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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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2019

Image-Based Localization of Ultraviolet Corona

Systems and methods for identifying a fault in an electrical distribution system may include capturing an image of a corona event associated with a component of the electrical distribution system and processing the image of the corona event to identify the center and boundary of the corona event. An overlay for display with the image of the corona event may be generated, where the overlay identifying at least a center of the corona event and may be displayed to a user via a user interface device. In some cases, an unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise one or more image sensors capable of capturing the image of the corona event and communicate the images to a remote device for processing and display to the user. The image captured by the image sensors may include an ultraviolet image, a visible spectrum image, an infrared image, or a combination of image types.

Moore, Andrew J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

NWB Sensors Infrared Cloud Imager Data Products from SGP

NWB Sensors is a company which has developed a commercially available Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI). For more information, consult the company's webpage, https://www.nwbsensors.com/infrared-cloud-imager. To validate the radiometric accuracy of the ICI, NWB Sensors deployed it to the ARM SGP User Facility in 2023. The primary motivation of this deployment was to perform an intercomparison between the ICI and the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI). The AERI spectral radiance data product can be integrated across the response function of the ICI and directly compared to the zenith radiance observed by the ICI. In addition, the ICI uses proprietary models of the downwelling clear-sky radiance in its cloud processing algorithms. They are based on surface meteorology and precipitable water vapor (PWV). These models were validated by comparing their predicted radiances to those derived from radiative transfer models of the ARM radiosondes. Finally, PWV observations derived from the ICI's onboard GNSS-based PWV retrieval system were compared against those from the microwave radiometer. This dataset contains the ICI radiance and cloud data products.

Atmosphere↗
NASA NTRS1994

Two-dimensional maps of the infrared-to-radio ratio in spiral galaxies

We have produced two-dimensional maps of the intensity ratio Q(sub 60) of 60 micron infrared to 20 cm radio continuum emission, for a set of 25 nearby galaxies, mostly spirals. The ratio maps were obtained from infrared images made using Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) data with the Maximum Correlation Method, and radio images made using VLA data. Before taking the ratio, the radio images were processed so as to have the same resolution properties as the infrared images; the final spatial resolution in all cases is approximately 1 min, corresponding to 1-2 kpc for most galaxies. These images allow us to study the variations for the Q(sub 60) ratio with unprecedented spatial resolution, and thus represents a major improvement over earlier work. Our new high-resolution maps confirm the slow decrease of Q(sub 60) with increasing radial distance from the nucleus, but show additional structure which is probably associated with separate sites of active star formation in the spiral arms. The maps show Q(sub 60) to be more closely related to infrared surface brightness than to the radial distance in the galaxy disk. We expect that the results will provide improved constraints on the evolution (diffusion, decay and escape) of cosmic-ray electrons in the magnetic field of the disks.

Marsh, Kenneth A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

High Speed, Multi-Channel, Thermal Instrument Development in Support of HyspIRI-TIR

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is currently developing an end-to-end instrument which will provide a proof of concept prototype vehicle for a high data rate, multi-channel, thermal instrument in support of the Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI)-Thermal Infrared (TIR) space mission. HyspIRI mission was recommended by the National Research Council Decadal Survey (DS). The HyspIRI mission includes a visible shortwave infrared (SWIR) pushboom spectrometer and a multispectral whiskbroom thermal infrared (TIR) imager. The prototype testbed instrument addressed in this effort will only support the TIR. Data from the HyspIRI mission will be used to address key science questions related to the Solid Earth and Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems focus areas of the NASA Science Mission Directorate. Current designs for the HyspIRI-TIR space borne imager utilize eight spectral bands delineated with filters. The system will have 60m ground resolution, 200mK NEDT, 0.5C absolute temperature resolution with a 5-day repeat from LEO orbit. The prototype instrument will use mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) technology at the focal plane array in time delay integration mode. A custom read out integrated circuit (ROIC) will provide the high speed readout hence high data rates needed for the 5 day repeat. The current HyspIRI requirements dictate a ground knowledge measurement of 30m, so the prototype instrument will tackle this problem with a newly developed interferometeric metrology system. This will provide an absolute measurement of the scanning mirror to an order of magnitude better than conventional optical encoders. This will minimize the reliance on ground control points hence minimizing postprocessing (e.g. geo-rectification computations).

Multi-spectral↗
NASA NTRS2019

Wind Tunnel Flow Field Visualizations of the Space Launch System Vehicle Ascent

A wind tunnel test was conducted to characterize the aeroacoustic environment of several configurations of the Space Launch System during ascent. The test was conducted in the 11-by-11 foot transonic and 9-by-7 foot supersonic test sections at NASA Ames research center. Throughout this experiment data was collected from several types of instrumentation including: dynamic and steady-state pressure sensors, unsteady and steady pressure sensitive paint, time-resolved shadowgraph and infrared imaging. The following details results and analysis from the time-resolved shadowgraph and infrared imaging data systems. The time-resolved shadowgraph provided a qualitative measurement of the near-field turbulent fluctuations. These results helped provide context to the relative magnitude and frequency content of the fluid-structure-interaction driving the surface pressure phenomena characterized by the discrete pressure transducers and unsteady pressure sensitive paint. The infrared imaging was used to verify boundary layer trip effectiveness and provide temperature correction for the unsteady pressure sensitive paint.

Shadowgraph↗
NASA NTRS2017

On-Orbit Line Spread Function Estimation of the SNPP VIIRS Imaging System from Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge Images

The visible infrared imaging radiometer suite (VIIRS) instrument was launched 28 October 2011 onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite. The VIIRS instrument is a whiskbroom system with 22 spectral and thermal bands split between 16 moderate resolution bands (M-bands), five imagery resolution bands (I-bands) and a day-night band. In this study we estimate the along-scan line spread function (LSF) of the I-bands and M-bands based on measurements performed on images of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. In doing so we develop a model for the LSF that closely matches the prelaunch laboratory measurements. We utilize VIIRS images co-geolocated with a Landsat TM image to precisely locate the bridge linear feature in the VIIRS images as a linear best fit to a straight line. We then utilize non-linear optimization to compute the best fit equation of the VIIRS image measurements in the vicinity of the bridge to the developed model equation. From the found parameterization of the model equation we derive the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) as an approximation of the sensor field of view (FOV) for all bands, and compare these on-orbit measured values with prelaunch laboratory results.

Tilton, James C.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Wind Tunnel Flow Field Visualizations of the Space Launch System Vehicle Ascent

A series of wind tunnel tests were conducted to characterize the force-and-moment, and aeroacoustic environment of several configurations of the Space Launch System during ascent. The tests were conducted in the 11-by-11 foot transonic and 9-by-7 foot supersonic test sections at NASA Ames research center. Throughout these experiments data was collected from several types of instrumentation including: multicomponent force-and-moment strain gage balances, dynamic and steady-state pressure sensors, unsteady and steady pressure-sensitive paint, time-resolved shadowgraph and infrared imaging. The following details results and analysis from the time-resolved shadowgraph and infrared imaging data systems. The time-resolved shadowgraph and infrared imaging provided a qualitative measurement of the near-field turbulent fluctuations. These results helped provide context to the relative magnitude and frequency content of the fluid-structure-interaction driving the surface pressure phenomena characterized by the discrete pressure transducers and unsteady pressure sensitive paint.

Garbeff, Theodore J., II↗
NASA NTRS1994

Eye-Movement Tracking Using Compressed Video Images

Infrared video cameras offer a simple noninvasive way to measure the position of the eyes using relatively inexpensive equipment. Several commercial systems are available which use special hardware to localize features in the image in real time, but the constraint of realtime performance limits the complexity of the applicable algorithms. In order to get better resolution and accuracy, we have used off-line processing to apply more sophisticated algorithms to the images. In this case, a major technical challenge is the real-time acquisition and storage of the video images. This has been solved using a strictly digital approach, exploiting the burgeoning field of hardware video compression. In this paper we describe the algorithms we have developed for tracking the movements of the eyes in video images, and present experimental results showing how the accuracy is affected by the degree of video compression.

Mulligan, Jeffrey B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Effect of threshold parameters on infrared segmentation methods for porosity detection in electron beam powder bed fusion

In-situ process monitoring has seen significant interest in additive manufacturing to address qualification and certification goals. This is especially prevalent in metal powder bed fusion processes such as electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB), with layer-wise infrared imaging being commonly used to detect defects. Here, this work compares two different segmentation methods (static thresholding and statistical thresholding) used for detecting porosity from in-situ infrared imaging data for PBF-EB. Samples were manufactured at a variety of focus offset values to induce porosity. Then, the segmented infrared images were compared to ex-situ X-ray computed tomography scans, which served as a ground-truth reference for objective evaluation. Through this analysis framework, the influential parameters, static threshold and N-value (number of standard deviations above the mean pixel value), respectively, for both image segmentation methods were analyzed and compared for their effects on porosity detection. With optimal parameter settings, the two methods had similar porosity detection performance, but the statistical method performed better under a larger variety of parameter settings.

Infrared imaging↗
NASA NTRS1992

Infrared flow visualization of V/STOL aircraft

During low altitude operations of vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOVL) aircraft complex aeropropulsive flowfields are produced by the strong interactions between the engine exhaust jet or propeller wash and the runway and aircraft surfaces. Measurement of these unsteady 3 dimensional flowfields has not proven practical with conventional measurement techniques. It has been demonstrated that modern infrared imaging systems provide a practical means of obtaining flow visualization images of these complex aeropropulsive flowfields. Infrared images obtained with a dual wavelength scanning system are presented which provide detailed information on the flowfields about the NASA Ames XV-15 tiltrotor aircraft, the E-7 STOVL research model and the NASA Ames YAV-8B Harrier aircraft. It was found that the use of a dual wavelength infrared system provides valuable information about both the engine exhaust flowfield and the resulting heating of aircraft and runway surfaces.

Birckelbaw, Larry D.↗
NASA NTRS2022

The Future: Nasa’s Surface Biology and Geology Mission and the Dark (Aquatic) Side

With the release of NASA’s Earth System Observatory (ESO) measurement targets that includes studying the Earth’s Surface Biology and Geology (SBG), a global visible to shortwave infrared imaging spectrometer and a multispectral thermal infrared imager have been planned to launch in the late 2020s. This mission will enable unprecedented interdisciplinary science and applications relevant to studying the biology and geology of the Earth's surface. Measurement targets are directly aligned for studying coastal and inland waters ecosystems and water quality, including coralreef ecosystems, snow and ice, mineralogy, volcanology, biology, ecology, biodiversity, and components of radiative forcing from the surface such as greenhouse gas emissions. The observations not only have scientific value in studying feedbacks and interactions of surface processes (e.g., harmful algal blooms, domoic acid, oil spills, and other hazardous events), but also societal benefit – with the capacity to support real-world decision-making such as response to theseevents and inland water conservation, protection of drinking water quality for public and environmental health, and habitat conservation. The work presented here outlines the conducted mission and architecture study and the initiation of science performance trades (signal sensitivity; spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution; and atmospheric effects) informing the design of the SBG segment of the ESO providing the most value to myriad science and applications as possible. Science and applications synergies and algorithms with the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) and the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) is opportunistic for advancing aquatics research and applications.

THE FUTURE↗
NASA NTRS1972

Rock-type discrimination from ratioed infrared scanner images of Pisgah Crater, California.

The radiances in two thermal infrared channels of an airborne scanner system were ratioed to produce images that recorded compositionally diagnostic emittance variations for several silicate rock types near Pisgah Crater, California. The images demonstrate that the ratio method is capable of enhancing emittance variations in the presence of temperature extremes that differ by no more than 25 C, with no temperature corrections.

Vincent, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The spatial variation of the infrared-to-radio ratio in spiral galaxies

We have produced two-dimensional maps of the intensity ratio, Q(sub 60), of 60 micron infrared to 20 cm radio continuum emission, for a set of 25 nearby galaxies, mostly spirals. The ratio maps were obtained from infrared images made using IRAS data with the maximum correlation method, and radio images made using VLA data. Before taking the ratio, the radio images were processed so as to have the same resolution properties as the infrared images; the final spatial resolution in all cases is approximately 1 min, corresponding to 1 - 2 kpc for most galaxies. This resolution represents a significant improvement over previous studies. Our new high-resolution maps confirm the slow decrease of Q(sub 60) with increasing radial distance from the nucleus, but show additional structure which is probably associated with separate sites of active star formation in the spiral arms. The maps show Q(sub 60) to be more closely related to infrared surface brightness than to the radial distance r in the galaxy disk. We note also that the Q(sub 60) gradients are absent (or at least reduced) for the edge-on galaxies, a property which can be attributed to the dilution of contrast due to the averaging of the additional structure along the line of sight. The results are all in qualitative agreement with the suggestion that the radio image represents a smeared version of the infrared image, as would be expected on the basis of current models in which the infrared-radio correlation is driven by the formation of massive stars, and the intensity distribution of radio emission is smeared as a result of the propagation of energetic electrons accelerated during the supernova phase.

Marsh, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Near-infrared spectral imaging Michelson interferometer for astronomical applications

The design and operation of an imaging Michelson interferometer-spectrometer used for near-infrared (0.8 micron to 2.5 microns) spectral imaging are reported. The system employs a rapid scan interferometer modified for stable low resolution (250/cm) performance and a 42 element PbS linear detector array. A microcomputer system is described which provides data acquisition, coadding, and Fourier transformation for near real-time presentation of the spectra of all 42 scene elements. The electronic and mechanical designs are discussed and telescope performance data presented.

Wells, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Directional emittance surface measurement system and process

Apparatus and process for measuring the variation of directional emittance of surfaces at various temperatures using a radiometric infrared imaging system. A surface test sample is coated onto a copper target plate provided with selective heating within the desired incremental temperature range to be tested and positioned onto a precision rotator to present selected inclination angles of the sample relative to the fixed positioned and optically aligned infrared imager. A thermal insulator holder maintains the target plate on the precision rotator. A screen display of the temperature obtained by the infrared imager, and inclination readings are provided with computer calculations of directional emittance being performed automatically according to equations provided to convert selected incremental target temperatures and inclination angles to relative target directional emittance values. The directional emittance of flat black lacquer and an epoxy resin measurements obtained are in agreement with the predictions of the electromagnetic theory and with directional emittance data inferred from directional reflectance measurements made on a spectrophotometer.

Puram, Chith K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Evaluation of multispectral middle infrared aircraft images for lithologic mapping in the East Tintic Mountains, Utah

Six channels of multispectral middle infrared (8 to 14 micron) aircraft scanner data were acquired over the East Tintic mining district, Utah. This area has high relief and moderate vegetation and consists mainly of Tertiary silicic igneous rocks and Paleozoic quartzite and carbonate rocks that have been locally hydrothermally altered. These digital-image data were computer processed to create a color-composite image based on principal component transformations. Color differences in this image are related to the spectral differences in the surface material and allow discrimination of several rock types, depending primarily on their silica content. When combined with a visible and near infrared color-composite image from a previous flight, with limited field checking, it is possible to discriminate quartzite, carbonate rocks, quartz latitic and quartz monzonitic rocks, latitic and monzonitic rocks, silicified altered rocks, argillized altered rocks, and vegetation.

Kahle, A. B.↗