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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 109 records · Page 6

Singular perturbations in the state regulator problem

Most of the results of singular perturbation theory have been concerned with initial value problems whereas optimal control problems are of two-point boundary value type. The portions of this theory applicable to the open loop state regulator problem are reviewed. For obtaining approximate solutions to the state regulator problem the method of matched asymptotic expansions is employed. This method has been developed in connection with certain fluid mechanics problems and is applicable to nonlinear as well as linear problems. It has been found in the past to be advantageous not to formulate this method generally but to apply it to each individual problem and this approach is adopted here. A general recipe for the method is given and its application is illustrated by using the method to obtain an approximate solution to a simple, specific state regulator problem.

Ardema, M. D.↗

Design of protein-binding proteins from the target structure alone

The design of proteins that bind to a specific site on the surface of a target protein using no information other than the three-dimensional structure of the target remains a challenge. Here we describe a general solution to this problem that starts with a broad exploration of the vast space of possible binding modes to a selected region of a protein surface, and then intensifies the search in the vicinity of the most promising binding modes. We demonstrate the broad applicability of this approach through the de novo design of binding proteins to 12 diverse protein targets with different shapes and surface properties. Biophysical characterization shows that the binders, which are all smaller than 65 amino acids, are hyperstable and, following experimental optimization, bind their targets with nanomolar to picomolar affinities. We succeeded in solving crystal structures of five of the binder–target complexes, and all five closely match the corresponding computational design models. Experimental data on nearly half a million computational designs and hundreds of thousands of point mutants provide detailed feedback on the strengths and limitations of the method and of our current understanding of protein–protein interactions, and should guide improvements of both. Our approach enables the targeted design of binders to sites of interest on a wide variety of proteins for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A panel method study of vortex sheets with special emphasis on sheets of axisymmetric geometry

The self induced evolution of a vortex sheet was simulated by modeling the sheet using an integration of discrete elements of vorticity. Replacing small sections of a vortex sheet by flat panels of constant vorticity is found to reproduce more accurately the initial conditions for the Lagrangian simulation technique than replacement by point vortices. The flat panel method for the vortex sheet was then extended to model axisymmetric vortex sheets. The local and far field velocities induced by the axisymmetric panels were obtained using matched asymptotic analysis, and some of the uncertainties involved in other models of the axisymmetric vortex sheet have been eliminated. One important result of this analysis is the determination of the proper choice of core size for a circular vortex filament which may replace a section of an axisymmetric vortex sheet. Roll-up of both two dimensional and axisymmetric vortex sheets was computed using the panel methods developed in the report.

Sugioka, I.↗

Target Detection via Cognitive Radars Using Change-Point Detection, Learning, and Adaptation

Many radar detection algorithms that assume a stationary environment (clutter) have been proposed and analyzed over the years. However, in practice, changes in the nonstationary environment can perturb the parameters of the clutter distribution, or even alter the clutter distribution family, which can greatly deteriorate the target detection capability. To avoid such potential performance degradation, cognitive radar systems are envisioned which are required to rapidly realize the nonstationarity, accurately learn the new characteristics of the environments, and adaptively update the detector. In this paper, aiming to develop a fully cognitive radar for target detection in nonstationary environments, we propose a unifying framework that integrates (i) change-point detection of clutter distributions by using a data-driven cumulative sum (CUSUM) algorithm and its extended version, (ii) learning/identification of clutter distribution by applying sparse theory and kernel density estimation methods, and (iii) adaptive target detection by automatically modifying the likelihood-ratio test and corresponding detection threshold. Further, with extensive numerical examples, we demonstrate the achieved improvements in detection performance due to the proposed framework in comparison to a nonadaptive case, an adaptive matched filter (AMF) method, and the clairvoyant case. Herein, we also use Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to evaluate the statistical significance of the performance improvements

42 ENGINEERING↗

Renormalization group improvement of the effective potential: an EFT approach

We apply effective field theory (EFT) methods to compute the renormalization group improved effective potential for theories with a large mass hierarchy. Our method allows one to compute the effective potential in a systematic expansion in powers of the mass ratio, as well as to sum large logarithms of mass ratios using renormalization group evolution. The effective potential is the sum of one-particle irreducible diagrams (1PI) but information about which diagrams are 1PI is lost after matching to the EFT, since heavy lines get shrunk to a point. We therefore introduce a tadpole condition in place of the 1PI condition, and use the renormalization group improved value of the tadpole in computing the effective potential. We explain why the effective potential computed using an EFT is not the same as the effective potential of the EFT. We illustrate our method using the O(N) model, a theory of two scalars in the unbroken and broken phases, and the Higgs-Yukawa model. Our leading-log result, obtained by integrating the one-loop β-functions, correctly reproduces the log-squared term in explicit two-loop calculations. Our method does not have a Goldstone boson infrared divergence problem.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Continued Development of the Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Computational Aeroacoustic Applications

The formulation and the implementation of boundary conditions within the context of the quadrature-free form of the discontinuous Galerkin method are presented for several types of boundary conditions for the Euler equations. An important feature of the discontinuous Galerkin method is that the interior point algorithm is well behaved in the neighborhood of the boundary and requires no modifications. This feature leads to a simple and accurate treatment for wall boundary conditions and simple inflow and outflow boundary conditions. Curved walls are accurately treated with only minor changes to the implementation described in earlier work. The 'perfectly matched layer' approach to nonreflecting boundary conditions is easily applied to the discontinuous Galerkin. The compactness of the discontinuous Galerkin method makes it better suited for buffer-zone-type methods than high-order finite-difference methods. Results are presented for wall, characteristic inflow and outflow, and nonreflecting boundary conditions.

Atkins, H. L.↗

Asymptotic matching by the symbolic manipulator MACSYMA

The delegation of the labor of calculating higher-order terms in singular perturbation (SP) expansions to a computer by the use of MACSYMA is considered. The method of matched asymptotic expansions is studied in detail for two model SP problems: a model resembling the boundary layer equation with a small parameter multiplying the highest derivatives; and a turning-point problem. It is shown that MACSYMA has successfully performed the higher-order matching in both problems.

Lo, L. L.↗

Detection of Operator Performance Breakdown as an Automation Triggering Mechanism

Performance breakdown (PB) has been anecdotally described as a state where the human operator "loses control of context" and "cannot maintain required task performance." Preventing such a decline in performance is critical to assure the safety and reliability of human-integrated systems, and therefore PB could be useful as a point at which automation can be applied to support human performance. However, PB has never been scientifically defined or empirically demonstrated. Moreover, there is no validated objective way of detecting such a state or the transition to that state. The purpose of this work is: 1) to empirically demonstrate a PB state, and 2) to develop an objective way of detecting such a state. This paper defines PB and proposes an objective method for its detection. A human-in-the-loop study was conducted: 1) to demonstrate PB by increasing workload until the subject reported being in a state of PB, and 2) to identify possible parameters of a detection method for objectively identifying the subjectively-reported PB point, and 3) to determine if the parameters are idiosyncratic to an individual/context or are more generally applicable. In the experiment, fifteen participants were asked to manage three concurrent tasks (one primary and two secondary) for 18 minutes. The difficulty of the primary task was manipulated over time to induce PB while the difficulty of the secondary tasks remained static. The participants' task performance data was collected. Three hypotheses were constructed: 1) increasing workload will induce subjectively-identified PB, 2) there exists criteria that identifies the threshold parameters that best matches the subjectively-identified PB point, and 3) the criteria for choosing the threshold parameters is consistent across individuals. The results show that increasing workload can induce subjectively-identified PB, although it might not be generalizable-only 12 out of 15 participants declared PB. The PB detection method based on signal detection analysis was applied to the performance data and the results showed that PB can be identified using the method, particularly when the values of the parameters for the detection method were calibrated individually.

multi-task environment↗

A robust line extraction and matching algorithm

This paper presents an algorithm for extracting straight lines from intensity mages and describes a line matching algorithm for solving the line correspondence problem. The line extraction process begins by detecting edges in the intensity image. Next, line support regions are formed where image points (pixels) have similar gradient orientation. A line fitting algorithm is then used to fit a line to the points in the line support region based on a least means square fitting algorithm. Finally, line segments are linked together to form the final lines by using an adaptive line linking method; this results in much stronger lines and a smaller set of lines to be considered. Once the lines are detected in a sequence of images, a line matching algorithm is used to match lines in one image to the lines in the other image. The images are either from a motion or stereo sequence. The matched lines may then be used with the sensor position and orientation data to estimate range to objects corresponding to the lines. We present results based on applying the line extraction and line matching algorithms to a synthetic image and an outdoor scene captured by a camera on a helicopter.

Hussien, B.↗

Sensors and methods for monitoring flying objects

Described herein are sensing methods, sensor systems, and non-transitory, computer-readable, storage media having programs for long-duration, continuous monitoring of flying objects during the day or the night and regardless of weather conditions. The methods and systems are computationally efficient and can provide compact, three-dimensional representations of motion from the observed object. A 3D track of the flying object can be generated from a point-matched pair of stereo composite motion track images and not directly from the videos, wherein each composite motion track image is based on a composite of a plurality of video frames composited in part according to video frame numbers.

Matzner, Shari↗

Tele-Autonomous control involving contact

Object localization and its application in tele-autonomous systems are studied. Two object localization algorithms are presented together with the methods of extracting several important types of object features. The first algorithm is based on line-segment to line-segment matching. Line range sensors are used to extract line-segment features from an object. The extracted features are matched to corresponding model features to compute the location of the object. The inputs of the second algorithm are not limited only to the line features. Featured points (point to point matching) and featured unit direction vectors (vector to vector matching) can also be used as the inputs of the algorithm, and there is no upper limit on the number of the features inputed. The algorithm will allow the use of redundant features to find a better solution. The algorithm uses dual number quaternions to represent the position and orientation of an object and uses the least squares optimization method to find an optimal solution for the object's location. The advantage of using this representation is that the method solves for the location estimation by minimizing a single cost function associated with the sum of the orientation and position errors and thus has a better performance on the estimation, both in accuracy and speed, than that of other similar algorithms. The difficulties when the operator is controlling a remote robot to perform manipulation tasks are also discussed. The main problems facing the operator are time delays on the signal transmission and the uncertainties of the remote environment. How object localization techniques can be used together with other techniques such as predictor display and time desynchronization to help to overcome these difficulties are then discussed.

Shao, Lejun↗

Evaluation of a multi-point method for determining acoustic impedance

An investigation was conducted to explore potential improvements provided by a Multi-Point Method (MPM) over the Standing Wave Method (SWM) and Two-Microphone Method (TMM) for determining acoustic impedance. A wave propagation model was developed to model the standing wave pattern in an impedance tube. The acoustic impedance of a test specimen was calculated from a best fit of this standing wave pattern to pressure measurements obtained along the impedance tube centerline. Three measurement spacing distributions were examined: uniform, random, and selective. Calculated standing wave patterns match the point pressure measurement distributions with good agreement for a reflection factor magnitude range of 0.004 to 0.999. Comparisons of results using 2, 3, 6, and 18 measurement points showed that the most consistent results are obtained when using at least 6 evenly spaced pressure measurements per half-wavelength. Also, data were acquired with broadband noise added to the discrete frequency noise and impedances were calculated using the MPM and TMM algorithms. The results indicate that the MPM will be superior to the TMM in the presence of significant broadband noise levels associated with mean flow.

Jones, Michael G.↗

QPPM receiver for free-space laser communications

A prototype receiver developed at NASA Lewis Research Center for direct detection and demodulation of quaternary pulse position modulated (QPPM) optical carriers is described. The receiver enables dual-channel communications at 325-Megabits per second (Mbps) per channel. The optical components of the prototype receiver are briefly described. The electronic components, comprising the analog signal conditioning, slot clock recovery, matched filter and maximum likelihood data recovery circuits are described in more detail. A novel digital symbol clock recovery technique is presented as an alternative to conventional analog methods. Simulated link degradations including noise and pointing-error induced amplitude variations are applied. The bit-error-rate performance of the electronic portion of the prototype receiver under varying optical signal-to-noise power ratios is found to be within 1.5-dB of theory. Implementation of the receiver as a hybrid of analog and digital application specific integrated circuits is planned.

Budinger, J. M.↗

Some Aspects of the Modified Newtonian and Prandtl-Meyer-Expansion Method for Axisymmetric Blunt Bodies at Zero Angle of Attack

In a recent article on hypersonic flow, Lees and Kubota suggested a modification of the local-expansion method to predict the surface pressures in the region of a nose-cylinder junction where Newtonian theory fails. The modification consists of matching the Newtonian pressure distribution and the Prandtl-Meyer relation at the point on the nose surface where both the pressure and the pressure gradient, predicted by these two solution, are equal. With this approximation, the pressure distribution can be predicted quite accurately up to the nose-cylinder junction for blunt-nosed bodies of continuous curvature, provided centrifugal-force effects are negligible. The purpose of this note is to facilitate the application of Lees' suggestion and to draw attention to some of its consequences.

Wagner, Richard D., Jr.↗

Analytical study of the twin-jet shielding

The development of the analytical model of twin-jet shielding is summarized. The models consist of a point noise source impinging on a cylinder of heated flow in which the temperature and flow velocity are uniform cross the cross section. In the formulation of the model, the wave equations are written for the regions outside the flow and within the flow cylinder. The solutions to the wave equations are matched at the jet boundary under the conditions of continuity of pressure and continuity of the vortex sheet. The solution reduces to an indefinite integral involving Bessel functions. The integral is solved approximately using a saddle point method.

Gerhold, C. H.↗

Real-Time Feature Tracking Using Homography

This software finds feature point correspondences in sequences of images. It is designed for feature matching in aerial imagery. Feature matching is a fundamental step in a number of important image processing operations: calibrating the cameras in a camera array, stabilizing images in aerial movies, geo-registration of images, and generating high-fidelity surface maps from aerial movies. The method uses a Shi-Tomasi corner detector and normalized cross-correlation. This process is likely to result in the production of some mismatches. The feature set is cleaned up using the assumption that there is a large planar patch visible in both images. At high altitude, this assumption is often reasonable. A mathematical transformation, called an homography, is developed that allows us to predict the position in image 2 of any point on the plane in image 1. Any feature pair that is inconsistent with the homography is thrown out. The output of the process is a set of feature pairs, and the homography. The algorithms in this innovation are well known, but the new implementation improves the process in several ways. It runs in real-time at 2 Hz on 64-megapixel imagery. The new Shi-Tomasi corner detector tries to produce the requested number of features by automatically adjusting the minimum distance between found features. The homography-finding code now uses an implementation of the RANSAC algorithm that adjusts the number of iterations automatically to achieve a pre-set probability of missing a set of inliers. The new interface allows the caller to pass in a set of predetermined points in one of the images. This allows the ability to track the same set of points through multiple frames.

Clouse, Daniel S.↗

Resolution enhancement of ERTS imagery

A method is described for combined interpolation and enhancement of ERTS multispectral scanner data sets. Previous research has shown that good enhancement is most easily achieved when there are a large number of data points contained within the radius of gyration of the system point spread function. This requirement can be met using ERTS data by interpolating the data before enhancement. By varying the interpolation scale factor the data set can be empirically matched to a precalculated optimum restoration filter. Once the proper match of data and filter has been found the enhancement can be carried out directly or the enhancement and interpolation operations can be combined into a single filter thereby greatly reducing the processing time. Experimental results of applying this technique are shown along with more conventional methods of image interpolation and enlargement.

Mcgillem, C. D.↗

Total metals & anion concentration data; Slate River floodplain, Crested Butte, CO; May 2020-September 2020

This data package includes processed and undiluted measurements for metal and anion concentrations from pore water (groundwater) samples from the Slate River floodplain of Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? Samples were collected between May and September of 2020. These measurements were all recorded at the Arizona Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC) at the University of Arizona located in Tucson, AZ. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizon (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the river floodplain. All water samples were shaded from sun exposure during extraction from the subsurface and preserved at 4C until measured at ALEC.Analysis by ICP-MS:Measurements for total metals were made on the Agilent 7700x ICP-MS (for total metals) – Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA.The analytical QA/QC protocol was adapted from US EPA Method 200.8 for analysis by ICP-MS. Calibration standards were prepared from multi-element stock solution (Sigma-Aldrich Multielement standard solution for ICP, St. Louis, MO) using matrix matched to sample solutions (either 2% HCl or HNO3 from AriStar Plus,grade acids from VWR Scientific). Calibration curves include at least 7 points with correlation coefficients > 0.995. The QC protocol includes a continuing calibration blank (CCB), a continuing calibration verification (CCV) solution and at least one quality control sample (QCS) to be analyzed just after calibration and again after every 12 samples and at the completion of the run. The QCS solutions are from an independent source, such as NIST SRM 1643e - Trace Elements in Water, or QCS solutions from High Purity Standards (Charleston, SC). Acceptable QC responses must be between 90 and 110% of the certified value. An internal standard (Rh) is added via on-line addition into the sample line using a mixing tee.Analysis by Ion Chromatography (Anions):The protocol follows Method 4110 in Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater.The instrument used is the Thermo Scientific Dionex ICS-6000 using AS+AG22 column set for anion analysis with isocratic method using sodium carbonate eluent. Detection is by chemical suppression of eluent conductivity. Quality control solutions and mixed analyte standards purchased from Inorganic Ventures, Christiansburg, VA.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗