer than the duration between signal pulses). It was found that so long as the signal lasts for at least several rise-time/dead-time intervals, the distinction between random and artificial signals is obvious. A space-telescope with high time resolution for searching for such signals is briefly described and its basic requirements are outlined.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Resonant X-ray Sum-Frequency-Generation Spectroscopy of K-edges in Acetyl Fluoride

Resonant X-ray sum-frequency generation is calculated for excitations of the fluorine and oxygen core K-edge electrons in acetyl fluoride using real-time time-dependent density functional theory. The signal is generated by an extreme-ultraviolet followed by an Xray pulse with variable delay T. The X-ray pulse is tuned to different element-specific core excitations and used to probe the dynamics of a valence electronic wavepacket. A twodimensional signal is recorded as a function of the dispersed X-ray pulse frequency and the frequency conjugated to T, revealing the couplings between core and valence excited states. Molecular orbital decomposition of the signal shows which regions of the molecule contribute to the X-ray excitation.

Bruner, Adam S.↗