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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 289 records · Page 16

The Magneto-optical Filter, Working Principles and Recent Progress

The Magneto-Optical Filter is described which allows simultaneous magnetic and velocity measurements (in both imaging and non-imaging modes) without the need for a spectrograph. In this way the stability and alignment problems of the spectrograph are completely overcome. Its major advantages are: wavelength absolute reference and stability, high signal to noise ratio and independence of the transmission profile from the incidence angle of the solar beam. It is an imaging instrument allowing high wave number analysis in the solar oscillation spectrum and a continuous monitoring of the image position through the chromospheric facular structures. The apparatus in use at Mt. Wilson is assembled in a modular form. The most important part of it is a glass cell containing the sodium vapor. The filter is easy to use but the cell is not easy to construct in an optimal way. The technology is in progress both to use Na and K together and to prevent the windows from becoming coated during a long-term operation.

Cacciani, A.↗

Acoustic measurements of gas density

Sound transmission through gases in an enclosure is considered. Analytical results are given in terms of geometrical parameters, wave numbers, and source type for simple model problems, and are compared with data obtained by Haran (1983). It is concluded that density measurements can be made in a gas contained in an enclosure by measuring the sound pressure level at a receiver located near a dipole source driven at a constant velocity amplitude at low frequencies.

Shakkottai, P.↗

Non-linear dynamics of a geared rotor-bearing system with multiple clearances

The nonlinear frequency response characteristics of a geared rotor-bearing system are examined. A three-DOF dynamic model is developed which includes nonlinearities associated with radial clearances in the radial rolling element bearings and backlash between a spur gear pair; linear time-invariant gear meshing stiffness is assumed. The corresponding linear system problem is also solved, and predicted natural frequencies and modes match with finite element method results. The applicability of both analytical and numerical solution techniques to the multi-DOF nonlinear problem is investigated. Satisfactory agreement is found between the theory presented here and the available experimental data. Nonlinear modal interactions and differences between internal static transmission error excitation and external torque excitation are discussed. In addition, parametric studies are performed to understand the effect of system parameters such as bearing stiffness to gear mesh stiffness ratio, alternating to mean force ratio and radial bearing preload to mean force ratio on the nonlinear dynamic behavior.

Kahraman, A.↗

Experimental radiation cooled magnetrons for space

The heat disposal problem that occurs in the microwave generator of the Solar Power Satellite when it converts dc power from solar photovoltaic arrays into microwave power for transmission to earth is examined. A theoretical study is made of the radiation cooling of a magnetron directional amplifier, and some experimental data obtained from the QKH 2244 magnetron are presented. This instrument is an unpackaged microwave oven magnetron to which an anodized aluminum radiator has been attached and whose magnetic field is supplied by special samarium cobalt magnets.

Brown, W. C.↗

Digital mammography, cancer screening: Factors important for image compression

The use of digital mammography for breast cancer screening poses several novel problems such as development of digital sensors, computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) methods for image noise suppression, enhancement, and pattern recognition, compression algorithms for image storage, transmission, and remote diagnosis. X-ray digital mammography using novel direct digital detection schemes or film digitizers results in large data sets and, therefore, image compression methods will play a significant role in the image processing and analysis by CAD techniques. In view of the extensive compression required, the relative merit of 'virtually lossless' versus lossy methods should be determined. A brief overview is presented here of the developments of digital sensors, CAD, and compression methods currently proposed and tested for mammography. The objective of the NCI/NASA Working Group on Digital Mammography is to stimulate the interest of the image processing and compression scientific community for this medical application and identify possible dual use technologies within the NASA centers.

Clarke, Laurence P.↗

Human Performance Issues of Lunar-Sited Teleoperations

Teleoperations in terrestrial environments present a number of challenges to system operators and designers. Transmission lags, restricted visual fields, and reduced or distorted tactile/kinesthetic feedback can compromise performance, especially for innerloop control tasks (e.g., vehicle or manipulator control). These problems are likely to be exacerbated in lunar operations, since teleoperation may occur across large distances. Further, the lunar environment will introduce unique concerns. For example, the teleoperated systems will reflect the reduced gravity of the moon. In addition to the novelty of these dynamics, operators will often have to cope with them while physically located in a terrestrial or microgravity environment. Similarly, the optical characteristics of the lunar environment differ from our usual experience (e.g., lack of atmospheric attenuation) in ways that may impact normative depth, distance, and motion perception. These human factors issues are related to the question of humans adapting to a lunar environment. However, teleoperations requires the operator to maintain functionality in both the control station and end-effector environments, defeating more straightforward environmental adaptation strategies.

Kaiser, Mary K.↗

Two-Dimensional Synthetic-Aperture Radiometer

A two-dimensional synthetic-aperture radiometer, now undergoing development, serves as a test bed for demonstrating the potential of aperture synthesis for remote sensing of the Earth, particularly for measuring spatial distributions of soil moisture and ocean-surface salinity. The goal is to use the technology for remote sensing aboard a spacecraft in orbit, but the basic principles of design and operation are applicable to remote sensing from aboard an aircraft, and the prototype of the system under development is designed for operation aboard an aircraft. In aperture synthesis, one utilizes several small antennas in combination with a signal processing in order to obtain resolution that otherwise would require the use of an antenna with a larger aperture (and, hence, potentially more difficult to deploy in space). The principle upon which this system is based is similar to that of Earth-rotation aperture synthesis employed in radio astronomy. In this technology the coherent products (correlations) of signals from pairs of antennas are obtained at different antenna-pair spacings (baselines). The correlation for each baseline yields a sample point in a Fourier transform of the brightness-temperature map of the scene. An image of the scene itself is then reconstructed by inverting the sampled transform. The predecessor of the present two-dimensional synthetic-aperture radiometer is a one-dimensional one, named the Electrically Scanned Thinned Array Radiometer (ESTAR). Operating in the L band, the ESTAR employs aperture synthesis in the cross-track dimension only, while using a conventional antenna for resolution in the along-track dimension. The two-dimensional instrument also operates in the L band to be precise, at a frequency of 1.413 GHz in the frequency band restricted for passive use (no transmission) only. The L band was chosen because (1) the L band represents the long-wavelength end of the remote- sensing spectrum, where the problem of achieving adequate spatial resolution is most critical and (2) imaging airborne instruments that operate in this wavelength range and have adequate spatial resolution are difficult to build and will be needed in future experiments to validate approaches for remote sensing of soil moisture and ocean salinity. The two-dimensional instrument includes a rectangular array of patch antennas arranged in the form of a cross. The ESTAR uses analog correlation for one dimension, whereas the two-dimensional instrument uses digital correlation. In two dimensions, many more correlation pairs are needed and low-power digital correlators suitable for application in spaceborne remote sensing will help enable this technology. The two-dimensional instrument is dual-polarized and, with modification, capable of operating in a polarimetric mode. A flight test of the instrument took place in June 2003 and it participated in soil moisture experiments during the summers of 2003 and 2004.

LeVine, David M.↗

Digital Twin: Visualizing the Future of the Power Grid [Slides]

The energy systems are generating data at a scale and complexity that increasingly outpaces our ability to analyze it. This talk argues that rigorous, large-scale visualization is a critical tool for meeting that challenge. Drawing on recent work in the Computational Science Center at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, we trace a progression of visualization research culminating in an immersive digital twin of a real campus power grid. Along the way, we examine why visualization matters at all, where widely-used techniques quietly fail, and what becomes analytically possible when you match the display environment to the scale of the problem.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Non-Gimbaled Antenna Pointing: Summary of Results and Analysis

There is considerable interest at this time in developing small satellites for quick-turnaround missions to investigate near-earth phenomena from space. One problem to be solved in mission planning is the means of communication between the control infrastructure in the ground segment and the satellite in the space segment. A nominal small-satellite mission design often includes an omni-directional or similar wide-pattern antenna on the satellite and a dedicated ground station for telemetry, tracking, and command support. These terminals typically provide up to 15 minutes of coverage during an orbit that is within the visibility of the ground station; however, not all orbits will pass over the ground station so that coverage gaps will exist in the data flow. To overcome this general limitation on data transmission for low-earth orbiting satellites, the Space Network (SN), operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, (NASA) has been designed to transmit data to and from user satellites through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) in geostationary orbit and interfacing to the White Sands Complex (WSC) in New Mexico for the data's ground entry point. The advantage of the SN over a fixed ground station is that all low-earth-satellite orbits will be within the visibility area of at least one TDRS within the SN for a large part of the orbit and the potential exists to establish a communications link if the user satellite can point an antenna in the direction of any one of the relay satellites. Within NASA, there is considerable interest in seeing that small satellite developers are aware of the advantages to the SN and that designs to include the SN are part of the satellite design. Small satellite users have not often considered using the SN because of: (1) The 26-dB link penalty differential between direct broadcast to a ground station and transmission through a TDRS to the ground; (2) The class of satellite is too small to support high-gain antennas and associated attitude control and drive electronics; (3) The class of satellites is severely weight and power limited; (4) There are perceived problems in scheduling communications for this class of user on the SN. This report addresses the potential for SN access using non-gimbaled, i.e. fixed-pointed, antennas in the design of the small satellite using modest transmission power to achieve the necessary space-to-ground transmissions. The advantage of using the SN is in the reduction of mission costs arising from using the SN infrastructure instead of a dedicated, proprietary ground station using a similar type of communications package. From the simulations and analysis presented, we will show that a modest satellite configuration can be used with the space network to achieve the data transmission goals of a number of users and thereby rival the performance achieved with proprietary ground stations. In this study, we will concentrate on the return data link (from the user satellite through a TDRS to the ground data entry point). The forward command link (from the ground data entry point through a TDRS to the user satellite) will usually be a lower data rate service and the data volume will also be considerably lower than the return link's requirement. Therefore, we assume that if the return link requirements are satisfied, then the forward link requirements can also be satisfied.

Horan, Stephen↗

The data-handling problem with television recording of spectra.

A television tube is a useful way to record a many-element picture such as is obtained from an echelle spectrograph. The signal on the tube target is scanned and relayed to the data-processing center where it must be reconstituted into the scene that was present in the focal plane of the spectrograph camera. A typical television frame will contain four million bits of information which must be processed to remove transmission errors and random noise pulses, to remove periodic noise, to correct for optical and electrical distortion, to remove sensitivity variations across the face of the tube, to calibrate from the photoelectrons back to incident energy, and to provide a wavelength scale. Results of a study of these problems is presented.

Underhill, A. B.↗

A Personal Journey in Nanoscience via Developing and Applying Liquid Phase TEM

Liquid phase TEM has attracted widespread attention in recent years as a groundbreaking tool to address various fundamental problems in nanoscience. It has provided the opportunity to reveal many unseen dynamic phenomena of nanoscale materials in solution processes by direct imaging through liquids with high spatial and temporal resolution. After my earlier work on real-time imaging of the nucleation, growth, and dynamic motion of nanoparticles in liquids by developing high-resolution liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) down to the sub-nanometer level, I established my own research group at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in 2010. My group focuses on developing and applying liquid phase TEM to investigate complex systems and reactions. We have studied a set of scientific problems centered on understanding how atomic level heterogeneity and fluctuations at solid-liquid interfaces impact nanoscale materials transformations using advanced liquid phase TEM. This article describes my personal journey in nanoscience, highlighting the main discoveries of my research group using liquid phase TEM as a unique tool. Some perspectives on the impacts of liquid phase TEM and the future opportunities in nanoscience and nanotechnology enabled by liquid phase TEM are also included.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Views on computer program documentation and automation

Various aspects of the problem of program documentation and description are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the problem of semantics. It is pointed out that the information produced by documentation of a program, if presented to several different groups, may mean entirely different things to these groups. Recognition of the fact that people look at problems differently is proposed as a more practical approach to the problem of documentation rather than extensive use of standards or strict formatting. The difficulties involved in searching for ways to provide a common ground for the transmission and use of information are discussed.

Grosch, H. R.↗

Vibration analysis of rotor blades with an attached concentrated mass

The effect of an attached concentrated mass on the dynamics of helicopter rotor blades is determined. The point transmission matrix method was used to define, through three completely automated computer programs, the natural vibrational characteristics (natural frequencies and mode shapes) of rotor blades. The problems of coupled flapwise bending, chordwise bending, and torsional vibration of a twisted nonuniform blade and its special subcase pure torsional vibration are discussed. The orthogonality relations that exist between the natural modes of rotor blades with an attached concentrated mass are derived. The effect of pitch, rotation, and point mass parameters on the collective, cyclic, scissor, and pure torsional modes of a seesaw rotor blade is determined.

Murthy, V. R.↗

On the Contribution of Turbulent Boundary Layers to the Noise Inside a Fuselage

The following report deals in preliminary fashion with the transmission through a fuselage of random noise generated on the fuselage skin by a turbulent boundary layer. The concept of attenuation is abandoned and instead the problem is formulated as a sequence of two linear couplings: the turbulent boundary layer fluctuations excite the fuselage skin in lateral vibrations and the skin vibrations induce sound inside the fuselage. The techniques used are those required to determine the response of linear systems to random forcing functions of several variables. A certain degree of idealization has been resorted to. Thus the boundary layer is assumed locally homogeneous, the fuselage skin is assumed flat, unlined and free from axial loads and the 'cabin' air is bounded only by the vibrating plate so that only outgoing waves are considered. Some of the details of the statistical description have been simplified in order to reveal the basic features of the problem. The results, strictly applicable only to the limiting case of thin boundary layers, show that the sound pressure intensity is proportional to the square of the free stream density, the square of cabin air density and inversely proportional to the first power of the damping constant and to the second power of the plate density. The dependence on free stream velocity and boundary layer thickness cannot be given in general without a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of the pressure fluctuations in the boundary layer (in particular the frequency spectrum). For a flat spectrum the noise intensity depends on the fifth power of the velocity and the first power of the boundary layer thickness. This suggests that boundary layer removal is probably not an economical means for decreasing cabin noise. In general, the analysis presented here only reduces the determination of cabin noise intensity to the measurement of the effect of any one of our variables (free stream velocity, boundary layer thickness, plate thickness or the characteristic velocity of propagation in the plate). The plate generates noise by vibrating in resonance over a wide range of frequencies and increasing the damping constant is consequently an effective method of decreasing noise generation. One of the main features of the results is that the relevant quantities upon which noise intensity depends are non-dimensional numbers in which boundary layer and plate properties enter as ratios. This is taken as an indication that in testing models of structures for boundary layer noise it is not sufficient to duplicate in the model the structural characteristics of the fuselage. One must match properly the characteristics of the exicitng pressure fluctuations to that of the structure.

Corcos, G. M.↗

Propagation along azimuthally magnetized ferrite-loaded circular waveguides

The paper describes the modal dispersion characteristics of electromagnetic waves traveling along the azimuthally magnetized ferrite-loaded coaxial transmission line and the ferrite-loaded wire. The modal dispersion curves are used to determine the pass and stop bands of normal propagation. Boundary-value problems were solved with Bolle-Heller functions. The dispersion characteristics of transverse electric modes are presented as plots of the normalized propagation constant vs the normalized frequency.

Mueller, R. S.↗

Multiple-access channels without synchronization

This paper discusses models for multiple-access communications which take into account the fact that the channel users may not be able to synchronize their transmissions. It is shown that for a broad class of such channels, the capacity region is the same as it would be with user synchronization. Some open problems are discussed.

Mceliece, R. J.↗

Space station internal propagation

The Space Station Freedom (SSF) is planned with a wireless communication system in place for the transmission of information between crew members on board. The clarity of transmission is paramount to an effective system of communication. A short overview is presented of the system including the requirements of interest, and a statement of the problem. The theory used to solve the problem is explored. The results given are for the experiments performed on a mockup of the proposed structure at NASA-Marshall. The requirements on the signal level are that there is a 45 dB signal to noise ratio from end to end, and that coverage over 99 pct. of the volume be maintained. The Rice probability distribution function, a simple extension of the Rayleigh distribution, is used to estimate the field strength inside a volume, where a significant line of sight from the transmitter to the receiver exists. For the SSF, this distribution will correspond to the summation of a coherent line of sight path between the transmitter and the receiver and an incoherent portion. The incoherent portion is the sum of reflections from the walls and the equipment inside the SSF. The Rice distribution was found to be the optimal distribution from the results.

Richie, J. E.↗

Enhancing the dark-state bistability and thermal stability of zinc dynamic windows with nitrile electrolytes

Reversible metal electrodeposition (RME) for dynamic windows is a promising alternative to traditional electrochromics. We explore the reasons behind the bistability of practical RME dynamic windows under a wide temperature range, i.e., how well they maintain their dark state without external power. While Zn dynamic windows with dimethyl sulfoxide electrolytes exhibit adequate bistability at room temperature, their performance degrades at elevated temperatures due to the presence of small amounts of water. Here, to overcome this problem, we developed a set of Zn nitrile electrolytes. The integrated devices can maintain dark-state bistability over at least 1 month at 85°C with 0.1% transmission using a propionitrile (PrCN) electrolyte. Additionally, the PrCN-based Zn dynamic windows possess high optical contrast, color-neutral switching, and promising cyclability, making Zn RME in nitrile electrolytes a promising solution for achieving robust dynamic windows.

RME↗