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At least 73 records · Page 4

Applying Space Technology to Enhance Control of an Artificial Arm

At the present time, myoelectric prostheses perform only one function of the hand: open and close with the thumb, index and middle finger coming together to grasp various shaped objects. To better understand the limitations of the current single-function prostheses and the needs of the individuals who use them, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (August 1992 - November 1994), surveyed approximately 2500 individuals with upper limb loss. When asked to identify specific features of their current electric prosthesis that needed improvement, the survey respondents overwhelmingly identified the lack of wrist and finger movement as well as poor control capability. Simply building a mechanism with individual finger and wrist motion is not enough. Individuals with upper limb loss tend to reject prostheses that require continuous visual monitoring and concentration to control. Robotics researchers at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Rice University have made substantial progress in myoelectric teleoperation. A myoelectric teleoperation system translates signals generated by an able-bodied robot operator's muscles during hand motions into commands that drive a robot's hand through identical motions. Farry's early work in myoelectric teleoperation used variations over time in the myoelectric spectrum as inputs to neural networks to discriminate grasp types and thumb motions. The resulting schemes yielded up to 93% correct classification on thumb motions. More recently, Fernandez achieved 100% correct non-realtime classification of thumb abduction, extension, and flexion on the same myoelectric data. Fernandez used genetic programming to develop functions that discriminate between thumb motions using myoelectric signal parameters. Genetic programming (GP) is an evolutionary programming method where the computer can modify the discriminating functions' form to improve its performance, not just adjust numerical coefficients or weights. Although the function development may require much computational time and many training cases, the resulting discrimination functions can run in realtime on modest computers. These results suggest that myoelectric signals might be a feasible teleoperation medium, allowing an operator to use his or her own hand and arm as a master to intuitively control an anthropomorphic robot in a remote location such as outer space.

Atkins, Diane↗

Concepts in Distributed Scheduling and Control

To support instrument and experiment operations effectively in the Space Station era, planning, scheduling and control must allow for: interactive, realtime, remote operations; responsive scheduling and rescheduling; support of the full range of distributed science, application and commercial users; interaction and cooperation among distributed users; and efficient use of on-board, communications, and ground-based resources. We suggest conceptual and managerial approaches that address these needs. Specifically, we describe an approach to distributed planning, scheduling and control functions that is based on resources and on a distributed knowledge hierarchy. We describe these functions as components of an integrated management system. We discuss automated scheduling assistants and integration of planning and scheduling functions with realtime operations control. The suggested approach, taken from a users' point-of-view, has resulted in the Science User Resource Planning and Scheduling System (SURPASS). In this paper, we describe the major components of SURPASS and discuss the features of this innovative prototype. Further ideas concerning instrument planning, scheduling, and control may be found in the Space Station Instrument Control System Study.

Hansen, Elaine R.↗

Resource Management for Real-Time Adaptive Agents

Increased autonomy and automation in onboard flight systems offer numerous potential benefits, including cost reduction and greater flexibility. The existence of generic mechanisms for automation is critical for handling unanticipated science events and anomalies where limitations in traditional control software with fixed, predetermined algorithms can mean loss of science data and missed opportunities for observing important terrestrial events. We have developed such a mechanism by adding a Hierarchical Agent-based ReaLTime technology (HART) extension to our Dynamic Resource Management (DRM) middleware. Traditional DRM provides mechanisms to monitor the realtime performance of distributed applications and to move applications among processors to improve real-time performance. In the HART project we have designed and implemented a performance adaptation mechanism to improve reaktime performance. To use this mechanism, applications are developed that can run at various levels of quality. The DRM can choose a setting for the quality level of an application dynamically at run-time in order to manage satellite resource usage more effectively. A groundbased prototype of a satellite system that captures and processes images has also been developed as part of this project to be used as a benchmark for evaluating the resource management framework A significant enhancement of this generic mission-independent framework allows scientists to specify the utility, or "scientific benefit," of science observations under various conditions like cloud cover and compression method. The resource manager then uses these benefit tables to determine in redtime how to set the quality levels for applications to maximize overall system utility as defined by the scientists running the mission. We also show how maintenance functions llke health and safety data can be integrated into the utility framework. Once thls framework has been certified for missions and successfully flight tested it can be reused with little development overhead for other missions. In contrast, current space missions llke Swift manage similar types of resource trade -off completely with the scientific application code itself, and such code must be re-certified and tested for each mission even if a large portion of the code base is shared. This final report discusses some of the major issues motivating this research effort, provides a literature review of the related work, discusses the resource management framework and ground-based satellite system prototype that has been developed, indicates what work is yet to be performed, and provides a list of publications resulting from this work.

Welch, Lonnie↗

Eyes on the Earth 3D

Eyes on the Earth 3D software gives scientists, and the general public, a realtime, 3D interactive means of accurately viewing the real-time locations, speed, and values of recently collected data from several of NASA's Earth Observing Satellites using a standard Web browser (climate.nasa.gov/eyes). Anyone with Web access can use this software to see where the NASA fleet of these satellites is now, or where they will be up to a year in the future. The software also displays several Earth Science Data sets that have been collected on a daily basis. This application uses a third-party, 3D, realtime, interactive game engine called Unity 3D to visualize the satellites and is accessible from a Web browser.

Kulikov, anton I.↗

Visiting Vehicle Ground Trajectory Tool

The International Space Station (ISS) Visiting Vehicle Group needed a targeting tool for vehicles that rendezvous with the ISS. The Visiting Vehicle Ground Trajectory targeting tool provides the ability to perform both realtime and planning operations for the Visiting Vehicle Group. This tool provides a highly reconfigurable base, which allows the Visiting Vehicle Group to perform their work. The application is composed of a telemetry processing function, a relative motion function, a targeting function, a vector view, and 2D/3D world map type graphics. The software tool provides the ability to plan a rendezvous trajectory for vehicles that visit the ISS. It models these relative trajectories using planned and realtime data from the vehicle. The tool monitors ongoing rendezvous trajectory relative motion, and ensures visiting vehicles stay within agreed corridors. The software provides the ability to update or re-plan a rendezvous to support contingency operations. Adding new parameters and incorporating them into the system was previously not available on-the-fly. If an unanticipated capability wasn't discovered until the vehicle was flying, there was no way to update things.

Hamm, Dustin↗

Synthesis of Ocean Observations Using Data Assimilation for Operational, Real-Time and Reanalysis Systems: A More Complete Picture of the State of the Ocean

Ocean data assimilation is increasingly recognized as crucial for the accuracy of realtime ocean prediction systems and historical re-analyses. The current status of ocean data assimilation in support of the operational demands of analysis, forecasting and reanalysis is reviewed, focusing on methods currently adopted in operational and realtime prediction systems. Significant challenges associated with the most commonly employed approaches are identified and discussed. Overarching issues faced by ocean data assimilation are also addressed, and important future directions in response to scientific advances, evolving and forthcoming ocean observing systems and the needs of stakeholders and downstream applications are discussed.

modeling↗

The International Space Station Lightning Imaging Sensor: Performance, Applications, and Cross-Platform Science

The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), an optically based lightning detector developed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2017, detecting optical signatures of lightning with storm-scale horizontal resolution (4-km) during both day and night. ISS LIS data are available 1 March 2017 to present. Millisecond timing allows detailed intercalibration and validation with other spaceborne and ground-based lightning sensors. Initial comparisons with those other sensors suggest flash detection efficiency around 60% (diurnal variability of 51-75%), false alarm rate under 5%, timing accuracy better than 2 ms, and horizontal location accuracy around 3 km. The spatially uniform flash detection capability of ISS LIS from low-Earth orbit allows assessment of spatially varying flash detection efficiency for other sensors and networks, particularly the Geostationary Lightning Mappers (GLMs). ISS LIS provides research data suitable for investigations of lightning physics, climatology, thunderstorm processes, and atmospheric composition, as well as realtime lightning data for operational forecasting and aviation weather interests. ISS LIS enables enrichment and extension of the long-term global climatology of lightning from space, and is the only recent platform that extends the global record to higher latitudes (± 55°). The global spatial distribution of lightning from ISS LIS is broadly similar to previous datasets, with globally averaged seasonal/annual flash rates (3-year average: ~44 s) about 5-10% lower. This difference is likely due to reduced flash detection efficiency that will be mitigated in future ISS LIS data processing, as well as the shorter ISS LIS period of record. The expected land/ocean contrast in the diurnal variability of global lightning is also observed. The near-realtime ISS LIS data make the instrument important to operational weather forecasting and related applications, including public safety. Finally, ISS LIS is demonstrating utility as part (or potential part) of cross-platform studies examining a diverse array of topics, including lightning physics, thunderstorm processes, convective precipitation, and atmospheric composition.

Timothy Lang↗

The data acquisition system of the LZ dark matter detector: FADR

The Data Acquisition System (DAQ) for the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter detector is described. The signals from 745 PMTs, distributed across three subsystems, are sampled with 100-MHz 32-channel digitizers (DDC-32s). A basic waveform analysis is carried out on the on-board Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to extract information about the observed scintillation and electroluminescence signals. This information is used to determine if the digitized waveforms should be preserved for offline analysis. The system is designed around the Kintex-7 FPGA. In addition to digitizing the PMT signals and providing basic event selection in real time, the flexibility provided by the use of FPGAs allows us to monitor the performance of the detector and the DAQ in parallel to normal data acquisition. Furthermore, the hardware and software/firmware of this FPGA-based Architecture for Data acquisition and Realtime monitoring (FADR) are discussed and performance measurements are described.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Current-Driven Symmetry Breaking and Spin–Orbit Polarization in Chiral Wires

The spin dynamics of electrons in chiral molecular systems remains a topic of intense interest, particularly regarding whether geometric chirality inherently induces spin polarization in current-carrying electrons. In this work, we employ ab initio real-time time-dependent density functional theory (rt-TDDFT) to directly simulate the interplay among charge current, spin, and orbital. This realtime tracking extends beyond perturbative treatments, and we analyze how nonequilibrium currents effectively lift the symmetry constraints of screw rotation and time-reversal symmetry. We find that the emergence of spin and orbital angular momenta is dynamically correlated with a concomitant loss of translational (linear) momentum, which we interpret as an intrinsic consequence of current-driven symmetry lowering. The implications of this mechanism for chirality-induced spin selectivity and spintronics device design are discussed.

chiral wire↗

Divertor detachment and heat exhaust mitigation control in KSTAR with tungsten divertor

KSTAR has recently undergone an upgrade to use a new tungsten divertor to run experiments in ITER-relevant scenarios. Even with a high melting point of tungsten, it is important to control the heat flux impinging on tungsten divertor targets to minimize sputtering and contamination of the core plasma. Heat flux on the divertor is often controlled by increasing the degree of detachment of scrape-off layer plasma from the target plates. In this work, we have demonstrated successful divertor detachment and heat exhaust dissipation control experiments using two different methods. The first method uses attachment fraction as a control variable which is estimated using ion saturation current measurements from embedded Langmuir probes in the divertor. The second method uses a novel machine-learning-based surrogate model of 2D UEDGE simulation database, DivControlNN. We demonstrated running inference operation of DivControlNN in realtime to estimate heat flux at the divertor and use it as the control variable in a feedback loop with impurity gas flow. We present interesting insights from these experiments including a systematic approach to tuning controllers and discuss future improvements in the control infrastructure and control variables for future burning plasma experiments.

KSTAR tungsten divertor operations↗

Real-time Simulation Model of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Energy Storage System with Power Electronics Integration

This paper presents a real-time (RT) model of a 20 kW multi-stack vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) system including power electronics converters in a single real-time framework. Implemented on a Typhoon HIL 604 device, this model is designed to simulate the operation of the flow battery with system-level controls. To provide a realistic overview of a VRFB system, the model incorporates a closed-loop control system for managing the speeds of two centrifugal pumps and an electro-thermal model of the battery stacks, enabling realtime temperature estimation. Furthermore, a two-stage power electronics topology and associated control solution are presented, operating with distinct strategies for interfacing the battery model with the main grid and a local load. Results from simulations demonstrate that the VRFB model is well suited for RT environment, and system can manage power during both charging and discharging cycles, while a SCADA monitor is used to display critical variables for safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the VRFB systems.

Rezende Da Costa Reis Kimpara, Renata [ORNL] (ORCI↗

Conditional Experts for Improved Building Damage Assessment Across Satellite Imagery View Angles

Rapid building damage assessment (BDA) is vital in guiding disaster response missions and estimating population distribution across impacted areas. While commercial satellite imagery providers have enabled near-daily monitoring of the Earth, near-realtime assessment of disaster scenarios frequently requires analysis of off-nadir imagery, as satellites are often far from impacted areas for at-nadir post-event imaging to occur Such scenarios are, however, underrepresented in existing BDA datasets and methodologies. With this motivation, we investigate generalization capabilities of current BDA practices across overhead view-angles and strategies for their improvement. Using a labeled dataset of images capturing conflict-related damages, we first train a baseline BDA architecture using imbalanced and balanced datasets with respect to view-angle. Then, we explore conditional convolutions parameterized on image features, image nadir, and their combination as a mechanism for conditioning on view-angles. Experiments demonstrate the limitations of current practice and the potential of conditional mechanisms to increase model robustness to view-angle variations.

Ambrozio Dias, Philipe↗

The Second Skin: A Wearable Sensor Suite that Enables Real-Time Human Biomechanics Tracking Through Deep Learning

Objective: Real-time determination of human kinematics and kinetics could advance biomechanics research and enable valuable applications of biofeedback and generalizable exoskeleton control. Here, this work aims to investigate a taskindependent, user-independent method for obtaining precise realtime joint state estimation across lower-body joints during a wide variety of tasks. Methods: We developed a generalizable sensing approach using a suit comprised of inertial measurement units (IMUs) and pressure insoles. With the suit, we collected a dataset of 33 tasks commonly performed during construction and hazardous waste cleanup (N = 10). We then trained deep learning user-independent, task-agnostic models to estimate joint lowerbody kinematics and dynamics using only worn sensor data. We likewise computed joint kinematics and dynamics analytically from sensor data to serve as a comparison tool for model results. Results: Our models achieved overall angle estimation root-meansquared-errors (RMSE) of 6.56±.92°, 8.60±1.01°, 7.58±.89°, and 6.00±.73° compared to 13.9±.1.3°, 15.31±1.0°, 10.76±.70°, and 7.56±.48° via analytical methods at the lower back, hip, knee, and ankle, respectively. Likewise, our models achieved overall normalized moment estimation RMSEs of .207±.069 Nm/kg, .242±.044 Nm/kg, .202±.038 Nm/kg, and .193±.034 Nm/kg compared to .306±.036 Nm/kg, .407±.021 Nm/kg, 1.18 ±.022 Nm/kg, and 1.73±.071 Nm/kg via analytical methods at the lower back, hip, knee, and ankle, respectively. Conclusion: These results are comparable to other state-of-the-art wearable sensing systems, establishing deep learning as a viable sensing approach that generalizes to new users and tasks. Significance: This work shows promise for enabling accurate real-world biomechanical data collection and enhancement of biofeedback systems and wearable robot control.

Casey, Ryan T. F. [Georgia Institute of Technology↗

Operational Simulation of Multi-Functional Charging Station for Sustainable Transportation

As transportation systems move toward electrification and decarbonization, multifunctional charging stations (MFCS) are emerging as key infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). This paper presents a simulation model of an MFCS that integrates solar photovoltaic (PV), wind power, battery storage, hydrogen (\mathrm{H}_{2}) production, dual-pressure \mathrm{H}_{2} storage, fuel cells, and dynamic grid interactions. The model simulates daily operations using 5 -minute resolution data to capture realtime variability in renewable energy (RE), demand, and electricity prices. A flexible dispatch algorithm dynamically allocates energy for EV charging, \mathrm{H}_{2} production, storage, and grid transactions while respecting system constraints. Results show that the MFCS effectively prioritizes RE usage, minimizes waste, meets diverse energy demands, and achieves net operational profit. The model serves as a valuable decision-support tool for designing and optimizing integrated clean energy hubs for zero-emission transportation.

Gbadegoye, Jeremiah [University of Tennessee, Knox↗

Ride Pingo to Transit

In this project, we developed an on-demand microtransit first- and last-mile service. To integrate the service with fixed-route transit, we developed a feature called Transit Connect that prioritized riders’ on-time arrival at the transit station over other service requirements. We first prototyped service and related algorithms in a simulated environment, and then piloted the service in the city of Kent, Washington. Our algorithm incorporates request-specific hard drop-off deadlines to ensure timely arrivals for transit transfers. In the pilot, these constraints were obtained from GTFS Realtime data to accurately determine the schedule of the transit and the location of the stations. This approach introduced the ability to accept or decline new requests based on the timing of transit connections for these new requests and connection status of onboarding customers. The pilot (called “Ride Pingo to Transit”) deployed a fleet of three 14-person vans, ran from September 2021 to March 2023, and served a total of 21,329 trips. Transit Connect was offered for drop-offs at both Kent Station and the Kent Valley hub. In total, 2,844 such trips were completed. This dataset was collected from our pilot, which includes the following: - Requests: List of all trip requests, including those that were actually served and those not materialized. - Fleet: Daily vehicle service logs. - Service details: Daily vehicle stop logs (boarding and alighting). - Trip types: First mile, last mile, or point-to-point. ![pingo to transit](pingo-to-transit.jpg)

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Complementing the CCS Class VI Well Permit Process with DOE-NETL's SMART Initiative Tools and Workflows

This is a presentation on model explorer developed under SMART initiative Task 2. Our team will present the current progress of the model explorer in using machine learning models to accelerate CCS project at GWPC meeting. Model explorer bring new capabilities, (fast, Realtime, and accurate) that can help CCS stakeholders including regulatory agencies, public and site operators make faster decisions and process information and data.

Hosseini, Seyyed↗

Multi-Scale Integrated Monitoring System for Enhancing Methane Emission Detection, Quantification & Prediction

This report details the progress and findings of a comprehensive study on reviewing existing solutions, identifying technology gaps, and formulating an “all-in-one” integrated strategy for developing the next-generation multiscale methane monitoring and modeling platform, conducted under grant number DE-FE0032292. Co-led by Dr. David Ebert, Dr. Binbin Weng, and Dr. Chenghao Wang at the University of Oklahoma, the project’s goal was to develop an integrated approach for building this engineering platform to detect, quantify, and mitigate methane emissions across various temporal scale, spatial scales, and sectors. The planning grant study began with an extensive review of various methane sensing and monitoring technologies and systems, surveying over 100 technology providers globally. This review revealed the prevalence of optical methods over chemical methods in commercially available sensors, with Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR), Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), and Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras being the most prevalent options. A trend towards more advanced optical techniques was observed, driven by increased regulatory focus and technological advancements. The technical evaluation of these sensing technologies provided crucial insights into their capabilities and limitations. The study examined emerging technologies such as Differential Absorption LiDAR (DIAL), which show promise for high-precision and long-range detection. The team then investigated the features and application bandwidth of various sensing platforms, including handheld, fixed/stationary, mobile, aerials, and spaceborne monitors. Pilot field studies were conducted to assess the capabilities of solutions for different emission scenarios. Field work with sensor deployments was conducted at three distinct site types: an oil & gas industry site, a cattle ranching operation, and a waste processing facility. The team also conducted a thorough review of methane flux inverse modeling approaches, focused on physically based methods. These approaches were categorized into simple, intermediate, and advanced methods. A realtime WRF-GHG (Weather Research and Forecasting-Greenhouse Gas) modeling system was developed and applied, incorporating multiple data sources to guide field experiments and inform methane plume detection. The project identified and analyzed numerous categories of methane data sources, including satellite measurements, ground-based sensors, and inventory databases. Key platforms examined include EDGAR, EPA GHGI, NASA TROPOMI, Carbon Mapper, and Climate TRACE, among others. The team proposed an architecture for a comprehensive methane monitoring platform. This system incorporates multi-source data acquisition, advanced data processing and assimilation, interactive visualization tools, and analytical capabilities for emissions forecasting and scenario analysis. The proposed platform aims to provide a user-friendly interface catering to various stakeholders, from researchers to policymakers. The architecture includes sophisticated data ingestion methods, a centralized data warehouse, and advanced analytical tools for data fusion and interpretation. To ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the proposed system, a comprehensive survey was conducted to gather stakeholder input on system requirements. Key findings include a strong need for integrating various data types and formats, a preference for real-time data updates and advanced visualization tools, and a demand for user-friendly interfaces catering to different expertise levels.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Report on the "Symposium on Advancements in Simulating Neutron Scattering Instruments and Experiments"

An international group of researchers gathered for the “Symposium on Advancements in Simulating Neutron Scattering Instruments and Experiments” at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on October 29- 30, 2024. The symposium highlighted state-of-the-art advancements in neutron scattering instrument simulations and the development of digital twins for scattering instruments. This document summarizes the recurring themes from the 19 talks and discussions. A key focus was on the role of neutronics simulations in the design, analysis, and performance optimization of neutron instruments. Presentations featured the most widely used software packages, such as McStas, McVine, Vitess, and MCNP. Another major theme addressed the analysis and interpretation of experimental neutron data, where materials models and simulations play a critical role. Talks on relevant software tools, including NCrystal, OCLimax, and Paradyse, were delivered by their respective developers. During the symposium, both talks and breakout sessions explored strategies to enhance the interplay between neutronics simulations and materials models. A key question emerged: How can we develop a RealTime Explainable Digital Twin of a neutron scattering experiment? Discussions include the idea that the Digital Twin concept has implications for instrument control and testing. Through this symposium, we gained valuable insights into the challenges and requirements for developing a Real-Time Explainable Digital Twin of a neutron scattering experiment. The discussions and presentations paved the way for future innovations in this rapidly advancing field.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗