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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 307 records · Page 17

Using Energy Storage-Based Grid Forming Inverters for Operational Reserve in Hybrid Diesel Microgrids

In remote arctic communities, where access to a bulk electrical grid interconnection is not available, the implementation of islanded microgrids has been the most viable way to produce and distribute electricity services to their inhabitants. Historically, these islanded grids have relied primarily on diesel generators or hydropower resources to supply the baseload. However, this practice can result in increased expense due to the high costs associated with fuel transportation and the significant amounts of on-site storage necessary when fuel transportation is unavailable during winter months. In order to mitigate this problem, arctic microgrids have started to transition to a hybrid-source operational mode by incorporating renewable energy sources that are inherently variable in nature, such as wind or solar. Due to their highly stochastic behavior, these hybrid-source islanded microgrids can pose potential issues related to power quality due to introduction of rapid net load fluctuations and inability of diesel generators to respond rapidly. In addition, non-firm stochastic sources can require significant idling diesel generator resources to serve as spinning reserves, which is inefficient and wasteful. This work studies the problems that may arise in the transient dynamics of a real-world hybrid diesel microgrid when subjected to a loss of wind generation. Moreover, this work proposes a transition from a diesel spinning reserve to a battery energy-storage system (BESS) operating reserve scheme. The study of the proposed transition is important in establishing the fundamental implication of transient dynamics and the potential benefits of integrating a BESS as a spinning reserve in terms of stability, frequency nadir, and transient voltage deviation. The methods to investigate and validate the transient dynamics relied on both electromagnetic simulation models of GFMIs and a commercially available GFMI in an experimental power hardware-in-the-loop setup. The simulation results showed that the proposed operating reserve scheme improves the power quality of the system in terms of voltage deviation and frequency nadir when the microgrid is subjected to a loss of wind generation scenario. Depending on the simulation cases, adding a GFMI reduced the frequency nadir between 65.3% and 86.7%. Moreover, the reductions in the voltage deviations improved between 3.6% and 23.0%. From these results it can be concluded that the integration of a GFMI can reduce the frequency nadir in a hybrid diesel microgrid, and in turn, reduce diesel consumption, which improves system reliability while reducing fuel expenses. Furthermore, the novelty of this work relies on the fact that the offline simulation results were validated using a power hardware-in-the-loop platform that incorporated a 100 kVA commercially available GFMI as the device under test.

Hernandez-Alvidrez, Javier↗

High Energy Properties of Galactic Superluminals

Intensive searches across the electromagnetic spectrum have shown that transient X-ray binary systems exhibit properties similar to the central engines of AGNs. Having proven that accretion disks are present in both types of systems, it is now the task to determine the accretion physics which brings about the observed phenomena. The galactic superluminal transient sources, which are strongly suspected of containing black holes, are particularly attractive for studying state changes, jets, quasi-periodic behavior, and flaring/outburst behavior on timescales a million times shorter than those of their extragalactic counterparts. The galactic sources GRS 1915+105, GRO J1655-40 and more recently-detected transients such as XTE J1748-288 have demonstrated a rich variety of spectral and temporal behaviors. I review some of these observations from the perspective of high energy astronomy with emphasis on recent data from the Compton Observatory and Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer.

Alan, Harmon B.↗

Severe Temperature Impact Study on Ferrite Electromagnetic Shielding for Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging

Wireless charging of an electric vehicle (EV) is an emerging technology that enables noncontact charging, which has advantages in terms of convenience and flexibility. However, the embedded charging pads under and on the ground expose the charging coils, ferrite shielding, and related components to a potentially severe external environment. To study the electromagnetic shielding performance under such extreme temperature conditions, ferrite shielding material's permeability characteristics are tested under temperatures as low as -50°C to as high as 240°C. Referring to the official recorded lowest and highest temperature of the United States, in this paper, it is assumed that the operation temperature ranges from -50°C to 57°C as the coldest winter and hottest summer environment for WPT application. Electromagnetic performance, shielding, and associated stray magnetic emissions are simulated by using three-dimensional (3D) transient simulations to study the impact of low and high temperature on electromagnetic shielding performance. Based on ferrite testing data, from -50°C low temperature to 57°C high temperature, the ferrite's relative permeability ranges from 2550 to 3727. The simulation study indicates that there won't be significant impact on the EM shielding performance for WPT operated under those severe environment temperature conditions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Fermi GBM Observations of LIGO Gravitational-Wave Event Gw150914

With an instantaneous view of 70% of the sky, the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) is an excellent partner in the search for electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational-wave (GW) events. GBM observations at the time of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) event GW150914 reveal the presence of a weak transient above 50 keV, 0.4 s after the GW event, with a false-alarm probability of 0.0022 (2.9(sigma)). This weak transient lasting 1 s was not detected by any other instrument and does not appear to be connected with other previously known astrophysical, solar, terrestrial, or magnetospheric activity. Its localization is ill-constrained but consistent with the direction of GW150914. The duration and spectrum of the transient event are consistent with a weak short gamma-ray burst (GRB) arriving at a large angle to the direction in which Fermi was pointing where the GBM detector response is not optimal. If the GBM transient is associated with GW150914, then this electromagnetic signal from a stellar mass black hole binary merger is unexpected. We calculate a luminosity in hard X-ray emission between 1 keV and 10 MeV of 1.8(sup +1.5, sub -1.0) x 10(exp 49) erg/s. Future joint observations of GW events by LIGO/Virgo and Fermi GBM could reveal whether the weak transient reported here is a plausible counterpart to GW150914 or a chance coincidence, and will further probe the connection between compact binary mergers and short GRBs.

gamma-ray burst: general – gravitational waves↗

Swift Follow-Up Observations of Candidate Gravitational-Wave Transient Events

We present the first multi-wavelength follow-up observations of two candidate gravitational-wave (GW) transient events recorded by LIGO and Virgo in their 2009-2010 science run. The events were selected with low latency by the network of GW detectors (within less than 10 minutes) and their candidate sky locations were observed by the Swift observatory (within 12 hr). Image transient detection was used to analyze the collected electromagnetic data, which were found to be consistent with background. Off-line analysis of the GW data alone has also established that the selected GW events show no evidence of an astrophysical origin; one of them is consistent with background and the other one was a test, part of a "blind injection challenge." With this work we demonstrate the feasibility of rapid follow-ups of GW transients and establish the sensitivity improvement joint electromagnetic and GW observations could bring. This is a first step toward an electromagnetic follow-up program in the regime of routine detections with the advanced GW instruments expected within this decade. In that regime, multi-wavelength observations will play a significant role in completing the astrophysical identification of GW sources. We present the methods and results from this first combined analysis and discuss its implications in terms of sensitivity for the present and future instruments.

Evans, P. A.↗

The Heraklion Extragalactic Catalogue (HECATE): A Value-added Galaxy Catalogue for Multimessenger Astrophysics

We present the Heraklion Extragalactic Catalogue, or HECATE, an all-sky value-added galaxy catalogue, aiming to facilitate present and future multiwavelength and multi messenger studies in the local Universe. It contains 204 733 galaxies up to a red shift of 0.047 (D200 Mpc), and it is>50 per cent complete in terms of the B-band luminosity density at distances in the0–170 Mpc range. By incorporating and homogenizing data from astronomical data bases and multiwavelength surveys, the catalogue offers positions, sizes, distances, morphological classifications, star formation rates, stellar masses, metallicities, and nuclear activity classifications. This wealth of information can enable a wide range of applications, such as (i) demographic studies of extragalactic sources, (ii) initial characterization of transient events, and (iii) searches for electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational-wave events. The catalogue is publicly available to the community at a dedicated portal, which will also host future extensions in terms of the covered volume and data products.

K Kovlakas↗

Transient Structure Current Generated by the Activation of a Squib Device

Experimental measurements of the currents in pyro-activation circuits show that a structure current is generated during the pyro-activation process. This current is a transient current and is an intense source of electromagnetic interference. Analysis has indicated that the noise voltage induced on candidate victim circuits is sufficient to cause circuit upset and/or latchup. A survey of flight anomaly records has also correlated the occurrence of anomalies with the pyro-activation process. Detailed analyses, taking the spacecraft cabling configuration and circuit sensitivities into account, have shown that the structure current induced noise voltage could definitely be the cause of the anomalies. The threat of the structure current due to pyro-activation can be alleviated by isolating the pyro-activation circuit from ground and by proper arrangement of the cables in sensitive circuits.

pyrotechnic↗

Electromagnetic fields produced by simulated spacecraft discharges

The initial phase of a broader, more complete program for the characterization of electrical breakdowns on spacecraft insulating materials is described which consisted of the development of a discharge simulator and characterization facility and the performance of a limited number of discharge measurements to verify the operation of the laboratory setup and to provide preliminary discharge transient field data. A preliminary model of the electromagnetic characteristics of the discharge was developed. It is based upon the "blow off" current model of discharges, with the underlying assumption of a propagating discharge. The laboratory test facility and discharge characterization instrumentation are discussed and the general results of the "quick look" tests are described on quartz solar reflectors aluminized Kapton and silver coated Teflon are described.

Nonevicz, J. E.↗

Transient currents generated by electrical discharges

Analytical expressions for the electromagnetic coupling between electrical discharges and floating conducting surfaces are derived. Electrical discharges can occur on satellite surfaces during energetic electron injection events associated with magnetospheric substorms. The theory presented here can be used to study interference to electronic circuits that may be caused by such discharges. The expressions derived in this paper are consistent with laboratory calibrations of an electrical pulse counter that has detected such discharges on a geostationary satellite.

Cauffman, D. P.↗

Testing For EM Upsets In Aircraft Control Computers

Effects of transient electrical signals evaluated in laboratory tests. Method of evaluating nominally fault-tolerant, aircraft-type digital-computer-based control system devised. Provides for evaluation of susceptibility of system to upset and evaluation of integrity of control when system subjected to transient electrical signals like those induced by electromagnetic (EM) source, in this case lightning. Beyond aerospace applications, fault-tolerant control systems becoming more wide-spread in industry; such as in automobiles. Method supports practical, systematic tests for evaluation of designs of fault-tolerant control systems.

Belcastro, Celeste M.↗

X-ray Transients in the Advanced LIGO/Virgo Horizon

Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo will be all-sky monitors for merging compact objects within a few hundred megaparsecs. Finding the electromagnetic counterparts to these events will require an understanding of the transient sky at low redshift (z < 0.1). We performed a systematic search for extragalactic, low redshift, transient events in the XMM-Newton Slew Survey. In a flux limited sample, we found that highly variable objects comprised 10% of the sample, and that of these, 10% were spatially coincident with cataloged optical galaxies. This led to 4 × 10(exp −4) transients per square degree above a flux threshold of 3×10(exp −12) erg/sq cm/s (0.2-2 keV) which might be confused with LIGO/Virgo counterparts. This represents the first extragalactic measurement of the soft X-ray transient rate within the Advanced LIGO/Virgo horizon. Our search revealed six objects that were spatially coincident with previously cataloged galaxies, lacked evidence for optical active galactic nuclei, displayed high luminosities approx. 10(exp 43) erg/s, and varied in flux by more than a factor of 10 when compared with the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. At least four of these displayed properties consistent with previously observed tidal disruption events.

gravitational waves↗

Igniter heater EMI transient test

Testing to evaluate Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor igniter heater electromagnetic interference (EMI) effects on the Safe and Arm (S and A) device was completed. It was suspected that EMI generated by the igniter heater and it's associated electromechanical relay could cause a premature firing of the NASA Standard Initiators (NSIs) inside the S and A. The maximum voltage induced into the NSI fire lines was 1/4 of the NASA specified no-fire limit of one volt (SKB 26100066). As a result, the igniter heaters are not expected to have any adverse EMI effects on the NSIs. The results did show, however, that power switching causes occasional high transients within the igniter heater power cable. These transients could affect the sensitive equipment inside the forward skirt. It is therefore recommended that the electromechanical igniter heater relays be replaced with zero crossing solid state relays. If the solid state relays are installed, it is also recommended that they be tested for EMI transient effects.

Cook, M.↗

Laboratory studies of spacecraft response to transient discharge pulses

The in-orbit measurement of spacecraft discharge properties was investigated. The experiments include design and fabrication of appropriate sensors and effects of spacecraft electromagnetic responses on the interpretation of the discharge data. Electric field sensors especially designed to response to high-speed transient signals were installed on a mock-up of a satellite. The simple mock-up was basically a sheet of aluminum rolled to form a cylinder. A movable spark-discharge noise source designed to be electromagnetically isolated from its power supply system was used to induce transient signals at various locations on the spacecraft's outer surface. The measurements and their implications are described. It is concluded that practical orbital measurements to define discharge noise source properties should be possible, and that simple mock-ups of the type described below are useful in sensor system design and data interpretation.

Nanevicz, J. E.↗

Diaspora: Resilience-enabling services for science from HPC to edge

Scientific applications of interest to DOE must increasingly engage distributed resources (e.g., instruments, remote computers, data stores, edge devices) and deliver more stringent levels of service (e.g., uninterrupted processing of experiment data streams). In such systems, state is distributed and components can fail in many ways, often silently, making application resilience a major concern. Addressing the resilience needs of such applications requires methods for gaining knowledge of resources and applications and for translating that knowledge into action. We are working on addressing these needs in the context of multi-messenger astronomy, where detecting and responding to unusual transient events in multiple cosmic messengers (gravitational wave, electromagnetic, high- energy particles) from different instruments leads to a federated learning problem.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Low power arcjet system spacecraft impacts

Application of electrothermal arcjets on communications satellites requires assessment of integration concerns identified by the user community. Perceived risks include plume contamination of spacecraft materials, induced arcing or electrostatic discharges between differentially charged spacecraft surfaces, and conducted and radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) for both steady state and transient conditions. A Space Act agreement between Martin Marietta Astro Space, the Rocket Research Company, and NASA's Lewis Research Center was established to experimentally examine these issues. Spacecraft materials were exposed to an arcjet plume for 40 hours, representing 40 weeks of actual spacecraft life, and contamination was characterized by changes in surface properties. With the exception of the change in emittance of one sample, all measurable changes in surface properties resulted in acceptable end of life characteristics. Charged spacecraft samples were benignly and consistently reduced to ground potential during exposure to the powered arcjet plume, suggesting that the arcjet could act as a charge control device on spacecraft. Steady state EMI signatures obtained using two different power processing units were similar to emissions measured in a previous test. Emissions measured in UHF, S, C, Ku and Ka bands obtained a null result which verified previous work in the UHF, S, and C bands. Characteristics of conducted and radiated transient emissions appear within standard spacecraft susceptibility criteria.

Pencil, Eric J.↗

Relativistic Electron Precipitation Events Driven by Solar Wind Impact on the Earth's Magnetosphere

Certain forms of solar wind transients contain significant enhancements of dynamic pressure and may effectively drive magnetosphere dynamics, including substorms and storms. An integral element of such driving is the generation of a wide range of electromagnetic waves within the inner magnetosphere, either by compressionally heated plasma or by substorm plasma sheet injections. Consequently, solar wind transient impacts are traditionally associated with energetic electron scattering and losses into the atmosphere by electromagnetic waves. In this study, we show the first direct measurements of two such transient-driven precipitation events as measured by the low-altitude Electron Losses and Fields Investigation CubeSats. The first event demonstrates storm-time generated electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves efficiently precipitating sub-relativistic and relativistic electrons from >300 keV to 2 MeV at the duskside. The second event demonstrates whistler-mode waves leading to scattering of electrons from 50 to 700 keV on the dawnside. These observations confirm the importance of solar wind transients in driving energetic electron losses and subsequent dynamics in the ionosphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Data and results of a laboratory investigation of microprocessor upset caused by simulated lightning-induced analog transients

Advanced composite aircraft designs include fault-tolerant computer-based digital control systems with thigh reliability requirements for adverse as well as optimum operating environments. Since aircraft penetrate intense electromagnetic fields during thunderstorms, onboard computer systems maya be subjected to field-induced transient voltages and currents resulting in functional error modes which are collectively referred to as digital system upset. A methodology was developed for assessing the upset susceptibility of a computer system onboard an aircraft flying through a lightning environment. Upset error modes in a general-purpose microprocessor were studied via tests which involved the random input of analog transients which model lightning-induced signals onto interface lines of an 8080-based microcomputer from which upset error data were recorded. The application of Markov modeling to upset susceptibility estimation is discussed and a stochastic model development.

Belcastro, C. M.↗

A monitor for the laboratory evaluation of control integrity in digital control systems operating in harsh electromagnetic environments

This paper presents a strategy for dynamically monitoring digital controllers in the laboratory for susceptibility to electromagnetic disturbances that compromise control integrity. The integrity of digital control systems operating in harsh electromagnetic environments can be compromised by upsets caused by induced transient electrical signals. Digital system upset is a functional error mode that involves no component damage, can occur simultaneously in all channels of a redundant control computer, and is software dependent. The motivation for this work is the need to develop tools and techniques that can be used in the laboratory to validate and/or certify critical aircraft controllers operating in electromagnetically adverse environments that result from lightning, high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF), and nuclear electromagnetic pulses (NEMP). The detection strategy presented in this paper provides dynamic monitoring of a given control computer for degraded functional integrity resulting from redundancy management errors, control calculation errors, and control correctness/effectiveness errors. In particular, this paper discusses the use of Kalman filtering, data fusion, and statistical decision theory in monitoring a given digital controller for control calculation errors.

Belcastro, Celeste M.↗