Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Sensor development”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Measurements of an AC-LGAD strip sensor with a 120 GeV proton beam

The development of detectors that provide high resolution in four dimensions has attracted wide-spread interest in the scientific community for several applications in high-energy physics, nuclear physics, medical imaging, mass spectroscopy as well as quantum information. In addition to high time resolution and thanks to the AC-coupling of the electrodes, LGAD silicon sensors can provide high resolution in the measurement of spatial coordinates of an incident minimum ionizing particle. Such AC-coupled LGADs, also known as AC-LGADs, are therefore considered as candidates for future detectors to provide 4-dimensional measurements in a single sensing device with 100% fill factor. This article presents the first characterization of an AC-LGAD sensor with a proton beam of 120 GeV momentum at Fermilab. The sensor consists of strips with 80 μm width, fabricated at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The signal properties, efficiency, spatial, and time resolution are presented. Overall, the experimental results show that the time resolution of such an AC-LGAD is compatible to standard LGADs with similar gain, and that AC-LGADs can be segmented with fine pitches as standard strip or pixel detectors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Measurements of an AC-LGAD strip sensor with a 120 GeV proton beam

The development of detectors that provide high resolution in four dimensions has attracted wide-spread interest in the scientific community for several applications in high-energy physics, nuclear physics, medical imaging, mass spectroscopy as well as quantum information. In addition to high time resolution and thanks to the AC-coupling of the electrodes, LGAD silicon sensors can provide high resolution in the measurement of spatial coordinates of an incident minimum ionizing particle. Such AC-coupled LGADs, also known as AC-LGADs, are therefore considered as candidates for future detectors to provide 4-dimensional measurements in a single sensing device with 100$\%$ fill factor. This article presents the first characterization of an AC-LGAD sensor with a proton beam of 120 GeV momentum at Fermilab. The sensor consists of strips with 80 $\mu$m width, fabricated at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The signal properties, efficiency, spatial, and time resolution are presented. The experimental results show that the time resolution of such an AC-LGAD is compatible to standard LGADs with similar gain, and that AC-LGADs can be segmented with fine pitches as standard strip or pixel detectors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

On-Sensor Data Filtering using Neuromorphic Computing for High Energy Physics Experiments

This work describes the investigation of neuromorphic computing-based spiking neural network (SNN) models used to filter data from sensor electronics in high energy physics experiments conducted at the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider. We present our approach for developing a compact neuromorphic model that filters out the sensor data based on the particle's transverse momentum with the goal of reducing the amount of data being sent to the downstream electronics. The incoming charge waveforms are converted to streams of binary-valued events, which are then processed by the SNN. We present our insights on the various system design choices - from data encoding to optimal hyperparameters of the training algorithm - for an accurate and compact SNN optimized for hardware deployment. Our results show that an SNN trained with an evolutionary algorithm and an optimized set of hyperparameters obtains a signal efficiency of about 91% with nearly half as many parameters as a deep neural network.

R. Kulkarni, Shruti↗
DOE OSTI2022

Second Annual Report on Development of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer for Fluid Flow Sensing

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with the flat wall of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. Because the transducer is intended for immersion in a high temperature corrosive fluid, understanding of material degradation is crucial for estimation of transducer performance lifetime, and development of measurement interpretation algorithms. We conducted a preliminary computational investigation of relevant damage mechanisms of a stainless steel 316 cylindrical resonator in FLiBe salt. The two main damage mechanisms, creep and corrosion, were modeled using multiphysics COMSOL software. Degradation was modeled for a temperature range 500°C to 700°C. Coupling of the damage mechanisms was not considered. These models predict significant inelastic deformation at most temperatures due to creep, and qualitatively predict chromium depletion both along the liquid/solid interface and along the grain boundaries. An algorithmic approach for compensation of these degradation effects during fluid flow measurements will be developed in the future work. To validate sensor physics, we have performed proof-of-principle test of flow sensing in water. For this test, we have developed a cylindrical resonator for K-band, which was machined from brass. The cavity was excited through WR-42 waveguide through a subwavelength hole on the side of the wall of the cylinder. To increase the spectral signal visibility, we developed a signal processing method for baseline subtraction. A flow loop for proof-of-principle test of transducer performance in water was assembled. A commercial flow meter was installed in the loop for reference measurements. Cylindrical cavity was excited in the TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. Frequency shift of cavity spectral response was obtained by gradually increasing water flow rate from 0 to 60gpm. Corresponding monotonic increase of resonant frequency shift by several MHz was observed. Approximate figure of merit of sensitivity to flow rate is 100KHz/GPM. In addition, we have identified an existing liquid sodium experimental setup for demonstration of flow sensing in environment similar to that of an advanced reactor. The setup consists of a cylindrical vessel and center feed line, where transducer inserted through the lid will measure velocity of the impinging liquid jet. As a calibration experiment, we have assembled a water vessel with center feed with the same dimensions as those of the liquid sodium setup. We have also developed and insertion probe consisting of a 50cm brass waveguide enclosed in protective SS316 tube. Using the water loop, we have demonstrated feasibility of sensing the impinging liquid jet in the vessel.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Development of a large active area beam telescope based on the SiD microstrip sensor

A beam telescope as one of the most important and often requested test beam equipment provides particle tracking to test beam users. At the DESY II test beam facility, a new beam telescope called Lycorisbased on a microstrip sensor has been designed to address the user demands for momentum measurement in a 1 T solenoid magnet or large area tracking with limited space (3.5 cm between the potential user device and the magnet inner wall). Lycorisis designed to provide a high-precision resolution of at least ~10 µm along the bending direction, and a large active area of 10x10 cm 2 to cover at least 90% of the beam particles at energies of 1-6 GeV. The microstrip sensor was originally designed for the Silicon Detector (SiD) at the International Linear Collider (ILC), which adopted a hybrid-less design, i.e. a second metallization layer is used to route signals from strips to the bump-bonded ASIC, and from the ASIC to a wire-bond pad to the outside. This hybrid-less arrangement eliminates the need for a complex hybrid design, and its functioning is first-time tested in this project. The performance of the sensor modules was firstly tested in the lab then at the DESY II test beam facility in August/September 2018, and the results will be presented here. In addition, a summary will be given at the end with an overview of the ongoing test beam campaign of the Lycorisprototype in February 2019.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Integration of Wireless Sensor Networks and Battery-free RFID for Advanced Reactors

To address an important need for Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) to significantly reduce the amount of the required cables for sensor data communications, this Phase I SBIR effort successfully developed and demonstrated a novel low-cost proof-of-concept prototype of a secure wireless sensor network backbone communications system. This system combines commercially available low power, low cost XBEE wireless communications network and passive (battery-free) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems to report individual sensor data and their location through the containment wall for rapid response to anomalies in nuclear facilities. This WIreless Sensing and Locating (WISLO) system network architecture allows non-intrusive wireless collection of sensor data with the sensor’s accurate location information from inside of the instrumentation or containment area with minimal need for power sources. The multi-node sensor data in the containment area is wirelessly transmitted to outside through the metal reinforced concrete walls without the need for any batteries. The WISLO system could be readily used in current reactor fleet and future advanced reactors, as well as in small modular reactors (SMR). The WISLO system is the first dual frequency battery-free trough the wall communications backbone system developed specifically for use in nuclear power plants. It not only can modernize the sensor monitoring practices in the existing reactor fleet, but also offers a secure, low-cost solution to advanced reactors and SMRs by removing cables and issues related to them such as cable integrity, reporting delays, and installation and maintenance costs. The intent is to improve process safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness to the monitoring and maintenance process in current and future plants. As we address the next productization and manufacturing capabilities in the next phase, this system will serve the needs of many commercial and government applications in remote monitoring of sensor data that demand battery-free transmission of sensor data such as Internet-of-Things (IOT).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Evaluation of a catalytically aided thermal regeneration method for quartz filter-based black carbon sensing

Black carbon (BC)–a strong indicator of diesel particulate matter and other sources of incomplete carbonaceous fuel combustion–is an important air pollutant that affects public health, yet low-cost sensors capable of long-term, autonomous BC monitoring remain underdeveloped. We report on the development and evaluation of a novel BC prototype sensor that integrates soot collection on a quartz filter, in-situ optical transmission measurement, and thermal filter regeneration. To enable regeneration at lower temperatures, we evaluated the catalytic effects of various alkali metal salts pre-applied to the filter. Among these, cesium carbonate (Cs 2 CO 3 ) exhibited the strongest catalytic activity, lowering the temperature required for complete BC removal by up to 190 °C and reducing energy consumption by more than 75% compared to that required for untreated filters. The catalytic effect persisted through 10 BC collection–regeneration cycles. These findings demonstrate the potential of catalytically aided thermal regeneration in BC sensors and suggest a pathway toward energy-efficient and reduced maintenance air quality monitoring suitable for distributed BC monitoring networks.

Tang, Xiaochen [Lawrence Berkeley National Laborat↗
DOE OSTI2025

Acoustic Observations of the OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Capsule Re-Entry from Wendover Airport

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security‐Regolith Explorer sample return capsule (SRC) re‐entered the Earth’s atmosphere at hypersonic speeds from interplanetary space on 24 September 2023. The current work reports on 18 ground‐based acoustic sensors deployed at Wendover Airport, the same location that the Genesis and Stardust SRC re‐entries were recorded. Four different sensors (Chaparral Physics, Gem, Wilson Engineering Research and Development [WERD], and RedVox) were deployed in close proximity to compare their performance. All the sensors captured an N‐wave signal associated with the SRC re‐entry shock wave followed by a broadband coda. The Chaparral Physics array served as the high‐fidelity reference measurement. The N‐wave signal had a peak‐to‐peak amplitude of 4.07 Pa with a fundamental frequency of 4.98 Hz from 167.5° measured clockwise from north, nearly perpendicular to the SRC trajectory. In addition, high coherence in the coda was shown to be associated reflections from the surrounding mountains. In general, the more economical sensors (Gem, WERD, and RedVox) produced results that were consistent with these observations and sensor specifications. Beamforming with these single sensors arranged as an array showed agreement with the high‐fidelity array to within a couple of degrees. Furthermore, the current high‐fidelity results were compared with the measurements during the Genesis and Stardust SRC re‐entries. All three entries produced a broadband fundamental peak at a frequency that was inversely related to the SRC diameter as well as evidence of reflections from the surrounding topography.

KC, Real J. [Oklahoma State University, Stillwater↗
DOE OSTI2018

Sub-nanosecond single line-of-sight (SLOS) x-ray imagers (invited)

A new generation of fast-gated x-ray framing cameras have been developed that are capable of capturing multiple frames along a single line-of-sight with 30 ps temporal resolution. The instruments are constructed by integrating pulse-dilation electron imaging with burst mode hybrid-complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensors. Two such instruments have been developed, characterized, and fielded at the National Ignition Facility and the OMEGA laser. These instruments are particularly suited for advanced x-ray imaging applications in Inertial Confinement Fusion and High energy density experiments. Here, we discuss the system architecture and the techniques required for tuning the instruments to achieve optimal performance. Characterization results are also presented along with planned future improvements to the design.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

A general-purpose method for Pareto optimal placement of flow rate and concentration sensors in networked systems – With application to wastewater treatment plants

The advent of affordable computing, low-cost sensor hardware, and high-speed and reliable communications have spurred installation of ubiquitous sensors in complex engineered systems. However, ensuring reliable data quality remains a challenge. Exploitation of redundancy among sensor signals can help improving the precision of measured variables, detecting the presence of gross errors, and identifying faulty sensors. The cost of sensor ownership, maintenance efforts in particular, can still be cost-prohibitive however. Maximizing the ability to assess and control data quality while minimizing the cost of ownership thus requires a careful sensor placement. To solve this challenge, in this work we develop a generally applicable method to solve the multi-objective sensor placement problem in systems governed by linear and bilinear balance equations. Importantly, the method computes all Pareto-optimal sensor layouts with conventional computational resources and requires no information about the expected sensor quality.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Detecting outliers in streaming time series data from ARM distributed sensors

The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Data Center at ORNL collects data from a number of permanent and mobile facilities around the globe. The data is then ingested to create high level scientific products. High frequency streaming measurements from sensors and radar instruments at ARM sites require high degree of accuracy to enable rigorous study of atmospheric processes. Outliers in collected data are common due to instrument failure or extreme weather events. Thus, it is critical to identify and flag them. We employed multiple univariate, multivariate and time series techniques for outlier detection methods and studied their effectiveness. First, we examined Pearson correlation coefficient which is used to measure the pairwise correlations between variables. Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) was applied to detect outliers by removing the anticipated annual and seasonal cycles from the signal to accentuate anomalies. K-means was applied for multivariate examination of data from collection of sensors to identify any deviation from expected and known patterns and identify abnormal observation. The Pearson correlation coefficient, SSA and K-means methods were later combined together in a framework to detect outliers through a range of checks. We applied the developed method to data from meteorological sensors at ARM Southern Great Plains site and validated against existing database of known data quality issues.

Lu, Yuping↗
DOE OSTI2024

Methane Integrated Monitoring and Measurement System Design

Methane (CH 4 ), an abundant greenhouse gas, is the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). In comparison to CO 2 , CH 4 has a larger warming effect over a much shorter lifetime. While technologies to radically reduce global carbon dioxide emissions are materializing, rapid reductions in methane emissions are needed to limit near-term warming. Methane is primarily emitted as a byproduct from agricultural activities and energy extraction/utilization and is currently monitored via bottom-up (i.e., activity level) or top-down (via airborne or satellite retrievals) approaches. However, significant methane leaks remain undetected, and emission rates are challenging to characterize with current monitoring frameworks. In this report, we study methane leaks from oil and gas infrastructure using a tiered monitoring approach that combines bottom-up and top-down approaches in an integrated framework. We describe the individual advantages of bottom-up and top-down sensors in both stationary and mobile settings before characterizing how a fully integrated framework can improve predictions and uncertainties of potential leak locations and their emission rates. Further, we study the impact of different atmospheric (wind) conditions on integrated methane monitoring and develop a probabilistic approach to optimal sensor placement, thereby shortening detection times and improving monitoring capabilities. Last, we discuss how biogenic flux modeling can be used to improve assessment of background methane concentrations needed to fully assess the sensitivity of a tiered monitoring system.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Estimating scalar turbulent fluxes with slow-response sensors in the stable atmospheric boundary layer

Conventional and recently developed approaches for estimating turbulent scalar fluxes under stable atmospheric conditions are evaluated, with a focus on gases for which fast sensors are not readily available. First, the relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) classical approach and a recently proposed mixing length parameterization, labeled A22, are tested against eddy-covariance computations. Using high-frequency measurements collected from two contrasting sites (the frozen tundra near Utqiaġvik, Alaska, and a sparsely vegetated grassland in Wendell, Idaho, during winter), it is shown that the REA and A22 models outperform the conventional Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) utilized widely to infer fluxes from mean gradients. Second, scenarios where slow trace gas sensors are the only viable option in field measurements are investigated using digital filtering applied to fast-response sensors to simulate their slow-response counterparts. With a filtered scalar signal, the observed filtered eddy-covariance fluxes are referred to here as large-eddy-covariance (LEC) fluxes. A virtual eddy accumulation (VEA) approach, akin to the REA model but not requiring a mechanical apparatus to separate the gas flows, is also formulated and tested. A22 outperforms VEA and LEC in predicting the observed unfiltered (total) eddy-covariance (EC) fluxes; however, VEA can still capture the LEC fluxes well. This finding motivates the introduction of a sensor response time correction into the VEA formulation to offset the effect of sensor filtering on the underestimated net averaged fluxes. The only needed parameter for this correction is the mean velocity at the instrument height, a surrogate of the advective timescale. The VEA approach is very suitable and simple to use with gas sensors of intermediate speed (∼ 0.5 to 1 Hz) and with conventional open- or closed-path setups.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Virtual Refrigerant Charge Sensing Method for Next-Generation Refrigerant in Residential Heat Pumps

The charge level of refrigerant in heat pump systems significantly affects their operational performance. Virtual refrigerant charge (VRC) sensing technology has been well-established for traditional refrigerants (HFCs and HCFCs) for its low cost compared to physical sensors. However, other than traditional refrigerants, HFOs are increasingly used in next-generation heat pumps; whether these conventional VRC sensing methods remain applicable for heat pump systems utilizing next-generation refrigerants requires further investigation. To address these issues, this study develops a low-cost VRC sensing method for next-generation refrigerant heat pumps used in residential buildings. The developed algorithm is evaluated by using simulation models to evaluate the accuracy, considering an R454B heat pump with a nominal heating capacity of 51K Btu/hr (14.95 kW) as an example, and compared with those of the two reference VRC sensing algorithms. Though the developed VRC sensing algorithm and the two reference methods can accurately predict the charge level for the R454B heat pump system (with mean absolute percentage error for various cooling and heating conditions less than 7%), the developed VRC sensing algorithm uses fewer sensors and improves the overall accuracy for heating conditions by 7.1%, and the accuracy for undercharge cooling conditions 14.2%, compared with a mainstream algorithm. This technology will complement physical leakage detectors, and promote the adoption of next-generation heat pump systems, along with reducing wasted energy and maintenance costs.

Liang, Chenjiyu↗
DOE OSTI2021

Pressure-Driven Fiber-Optic Sensor for Online Corrosion Monitoring

For many industrial applications, corrosion is a life-limiting phenomenon and therefore requires careful consideration and rigorous experimental testing before structural materials can be reliably deployed, particularly in harsh chemical environments. The traditional approach to measuring corrosion requires exposing many samples to the intended environment and then extracting them individually at discrete intervals for postexposure characterization. This approach does not provide a high degree of temporal resolution, nor does it provide any real-time information regarding dynamic changes in corrosion rates. Additionally, developing an online corrosion monitor capable of surviving harsh chemical environments could provide valuable information regarding the structural health of components and changing process conditions that could accelerate corrosion. To this end, a corrosion sensor was developed based on a pressure-driven Fabry-Pérot cavity (FPC). This sensor uses a pressure control system to internally pressurize the FPC formed between the sensor’s housing and a metal-embedded singlemode optical fiber. Simultaneous measurement of the change in FPC length using low-coherence interferometry and the applied pressure enables the calculation of the relative changes in the sensor’s diaphragm thickness due to corrosion on its outer surface. Measurements were made in situ while actively corroding the sensor and were validated against surveillance specimens that were corroded simultaneously. The uncertainties in the measured corrosion were analyzed using error propagation of the uncertainties in the measured pressures and displacements and were found to be <1% of the initial diaphragm thickness.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Improving Predictability of Mixed-Phase Clouds and Aerosol Interactions in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) with ARM Measurements

The objective of this project is to improve the simulation and predictability of mixed-phase clouds and aerosol interactions in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) through comparisons with the DOE ARM observations. There are four major goals of the proposed study: (1) Improve the representation of ice microphysical processes in mixed-phase clouds; (2) Develop a long-term multi-sensor mixed-phase cloud dataset; (3) Test the performance of improved ice microphysics in CESM-CAM5 with the ARM data; and (4) Examine mixed-phase cloud microphysics-aerosol-dynamics-radiation interactions in CESM-CAM5. In this project, we have (1) Improved the representation of ice microphysical processes in mixed-phase clouds that include ice nucleation, ice depositional growth through the Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen (WBF) process, feedbacks between cloud microphysics, dynamics and radiation, and provides links to aerosol properties in the Community Earth System Model (CESM)-Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5); (2) Developed a long-term multi-sensor mixed-phase cloud dataset. The mixed-phase cloud retrieval algorithms are improved by refining the phase determinations and ice number concentration retrievals. A multi-year mixed-phase cloud observation dataset (1999-2004; October 2013-February 2017) is regenerated at the ARM Barrow site with the improved algorithms. The dataset has been used in the global model evaluation to improve the model parameterizations; (3) Tested the performance of improved ice microphysics in CESM-CAM5 with the ARM data. CESM-CAM5 is run in the DOE Cloud-Associated Parameterizations Testbed (CAPT) and in the single-column model (SCM) mode to facilitate comparison with ARM observations. Multi-year CAPT simulations of seasonal variations of cloud microphysical properties, cloud liquid water path (LWP) and ice water path (IWP), cloud longwave and shortwave forcings, cloud occurrence frequency are evaluated against the ARM multi-sensor mixed-phase cloud retrievals; and (4) Examined mixed-phase cloud microphysics-aerosol-dynamics-radiation interactions in CESM-CAM5 that include the impacts of different ice nucleation mechanisms, sensitivity to dust IN concentration, treatment of the WBF process on mixed-phase cloud properties. Aerosol effect on mixed-phase clouds through the liquid phase (droplet activation) and ice phase processes (e.g., the glaciation indirect effect) is investigated.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Materials for Gamma Radiation Sensors

Sensors used for spectroscopic measurements of gamma radiation are most often scintillator or semiconductor materials. An overview is provided in this chapter on the materials and development techniques used in producing spectroscopic gamma radiation sensors. Challenges that prevent a perfect sensor are discussed along with the reasons why some sensor materials are ubiquitous despite their performance limitations. The types of sensors commonly used as detectors are discussed along with their key physical properties and electronic characteristics. Materials commonly utilized in radiation detectors are then reviewed to highlight how sensor materials have advanced since the earliest gamma detectors were developed

Johns, Paul M.↗