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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 379 records · Page 21

Role of non-gaussian quantum fluctuations in neutrino entanglement

The flavor evolution of neutrinos in environments with large neutrino number densities is an open problem at the nexus of astrophysics and neutrino flavor physics. Among the many unanswered questions pertaining to this problem, it remains to be determined whether neutrino-neutrino coherent scattering can give rise to nontrivial quantum entanglement among neutrinos, and whether this can affect the flavor evolution in a meaningful way. To gain further insight into this question, here we study a simple system of two interacting neutrino beams, and obtain the exact phase-space explored by this system using the Husimi quasi-probability distribution. We observe that the entanglement induced by the coupling leads to strong delocalization in phase-space with largely non-Gaussian quantum fluctuations. The link between the neutrino entanglement and quantum fluctuations is illustrated using the one- and two-neutrino entropy. In addition, we propose an approximate phase-space method to describe the interacting neutrinos problem, where the exact evolution is replaced by a set of independent mean-field evolutions with a statistical sampling of the initial conditions. The phase-space approach provides a simple and accurate method to describe the gross features of the neutrino entanglement problem. Applications are shown using time-independent and time-dependent Hamiltonians in the non-adiabatic regime.

Patwardhan, Amol↗

Determination of eigenvalues of dynamical systems by symbolic computation

A symbolic computation technique for determining the eigenvalues of dynamical systems is described wherein algebraic operations, symbolic differentiation, matrix formulation and inversion, etc., can be performed on a digital computer equipped with a formula-manipulation compiler. An example is included that demonstrates the facility with which the system dynamics matrix and the control distribution matrix from the state space formulation of the equations of motion can be processed to obtain eigenvalue loci as a function of a system parameter. The example chosen to demonstrate the technique is a fourth-order system representing the longitudinal response of a DC 8 aircraft to elevator inputs. This simplified system has two dominant modes, one of which is lightly damped and the other well damped. The loci may be used to determine the value of the controlling parameter that satisfied design requirements. The results were obtained using the MACSYMA symbolic manipulation system.

Howard, J. C.↗

NATO Human View Architecture and Human Networks

The NATO Human View is a system architectural viewpoint that focuses on the human as part of a system. Its purpose is to capture the human requirements and to inform on how the human impacts the system design. The viewpoint contains seven static models that include different aspects of the human element, such as roles, tasks, constraints, training and metrics. It also includes a Human Dynamics component to perform simulations of the human system under design. One of the static models, termed Human Networks, focuses on the human-to-human communication patterns that occur as a result of ad hoc or deliberate team formation, especially teams distributed across space and time. Parameters of human teams that effect system performance can be captured in this model. Human centered aspects of networks, such as differences in operational tempo (sense of urgency), priorities (common goal), and team history (knowledge of the other team members), can be incorporated. The information captured in the Human Network static model can then be included in the Human Dynamics component so that the impact of distributed teams is represented in the simulation. As the NATO militaries transform to a more networked force, the Human View architecture is an important tool that can be used to make recommendations on the proper mix of technological innovations and human interactions.

Handley, Holly A. H.↗

Impedance Response Influenced by Variability in the Random Distribution of Physical Properties of Coated Materials in Two-Dimensional Space

Heterogeneous physical characteristics of a system featuring a single-layer film on a metallic surface have been explored via its impedance response. The Nyquist plot showed a distorted semicircle, indicative of the system's unique distribution characteristics. Utilizing a copula-based probability method, a two-dimensional deterministic impedance model was successfully integrated, accounting for spatial physical properties such as permittivity and electrical conductivity. This strategy enabled in-depth exploration and mechanistic quantification of a broad spectrum of properties. A quantitative understanding of impedance signal alterations, characterized by normally or log-normally correlated variables, was achieved through the variation in aspect ratio and characteristic frequency of the impedance spectra. Log-normally distributed electrical properties provided a superior representation of the distorted impedance spectra. As coefficient of variation (CV) values fluctuated, the aspect ratio and characteristic frequency showed heightened sensitivity to log-normal permittivity compared to log-normal electrical conductivity. Notably, a marked positive linear correlation between electrical properties resulted in an impedance response that approximated perfect semicircular spectra. The variability in the electrical properties' distribution was demonstrated by considering the correlation coefficient between electrical conductivity and the z-direction position. Furthermore, the highest aspect ratio of the impedance spectra was observed when the electrical conductivity was randomly distributed across the z-direction space.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Moment preserving constrained resampling with applications to particle-in-cell methods

The Moment Preserving Constrained Resampling (MPCR) algorithm for particle resampling is introduced and applied to particle-in-cell (PIC) methods to increase simulation accuracy, reduce compute cost, and/or avoid numerical instabilities. The general algorithm partitions the system space into smaller subsets and resamples the distribution within each subset. Further, the algorithm is designed to conserve any number of particle and grid moments with a high degree of accuracy (i.e. machine accuracy). The effectiveness of MPCR is demonstrated with several numerical tests, including a use-case study in gyrokinetic fusion plasma simulations. Finally, the computational cost of MPCR is negligible compared to the cost of particle evolution in PIC methods, and the tests demonstrate that periodic particle resampling yields a significant improvement in the accuracy and stability of the results.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

Scrambling Dynamics with Imperfections in a Solvable Model

We study how probes of quantum scrambling dynamics respond to two kinds of imperfections -- unequal forward and backward evolutions and decoherence -- in a solvable Brownian circuit model. We calculate a ``renormalized'' out-of-time-order correlator (ROTOC) in the model with $N$ qubits, and we show that the circuit-averaged ROTOC is controlled by an effective probability distribution in operator weight space which obeys a system of $N$ non-linear equations of motion. These equations can be easily solved numerically for large system sizes which are beyond the reach of exact methods. Moreover, for an operator initially concentrated on weight one $w_0=1$, we provide an exact solution to the equations in the thermodynamic limit of many qubits that is valid for all times, all non-vanishing perturbation strengths $p\gtrsim 1/\sqrt{N}$, and all decoherence strengths. We also show that a generic initial condition $w_0 >1$ leads to a metastable state that eventually collapses to the $w_0=1$ case after a lifetime $\sim \log(N/w_0)$. Our results highlight situations where it is still possible to extract the unperturbed chaos exponent even in the presence of imperfections, and we comment on the applications of our results to existing experiments with nuclear spins and to future scrambling experiments.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

A study of worldwide communications markets: The relationship between federally sponsored research and development and competitiveness of US industry in this market

Many factors have been reviewed in an attempt to seek criteria for the establishment of regions or nations as potential customers for space communication systems. These include economic measures, demographic distributions, topographic variations, physical size, national dispersion, telephones available, investment credit viability, and the general level of technology within the population. A major consideration is the fact that essentially all nations are subject to significant financial constraints. Consequently, some form of national investment priorities becomes necessary, and these priorities are generally perceived differently according to the factors mentioned above and also according to the personalities and interests of each nation's decision makers.

Source record↗

Thermal control for the 1990's

Current thermal distribution systems on large spacecraft, such as the Space Shuttle and Spacelab, use pumped fluid loops that circulate the coolant between a series of user stations and a single rejection point, involving complex plumbing and controls with a significant power penalty and limited reliability. In order to provide heat transport at near-isothermal conditions in future large spacecraft, two-phase flow systems will be implemented by taking advantage of the heat of vaporization and condensation of common working fluids at minimal expenditure of power and temperature variation. Such systems are considered for the cases of the thermal requirements of nearly 100 potential astrophysics and astronomy instruments. Data on temperature requirements, power dissipations, environmental fluxes, heat addition or rejection, and general description, are used to form conceptual designs for the thermal utility.

Ollendorf, S.↗

Data system overview

The data system architecture design philosophy for 'SFOC', which is a large-scale distributed system for support of current and future space missions at the JPL, stresses 'design for change' standardization that will permit software-reuse, periodic hardware-changeout, and network-configuration evolution. Multimission capabilities are supported through a buildup of the baseline system with a minimum of special-purpose adaptations. SFOC can accommodate multiple users representing multiple disciplines, and is capable of furnishing near-real time and nonrealtime support to end-users for downlink (telemetry) and uplink (command) functions.

Kahr, Joseph R.↗

Load flows and faults considering dc current injections

The authors present novel methods for incorporating current injection sources into dc power flow computations and determining network fault currents when electronic devices limit fault currents. Combinations of current and voltage sources into a single network are considered in a general formulation. An example of relay coordination is presented. The present study is pertinent to the development of the Space Station Freedom electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system.

Kusic, G. L.↗

Group-oriented coordination models for distributed client-server computing

This paper describes group-oriented control models for distributed client-server interactions. These models transparently coordinate requests for services that involve multiple servers, such as queries across distributed databases. Specific capabilities include: decomposing and replicating client requests; dispatching request subtasks or copies to independent, networked servers; and combining server results into a single response for the client. The control models were implemented by combining request broker and process group technologies with an object-oriented communication middleware tool. The models are illustrated in the context of a distributed operations support application for space-based systems.

Adler, Richard M.↗

Design of the Wind Tunnel Model Communication Controller Board

The NASA Langley Research Center's Wind Tunnel Reinvestment project plans to shrink the existing data acquisition electronics to fit inside a wind tunnel model. Space limitations within a model necessitate a distributed system of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) rather than a centralized system based on PC boards. This thesis will focus on the design of the prototype of the communication Controller board. A portion of the communication Controller board is to be used as the basis of an ASIC design. The communication Controller board will communicate between the internal model modules and the external data acquisition computer. This board is based around an Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), to allow for reconfigurability. In addition to the FPGA, this board contains buffer Random Access Memory (RAM), configuration memory (EEPROM), drivers for the communications ports, and passive components.

Wilson, William C.↗

Multistatic Aerosol Cloud Lidar in Space: A Theoretical Perspective

Accurate aerosol and cloud retrievals from space remain quite challenging and typically involve solving a severely ill-posed inverse scattering problem. In this Perspective, we formulate in general terms an aerosol and aerosol-cloud interaction space mission concept intended to provide detailed horizontal and vertical profiles of aerosol physical characteristics as well as identify mutually induced changes in the properties of aerosols and clouds. We argue that a natural and feasible way of addressing the ill-posedness of the inverse scattering problem while having an exquisite vertical-profiling capability is to fly a multistatic (including bistatic) lidar system. We analyze theoretically the capabilities of a formation-flying constellation of a primary satellite equipped with a conventional monostatic (backscattering) lidar and one or more additional platforms each hosting a receiver of the scattered laser light. If successfully implemented, this concept would combine the measurement capabilities of a passive multi-angle multi-spectral polarimeter with the vertical profiling capability of a lidar; address the ill-posedness of the inverse problem caused by the highly limited information content of monostatic lidar measurements; address the ill-posedness of the inverse problem caused by vertical integration and surface reflection in passive photopolarimetric measurements; relax polarization accuracy requirements; eliminate the need for exquisite radiative-transfer modeling of the atmosphere-surface system in data analyses; yield the day-and-night observation capability; provide direct characterization of ground-level aerosols as atmospheric pollutants; and yield direct measurements of polarized bidirectional surface reflectance. We demonstrate, in particular, that supplementing the conventional backscattering lidar with just one additional receiver flown in formation at a scattering angle close to 170deg can dramatically increase the information content of the measurements. Although the specific subject of this Perspective is the multistatic lidar concept, all our conclusions equally apply to a multistatic radar system intended to study from space the global distribution of cloud and precipitation characteristics.

aerosols↗

Study of power management technology for orbital multi-100KWe applications. Volume 2: Study results

The preliminary requirements and technology advances required for cost effective space power management systems for multi-100 kilowatt requirements were identified. System requirements were defined by establishing a baseline space platform in the 250 KE KWe range and examining typical user loads and interfaces. The most critical design parameters identified for detailed analysis include: increased distribution voltages and space plasma losses, the choice between ac and dc distribution systems, shuttle servicing effects on reliability, life cycle costs, and frequency impacts to power management system and payload systems for AC transmission. The first choice for a power management system for this kind of application and size range is a hybrid ac/dc combination with the following major features: modular design and construction-sized minimum weight/life cycle cost; high voltage transmission (100 Vac RMS); medium voltage array or = 440 Vdc); resonant inversion; transformer rotary joint; high frequency power transmission line or = 20 KHz); energy storage on array side or rotary joint; fully redundant; and 10 year life with minimal replacement and repair.

Mildice, J. W.↗

Space station data management system assessment methodology

A computer-aided modeling tool and methodology was developed and is currently being used to assess candidate designs for the Space Station Data Management System (DMS). The DMS will be a complex distributed computer system including processors, storage devices, local area networks, and software that will support all processing functions on board the Space Station. The methodology produces assessments of the performance, reliability, cost, and physical attributes of the candidate designs. This paper describes the architecture and design of the modeling tool and presents the modeling methodology.

Jones, W. R.↗