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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 505 records · Page 28

Systems, methods, and media for high dynamic range imaging using single-photon and conventional image sensor data

In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for high dynamic range imaging using single-photon and conventional image sensor data are provided. In some embodiments, the system comprises: first detectors configured to detect a level of photons proportional to incident photon flux; second detectors configured to detect arrival of individual photons; a processor programmed to: receive, from the first detectors, first values indicative of photon flux from a scene with a first resolution; receive, from the second detectors, second values indicative of photon flux from the scene with a lower resolution; provide a first encoder of a trained machine learning model first flux values based on the first values, provide the second encoder of the model second flux values; receive, as output, values indicative of photon flux from the scene; and generate a high dynamic range image based on the third plurality of values.

Gutierrez Barragan, Felipe↗

Integrating extended reality with inspection systems

An extended reality (“XR”) inspection system for inspecting a target is provided. The XR inspection system includes an inspection system and an XR device. The inspection system includes an inspection main unit and an inspection probe. The inspection main unit collects inspection data from the inspection probe, receives commands input by an inspector using the XR device, performs functions associated with the commands, and sends display data to the XR device. The XR device provides an augmented reality display and sensors. The XR device displays display data received from the inspection main unit, receives commands via the sensors from the inspector, and sends the commands to the inspection main unit.

Keene, Lionel↗

Wideband radial line slot array antenna

An antenna includes a waveguide defined by a gap between a backplane with radial support ribs and a facesheet, a teardrop-shaped feed pin at a center of the backplane, and a foam spacer between the backplane and facesheet. An outward facing side of the facesheet includes thermal paint. The facesheet includes pairs of through-hole slots for releasing portions of a wave of radiation in the waveguide to generate a transmit-beam or to receive the receive-beam to generate the wave of radiation. The pairs may be disposed as a spiral array about a center of the facesheet. Each of the pairs may include first and second slots. A length of the second slot is oriented approximately perpendicular to a length of the first slot. Dispositions of the slots are set by a computer process. The dispositions optimize a trade-off between transmit and receive gains.

Bray, Matthew G.↗

System and method for temporal dispersion compensator

The present disclosure relates to a system for modifying temporal dispersion in an optical signal. The system makes use of a segmented array including a plurality of independently controllable, reflective optical elements. The optical elements are configured to segment a received input optical signal into a plurality of beamlets, and to reflect and steer selected ones of the plurality of beamlets in predetermined angular orientations therefrom. A variable optical dispersion subsystem is used which has a plurality of optical components configured to receive and impart different predetermined time delays to different ones of the received beamlets, and to output the plurality of beamlets therefrom.

Panas, Robert Matthew↗

Method and apparatus for desalinating water

This disclosure concerns a system and a method for removing dissolved solids from liquids. Specific implementations concern desalinating water. The system may comprise a blower, such as a thermal fan/compressor, configured to atomize a solid-bearing liquid to produce a hot, humid gas containing dissolved solids; a gas-solid separator configured to receive hot, humid gas containing entrained dissolved solids from the blower to separate the solids from the humid gas and to transmit the humid gas with solids removed through an exit port; a heater configured to heat the hot, humid gas received from the exit port of the gas-solid separator; and a condenser configured to receive heated humid gas from the heater and to condense solids-free liquid therefrom. The thermal fan/compressor may comprise a plurality of nozzles with outlets positioned adjacent atomization apertures across which a solid-bearing liquid flows and through which gas exiting the nozzles passes.

Abbasi, Bahman↗

Systems and methods for determining ground water-surface water interactions

Systems for determining GW/SW interaction are provided. The systems can include: a sensing assembly comprising sensors for pressure, fluid conductivity, temperature, and transfer resistance; processing circuitry operatively coupled to the sensing assembly and configured to receive data from the sensing assembly and process the data to provide a GW/SW interaction, wherein the data includes pressure, fluid conductivity, temperature, transfer resistance data. Methods for determining GW/SW interaction are provided. The methods can include: receiving real time data including pressure, fluid conductivity, temperature, and transfer resistance; from at least some of the data received simulating the SW/GW interaction; and fitting the real time data with the simulated data to provide actual SW/GW interaction.

Johnson, Timothy C.↗

Implementation of the Glycolate Destruction Process with Sodium Permanganate in the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) - 20141

The Savannah River Site (SRS) seeks to replace formic acid with glycolic acid as a chemical reductant in the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), where borosilicate glass is mixed with high-level radioactive waste, melted at high temperatures, then poured into stainless steel canisters for safe storage. Prior research and development have demonstrated the feasibility and advantages of the new nitric-glycolic acid flowsheet over the current nitric-formic acid flowsheet to chemically adjust the radioactive sludge slurry waste in the Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) prior to vitrification. Use of glycolic acid reduces hydrogen and ammonia generation during the reduction process, thus reducing flammability hazards and purge requirements in the DWPF processing vessels. In addition, glycolic acid will support the new Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) by allowing for receipt of higher volumes of waste due to reduction of flammable gases, increased boil-up rates in the vessels, and easing the processing of future sludge batches containing high levels of mercury. However, during DWPF operations, trace amounts of glycolate are anticipated to be entrained in the recycle stream and sent to the Concentration, Storage, and Transfer Facilities (CSTF) via the Recycle Collection Tank (RCT). The RCT receives condensate from the Slurry Mix Evaporator Condensate Tank (SMECT) and Off-gas Condensate Tank (OGCT) that may contain unreacted glycolate. A literature review found the potential for hydrogen generation due to thermolysis of glycolate in caustic CSTF conditions. Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) conducted several tests on simulant and radioactive waste from various tanks at SRS and confirmed that glycolate added to waste at concentrations of approximately 1000 mg/L and higher generates hydrogen through thermolysis. There are potential operating scenarios in the future where glycolate concentration could exceed 1000 mg/L in the 2H Evaporator Drop Tank, the highest accumulation point for DWPF organics received via recycle. These findings presented a need to develop another process to mitigate the impact of glycolic acid to the CSTF. Several DWPF compatible options were evaluated for their ability to destroy glycolate in the DWPF recycle stream under various processing conditions, thereby mitigating its introduction to the CSTF. Downselection testing identified sodium permanganate as the most promising and simplest option to oxidize glycolate. It has been demonstrated to be effective in various RCT simulant compositions, operating temperatures, oxidant addition rates, solution pH, and initial glycolate concentrations. A feasibility study identified existing tanks within the facility that could be used for receiving and storing the commercially available sodium permanganate, as well as feeding it to the RCT for processing. The use of existing equipment as well as the ability to purchase the pre-mixed chemical reduces implementation and operational complexity. The downstream impacts of the sodium permanganate reaction were also evaluated and demonstrated to have minimal impact on other chemical species present in the RCT and CSTF, as well as on the materials of construction of the RCT and CSTF vessels and associated piping and instrumentation. Future work is in progress to validate the glycolate destruction process with testing in actual radioactive RCT waste before implementation in DWPF. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

System and method for in situ inspection of defects in additively manufactured parts using high speed melt pool pyrometry

A system and method is disclosed for detecting anomalies in an additively manufactured part. An energy source generates a signal forming an optical beam for creating a melt pool in a layer of feedstock material being selectively fused to make a part in an additive manufacturing operation. A sensor is configured to receive a signal reflected from the melt pool. The reflected signal forms a thermal signal indicative of a temperature of the feedstock material at a known location on a layer of the feedstock material while the feedstock material is being fused at the known location. A controller receives and analyzes data relating to the received signal to determine if an anomaly exists at the known location.

Forien, Jean-Baptiste↗

Photovoltaic device for enhancing power output of concentrating solar thermal power plants

A photovoltaic retrofit device for a concentrating solar thermal power plant having a parabolic trough reflector, and a fluid receiver with working fluid therein spaced from the reflector and positioned at a focal point of the reflector. The photovoltaic device includes a plurality of adjustable angle dichroic mirrors positioned between the parabolic trough reflector and the fluid receiver. A photovoltaic receiver assembly has multiple photovoltaic panels in angular relationship to each other. A photovoltaic temperature regulating system includes a fluid medium to regulate temperature of the photovoltaic panels.

Otanicar, Todd↗

System and method for ultra-high-resolution ranging using RFID

A radio-frequency method for range finding includes modulating a reference signal having an intermediate frequency to a downlink signal having a carrier frequency using a clock signal. The downlink signal is transmitted to a tag using a transceiver. An uplink signal backscattered front the tag is received and demodulated using the clock signal. The uplink signal has a frequency that is a harmonic of the carrier frequency. A distance between the tag and the transceiver is calculated based on a phase of the demodulated uplink signal. A system for range finding includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver modulates a reference signal to downlink signal and transmits the downlink signal. The transceiver receives and demodulates an uplink signal. The processor is configured to receive the demodulated uplink signal and calculate a distance between the tag and the transceiver using a phase of the demodulated uplink signal.

Hui, Xiaonan↗

High power handling digitizer using photonics

Devices, methods for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that perform high-dynamic range measurements based on optical techniques are disclosed. In one example aspect, an optical encoder includes a polarization rotator configured to receive a train of optical pulses, and an electro-optic (EO) modulator coupled to an output of the polarization rotator. The EO modulator is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and to produce a phase modulated signal in accordance with the RF signal. The optical encoder also includes a polarizing beam splitter coupled to the output of the EO modulator; and an optical hybrid configured to receive two optical signals from the polarizing beam splitter and to produce four optical outputs that are each phase shifted with respect to one another.

DeVore, Peter Thomas Setsuda↗

Bus repeater and bit injector for MIL-STD-1553/1760 communications bus

A fault insertion device (FID) comprises a transceiver and an FPGA. The transceiver receives signals from a MIL-STD-1553/1760 communications bus. The FPGA evaluates the signals received from the communications bus against a set of rules stored by the FPGA. Based upon the set of rules, the FPGA can selectively modify messages received from the communications bus prior to transmission to a remote terminal or a bus controller that is configured to communicate on the communications bus.

Krein, Jason P.↗

System and method of wireless power supply

A system and method for sensorless coil detection that exploits a dead-time effect in a WPT inverter as an indicator of presence of a receiver. In one embodiment, a system described herein may be configured to detect arrival of a moving receiver prior to alignment of the moving receiver with the transmitter for power transmission.

Kavimandan, Utkarsh D.↗

Optical encoder devices and systems

Devices, systems and methods for encoding information using optical components are described. An example photonic filtered sampler includes a spectral shaper configured to receive an optical pulse train, a dispersive element positioned to receive an output of the spectral shaper and to expand spectral contents thereof in time, and a modulator configured to receive an output of the dispersive element and a radio frequency (RF) signal, and to produce a modulated output optical signal in accordance with the RF signal. In this configuration, one or more characteristics of the modulated output optical signal is determined based on a spectral shape provided by the spectral shaper and dispersive properties of the dispersive element.

Buckley, Brandon Walter↗

Timing measurement apparatus

Methods, devices and systems for providing accurate measurements of timing errors using optical techniques are described. An example timing measurement device includes an optical hybrid that receives two optical pulse trains and produces two or more phase shifted optical outputs. The timing measurement device further includes two or more optical filters that receive the outputs of the optical hybrid to produce multiple pulse signals with distinctive frequency bands. The device also includes one or more photodetectors and analog-to-digital converters to receive to produce electrical signals in the digital domain corresponding to the optical outputs of the hybrid. A timing error associated with the optical pulse trains can be determined using the electrical signals in digital domain based on a computed phase difference between a first frequency band signal and a second frequency band signal and a computed frequency difference between the first frequency band signal and the second frequency band.

DeVore, Peter Thomas Setsuda↗

Systems and methods for optical measurement of cross-wind

Various technologies pertaining to optical measurement of cross-wind are described herein. A beam of light is emitted along a trajectory through a shooting space from a location of a shooter to a target using a laser. The beam is reflected by the target, and the beam is received at two optical detectors. Due to changes in the index of refraction of air along the path of the beam, an envelope signal atmospherically encoded on the beam is received at each of the two apertures at different times. A signal analyzer receives a signal from each of the detectors and outputs data indicative of an average speed of the cross-wind along the trajectory in the shooting space based upon a time delay between the signals.

Bagwell, Brett↗

Systems and methods for predictive lane change

A system includes a controller comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: receiving information indicative of operation of the vehicle and of a driving condition for the vehicle; determining that a speed of the vehicle is less than a target speed for the vehicle based on the received information; determining, in response to the determination that the speed is less than the target speed, that the lane change and takeover event is at least one of feasible or efficient based on the received information; and providing, in response to the determination regarding the lane change and takeover event, a notification.

Borhan, Hoseinali↗

Quantum frequency processor for provable cybersecurity

Methods of quantum key distribution include receiving a frequency bin photon at a location, selecting a frequency bin photon quantum key distribution measurement basis, with a quantum frequency processor, performing a measurement basis transformation on the received frequency bin photon so that the frequency bin photon is measurable in the selected frequency bin photon quantum key distribution measurement basis, and detecting the frequency bin photon in the selected quantum key distribution measurement basis and assigning a quantum key distribution key value based on the detection to a portion of a quantum key distribution key. Apparatus and methods for encoding, decoding, transmitting, and receiving frequency bin photons are disclosed.

Lukens, Joseph M.↗