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At least 55 records · Page 3

Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials (Second Annual Progress Report)

Additive manufacturing (AM) is an emerging method for cost-efficient fabrication of nuclear reactor parts. AM of metallic structures for nuclear energy applications is currently based on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, which can introduce internal material flaws, such as pores and anisotropy. Integrity of AM structures needs to be evaluated nondestructively because material flaws could lead to premature failures due to exposure to high temperature, radiation and corrosive environment in a nuclear reactor. Thermal tomography (TT) provides a capability for non-destructive evaluation of sub-surface defects in arbitrary size structures. Thermal tomography is a computational method for heat diffusion-based imaging of solids, which provides 3D visualization of data from flash thermography measurements. We investigate thermal tomography imaging and nondestructive evaluation of stainless steel and nickel super alloy metallic structures produced with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) process. Metallic structures produced with LPBF contain defects, and there are limited capabilities to evaluate these structures non-destructively. Thermal tomography reconstruction of 3D apparent spatial effusivity provides information about AM structure geometry and internal material flaws. We study performance of thermal tomography in imaging of metallic structures through COMSOL computer simulations of transient heat transfer, and through reconstruction of data obtained from experimental measurements. Reconstruction of internal defects is investigated using a stainless steel 316L specimen with flat bottom hole (FBH) indentations, and Inconel 718 plate produced with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) method, which contains imprinted hemispherical shape low density regions containing non-sintered metallic powder. The FBH’s have the same sizes as the imprinted defects in the LPBF specimens, but offer better imaging contrast. Thermal tomography reconstructions provide visualizations of internal defects, and allow for estimation of their sizes and locations. Detection sensitivity of TT is limited by noises. We investigate separation of signal from noise in thermography images using several machine learning (ML) methods, including new spatio-temporal blind source separation (STBSS) and spatio-temporal sparse dictionary learning (STSDL) methods. Performance of the ML methods is benchmarked using thermography data obtained from imaging stainless steel 316L and Inconel 718 specimens produced LPBF method with imprinted calibrated porosity defects. The ML methods are ranked by F-score and execution runtime. Finally, we investigate TT of AM stainless steel 316L specimen with imprinted internal porosity defects using relatively low-cost, small form factor infrared (IR) camera based on uncooled micro bolometer detector. Sparse coding related K-means singular value decomposition (SVD) machine learning, image processing algorithms are developed to improve quality of TT images through removal of Additive white Gaussian noise without blurring the images. Following initial qualification of an AM component for deployment in a nuclear reactor, a compact TT can also be used for in-service nondestructive evaluation (NDE). With capability to perform in-service NDE of the AM component lifecycle, TT data can be used for development of a component digital twin.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Doppler radar imaging of spherical planetary surfaces

This paper describes a technique for using echo power-spectra for making radar images of spherical planetary targets. In developing the Doppler-radar imaging system, the target's reflectivity distribution is expanded in a truncated spherical harmonic series; the distribution of echo power in rotational phase and the Doppler frequency are obtained in form of a system of linear equations which express the echo spectra as functions of the series coefficients. To estimate the coefficients from an observed phase-Doppler distribution, the inversion is cast as a least-squares problem, and is solved using singular value decompositions, yielding a linear imaging system which can be fully characterized by its impulse response as a function of latitude. Simulations were designed and used to explore the capabilities of Doppler radar imaging, and the sensitivity of imaging to such factors as subradar altitude coverage and signal-to-noise ratio was investigated.

Hudson, R. Scott↗

Development of Thermal Tomography Imaging System for In-Service Nondestructive Evaluation of Additively Manufactured Components

Additive manufacturing (AM) is an emerging method for cost-efficient fabrication of nuclear reactor parts. AM of metallic structures for nuclear energy applications is currently based on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, which can introduce internal material flaws, such as pores and anisotropy. Integrity of AM structures needs to be evaluated nondestructively because material flaws could lead to premature failures due to exposure to high temperature, radiation and corrosive environment in a nuclear reactor. Thermal tomography (TT) provides a capability for non-destructive evaluation of sub-surface defects in arbitrary size structures. We investigate TT of AM stainless steel 316L specimen with imprinted internal porosity defects using relatively low-cost, small form factor infrared (IR) camera based on uncooled micro bolometer detector. Sparse coding related K-means singular value decomposition (SVD) machine learning, image processing algorithms are developed to improve quality of TT images through removal of Additive white Gaussian noise without blurring the images. Following initial qualification of an AM component for deployment in a nuclear reactor, a compact TT can also be used for in-service nondestructive evaluation (NDE). With capability to perform in-service NDE of the AM component lifecycle, TT data can be used for development of a component digital twin. MIT research reactor (MITR) has been identified as a representative environment to perform investigation of feasibility of in-service NDE during shutdown. Preliminary study of radiation level in the MITR viewport, with geometric parameters potentially compatible with compact TT system, has been conducted.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physics guided machine learning for multi-material decomposition of tissues from dual-energy CT scans of simulated breast models with calcifications

We introduce a physics guided data-driven method for image-based multi-material decomposition for dual-energy computed tomography (CT) scans. The method is demonstrated for CT scans of virtual human phantoms containing more than two types of tissues. The method is a physics-driven supervised learning technique. We take advantage of the mass attenuation coefficient of dense materials compared to that of muscle tissues to perform a preliminary extraction of the dense material from the images using unsupervised methods. We then perform supervised deep learning on the images processed by the extracted dense material to obtain the final multi-material tissue map. The method is demonstrated on simulated breast models with calcifications as the dense material placed amongst the muscle tissues. The physics-guided machine learning method accurately decomposes the various tissues from input images, achieving a normalized root-mean-squared error of 2.75%.

Gopalakrishnan Meena, Murali↗

Striving to translate shale physics across ten orders of magnitude: What have we learned?

Shales will play an important role in the successful transition of energy from fossil-based resources to renewables in the coming decades. Aside from being a significant source of low-carbon intensity fuels, like natural gas, they also serve as geologic seals of subsurface formations that may be used to isolate nuclear waste, sequester CO 2 , or store intermittent energy (e.g., solar hydrogen). Despite their importance, shales pose significant engineering and environmental challenges due to their nanoporous structure and extreme heterogeneity that spans at least ~10 orders of magnitude in spatial scale. Two challenges inhibit a system-level understanding: (1) the physics of fluid flow and phase behavior in shales are poorly understood due to the dominant molecular interactions between minerals and fluids under confinement, and (2) the apparent lack of scale separation that prevents a reliable (closed) description of the physics at any single scale of observation. In this review, we focus on the latter issue and discuss scale translation, which in its broadest sense is transforming data or simulations from one spatiotemporal scale to another. While effective scale translation is not exclusive to shales, but all geologic porous media, the need for it is especially acute in shales given their high degree of heterogeneity. Classical theories like homogenization, while indispensable, fail when scales are not separated. Other methods, like numerical upscaling, scale-translate in only one direction: small to large, but not the reverse, called downscaling. However, the confluence of advances in three areas are bringing challenging problems such as shales within reach: increased computational power and scalable algorithms; high-resolution imaging and multi-modal data acquisition; and machine learning to process massive amounts of data. While these advances equip geoscientists with a wide array of experimental and computational tools, no individual tool can probe the entire gamut of heterogeneity in shales. Their effective use, therefore, requires an ability to bridge between various data types obtained at different scales. The aim of this review is to present a coherent account of computational and experimental methods that may be used to achieve just that, i.e., to perform scale translation. We provide a broader definition of scale translation, one that transcends classical homogenization and upscaling methods, but is consistent with them and accommodates notions like downscaling and data translation. After a brief introduction to homogenization, we review hybrid methods, numerical upscaling and its recent extensions, multiscale computing, high-resolution imaging, and machine learning. We place particular emphasis on multiscale computing and propose an algorithmic framework to bridge between the pore (micro) and Darcy (macro) scales. Throughout the paper, we draw comparisons between the various methods and highlight their (often hidden) similarities, differences, benefits, and pitfalls. We finally conclude with two case studies on shales that exemplify some of the methods presented.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Far-UV properties of the nuclear region of M31

Comparison of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) far-UV and visible images of the nucleus of M31 deepens the mystery of the two brightness peaks recently discovered by Lauer et al. At 175 mm the brightest point is the optically fainter peak (P2) that is close to the dynamical center. The very center of P2 has a UV upturn that is much greater than that of the bulge light, while the UV upturn of the optically brighter but off-center P1 is very similar to that of its surroundings. The excess FUV radiation form P2 is closely confined to its center and has a total flux density of 3 micro-joules, a level that is less likely to come from stellar radiation than from a high-frequency extension of the radio source at the center of M31. A surrounding region of 1.8 pc radius has a somewhat smaller Uv upturn than the rest of the bulge, but there is some lingering possibility that this depression might be an artifact of our correction of the spherical aberration. Our improvement decomposition of the V image removes the need to postulate a dust lane near the center. We confirm that P1 is very compact, and we derive a luminosity for it similar to that found by Lauer et al. The implications of all of this are briefly discussed.

King, Ivan R.↗

Recursive time-varying filter banks for subband image coding

Filter banks and wavelet decompositions that employ recursive filters have been considered previously and are recognized for their efficiency in partitioning the frequency spectrum. This paper presents an analysis of a new infinite impulse response (IIR) filter bank in which these computationally efficient filters may be changed adaptively in response to the input. The filter bank is presented and discussed in the context of finite-support signals with the intended application in subband image coding. In the absence of quantization errors, exact reconstruction can be achieved and by the proper choice of an adaptation scheme, it is shown that IIR time-varying filter banks can yield improvement over conventional ones.

Smith, Mark J. T.↗

Improving 3D Wavelet-Based Compression of Hyperspectral Images

Two methods of increasing the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) wavelet-based compression of hyperspectral images have been developed. (As used here, images signifies both images and digital data representing images.) The methods are oriented toward reducing or eliminating detrimental effects of a phenomenon, referred to as spectral ringing, that is described below. In 3D wavelet-based compression, an image is represented by a multiresolution wavelet decomposition consisting of several subbands obtained by applying wavelet transforms in the two spatial dimensions corresponding to the two spatial coordinate axes of the image plane, and by applying wavelet transforms in the spectral dimension. Spectral ringing is named after the more familiar spatial ringing (spurious spatial oscillations) that can be seen parallel to and near edges in ordinary images reconstructed from compressed data. These ringing phenomena are attributable to effects of quantization. In hyperspectral data, the individual spectral bands play the role of edges, causing spurious oscillations to occur in the spectral dimension. In the absence of such corrective measures as the present two methods, spectral ringing can manifest itself as systematic biases in some reconstructed spectral bands and can reduce the effectiveness of compression of spatially-low-pass subbands. One of the two methods is denoted mean subtraction. The basic idea of this method is to subtract mean values from spatial planes of spatially low-pass subbands prior to encoding, because (a) such spatial planes often have mean values that are far from zero and (b) zero-mean data are better suited for compression by methods that are effective for subbands of two-dimensional (2D) images. In this method, after the 3D wavelet decomposition is performed, mean values are computed for and subtracted from each spatial plane of each spatially-low-pass subband. The resulting data are converted to sign-magnitude form and compressed in a manner similar to that of a baseline hyperspectral- image-compression method. The mean values are encoded in the compressed bit stream and added back to the data at the appropriate decompression step. The overhead incurred by encoding the mean values only a few bits per spectral band is negligible with respect to the huge size of a typical hyperspectral data set. The other method is denoted modified decomposition. This method is so named because it involves a modified version of a commonly used multiresolution wavelet decomposition, known in the art as the 3D Mallat decomposition, in which (a) the first of multiple stages of a 3D wavelet transform is applied to the entire dataset and (b) subsequent stages are applied only to the horizontally-, vertically-, and spectrally-low-pass subband from the preceding stage. In the modified decomposition, in stages after the first, not only is the spatially-low-pass, spectrally-low-pass subband further decomposed, but also spatially-low-pass, spectrally-high-pass subbands are further decomposed spatially. Either method can be used alone to improve the quality of a reconstructed image (see figure). Alternatively, the two methods can be combined by first performing modified decomposition, then subtracting the mean values from spatial planes of spatially-low-pass subbands.

Klimesh, Matthew↗

Scalable FBP decomposition for cone-beam CT reconstruction

Filtered Back-Projection (FBP) is a fundamental compute intense algorithm used in tomographic image reconstruction. Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) devices use a cone-shaped X-ray beam, in comparison to the parallel beam used in older CT generations. Distributed image reconstruction of cone-beam datasets typically relies on dividing batches of images into different nodes. This simple input decomposition, however, introduces limits on input/output sizes and scalability.We propose a novel decomposition scheme and reconstruction algorithm for distributed FPB. This scheme enables arbitrarily large input/output sizes, eliminates the redundancy arising in the end-to-end pipeline and improves the scalability by replacing two communication collectives with only one segmented reduction. Finally, we implement the proposed decomposition scheme in a framework that is useful for all current-generation CT devices (7th gen). In our experiments using up to 1024 GPUs, our framework can construct 40963 volumes, for real-world datasets, in under 16 seconds (including I/O).

Chen, Peng↗

A multifunction recognition operator for telerobotic vision

Research on developing an operator capable of performing the various subtasks required of a telerobot's vision sensor is reported. The operator uses a goal-driven matching technique which is an application of a linear programming method that readily adapts to the elastic template matching approach to pattern recognition. Four applications of the operator are discussed: (1) three-space location of an isolated object; (2) shape determination of isolated planar figures; (3) image compression/restoration; and (4) shape decomposition.

Goode, P. W., IV↗

The Photospheric Convection Spectrum

Spectra of the photospheric cellular flows are determined from Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Michelson Doppler Imager (SOHO/MDI) observations. Spherical harmonic decompositions are obtained from the full-disc observations. Fourier decompositions are obtained from the high-resolution observations. The p-mode oscillation signals and instrumental artifacts are reduced by temporal filtering of the Doppler data. The resulting spectra give power (kinetic energy) per wavenumber for effective spherical harmonic degrees from 1 to about 3000. The spectra show distinct peaks representing granules and supergranules but no distinct features at wavenumbers representative of mesogranules or giant cells.

Hathaway, David H.↗

Characterization of the Inner Knot of the Crab: The Site of the Gamma-Ray Flares?

Subsequent to the detections AGILE and Fermi/LAT of the gamma-ray flares from the Crab Nebula in the fall of 2010, this team has been monitoring the X-Ray emission from the Crab on a regular basis. Initially X-Ray observations took place once per month when viewing constraints allowed. More recently observations with Chandra and HST have taken place four times per year. There have been notable exceptions, e.g. in April of 2011 and March 2013 when we initiated a set of Chandra Target of opportunity observations in conjunction with bright gamma-ray flares. Often Keck observations were obtained. The aim of this program to characterize, in depth, the X-ray, optical, and infrared variations that take place in the nebula, and, by so doing, determine the regions which contribute to the harder X-ray variations and, if possible, determine the precise location within the Nebula of the origin of the gamma-ray flares. As part of this project members of the team have applied Singular Value Decomposition techniques to sequences of images in order to more accurately characterize features and their behavior. The current status of the project will be discussed highlighting studies of the inner knot and possible correlations with the gamma-ray flares.

Chandra↗

Monitoring of the Crab Nebula with Chandra and Other Observatories Including HST

Subsequent to the detections AGILE and Fermi/LAT of the gamma‐ray flares from the Crab Nebula in the fall of 2010, this team has been monitoring the X‐Ray emission from the Crab on a regular basis. X‐Ray observations have taken place typically once per month when viewing constraints allow and more recently four times per year. There have been notable exceptions, e.g. in April of 2011 and March 2013 when we initiated a set of Chandra Target of opportunity observations in conjunction with bright gamma‐ray flares. For much of the time regular HST observations were made in conjunction with the Chandra observations. The aim of this program to further characterize, in depth, the X‐Ray and optical variations that take place in the nebula, and by so doing determine the regions which contribute to the harder X‐ray variations and, if possible, determine the precise location within the Nebula of the origin of the gamma‐ray flares. As part of this project members of the team have developed Singular Value Decomposition techniques to sequences of images in order to more accurately characterize features. The current status of the project will be presented highlighting studies of the inner knot and possible correlations with the flares.

Weisskopf, Martin C.↗

Heuristic Area Cost Estimation for Observational Coverage Schedulers

This paper presents a comparison of heuris- tics used to estimate the amount of time it would take for a spacecraft to image an area using Boustrophedon decomposition (Choset and Pignon 1998). Machine learning tech- niques are used to characterize algorithmic performance of coverage algorithms. It is shown that an ordinary least-squares linear model is among the most accurate in a set of constant and linear order regression models both in terms of memory consumption and schedule duration. These are demonstrated using the ASPEN planning system (Fukunaga et al. 1997) on the Eagle Eye domain.

Knight, Russell↗

Dynamic Analysis of Reynolds Number Effects on Trailing Edge Transonic Vortex Shedding and Its Impact on Turbine Blade Aerodynamic Performance

Time-resolved, high-speed self-aligned focusing schlieren images were acquired in the NASA Glenn Research Center Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade facility to help understand the aerodynamic behavior of high-pressure, thick trailing edge turbine blades. The trailing edge thickness of 9% of axial chord tested represents simulated ceramic matrix composite fabrication constraints, which was verified previously to possess a high-loss flow regime at high inlet turbulence conditions over a narrow range of Reynolds numbers and at a fixed design exit Mach number of 0.74. Our high-speed images, which were acquired at 10 distinct Reynolds numbers, show a significant increase in energy from flow oscillations due to transonic vortex shedding at Reynolds numbers corresponding to the high loss conditions. For those conditions, strong acoustic waves turn into shock waves. Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of the high-speed images shows acoustic waves from trailing edge vortex shedding at all conditions, with increased spectral energy at the high-loss conditions and slightly increasing frequency (about 6%) as a function of Reynolds number. Analysis of potential feedback timing is performed using velocity fields from a previous LES simulation, considering different feedback mechanisms. Most noteworthy is the acoustic/shock-boundary layer interaction mechanism on the suction surface at the blade geometric throat, which likely plays an important role in realistic curved blade passages.

Trailing Edge↗

Applicability of Spectral Decomposition by Varimax-Rotated, Principal Component Analysis to the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) VNIR Mission Concept

Cyanobacterial and Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) are a growing concern in coastal and inland waters. But, spectral interference from multiple constituents in optically complex waters can hamper application of remote sensing using traditional image processing methods. The Kent State University (KSU) spectral decomposition method can be applied to multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing images (e.g. HICO and the NASA Glenn HSI2) to partition and identify signals related to cyanobacteria, algae, pigment degradation products and suspended sediment in each pixel. Fundamental to the use of remote sensing data is the ability to extract independent signals from correlated hyperspectral VNIR data cubes. The Kent State University varimax-rotated, principal component analysis method (VPCA) is important to integrate into the SBG VNIR mission concept because it provides greater specificity, a software-based SNR boost relative to hardware performance, and can assist with Cal/Val, Modeling and Applications. We present examples of the hyperspectral application of the KSU VPCA method with relevance to SBG. The information extracted by VPCA can be validated spectrally or spatially with laboratory and/or in situ sensors, which capture spatial or time series of information at discrete points within remote sensing images. Comparisons show hyperspectral sensors extract more components than multispectral ones, but more independent information can be extracted from multispectral sensors by VPCA than traditional band ratio approaches. The spectral decomposition method is capable of enhancing the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the NASA Glenn, second-generation hyperspectral imager by a factor of 7x to 20x, with a spectral reproducibility of ±3%. The spectral decomposition method, when compared against existing remote sensing monitoring methods exhibits both greater specificity and a lower detection limit. The method has been validated with multispectral images in Lake Erie to quantify the Microcystis CyanoHAB and from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida to quantify the Brown Tide resulting from A. lagunesnsis. Field operations in the Western Basin of Lake Erie were conducted using a bbe Fluoroprobe to collect vertical profiles and horizontal tows along a transect from the Toledo to the Detroit Lighthouse during coincident satellite overpasses. Extraction of pixel values from the MODIS Aqua sensor yields agreement between in situ field and lab-based measures of cyanobacterial, cryptophyte, diatoms and green algae, suspended sediment and pigment degradation products with R2>0.8.

hyperspectral↗

An Application of Rotation- and Translation-Invariant Overcomplete Wavelets to the Registration of Remotely Sensed Imagery

A wavelet-based image registration approach has previously been proposed by the authors. In this work, wavelet coefficient maxima obtained from an orthogonal wavelet decomposition using Daubechies filters were utilized to register images in a multi-resolution fashion. Tested on several remote sensing datasets, this method gave very encouraging results. Despite the lack of translation-invariance of these filters, we showed that when using cross-correlation as a feature matching technique, features of size larger than twice the size of the filters are correctly registered by using the low-frequency subbands of the Daubechies wavelet decomposition. Nevertheless, high-frequency subbands are still sensitive to translation effects. In this work, we are considering a rotation- and translation-invariant representation developed by E. Simoncelli and integrate it in our image registration scheme. The two types of filters, Daubechies and Simoncelli filters, are then being compared from a registration point of view, utilizing synthetic data as well as data from the Landsat/ Thematic Mapper (TM) and from the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR).

LeMoigne, Jacqueline↗