Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “device testing”

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 955 records · Page 53
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

High-temperature apparatus for chaotic mixing of natural silicate melts

A unique high-temperature apparatus was developed to trigger chaotic mixing at high-temperature (up to 1800 °C). This new apparatus, which we term Chaotic Magma Mixing Apparatus (COMMA), is designed to carry out experiments with high-temperature and high-viscosity (up to 10{sup 6} Pa s) natural silicate melts. This instrument allows us to follow in time and space the evolution of the mixing process and the associated modulation of chemical composition. This is essential to understand the dynamics of magma mixing and related chemical exchanges. The COMMA device is tested by mixing natural melts from Aeolian Islands (Italy). The experiment was performed at 1180 °C using shoshonite and rhyolite melts, resulting in a viscosity ratio of more than three orders of magnitude. This viscosity ratio is close to the maximum possible ratio of viscosity between high-temperature natural silicate melts. Results indicate that the generated mixing structures are topologically identical to those observed in natural volcanic rocks highlighting the enormous potential of the COMMA to replicate, as a first approximation, the same mixing patterns observed in the natural environment. COMMA can be used to investigate in detail the space and time development of magma mixing providing information about this fundamental petrological and volcanological process that would be impossible to investigate by direct observations. Among the potentials of this new experimental device is the construction of empirical relationships relating the mixing time, obtained through experimental time series, and chemical exchanges between the melts to constrain the mixing-to-eruption time of volcanic systems, a fundamental topic in volcanic hazard assessment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1992

Liquid hydrogen mass flow through a multiple orifice Joule-Thomson device

Liquid hydrogen mass flow rate, pressure drop, and temperature drop data were obtained for a number of multiple orifice Joule-Thomas devices known as visco jets. The present investigation continues a study to develop an equation for predicting two phase flow of cryogens through these devices. The test apparatus design allowed isenthalpic expansion of the cryogen through the visco jets. The data covered a range of inlet and outlet operating conditions. The mass flow rate range single phase or two phase was 0.015 to 0.98 lbm/hr. The manufacturer's equation was found to overpredict the single phase hydrogen data by 10 percent and the two phase data by as much as 27 percent. Two modifications of the equation resulted in a data correlation that predicts both the single and two phase flow across the visco jet. The first modification was of a theoretical nature, and the second strictly empirical. The former reduced the spread in the two phase data. It was a multiplication factor of 1 - X applied to the manufacturer's equation. The parameter X is the flow quality downstream of the visco jet based on isenthalpic expansion across the device. The latter modification was a 10 percent correction term that correlated 90 percent of the single and two phase data to within +/- 10 percent scatter band.

Papell, S. Stephen↗
NASA NTRS1992

Liquid hydrogen mass flow through a multiple orifice Joule-Thomson device

Liquid hydrogen mass flow rate, pressure drop, and temperature drop data were obtained for a number of multiple orifice Joule-Thomson devices known as visco jets. The present investigation continues a study to develop an equation for predicting two phase flow of cryogens through these devices. The test apparatus design allowed isenthalpic expansion of the cryogen through the visco jets. The data covered a range of inlet and outlet operating conditions. The mass flow rate range single phase or two phase was 0.015 to 0.98 lbm/hr. The manufacturer's equation was found to overpredict the single phase hydrogen data by 10 percent and the two phase data by as much as 27 percent. Two modifications of the equation resulted in a data correlation that predicts both the single and two phase flow across the visco jet. The first modification was of a theoretical nature, and the second strictly empirical. The former reduced the spread in the two phase data. It was a multiplication factor of 1-X applied to the manufacturer's equation. The parameter X is the flow quality downstream of the visco jet based on isenthalpic expansion across the device. The latter modification was a 10 percent correction term that correlated 90 percent of the single and two phase data to within +/- 10 percent scatter band.

Papell, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Space Station and Shuttle Payloads: Rack Insertion Device Pneumatic Assembly Setup and Test

As part of my KSC summer internship, I was given the very cool task of writing a test preparation sheet (TPS). A TPS is a set of instructions for certain procedures or tasks, and serves as the documentation for the tasks. TPSs guide task leaders and technicians throughout the work procedures, safely, informing them of what steps will be hazardous, what precautions must be taken, and what to do in the case of an accident or emergency. I was placed in Boeing's Resupply & Return Division (R&R). R&R is responsible for sending up food and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) with the use of three Italian Multi Purpose Logistics Modules - Leonardo, Donatello, and Raffaello. The supplies are loaded into Resupply Stowage Racks (RSRs) or Resupply Stowage Platforms (RSPs) (though, both are usually referred to as racks), depending on their size and shape. These racks are loaded into the modules with the help of a specialized crane known as the Rack Insertion Device (RID). The RID rests on four pneumatic air jacks, these allow for an operator to raise or lower the RID. The pneumatic air system supplies the air jacks with the necessary air pressure required to lift the RID.

Conde, Nathan↗
DOE OSTI2012

Development of a novel ArcCHECK{sup Trade-Mark-Sign} insert for routine quality assurance of VMAT delivery including dose calculation with inhomogeneities

Purpose: To design a versatile, nonhomogeneous insert for the dose verification phantom ArcCHECK{sup Trade-Mark-Sign} (Sun Nuclear Corp., FL) and to demonstrate its usefulness for the verification of dose distributions in inhomogeneous media. As an example, we demonstrate it can be used clinically for routine quality assurance of two volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) systems for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT): SmartArc{sup Registered-Sign} (Pinnacle{sup 3}, Philips Radiation Oncology Systems, Fitchburg, WI) and RapidArc{sup Registered-Sign} (Eclipse{sup Trade-Mark-Sign }, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). Methods: The cylindrical detector array ArcCHECK{sup Trade-Mark-Sign} has a retractable homogeneous acrylic insert. In this work, we designed and manufactured a customized heterogeneous insert with densities that simulate soft tissue, lung, bone, and air. The insert offers several possible heterogeneity configurations and multiple locations for point dose measurements. SmartArc{sup Registered-Sign} and RapidArc{sup Registered-Sign} plans for lung SBRT were generated and copied to ArcCHECK{sup Trade-Mark-Sign} for each inhomogeneity configuration. Dose delivery was done on a Varian 2100 ix linac. The evaluation of dose distributions was based on gamma analysis of the diode measurements and point doses measurements at different positions near the inhomogeneities. Results: The insert was successfully manufactured and tested with different measurements of VMAT plans. Dose distributions measured with the homogeneous insert showed gamma passing rates similar to our clinical results ({approx}99%) for both treatment-planning systems. Using nonhomogeneous inserts decreased the passing rates by up to 3.6% in the examples studied. Overall, SmartArc{sup Registered-Sign} plans showed better gamma passing rates for nonhomogeneous measurements. The discrepancy between calculated and measured point doses was increased up to 6.5% for the nonhomogeneous insert depending on the inhomogeneity configuration and measurement location. SmartArc{sup Registered-Sign} and RapidArc{sup Registered-Sign} plans had similar plan quality but RapidArc{sup Registered-Sign} plans had significantly higher monitor units (up to 70%). Conclusions: A versatile, nonhomogeneous insert was developed for ArcCHECK{sup Trade-Mark-Sign} for an easy and quick evaluation of dose calculations with nonhomogeneous media and for comparison of different treatment planning systems. The device was tested for SmartArc{sup Registered-Sign} and RapidArc{sup Registered-Sign} plans for lung SBRT, showing the uncertainties of dose calculations with inhomogeneities. The new insert combines the convenience of the ArcCHECK{sup Trade-Mark-Sign} and the possibility of assessing dose distributions in inhomogeneous media.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

ARGon{sup 3}: ''3D appearance robot-based gonioreflectometer'' at PTB

At the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, the National Metrology Institute of Germany, a new facility for measuring visual appearance-related quantities has been built up. The acronym ARGon{sup 3} stands for ''3D appearance robot-based gonioreflectometer''. Compared to standard gonioreflectometers, there are two main new features within this setup. First, a photometric luminance camera with a spatial resolution of 28 {mu}m on the device under test (DUT) enables spatially high-resolved measurements of luminance and color coordinates. Second, a line-scan CCD-camera mounted to a spectrometer provides measurements of the radiance factor, respectively the bidirectional reflectance distribution function, in full V({lambda})-range (360 nm-830 nm) with arbitrary angles of irradiation and detection relative to the surface normal, on a time scale of about 2 min. First goniometric measurements of diffuse reflection within 3D-space above the DUT with subsequent colorimetric representation of the obtained data of special effect pigments based on the interference effect are presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evaluation of alternative filter media for particulate matter emission testing of residential wood heating devices

The performance of Teflon-coated glass fiber filter media (Pallflex Emfab TX40) is evaluated for particulate matter (PM) sampling of residential wood heating devices in a dilution tunnel. Thirty samples of varying duration and PM loading and concentration were collected from an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 28 dilution tunnel using dual Method 5G sample trains with untreated glass fiber and Emfab filters. Filters were weighed soon after the end of sampling and again the next day after equilibration at 35% relative humidity (RH). PM concentrations from both types of filters agreed very well with 1-day equilibration, demonstrating that Emfab filters are appropriate for use in measuring PM from residential wood burning appliances in a dilution tunnel and have performance equal to or better than the glass fiber filter media. Agreement between filter media without equilibration was erratic, with PM from glass fiber filter samples varying from slightly less than the Emfab samples to as much as 2.8 times higher. Some of the glass fiber filters lost substantial mass with equilibration, with the highest percent loss at lower filter mass loadings. Mass loss for Emfab samples was a small percentage of the mass and very consistent across the range of mass loadings. Taken together, these results may indicate water uptake on the glass fiber media that is readily removed with 1-day equilibration at moderate RH conditions. Implications: EPA regulations now allow the use of either glass fiber or Teflon filter media for wood appliance PM emission testing. Teflon filter media minimizes the potential for acid-gas PM artifacts on glass fiber filters; this is important as EPA moves toward the use of locally sourced cordwood for testing that may have higher sulfur content. This work demonstrates that the use of Teflon-coated glass fiber filters can give similar PM measurement results to glass fiber filters after 1 day of equilibration. With no equilibration, measured PM from glass fiber filters was usually higher than from Teflon-coated glass fiber filters.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterization of Transition Edge Sensors for the Simons Observatory

The Simons Observatory is building both large (6 m) and small (0.5 m) aperture telescopes in the Atacama Desert in Chile to observe the cosmic microwave background CMB radiation with unprecedented sensitivity. Simons Observatory telescopes in total will use over 60,000 transition edge sensor (TES) detectors spanning center frequencies between 27 and 285 GHz and operating near 100 mK. TES devices have been fabricated for the Simons Observatory by NIST, Berkeley, and HYPRES/SeeQC corporation. Iterations of these devices have been tested cryogenically in order to inform the fabrication of further devices, which will culminate in the final TES designs to be deployed in the field. The detailed design specifications have been independently iterated at each fabrication facility for particular detector frequencies. We present test results for prototype devices, with emphasis on NIST high frequency detectors. A dilution refrigerator was used to achieve the required temperatures. Measurements were taken both with 4-lead resistance measurements and with a time-domain Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) multiplexer system. The SQUID readout measurements include analysis of current versus voltage (IV) curves at various temperatures, square wave bias step measurements, and detector noise measurements. Lastly, normal resistance, superconducting critical temperature, saturation power, thermal and natural time constants, and thermal properties of the devices are extracted from these measurements.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

Evaluation of the feasibility for detecting hidden corrosion damage in multi-layer gusset plates using multiple inspection techniques

Gusset plates are used to connect the members in truss bridges and they are usually inspected using calipers or conventional thickness measurement ultrasonic testing (UT) devices. The damage mechanism of particular concern in gusset plates is corrosion and the regions most susceptible to corrosion damage are on the gusset interior surface where it intersects the chord, diagonal, and vertical members from water collecting at the interfaces. For heavily loaded gusset plates, one or more shingle plates are used to reinforce the gusset plate, creating a multi-layer structure. While the areas with corrosion damage remain near the members on the gusset plate, the shingle plates cover the gusset plate and greatly limit the surface access to the gusset plate, making UT thickness measurement impractical. Because of the critical nature of the gussets, a viable inspection strategy for multi-layer gusset assemblies must be developed. The premise of this research and development effort was to develop viable, field-deployable inspection approaches for this problem area. This paper presents three separate inspection approaches: two ultrasonic-based techniques and one radiographic approach. Each of these techniques was evaluated on a mock-up specimen provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that is representative of gusseted connection from a truss bridge.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2010

Functional Testing and Evaluation of Actiwatch Spectrum Devices for Launch on STS-133/ULF5

The Actiwatch Spectrum (AWS) is a wrist-worn device that may be used for obtaining ground or on-orbit light exposure patterns and movement data. The objective of this project was to prepare AWS devices for launch on STS-133/ULF5 by a means of implementing functional tests and engineering evaluations. The data obtained from these tests and evaluations served as a means for detecting any plausible issues that the AWS may encounter while on-orbit. Subsequent steps after detecting anomalies with AWS devices encompassed identifying their root causes and taking the steps needed to mitigate them. As a result of this study, the overall success of sleep/wake research studies for STS-133/ULF5 and future missions will be enhanced.

Rollins, Selisa F.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Direct‐Write Printed Contacts to Layered and 2D Materials

Advancements in fabrication methods have shaped new computing device technologies. Among these methods, depositing electrical contacts to the channel material is fundamental to device characterization. Novel layered and 2D materials are promising for next-generation computing electronic channel materials. Direct-write printing of conductive inks is introduced as a surprisingly effective, significantly faster, and cleaner method to contact different classes of layered materials, including graphene (semi-metal), MoS 2 (semiconductor), Bi-2212 (superconductor), and Fe 5 GeTe 2 (metallic ferromagnet). Based on the electrical response, the quality of the printed contacts is comparable to what is achievable with resist-based lithography techniques. These devices are tested by sweeping gate voltage, temperature, and magnetic field to show that the materials remain pristine post-processing. This work demonstrates that direct-write printing is an agile method for prototyping and characterizing the electrical properties of novel layered materials.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2018

Performance Assessment of Several Low-Cost Consumer-Grade Analog-to-Digital Conversion Devices

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has pioneered an approach where low-cost consumer-grade electronics can be used as the basis of a highly reliable data acquisition architecture. One twenty-channel system based on this approach has been operating almost 4 years at ORNL. The architecture allows a mix-and-match level of configurability so the designer can select devices that best match the desired performance trade-offs. The most important device to be selected is the analog-to-digital converter. This paper explores the performance of several candidate audio recording devices that can be used as high-speed analog-to-digital converters for such measurement systems. Various performance metrics are explored including frequency response, noise floor, and synchronous sampling. Sample rates as high as 192 KHz are supported with 16 and 24-bit resolution. While most of the devices are dual-channel, there are multi-channel devices now available that will allow modal type of synchronous sampling. One such device was tested and is discussed is this paper.

Wetherington Jr, G↗
DOE OSTI2019

Electrical Resistivity Measurements of Manganite La{sub 0.95}Sr{sub 0.05}MnO{sub 3} Under Uniaxial Pressure at High Temperature

We designed and fabricated a new uniaxial pressure device for doing resistivity measurements under uniaxial pressure at a high-temperature region (300 K–800 K). This uniaxial pressure device was tested with La{sub 0.95}Sr{sub 0.05}MnO{sub 3} and we have measured the resistivity in the temperature region (400 K–700 K). We found the drastic variation in the John-Teller Distortion by increasing the pressure and this may be due to the increase in disorder in the structure. The disorder increases due to non-uniform variation of Mn–O bond length in the structure.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Using radioactive material to evaluate decontamination of contaminated electronics

Electronic materials are used everywhere and can get easily contaminated by their use in the field/laboratory. The goal of this project was to use radioactive material to track the effectiveness of a cleaning procedure using an off-the-shelf cleaning gel. Radioactive potassium bromide (KBr) was used as a model contaminant in four contamination scenarios to gauge the effectiveness of a cleaning gel in the decontamination of contaminated raspberry pi’s. Finally, the investigated decontamination technique was found to be 75–97% effective in removing contamination from the tested electronic devices. 95% of the contaminated electronic devices retained their functionality post-decontamination.

38 - RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCL↗
DOE OSTI2015

ARC: A compact, high-field, fusion nuclear science facility and demonstration power plant with demountable magnets

The affordable, robust, compact (ARC) reactor is the product of a conceptual design study focused on reducing the size, cost, and complexity of a combined fusion nuclear science facility (FNSF) and demonstration fusion Pilot power plant. ARC is a ~200–250 MWe tokamak reactor with a major radius of 3.3 m, a minor radius of 1.1 m, and an on-axis magnetic field of 9.2 T. ARC has rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) superconducting toroidal field coils, which have joints to enable disassembly. This enables the vacuum vessel to be replaced quickly, mitigating first wall survivability concerns, and permits a single device to test many vacuum vessel designs and divertor materials. The design point has a plasma fusion gain of Q p ≈ 13.6, yet is fully non-inductive, with a modest bootstrap fraction of only ~63%. Thus ARC offers a high power gain with relatively large external control of the current profile. This highly attractive combination is enabled by the ~23 T peak field on coil achievable with newly available REBCO superconductor technology. External current drive is provided by two innovative inboard RF launchers using 25 MW of lower hybrid and 13.6 MW of ion cyclotron fast wave power. The concluding efficient current drive provides a robust, steady state core plasma far from disruptive limits. ARC uses an all-liquid blanket, consisting of low pressure, slowly flowing fluorine lithium beryllium (FLiBe) molten salt. The liquid blanket is low-risk technology and provides effective neutron moderation and shielding, excellent heat removal, and a tritium breeding ratio ≥ 1.1. The large temperature range over which FLiBe is liquid permits an output blanket temperature of 900 K, single phase fluid cooling, and a high efficiency helium Brayton cycle, which allows for net electricity generation when operating ARC as a Pilot power plant.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Initial experience of ArcCHECK and 3DVH software for RapidArc treatment plan verification

The purpose of this study was to perform delivery quality assurance with ArcCHECK and 3DVH system (Sun Nuclear, FL) and to evaluate the suitability of this system for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) (RapidArc [RA]) verification. This software calculates the delivered dose distributions in patients by perturbing the calculated dose using errors detected in fluence or planar dose measurements. The device is tested to correlate the gamma passing rate (%GP) and the composite dose predicted by 3DVH software. A total of 28 patients with prostate cancer who were treated with RA were analyzed. RA treatments were delivered to a diode array phantom (ArcCHECK), which was used to create a planned dose perturbation (PDP) file. The 3DVH analysis used the dose differences derived from comparing the measured dose with the treatment planning system (TPS)-calculated doses to perturb the initial TPS-calculated dose. The 3DVH then overlays the resultant dose on the patient's structures using the resultant “PDP” beams. Measured dose distributions were compared with the calculated ones using the gamma index (GI) method by applying the global (Van Dyk) normalization and acceptance criteria, i.e., 3%/3 mm. Paired differences tests were used to estimate statistical significance of the differences between the composite dose calculated using 3DVH and %GP. Also, statistical correlation by means of logistic regression analysis has been analyzed. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) analysis for patient plans revealed small differences between treatment plan calculations and 3DVH results for organ at risk (OAR), whereas planning target volume (PTV) of the measured plan was systematically higher than that predicted by the TPS. The t-test results between the planned and the estimated DVH values showed that mean values were incomparable (p < 0.05). The quality assurance (QA) gamma analysis 3%/3 mm showed that in all cases there were only weak-to-moderate correlations (Pearson r: 0.12 to 0.74). Moreover, clinically relevant differences increased with increasing QA passing rate, indicating that some of the largest dose differences occurred in the cases of high QA passing rates, which may be called “false negatives.” The clinical importance of any disagreement between the measured and the calculated dose is often difficult to interpret; however, beam errors (either in delivery or in TPS calculation) can affect the effectiveness of the patient dose. Further research is needed to determinate the role of a PDP-type algorithm to accurately estimate patient dose effect.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Beam position reconstruction for the g2p experiment in Hall A at Jefferson Lab

Beam-line equipment was upgraded for experiment E08-027 (g2p) in Hall A at Jefferson Lab. Two beam position monitors (BPMs) were necessary to measure the beam position and angle at the target. A new BPM receiver was designed and built to handle the low beam currents (50-100 nA) used for this experiment. Two new super-harps were installed for calibrating the BPMs. In addition to the existing fast raster system, a slow raster system was installed. We found that before and during the experiment, these new devices were tested and debugged, and their performance was also evaluated. In order to achieve the required accuracy (1-2 mm in position and 1-2 mrad in angle at the target location), the data of the BPMs and harps were carefully analyzed, as well as reconstructing the beam position and angle event by event at the target location. Finally, the calculated beam position will be used in the data analysis to accurately determine the kinematics for each event.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗