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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 127 records · Page 7

Absolute calibration of the DANCE thermal neutron beam using sodium activation

The calculation of the neutron capture cross section as a function of energy in the thermal range requires a precise knowledge of the absolute neutron flux. In this paper a method of calibrating a thermal neutron beam using the controlled activation of sodium is described. Here, the method is applied to the FP-14 Time Of Flight neutron beam line at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center to calibrate the beam to an uncertainty level of ±5 %.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Extremely Low Resource Optical Identifier: A License Plate for Your Satellite

Space object identification is vital for operating spacecraft, space traffic control, and space situational awareness, but initial determination, maintenance, and recovery of identity are all difficult, expensive, and error prone, especially for small objects like CubeSats. Attaching a beacon or license plate with a unique identification number to a space object before launch would greatly simplify the task, but radio beacons are power hungry and can cause interference. This work describes a new concept for a satellite license plate: the extremely low resource optical identifier. The extremely low resource optical identifier is a milliwatt-scale self-powered autonomous optical beacon that can be attached to any space object to transmit a persistent identification signal to ground stations. A system appropriate for a low-Earth-orbit CubeSat or other small space object can fit in a package with the area of a postage stamp and a few millimeters thick; and it requires no power, data, or control from the host object. The concept has been validated with ground tests, and the first flight-test unit is scheduled for launch in 2018. The unique identification number of a low-Earth-orbit satellite can be determined unambiguously in a single orbital pass over a low-cost ground station.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Prompt-gamma detection towards absorbed energy monitoring during hadrontherapy

Hadrontherapy is an emerging technique which exploits the fact that a large quantity of the energy of the incident particles is deposited at the end of their flight path. This allows a conformation of the applied dose to the tumor volume and a simultaneous sparing of surrounding healthy tissue. A real-time control of the ion range during the treatment is possible via the detection of prompt secondary radiation (gamma rays or charged particles). Besides a monitoring of the ion range, the knowledge of the total energy absorbed inside the patient is also of importance for an improvement of the treatment quality. It has been shown that the ambient dose in a treatment room is correlated to the monitoring units, i.e. the number of protons of the beam delivery system. The present study consists in applying time-of-flight (TOF) information to identify prompt gamma-rays generated by interactions inside the patient which provides a direct information on the energy imparted. Results from test measurements will be given, which show that events generated in the nozzle and the target phantom can be discriminated. Furthermore, a standalone detection system is being developed which will be read out by a standard PC. The status of the developments for the corresponding electronics will be presented. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Computational model for simulation small testing launcher, technical solution

The purpose of this paper is to present some aspects regarding the computational model and technical solutions for multistage suborbital launcher for testing (SLT) used to test spatial equipment and scientific measurements. The computational model consists in numerical simulation of SLT evolution for different start conditions. The launcher model presented will be with six degrees of freedom (6DOF) and variable mass. The results analysed will be the flight parameters and ballistic performances. The discussions area will focus around the technical possibility to realize a small multi-stage launcher, by recycling military rocket motors. From technical point of view, the paper is focused on national project 'Suborbital Launcher for Testing' (SLT), which is based on hybrid propulsion and control systems, obtained through an original design. Therefore, while classical suborbital sounding rockets are unguided and they use as propulsion solid fuel motor having an uncontrolled ballistic flight, SLT project is introducing a different approach, by proposing the creation of a guided suborbital launcher, which is basically a satellite launcher at a smaller scale, containing its main subsystems. This is why the project itself can be considered an intermediary step in the development of a wider range of launching systems based on hybrid propulsion technology, which may have a major impact in the future European launchers programs. SLT project, as it is shown in the title, has two major objectives: first, a short term objective, which consists in obtaining a suborbital launching system which will be able to go into service in a predictable period of time, and a long term objective that consists in the development and testing of some unconventional sub-systems which will be integrated later in the satellite launcher as a part of the European space program. This is why the technical content of the project must be carried out beyond the range of the existing suborbital vehicle programs towards the current technological necessities in the space field, especially the European one.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Interaction of toluene with two-color asymmetric laser fields: Controlling the directional emission of molecular hydrogen fragments

The interaction of toluene with strong asymmetric two-color laser irradiation of 40 fs duration is studied by means of Time of flight mass spectrometry. Highly energetic H{sub 2}{sup +} and H{sub 3}{sup +} fragment ions are produced through an isomerization process taking place within transient multiply charged parent ions. Comparative study of deuterium labeled toluene isotopes enables the discrimination between molecular hydrogen fragments formed exclusively within the CH{sub 3}- part from those that require hydrogen atom exchange between the former and the phenyl moiety. It is demonstrated that by manipulating the relative phase of the ω/2ω field components the selective ionization of oriented toluene molecules can be used as a tool to control the directional emission of the H{sub 2}{sup +}, H{sub 3}{sup +} species.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fast In Situ Airborne Measurement of Ammonia Using a Mid-Infrared Off-Axis ICOS Spectrometer

A new ammonia (NH 3 ) analyzer was developed based on off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy. Its feasibility was demonstrated by making tropospheric measurements in flights aboard the Department of Energy Gulfstream-1 aircraft. The ammonia analyzer consists of an optical cell, quantum-cascade laser, gas sampling system, control and data acquisition electronics, and analysis software. The NH 3 mixing ratio is determined from high-resolution absorption spectra obtained by tuning the laser wavelength over the NH 3 fundamental vibration band near 9.67 μm. Excellent linearity is obtained over a wide dynamic range (0–101 ppb v ) with a response rate (1/e) of 2 Hz and a precision of ±90 ppt v (1σ in 1 s). Two research flights were conducted over the Yakima Valley in Washington State. In the first flight, the ammonia analyzer was used to identify signatures of livestock from local dairy farms with high vertical and spatial resolution under low wind and calm atmospheric conditions. In the second flight, the analyzer captured livestock emission signals under windy conditions. Finally, our results demonstrate that this new ammonia spectrometer is capable of providing fast, precise, and accurate in situ observations of ammonia aboard airborne platforms to advance our understanding of atmospheric compositions and aerosol formation.

airborne↗

Application of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to the detection of surface intermediates during the first cycle of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of platinum on silica surfaces

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has become the method of choice for many applications requiring the controlled growth of thin films on solid surfaces. Yet, the use of metalorganic precursors typical in these depositions adds significant complexity to the chemistry involved. Unfortunately, it is difficult to obtain direct information about the surface species that participate in the reaction mechanisms of ALD. Here we illustrate the value of using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) for this purpose. A specific example is provided, a study of the first cycle of deposition of platinum using trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl)platinum (IV), or MeCpPt(CH 3 ) 3, on silicon oxide surfaces. In previous investigations of this process, we have determined that the low reactivity of the MeCpPt(CH 3 ) 3 precursor, which hinders fast deposition, can be partially overcome by gas-phase electron-impact activation. What has not been clear is what chemical species form on the solid surface as a result of such activation. Here we show that the MeCp ligand is quite stable and that it remains intact and coordinated to the Pt atoms upon adsorption on the surface. It was also established that some of the methyl groups may remain bound to the Pt center: the main species detected on the silicon oxide surfaces were MeCpPt and MeCpPt(CH 3 ). On the other hand, it appears that no Pt intermediates without MeCp ligands are formed during this initial adsorption. Finally, O 2 treatment of these surfaces at elevated temperature to complete the first ALD cycle leads to the complete removal of all the organic ligands: no evidence for MeCp or methyl groups is seen in the ToF-SIMS traces from the final samples.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Carbon Management Projects (CONNECT) Database and Explorer

Overview The Carbon Management Projects (CONNECT) Toolkit is an online exploratory visualization tool developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) with support from other federal agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It provides a single point of access to authoritative information on federal agency investment in a portfolio of research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects that have been publicly announced to advance technologies for point source carbon capture, carbon dioxide removal, transport, storage, and conversion, collectively referred to as carbon management. The RD&D programs covered in this tool are authorized by annual congressional appropriations ("Base Program") and the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The tool also incorporates public information on other federal initiatives, such as the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs, and public information released by other government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) and Primacy States’ Underground Injection Control Class VI permits and EPA’s facility level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developed in a geographic information system, the tool organizes carbon management projects into five groups based on the primary technology that a project aims to advance, each visually represented as a digital layer ("carbon management project layer"). Only federally funded projects are included, which can be awarded projects that are completed or ongoing, or projects that have been selected but are currently under negotiation. Project information can be viewed in the map or in the attribute table below it when turned on. In the map view, each project is displayed at either its host site (for field work), where available, or its performer site (project lead's location, further explained in the table below). Host sites and performer sites are represented in distinct icons. Several reference layers offer additional public information on infrastructural and natural resource environment for carbon management. These reference layers, combined with multiple geographical basemaps, enable users to visualize the carbon management project layers in context. Carbon management project information will be updated monthly based on feedback and information availability. Carbon management project layers Point Source Carbon Capture (PSC) This layer contains DOE-funded projects focused on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants or industrial facilities. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) This layer contains DOE-funded projects focused on capturing CO2 from the atmosphere, including direct air capture (DAC) and DAC hubs, direct ocean capture, enhanced mineralization, and biomass carbon removal and storage. For projects with multiple host sites, each of the sites are displayed individually with the project cost and cost sharing information representing the total for the entire project. Carbon Transport This layer contains DOE- and DOT-funded projects focused on CO2 transport. The Transport Research and Development sublayer contains projects that do not involve physical infrastructure; the Proposed Transport Corridor sublayer contains projects for which either a route for the transport infrastructure has been proposed or a general area for the transport infrastructure has been identified. Carbon Storage This layer contains DOE-funded key projects focused on CO2 storage. For projects with multiple field-work sites, each of the sites are displayed individually on the map with the project cost and cost sharing information representing the overall total for the entire project. Carbon Conversion This layer contains DOE-funded projects focused on converting CO2 into economically valuable products. Reference layers The following layers provide additional information in the geographic proximity of carbon management projects. Users should reference the original sources for more details (weblinks provided below and in pop-up windows on the map). Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub and Facility These layers illustrate the approximate areas of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs announced by DOE's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) and the approximate locations of individual facilities that constitute the hubs (see "Where are the H2Hubs located?" on the webpage linked above). EPA Facility Level GHG Emissions (direct emitter) This layer shows direct CO2 emissions from stationary sources in 2022, using data extracted from EPA's Facility Level Information on GreenHouse gases Tool (FLIGHT). Captured and injected CO2 are not deducted from direct emitters’ total emissions. Contact EPA for additional details. Underground Injection Control Class VI permit/permit application This layer shows the locations of CO2 injection wells that are granted or in the process of applying for an Underground Injection Control Class VI permit by EPA or a Primacy State (currently Louisiana, North Dakota, and Wyoming). The URLs for the permits or permit applications are provided in the pop-up windows associated with the well locations. Contact EPA for additional details. Carbon Storage Resource This layer contains information on prospective CO2 storage resources in saline formations and oil and gas reservoirs provided by the National Carbon Sequestration Database and Geographic Information System (NATCARB) spatial database. Contact NETL for additional details. Existing CO2 pipeline This layer shows active CO2 pipelines based on information digitized from the map issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Contact PHMSA for additional details.

Carbon Conversion↗

Molecular imaging of plant-microbe interactions on the Brachypodium seed surface

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play a crucial role in biological control and pathogenic defense on and with-in plant tissues, however the mechanism(s) by which plants associate with PGPR to elicit such beneficial effects needs further study. Here, we present high mass resolution time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging of Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) seeds with and without exposure to two model PGPR, i.e., Gram-negative Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25::GFP (P.) and Gram-positive Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6::GFP (A.). Delayed image extraction was used to image PGPB-treated seed sections to reveal morphological changes. ToF-SIMS spectral compari-son, principal component analysis (PCA), and two-dimensional (2D) imaging show that the selected PGPR have different effects on the host seed surface, resulting in changes in chemical composition and morphology. Metabolite prod-ucts and biomarkers, such as flavonoids, phenolic com-pounds, fatty acids, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), were ob-served on the PGPR-treated seed surfaces. These compounds had different distributions on the Brachypodium seed surface for the two PGPR, indicating that the different bacteria elicited distinct responses from the host. Our results illustrate that ToF-SIMS is an effective tool to study plant-microbe interac-tions and to provide insightful information with submicrome-ter lateral resolution of the chemical distributions associated with morphological features, potentially offering a new way to study the mechanisms underlying beneficial roles of PGPR.

PGPR, Brachypodium distachyon, ToF-SIMS, metabolit↗

Surface Chemistry Controls Anomalous Ferroelectric Behavior in Lithium Niobate

Polarization switching in ferroelectric materials underpins a multitude of applications ranging from nonvolatile memories to data storage to ferroelectric lithography. While traditionally considered to be a functionality of the material only, basic theoretical considerations suggest that switching is expected to be intrinsically linked to changes in the electrochemical state of the surface. Hence, the properties and dynamics of the screening charges can affect or control the switching dynamics. Despite being recognized for over 50 years, analysis of these phenomena remained largely speculative. Here, we explore polarization switching on the prototypical LiNbO 3 surface using the combination of contact mode Kelvin probe force microscopy and chemical imaging by time-of-flight mass-spectrometry and demonstrate pronounced chemical differences between the domains. Here, these studies provide a consistent explanation to the anomalous polarization and surface charge behavior observed in LiNbO 3 and point to new opportunities in chemical control of polarization dynamics in thin films and crystals via control of surface chemistry, complementing traditional routes via bulk doping, and substrate-induced strain and tilt systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dietary vitamin E reaches the mitochondria in the flight muscle of zebra finches but only if they exercise

Whether dietary antioxidants are effective for alleviating oxidative costs associated with energy-demanding life events first requires they are successfully absorbed in the digestive tract and transported to sites associated with reactive species production (e.g. the mitochondria). Flying birds are under high energy and oxidative demands, and although birds commonly ingest dietary antioxidants in the wild, the bioavailability of these consumed antioxidants is poorly understood. We show for the first time that an ingested lipophilic antioxidant, α-tocopherol, reached the mitochondria in the flight muscles of a songbird but only if they regularly exercise (60 min of perch-to-perch flights two times in a day or 8.5 km day -1 ). Deuterated α-tocopherol was found in the blood of exercise-trained zebra finches within 6.5 hrs and in isolated mitochondria from pectoral muscle within 22.5 hrs, but never reached the mitochondria in caged sedentary control birds. This rapid pace (within a day) and extent of metabolic routing of a dietary antioxidant to muscle mitochondria means that daily consumption of such dietary sources can help to pay the inevitable oxidative costs of flight muscle metabolism, but only when combined with regular exercise.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Beryllium capsule implosions at a case-to-capsule ratio of 3.7 on the National Ignition Facility

Beryllium is a candidate ablator material for indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments, motivated by its high mass ablation rate, which is advantageous for implosion coupling efficiency and stabilization of the ablation-front instability growth. In this paper, we present new data on the shock propagation, in-flight shape, and hot spot self-emission shape from gas-filled capsules that demonstrate the feasibility of predictable, symmetric, controllable beryllium implosions at a case-to-capsule ratio of 3.7. The implosions are round (Legendre mode 2 amplitude ≲5%) at an inner beam power and the energy fraction of 26%–28% of the total, indicating that larger beryllium capsules could be driven symmetrically using the National Ignition Facility.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A charged particle transport approximation for thick and thin plasmas

In this work, we will construct a simple method to be utilized in the interpretation of the properties of a thin plasma from a study of the transport of charged particles through it. We do so by first demonstrating how charged particle fluxes encode local plasma information in their spectra for sufficiently thick plasmas and then propose how to extend that analysis to the thin plasma limit where the extensive geometry cannot be neglected through arguments from scale separation. We provide a numerical treatment of the transport problem and demonstrate that it is in good agreement with the approximation we present. Finally, we utilize both the numerical solution and our novel approximation to study the impact of the extensive scale of the plasma on the yield and flux normalized high-energy neutron spectra resulting from the upscattering of charged fuel ions. Using this analysis, we show that (after controlling for fusion yield) for the same uniform densities and temperatures, larger plasmas have higher magnitude but softer reaction-in-flight (RIF) neutron spectra relative to smaller plasmas. This is because larger plasmas retain more knocked-on suprathermal ions within their bulk and can downscatter them to lower average energies, while smaller plasmas allow a larger fraction of high energy particles to “range out” of the system prior to substantial downscattering or inducing an RIF reaction.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Integrated testing of the Thales LPT9510 pulse tube cooler and the iris LCCE electronics

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has identified the Thales LPT9510 pulse tube cryocooler as a candidate low cost cryocooler to provide active cooling on future cost-capped scientific missions. The commercially available cooler can provide refrigeration in excess of 2 W at 100K for 60W of power. JPL purchased the LPT9510 cooler for thermal and dynamic performance characterization, and has initiated the flight qualification of the existing cooler design to satisfy near-term JPL needs for this cooler. The LPT9510 has been thermally tested over the heat reject temperature range of 0C to +40C during characterization testing. The cooler was placed on a force dynamometer to measure the selfgenerated vibration of the cooler. Iris Technology has provided JPL with a brass board version of the Low Cost Cryocooler Electronics (LCCE) to drive the Thales cooler during characterization testing. The LCCE provides precision closed-loop temperature control and embodies extensive protection circuitry for handling and operational robustness; other features such as exported vibration mitigation and low frequency input current filtering are envisioned as options that future flight versions may or may not include based upon the mission requirements. JPL has also chosen to partner with Iris Technology for the development of electronics suitable for future flight applications. Iris Technology is building a set of radiation-hard, flight-design electronics to deliver to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Test results of the thermal, dynamic and EMC testing of the integrated Thales LPT9510 cooler and Iris LCCE electronics is presented here.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Harnessing Chemical Short‐Range Disorder to Improve Lithium Retention in Epitaxial LLTO Solid‐Electrolyte Thin Films

Lithium lanthanum titanate Li 3x La 2/3-x TiO 3 (LLTO) is a promising perovskite-based solid-state electrolyte for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, but controlling crystallinity and Li stoichiometry in thin-film form is challenging because high growth temperatures are required to achieve good crystallinity while Li remains strongly volatile. Here, we systematically investigate the effect of substrate temperature on epitaxial LLTO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition. We identify a narrow growth window (750–800°C) in which LLTO films grow as c-axis oriented with atomically flat surfaces. Lower growth temperatures (<750°C) stabilize laterally extended, chemically disordered stripe domains that coexist with ordered LLTO regions, whereas higher temperatures (≥825°C) suppress these defects but promote island morphologies and Al/Ti interdiffusion. While spectroscopy measurements show that Ti remains in the 4+ oxidation state and Li is globally deficient for all films, our depth-resolved time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry studies reveal that the 700°C film retains the highest Li content across its thickness. These results clarify how growth temperature controls crystallinity, chemical short-range disorder, and Li retention, and highlight moderate growth temperatures (∼700°C) as a route to mitigate Li loss in epitaxial solid-electrolyte films.

chemical short-range disorder↗

Initial Characterization of the NREL Large-Amplitude Motion Platform

The Large Amplitude Motion Platform (LAMP) at NREL represents a significant advancement in the controlled testing of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) under laboratory conditions. Originally designed by E2M as a six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) Stewart platform for flight simulation, LAMP has been adapted by NREL to facilitate the mounting and evaluation of WECs. This adaptation enables dry testing of WECs using motion profiles similar to the ocean, facilitating the iterative design, testing, and validation of WEC performance prior to ocean deployments. This report presents the initial work completed to characterize LAMP, with particular emphasis on its stability and operational capabilities across various single and multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion profiles. The report includes planned comparisons at three distinct mass payloads, aimed at assessing the platform's positional accuracy, frequency response, and endurance over extended runtime periods. These experimental tests are critical for establishing the platform's limitations and ensuring that the data generated during WEC validation is both accurate and reproducible. The outcomes of this study not only contribute to a deeper understanding of LAMP's capabilities but also lay the groundwork for future advancements in WEC testing methodologies. By providing robust and reliable performance data within a controlled laboratory setting, the findings are expected to significantly enhance the development and commercialization of marine energy technologies. This report presents the initial findings of the LAMP Characterization work and proposed steps to further understand and characterize LAMP. Data collected during this work can be found on MHKDR at: https://mhkdr.openei.org/submissions/602 Note that this report shares the measured/found instantaneous maximum operating range of LAMP. For most applications the maximum operating range cannot be used for system health and longevity. The operating range and capabilities of LAMP will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, single-DOF position, velocity, and acceleration values presented in Table 4a-c, and Table 5 should be taken as instantaneous absolute maximum values. Future use of LAMP will likely be limited to smaller values.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Direct Visualization of Charge Migration in Bilayer Tantalum Oxide Films by Multimodal Imaging

Inspired by biological neuromorphic computing, artificial neural networks based on crossbar arrays of bilayer tantalum oxide memristors have shown to be promising alternatives to conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) architectures. In order to understand the driving mechanism in these oxide systems, tantalum oxide films are resistively switched by conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM), and subsequently imaged by kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and spatially resolved time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). These workflows enable induction and analysis of the resistive switching mechanism as well as control over the resistively switched region of the film. In this work it is shown that the resistive switching mechanism is driven by both current and electric field effects. Reversible oxygen motion is enabled by applying low (<1 V) electric fields, while high electric fields generate irreversible breakdown of the material (>1 V). Fully understanding oxygen motion and electrical effects in bilayer oxide memristor systems is a fundamental step toward the adoption of memristors as a neuromorphic computing technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

3D camera assisted fully automated calibration of scanning laser Doppler vibrometers

Scanning laser Doppler vibrometers (LDV) are used to measure full-field vibration shapes of products and structures. In most commercially available scanning laser Doppler vibrometer systems the user manually draws a grid of measurement locations on a 2D camera image of the product. The determination of the correct physical measurement locations can be a time consuming and diffcult task. In this paper we present a new methodology for product testing and quality control that integrates 3D imaging techniques with vibration measurements. This procedure allows to test prototypes in a shorter period because physical measurements locations will be located automatically. The proposed methodology uses a 3D time-of-flight camera to measure the location and orientation of the test-object. The 3D image of the time-of-flight camera is then matched with the 3D-CAD model of the object in which measurement locations are pre-defined. A time of flight camera operates strictly in the near infrared spectrum. To improve the signal to noise ratio in the time-of-flight measurement, a time-of-flight camera uses a band filter. As a result of this filter, the laser spot of most laser vibrometers is invisible in the time-of-flight image. Therefore a 2D RGB-camera is used to find the laser-spot of the vibrometer. The laser spot is matched to the 3D image obtained by the time-of-flight camera. Next an automatic calibration procedure is used to aim the laser at the (pre)defined locations. Another benefit from this methodology is that it incorporates automatic mapping between a CAD model and the vibration measurements. This mapping can be used to visualize measurements directly on a 3D CAD model. Secondly the orientation of the CAD model is known with respect to the laser beam. This information can be used to find the direction of the measured vibration relatively to the surface of the object. With this direction, the vibration measurements can be compared more precisely with numerical experiments.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗