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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 1,099 records · Page 61

A Reversed Impedance-Based Stability Criterion for IBR Grids: Preprint

The existing impedance-based stability criterion is effective for analyzing local control interactions; however, it is difficult to scale the existing criterion to analyze wide-area control interactions among numerous IBRs through a complex power system network. The scaled version of the existing criterion requires the impedance response of each IBR in the system as well as of the network looking from all the IBRs. It is quite challenging to obtain all these impedance responses because of the computational effort and the requirement of separately scanning the impedance of the network and the IBRs. We propose a reversed criterion for the impedance-based stability analysis to address these problems. In contrast to the existing criterion, the reversed criterion analyzes the stability of a power system when an IBR is disconnected from the system. The reversed criterion estimates the impact of an IBR on the frequency and damping of power system oscillation modes using the impedance scans of only the IBR and the grid at its terminal. It can be sequentially applied at different IBRs to evaluate their impact on the power system stability. In addition to scalability, the reversed criterion gives flexibility to focus only on a few selected IBRs, depending on their rating, the magnitude of oscillations observed at their terminals, and the vendor support available for implementing stabilizing control system updates. The reversed criterion is demonstrated on a 14-bus power system with 100% IBRs.

control interactions↗

Intrusion detection apparatus, system and methods

Described herein are various technologies for detection and mitigation of rogue terminal attacks on multiplex data buses. An intrusion detection device is incorporated between a bus controller and a bus of a multiplex data bus. The intrusion detection device receives message that are communicated among the bus controller and a plurality of remote terminals (by way of the bus). The intrusion detection device determines whether messages are unauthorized based upon origins of the messages and predefined rules. When a message is determined to be unauthorized, the intrusion detection device outputs a notification that the unauthorized message has been detected and can block the unauthorized message.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Measurements of lunar atmospheric loss rate

Ions from the lunar atmosphere are observed near the lunar terminators by the Apollo Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiments. These ions are accelerated toward the lunar surface by the interplanetary electric field and the lunar surface electric field. The ion implantation rates for these mechanisms are of the order of 7 and 0.4 g/sec, respectively. The removal rate into space by the interplanetary electric field is also approximately 7 g/sec. This measurement is used as a constraint to evaluate possible sources of the lunar atmosphere. Upper limits to the size of the lunar atmosphere in the past are established by computing the loss rate of denser lunar atmospheres.

Vondrak, R. R.↗

Modeling Ionosphere Environments: Creating an ISS Electron Density Tool

The International Space Station (ISS) maintains an altitude typically between 300 km and 400 km in low Earth orbit (LEO) which itself is situated in the Earth's ionosphere. The ionosphere is a region of partially ionized gas (plasma) formed by the photoionization of neutral atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere of Earth. It is important to understand what electron density the spacecraft is/will be operating in because the ionized gas along the ISS orbit interacts with the electrical power system resulting in charging of the vehicle. One instrument that is already operational onboard the ISS with a goal of monitoring electron density, electron temperature, and ISS floating potential is the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU). Although this tool is a valuable addition to the ISS, there are limitations concerning the data collection periods. The FPMU uses the Ku band communication frequency to transmit data from orbit. Use of this band for FPMU data runs is often terminated due to necessary observation of higher priority Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) and other operations on ISS. Thus, large gaps are present in FPMU data. The purpose of this study is to solve the issue of missing environmental data by implementing a secondary electron density data source, derived from the COSMIC satellite constellation, to create a model of ISS orbital environments. Extrapolating data specific to ISS orbital altitudes, we model the ionospheric electron density along the ISS orbit track to supply a set of data when the FPMU is unavailable. This computer model also provides an additional new source of electron density data that is used to confirm FPMU is operating correctly and supplements the original environmental data taken by FPMU.

Gurgew, Danielle N.↗

Bimodal Nickel-Binding Site on Escherichia coli [NiFe]-Hydrogenase Metallochaperone HypA

[NiFe]-hydrogenase enzymes catalyze the reversible oxidation of hydrogen at a bimetallic active site and they are used by bacteria and archaea for anaerobic growth and pathogenesis. Maturation of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase requires several accessory proteins to assemble and insert the components of the active site. The penultimate maturation step is the delivery of nickel to a primed hydrogenase enzyme precursor protein, a process that is accomplished by two nickel metallochaperones, the accessory protein HypA and the GTPase HypB. Recent work demonstrated that nickel is rapidly transferred to HypA from GDP-loaded HypB within the context of a protein complex in a nickel selective and unidirectional process. To investigate the mechanism of metal transfer, we examined the allosteric effect of nucleotide cofactors and partner-proteins on the nickel environments of HypA and HypB by using a combination of biochemical, microbiological, computational, and spectroscopic techniques. We observed that loading HypB with either GDP or a non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue resulted in a similar nickel environment. In addition, interaction with a mutant version of HypA with disrupted nickel binding, H2Q-HypA, does not induce substantial changes to the HypB G-domain nickel site. Instead, the results demonstrate that HypB modifies the acceptor site of HypA. Analysis of a peptide maquette derived from the N-terminus of HypA revealed that nickel is predominately coordinated by atoms from the N-terminal Met-His- motif. Furthermore, HypA is capable of two nickel-binding modes at the N-terminus, a HypB-induced mode and a binding mode that mirrors the peptide maquette. Collectively, these results reveal that HypB brings about changes in the nickel coordination of HypA, providing a mechanism for the HypB-dependent control of the acquisition and release of nickel by HypA.

08 HYDROGEN↗

MARS-F modeling of post-disruption runaway beam loss by magnetohydrodynamic instabilities in DIII-D

A drift orbit model for relativistic test electrons has been incorporated into the MARS-F code, in order to study the runaway electron (RE) behavior in the presence of magneto-hydrodynamic perturbations computed by MARS-F. By implementing the model directly into the MARS-F curve-linear magnetic coordinates, maximal accuracy in representing the full field perturbation is preserved. The updated code is utilized to study the high current RE beam loss in a post-disruption DIII-D plasma, revealing that a fast growing, n = 1 ( n is the toroidal mode number) resistive kink instability, at ~100 Gauss level, can induce significant fraction of RE loss, largely by perturbing drift orbits of REs. A 103 Gauss perturbation fully terminates the RE beam, as found in both experiment and modeling. The 3-D field induced loss increases with the perturbation amplitude but decreases with the particle energy. The loss fraction is generally not sensitive to the initial particle pitch angle. The particle velocity change, due to electric field acceleration/deceleration, small pitch angle scattering, synchrotron radiation and Bremsstrahlung, further perturbs the RE trajectory but plays a minor role in prompt RE loss within microseconds time scale. Therefore, the dominant dependencies are simply the RE energy and instability strength. For comparison, a resonant magnetic perturbation field, generated by 4 kAt n = 3 even parity I-coil currents in DIII-D and with the plasma response field included, is found to induce almost no loss for the same RE beam.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Optimal horizontal guidance law for aircraft in the terminal area.

Study of the horizontal guidance of aircraft in and near the terminal area. The problem of guiding an aircraft in minimum time from an arbitrary point to the outer marker is formulated as a nonlinear optimal control problem, and the control law solution is obtained by the application of the maximum principle. It is found that for some initial states the problem is singular. Furthermore, the extremal controls for this problem are not unique. Consequently, the optimal controls must be obtained on the basis of the value of the performance index. The control law is implemented in the form of a digital computer program which computes the optimal trajectory for arbitrary initial conditions.

Pecsvaradi, T.↗

MCC level C formulation requirements. Shuttle TAEM guidance and flight control, STS-1 baseline

The TAEM guidance and body rotational dynamics models required for the MCC simulation of the TAEM mission phase are defined. This simulation begins at the end of the entry phase and terminates at TAEM autoland interface. The logic presented is the required configuration for the first shuttle orbital flight (STS-1). The TAEM guidance is simulated in detail. The rotational dynamics simulation is a simplified model that assumes that the commanded rotational rates can be achieved in the integration interval. Thus, the rotational dynamics simulation is essentially a simulation of the autopilot commanded rates and integration of these rates to determine orbiter attitude. The rotational dynamics simulation also includes a simulation of the speedbrake deflection. The body flap and elevon deflections are computed in the orbiter aerodynamic simulation.

Carman, G. L.↗

Tad and toxin-coregulated pilus structures reveal unexpected diversity in bacterial type IV pili

<Type IV pili (T4P) are ubiquitous in both bacteria and archaea. They are polymers of the major pilin protein, which has an extended and protruding N-terminal helix, α1, and a globular C-terminal domain. Cryo-EM structures have revealed key differences between the bacterial and archaeal T4P in their C-terminal domain structure and in the packing and continuity of α1. This segment forms a continuous α-helix in archaeal T4P but is partially melted in all published bacterial T4P structures due to a conserved helix breaking proline at position 22. The tad (tight adhesion) T4P are found in both bacteria and archaea and are thought to have been acquired by bacteria through horizontal transfer from archaea. Tad pilins are unique among the T4 pilins, being only 40 to 60 residues in length and entirely lacking a C-terminal domain. They also lack the Pro22 found in all high-resolution bacterial T4P structures. We show using cryo-EM that the bacterial tad pilus from Caulobacter crescentus is composed of continuous helical subunits that, like the archaeal pilins, lack the melted portion seen in other bacterial T4P and share the packing arrangement of the archaeal T4P. We further show that a bacterial T4P, the Vibrio cholerae toxin coregulated pilus, which lacks Pro22 but is not in the tad family, has a continuous N-terminal α-helix, yet its α1 s are arranged similar to those in other bacterial T4P. Our results highlight the role of Pro22 in helix melting and support an evolutionary relationship between tad and archaeal T4P.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Optimizing Rate of Penetration and Tripping Decision-Making using Real-Time Bit Wear Monitoring While Drilling Geothermal Wells

Understanding bit wear while drilling is critical to minimizing non-productive time (NPT) and optimizing rate of penetration (ROP). Lengthening drilling runs with damaged bits does not only lower the ROP, but also elevates the risk of inducing severe bit damage, which could potentially lead to time-consuming fishing operations. When drillers believe the bit has worn off substantially, the bit is tripped out to be replaced. On geothermal wells, tripping can take up to 20% of the overall well construction time, and this is generally acknowledged as an opportunity for improvement. Ideally, a bit run should be terminated before the bit is damaged beyond repair. At the same time, premature bit pulls are to be avoided as well. This study aims to leverage bit and tooth wear metrics that can be obtained in real time to characterize bit condition in order to optimize ROP and determine the optimal time to pull the bit. Two metrics were explored in this study: a bit wear metric that incorporated depth-of-cut, and a tooth wear metric developed by Bourgoyne & Young characterizing the state of bit teeth dull. Both metrics were computed using recorded data from 12¼ inches roller cone insert bit runs in five geothermal wells targeting a granodiorite formation in the western United States. Together with the actual dull grades, determined after the bits were pulled to surface, the metric trends were interpreted to characterize the downhole bit condition and identify the point at which the bit should have optimally been tripped out. The insights from studying the actual dull grades and how they relate to the two metrics were used to establish a reliable bit pull criterion. The bit wear metric trend correctly showed a noticeable departure from baseline for bits experiencing major dulling behavior. Additionally, the tooth wear model predicted the cutter dull within two dull grades for most runs, with better performance in predicting the inner teeth dull. Moreover, the combination of the bit wear and tooth wear metrics was effective in revealing the cause of the bit performance impairment. Proactive tracking of these two metrics in real-time can facilitate geothermal drilling ROP optimization and better-informed tripping decision-making, thereby avoiding wasted time and cost.

Ashari, Rahmat↗

Technology forecasting for space communication. Task one report: Cost and weight tradeoff studies for EOS and TDRS

Weight and cost optimized EOS communication links are determined for 2.25, 7.25, 14.5, 21, and 60 GHz systems and for a 10.6 micron homodyne detection laser system. EOS to ground links are examined for 556, 834, and 1112 km EOS orbits, with ground terminals at the Network Test and Tracking Facility and at Goldstone. Optimized 21 GHz and 10.6 micron links are also examined. For the EOS to Tracking and Data Relay Satellite to ground link, signal-to-noise ratios of the uplink and downlink are also optimized for minimum overall cost or spaceborne weight. Finally, the optimized 21 GHz EOS to ground link is determined for various precipitation rates. All system performance parameters and mission dependent constraints are presented, as are the system cost and weight functional dependencies. The features and capabilities of the computer program to perform the foregoing analyses are described.

Source record↗

Carbon nanotube switches for memory, RF communications and sensing applications, and methods of making the same

Switches having an in situ grown carbon nanotube as an element thereof, and methods of fabricating such switches. A carbon nanotube is grown in situ in mechanical connection with a conductive substrate, such as a heavily doped silicon wafer or an SOI wafer. The carbon nanotube is electrically connected at one location to a terminal. At another location of the carbon nanotube there is situated a pull electrode that can be used to elecrostatically displace the carbon nanotube so that it selectively makes contact with either the pull electrode or with a contact electrode. Connection to the pull electrode is sufficient to operate the device as a simple switch, while connection to a contact electrode is useful to operate the device in a manner analogous to a relay. In various embodiments, the devices disclosed are useful as at least switches for various signals, multi-state memory, computational devices, and multiplexers.

Kaul, Anupama B.↗

The 4-D guidance of STOL aircraft in the terminal area

Advanced STOL aircraft for the improvement of the nation's air transportation system by the elimination of delays and congestions associated with today's air travel are discussed. A new guidance technique, referred to as 4-D guidance, is being developed for STOL aircraft. The 4-D guidance technique synthesizes complex three-dimensional flight paths from a minimum set of input and files the aircraft along the paths according to a prespecified time schedule. The two major elements of a 4-D guidance system are the trajectory synthesizer and the control law. Inputs to the trajectory synthesizer are the three-dimensional coordinates of way points, the turning radii, the speed ranges, the acceleration limits, and the arrival times at time control way points. First, the three-dimensional trajectory is computed by using circular arcs and straight lines. Then the airspeed profile, compensated for wind, is calculated to achieve the desired arrival times. The synthesized trajectory is stored as a time sequence of reference states which the aircraft is forced to track by using a linear feedback law.

Pecsvaradi, T.↗

Data transmission by quantum matter wave modulation

Abstract Classical communication schemes exploiting wave modulation are the basis of our information era. Quantum information techniques with photons enable future secure data transfer in the dawn of decoding quantum computers. Here we demonstrate that also matter waves can be applied for secure data transfer. Our technique allows the transmission of a message by a quantum modulation of coherent electrons in a biprism interferometer. The data is encoded in the superposition state by a Wien filter introducing a longitudinal shift between separated matter wave packets. The transmission receiver is a delay line detector performing a dynamic contrast analysis of the fringe pattern. Our method relies on the Aharonov–Bohm effect but does not shift the phase. It is demonstrated that an eavesdropping attack will terminate the data transfer by disturbing the quantum state and introducing decoherence. Furthermore, we discuss the security limitations of the scheme due to the multi-particle aspect and propose the implementation of a key distribution protocol that can prevent active eavesdropping.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Rocket ascent G-limited moment-balanced optimization program (RAGMOP)

This document describes the RAGMOP (Rocket Ascent G-limited Momentbalanced Optimization Program) computer program for parametric ascent trajectory optimization. RAGMOP computes optimum polynomial-form attitude control histories, launch azimuth, engine burn-time, and gross liftoff weight for space shuttle type vehicles using a search-accelerated, gradient projection parameter optimization technique. The trajectory model available in RAGMOP includes a rotating oblate earth model, the option of input wind tables, discrete and/or continuous throttling for the purposes of limiting the thrust acceleration and/or the maximum dynamic pressure, limitation of the structural load indicators (the product of dynamic pressure with angle-of-attack and sideslip angle), and a wide selection of intermediate and terminal equality constraints.

Lyons, J. T.↗

Automatic assembly of space stations

A problem in the automatic assembly of space stations is the determination of guidance laws for the terminal rendezvous and docking of two structural components or modules. The problem involves the feedback control of both the relative attitude and translational motion of the modules. A suitable mathematical model based on rigid body dynamics was used. The basic requirements, physical constraints and difficulties associated with the control problem are discussed. An approach which bypasses some of the difficulties is proposed. A nonlinear guidance law satisfying the basic requirements is derived. The implementation requirements is discussed. The performance of the resulting feedback control system with rigid and flexible structural components is studied by computer simulation.

Wang, P. K. C.↗

The effects of compressibility on dynamic stall

In this paper, typical computational predictions and experimental measurements of compressible flow past an airfoil at dynamic stall conditions are studied and compared to develop an insight into the effect of compressibility on dynamic stall. The dependency of the critical Mach number on airfoil leading edge curvature, camber, and angle of attack is investigated. Evidence is presented to show that a local region of supersonic flow occurs on an oscillating airfoil, even for a freestream Mach number as low as 0.2, if the boundary layer remains attached and the angle of attack is sufficiently high; that a shock terminates this local supersonic bubble; and that the vorticity that this shock generates grows rapidly and becomes very unstable as the angle of attack increases beyond the value at which the maximum local flow speed first exceeds the speed of sound. It is suggested that these shock-induced effects compete with the dynamic viscous effects occurring in the boundary layer in determining the onset of separation, which can lead to premature dynamic stall and can significantly reduce the maximum dynamic lift that can otherwise be obtained.

Fung, K.-Y.↗

Windows(Registered Trademark)-Based Software Models Cyclic Oxidation Behavior

Oxidation of high-temperature aerospace materials is a universal issue for combustion-path components in turbine or rocket engines. In addition to the question of the consumption of material due to growth of protective scale at use temperatures, there is also the question of cyclic effects and spallation of scale on cooldown. The spallation results in the removal of part of the protective oxide in a discontinuous step and thereby opens the way for more rapid oxidation upon reheating. In experiments, cyclic oxidation behavior is most commonly characterized by measuring changes in weight during extended time intervals that include hundreds or thousands of heating and cooling cycles. Weight gains occurring during isothermal scale-growth processes have been well characterized as being parabolic or nearly parabolic functions of time because diffusion controls reaction rates. In contrast, the net weight change in cyclic oxidation is the sum of the effects of the growth and spallation of scale. Typically, the net weight gain in cyclic oxidation is determined only empirically (that is, by measurement), with no unique or straightforward mathematical connection to either the rate of growth or the amount of metal consumed. Thus, there is a need for mathematical modeling to infer spallation mechanisms. COSP is a computer program that models the growth and spallation processes of cyclic oxidation on the basis of a few elementary assumptions that were discussed in COSP: A Computer Model of Cyclic Oxidation, Oxidation of Metals, vol. 36, numbers 1 and 2, 1991, pages 81-112. Inputs to the model include the selection of an oxidation-growth law and a spalling geometry, plus oxide-phase, growth-rate, cycle-duration, and spall-constant parameters. (The spalling fraction is often shown to be a constant factor times the existing amount of scale.) The output of COSP includes the net change in weight, the amounts of retained and spalled oxide, the total amounts of oxygen and metal consumed, and the terminal rates of weight loss and metal consumption.

Smialek, J. L.↗