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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

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NASA NTRS1982

Thermal monitoring, measurement, and control system for a Volatile Condensable Materials (VCM) test apparatus

A thermal monitoring and control concept is described for a volatile condensable materials (VCM) test apparatus where electric resistance heaters are employed. The technique is computer based, but requires only proportioning ON/OFF relay control signals supplied through a programmable scanner and simple quadrac power controllers. System uniqueness is derived from automatic temperature measurements and the averaging of these measurements in discrete overlapping temperature zones. Overall control tolerance proves to be better than + or - 0.5 C from room ambient temperature to 150 C. Using precisely calibrated thermocouples, the method provides excellent temperature control of a small copper VCM heating plate at 125 + or - 0.2 C over a 24 hr test period. For purposes of unattended operation, the programmable computer/controller provides a continual data printout of system operation. Real time operator command is also provided for, as is automatic shutdown of the system and operator alarm in the event of malfunction.

Ives, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Person-Locator System Based On Wristband Radio Transponders

Computerized system based on wristband radio frequency (RF), passive transponders is being developed for use in real-time tracking of individuals in custodial institutions like prisons and mental hospitals. Includes monitoring system that contains central computer connected to low-power, high-frequency central transceiver. Transceiver connected to miniature transceiver nodes mounted unobtrusively at known locations throughout the institution. Wristband transponders embedded in common hospital wristbands. Wristbands tamperproof: each contains embedded wire loop which, when broken or torn off and discarded, causes wristband to disappear from system, thus causing alarm. Individuals could be located in a timely fashion at relatively low cost.

Mintz, Frederick W.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Self-Activating System and Method for Alerting When an Object or a Person is Left Unattended

A system and method uses a wireless tether comprising a transmitter and a receiver to alert a caregiver that an object or person has been left unattended. A detector Senses the presence of the object, usually a child, located in a position such as a safety seat. The detector couples to the transmitter, which is located near the object. The transmitter transmits at least one wireless signal when the object is in the position. The receiver, which is remotely located from the transmitter, senses the at least one signal as long as the receiver is within a prescribed range of transmission. By performing a timing function, the receiver monitors the proximity of the caregiver, who maintains possession of the receiver, to the transmitter. The system communicates an alarm to the caregiver when the caregiver ventures outside the range of transmission without having removed the object/child from the position.

William Christopher Edwards↗

NASA NTRS2006

Self-activating System and Method for Alerting When an Object or a Person is Left Unattended

A system and method use a wireless tether comprising a transmitter and a receiver to alert a caregiver that an object has been left unattended. A detector senses the presence of the object, usually a child, located in a position such as a safety seat. The detector is operatively coupled to the transmitter. which is located near the object. The transmitter transmits at least one wireless signal when the object is in the position. The receiver, which is remotely located from the transmitter, senses at least one signal as long as the receiver is within a prescribed range of transmission. By performing a timing function, the receiver monitors the proximity of the caregiver, who maintains possession of the receiver, to the transmitter. The system communicates an alarm to the caregiver when the caregiver ventures outside the range of transmission without having removed the object from the position.

Edwards, William C.↗

NASA NTRS2019

ISEP: A Joint SRAG/CCMC Collaboration to Improve Mitigation of Space Weather Effects on Crew Health in the Exo-LEO Era

The Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) at Johnson Space Center (JSC) is tasked with monitoring changes to space weather and mitigating any resultant impacts to crew health and safety. As human spaceflight goals extend from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) missions like the International Space Station (ISS) to the moon, Mars and beyond, SRAG will need to update their current approach for crew monitoring of and protection from radiation exposure due to energetic Solar Particle Events (ESPEs). Challenges faced in planning exo-LEO missions include the lack of protection from the Earth’s geomagnetic field employed by the ISS in addition to limited communication capability between the crew and the ground. In the event of an ESPE, the current ISS trajectory ensures that the vehicle is only traveling through fields of higher radiation exposure for a brief period of time; the Earth’s geomagnetic field prevents the penetration of the high-energy particles of concern throughout the majority of the orbit. Exo-LEO missions, on the other hand, require that the vehicle travel through free space, exposing vehicle and crew to the full impact of the ESPE. NASA has combined multiple approaches to resolve this radiation exposure issue. New vehicles are designed to take advantage of advances in particle transport modeling capabilities and shielding technology, allowing redistribution of mass throughout the vehicle to areas of thinner shielding when the energetic particle flux has increased to levels of concern. Although vehicle shielding is an important aspect of radiation exposure protection, there is a continued requirement to monitor and predict the space weather environment. To this end, SRAG maintains a console position in Mission Control with 24/7 mission support capability. In the event of increased solar activity, SRAG collaborates with the Flight Control Team (FCT) to determine if crew action (i.e., shelter) is required. During any increase in solar activity, the FCT needs three pieces of information to effectively decide the crew response in light of other required mission tasks: if an event (ESPE) will occur, how ‘intense’ an observed event will be, and how long will an observed event will last. An ideal alert system limits false alarms, therefore causing the crew to take action unnecessarily, without ignoring events that pose a hazard to the crew. SRAG’s current operational concept for ISS missions focuses on short-term forecasts, best described as ‘now-casting’. Console operators are in daily communication with the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) for situational awareness purposes. When conditions exist that may lead to increased solar activity, operators receive notifications from SWPC. In the case of a well-connected ESPE, the console operator may only have on the order of minutes to several hours to notify the FCT of the event and provide a recommendation for crew action. As NASA shifts to exo-LEO missions, the increased time in free space as well as the reduced ability to communicate with the crew will force a transition in crew protection strategy that emphasizes improvments to both the accuracy and the lead time in forecasting capabilities.

Barzilla, Janet E.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Space Biofilms - Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Behaviour of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilms on Board the International Space Station

Bacterial biofilms in space can have a positive or negative impact on the success of a mission. For example, in some instances, biofilms can improve plant growth, facilitate synthesis/recovery of metals from regolith, or bioremediate wastewater. On the other hand, biofilms can deteriorate or cause malfunctions of spaceflight hardware. Biofilms have been found on the wastewater tank of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which poses a risk to the system. Even more alarming, some biofilms cause infections that may threaten astronauts’ health, like urinary tract infections that if left unclear could cause permanent damage to the kidneys. Given that biofilms can contribute to or hinder the efforts of space exploration, it is necessary to understand the effects of microgravity on biofilm behaviour. The Space Biofilms experiment intends to contribute to such understanding by analysing the morphology and transcriptomic profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 biofilms grown in spaceflight compared to matched ground controls. P. aeruginosa biofilms were grown onboard the International Space Station for 1, 2, or 3 days at 37°C over six surface materials: Stainless Steel 316 (SS316), passivated SS316, and a novel Lubricant Impregnated Surface (LIS) were grown in rich media supplemented with potassium nitrate (LBK) to simulate wastewater. While cellulose membrane, catheter grade silicone, and silicone with special nanotopography (DLIP) were grown in modified Artificial Urine Media supplemented with glucose and high phosphate (mAUMg-hi Pi) to simulate urine. Asynchronous ground controls replicated spaceflight procedures. Morphology analysis revealed that flight samples had a significant decrease in mass, thickness and surface area coverage in LBK. Additionally, biofilm surface coverage on LIS was only 11% of the equivalent samples on SS316 (p<0.001). Associated preliminary transcriptomic data will also be addressed.

Pamela Flores↗

DOE OSTI2022

Mu2e DAQ and slow control systems

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab Muon Campus will search for the coherent neutrinoless conversion of a muon into an electron in the feld of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivity improvement by a factor of 10,000 over existing limits. The Mu2e Trigger and Data Acquisition System (TDAQ) uses otsdaq as the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed at Fermilab, otsdaq integrates both the artdaq DAQ and the art analysis frameworks for event transfer, fltering, and processing. otsdaq is an online DAQ software suite with a focus on fexibility and scalability and provides a multiuser, web-based, interface accessible through a web browser. The data stream from the detector subsystems is read by a software flter algorithm that selects events which are combined with the data fux coming from a Cosmic Ray Veto System. The Detector Control System (DCS) has been developed using the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) open source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. The DCS System has been integrated into otsdaq. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems has been built at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center. In this paper, we report on the progress of the integration of this prototype in the online otsdaq software.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Data acquisition and slow control interface for the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab Muon Campus will search for the coherent neutrinoless conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivity improvement by a factor of 10000 over existing limits. The Mu2e Trigger and Data Acquisition System (TDAQ) uses otsdaq as the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed at Fermilab, otsdaq integrates both the artdaq DAQ and the art analysis frameworks for event transfer, filtering, and processing. otsdaq is an online DAQ software suite with a focus on flexibility and scalability and provides a multi-user, web-based, interface accessible through a web browser. The data stream from the detector subsystems is read by a software filter algorithm that selects events which are combined with the data flux coming from a cosmic ray veto system. The Detector Control System (DCS) has been developed using the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) open source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. The DCS system has been integrated into otsdaq. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems has been built at Fermilab's Feynman Computing Center. In this study, we report on the progress of the integration of this prototype in the online otsdaq software.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

Microcam: A Low Power and Privacy Preserving Multi-modal Platform for Occupancy Detection (Final Report)

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) consumes a significant portion of the energy used in buildings. Much of this is wasted energy, used when buildings are either not occupied at all, or occupied well under their maximum design conditions. This project has focused on residential occupancy detection to autonomously control HVAC systems and save energy. Limitations of existing occupancy sensors include one or more of the following: (i) they employ sensors or algorithms that are not able to detect stationary occupants; (ii) they cannot classify the source of the motion (such as a pet); (iii) depending on the camera resolution and employed algorithms, they do not allow for embedded or onboard computation, and require external or cloud-based processing; (iv) many algorithms developed for camera-based systems are sensitive to lighting changes, and thus prone to missed detections or false alarms; (v) Most existing systems depend on adjustment of settings for different scenarios, complicating self-commissioning; (vi) they cannot provide high enough accuracy; (vii) they are costly; (viii) they are not battery-powered, thus limiting ease of use and installation. In this project, Syracuse University and its partner SRI have developed a low-cost, high accuracy, standalone residential occupancy sensing platform, referred to as the MicroCam, to address all of the aforementioned challenges. MicroCam can operate on typical alkaline batteries without relying on the “cloud” or external computing resources, and consists of low-power, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based, IoT platforms. Each platform has multi-modal sensors and can process motion, audio and video data, and send binary occupancy result to a lead platform. All sensor data is processed locally on platforms, and the only transmitted data is the binary occupancy state. In addition, preliminary work has been done on images wherein occupants are not discernable. Thus, MicroCam is a standalone solution preserving privacy of the occupants.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

NASA NTRS1989

Neural computing for numeric-to-symbolic conversion in control systems

A type of neural network, the multilayer perceptron, is used to classify numeric data and assign appropriate symbols to various classes. This numeric-to-symbolic conversion results in a type of information extraction, which is similar to what is called data reduction in pattern recognition. The use of the neural network as a numeric-to-symbolic converter is introduced, its application in autonomous control is discussed, and several applications are studied. The perceptron is used as a numeric-to-symbolic converter for a discrete-event system controller supervising a continuous variable dynamic system. It is also shown how the perceptron can implement fault trees, which provide useful information (alarms) in a biological system and information for failure diagnosis and control purposes in an aircraft example.

Passino, Kevin M.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Slow control and data acquisition systems in the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab Muon Campus will search for the coherent neutrinolessconversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivityimprovement by a factor of 10,000 over existing limits. The Mu2e Trigger and Data AcquisitionSystem (TDAQ) usesotsdaqas the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed atFermilab,otsdaqintegrates both theartdaqDAQ and theartanalysis frameworks for event transfer,filtering, and processing.otsdaqis an online DAQ software suite with a focus on flexibility andscalability and provides a multi-user, web-based, interface accessible through a web browser. Thedata stream from the detector subsystems is read by a software filter algorithm that selects eventswhich are combined with the data flux coming from a Cosmic Ray Veto System. The DetectorControl System (DCS) has been developed using the Experimental Physics and Industrial ControlSystem (EPICS) open source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. TheDCS System has been integrated intootsdaq. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems hasbeen built at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center. In this paper, we report on the progress ofthe integration of this prototype in the onlineotsdaqsoftware.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

Online DAQ and slow control interface for the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab Muon Campus will search for the coherent neutrinolessconversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivityimprovement by a factor of 10,000 over existing limits. The Mu2e Trigger and Data AcquisitionSystem (TDAQ) usesotsdaqas the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed atFermilab,otsdaqintegrates both theartdaqDAQ and theartanalysis frameworks for event transfer,filtering, and processing.otsdaqis an online DAQ software suite with a focus on flexibility andscalability and provides a multi-user, web-based, interface accessible through a web browser. Thedata stream from the detector subsystems is read by a software filter algorithm that selects eventswhich are combined with the data flux coming from a Cosmic Ray Veto System. The DetectorControl System (DCS) has been developed using the Experimental Physics and Industrial ControlSystem (EPICS) open source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. TheDCS System has been integrated intootsdaq. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems hasbeen built at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center. In this paper, we report on the progress ofthe integration of this prototype in the onlineotsdaqsoftware.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2020

CPAP Ventilators Needed for Rapid Response to COVID-19 by Modification of CPAP Equipment

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, potential ventilator shortages were a critical issue identified by national health care providers. Capacity modeling at the time suggested patient demand may exceed ventilator supply. Thus, the challenge became finding an urgent interim solution to meet health care needs. Our initial hypothesis was that CPAP technology could be modified to provide similar functionality to a ventilator, relieving demand and allowing physicians to decide which patients need high end machines, ultimately saving lives. In conjunction with medical experts and pulmonologists, we were able to identify three key thrusts associated with this research problem: (1) modification of CPAP technology to allow for 02 input that would be capable of providing ventilation; (2) development of an alarming function that would provide real-time audible alarms to alert medical personnel to critical conditions, which would be used inline with CPAP technology; and (3) a method of sterilizing expiratory air from such a system in order to protect medical personnel from biohazard, since CPAPs vent to the atmosphere. We were unable to realize results for thrust 1 (CPAP modification for 02); we identified potential safety issues associated with utilizing medical grade oxygen with a common CPAP device. In order to characterize and mitigate these issues, we would need to partner closely with a device manufacturer; such a partnership could not be achieved in the timeframe needed for this rapid response work. However, we determined that some medical grade BiPAP devices do not need this modification and that the significant progress on thrusts 2 and 3 would be sufficient to buy down risk of a massive ventilator shortage. Our team built a prototype alarm system that can be utilized with any assistive respiratory device to alert on all key conditions identified by medical personnel (high pressure, low pressure, apnea, loss of power, low battery). Finally, our team made significant progress in the rapid prototyping and demonstration of an inline UV air purifier device. The device is cost efficient and can be manufactured at scale with both commercially available and additively manufactured parts. Initial tests with SARS-CoV-2 analog bacteriophage MS2 show 99% efficacy at reducing bioburden. Following a successful demonstration of the prototype device with medical personnel, we were able to obtain follow-on (non-LDRD) funding to provide additional device characterization, validation, and production in order to respond to an immediate regional need.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2023

Control Systems Design for STS Accelerator

The Second Target Station (STS) Project will expand the capabilities of the existing Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), with a suite of neutron instruments optimized for long wavelengths. A new accelerator transport line will be built to deliver one out of four SNS pulses to the new target station. The Integrated Control Systems (ICS) will provide remote control, monitoring, OPI, alarms, and archivers for the accelerator systems, such as magnets power supply, vacuum devices, and beam instrumentation. The ICS will upgrade the existing Linac LLRF controls to allow independent operation of the FTS and STS and support different power levels of the FTS and STS proton beam. The ICS accelerator controls are in the phase of preliminary design for the control systems of magnet power supply, vacuum, LLRF, Timing, Machine protection system (MPS), and computing and machine network. The accelerator control systems build upon the existing SNS Machine Control systems, use the SNS standard hardware and EPICS software, and take full advantage of the performance gains delivered by the PPU Project at SNS.

Yan, Jay↗

DOE OSTI2021

(Paper) TRIPWIRE: Multi-modal Distributed Sensing For Repository Verification

Underground geological repositories for storing used nuclear fuel are being planned and developed around the world. Research is being performed to understand technical aspects of sealing entombed materials and underground repositories to ensure the radiological and nuclear materials remain contained. To support safeguards verification for these facilities research at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is underway to develop and demonstrate a multi-modal sensor system, TRIPWIRE, for containment verification in inaccessible radiological and nuclear waste repositories. The TRIPWIRE system will continuously monitor ionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of emplaced nuclear materials buried in a repository, reporting on disturbances with a real-time alarm control station. The system will use long-length scintillating fiber bundles (SFBs) to perform area radiation monitoring; these will be coupled to kilometer-scale multimodal optical communication fibers – all light sensors and electronic components used with this system will be located above ground. Electromagnetic fields, and changes in local dielectric conditions caused by intrusion and soil movement, will be monitored using commercial grade, ported "leaky" coaxial cables (PCCs), with control electronics also located above ground. Tamper-indicating self-diagnostic assessments will be done using optical and electronic time domain reflectometry in the SFBs and PCCs, respectively. The result will be a long, kilometer-scale multi-modal SFB-PCC system. Simulation and modeling are being used to inform the work and a demonstration of the system's utility is planned at a nuclear storage facility in the future.

98 - NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL↗

DOE OSTI2022

Progress of Tripwire: Multi-Modal Distributed Sensing for Repository Verification

This project is developing and demonstrating a multi-modal sensor system, TRIPWIRE, for containment verification in inaccessible radiological and nuclear waste repositories. The TRIPWIRE system will continuously monitor ionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of emplaced nuclear materials buried in a repository, reporting on disturbances with a real-time alarm control station. The system will use long-length scintillating fiber bundles (SFBs) to perform area radiation monitoring; these will be coupled to kilometer-scale multimodal optical communication fibers – all light sensors and electronic components used with this system will be located above ground. Electromagnetic fields, and changes in local dielectric conditions caused by intrusion and soil movement, will be monitored using commercial grade, ported "leaky" coaxial cables (PCCs), with control electronics also located above ground. This paper documents the results of the simulations and modeling efforts that have helped identify the optimal placement of the SFBs. Additionally, the paper includes the current progress on the multi-modal SFB-PCC system, including the fabrication of long-length (>3-m) fibers and their coupling to optical fibers.

98 - NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL↗

DOE OSTI2022

Progress of Tripwire: Multi-modal Distributed Sensing for Repository Verification

98 - NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL↗

NASA NTRS1980

A study of the comparative performance of six lightning warning systems

An analysis of mining explosive accident reports indicates a need for clear and ample warning of approaching electrical storms to reduce injuries/fatalities due to lightning induced premature detonation. Six lightning warning devices were comparatively evaluated at three test sites. The devices tested were: (1) flash counter, (2) corona point, (3) radioactive probe, (4) field mill, (5) azimuth/range locator, and (6) triangulation locator. The test sites were chosen to provide system evaluation under varied thunderstorm conditions. The devices were tested at San Antonio, Texas, Kennedy Space Center, Florida and Langmuir Laboratory, New Mexico. Comparative performance is reviewed in terms of alarm reliability, false alarm, and failure to alarm probabilities. Lightning warning system requirements and methods of relating warning criteria to explosive hazard are discussed.

Johnson, R. L.↗