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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 595 records · Page 33

Vehicle Tracking with Crop-based Detection

End-to-end production of vehicle tracking data from video in real-time and with high accuracy remains a challenging problem due to the computational cost of object detection on each frame. In this work we present Tracking with Crop-based Detection, a method for speeding object tracking in constrained contexts (with stable cameras and relatively-predictable object motion) such as vehicle traffic monitoring. We leverage this context to provide a strong prior for object locations, which we use to 1.) boost detection speed by detecting objects only in regions corresponding to object priors on most frames and 2.) inform the selection of the detector output for each object. We evaluate Crop-based Detection as an extension to the KIOU object tracker (Crop-KIOU) on the UA-DETRAC dataset. The proposed tracker outperforms all other reported algorithms in terms of PR-MOTA, PR-MOTP, and mostly tracked objects on the UA-DETRAC benchmark, establishing a new state-of-the-art. Relative to tracking by detection with KIOU, Crop-KIOU achieves a 26% higher frame-rate and increases accuracy. Furthermore, Tracking with Crop-based Detection can be combined with frame skipping; we show a 149% increase in framerate relative to KIOU with no decrease in accuracy using this combination of methods.

Gloudemans, Derek↗

3D Higher Order Modeling in the BEM/FEM Hybrid Formulation

Higher order divergence- and curl-conforming bases have been shown to provide significant benefits, in both convergence rate and accuracy, in the 2D hybrid finite element/boundary element formulation (P. Fink and D. Wilton, National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan. 2000). A critical issue in achieving the potential for accuracy of the approach is the accurate evaluation of all matrix elements. These involve products of high order polynomials and, in some instances, singular Green's functions. In the 2D formulation, the use of a generalized Gaussian quadrature method was found to greatly facilitate the computation and to improve the accuracy of the boundary integral equation self-terms. In this paper, a 3D, hybrid electric field formulation employing higher order bases and higher order elements is presented. The improvements in convergence rate and accuracy, compared to those resulting from lower order modeling, are established. Techniques developed to facilitate the computation of the boundary integral self-terms are also shown to improve the accuracy of these terms. Finally, simple preconditioning techniques are used in conjunction with iterative solution procedures to solve the resulting linear system efficiently. In order to handle the boundary integral singularities in the 3D formulation, the parent element- either a triangle or rectangle-is subdivided into a set of sub-triangles with a common vertex at the singularity. The contribution to the integral from each of the sub-triangles is computed using the Duffy transformation to remove the singularity. This method is shown to greatly facilitate t'pe self-term computation when the bases are of higher order. In addition, the sub-triangles can be further divided to achieve near arbitrary accuracy in the self-term computation. An efficient method for subdividing the parent element is presented. The accuracy obtained using higher order bases is compared to that obtained using lower order bases when the number of unknowns is approximately equal. Also, convergence rates obtained using higher order bases are compared to those obtained with lower order bases for selected sample

Fink, P. W.↗

Technique for measuring the dielectric constant of thin materials

A practical technique for measuring the dielectric constant of vegetation leaves and similarly thin materials is presented. A rectangular section of the leaf is placed in the tranverse plane in a rectangular waveguide and the magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient are measured over the desired frequency band using a vector network analyzer. By treating the leaf as an infinitesimally thin resistive sheet, an explicit expression for its dielectric constant is obtained in terms of the reflection coefficient. Because of the thin-sheet approximation, however, this approach is valid only at frequencies below 1.5 GHz. To extend the technique to higher frequencies, higher order approximations are derived and their accuracies are compared to the exact dielectric-slab solution. For a material whose thickness is 0.5 mm or less, the proposed technique was found to provide accurate values of its dielectric constant up to frequencies of 12 GHz or higher. The technique was used to measure the 8 to 12 GHz dielectric spectrum for vegetation leaves, teflon and rock samples.

Sarabandi, K.↗

Requirements for an Advanced Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Sounder (ALS) for Improved Regional Weather Prediction and Monitoring of Greenhouse Gases

Hyperspectral infrared atmospheric sounders (e.g., the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on Aqua and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on Met Op) provide highly accurate temperature and water vapor profiles in the lower to upper troposphere. These systems are vital operational components of our National Weather Prediction system and the AIRS has demonstrated over 6 hrs of forecast improvement on the 5 day operational forecast. Despite the success in the mid troposphere to lower stratosphere, a reduction in sensitivity and accuracy has been seen in these systems in the boundary layer over land. In this paper we demonstrate the potential improvement associated with higher spatial resolution (1 km vs currently 13.5 km) on the accuracy of boundary layer products with an added consequence of higher yield of cloud free scenes. This latter feature is related to the number of samples that can be assimilated and has also shown to have a significant impact on improving forecast accuracy. We also present a set of frequencies and resolutions that will improve vertical resolution of temperature and water vapor and trace gas species throughout the atmosphere. Development of an Advanced Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Sounder (ALS) with these improvements will improve weather forecast at the regional scale and of tropical storms and hurricanes. Improvements are also expected in the accuracy of the water vapor and cloud properties products, enhancing process studies and providing a better match to the resolution of future climate models. The improvements of technology required for the ALS are consistent with the current state of technology as demonstrated in NASA Instrument Incubator Program and NOAA's Hyperspectral Environmental Suite (HES) formulation phase development programs.

temperature↗

Delivering laser performance conditions to enable fusion ignition, and beyond at the National Ignition Facility

On December 5th, 2022, controlled fusion ignition was demonstrated for the first time at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), a major achievement in the field of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) requiring a multi-decadal effort involving broad national and international collaborations. To drive the fusion ignition reaction with the compressed fuel capsule, that yielded 3.15 MJ of nuclear energy [1], the NIF laser delivered a high-precision pulse shape with 2.05 MJ of ultra-violet (UV) laser energy and a peak power of 440 TW. This laser energy was an increase of ~8 % compared to that delivered on the previous “threshold of ignition” record yield experiment (1.37 MJ of yield for 1.89 MJ of laser energy) on August 8th, 2021. Here we explain how the results of our extensive research in laser technology and UV optics damage mitigation led to major improvements in the NIF laser, enabling this energy increase along with additional accuracy, precision, and power balance enhancements. Furthermore, we will discuss on-going efforts that have enabled operations at 2.2 MJ of UV energy as well as potential new initiatives to push the laser performance –accuracy and delivered energy– to even higher levels in the future as previously demonstrated on a small subset of NIF beams.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Measurement of free chlorine levels in water using potentiometric responses of biofilms and applications for monitoring and managing the quality of potable water

We report residual free chlorine is not monitored continuously at scale in drinking water distribution systems because existing real-time sensor technologies require frequent maintenance, cleaning, and calibration, which makes these products too costly to be used throughout a distribution system. As a result, current measurement approaches require manual sampling, which is not feasible for the consistent monitoring of free chlorine because chlorine concentrations vary significantly throughout pipeline distribution and over time and space. This research presents an alternative and cost-effective method of predicting free chlorine levels in drinking water using graphite electrodes coated with naturally grown microbial biofilms. This Microbial Potentiometric Sensor (MPS) array was installed in a Continuously Mixed Batch Reactor (CMBR), and drinking water containing variable free chlorine concentrations. The chlorine concentrations were introduced in a controlled manner, and the MPS signals were monitored over time. MPS signals were measured from the change in Open Circuit Potential (OCP) across the MPS array in real-time. An empirically derived relationship between the normalized change in OCP and free chlorine was established by fitting individual and average MPS data to a decaying exponential growth function in order to predict free chlorine levels. The results show that free chlorine can be predicted with reasonable accuracy, with model validation showing an average absolute error of ±0.09 ppm below 1.1 ppm and ±0.30 ppm between 1.1 and 2.7 ppm. However, the accuracy of predictions was reduced at higher free chlorine levels. The researchers conclude that MPS systems may benefit drinking water distribution systems by measuring free chlorine. These advantages of the MPS are especially pronounced in the developing world because this system is inexpensive and does not require routine maintenance or cleaning. The system relies on a naturally forming and regenerating biofilm and an inexpensive potentiometric meter to produce stable measurements.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Enhanced read resolution in reconfigurable memristive synapses for Spiking Neural Networks

Abstract The synapse is a key element circuit in any memristor-based neuromorphic computing system. A memristor is a two-terminal analog memory device. Memristive synapses suffer from various challenges including high voltage, SET or RESET failure, and READ margin issues that can degrade the distinguishability of stored weights. Enhancing READ resolution is very important to improving the reliability of memristive synapses. Usually, the READ resolution is very small for a memristive synapse with a 4-bit data precision. This work considers a step-by-step analysis to enhance the READ current resolution or the read current difference between two resistance levels for a current-controlled memristor-based synapse. An empirical model is used to characterize the $${\hbox {HfO}}_{2}$$ HfO 2 based memristive device. $$1\textrm{st}$$ 1 st and $$2\textrm{nd}$$ 2 nd stage device of our proposed synapse design can be scaled to enhance the READ current margin up to $$\sim$$ ∼ 4.3 $$\times$$ × and $$\sim$$ ∼ 21%, respectively. Moreover, READ current resolution can be enhanced with run-time adaptation techniques such as READ voltage scaling and body biasing. The READ voltage scaling and body biasing can improve the READ current resolution by about 46% and 15%, respectively. TENNLab’s neuromorphic computing framework is leveraged to evaluate the effect of READ current resolution on classification, control, and reservoir computing applications. Higher READ current resolution shows better accuracy than lower resolution even when facing different levels of read noise.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Virtual node graph neural network for full phonon prediction

Understanding the structure-property relationship is crucial for designing materials with desired properties. The past few years have witnessed remarkable progress in machine-learning methods for this connection. However, substantial challenges remain, including the generalizability of models and prediction of properties with materials-dependent output dimensions. Here we present the virtual node graph neural network to address the challenges. By developing three virtual node approaches, we achieve Γ-phonon spectra and full phonon dispersion prediction from atomic coordinates. We show that, compared with the machine-learning interatomic potentials, our approach achieves orders-of-magnitude-higher efficiency with comparable to better accuracy. This allows us to generate databases for Γ-phonon containing over 146,000 materials and phonon band structures of zeolites. Additionally, our work provides an avenue for rapid and high-quality prediction of phonon band structures enabling materials design with desired phonon properties. The virtual node method also provides a generic method for machine-learning design with a high level of flexibility. In this study, the authors present a virtual node graph neural network to enable the prediction of material properties with variable output dimensions. This method offers fast and accurate predictions of phonon band structures in complex solids.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An optimally tuned range-separated hybrid starting point for ab initio GW plus Bethe–Salpeter equation calculations of molecules

The ab initio GW plus Bethe–Salpeter equation (GW-BSE, where G is the one particle Green's function and W is the screened Coulomb interaction) approach has emerged as a leading method for predicting excitations in both solids and molecules with a predictive power contingent upon several factors. Among these factors are the (1) generalized Kohn–Sham eigensystem used to construct the GW self-energy and to solve the BSE and (2) the efficacy and suitability of the Tamm–Dancoff approximation. Here, we present a detailed benchmark study of low-lying singlet excitations from a generalized Kohn–Sham (gKS) starting point based on an optimally tuned range-separated hybrid (OTRSH) functional. We show that the use of this gKS starting point with one-shot G0W0 and G0W0-BSE leads to the lowest mean absolute errors (MAEs) and mean signed errors (MSEs), with respect to high-accuracy reference values, demonstrated in the literature thus far for the ionization potentials of the GW100 benchmark set and for low-lying neutral excitations of Thiel’s set molecules in the gas phase, without the need for self-consistency. The MSEs and MAEs of one-shot G0W0-BSE@OTRSH excitation energies are comparable to or lower than those obtained with other functional starting points after self-consistency. Additionally, we compare these results with linear-response time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations and find GW-BSE to be superior to TDDFT when calculations are based on the same exchange-correlation functional. This work demonstrates tuned range-separated hybrids used in combination with GW and GW-BSE can greatly suppress starting point dependence for molecules, leading to accuracy similar to that for higher-order wavefunction-based theories for molecules without the need for costlier iterations to self-consistency.

McKeon, Caroline A. (ORCID:0000000217373503)↗

Accurate shear estimation with fourth-order moments

ABSTRACT As imaging surveys progress in exploring the large-scale structure of the Universe through the use of weak gravitational lensing, achieving sub-per cent accuracy in estimating shape distortions caused by lensing, or shear, is imperative for precision cosmology. In this paper, we extend the Fourier power function shapelets (FPFS) shear estimator using fourth-order shapelet moments and combine it with the original second-order shear estimator to reduce galaxy shape noise. We calibrate this novel shear estimator analytically to a sub-per cent level-accuracy using the AnaCal framework. This higher order shear estimator is tested with realistic image simulations, and after analytical correction for the detection/selection bias and noise bias, the multiplicative shear bias $|m|$ is below $3\times 10^{-3}$ (99.7 per cent confidence interval) for both isolated and blended galaxies. Once combined with the second-order FPFS shear estimator, the shape noise is reduced by $\sim 35~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for isolated galaxies in simulations with Hyper Suprime-Cam and Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time observational conditions. However, for blended galaxies, the effective number density does not significantly improve with the combination of the two estimators. Based on these results, we recommend exploration of how this framework can further reduce the systematic uncertainties in shear due to point spread function leakage and modelling error, and potentially provide improved precision in shear inference in high-resolution space-based images.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Data Driven User Emulator

This software generates realistic network traffic to test intrusion detection systems. The most realistic traffic is generated when software is used to drive actual applications, thereby behaving like a real user. Tools that generate such realistic user behavior are called user emulators. However, no existing user emulators use models based on data science and real user data, and they suffer from a decrease in the fidelity of the generated traffic. We develop a user emulator that uses real user data and data science to generate higher fidelity emulation and increase the accuracy of our experimental results.

Oesch, TimothyS.↗

Waste Glass Property Database and Data Qualification Plan

The U.S. Department of Energy vitrification facilities currently employ glass property-composition models to ensure processability of waste streams and acceptability of the final glass products. The efficiency (e.g., process flexibility, reduced down time, and reduced cost) of waste vitrification is directly tied to the size of the waste processing envelope. To increase the size of the processing envelope, a larger database was developed. The database will improve the prediction accuracy of glass properties, leading to higher waste loadings, higher waste throughput, broader process flexibility, and reduced mission life. Some of the data in this expanded database has insufficient quality assurance (QA) rigor for use in nuclear facility operation and glass qualification. A plan was developed to qualify high-value data under the appropriate QA rigor for use at the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant’s High-Level Waste (HLW) Facility. This qualification plan first compares the data coverage over the composition region of interest to Hanford HLW by property. Those studies that significantly improve the data coverage in the Hanford HLW glass composition region were prioritized for qualification activities. Qualification methods including QA equivalence, peer review, data corroboration, and confirmatory testing have been assigned to each high-priority study.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

HLPW-4/GMGW-3: High-Order Discretization Technology Focus Group Workshop Summary

This paper summarizes the High-Order Technical Focus Group (HO-TFG) submissions for the joint 4th AIAA High Lift Prediction (HLPW-4) and 3rd Geometry and Mesh Generation Workshop (GMGW-3). The goal of the workshop was to assess the state-of-the-art in mesh generation and computational fluid dynamics software. The Common Research Model High-Lift (CRM-HL) variant served as the primary focus of the workshop, and a two-dimensional airfoil section from the CRM-HL was used as a verification test case. Here, the HO-TFG was tasked with generating high-order curved meshes for both geometries, and computing high-order solutions using both Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and scale-resolving formulations. While limited by computational resources, the final results demonstrate the potential of higher-order methods to increase solution accuracy with a lower degree-of-freedom count relative to second-order discretizations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

HLPW-4/GMGW-3: High Order Discretization Technology Focus Group Workshop Summary

This paper summarizes the High-Order Technical Focus Group (HO-TFG) submissions for the joint 4th AIAA High Lift Prediction and 3rd Geometry and Mesh Generation Workshop. The goal of the workshop was to assess the state-of-the-art in mesh generation and computational fluid dynamics software. The Common Research Model High-Lift (CRM-HL) variant served as the primary focus of the workshop, and a 2D airfoil section from the CRM-HL was used as a verification test case. The HO-TFG was tasked with generating high-order curved meshes for both geometries, and computing high-order solutions using both Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes and scale resolving formulations. While limited by computational resources, the final results demonstrate the potential of higher-order methods to increase solution accuracy with a lower degree of freedom count relative to second-order discretizations.

Galbraith, Marshall C.↗

Fast Characterization of Inducible Regions of Atrial Fibrillation Models With Multi-Fidelity Gaussian Process Classification

Computational models of atrial fibrillation have successfully been used to predict optimal ablation sites. A critical step to assess the effect of an ablation pattern is to pace the model from different, potentially random, locations to determine whether arrhythmias can be induced in the atria. In this work, we propose to use multi-fidelity Gaussian process classification on Riemannian manifolds to efficiently determine the regions in the atria where arrhythmias are inducible. We build a probabilistic classifier that operates directly on the atrial surface. We take advantage of lower resolution models to explore the atrial surface and combine seamlessly with high-resolution models to identify regions of inducibility. We test our methodology in 9 different cases, with different levels of fibrosis and ablation treatments, totalling 1,800 high resolution and 900 low resolution simulations of atrial fibrillation. When trained with 40 samples, our multi-fidelity classifier that combines low and high resolution models, shows a balanced accuracy that is, on average, 5.7% higher than a nearest neighbor classifier. We hope that this new technique will allow faster and more precise clinical applications of computational models for atrial fibrillation. All data and code accompanying this manuscript will be made publicly available at: https://github.com/fsahli/AtrialMFclass.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Machine Learning Predictions of Transition Probabilities in Atomic Spectra

Forward modeling of optical spectra with absolute radiometric intensities requires knowledge of the individual transition probabilities for every transition in the spectrum. In many cases, these transition probabilities, or Einstein A-coefficients, quickly become practically impossible to obtain through either theoretical or experimental methods. Complicated electronic orbitals with higher order effects will reduce the accuracy of theoretical models. Experimental measurements can be prohibitively expensive and are rarely comprehensive due to physical constraints and sheer volume of required measurements. Due to these limitations, spectral predictions for many element transitions are not attainable. In this work, we investigate the efficacy of using machine learning models, specifically fully connected neural networks (FCNN), to predict Einstein A-coefficients using data from the NIST Atomic Spectra Database. For simple elements where closed form quantum calculations are possible, the data-driven modeling workflow performs well but can still have lower precision than theoretical calculations. For more complicated nuclei, deep learning emerged more comparable to theoretical predictions, such as Hartree–Fock. Unlike experiment or theory, the deep learning approach scales favorably with the number of transitions in a spectrum, especially if the transition probabilities are distributed across a wide range of values. It is also capable of being trained on both theoretical and experimental values simultaneously. In addition, the model performance improves when training on multiple elements prior to testing. The scalability of the machine learning approach makes it a potentially promising technique for estimating transition probabilities in previously inaccessible regions of the spectral and thermal domains on a significantly reduced timeline.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Analysis of a Pneumatic Probe for Measuring Exhaust-Gas Temperatures with Some Preliminary Experimental Results

A pneumatic probe based on continuity of mass flow through two restrictions separated by a cooling chamber was constructed to measure gas temperature at and beyond the limit of thermocouples. This probe consisted of a subsonic flat-plate orifice for the first restriction and a sonic-flow converging-diverging nozzle for the second restriction. The effect of variation in gas constants on the calibration is examined for common engine-exhaust gases. A high-temperature wind tunnel that allowed calibration of the probe at temperatures up to 2000 deg R and. Mach numbers up to 0.8 is described. Agreement to better than 30 deg R between pneumatic probe indication and the indication of a rake of radiation shielded thermocouples indicates that extrapolation of the calibration to higher temperatures is possible with fair accuracy

Scadron, Marvin D.↗

A new inversion method of remote sounding of planetary atmospheres

A new inversion method for remote sounding of planetary atmospheres is presented which appears to have several significant advantages over the conventional methods. This method is applicable to high-resolution observations where the spectral lines are fully resolved and is based on matching the calculated slopes of the spectral line profiles with slopes of the observed line shapes. The method is applied to inversion of ozone absorption lines in the earth's atmosphere, and the results are compared with those obtained by a conventional method. The proposed method is seen to provide a significant improvement in the overall accuracy of the retrieved profiles, with higher vertical resolution and higher levels which may be probed.

Abbas, M. M.↗