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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 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Electrostatic Discharge Testing of Carbon Composite Solar Array Panels for NASA's Planned Europa Mission to Jupiter

The next planned NASA mission to visit Jupiter is known as the Europa Mission. The objective of this mission concept is to enter orbit around Jupiter in order to conduct multiple close flybys of the icy moon Europa. After careful trade studies, the mission designers have selected solar arrays as the baseline power system for the proposed mission rather than more traditional radioisotope thermoelectric generators. In order to examine the risk of using solar arrays, a series of tests were devised to determine the response of a typical solar array coupon to energetic electrons. Test coupons were fabricated and exposed to electrons ranging from 10 keV to 100 keV, at 1 nA/cm2, while being held at both room and cryogenic temperatures and exposed to end of mission radiation levels. While under electron bombardment, electrical discharges were observed and recorded with the majority of discharges occurring with electron energies of 25 keV. The largest effects on discharge size and rate were the decrease in temperature and the reduction of dielectric material on the sample surface. These tests indicate that solar array panels could be used by the planned Europa Mission in the Jovian environment, but that electrostatic discharges could be expected on the carbon composite solar arrays.

carbon composite↗
NASA NTRS2019

Photogrammetry-Based Analysis of the On-Orbit Structural Dynamics of the Roll-Out Solar Array

The Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) flight experiment was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 3rd, 2017. ROSA is an innovative, lightweight solar array with a flexible substrate that makes use of the stored strain energy in its composite structural members to provide deployment without the use of motors. This paper will discuss the results of various structural dynamics experiments conducted on the ISS during the weeks following launch. Data gathered from instrumentation on the solar array wing during the experiments was previously compared with pre-flight predictions from two different Finite Element Modeling (FEM) efforts. In this paper, data generated from photogrammetry is compared with accelerometer data and used to extend previous conclusions. Whereas previous analyses were only able to track the accelerations of six discrete points on the structure and photovoltaic (PV) blanket of ROSA, the photogrammetry analysis makes available displacements for dozens of points distributed throughout the array. This larger data set makes it possible to compare higher-order PV blanket modes with FEM predictions, in addition to verifying conclusions reached using accelerometer data. The goal in this effort was to better understand the performance of ROSA and to improve modeling efforts for future designs of similar solar arrays.

Chamberlain, Matthew K.↗
NASA NTRS2021

In Situ Performance of the Low Frequency Array for Advanced ACTPol

The Advanced Atacama Cosmology Telescope Polarimeter (AdvACT) is an upgrade for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope using Transition Edge Sensor (TES) detector arrays to measure cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization anisotropies in multiple frequencies. The low frequency (LF) array was deployed early 2020. It consists of 292 TES bolometers observing in two bands centered at 27 GHz and 39 GHz. At these frequencies, it is sensitive to synchrotron radiation from our galaxy as well as to the CMB, and complements the AdvACT arrays operating at 90, 150 and 230 GHz. We present the initial LF array on-site characterization, including the time constant, optical efficiency and array sensitivity.

Superconducting detectors↗
NASA NTRS2019

Machine Learning, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and Optimal Algorithms to Characterize the AdvACT Kilopixel Transition-Edge Sensor Arrays

Next-generation focal planes comprising dozens of kilopixel transition-edge sensor (TES) arrays require new methods to rapidly screen candidate arrays, evaluate array non-idealities in the field, identify outlier devices for removal, and optimize the array performance in the field. We demonstrate robust methods to estimate TES parameters (critical temperatures and thermal conductivity parameters) and their uncertainties using a custom Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm. We also constrain systematic effects in estimating the TES parameters from non-isothermal current-voltage curves (IVs) at approximately a ~3% level. Additionally, for the first time, we have applied Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to tune detector arrays and optimize their performance.

Maria Salatino↗
NASA NTRS2021

A 1-D Submm-wave Leaky-Wave Phased Array using MEMS Phase Shifters

Beam-scanning of submillimeter-wave spectrometers and radiometers have traditionally been implemented using mechanical scanning mechanisms due to the absence of lowloss electronic phase shifters. Recently developed waveguideintegrated MEMS phase shifters are paving the way to realize electronic beam-steering using submm-wave phased arrays. In this work, two phased array demonstrators are presented that operate from 500GHz to 600GHz. A 20 dB directivity 8 ? 1 leaky-wave antenna array will be demonstrated, using fixed waveguide feeding networks, to be capable of ?20? scanning with a scan loss less than 1:7 dB. Secondly, an equivalent but smaller 17 dB directivity 4 ? 1 array will be integrated with MEMS phase shifters to demonstrate a dynamic scanning capability over a ?9:5? range. The antenna array is based on closely sampled square waveguides, terminated with a double-iris, in close proximity of a low permittivity superstrate in order to reduce the grating lobes at larger scanning angles. Measurements are expected to be presented at the conference.

Chattopadhyay, Goutam↗
NASA NTRS2021

Probabilistic Processing of Asynchronous Geiger-Mode Avalanche Photodiode Arrays for Background Rate Measurements

A system-level performance evaluation of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) arrays requires accurate measurement and prediction of the background rate of the device due to dark counts and other spurious detection events. Since a GmAPD detector reports only a binary value and timestamp associated with an avalanche event, dark count rates are typically measured by averaging thousands of frames to support a statistically significant measurement. For both synchronous and asynchronous detector, the Poisson distributed background rates are referenced to the time each pixel is armed. Unlike for synchronous GmAPD imagers where all the pixels are armed to an array-wide arm signal, an asynchronous pixel operates independently from its neighboring pixels; requiring the background rates to be calculated using an interarrival histogram. For both types of imagers, the background rate is typically evaluated by fitting an exponential distribution to a fixed window within a measured histogram of time intervals between detection events However, if the statistics of the background rate are insufficient – whether that is due to low population sizes, saturation, or a large dynamic range of population size across the array, the pixel, or array-wide, performance metrics may report results with varying accuracy. This paper reports on an implementation of an algorithm that evaluates GmAPD background rates based on statistical metrics rather than fixed windows. The algorithm functions by determining the appropriate integration window within the interarrival time histogram based on a per-pixel count rate set by a predetermined tolerable measurement error. The implementation of the algorithm allows us to characterize GmAPD arrays with orders of magnitude spread in background rates across the detector using common statistical parameters.

Mumolo, J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Parallel plate capacitor TiN KID array development for the Balloon Experiment for Galactic Infrared Science

The Balloon Experiment for Galactic Infrared Science (BEGINS) will map dust spectral energy distributions (SEDs) between 25 and 250 microns near high-mass star regions, characterizing the radiation fields and dust properties of a variety of stellar environments. To accomplish these goals, BEGINS will be outfitted with roughly 1,800 titanium nitride (TiN), superconducting kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs). A parallel plate capacitor KID design is used to achieve high pixel density arrays. A cryogenic, silicon-based, metal-mesh linear variable filter will define detector band passes across the KID array. Optical coupling to the filters and telescope will be accomplished using silicon microlenses. Here we present laboratory characterization of prototype BEGINS detector arrays, describe future array development plans, and describe the testbed used to characterize the arrays.

Nicholas F. Cothard↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Preliminary Design of a Deployable Optical Space Array Based on a Thickened Origami Flasher Pattern

Performance of space-based optics could be greatly enhanced by using deployable origami-based arrays, which can offer a large aperture size relative to their stowed volume when compared to traditional technology, thus improving imaging quality. In this work, we select, develop, and adapt the origami flasher pattern to serve as the foundation for a deployable array that shows promise for meeting stringent optical requirements. We apply a novel thickness accommodation technique, outline an approach for implementing the technique, improve stability by adjusting geometric characteristics of the pattern, and create an array of frames for housing optical elements in a co-planar configuration. Problems of non-rigid foldability in the flasher pattern are addressed. A prototype is created and tested. We find that the deployable flasher shows promise as an optical array. By following the guidelines in this work, more efficient and powerful optical arrays can be developed.

Jared Hunter↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Technological Developments of NexGen Micro-Shutter Array (NGMSA) for the Future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Flagship Mission

We present the most up to date advancements in production, design, and performance of the NexGen Micro-Shutter Array (NGMSA) for Multi-object Spectroscopy (MOS), intended for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Flagship. A microshutter array functions as a programmable slit mask, to generate slits corresponding to sparsely distributed sources in the field of view of a telescope. In contrast to the magnetic/electrostatic microshutter arrays used in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the NGMSA is fully operated by electrostatics, simplifying overall system. Our small pilot array proved its capability from FORTIS sounding rocket mission in 2019. As we are switching to a larger HWO flight size array process, we encounter multiple processing related issues. Also, there has been individual shutter level issue that impairs operation and performance. We will discuss those problems and strategies to overcome the challenges to achieve an on/off contrast of >1e5 with near 100% shutter operability.

Microshutter↗
DOE OSTI2018

Distributed Fiber Optic Arrays: Integrated Temperature and Seismic Sensing for Detection of CO 2 Flow, Leakage and Subsurface Distribution (Final Report)

This report describes the seismic and heat-pulse monitoring equipment, surveys, results and accomplishments of the fiber optic (FO) project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Agreement Number DE-FE0012700. The formal title of the project is “Distributed Fiber Optic Arrays: Integrated Temperature and Seismic Sensing for Detection of CO 2 Flow, Leakage and Subsurface Distribution.” The project focuses on the field acquisition of FO data using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) arrays for subsurface imaging of geologic structure and to track the CO 2 migration in the injection interval using time-lapse techniques. A second component of the project uses a novel heat-pulse monitoring method that relies on Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) to evaluate near-field leakage of CO 2 or brine in and around the wellbore. The Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration (SECARB) partnership hosted the project at the Anthropogenic Test site near Citronelle, Alabama after the original site host, the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), experienced significant delays in permitting its CO 2 injection well at the Wellington Oil Field site in Kansas. The KGS project was later terminated in 2017 before an injection permit issued. A second field trial was planned for the Livingston Oil Field, located in Louisiana, but the site host ran into financial troubles and the project was terminated in 2015. A replacement field-site host was not found for the Livingston field trial. Both the Wellington, Kansas and Livingston, Louisiana projects were funded by DOE. A novel sensor platform referred to as the Modular Borehole Monitoring (MBM) system deployed at the Citronelle field site was utilized by the FO project. Two different seismic sensor technologies were incorporated in the Citronelle MBM system design including: (1) a semi-permanent, tubing-deployed, 18-level geophone array with custom hydraulic clamps; and (2) two, single mode optical fibers for Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). Incorporation of the 18-level geophone array in the MBM system provided an ideal opportunity to compare the DAS response to conventional geophones. A heat-pulse monitoring system consisting of two, multi-mode optical fibers for Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and copper heater element were also incorporated into the MBM package. This report provides an overview of the design of the MBM, DAS, and DTS equipment and the surveys performed during the study. The heat-pulse monitoring technique was used to diagnose a completion problem with observation well D-9-8 #2 where the MBM system was installed in 2012, thus successfully demonstrating its application for leak detection. In 2015, CO 2 unexpectedly arrived at the observation well approximately one year after CO 2 injection and heat-pulse monitoring ended. It was determined at this time that saltwater intrusion had likely penetrated the stainless-steel capillary tube containing the fibers and copper heater elements, thus preventing the heater from being used. DTS measurements indicated that the fiber had also degraded probably due to hydrogen darkening. It is recommended that the capillary tube be constructed of a more corrosive resistant material (e.g., Inconel) in the future should it be deployed in similar harsh downhole environments. Geophysical imaging of the subsurface and monitoring of the CO 2 were successful using DAS in the vertical seismic profile (VSP) survey configuration. A high resolution VSP image of the subsurface was obtained in 2014 using DAS, which exceeded our expectations in comparison to a lower resolution image obtained by SECARB in 2012 using an 80-level geophone array. A time-lapse image of the redistribution of CO 2 after injection ended in September 2014 was obtained using two DAS VSP surveys from June 2014 and December 2015, thus successfully demonstrating its application. DAS data were also acquired during a crosswell seismic survey conducted in 2014. Unfortunately, the DAS technique was not success in the crosswell survey configuration because the noise level was too high, increasing by a factor of ten, over the high frequency output (100-1,200) of the piezoelectric source.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

LED array and method for fabricating same

A light emitting device or array comprising a submount having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of edges, with input and output terminals disposed on the top surface. A plurality of attach pads and traces are also disposed on the top surface and electrically connected between the input and output terminals. A plurality of LEDs are also included, each of which is mounted to one of the attach pads. The attach pads cover more of the top surface than the LEDs and spread heat from the LEDs to the top surface of the submount. A plurality of lenses are also included each of which is molded over a respective one of the attach pads and covers the LED mounted to the particular attach pad. The arrays are shaped and arranged so that they can be easily attached to similar arrays in a tiling fashion, with the desired number of arrays included to meet the desired lighting requirements. Methods for fabricating the arrays from a single submount or submounts panel are also disclosed.

Yuan, Thomas Cheng-Hsin↗
DOE OSTI2019

WEC-Sim Array Development and Experimental Comparison Study: Preprint

Wave energy is still considered to be an emerging industry, and one significant contribution that researchers are making is to find solutions that reduce costs. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories have contributed to this by creating WEC-Sim, an opensource modeling toolbox, to assist with early design decisions related to the design of wave energy converters (WECs). Previously, studies involving WEC-Sim have focused on single WEC modeling. In this paper, we will conduct a validation study to investigate the accuracy and ability of WEC-Sim to model arrays of WECs. The results from the WEC-Sim array simulations are compared to those from an existing experimental study. In addition, the array model is used to investigate the interaction between the WECs in the array and the influence of array spacing on the WECs' hydrodynamic performance.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sensor array and apparatus for simultaneous observation of tissue electrophysiology, contractility, and growth

A sensor array for simultaneously measuring electrophysiological responses and contractility responses of a tissue includes: a substrate; a multi-electrode array (MEA) disposed in or on the substrate; and a plurality of interdigitized electrodes (IDEs) disposed in or on the substrate. The MEA and the IDEs are interpenetrating within a plane substantially parallel to an upper surface of the substrate. Systems for measuring such responses using the sensor array may also include contacts and/or connectors for interfacing with external control devices, electrodes, and cell culture components such as a chamber and lid. Fabrication techniques for making such systems include: forming a sensor array comprising an interpenetrating arrangement of IDEs and electrodes of a MEA in or on a substrate surface; forming a plurality of contacts for interfacing the system with one or more external devices in or on the substrate surface; and forming leads between the plurality of contacts and the sensor array.

Qian, Fang↗
DOE OSTI2022

2.1.3.404 - WEC Array Power Management and Output Simulation Tool

An array of wave energy converter (WEC) devices has variations in power output due to the chaotic nature of the waves. Eliminating or mitigating the power fluctuations is important for reducing the integration impacts of WEC plants in both distribution and transmission grids, and in standalone isolated power systems. Reduced variability of WEC-generated power in combination with energy storage or power management control at each WEC and at the array level will help increasing hosting capacity of distribution feeders for this type of variable renewable generation, and minimization of electric losses. To reduce risks and risk perception, gain key stakeholder acceptance, and enable developers to design effective and compatible energy plants with arrays of WEC devices, it requires the use of modeling tools to simulate the resource environment, device dynamics, utility power system response, as well as the development of an interface for an array controller. The project will create a publicly accessible numerical modeling framework to empower the wave energy sector to design projects of various scales (kW-100s MW), which are optimized on a plant performance basis and are compatible with different power systems and wave conditions. The framework will integrate with WEC-Sim, a wave environment model (SWAN-FUNWAVE), as well as established relevant electrical analysis tools, to model the grid system and interconnection, and optimize power output and power management for the WEC array.

POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION,TIDAL AND WAVE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Photovoltaic Array Differential Backside Exposure Conditions: Backsheet Degradation and Site Design

Backsheet exposure conditions and degradation are shown to vary significantly within an array. This is demonstrated by a survey of the NIST ground-mounted photovoltaic array, which is comprised of over 1000 modules of a single brand with a polyester-based backsheet. Site and array design factors are found to have significant effects on the exposure conditions, and thus degradation of the backsheets. Irradiance is found to be the most significant exposure factor which varies within the array.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2006

Application and Operations Concepts of Large Transmit Phased Array of Parabolic Reflectors

The primary motive for large transmit array of parabolic reflectors, also known as Uplink Array, was to explore alternate methods in order to replace the large 70m antennas of Deep Space Network (DSN) such that the core capability for emergency support to a troubled spacecraft in deep space is preserved. Given that the Uplink Array is a new technology, the focus has always been on its feasibility and phase calibration techniques, which by itself is quite a challenge. It would be interesting to examine, however, what else could be accomplished by the Uplink Array capability other than the emergency support to a troubled spacecraft in deep space. ... The objective of this paper is to discuss a few application scenarios and the corresponding operation concepts, such as lunar positioning system, high EIRP uplink and the synergies with solar radar, and high power RF beams.

Uplink Array↗
DOE OSTI2018

Optimization of the magnetocaloric effect in arrays of Ni 3 Pt nanomagnets

Structural parameters of nanomagnet arrays have been systematically adjusted in order to study and to maximize the magnetocaloric effect. Optimum technological parameters were experimentally established and arrays of nanomagnets based on Ni 3 Pt nanoparticles with a different structure period (1, 2, 3μm) and two different heights (1.2 and 1.9μm) were fabricated using electron-beam lithography followed by electrodeposition. The obtained arrays have a phase composition of fcc-Ni 3 Pt, which remains unchanged after annealing. It was shown that a change in the period of the nanomagnet arrays leads to a change in the magnitude of the magnetocaloric effect and the operating temperature range. Furthermore, changes in the height of nanomagnets from 1.2 to 1.9μm lead to an increase in the magnetocaloric response by more than 30%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

CLARION2-TRINITY: A Compton-suppressed HPGe and GAGG:Ce-Si-Si array for absolute cross-section measurements with heavy ions

The design and performance of a new Compton-suppressed HPGe and charged-particle array, CLARION2-TRINITY, are described. The TRINITY charged-particle array is comprised of 64 Cerium-doped Gadolinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet (GAGG:Ce) crystals configured into five rings spanning 7–54 degrees, and two annular silicon detectors that can shadow or extend the angular coverage to backward angles with minimal $\gamma$-ray attenuation. GAGG:Ce is a non-hygroscopic, bright, and relatively fast scintillator with a light distribution well matched to SiPMs. Count rates up to 40 kHz per crystal are sustainable. Fundamental characteristics of GAGG:Ce are measured and presented, including light- and heavy-ion particle identification (PID) capability, pulse-height defects, radiation hardness, and emission spectra. The CLARION2 array consists of up to 16 Compton-suppressed HPGe Clover detectors (efficiency at 1 MeV) configured into four rings (eight HPGe crystal rings) using a non-Archimedean geometry that suppresses back-to-back coincident 511-keV gamma rays. The entire array is instrumented with 100- and 500-MHz (14 bit) waveform digitizers which enable triggerless operation, pulse-shape discrimination, fast timing, and pileup correction. Lastly, two examples of experimental data taken during the commissioning of the CLARION2-TRINITY system are given: a PID spectrum from 16 O + 18 O fusion-evaporation, and PID and Doppler-corrected -ray spectra from 48 Ti + 12 C Coulomb excitation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗