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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of HPK n + - p planar pixel sensors for the CMS Phase-2 upgrade

To cope with the challenging environment of the planned high luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), scheduled to start operation in 2029, CMS will replace its entire tracking system. The requirements for the tracker are largely determined by the long operation time of 10 years with an instantaneous peak luminosity of up to 7.5 × 10 34 cm –2 s –1 in the ultimate performance scenario. Depending on the radial distance from the interaction point, the silicon sensors will receive a particle fluence corresponding to a non-ionizing energy loss of up to $\Phi_{\text {eq}}$ = 3.5 × 10 16 cm –2 . Here this paper focuses on planar pixel sensor design and qualification up to a fluence of $\Phi_{\text {eq}}$ = 1.4 × 10 16 cm –2 . For the development of appropriate planar pixel sensors an R&D program was initiated, which includes $n^+ -p$ sensors on 150 mm (6”) wafers with an active thickness of 150 μm with pixel sizes of 100 × 25 μm 2 and 50 × 50 μm 2 manufactured by Hamamatsu. Single chip modules with ROC4Sens and RD53A readout chips were made. Irradiation with protons and neutrons, as well was an extensive test beam campaign at DESY were carried out. This paper presents the investigation of various assemblies mainly with ROC4Sens readout chips. It demonstrates that multiple designs fulfill the requirements in terms of breakdown voltage, leakage current and efficiency. The single point resolution for 50 × 50 μm 2 pixels is measured as 4.0 μm for non-irradiated samples, and 6.3 μm after irradiation to $\Phi_{\text {eq}}$ = 7.2 × 10 15 cm –2 .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of ASTM International D8405—Standard Test Method for Evaluating PM 2.5 Sensors or Sensor Systems Used in Indoor Applications

Sensors and sensor systems for monitoring fine particles with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 2.5 µm can provide real-time feedback on indoor air quality and thus can help guide actions to manage indoor air pollutant concentrations. Standardized verification of the performance and accuracy of sensors and sensor systems is crucial for predicting the efficacy of such monitoring. A new ASTM International standard test method (ASTM D8405) was created for this need and is the most exacting laboratory protocol published to date for evaluating indoor air quality sensors and sensor systems measuring particles smaller than 2.5 µm in diameter. ASTM D8405 subjects sensors and sensor systems to five test phases: (1) an initial particle concentration ramp; (2) exposure to various temperature and humidity conditions; (3) exposure to interfering particles; (4) temperature cycling; and (5) a final particle concentration ramp to assess drift. This paper discusses the development of the standard test method, key aspects of the testing process, example evaluation results, and a comparison of this standard test method against peer evaluation protocols.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1990

Physical retrieval of precipitation water contents from Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data. Part 1: A cloud ensemble/radiative parameterization for sensor response (report version)

The physical retrieval of geophysical parameters based upon remotely sensed data requires a sensor response model which relates the upwelling radiances that the sensor observes to the parameters to be retrieved. In the retrieval of precipitation water contents from satellite passive microwave observations, the sensor response model has two basic components. First, a description of the radiative transfer of microwaves through a precipitating atmosphere must be considered, because it is necessary to establish the physical relationship between precipitation water content and upwelling microwave brightness temperature. Also the spatial response of the satellite microwave sensor (or antenna pattern) must be included in the description of sensor response, since precipitation and the associated brightness temperature field can vary over a typical microwave sensor resolution footprint. A 'population' of convective cells, as well as stratiform clouds, are simulated using a computationally-efficient multi-cylinder cloud model. Ensembles of clouds selected at random from the population, distributed over a 25 km x 25 km model domain, serve as the basis for radiative transfer calculations of upwelling brightness temperatures at the SSM/I frequencies. Sensor spatial response is treated explicitly by convolving the upwelling brightness temperature by the domain-integrated SSM/I antenna patterns. The sensor response model is utilized in precipitation water content retrievals.

Olson, William S.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Embedded Acoustic Sensor Array for Engine Fan Noise Source Diagnostic Test: Feasibility of Noise Telemetry via Wireless Smart Sensors

Aircraft engines have evolved into a highly complex system to meet ever-increasing demands. The evolution of engine technologies has primarily been driven by fuel efficiency, reliability, as well as engine noise concerns. One of the sources of engine noise is pressure fluctuations that are induced on the stator vanes. These local pressure fluctuations, once produced, propagate and coalesce with the pressure waves originating elsewhere on the stator to form a spinning pressure pattern. Depending on the duct geometry, air flow, and frequency of fluctuations, these spinning pressure patterns are self-sustaining and result in noise which eventually radiate to the far-field from engine. To investigate the nature of vane pressure fluctuations and the resulting engine noise, unsteady pressure signatures from an array of embedded acoustic sensors are recorded as a part of vane noise source diagnostics. Output time signatures from these sensors are routed to a control and data processing station adding complexity to the system and cable loss to the measured signal. "Smart" wireless sensors have data processing capability at the sensor locations which further increases the potential of wireless sensors. Smart sensors can process measured data locally and transmit only the important information through wireless communication. The aim of this wireless noise telemetry task was to demonstrate a single acoustic sensor wireless link for unsteady pressure measurement, and thus, establish the feasibility of distributed smart sensors scheme for aircraft engine vane surface unsteady pressure data transmission and characterization.

Zaman, Afroz↗
NASA NTRS2021

From Low-Cost Sensors to High-Quality Data: A Review of Challenges and Summary of Best Practices for Effectively Using Low-Cost Particulate Matter Mass Sensors

Low-cost sensors for particulate matter mass (PM) enable spatially dense, high temporal resolution measurements of air quality that traditional reference monitoring cannot. Low-cost PM sensors are especially beneficial in low and middle-income countries where few, if any, reference grade measurements exist and in areas where the concentration fields of air pollutants have significant spatial gradients. Unfortunately, low-cost PM sensors also come with a number of challenges that must be addressed if their data products are to be used for anything more than a qualitative characterization of air quality. The various PM sensors used in low-cost monitors are all subject to biases and calibration dependencies, corrections for which range from relatively straightforward(e.g. meteorology, age of sensor) to complex (e.g. aerosol source, composition, refractive index). The methods for correcting and calibrating these biases and dependencies that have been used in the literature likewise range from simple linear and quadratic models to complex machine learning algorithms. Here we review the needs and challenges when trying to get high-quality data from low-cost sensors. We also present a set of best practices to follow to obtain high-quality data from these low-cost sensors.

low-cost sensors↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sensor Drift Estimation for Reactor Systems by Fusing Multiple Sensor Measurements

A nuclear power plant is instrumented with a variety of sensors that monitor its variables to estimate the state and initiate safety actions, if needed. We address the problem of estimating drifts or errors in sensor measurements due to factors such as calibration changes. We propose an information fusion method that uses measurements from other sensors to generate an estimate of a sensor measurement, and its difference from an actual measurement provides an error estimate. We present two fusers based on the ensemble of trees and support vector machine that are trained using sensor measurements collected at an emulated test loop of a pressurized water reactor under no-drift conditions. We present error estimates for a differential pressure sensor of the heat exchanger of the primary coolant system, under twenty controlled scenarios using the test loop. Both positive and negative errors are captured by both methods in scenarios involving calibration drifts, blocking, air gap and electromagnetic interference. The root mean square errors of estimated drifts are typically within 2% percent of the maximum.

Rao, Nageswara↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical aptamer-based sensors: leveraging the sensing platform for minimally-invasive microneedle measurements and fundamental exploration of sensor biofouling dynamics

The ability to track the concentrations of specific molecules in the body in real time would significantly improve our ability to study, monitor, and respond to diseases. To achieve this, we require sensors that can withstand the complex environment inside the body. Electrochemical aptamer-based sensors are particularly promising for in vivo sensing, as they are among the only generalizable sensing technologies that can achieve real-time molecular monitoring directly in blood and the living body. In this project, we first focused on extending the application space of aptamer sensors to support minimally-invasive wearable measurements. To achieve this, we developed individually-addressable sensors with commercial off-the-shelf microneedles. We demonstrated sensor function in buffer, blood, and porcine skin (a common proxy for human skin). In addition to the applied sensing project, we also worked to improve fundamental understanding of the aptamer sensing platform and how it responds to biomolecular interferents. Specifically, we explored the interfacial dynamics of biofouling – a process impacting sensors placed in complex fluids, such as blood.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1975

The optical slit sensor as a standard sensor for spacecraft attitude determination

The basic concept of an optical slit sensor as a standard altitude sensor is considered for any missions using a spinning spacecraft or where rotating sensors or mirrors could be used. Information available from a single sensor or from two sensors is analyzed. A standard slit sensor package is compared with the altitude package flown on the first synchronous meteorological satellite.

Wertz, J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Magnetic field sensor for isotropically sensing an incident magnetic field in a sensor plane

A magnetic field sensor that isotropically senses an incident magnetic field. This is preferably accomplished by providing a magnetic field sensor device that has one or more circular shaped magnetoresistive sensor elements for sensing the incident magnetic field. The magnetoresistive material used is preferably isotropic, and may be a CMR material or some form of a GMR material. Because the sensor elements are circular in shape, shape anisotropy is eliminated. Thus, the resulting magnetic field sensor device provides an output that is relatively independent of the direction of the incident magnetic field in the sensor plane.

Pant, Bharat B.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Methods for manufacturing electrochemical sensors, and related electrochemical sensors

Methods for manufacturing an electrochemical sensor include forming at least one electrode by printing at least one conductive ink on a surface of at least one substrate. The conductive ink may comprise, e.g., a platinum-group metal, another transition-group metal with a high-temperature melting point, a conductive ceramic material, glass-like carbon, or a combination thereof. The electrochemical sensor may be free of another material over the at least one electrode. An electrochemical sensor, formed according to such methods, may be configured for use in harsh environments (e.g., a molten salt environment). Electrodes of the electrochemical sensor comprise conductive material formed from a printed, conductive ink. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrochemical sensor is free of silver, gold, copper, silicon, and polymer materials, such portion being that which is to be exposed to the harsh environment during use of the electrochemical sensor.

Shaltry, Michael R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Analysis of Temperature Effects on GS-13 Short Period Sensors Utilizing Sandia's Seismic Sensor Temperature Testbed

Sandia National Laboratories has fabricated a Seismic Sensor Temperature Testbed (SSTT) suitable for exposing sensors under test to a range of reasonably stable temperatures while a co-located reference sensor is maintained at room temperature. The testbed has proven sufficiently quiet to allow recording of high-coherence signals from regional earthquakes in the passband of the seismometers, allowing a direct comparison of signals between the sensors under test and the reference sensor.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1987

Development of response models for the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) sensors. Part 1: Dynamic models and computer simulations for the ERBE nonscanner, scanner and solar monitor sensors

Dynamic models and computer simulations were developed for the radiometric sensors utilized in the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE). The models were developed to understand performance, improve measurement accuracy by updating model parameters and provide the constants needed for the count conversion algorithms. Model simulations were compared with the sensor's actual responses demonstrated in the ground and inflight calibrations. The models consider thermal and radiative exchange effects, surface specularity, spectral dependence of a filter, radiative interactions among an enclosure's nodes, partial specular and diffuse enclosure surface characteristics and steady-state and transient sensor responses. Relatively few sensor nodes were chosen for the models since there is an accuracy tradeoff between increasing the number of nodes and approximating parameters such as the sensor's size, material properties, geometry, and enclosure surface characteristics. Given that the temperature gradients within a node and between nodes are small enough, approximating with only a few nodes does not jeopardize the accuracy required to perform the parameter estimates and error analyses.

Halyo, Nesim↗
NASA NTRS1997

Experimental Robot Position Sensor Fault Tolerance Using Accelerometers and Joint Torque Sensors

Robot systems in critical applications, such as those in space and nuclear environments, must be able to operate during component failure to complete important tasks. One failure mode that has received little attention is the failure of joint position sensors. Current fault tolerant designs require the addition of directly redundant position sensors which can affect joint design. The proposed method uses joint torque sensors found in most existing advanced robot designs along with easily locatable, lightweight accelerometers to provide a joint position sensor fault recovery mode. This mode uses the torque sensors along with a virtual passive control law for stability and accelerometers for joint position information. Two methods for conversion from Cartesian acceleration to joint position based on robot kinematics, not integration, are presented. The fault tolerant control method was tested on several joints of a laboratory robot. The controllers performed well with noisy, biased data and a model with uncertain parameters.

Aldridge, Hal A.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Fiber Optic Sensors for Health Monitoring of Morphing Airframes: Bragg Grating Strain and Temperature Sensor - Part 1

Fiber optic sensors are being developed for health monitoring of future aircraft. Aircraft health monitoring involves the use of strain, temperature, vibration and chemical sensors to infer integrity of the aircraft structure. Part 1 of this two part series describes sensors that will measure load and temperature signatures of these structures. In some cases a single fiber may be used for measuring these parameters. Part 2 will describe techniques for using optical fibers to monitor composite cure in real time during manufacture and to monitor in-service integrity of composite structures using a single fiber optic sensor capable of measuring multiple chemical and physical parameters. The facilities for fabricating optical fiber and associated sensors and the methods of demodulating Bragg gratings for strain measurement will be described.

Wood, Karen↗
NASA NTRS2012

Comparison of an Inductance In-Line Oil Debris Sensor and Magnetic Plug Oil Debris Sensor

The objective of this research was to compare the performance of an inductance in-line oil debris sensor and magnetic plug oil debris sensor when detecting transmission component health in the same system under the same operating conditions. Both sensors were installed in series in the NASA Glenn Spiral Bevel Gear Fatigue Rig during tests performed on 5 gear sets (pinion/gear) when different levels of damage occurred on the gear teeth. Results of this analysis found both the inductance in-line oil debris sensor and magnetic plug oil debris sensor have benefits and limitations when detecting gearbox component damage.

Dempsey, Paula J.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Multi-sensor Cloud Retrieval Simulator and Remote Sensing from Model Parameters : Synthetic Sensor Radiance Formulation - Pt. 1

In this paper we describe a general procedure for calculating synthetic sensor radiances from variable output from a global atmospheric forecast model. In order to take proper account of the discrepancies between model resolution and sensor footprint, the algorithm takes explicit account of the model subgrid variability, in particular its description of the probability density function of total water (vapor and cloud condensate.) The simulated sensor radiances are then substituted into an operational remote sensing algorithm processing chain to produce a variety of remote sensing products that would normally be produced from actual sensor output. This output can then be used for a wide variety of purposes such as model parameter verification, remote sensing algorithm validation, testing of new retrieval methods and future sensor studies.We show a specific implementation using the GEOS-5 model, the MODIS instrument and the MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS) Data Collection 5.1 operational remote sensing cloud algorithm processing chain (including the cloud mask, cloud top properties and cloud optical and microphysical properties products). We focus on clouds because they are very important to model development and improvement.

Simulations↗
NASA NTRS2013

Equivalent Sensor Radiance Generation and Remote Sensing from Model Parameters: Equivalent Sensor Radiance Formulation - Part 1

In this paper we describe a general procedure for calculating equivalent sensor radiances from variables output from a global atmospheric forecast model. In order to take proper account of the discrepancies between model resolution and sensor footprint the algorithm takes explicit account of the model subgrid variability, in particular its description of the probably density function of total water (vapor and cloud condensate.) The equivalent sensor radiances are then substituted into an operational remote sensing algorithm processing chain to produce a variety of remote sensing products that would normally be produced from actual sensor output. This output can then be used for a wide variety of purposes such as model parameter verification, remote sensing algorithm validation, testing of new retrieval methods and future sensor studies. We show a specific implementation using the GEOS-5 model, the MODIS instrument and the MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS) Data Collection 5.1 operational remote sensing cloud algorithm processing chain (including the cloud mask, cloud top properties and cloud optical and microphysical properties products.) We focus on clouds and cloud/aerosol interactions, because they are very important to model development and improvement.

Simulations↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Sensor Deployment for Distribution System State Estimation and Fault Identification

Distribution systems are currently facing steep operational challenges as a result of the rapidly increasing integration of renewables and other distributed energy resources (DERs) at both the primary and secondary circuit levels. Distribution utilities and system operators have traditionally had some visibility of their primary circuits using low-frequency supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and they have had very poor if not zero visibility of the secondary circuits where the presence of DERs is constantly increasing. Therefore, this paper presents simulation studies to demonstrate the benefits of an advanced, high-fidelity sensor technology, called as the Meta-Alert System (MAS), developed by Electrical Grid Monitoring, Ltd. (EGM), on the distribution grid. First, a reliable model of the EGM sensors is developed, and then two use cases, distribution system state estimation (DSSE) and fault identification are simulated to evaluate the performance of the MAS technology. Simulation results on the Electric Power Research Institute J1 feeder demonstrate that the MAS can effectively participate in system-level DSSE programs and can detect and locate faults faster than traditional distribution protection schemes.

distribution system↗