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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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NASA NTRS1971

Apollo contamination analysis

The Apollo 12 photographic observations of clouds produced by venting liquids into space were reduced and analyzed. The number of Baker-Nunn photographs required that film measurement and data processing be automated, and the microdensitometer was adapted to automatic digital operation. Computer programs were prepared to process the image-density measurements. A substantial selection of Apollo 12 data was processed; both hydrogen and oxygen clouds are represented. Some limited data were obtained from Apollo 13 and 14 missions. During the Apollo 12 data analysis, the theory and models of cloud phenomena were refined because the models were initially applied to inferior oxygen data from earlier missions. The reported observations of water dumps from Apollo 12 are also discussed, along with the use of the oxygen and hydrogen data from Apollo 12 photographs with the cloud models.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1972

Automated procedures for sizing aerospace vehicle structures /SAVES/

Results from a continuing effort to develop automated methods for structural design are described. A system of computer programs presently under development called SAVES is intended to automate the preliminary structural design of a complete aerospace vehicle. Each step in the automated design process of the SAVES system of programs is discussed, with emphasis placed on use of automated routines for generation of finite-element models. The versatility of these routines is demonstrated by structural models generated for a space shuttle orbiter, an advanced technology transport,n hydrogen fueled Mach 3 transport. Illustrative numerical results are presented for the Mach 3 transport wing.

Giles, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Using generic tool kits to build intelligent systems

The Intelligent Systems and Robots Center at Sandia National Laboratories is developing technologies for the automation of processes associated with environmental remediation and information-driven manufacturing. These technologies, which focus on automated planning and programming and sensor-based and model-based control, are used to build intelligent systems which are able to generate plans of action, program the necessary devices, and use sensors to react to changes in the environment. By automating tasks through the use of programmable devices tied to computer models which are augmented by sensing, requirements for faster, safer, and cheaper systems are being satisfied. However, because of the need for rapid cost-effect prototyping and multi-laboratory teaming, it is also necessary to define a consistent approach to the construction of controllers for such systems. As a result, the Generic Intelligent System Controller (GISC) concept has been developed. This concept promotes the philosophy of producing generic tool kits which can be used and reused to build intelligent control systems.

Miller, David J.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Automated Fiber Placement Manufactured Composites for Science Applications

What automated composite laminate manufacturing isWhy automation is of interest in science applicationsHow composite automation is being considered for science instrument applicationsAnd, about test data showing high stiffness materials processed with automation results in reduced material strength while stiffness and coefficient of thermal expansion are mostly unaffected.

Segal, Ken↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

RESIDUAL DEFORMATION ANALYSIS IN COMPOSITE SHELL STRUCTURES MANUFACTURED USING AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT

The manufacturing of composites typically produces residual stresses that can significantly affect the final shape of the structure. The process of automated fiber placement (AFP) has become a prominent manufacturing technique in developing layups with tailored, variable stiffness morphology. The steered patterns of fiber tows with and without overlaps produce residual deformations that are distinctive from traditional layups. Digital image correlation was used to measure the AFP lamina coefficients of thermal expansion, which were incorporated into finite element analyses (FEA) to model the cooling phase of the cure cycle. The effects of nonlinear analysis and temperature-dependent lamina properties calculated using self-consistent field micromechanics, on the resulting residual deformation of shells, were also modeled. The predicted residual deformation was analyzed by considering out-of-roundness in cylindrical shells and compared to the experimental results. The shell FEA results were well-correlated with the overall deformed shape of the AFP cylinder with overlaps, while the shell FEA model of the AFP cylinder without overlaps did not show as good of qualitative match of the deformation pattern. Analytical correlation with measured results were insensitive to material softening at elevated temperatures, geometric nonlinearities, and variations in measured lamina thermal properties. To improve the accuracy of the residual deformation analysis, these results suggest that the thermo-chemical shrinkages preceding the cooldown should be considered, as well as possible variations in ply level microstructure due to the presence of the embedded fiber tow gaps and overlaps.

Composites↗

NASA NTRS1993

Robotics in a controlled, ecological life support system

Controlled, Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) that utilize plants to provide food, water and oxygen could consume considerable amounts of labor unless crop production, recovery and processing are automated. Robotic manipulators equipped with special end-effectors and programmed to perform the sensing and materials handling tasks would minimize the amount of astronaut labor required. The Human Rated Test Facility (HRTF) planned for Johnson Space Center could discover and demonstrate techniques of crop production which can be reliably integrated with machinery to minimize labor requirements. Before the physical components (shelves, lighting fixtures, etc.) can be selected, a systems analysis must be performed to determine which alternative processes should be followed and how the materials handling tasks should be automated. Given that the current procedures used to grow crops in a CELSS may not be the best methods to automate, then what are the alternatives? How may plants be grown, harvested, processed for food, and the inedible components recycled? What commercial technologies current exist? What research efforts are underway to develop new technologies which might satisfy the need for automation in a CELSS? The answers to these questions should prove enlightening and provide some of the information necessary to perform the systems analysis. The planting, culturing, gathering, threshing and separation, food processing, and recovery of inedible portions of wheat were studied. The basic biological and materials handling processes of each task are defined and discussed. Current practices at Johnson Space Center and other NASA centers are described and compared to common production practices in the plant production industry. Technologies currently being researched which might be applicable are identified and illustrated. Finally, based on this knowledge, several scenarios are proposed for automating the tasks for wheat.

Miles, Gaines E.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Maximum ADPE Approach for a High Rate CCSDS Return Link Processing System

The earth observing system data and operations system (EDOS) multi-mission data processing and distribution system for the earth observing system is considered. The EDOS was based on the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) protocols. The development included the challenge of developing and demonstrating a 150 Mbps CCSDS return link processing capability for the support of the first EDOS delivery. The approach used general-purpose automated data processing equipment (ADPE) and minimized the use of customized hardware. The way in which the system was developed is described. The principle design decisions and the performance benchmark results are presented.

Krimchansky, Alexander↗

NASA NTRS2000

Resin Film Infusion (RFI) Process Modeling for Large Transport Aircraft Wing Structures

Resin film infusion (RFI) is a cost-effective method for fabricating stiffened aircraft wing structures. The RFI process lends itself to the use of near net shape textile preforms manufactured through a variety of automated textile processes such as knitting and braiding. Often, these advanced fiber architecture preforms have through-the-thickness stitching for improved damage tolerance and delamination resistance. The challenge presently facing RFI is to refine the process to ensure complete infiltration and cure of a geometrically complex shape preform with the high fiber volume fraction needed for structural applications. An accurate measurement of preform permeability is critical for successful modeling of the RFI resin infiltration process. Small changes in the permeability can result in very different infiltration behavior and times. Therefore, it is important to accurately measure the permeabilities of the textile preforms used in the RFI process. The objective of this investigation was to develop test methods that can be used to measure the compaction behavior and permeabilities of high fiber volume fraction, advanced fiber architecture textile preforms. These preforms are often highly compacted due to through-the-thickness stitching used to improve damage tolerance. Test fixtures were designed and fabricated and used to measure both transverse and in-plane permeabilities. The fixtures were used to measure the permeabilities of multiaxial warp knit and triaxial braided preforms at fiber volume fractions from 55% to 65%. In addition, the effects of stitching characteristics, thickness, and batch variability on permeability and compaction behavior were investigated.

Knott, Tamara W.↗

NASA NTRS2006

LDCM Grid Prototype (LGP)

The LGP successfully demonstrated that grid technology could be used to create a collaboration among research scientists, their science development machines, and distributed data to create a science production system in a nationally distributed environment. Grid technology provides a low cost and effective method of enabling production of science products by the science community. To demonstrate this, the LGP partnered with NASA GSFC scientists and used their existing science algorithms to generate virtual Landsat-like data products using distributed data resources. LGP created 48 output composite scenes with 4 input scenes each for a total of 192 scienes processed in parallel. The demonstration took 12 hours, which beat the requirement by almost 50 percent, well within the LDCM requirement to process 250 scenes per day. The LGP project also showed the successful use of workflow tools to automate the processing. Investing in this technology has led to funding for a ROSES ACCESS proposal. The proposal intends to enable an expert science user to produce products from a number of similar distributed instrument data sets using the Land Cover Change Community-based Processing and Analysis System (LC-ComPS) Toolbox. The LC-ComPS Toolbox is a collection of science algorithms that enable the generation of data with ground resolution on the order of Landsat-class instruments.

Weinstein, Beth↗

DOE OSTI2025

Genesis of a novel high-rate composite manufacturing process using large-scale additive manufacturing – compression molding (AM-CM) system: Possibilities and limitations

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed a highly automated manufacturing process for thermoplastic composites that combines the benefits of Additive Manufacturing and Compression Molding (AM-CM) to produce high-performance functional composite structures at automotive production rates. Here, the AM-CM process creates highly precise preforms by additively placing extruded fiber-filled polymers (with controlled fiber orientations and multi-material configurations) in the desired mold location before undergoing a secondary compression molding process immediately before the preform cools down. Preforms can be in the form of short, long-chopped, or continuous fiber-filled thermoplastic polymers (e.g., CF/GF-filled ABS, PC, LM-PAEK, etc.). The AM-CM process combines the benefits of controlled fiber alignment, that is only achievable in AM-printed parts with the classical CM process, which eliminates porosity and good surface finish. A preform created using AM-CM can integrate various materials to enable additional architectural functionalities, including over-molding, selective stiffening, and the incorporation of electrically or thermally conductive channels. All these advantages come with a fast part production cycle time. The AM-CM process can manufacture multi-material, multi-functional parts in under 3 min, starting from raw material (pellets) to the final product. The novel AM-CM process offers superior microstructural control and enhanced multi-functionality previously unattainable with any other traditional high-rate thermoplastic composite manufacturing method. This work covers the manufacturing concept, system development, materials and applications of AM-CM process in detail.

Kumar, Vipin [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)↗

NASA NTRS1995

Fast interrupt platform for extended DOS

Extended DOS offers the unique combination of a simple operating system which allows direct assess to the interrupt tables, 32 bit protected mode access to a 4096 MByte address space, and the use of industry standard C compilers. The drawback is that fast interrupt handling requires both 32 bit and 16 bit versions of each real-time process interrupt handler to avoid mode switches on the interrupts. A set of tools has been developed which automates the process of transforming the output of a standard 32 bit C compiler to 16 bit interrupt code which directly handles the real mode interrupts. The entire process compiles one set of source code via a make file, which boosts productivity by making the management of the compile-link cycle very simple. The software components are in the form of classes written mostly in C. A foreground process written as a conventional application which can use the standard C libraries can communicate with the background real-time classes via a message passing mechanism. The platform thus enables the integration of high performance real-time processing into a conventional application framework.

Duryea, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Fast interrupt platform for extended DOS

Extended DOS offers the unique combination of a simple operating system which allows direct access to the interrupt tables, 32 bit protected mode access to 4096 MByte address space, and the use of industry standard C compilers. The drawback is that fast interrupt handling requires both 32 bit and 16 bit versions of each real-time process interrupt handler to avoid mode switches on the interrupts. A set of tools has been developed which automates the process of transforming the output of a standard 32 bit C compiler to 16 bit interrupt code which directly handles the real mode interrupts. The entire process compiles one set of source code via a make file, which boosts productivity by making the management of the compile-link cycle very simple. The software components are in the form of classes written mostly in C. A foreground process written as a conventional application which can use the standard C libraries can communicate with the background real-time classes via a message passing mechanism. The platform thus enables the integration of high performance real-time processing into a conventional application framework.

Duryea, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A teleoperated robotic manipulator system for materials processing experiment servicing

In 1984 Congress authorized NASA to begin the Space Station Program, and requested that 10 percent of program funds be spent in implementing automation and robotics (A and R) on the Space Station. In response to that request, Boeing established several Independent Research and Development (IR and D) projects to explore possible uses for A and R on the Space Station. One of those projects, and automated materials processing experiment, is discussed. The project uses a teleoperated robot to demonstrate telescience applied to a Chemical Vapor Transport materials processing experiment.

Suchting, Steven↗

DOE OSTI2024

Uncertainty-aware particle segmentation for electron microscopy at varied length scales

Electron microscopy is indispensable for examining the morphology and composition of solid materials at the sub-micron scale. To study the powder samples that are widely used in materials development, scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) are increasingly used at the laboratory scale to generate large datasets with hundreds of images. Parsing these images to identify distinct particles and determine their morphology requires careful analysis, and automating this process remains challenging. In this work, we enhance the Mask R-CNN architecture to develop a method for automated segmentation of particles in SEM images. We address several challenges inherent to measurements, such as image blur and particle agglomeration. Moreover, our method accounts for prediction uncertainty when such issues prevent accurate segmentation of a particle. Recognizing that disparate length scales are often present in large datasets, we use this framework to create two models that are separately trained to handle images obtained at low or high magnification. By testing these models on a variety of inorganic samples, our approach to particle segmentation surpasses an established automated segmentation method and yields comparable results to the predictions of three domain experts, revealing comparable accuracy while requiring a fraction of the time. These findings highlight the potential of deep learning in advancing autonomous workflows for materials characterization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1983

A summary of the history of the development of automated remote sensing for agricultural applications

The research conducted in the United States for the past 20 years with the objective of developing automated satellite remote sensing for monitoring the earth's major food crops is reviewed. The highlights of this research include a National Academy of Science study on the applicability of remote sensing monitoring given impetus by the introduction in the mid-1960's of the first airborne multispectral scanner (MSS); design simulations for the first earth resource satellite in 1969; and the use of the airborne MSS in the Corn Blight Watch, the first large application of remote sensing in agriculture, in 1970. Other programs discussed include the CITAR research project in 1972 which established the feasibility of automating digital classification to process high volumes of Landsat MSS data; the Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment (LACIE) in 1974-78, which demonstrated automated processing of Landsat MSS data in estimating wheat crop production on a global basis; and AgRISTARS, a program designed to address the technical issues defined by LACIE.

Macdonald, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Software Development Technologies for Reactive, Real-Time, and Hybrid Systems

The research is directed towards the design and implementation of a comprehensive deductive environment for the development of high-assurance systems, especially reactive (concurrent, real-time, and hybrid) systems. Reactive systems maintain an ongoing interaction with their environment, and are among the most difficult to design and verify. The project aims to provide engineers with a wide variety of tools within a single, general, formal framework in which the tools will be most effective. The entire development process is considered, including the construction, transformation, validation, verification, debugging, and maintenance of computer systems. The goal is to automate the process as much as possible and reduce the errors that pervade hardware and software development.

Manna, Zohar↗

NASA NTRS2009

Integration of Engine, Plume, and CFD Analyses in Conceptual Design of Low-Boom Supersonic Aircraft

This paper documents an integration of engine, plume, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses in the conceptual design of low-boom supersonic aircraft, using a variable fidelity approach. In particular, the Numerical Propulsion Simulation System (NPSS) is used for propulsion system cycle analysis and nacelle outer mold line definition, and a low-fidelity plume model is developed for plume shape prediction based on NPSS engine data and nacelle geometry. This model provides a capability for the conceptual design of low-boom supersonic aircraft that accounts for plume effects. Then a newly developed process for automated CFD analysis is presented for CFD-based plume and boom analyses of the conceptual geometry. Five test cases are used to demonstrate the integrated engine, plume, and CFD analysis process based on a variable fidelity approach, as well as the feasibility of the automated CFD plume and boom analysis capability.

Li, Wu↗

NASA NTRS2010

Space Shuttle Program Primary Avionics Software System (PASS) Success Legacy -Major Accomplishments and Lessons Learned

This presentation has shown the accomplishments of the PASS project over three decades and highlighted the lessons learned. Over the entire time, our goal has been to continuously improve our process, implement automation for both quality and increased productivity, and identify and remove all defects due to prior execution of a flawed process in addition to improving our processes following identification of significant process escapes. Morale and workforce instability have been issues, most significantly during 1993 to 1998 (period of consolidation in aerospace industry). The PASS project has also consulted with others, including the Software Engineering Institute, so as to be an early evaluator, adopter, and adapter of state-of-the-art software engineering innovations.

Orr, James K.↗