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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,531 records · Page 85

Real-time Free-moving Active Coded Mask 3D Gamma-Ray Imaging

The ability to localize and map the distribution of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in 3D has applications ranging from medical imaging to nuclear security. In the case of radiological source search and nuclear contamination remediation, the deployment of freely moving detection systems such as hand- held instruments or ground/aerial-based vehicles are critical in overcoming the inverse square law and complex shielding scenarios. Using contextual sensors, these systems can simultaneously generate 3D maps of the surrounding environment and track the position and orientation of the gamma-ray sensitive detectors in that environment. The fusion of contextual scene data and gamma-ray detector data to facilitate real-time 3D gamma-ray image reconstruction has been demonstrated with mobile HPGe and CdZnTe-based Compton cameras for gamma-ray energies ranging from a few hundred keV to several MeV. Here we apply this approach for lower energy (50-400 keV) gamma-rays, using a hand-held CdZnTe-based omnidirectional imaging system and an active coded mask imaging modality. Here, we present our approach to real-time reconstruction using a scene data constrained GPU- accelerated list-mode MLEM algorithm and show results from several measurements in the lab and in the field.

3D gamma-ray imaging↗

Optimal design of structures with multiple design variables per group and multiple loading conditions on the personal computer

A finite element based programming system for minimum weight design of a truss-type structure subjected to displacement, stress, and lower and upper bounds on design variables is presented. The programming system consists of a number of independent processors, each performing a specific task. These processors, however, are interfaced through a well-organized data base, thus making the tasks of modifying, updating, or expanding the programming system much easier in a friendly environment provided by many inexpensive personal computers. The proposed software can be viewed as an important step in achieving a 'dummy' finite element for optimization. The programming system has been implemented on both large and small computers (such as VAX, CYBER, IBM-PC, and APPLE) although the focus is on the latter. Examples are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the code. The present programming system can be used stand-alone or as part of the multilevel decomposition procedure to obtain optimum design for very large scale structural systems. Furthermore, other related research areas such as developing optimization algorithms (or in the larger level: a structural synthesis program) for future trends in using parallel computers may also benefit from this study.

Nguyen, D. T.↗

Irradiated Low-Enriched Uranium Fuel Measurements with a Gamma-Ray Scanning System

A gamma-ray scanning system was designed to perform post-irradiation measurements of nuclear fuel at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The system is composed of a coaxial high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector, a collimator, and mechanical positioning stages that translate the fuel sample across the front of the collimator. A Monte Carlo N-Particle code simulation of the system and the fuel were created with vendor-supplied design specifications, dimensional measurements, and x-ray radiographs of the HPGe detector as well as all available fuel specifications. Benchmark measurements were performed by scanning an irradiated fuel rodlet containing eight pellets of 0.74% enriched UO2 in zirconium alloy. This fuel rodlet was part of the Static Environment Rodlet Transient Test Apparatus (SERTTA) testing campaign in the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT). These results were compared to simulated spectra to help characterize the detector model and establish fidelity. A goal of the system is to determine the number of fissions per gram of UO2 in the fuel. This paper documents the modeling of the system and the calculation of the number of fissions per gram along the axial length of the SERTTA-C rodlet.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Measurements of Irradiated Low Enriched Fuel with a Gamma-Ray Scanning System (ANIMMA 2023 Conference Presentation)

A gamma-ray scanning system was designed to perform post-irradiation measurements of nuclear fuel at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The system is composed of a coaxial high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector, a collimator, and mechanical positioning stages that translate the fuel sample across the front of the collimator. A Monte Carlo N-Particle code simulation of the system and the fuel were created with vendor-supplied design specifications, dimensional measurements, and x-ray radiographs of the HPGe detector as well as all available fuel specifications. Benchmark measurements were performed by scanning an irradiated fuel rodlet containing eight pellets of 0.74% enriched UO2 in zirconium alloy. This fuel rodlet was part of the Environment Rodlet Transient Test Apparatus (SERTTA) testing campaign in the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT). These results were compared to simulated spectra to help characterize the detector model and establish fidelity. One goal of the system is to determine the number of fissions per gram of UO2 in the fuel. This article documents the modeling, benchmarking measurements, and the calculated number of fissions per gram in the SERTTA-A rodlet which was previously irradiated at TREAT.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Performance of an Astrophysical Radiation Hydrodynamics Code under Scalable Vector Extension Optimization

We present results of a performance study of an astrophysical radiation hydrodynamics code, V2D, on the Arm-based A64FX processor developed by Fujitsu. The code solves sparse linear systems, a task for which the A64FX architecture should be well suited. Here, we performed the performance analysis study on Ookami, an Apollo 80 platform utilizing the A64FX processor. We explored several compilers and performance anal-ysis packages and found the code did not perform as expected under scalable vector extension optimization, suggesting that a “deeper dive” into analyzing the code is worthwhile. However, a simple driver program that exercised basic sparse linear algebra routines used by V2D did show significant speedup with the use of the scalable vector extension optimization. We present the initial results from the study which used V2D on a relatively simple test problem that emphasized the repeated solution of sparse linear systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Development and Implementation of Non-Newtonian Rheology Into the Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP)

One of the goals of this program was to develop the experimental and analytical/computational tools required to predict the flow of non-Newtonian fluids through the various system components of a propulsion system: pipes, valves, pumps etc. To achieve this goal we selected to augment the capabilities of NASA's Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) software. GFSSP is a general-purpose computer program designed to calculate steady state and transient pressure and flow distributions in a complex fluid network. While the current version of the GFSSP code is able to handle various systems components the implicit assumption in the code is that the fluids in the system are Newtonian. To extend the capability of the code to non-Newtonian fluids, such as silica gelled fuels and oxidizers, modifications to the momentum equations of the code have been performed. We have successfully implemented in GFSSP flow equations for fluids with power law behavior. The implementation of the power law fluid behavior into the GFSSP code depends on knowledge of the two fluid coefficients, n and K. The determination of these parameters for the silica gels used in this program was performed experimentally. The n and K parameters for silica water gels were determined experimentally at CFDRC's Special Projects Laboratory, with a constant shear rate capillary viscometer. Batches of 8:1 (by weight) water-silica gel were mixed using CFDRC s 10-gallon gelled propellant mixer. Prior to testing the gel was allowed to rest in the rheometer tank for at least twelve hours to ensure that the delicate structure of the gel had sufficient time to reform. During the tests silica gel was pressure fed and discharged through stainless steel pipes ranging from 1", to 36", in length and three diameters; 0.0237", 0.032", and 0.047". The data collected in these tests included pressure at tube entrance and volumetric flowrate. From these data the uncorrected shear rate, shear stress, residence time, and viscosity were evaluated using formulae for non-Newtonian, power law fluids. The maximum shear rates (corrected for entrance effects) obtained in the rheometer with the current setup were in the 150,000 to 170,000sec- range. GFSSP simulations were performed with a flow circuit simulating the capillary rheometer and using Power Law gel viscosity coefficients from the experimental data. The agreement between the experimental data and the simulated flow curves was within +/-4% given quality entrance effect data.

DiSalvo, Roberto↗

A large scale software system for simulation and design optimization of mechanical systems

The concept of an advanced integrated, networked simulation and design system is outlined. Such an advanced system can be developed utilizing existing codes without compromising the integrity and functionality of the system. An example has been used to demonstrate the applicability of the concept of the integrated system outlined here. The development of an integrated system can be done incrementally. Initial capabilities can be developed and implemented without having a detailed design of the global system. Only a conceptual global system must exist. For a fully integrated, user friendly design system, further research is needed in the areas of engineering data bases, distributed data bases, and advanced user interface design.

Dopker, Bernhard↗

A multimission three-axis stabilized spacecraft flight dynamics ground support system

The Multimission Three-Axis Stabilized Spacecraft (MTASS) Flight Dynamics Support System (FDSS) has been developed in an effort to minimize the costs of ground support systems. Unlike single-purpose ground support systems, which attempt to reduce costs by reusing software specifically developed for previous missions, the multimission support system is an intermediate step in the progression to a fully generalized mission support system in which numerous missions may be served by one general system. The benefits of multimission attitude ground support systems extend not only to the software design and coding process, but to the entire system environment, from specification through testing, simulation, operations, and maintenance. This paper reports the application of an MTASS FDSS to multiple scientific satellite missions. The satellites are the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), and the Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX). Both UARS and EUVE use the multimission modular spacecraft (MMS) concept. SAMPEX is part of the Small Explorer (SMEX) series and uses a much simpler set of attitude sensors. This paper centers on algorithm and design concepts for a multimission system and discusses flight experience from UARS.

Langston, J.↗

Multipath noise reduction spread spectrum signals

The concepts of early-prompt delay tracking, multipath correction of early-prompt delay tracking from correlation shape, and carrier phase multipath correction are addressed. In early-prompt delay tracking, since multipath is always delayed with respect to the direct signals, the system derives phase and pseudorange observables from earlier correlation lags. In multipath correction of early-prompt delay tracking from correlation shape, the system looks for relative variations of amplitude across the code correlation function that do not match the predicted multipath-free code cross-correlation shape. The system then uses deviations from the multipath-free shape to infer the magnitude of multipath, and to generate corrections pseudorange observables. In carrier phase multipath correction, the system looks for variations of phase among plural early and prompt lags. The system uses the measured phase variations, along with the general principle that the multipath errors are larger for later lags, to infer the presence of multipath, and to generate corrections for carrier-phase observables.

Meehan, Thomas K.↗

Testing of A Photon-Counting Optical Ground Receiver With Emulated Space-to-Ground Link Effects

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) developed and previously characterized a photon-counting optical ground receiver system. The receiver is compliant with the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Optical Communications Coding and Synchronization High Photon Efficiency (HPE) Standard. The standard will be used on the Optical Artemis-2 Orion (O2O) communications demonstration and the Deep Space Optical Communication (DSOC) project aboard the Psyche spacecraft. The receiver system consists of a fiber interconnect, up to sixteen superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based receive modem. Previously, the receiver system architecture was described and test results without emulated link effects were presented. SNSPD device properties, which impact detection jitter and time delay, can limit the receiver dynamic range, especially when operating with varying flux rates (>10 dB) between detectors. Codeword error-rate curves with and without simulated clock drifts attributed to Doppler shift and space transmitter clock differences are presented. Results with ±66 ppm clock differences show minimal performance impact (<0.2 dB). Test results show that the receiver dynamic range (>28 dB) is limited by changing SNSPD detection delays at high photon flux rates.

optical communications↗

Testing of A Photon-Counting Optical Ground Receiver With Emulated Space-to-Ground Link Effects

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) developed and previously characterized a photon-counting optical ground receiver system. The receiver is compliant with the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Optical Communications Coding and Synchronization High Photon Efficiency (HPE) Standard. The standard will be used on the Optical Artemis-2 Orion (O2O) communications demonstration and the Deep Space Optical Communication (DSOC) project aboard the Psyche spacecraft. The receiver system consists of a fiber interconnect, up to sixteen superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based receive modem. Previously, the receiver system architecture was described and test results without emulated link effects were presented. SNSPD device properties, which impact detection jitter and time delay, can limit the receiver dynamic range, especially when operating with varying flux rates (>10 dB) between detectors. Codeword error-rate curves with and without simulated clock drifts attributed to Doppler shift and space transmitter clock differences are presented. Results with ±66 ppm clock differences show minimal performance impact (<0.2 dB). Test results show that the receiver dynamic range (>28 dB) is limited by changing SNSPD detection delays at high photon flux rates.

optical communications↗

Optical systems integrated modeling

An integrated modeling capability that provides the tools by which entire optical systems and instruments can be simulated and optimized is a key technology development, applicable to all mission classes, especially astrophysics. Many of the future missions require optical systems that are physically much larger than anything flown before and yet must retain the characteristic sub-micron diffraction limited wavefront accuracy of their smaller precursors. It is no longer feasible to follow the path of 'cut and test' development; the sheer scale of these systems precludes many of the older techniques that rely upon ground evaluation of full size engineering units. The ability to accurately model (by computer) and optimize the entire flight system's integrated structural, thermal, and dynamic characteristics is essential. Two distinct integrated modeling capabilities are required. These are an initial design capability and a detailed design and optimization system. The content of an initial design package is shown. It would be a modular, workstation based code which allows preliminary integrated system analysis and trade studies to be carried out quickly by a single engineer or a small design team. A simple concept for a detailed design and optimization system is shown. This is a linkage of interface architecture that allows efficient interchange of information between existing large specialized optical, control, thermal, and structural design codes. The computing environment would be a network of large mainframe machines and its users would be project level design teams. More advanced concepts for detailed design systems would support interaction between modules and automated optimization of the entire system. Technology assessment and development plans for integrated package for initial design, interface development for detailed optimization, validation, and modeling research are presented.

Shannon, Robert R.↗

Earth's external magnetic fields at low orbital altitudes

Under our Jun. 1987 proposal, Magnetic Signatures of Near-Earth Distributed Currents, we proposed to render operational a modeling procedure that had been previously developed to compute the magnetic effects of distributed currents flowing in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. After adaptation of the software to our computing environment we would apply the model to low altitude satellite orbits and would utilize the MAGSAT data suite to guide the analysis. During the first year, basic computer codes to run model systems of Birkeland and ionospheric currents and several graphical output routines were made operational on a VAX 780 in our research facility. Software performance was evaluated using an input matchstick ionospheric current array, field aligned currents were calculated and magnetic perturbations along hypothetical satellite orbits were calculated. The basic operation of the model was verified. Software routines to analyze and display MAGSAT satellite data in terms of deviations with respect to the earth's internal field were also made operational during the first year effort. The complete set of MAGSAT data to be used for evaluation of the models was received at the end of the first year. A detailed annual report in May 1989 described these first year activities completely. That first annual report is included by reference in this final report. This document summarizes our additional activities during the second year of effort and describes the modeling software, its operation, and includes as an attachment the deliverable computer software specified under the contract.

Klumpar, D. M.↗

Characterization of a Photon Counting Test Bed for Space to Ground Optical Pulse Position Modulation Communications Links

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) has developed a laboratory transmitter and receiver prototype of a space-to-ground optical communications link. The system is meant to emulate future deep space optical communication links, such as the first crewed flight of Orion, in which the transmitted laser is modulated using pulse position modulation and the receiver is capable of detecting single photons. The transmitter prototype consists of a software defined radio, a high extinction ratio electro-optic modulator system, and a 1550 nm laser. The receiver is a scalable concept and utilizes a single-pixel array of fiber coupled superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. The transmit and receive waveforms follow the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Optical Communications Coding and Synchronization Standard. A software model of the optical transmitter and receiver has also been implemented to predict performance of the optical test bed. This paper describes the transmitter and receiver prototypes as well as the system test configuration. System level tests results are presented and shown to align with predictions from software simulations. The validated software model can be used to in the future to reduce the design cycle of optical communications systems.

software defined radio↗

SNL-NJOY-2016

This is a wrapper around the LANL NJOY-2016 code that interfaces with extended code capabilities and minor modification of the LANL NJOY-2016 code that supports modeling radiation damage to materials. The NJOY Nuclear Data Processing System is a modular computer code designed to read evaluated data in ENDF format, transform the data in various ways, and output the results as libraries designed to be used in various applications. The wrapper provided here permits Sandia-specific control parameters to be used in the input data file. The modifications incorporated here enhance the ability of NJOY to address material damage response functions for many materials, e.g. to include the NRT and arc-dpa forms of the damage energy in addition to the default NJOY-2016 implementation of the sharp-threshold Kinchin-Pease threshold energy treatment. All of the modifications provided here are being made available to the GitHub-based NJOY-2016 code. As useful enhancements found here are incorporated into the baseline NJOY-2016 code, they will be eliminated from this version so as to maintain our compatibility with the baseline NJOY-2016 code. SAND2020-13060 M Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA00035

Griffin, Patrick↗