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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 991 records · Page 55

Image segmentation for uranium isotopic analysis by SIMS: Combined adaptive thresholding and marker controlled watershed approach

A novel approach to particle identification and particle isotope ratio determination has been developed for nuclear safeguard applications. This particle search approach combines an adaptive thresholding algorithm and marker-controlled watershed segmentation (MCWS) transform, which improves the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) isotopic analysis of uranium containing particle populations for nuclear safeguards applications. The Niblack assisted MCWS approach (a.k.a. SEEKER) developed for this work has improved the identification of isotopically unique uranium particles under conditions that have historically presented significant challenges for SIMS image data processing techniques. Particles obtained from five NIST uranium certified reference materials (CRM U129A, U015, U150, U500 and U850) were successfully identified in regions of SIMS image data 1) where a high variability in image intensity existed, 2) where particles were touching or were in close proximity to one another and/or 3) where the magnitude of ion signal for a given region was count limited. Analysis of the isotopic distributions of uranium containing particles identified by SEEKER showed four distinct, accurately identified 235U enrichment distributions, corresponding to the NIST certified 235U/238U isotope ratios for CRM U129A/U015 (not statistically differentiated), U150, U500 and U850. Additionally, comparison of the minor uranium isotope (234U, 235U and 236U) atom percent values verified that, even in the absence of high precision isotope ratio measurements, SEEKER could be used to segment isotopically unique uranium particles from SIMS image data. Although demonstrated specifically for SIMS analysis of uranium containing particles for nuclear safeguards, SEEKER has application in addressing a broad set of image processing challenges.

adaptive thresholding↗

Growth of arrays of oriented epitaxial platinum nanoparticles with controlled size and shape by natural colloidal lithography

Here, we developed a method for production of arrays of platinum nanocrystals of controlled size and shape using templates from ordered silica bead monolayers. Silica beads with nominal sizes of 150 and 450 nm were self-assembl into monolayers over strontium titanate single crystal substrates. The monolayers were used as shadow masks for platinum metal deposition on the substrate using the three-step evaporation technique. Produced arrays of epitaxial platinum islands were transformed into nanocrystals by annealing in a quartz tube in nitrogen flow. The shape of particles is determined by the substrate crystallography, while the size of the particles and their spacing are controlled by the size of the silica beads in the mono- layer mask. As a proof of concept, arrays of platinum nanocrystals of cubooctahedral shape were prepared on (100) strontium titanate substrates. We also characterized the nanocrystal arrays by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Field Testing LIDAR Based Feed-Forward Controls on the NREL Controls Advanced Research Turbine: Preprint

Wind turbines are complex, nonlinear, dynamic systems driven by aerodynamic, gravitational, centrifugal, and gyroscopic forces. The aerodynamics of wind turbines are nonlinear, unsteady, and complex. Turbine rotors are subjected to a chaotic three-dimensional (3-D) turbulent wind inflow field with imbedded coherent vortices that drive fatigue loads and reduce lifetime. In order to reduce cost of energy, future large multimegawatt turbines must be designed with lighter weight structures, using active controls to mitigate fatigue loads, maximize energy capture, and add active damping to maintain stability for these dynamically active structures operating in a complex environment. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and University of Stuttgart are designing, implementing, and testing advanced feed-back and feed-forward controls in order to reduce the cost of energy for wind turbines.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Control Signals of a Predictive Industrial PID Controller

To expand the functional capabilities of industrial controllers for systems subject to external disturbances, developments to date are reviewed, and an approach permitting the generation of control signals on the basis of predictions is proposed and tested. The benefits of this approach are assessed. It is best used for large industrial equipment and systems in manufacturing and the oil and gas industry.

42 ENGINEERING↗