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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 271 records · Page 15

Proton Traffic Jam: Effect of Nanoconfinement and Acid Concentration on Proton Hopping Mechanism

Abstract The properties of the water network in concentrated HCl acid pools in nanometer‐sized reverse nonionic micelles were probed with TeraHertz absorption, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, and reactive force field simulations capable of describing proton hopping mechanisms. We identify that only at a critical micelle size of W 0 =9 do solvated proton complexes form in the water pool, accompanied by a change in mechanism from Grotthuss forward shuttling to one that favors local oscillatory hopping. This is due to a preference for H + and Cl − ions to adsorb to the micelle interface, together with an acid concentration effect that causes a “traffic jam” in which the short‐circuiting of the hydrogen‐bonding motif of the hydronium ion decreases the forward hopping rate throughout the water interior even as the micelle size increases. These findings have implications for atmospheric chemistry, biochemical and biophysical environments, and energy materials, as transport of protons vital to these processes can be suppressed due to confinement, aggregation, and/or concentration.

Adams, Ellen M.↗

Proton Traffic Jam: Effect of Nanoconfinement and Acid Concentration on Proton Hopping Mechanism

Abstract The properties of the water network in concentrated HCl acid pools in nanometer‐sized reverse nonionic micelles were probed with TeraHertz absorption, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, and reactive force field simulations capable of describing proton hopping mechanisms. We identify that only at a critical micelle size of W 0 =9 do solvated proton complexes form in the water pool, accompanied by a change in mechanism from Grotthuss forward shuttling to one that favors local oscillatory hopping. This is due to a preference for H + and Cl − ions to adsorb to the micelle interface, together with an acid concentration effect that causes a “traffic jam” in which the short‐circuiting of the hydrogen‐bonding motif of the hydronium ion decreases the forward hopping rate throughout the water interior even as the micelle size increases. These findings have implications for atmospheric chemistry, biochemical and biophysical environments, and energy materials, as transport of protons vital to these processes can be suppressed due to confinement, aggregation, and/or concentration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hybrid Recurrent Neural Network Modeling for Traffic Delay Prediction at Signalized Intersections Along an Urban Arterial

This paper studies the traffic delay prediction modeling for multiple signalized intersections along the Ala Moana Boulevard and Nimitz Highway in Hawaii. Several machine learning (ML) based approaches have been studied in the literature, and most of them focused on prediction accuracy rather than the end use of real-time control and implementation. These ML models tend to be very complex and non-linear in nature, making it challenging to achieve fast inferences and are computationally heavy for real-time signal control implementation. As such, in this paper, a simple yet accurate hybrid modeling method is proposed to predict traffic delay one-step ahead with the model made suitable for real-time implementation to control traffic flow. Since real-time road-side measurements are recorded in unstructured form, the paper also discusses other issues related to data extraction and the pre-processing process. Finally, a simple signal control loop is developed to demonstrate the proposed modeling approach, which has shown advantages in model accuracy and computation efficiency compared against several existing modeling methods.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Model Predictive Control-Based Trajectory Shaper for Safe and Efficient Adaptive Cruise Control

Recent studies show that commercially-available adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems are string-unstable, indicating that ACC-driven vehicles amplify speed fluctuations from downstream traffic and induce stop-and-go waves. Moreover, it is challenging to revise the original control algorithm of an ACC system to achieve string stability due to its internal complexity and powertrain uncertainties. To achieve desired control performance given a string-unstable ACC system and circumvent revising the original control algorithm, this study proposes a model predictive control-based trajectory shaper (MPC-TS), which only modifies the sensor-measured trajectory information (i.e., position and speed) of the preceding vehicle. The proposed MPC-TS leverages the input shaping technique to generate reference trajectory to improve string stability, while incorporating tracking errors and vehicle acceleration/deceleration magnitude in the MPC cost function and constraining fluctuations of vehicle speed and spacing to ensure desired car-following performance. Numerical experiments validate the control performance of ACC with the proposed MPC-TS in terms of string stability, safety, traffic efficiency, and comfort.

Zhou, Anye↗

Modeling Electric Vehicle Charging Station Siting Suitability with a Focus on Equity

As adoption of electric vehicles increases, the infrastructure to charge them must keep pace. Determining where to add new charging infrastructure is a complex process subject to many factors, including electrical service availability, vehicle dwell time, the type(s) of drivers and vehicles the stations will serve, traffic levels and timing, and land ownership. In addition, advancing social equity is a current priority of federal efforts to invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Conducting Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) within Argonne’s Energy Zones Mapping Tool (EZMT) is a useful method for analyzing many of the factors that influence how suitable a location is for potentially adding new charging infrastructure, and we show how equity metrics can be included in the analysis. However, data limitations impose challenges to using MCDA to evaluate and prioritize locations. We use three examples to demonstrate how to use publicly available data and MDCA to analyze different siting objectives. Each example starts with defining a specific objective and ends with how to use the results to identify specific potential locations that could be investigated further. This analysis demonstrates how interested stakeholders can use the EZMT to run the example MCDA models defined in this study, modify them to suit their needs, or create new MCDA models.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Airborne Use of Traffic Intent Information in a Distributed Air-Ground Traffic Management Concept: Experiment Design and Preliminary Results

This paper presents initial findings of a research study designed to provide insight into the issue of intent information exchange in constrained en-route air-traffic operations and its effect on pilot decision making and flight performance. The piloted simulation was conducted in the Air Traffic Operations Laboratory at the NASA Langley Research Center. Two operational modes for autonomous operations were compared under conditions of low and high operational complexity. The tactical mode was characterized primarily by the use of state information for conflict detection and resolution and an open-loop means for the pilot to meet operational constraints. The strategic mode involved the combined use of state and intent information, provided the pilot an additional level of alerting, and allowed a closed-loop approach to meeting operational constraints. Operational constraints included separation assurance, schedule adherence, airspace hazard avoidance, flight efficiency, and passenger comfort. Potential operational benefits of both modes are illustrated through several scenario case studies. Subjective pilot ratings and comments comparing the tactical and strategic modes are presented.

Wing, David J.↗

Airborne Use of Traffic Intent Information in a Distributed Air-Ground Traffic Management Concept: Experiment Design and Preliminary Results

This paper presents initial findings of a research study designed to provide insight into the issue of intent information exchange in constrained en-route air-traffic operations and its effect on pilot decision making and flight performance. The piloted simulation was conducted in the Air Traffic Operations Laboratory at the NASA Langley Research Center. Two operational modes for autonomous operations were compared under conditions of low and high operational complexity. The tactical mode was characterized primarily by the use of state information for conflict detection and resolution and an open-loop means for the pilot to meet operational constraints. The strategic mode involved the combined use of state and intent information, provided the pilot an additional level of alerting, and allowed a closed-loop approach to meeting operational constraints. Operational constraints included separation assurance, schedule adherence, airspace hazard avoidance, flight efficiency, and passenger comfort. Potential operational benefits of both modes are illustrated through several scenario case studies. Subjective pilot ratings and comments comparing the tactical and strategic modes are presented.

Wing, David J.↗

Functional Allocation Approach for Separation Assurance for Remotely Piloted Aircraft

A functional analysis framework is employed with the objective of exploring the separation assurance function for the remotely piloted aircraft system. The architecture of the remotely piloted aircraft system—highlighting several of the component systems and the functions resident onboard the remotely piloted aircraft and in the ground control station—is described to provide the context for understanding the complexity of the said system for a detailed functional analysis. The interactions between the agents of the separation assurance function belonging to the air traffic service provider, remotely piloted aircraft system operator and remotely piloted aircraft are described. Separation assurance by air traffic control, remain well clear by the remotely piloted aircraft system and collision avoidance onboard the remotely piloted aircraft are briefly discussed. The functional analysis framework is illustrated by relating the agents to the actions of (a) acquiring the surveillance information, (b) checking for conflicts, (c) creating the solutions for resolving conflicts and (d) implementing the conflict resolution solutions. This example is offered as a template by which a more detailed functional analysis of this and other functions could be developed. The architecture of the remotely piloted aircraft system is described to aid this process.

functional analysis↗

Functional Allocation Approach for Separation Assurance for Remotely Piloted Aircraft

A functional analysis framework is employed with the objective of exploring the separation assurance function for the remotely piloted aircraft system. The architecture of the remotely piloted aircraft system—highlighting several of the component systems and the functions resident onboard the remotely piloted aircraft and in the ground control station—is described to provide the context for understanding the complexity of the said system for a detailed functional analysis. The interactions between the agents of the separation assurance function belonging to the air traffic service provider, remotely piloted aircraft system operator and remotely piloted aircraft are described. Separation assurance by air traffic control, remain well clear by the remotely piloted aircraft system and collision avoidance onboard the remotely piloted aircraft are briefly discussed. The functional analysis framework is illustrated by relating the agents to the actions of (a) acquiring the surveillance information, (b) checking for conflicts, (c) creating the solutions for resolving conflicts and (d) implementing the conflict resolution solutions. This example is offered as a template by which a more detailed functional analysis of this and other functions could be developed. The architecture of the remotely piloted aircraft system is described to aid this process.

Functional analysis↗

4-D guidance system design with application to STOL air traffic control.

A new guidance technique, referred to as 4-D guidance, is being developed to improve the operation of future STOL aircraft transportation systems. 4-D guidance refers to a technique of synthesizing a complex three-dimensional flight path from simple pilot inputs and flying the aircraft along the path according to an ATC specified time schedule. The two major elements of a 4-D guidance system are the trajectory synthesizer and the control law for flying the aircraft along the synthesized trajectory using the aircraft's autopilot and autothrottle. Inputs to the trajectory synthesizer are the three-dimensional coordinates of waypoints, the turning radius, the speed range, the acceleration limits and the arrival time at time control waypoints. First the three-dimensional trajectory is computed using circular arcs and straight lines. Then the airspeed profile, compensated for wind, is calculated to achieve the desired arrival times. The pilot is informed if the arrival times cannot be achieved. The synthesized trajectory is stored as a time sequence of reference states and controls which the aircraft is forced to track using a linear feedback law.

Erzberger, H.↗

New trends in photonic switching and optical networking architectures for data centers and computing systems [Invited]

The rapid increases in data traffic coupled with user preferences are driving the data center and computing system service providers to offer energy-efficient, intelligent, flexible, cost-effective, high-capacity, and low-latency data services without added complexity to the users. Disaggregated heterogeneous reconfigurable computing systems realized by photonic switching and interconnects can enhance throughput and energy efficiency for artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) workloads, especially when aided by the AI/ML-enhanced control plane. Photonic switching and new optical networking architectures are expected to solve many of these challenging problems. This paper discusses new trends in photonic switching and optical network architectures for future data centers and computing systems summarized as follows: (1) flat reconfigurable disaggregated computing enabled by high-radix photonic switching and interconnects in data centers; (2) chiplet-based computing architectures empowered by embedded photonics toward heterogeneous reconfigurable computing; (3) nanosecond-scale photonic switching in data centers and computing systems; (4) AI/ML in self-driving, application-aware, and situation-aware data centers; (5) the emergence of flexible networking for cloud computing, edge computing, and split computing, as well as flexible networking for 5G/6G RF-optical networks; and (6) the deployment of embedded co-designed silicon photonics being considered for future data centers.

Yoo, S. J. Ben (ORCID:0000000274201871)↗

Charlotte - EDC Evaluation and Demonstration (CEED) Human-in-the-Loop Results Briefing to ATD-2 FAA Partners

The Charlotte EDC Evaluation and Demonstration (CEED) was the first Human-In-The-Loop experiment under the Air Traffic Management Technology Demonstration-2 (ATD-2) project. The purpose of the study was fourfold: 1) to establish a simulation environment (Charlotte) for airspace operations for ATD-2 technology, 2) to simulate current-day departures and arrival operations, 3) to assess the impact of current Traffic Management Initiatives (TMI) on Charlotte (CLT) departure flows and en route operations in Washington (ZDC) and Atlanta Centers (ZTL), and 4) to assess the impact of departure takeoff time compliance on airspace operations. The experimental design compared 3 TMIs and 2 compliance levels. Fourteen FAA retired controllers participated in the simulation. In addition, two Traffic Management Coordinators from ZTL and ZDC managed traffic flows. Surface and airborne delays, control efficiency, throughput, realism, workload, and acceptability were assessed and will be compared across the experimental conditions. Participants rated the simulation as very realistic. Results indicate that different TMIs have different impacts on surface and airspace delay. Departure compliance indicates partial benefits to sector complexity and controller workload. This simulation will provide an initial assessment of the tactical scheduling problems that the ATD-2 technology will address in the near term.

airspace technology demonstration 2↗

A Data Analysis Approach for Simulations of Urban Air Mobility Operations

For the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industry, NASA has defined a series of UAM Maturity Levels (UML) corresponding to increasingly more complex and operationally dense UAM operations. In support of the gradual progression towards higher UML levels, NASA is currently conducting a set of UAM air traffic simulations—collectively referred to as X4. This paper describes a set of system effectiveness measures, and their associated metrics, for data analysis of X4 simulations. The descriptions, rationales, and calculation procedures for two metrics to be used in data analysis of simulation results, the number of predicted demand-capacity imbalances and the pre-departure delays, are described. Results from data analysis of one set of simulation runs are presented to demonstrate how these metrics support the assessment of performance of the system architecture for X4 simulations and the verification of experiment requirements.

Urban Air Mobility↗

A Data Analysis and Simulation Study of Urban Air Mobility

For the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industry, NASA has defined a series of UAM Maturity Levels (UML) corresponding to increasingly more complex and operationally dense UAM operations. In support of the gradual progression towards higher UML levels, NASA is currently conducting a set of UAM air traffic simulations—collectively referred to as X4. This paper describes a set of system effectiveness measures, and their associated metrics, for data analysis of X4 simulations. The descriptions, rationales, and calculation procedures for two metrics to be used in data analysis of simulation results, the number of predicted demand-capacity imbalances and the pre-departure delays, are described. Results from data analysis of one set of simulation runs are presented to demonstrate how these metrics support the assessment of performance of the system architecture for X4 simulations and the verification of experiment requirements.

Urban Air Mobility↗

Overview of Model-Based Systems Engineering Efforts to Evolve the Airspace Research Roadmap

NASA’s Air Traffic Management-Exploration (ATM-X) UAM Airspace Subproject is conducting research that evolves UAM airspace towards a highly automated and operationally flexible system of the future. The complexity of UAM airspace evolution requires a plan to effectively organize, integrate, and communicate NASA’s research and development. The planning tool, called the UAM airspace research roadmap, or just roadmap, is key to the execution of NASA’s UAM airspace research over the next ten years. Implemented through Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology, the roadmap will help to prioritize and coordinate research efforts, and to integrate results that build towards NASA’s research goals of evolving UAM airspace for integration of UAM operations into the National Airspace System (NAS). This paper presents an overview of on-going MBSE efforts to meet these overarching goals.

Model-Based Systems Engineering↗

Concept of Operations for an In-time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) for Upper E Airspace

The National Airspace System undergoes continuous change including in the Upper Class E airspace involving increasingly complex operations and a widening diversity of vehicles. To secure a safe future system, the National Academies recommended an In-time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) that is extensible to Upper E. Current Air Traffic Management is not cost-effective to scale for future Upper E operations and diversity of vehicles so the Federal Aviation Administration developed an Upper E Traffic Management ConOps to safely integrate the diverse operations and vehicles having different performance characteristics and flight missions without disrupting current operations including space launch and reentry, suborbital flights, supersonic and hypersonic flights, slow moving or stationary unmanned balloons, and long endurance fixed wing vehicles that are slow, stationary, or high speed. IASMS integrates state-of-the-art predictive modeling with reactive and proactive analytics to detect hazards and mitigate risk precursors for Upper E operators. IASMS identifies emergent safety risks exposed by transformation of the NAS with new and increasingly complex operations. Safety intelligence will also expand the data available and offer insight to new approaches for implementing safety improvements to mitigate risk with more seamless “in-time” integration across the policy, risk management, safety assurance, and promotion pillars of SMS.

K Ellis↗

Overview of Model-Based Systems Engineering Efforts to Evolve the Airspace Research Roadmap

NASA’s Air Traffic Management-Exploration (ATM-X) UAM Airspace Subproject is conducting research that evolves UAM airspace towards a highly automated and operationally flexible system of the future. The complexity of UAM airspace evolution requires a plan to effectively organize, integrate, and communicate NASA’s research and development. The planning tool, called the UAM airspace research roadmap, or just roadmap, is key to the execution of NASA’s UAM airspace research over the next ten years. Implemented through Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology, the roadmap will help to prioritize and coordinate research efforts, and to integrate results that build towards NASA’s research goals of evolving UAM airspace for integration of UAM operations into the National Airspace System (NAS). This paper presents an overview of on-going MBSE efforts to meet these overarching goals. Note: Included mp4 video of presentation included in record, runtime 9 mins 57 secs.

Model-Based Systems Engineering↗

DS-GL: Advancing Graph Learning via Harnessing the Power of Nature within Dynamic Systems

With the rapid digitization of the world, an increasing number of real-world applications are turning to nonEuclidean data, modeled as graphs. Due to their intrinsic high complexity and irregularity, learning from graph data demands tremendous computational power. Recently, CMOS-compatible Ising machines, i.e., dynamic systems composed of CMOS components, have emerged as a new approach that harnesses the inherent power of natural annealing within dynamic systems to efficiently resolve binary optimization problems and have been adopted for traditional graph computation, such as max-cut. However, when performing complex Graph Learning (GL) tasks, Ising machines face significant hurdles: (i) they are inherently binary and thus ill-suited for real-valued problems; (ii) their expensive all-to-all coupling network that guarantees effective natural annealing poses daunting scalability concerns. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a nature-powered graph learning framework dubbed DS-GL, which is the first effort to transform the process of solving graph learning problems into the natural annealing process within a parameterized dynamic system embodied as a CMOS chip. To tackle the two major hurdles, DS-GL first augments the Ising machine architecture to modify the self-reaction term of its Hamiltonian function from linear to quadratic, effectively serving as an energy regulator. This adjustment maintains the system’s original physical interpretation while enabling it to process continuous, real-valued data. Second, to address the scaling issue, DS-GL further upgrades the real-valued dense Ising machine by decomposing it into a mesh-based multi-PE dynamic system that supports efficient distributed spatial-temporal co-annealing across different PEs through sparse interconnects. By exploiting the inherent sparsity and component structures in real-world graphs, DS-GL is able to map complex graph learning tasks onto the scalable dynamic system while maintaining high accuracy. Evaluations with three diverse GL applications across six real-world datasets, including traffic flow and COVID-19 prediction, show that DS-GL can deliver from 102× to 106× speedups and 500× energy reduction over Graph Neural Networks on GPUs, with 5% - 20% accuracy enhancement.

Song, Ruibing↗