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At least 127 records · Page 7

Computer simulation and experimental validation of isoelectric focusing in ampholine-free systems

An abbreviated version of a mathematical model of the steady state in isoelectric focusing is presented. Details of the mathematical transformations leading to a model suitable for computer implementation and numerical solution are given in the Appendix. The model describes the structure of concentration, pH, conductivity and potential gradients arising from the focusing of electrochemically defined ampholytes. Some of the results of computer simulations of two and three component systems are of particular interest to the experimentalist and are presented together with experimental validation of this model.

Bier, M.

Mapping soil types from multispectral scanner data.

Multispectral remote sensing and computer-implemented pattern recognition techniques were used for automatic ?mapping' of soil types. This approach involves subjective selection of a set of reference samples from a gray-level display of spectral variations which was generated by a computer. Each resolution element is then classified using a maximum likelihood ratio. Output is a computer printout on which the researcher assigns a different symbol to each class. Four soil test areas in Indiana were experimentally examined using this approach, and partially successful results were obtained.

Kristof, S. J.

Credibility Assessment of Deterministic Computational Models and Simulations for Space Biomedical Research and Operations

Human missions beyond low earth orbit to destinations, such as to Mars and asteroids will expose astronauts to novel operational conditions that may pose health risks that are currently not well understood and perhaps unanticipated. In addition, there are limited clinical and research data to inform development and implementation of health risk countermeasures for these missions. Consequently, NASA's Digital Astronaut Project (DAP) is working to develop and implement computational models and simulations (M&S) to help predict and assess spaceflight health and performance risks, and enhance countermeasure development. In order to effectively accomplish these goals, the DAP evaluates its models and simulations via a rigorous verification, validation and credibility assessment process to ensure that the computational tools are sufficiently reliable to both inform research intended to mitigate potential risk as well as guide countermeasure development. In doing so, DAP works closely with end-users, such as space life science researchers, to establish appropriate M&S credibility thresholds. We will present and demonstrate the process the DAP uses to vet computational M&S for space biomedical analysis using real M&S examples. We will also provide recommendations on how the larger space biomedical community can employ these concepts to enhance the credibility of their M&S codes.

Mulugeta, Lealem

Intelligent interfaces to aircraft systems

An approach for developing intelligent aiding systems for airline flight crews is proposed. This approach proceeds in four cycles: (1) National Traffic Safety Board data and pilot interviews are used to determine the areas in which pilots require aid; (2) a pilot information processing model is designed; (3) an intelligent pilot-aiding model is developed; and (4) systems for implementing aiding functions are defined. This approach is utilized to design a general situation-response pilot-aiding system. The situation-response model and the structure of a general situation-response pilot-aiding system are described. The computer implementation of the situation-response information processing model is examined.

Schudy, Robert

Remote Sensing Methods

Remotely sensed data allows archeologists and historic preservationists the ability to non-destructively detect phenomena previously unobservable to them. Archeologists have successfully used aerial photography since the turn of the century and it continues to be an important research tool today. Multispectral scanners and computer-implemented analysis techniques extend the range of human vision and provides the investigator with innovative research designs at scales previously unimaginable. Pioneering efforts in the use of remote sensing technology have demonstrated its potential, but it is the recent technological developments in remote sensing instrumentation and computer capability that provide for unlimited, cost-effective applications in the future. The combination of remote sensing, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are radically altering survey, inventory, and modelling approaches.

Sever, Thomas L.

On the attitude motion of an orbiting rigid body under the influence of gravity gradient torque

An investigation is made of the rotational motion of a rigid body orbiting the earth, under the influence of the geogravity-gradient torque. The attitude dynamics are formulated as perturbations from a nominal case. The perturbed equations are solved asymptotically, by the multiple scales technique. The independent variable, time, is extended into a space of higher dimension by means of new scales, fast, slow, etc. Integration of the equations is carried out separately in the new variables. The rapid and slow aspects of the attitude dynamics are systematically separated, resulting in a more efficient computer implementation and enhanced physical insight. The theory is applied to predict the attitude dynamics of an asymmetric rigid body satellite. A comparison is made of the maximum errors as the step size increases as predicted by the multiple scales solution and direct numerical integration. An improvement in computational speed of an order of magnitude is demonstrated.

Tao, Y. C.

A linear decomposition method for large optimization problems. Blueprint for development

A method is proposed for decomposing large optimization problems encountered in the design of engineering systems such as an aircraft into a number of smaller subproblems. The decomposition is achieved by organizing the problem and the subordinated subproblems in a tree hierarchy and optimizing each subsystem separately. Coupling of the subproblems is accounted for by subsequent optimization of the entire system based on sensitivities of the suboptimization problem solutions at each level of the tree to variables of the next higher level. A formalization of the procedure suitable for computer implementation is developed and the state of readiness of the implementation building blocks is reviewed showing that the ingredients for the development are on the shelf. The decomposition method is also shown to be compatible with the natural human organization of the design process of engineering systems. The method is also examined with respect to the trends in computer hardware and software progress to point out that its efficiency can be amplified by network computing using parallel processors.

Sobieszczanski-Sobieski, J.

Control Implemented on Quantum Computers: Effects of Noise, Non-Determinism, and Entanglement

Quantum computing has advanced in recent years to the point that there are now some quantum computers and quantum simulators available to the public for use. In addition, quantum computing is beginning to receive attention within the process systems engineering community for directions such as machine learning and optimization. A logical next step for its evaluation within process systems engineering is for control, specifically, for computing control actions to be applied to process systems. In this work, we provide some initial studies regarding the implementation of control on quantum computers, including the implementation of a single-input/single-output proportional control law on a quantum simulator with noise, evaluation of potential impacts of non-determinism on theory for advanced control laws, and discussion of consequences of the way that entanglement works for next-generation manufacturing communication objectives.

Kip Nieman

Cognitive engineering models in space systems

NASA space systems, including mission operations on the ground and in space, are complex, dynamic, predominantly automated systems in which the human operator is a supervisory controller. Models of cognitive functions in complex systems are needed to describe human performance and form the theoretical basis of operator workstation design, including displays, controls, and decision aids. Currently, there several candidate modeling methodologies. They include the Rasmussen abstraction/aggregation hierarchy and decision ladder, the goal-means network, the problem behavior graph, and the operator function model. The research conducted under the sponsorship of this grant focuses on the extension of the theoretical structure of the operator function model and its application to NASA Johnson mission operations and space station applications. The initial portion of this research consists of two parts. The first is a series of technical exchanges between NASA Johnson and Georgia Tech researchers. The purpose is to identify candidate applications for the current operator function model; prospects include mission operations and the Data Management System Testbed. The second portion will address extensions of the operator function model to tailor it to the specific needs of Johnson applications. At this point, we have accomplished two things. During a series of conversations with JSC researchers, we have defined the technical goal of the research supported by this grant to be the structural definition of the operator function model and its computer implementation, OFMspert. Both the OFM and OFMspert have matured to the point that they require infrastructure to facilitate use by researchers not involved in the evolution of the tools. The second accomplishment this year was the identification of the Payload Deployment and Retrieval System (PDRS) as a candidate system for the case study. In conjunction with government and contractor personnel in the Human-Computer Interaction Lab, the PDRS was identified as the most accessible system for the demonstration. Pursuant to this a PDRS simulation was obtained from the HCIL and an initial knowledge engineering effort was conducted to understand the operator's tasks in the PDRS application. The preliminary results of the knowledge engineering effort and an initial formulation of an operator function model (OFM) are contained in the appendices.

Mitchell, Christine M.

Numerical method for predicting flow characteristics and performance of nonaxisymmetric nozzles. Part 2: Applications

A computer implemented numerical method for predicting the flow in and about an isolated three dimensional jet exhaust nozzle is summarized. The approach is based on an implicit numerical method to solve the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations in a boundary conforming curvilinear coordinate system. Recent improvements to the original numerical algorithm are summarized. Equations are given for evaluating nozzle thrust and discharge coefficient in terms of computed flowfield data. The final formulation of models that are used to simulate flow turbulence effect is presented. Results are presented from numerical experiments to explore the effect of various quantities on the rate of convergence to steady state and on the final flowfield solution. Detailed flowfield predictions for several two and three dimensional nozzle configurations are presented and compared with wind tunnel experimental data.

Thomas, P. D.

Noise correction on LANDSAT images using a spline-like algorithm

Many applications using LANDSAT images face a dilemma: the user needs a certain scene (for example, a flooded region), but that particular image may present interference or noise in form of horizontal stripes. During automatic analysis, this interference or noise may cause false readings of the region of interest. In order to minimize this interference or noise, many solutions are used, for instane, that of using the average (simple or weighted) values of the neighboring vertical points. In the case of high interference (more than one adjacent line lost) the method of averages may not suit the desired purpose. The solution proposed is to use a spline-like algorithm (weighted splines). This type of interpolation is simple to be computer implemented, fast, uses only four points in each interval, and eliminates the necessity of solving a linear equation system. In the normal mode of operation, the first and second derivatives of the solution function are continuous and determined by data points, as in cubic splines. It is possible, however, to impose the values of the first derivatives, in order to account for shapr boundaries, without increasing the computational effort. Some examples using the proposed method are also shown.

Vijaykumar, N. L.

Particle Interaction Physics Model Formulation for Plume-Surface Interaction Erosion and Cratering

The Predictive Simulation Capability development team of the STMD Game Changing Development sponsored PSI project is implementing computational simulation capability for the efficient and accurate prediction of Plume-Surface Interaction induced surface erosion and cratering in Martian and Lunar environments. The status of the Focus Area 3 of the PSI project in the generation and efficient application of accurate soil particle composition modeling in the Gas-Granular Flow Solver (GGFS) computational framework is presented. The process of constitutive closure model database generation using DEM particle interaction modeling for capturing the effects of irregular particle shape and poly-disperse mixture distribution effects is outlined. This capability has now been ported to NASA supercomputer assets and NASA engineers successfully demonstrated technology and skillset transfer in model generation for spherical and irregularly shaped, mono-disperse and bi-disperse mixture compositions. Assessment of the computational efficiency and practicality of the academic serially executed DEM tools on NASA supercomputers identified the need to migrate to a DEM framework capable of performing parallel simulations in a simultaneous process orchestrated in an automated setup, execution, database extraction, and dataset delivery ready for application simulations. The LIGGGHTS DEM toolset has been selected as the most suitable tool to migrate the DEM simulations. Once the soil model generation process is implemented, models capturing the shape and poly-dispersity effects will be generated to perform much refined validation simulations against the experiments performed under the PSI project. The application readiness of the soil models currently operational in GGFS was presented for the example of a full scale, 3-D simulation of the plume induced erosion and crater formation of the Apollo LM at an elevation of 5m above ground in a low pressure, near vacuum background.

Peter A Liever

Particle Interaction Physics Model Formulation for Plume-Surface Interaction Erosion and Cratering

The Predictive Simulation Capability development team of the STMD Game Changing Development sponsored PSI project is implementing computational simulation capability for the efficient and accurate prediction of Plume-Surface Interaction induced surface erosion and cratering in Martian and Lunar environments. The status of the Focus Area 3 of the PSI project in the generation and efficient application of accurate soil particle composition modeling in the Gas-Granular Flow Solver (GGFS) computational framework is presented. The process of constitutive closure model database generation using DEM particle interaction modeling for capturing the effects of irregular particle shape and poly-disperse mixture distribution effects is outlined. This capability has now been ported to NASA supercomputer assets and NASA engineers successfully demonstrated technology and skillset transfer in model generation for spherical and irregularly shaped, mono-disperse and bi-disperse mixture compositions. Assessment of the computational efficiency and practicality of the academic serially executed DEM tools on NASA supercomputers identified the need to migrate to a DEM framework capable of performing parallel simulations in a simultaneous process orchestrated in an automated setup, execution, database extraction, and dataset delivery ready for application simulations. The LIGGGHTS DEM toolset has been selected as the most suitable tool to migrate the DEM simulations. Once the soil model generation process is implemented, models capturing the shape and poly-dispersity effects will be generated to perform much refined validation simulations against the experiments performed under the PSI project. The application readiness of the soil models currently operational in GGFS was presented for the example of a full scale, 3-D simulation of the plume induced erosion and crater formation of the Apollo LM at an elevation of 5m above ground in a low pressure, near vacuum background.

Peter A Liever

Comparison of different fractal dimension measuring algorithms for RE-TM M-O films

Noise in magneto-optical recording devices is discussed. In general, it appears that either the divider technique or amplitude spectrum technique may be used interchangeably to measure the fractal dimension (D) in the domain wall structure of ideal images. However, some caveats must be observed for best results. The divider technique is attractive for its simplicity and relatively modest computation requirements. However, it is sensitive to noise, in that noise pixels that touch the domain boundary are interpreted as being part of the boundary, skewing the measurement. Also, it is not useful in measuring nucleation-dominated films or domains that have significant amounts of structure within the interior of the domain wall. The amplitude spectrum method is more complex, and less intuitive than the divider method, and somewhat more expensive to implement computationally. However, since the camera noise tends to be white, the noise can be avoided in the measurement of D by avoiding that portion of the curve that is flat (due to the white noise) when the least squares line is fit to the plot. Also, many image processing software packages include a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) facility, while the user will most likely have to write his own edge extraction routine for the divider method. The amplitude spectrum method is a true two dimensional technique that probes the interior of the domain wall, and in fact, can measure arbitrary clusters of domains. It can also be used to measure grey-level images, further reducing processing steps needed to threshold the image.

Bernacki, Bruce E.

Implementation of an algorithm for cylindrical object identification using range data

One of the problems in 3-D object identification and localization is addressed. In robotic and navigation applications the vision system must be able to distinguish cylindrical or spherical objects as well as those of other geometric shapes. An algorithm was developed to identify cylindrical objects in an image when range data is used. The algorithm incorporates the Hough transform for line detection using edge points which emerge from a Sobel mask. Slices of the data are examined to locate arcs of circles using the normal equations of an over-determined linear system. Current efforts are devoted to testing the computer implementation of the algorithm. Refinements are expected to continue in order to accommodate cylinders in various positions. A technique is sought which is robust in the presence of noise and partial occlusions.

Bozeman, Sylvia T.

LEWICE droplet trajectory calculations on a parallel computer

A parallel computer implementation (128 processors) of LEWICE, a NASA Lewis code used to predict the time-dependent ice accretion process for two-dimensional aerodynamic bodies of simple geometries, is described. Two-dimensional parallel droplet trajectory calculations are performed to demonstrate the potential benefits of applying parallel processing to ice accretion analysis. Parallel performance is evaluated as a function of the number of trajectories and the number of processors. For comparison, similar trajectory calculations are performed on single-processor Cray computers, and the best parallel results are found to be 33 and 23 times faster, respectively, than those of the Cray XMP and YMP.

Caruso, Steven C.