SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Portable Performance”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,279 records · Page 71

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2016

Experimenting Galileo on Board the International Space Station

The SCaN Testbed is an advanced integrated communications system and laboratory facility installed on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2012. The testbed incorporates a set of new generation of Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies intended to allow researchers to develop, test, and demonstrate new communications, networking, and navigation capabilities in the actual environment of space. Qascom, in cooperation with ESA and NASA, is designing a Software Defined Radio GalileoGPS Receiver capable to provide accurate positioning and timing to be installed on the ISS SCaN Testbed. The GalileoGPS waveform will be operated in the JPL SDR that is constituted by several hardware components that can be used for experimentations in L-Band and S-Band. The JPL SDR includes an L-Band Dorne Margolin antenna mounted onto a choke ring. The antenna is connected to a radio front end capable to provide one bit samples for the three GNSS frequencies (L1, L2 and L5) at 38 MHz, exploiting the subharmonic sampling. The baseband processing is then performed by an ATMEL AT697 processor (100 MIPS) and two Virtex 2 FPGAs. The JPL SDR supports the STRS (Space Telecommunications Radio System) that provides common waveform software interfaces, methods of instantiation, operation, and testing among different compliant hardware and software products. The standard foresees the development of applications that are modular, portable, reconfigurable, and reusable. The developed waveform uses the STRS infrastructure-provided application program interfaces (APIs) and services to load, verify, execute, change parameters, terminate, or unload an application. The project is divided in three main phases. 1)Design and Development of the GalileoGPS waveform for the SCaN Testbed starting from Qascom existing GNSS SDR receiver. The baseline design is limited to the implementation of the single frequency Galileo and GPS L1E1 receiver even if as part of the activity it will be to assess the feasibility of a dual frequency implementation (L1E1+L5E5a) in the same SDR platform.2)Qualification and test the GalileoGPS waveform using ground systems available at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Experimenters can have access to two SCaN Testbed ground based systems for development and verification: the Experimenter Development System (EDS) that is intended to provide initial opportunity for software testing and basic functional validation and the Ground Integration Unit (GIU) that is a high fidelity version of the SCaN Testbed flight system and is therefore used for more controlled final development testing and verification testing.3)Perform in-orbit validation and experimentation: The experimentation phase will consists on the collection of raw measurements (pseudorange, Carrier phase, CN0) in space, assessment on the quality of the measurements and the receiver performances in terms of signal acquisition, tracking, etc. Finally computation of positioning in space (Position, Velocity and time) and assessment of its performance.(Complete abstract in attached document).

GPS↗

NASA NTRS2016

Experimenting Galileo on Board the International Space Station

Galileo↗

NASA NTRS2003

Measurement of the Earth-Observer-1 Satellite X-Band Phased Array

The recent launch and successful orbiting of the EO-1 Satellite has provided an opportunity to validate the performance of a newly developed X-Band transmit-only phased array aboard the satellite. This paper will compare results of planar near-field testing before and after spacecraft installation as well as on-orbit pattern characterization. The transmit-only array is used as a high data rate antenna for relaying scientific data from the satellite to earth stations. The antenna contains distributed solid-state amplifiers behind each antenna element that cannot be monitored except for radiation pattern measurements. A unique portable planar near-field scanner allows both radiation pattern measurements and also diagnostics of array aperture distribution before and after environmental testing over the ground-integration and prelaunch testing of the satellite. The antenna beam scanning software was confirmed from actual pattern measurements of the scanned beam positions during the spacecraft assembly testing. The scanned radiation patterns on-orbit were compared to the near-field patterns made before launch to confirm the antenna performance. The near-field measurement scanner has provided a versatile testing method for satellite high gain data-link antennas.

Perko, Kenneth↗

DOE OSTI2016

TH-AB-BRA-12: Experimental Results From the First High-Field Inline MRI-Linac

Purpose: The pursuit of real-time image guided radiotherapy using optimal tissue contrast has seen the development of several hybrid MRI-treatment systems, high field and low field, and inline and perpendicular configurations. As part of a new MRI-Linac program, an MRI scanner was integrated with a linear accelerator to enable investigations of a coupled inline MRI-Linac system. This work describes our experimental results from the first high-field inline MRI-Linac. Methods: A 1.5 Tesla magnet (Sonata, Siemens) was located in a purpose built RF cage enabling shielding from and close proximity to a linear accelerator with inline orientation. A portable linear accelerator (Linatron, Varian) was installed together with a multi-leaf collimator (Millennium, Varian) to provide dynamic field collimation and the whole assembly built onto a stainless-steel rail system. A series of MRI-Linac experiments was performed to investigate: (1) image quality with beam on measured using a macropodine (kangaroo) ex vivo phantom; (2) the noise as a function of beam state measured using a 6-channel surface coil array and; (3) electron focusing measured using GafChromic film. Results: (1) The macropodine phantom image quality with the beam on was almost identical to that with the beam off. (2) Noise measured with a surface RF coil produced a 25% elevation of background noise when the radiation beam was on. (3) Film measurements demonstrated electron focusing occurring at the center of the radiation field. Conclusion: The first high-field MRI-Linac has been built and experimentally characterized. This system has allowed us to establish the efficacy of a high field in-line MRI-Linac and study a number of the technical challenges and solutions. Supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and the Health and Hospitals Fund.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Solid-State Mixed-Potential Electrochemical Sensors for Natural Gas Leak Detection and Quality Control (Final Technical Report)

Mitigation of methane emissions are a critical factor to limiting the impact of the natural gas industry on global climate change. Throughout the period of 2020-2024, the University of New Mexico and its commercialization partner and subcontractor, SensorComm Technologies, Inc. (SCT), have worked together to develop a low-cost Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Internet of Things (IoT)-based multi-gas sensor platform for methane emissions detection. In the final year of the project, we extended this work to include hydrogen detection in support of a transition to a hydrogen economy where hydrogen could be transported through existing natural gas infrastructure. Mixed potential electrochemical sensors were first prototyped by ceramic additive manufacturing and then transitioned to conventional ceramic manufacturing tape casting and screen-printing technologies in preparation for mass production. Demonstrated limits of detection of 5 ppm of methane in natural gas and 1 ppm of hydrogen were measured. These limits of detection are among the lowest of solid-state electrochemical sensors that have been reported in the literature or available in the industry. Machine learning algorithms were developed to identify natural gas mixtures with > 98% accuracy level and quantify methane concentrations at 97% accuracy. The presence of hydrogen could also be identified, and its concentration quantified at these accuracy levels. These algorithms were optimized for running on portable computing hardware which enabled > 1 Hz processing rates. A portable packaged IoT system was integrated with the electrochemical sensor in collaboration with SCT. The package consists of readout electronics with < 1 mV resolution, sensor temperature control, and data transmission over cellular wireless and/or Wi-Fi networks. Field testing was performed in two rounds at Colorado State University’s Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (CSU METEC). The first round of testing demonstrated successful measurements of methane from an underground natural gas leak of 20 standard liters per minute (SLPM), which agreed with previously published literature using more sophisticated and expensive analytical equipment. The second round of testing showed that an above ground leak of 2 SLPM of hydrogen could be detected at 32 ft. This project has resulted in six published peer reviewed journal articles, over ten presentations at professional conferences, and one full patent application filed in 2023. Future work on this project includes increased sensitivity, higher production yields, and applications in the hydrogen safety and flare emissions monitoring spaces.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

NASA NTRS1986

Algorithms and programming tools for image processing on the MPP, part 2

A number of algorithms were developed for image warping and pyramid image filtering. Techniques were investigated for the parallel processing of a large number of independent irregular shaped regions on the MPP. In addition some utilities for dealing with very long vectors and for sorting were developed. Documentation pages for the algorithms which are available for distribution are given. The performance of the MPP for a number of basic data manipulations was determined. From these results it is possible to predict the efficiency of the MPP for a number of algorithms and applications. The Parallel Pascal development system, which is a portable programming environment for the MPP, was improved and better documentation including a tutorial was written. This environment allows programs for the MPP to be developed on any conventional computer system; it consists of a set of system programs and a library of general purpose Parallel Pascal functions. The algorithms were tested on the MPP and a presentation on the development system was made to the MPP users group. The UNIX version of the Parallel Pascal System was distributed to a number of new sites.

Reeves, Anthony P.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Compact, Automated, Frequency-Agile Microspectrofluorimeter

Compact, reliable, rugged, automated cell-culture and frequency-agile microspectrofluorimetric apparatus developed to perform experiments involving photometric imaging observations of single live cells. In original application, apparatus operates mostly unattended aboard spacecraft; potential terrestrial applications include automated or semiautomated diagnosis of pathological tissues in clinical laboratories, biomedical instrumentation, monitoring of biological process streams, and portable instrumentation for testing biological conditions in various environments. Offers obvious advantages over present laboratory instrumentation.

Fernandez, Salvador M.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Analyzing Water's Optical Absorption

A cooperative agreement between World Precision Instruments (WPI), Inc., and Stennis Space Center has led the UltraPath(TM) device, which provides a more efficient method for analyzing the optical absorption of water samples at sea. UltraPath is a unique, high-performance absorbance spectrophotometer with user-selectable light path lengths. It is an ideal tool for any study requiring precise and highly sensitive spectroscopic determination of analytes, either in the laboratory or the field. As a low-cost, rugged, and portable system capable of high- sensitivity measurements in widely divergent waters, UltraPath will help scientists examine the role that coastal ocean environments play in the global carbon cycle. UltraPath(TM) is a trademark of World Precision Instruments, Inc. LWCC(TM) is a trademark of World Precision Instruments, Inc.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2009

Safety and Quality Training Simulator

A portable system of electromechanical and electronic hardware and documentation has been developed as an automated means of instructing technicians in matters of safety and quality. The system enables elimination of most of the administrative tasks associated with traditional training. Customized, performance-based, hands-on training with integral testing is substituted for the traditional instructional approach of passive attendance in class followed by written examination.

Scobby, Pete T.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Improved Low-Temperature Performance of Li-Ion Cells Using New Electrolytes

As part of the continuing efforts to develop advanced electrolytes to improve the performance of lithium-ion cells, especially at low temperatures, a number of electrolyte formulations have been developed that result in improved low-temperature performance (down to 60 C) of 26650 A123Systems commercial lithium-ion cells. The cell type/design, in which the new technology has been demonstrated, has found wide application in the commercial sector (i.e., these cells are currently being used in commercial portable power tools). In addition, the technology is actively being considered for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) applications. In current work, a number of low-temperature electrolytes have been developed based on advances involving lithium hexafluorophosphate-based solutions in carbonate and carbonate + ester solvent blends, which have been further optimized in the context of the technology and targeted applications. The approaches employed, which include the use of ternary mixtures of carbonates, the use of ester co-solvents [e.g., methyl butyrate (MB)], and optimized lithium salt concentrations (e.g., LiPF6), were compared with the commercial baseline electrolyte, as well as an electrolyte being actively considered for DoE HEV applications and previously developed by a commercial enterprise, namely LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC) + ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC)(30:70%).

Smart, Marshall C.↗

DOE OSTI2017

Analytical Validation of a Portable Mass Spectrometer Featuring Interchangeable, Ambient Ionization Sources for High Throughput Forensic Evidence Screening

Forensic evidentiary backlogs are indicative of the growing need for cost-effective, high-throughput instrumental methods. One such emerging technology that shows high promise in meeting this demand while also allowing on-site forensic investigation is portable mass spectrometric (MS) instrumentation, particularly that which enables the coupling to ambient ionization techniques. While the benefits of rapid, on-site screening of contraband can be anticipated, the inherent legal implications of field-collected data necessitates that the analytical performance of technology employed be commensurate with accepted techniques. To this end, comprehensive analytical validation studies are required before broad incorporation by forensic practitioners can be considered, and are the focus of this work. Pertinent performance characteristics such as throughput, selectivity, accuracy/precision, method robustness, and ruggedness have been investigated. Reliability in the form of false positive/negative response rates is also assessed, examining the effect of variables such as user training and experience level. To provide flexibility toward broad chemical evidence analysis, a suite of rapidly-interchangeable ion sources has been developed and characterized through the analysis of common illicit chemicals and emerging threats like substituted phenethylamines. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2020

Titanium Niobium Oxide: From Discovery to Application in Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are essential for portable technology and are now poised to disrupt a century of combustion-based transportation. The electrification revolution could eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels and enable a clean energy future; advanced batteries would facilitate this transition. However, owing to the demanding performance, cost, and safety requirements, it is challenging to translate new materials from laboratory prototypes to industrial-scale products. This Perspective describes that journey for a new lithium-ion battery anode material, TiNb 2 O 7 (TNO). TNO is intended as an alternative to graphite or Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 with better rate and safety characteristics than the former and higher energy density than the latter. The high capacity of TNO stems from the multielectron redox of Nb 5+ to Nb 3+ , its operating voltage window well above the Li + /Li reduction potential prevents lithium dendrite formation, and its open crystal structure leads to high-power performance. Nevertheless, the creation of a practical TNO anode was nonlinear and nontrivial. Its history is built on 30 years of fundamental science that preceded its application as a battery anode, and its battery development included a nearly 30-year gap. The insights and lessons contained in this Perspective, many of them acquired firsthand, serve two purposes: (i) to unite the disparate studies of TiNb 2 O 7 into a coherent modern understanding relevant to its application as a battery material and (ii) to highlight briefly some of the challenges faced when scaling up a new material that affect TiNb 2 O 7 as well as new electrode candidates more generally.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Translating a Material Discovery into a Commercial Product in the Modern Lithium-ion Battery Market

Lithium-ion batteries are essential for portable technology and are now poised to disrupt a century of combustion-based transportation. The electrification revolution could eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels and enable a clean energy future; advanced batteries would facilitate this transition. However, owing to the demanding performance, cost, and safety requirements, it is challenging to translate new materials from laboratory prototypes to commercial products. This Perspective describes that journey toward commercialization for a new lithium-ion battery anode material, TiNb2O7 (TNO). TNO is intended as an alternative to graphite or Li4Ti5O12 with better rate and safety characteristics than the former, and higher energy density than the latter. The high capacity of TNO stems from multielectron redox of Nb5+ to Nb3+, its operating voltage window well above Li+/Li reduction potential prevents lithium dendrite formation, and its open crystal structure leads to high-power performance. Nevertheless, the creation of a practical TNO anode was non-linear and non-trivial. Its history is built on 30 years on fundamental science that preceded its application as a battery, and its battery development included a nearly 30-year gap. The insights and lessons 2 contained in this Perspective, many of them acquired firsthand, serve two purposes: (i) to unite the disparate studies of TiNb2O7 into a coherent modern understanding relevant to its application as a battery material and (ii) to highlight some of the considerations of commercializing a new material that affect TiNb2O7 as well as new electrode candidates more generally.

Griffith, Kent J.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Operation of Layered LiCoO 2 to Higher Voltages with a Localized Saturated Electrolyte

The commercialization of lithium-ion batteries started with the layered LiCoO 2 (LCO) cathode for portable electronics, but only 50% of its theoretical capacity can be used in practical cells due to detrimental surface and bulk degradations when charged to high voltages. Here we demonstrate here that the stability of electrolyte plays a critical role in the performance of LCO at high voltages by employing a localized saturated electrolyte (LSE). With a cutoff voltage of 4.5 V, LCO achieves an initial 1C discharge capacity of 176 mA h g -1 and a capacity retention of 80% over 230 cycles. Even with a cutoff voltage of 4.6 V, LCO with 2% aluminum doping displays an initial discharge capacity of 189 mA h g -1 at 1C rate with 80% capacity retention over 137 cycles. With extensive analytical characterization, we show that the improved cycling stability stems from a suppression of the O3 to H1-3 phase transition as well as a robust inorganic-rich cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) facilitated by the LSE. This work highlights the importance of protecting the surface as well as the bulk with appropriate electrolytes for the high-voltage, higher-energy-density operation of LCO.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2024

A Computational Review of Privacy-Preserving Mechanisms for the Smart Grid

Smart grid technologies have rapidly become one of the largest and most comprehensive sources of data for the modern utility. For the most part, data streams are seen as an essential tool that enable utilities to carry their day-to-day business operations, but they also create the need for efficient and secure data management strategies. In the context of the smart grid, ensuring data privacy is becoming an increasing concern due to a combination of factors that range from shifts in operational paradigms and rapid technology evolution to changes in legislation. Furthermore, researchers have highlighted the risks associated with improperly protected energy records. For example, energy consumption data from homes could be used to infer the behaviors and habits of home occupants through activity recognition or user profiling (Fan, 2017), which may lead to unfair service pricing, targeted advertising, or other personal security violations. Similarly, Electric Vehicles’ (EVs) charging metadata could be used to reveal private information about the owner such as their payment methods, preferred charging stations, and other locational and timing information that could be used to reconstruct the vehicle owner’s behaviors. The privacy of user data, even when used for statistical analysis or machine learning training processes, also needs to be carefully considered, as an individual’s private traits may still be vulnerable if their inclusion/exclusion greatly impacts the result or could be linked to a public dataset through cross-reference. The breach of user privacy also has severe impacts for organizations that store, transmit, or work on the data in the form of diminishing the public’s trust in them while potentially incurring legal consequences (e.g., fines and suspensions under the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, etc.). Because of these risks, several privacy-preserving mechanisms are available to help organizations comply with privacy legislations and prevent the unauthorized and malicious use of user data. In light of these concerns, this report focuses on performing a computational review of privacy-preserving mechanisms that have received a significant amount of interest in literature. It specifically focuses on 1) homomorphic encryption, 2) zero-knowledge proofs, 3) differential privacy, and 4) federated learning. It is worth noting that although many of the methods presented in this document rely on cryptographic primitives, their intent is not to provide perfect secrecy, but rather to enable users to maintain privacy, and thus they shall not be compared or equated to other constructs that are aimed to address cybersecurity constructs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Surface Structure of Reacting Solid Ramjet Fuels

Solid fuel ramjets are a developing technology that will enable extended range for supersonic vehicles. The simplicity of the system in terms of moving parts results in the performance being dictated by the solid fuel combustion processes. The physics near the surface, particularly in the fuel-rich recirculation zone, are challenging to resolve due to flow opacity. Here, regression rate measurements of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene from a miniature, portable slab burner are reported. Mass-averaged regression rates agree with correlations from the literature, suggesting that the proper physics in the burner are captured. Synchrotron-based phase-contrast imaging is used to quantify local surface features, including a multiphase froth layer, molten polymer transport, and local regression rate measurements in the recirculation zone. Regression rates near the inlet are less than the mass-averaged values, whereas near the reattachment point the local value exceeds the mass-averaged values. Further, the observed froth layer is as large as 2 mm near the inlet and decreases to sub-millimeter thicknesses near the reattachment point. An analytical heat transfer model is used to quantify the influence of the surface froth layer on the regression rates. Results indicate that the froth layer has an insulating effect and will reduce the local regression rate.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2020

SPRUCE Photosynthesis and Respiration of Picea mariana and Larix laricina in SPRUCE Experimental Plots, 2016-2017

This dataset contains empirical physiological, morphological, and chemical data collected on two dominant conifer species, Picea mariana and Larix laricina, between May 2016 and August 2017 at the SPRUCE (Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments) experimental site within the Marcell Experimental Forest in northern Minnesota, USA. Analyses assessed the response of conifers to whole-ecosystem warming and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Measurements include light-saturated net photosynthesis and dark respiration at ambient atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration (2016), CO2 response curves of light-saturated net photosynthesis (2017), leaf morphology (leaf mass per unit leaf area) and nitrogen content (on both mass and area basis). Leaf photosynthesis and respiration were measured with portable photosynthesis systems (LI6400XT, LI6800, LI-COR Biosciences, USA). In 2016, photosynthesis and respiration were measured at a common temperature of 25 ˚C to assess thermal acclimation, and at growth temperatures (for each of the five treatment temperatures) to assess field performance. In 2017, CO2 response curves of net photosynthesis (so-called A-Ci curves) were conducted at different leaf temperatures (15, 25, 32.5, 40 and 45 ˚C) for assessment of biochemical parameters and their temperature sensitivity. In addition, dark respiration measurements at different leaf temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 ºC) were also taken. This dataset contains one data file in comma-separate values (*.csv) and Microsoft Excel (*.xlsx) format. Additional metadata are provided: a data dictionary and a file-level metadata file in comma-separate values (.csv) format and a user guide in PDF (*.pdf) format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1977

Detection of alteration associated with a porphyry copper deposit in southern Arizona

Computer processing of Landsat MSS data was performed using contrast stretching and band-to-band ratioing. A false color ratio composite picture showed color anomalies which coincided with known areas of alteration on and about Red Mountain. A helicopter survey of the study area was undertaken using a portable field reflectance spectrometer. One hundred fifty-six spectra were obtained in the 0.4 to 2.5 micrometer wavelength region. The spectra were digitized, and contour maps for 24 wavelength intervals were produced; no spectral anomalies were evident for the known altered areas. A contour map produced from the 1.6 and 2.2 micrometer ratio generally delineated the alteration areas. The 1.3, 1.6, and 2.2 micrometer wavelength data were canonically transformed using a transformation empirically derived from discriminant function analysis of altered and unaltered materials for the Goldfield, Nevada region, and a contour map was produced for the first canonical variable. The known areas of alteration were clearly defined on the contour map.

Abrams, M. J.↗