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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 163 records · Page 9

On the proper derivation of the Floquet-based quantum classical Liouville equation and surface hopping describing a molecule or material subject to an external field

We investigate different approaches to derive the proper Floquet-based quantum–classical Liouville equation (F-QCLE) for laser-driven electron-nuclear dynamics. The first approach projects the operator form of the standard QCLE onto the diabatic Floquet basis and then transforms to the adiabatic representation. The second approach directly projects the QCLE onto the Floquet adiabatic basis. Both approaches yield a form that is similar to the usual QCLE with two modifications: (1) The electronic degrees of freedom are expanded to infinite dimension and (2) the nuclear motion follows Floquet quasi-energy surfaces. However, the second approach includes an additional cross derivative force due to the dual dependence on time and nuclear motion of the Floquet adiabatic states. Our analysis and numerical tests indicate that this cross derivative force is a fictitious artifact, suggesting that one cannot safely exchange the order of Floquet state projection with adiabatic transformation. Our results are in accord with similar findings by Izmaylov et al., [J. Chem. Phys. 140, 084104 (2014)] who found that transforming to the adiabatic representation must always be the last operation applied, although now we have extended this result to a time-dependent Hamiltonian. Finally, this paper and the proper derivation of the F-QCLE should lay the basis for further improvements of Floquet surface hopping.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A broadband THz receiver for low background space applications

We have developed a sensitive bolometric receiver for low background space applications. In a 10 percent bandwidth at 1 THz, this receiver is approximately 100 times more sensitive than a quantum limited heterodyne receiver with a 1 GHz IF bandwidth. This receiver is designed to be used for the long wavelength band (200-700 microns) in the MIPS instrument on NASA's SIRTF satellite. The bolometers are cooled to 100 mK by an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator. Roughly 60 g of cesium chrome alum salt is partially demagnetized to 100 mK, followed by a slow regulated downramp to compensate for the heat leak. The hold time of the ADR system is about 18 hours with a temperature stability of delta T(sub rms) approx. equals 10 micro-K. The composite bolometers have electrical responsivities of 10(exp 9)V/W and electrical NEP's of about 3x10(exp -17) W/square root of Hz. The bolometer signals are read out by JFET preamplifiers located on the helium plate and operated at 120 K. We have addressed a number of space qualification issues, such as the development of an analog magnet controller, construction of a cryogenic shake-table for bolometers and selection of the paramagnetic salt CCA which can survive a bakeout at 50 C. The receiver is scheduled to be flown in the spring of 1992 on a balloon telescope. This flight has a dual purpose. One is to provide realistic test of the capabilities of the new receiver. The other is to search for anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background on scales of a few degrees.

Hagmann, C.↗

Design of a developmental dual fail operational redundant strapped down inertial measurement unit

An experimental redundant strap-down inertial measurement unit (RSDIMU) is being developed at NASA-Langley as a link to satisfy safety and reliability considerations in the integrated avionics concept. The unit consists of four two-degrees-of-freedom (TDOF) tuned-rotor gyros, and four TDOF pendulous accelerometers in a skewed and separable semi-octahedron array. The system will be used to examine failure detection and isolation techniques, redundancy management rules, and optimal threshold levels for various flight configurations. The major characteristics of the RSDIMU hardware and software design, and its use as a research tool are described.

Morrell, F. R.↗

Knitting wormholes by entanglement in supergravity

We construct a single-boundary wormhole geometry in type IIB supergravity by perturbing two stacks of N extremal D3-branes in the decoupling limit. The solution interpolates from a two-sided planar AdS-Schwarzschild geometry in the interior, through a harmonic two-center solution in the intermediate region, to an asymptotic AdS space. The construction involves a CPT twist in the gluing of the wormhole to the exterior throats that gives a global monodromy to some coordinates, while preserving orientability. The geometry has a dual interpretation in $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 SU(2N) Super Yang-Mills theory in terms of a Higgsed SU(2N) → S(U(N) x U(N)) theory in which $\mathcal{O}$(N 2 ) degrees of freedom in each SU(N) sector are entangled in an approximate thermofield double state at a temperature much colder than the Higgs scale. We argue that the solution can be made long-lived by appropriate choice of parameters, and comment on mechanisms for generating traversability. We also describe a construction of a double wormhole between two universes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Flight test results of failure detection and isolation algorithms for a redundant strapdown inertial measurement unit

Flight test results for two sensor fault-tolerant algorithms developed for a redundant strapdown inertial measurement unit are presented. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) consists of four two-degrees-of-freedom gyros and accelerometers mounted on the faces of a semi-octahedron. Fault tolerance is provided by edge vector test and generalized likelihood test algorithms, each of which can provide dual fail-operational capability for the IMU. To detect the wide range of failure magnitudes in inertial sensors, which provide flight crucial information for flight control and navigation, failure detection and isolation are developed in terms of a multi level structure. Threshold compensation techniques, developed to enhance the sensitivity of the failure detection process to navigation level failures, are presented. Four flight tests were conducted in a commercial transport-type environment to compare and determine the performance of the failure detection and isolation methods. Dual flight processors enabled concurrent tests for the algorithms. Failure signals such as hard-over, null, or bias shift, were added to the sensor outputs as simple or multiple failures during the flights. Both algorithms provided timely detection and isolation of flight control level failures. The generalized likelihood test algorithm provided more timely detection of low-level sensor failures, but it produced one false isolation. Both algorithms demonstrated the capability to provide dual fail-operational performance for the skewed array of inertial sensors.

Morrell, F. R.↗

Assimilation of SMOS Brightness Temperatures or Soil Moisture Retrievals into a Land Surface Model

Three different data products from the Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission are assimilated separately into the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, version 5 (GEOS-5) to improve estimates of surface and root-zone soil moisture. The first product consists of multi-angle, dual-polarization brightness temperature (Tb) observations at the bottom of the atmosphere extracted from Level 1 data. The second product is a derived SMOS Tb product that mimics the data at a 40 degree incidence angle from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. The third product is the operational SMOS Level 2 surface soil moisture (SM) retrieval product. The assimilation system uses a spatially distributed ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) with seasonally varying climatological bias mitigation for Tb assimilation, whereas a time-invariant cumulative density function matching is used for SM retrieval assimilation. All assimilation experiments improve the soil moisture estimates compared to model-only simulations in terms of unbiased root-mean-square differences and anomaly correlations during the period from 1 July 2010 to 1 May 2015 and for 187 sites across the US. Especially in areas where the satellite data are most sensitive to surface soil moisture, large skill improvements (e.g., an increase in the anomaly correlation by 0.1) are found in the surface soil moisture. The domain-average surface and root-zone skill metrics are similar among the various assimilation experiments, but large differences in skill are found locally. The observation-minus-forecast residuals and analysis increments reveal large differences in how the observations add value in the Tb and SM retrieval assimilation systems. The distinct patterns of these diagnostics in the two systems reflect observation and model errors patterns that are not well captured in the assigned EnKF error parameters. Consequently, a localized optimization of the EnKF error parameters is needed to further improve Tb or SM retrieval assimilation.

SMOS↗

Physical Evaluation of GPM DPR Single- and Dual-Wavelength Algorithms

A physical evaluation of the rain profiling retrieval algorithms for the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) aboard the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core satellite is carried out by applying them to the hydrometeor profiles generated from measured raindrop size distributions (DSD). The DSD-simulated radar profiles are used as input to the algorithms, and their estimates of hydrometeors' parameters are compared with the same quantities derived directly from the DSD data (or truth). The retrieval accuracy is assessed by the degree to which the estimates agree with the truth. To check the validity and robustness of the retrievals, the profiles are constructed for cases ranging from fully correlated (or uniform) to totally uncorrelated DSDs along the columns. Investigation into the sensitivity of the retrieval results to the model assumptions is made to characterize retrieval uncertainties and identify error sources. Comparisons between the single- and dual-wavelength algorithm performance are carried out with either a single- or dual-wavelength constraint of the path integral or differential path integral attenuation. The results suggest that the DPR dual-wavelength algorithm generally provides accurate range-profiled estimates of rainfall rate and mass-weighted diameter with the dual-wavelength estimates superior in accuracy to those from the single-wavelength retrievals.

Liang Liao↗

Investigation of the McDonnell-Douglas orbiter and booster shuttle models in proximity at Mach numbers 2.0 to 6.0. Volume 7: Proximity data at Mach 4 and 6, interference free and launch vehicle data

Aerodynamic data obtained from a space shuttle abort stage separation wind tunnel test are presented. The .00556 scale models of the orbiter and booster configuration were tested in close proximity using dual balances during the time period of April 21 to April 27 1971. Data were obtained for both booster and orbiter over an angle of attack range from -10 to 10 deg for zero degree sideslip angle. The models were tested at several relative incidence angles and separation distances and power conditions. Plug nozzles utilizing air were used to simulate booster and orbiter plumes at various altitudes along a nominal ascent trajectory. Powered conditions were 100, 50, 25 and 0 percent of full power for the orbiter and 100, 50 and 0 percent of full power for the booster. Pitch control effectiveness data were obtained for both booster and orbiter with power on and off. In addition, launch vehicle data with and without booster power were obtained utilizing a single balance in the booster model. Data were also obtained with the booster canard off in close proximity and for the launch configuration.

Trimmer, L. L.↗

Some Aspects on the Mechanical Analysis of Micro-Shutters

An array of individually addressable micro-shutters is being designed for spectroscopic applications. Details of the design are presented in a companion paper. The mechanical design of a single shutter element has been completed. This design consists of a shutter blade suspended on a torsion beam manufactured out of single crystal silicon membranes. During operation the shutter blade will be rotated by 90 degrees out of the array plane. Thus, the stability and durability of the beams are crucial for the reliability of the devices. Structures were fabricated using focused ion beam milling in a FEI 620 dual beam machine, and subsequent testing was completed using the same platform. This allowed for short turn around times. We performed torsion and bending experiments to determine key characteristics of the membrane material. Results of measurements on prototype shutters were compared with the predictions of the numerical models. The data from these focused studies were used in conjunction with experiments and numerical models of shutter prototypes to optimize the design. In this work, we present the results of the material studies, and assess the mechanical performance of the resulting design.

Fettig, Rainer K.↗

Summary of Rocket-Model Tests at Zero Lift of the Northrop MX-775B Missile Configuration from Mach Numbers of 0.9 to 1.8

Flight tests were conducted between Mach numbers of 0.9 and 1.8 over a Reynolds number range of 9(exp 6) to 30(exp 6) to determine the zero-lift drag and some rolling-effectiveness characteristics of the Northrop MX -775B missile with small and large body. The MX-775B is a proposed long range, supersonic, ground-to-ground missile having an arrow wing with 67.5 degree leading-edge sweep, 15 deg trailing-edge sweep, and a modified NACA 0004 airfoil section. The configuration has no horizontal tail but has wing trailing-edge elevons which serve a dual purpose as elevators and ailerons. The ratio of body frontal area to wing plan-form area is 0.0127 for the small-body configuration and 0.0330 for the large-body configuration. Five 1/4-scale models were flown permitting determination of the drag coefficient for the basic small-body configuration, the incremental drag due to the large body, the incremental drag resulting from a blunt wing trailing edge, the wing-plus-interference drag, and some rolling-effectiveness data. Results indicated that the MX-775B has low supersonic zero-lift drag, the maximum zero-lift drag coefficients being respectively 0.0125 and 0.0155 at a Mach number of M = 1803 for the small- and large-body configurations. The effect of a blunt wing trailing edge, obtained by cutting off 10 percent of the wing chord, was to increase the zero-lift drag by 13 to 21 percent. Wing-plus-interference drag accounted for 78 percent of the total drag at M = 0.9 and 70 percent at M = 195 for the small-body configuration. The ailerons produced positive rolling effectiveness for the wing stiffness of the test models and the dynamic pressures of the test.

Arbic, Richard G.↗

Diamond magnetometer enhanced by ferrite flux concentrators

Magnetometers based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are promising room-temperature, solid-state sensors. However, their reported sensitivity to magnetic fields at low frequencies (≲1 kHz) is presently ≳10 pTs 1/2 , precluding potential applications in medical imaging, geoscience, and navigation. Here we show that high-permeability magnetic flux concentrators, which collect magnetic flux from a larger area and concentrate it into the diamond sensor, can be used to improve the sensitivity of diamond magnetometers. By inserting an NV-doped diamond membrane between two ferrite cones in a bowtie configuration, we realize a ~ 250-fold increase of the magnetic field amplitude within the diamond. We demonstrate a sensitivity of ~ 0.9pTs 1/2 to magnetic fields in the frequency range between 10 and 1000 Hz. This is accomplished using a dual-resonance modulation technique to suppress the effect of thermal shifts of the NV spin levels. The magnetometer uses 200 mW of laser power and 20 mW of microwave power. This work introduces a new degree of freedom for the design of diamond sensors by using structured magnetic materials to manipulate magnetic fields.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A new multiple beam satellite antenna for 30/20 GHz communications coverage of CONUS-experimental evaluation

Additional frequency bands are needed to satisfy requirements related to the rapid growth of satellite communications, and the utilization of the 30/20 GHz frequencies is being considered. The present investigation is concerned with the experimental verification phase of an antenna technology study sponsored by NASA. The feasibility of narrow (0.3 degree) directive beam scanning over the entire continental U.S. (CONUS) from a single antenna at 30/20 GHz is demonstrated. The POC (Proof-of-Concept) model is based on an employment of an offset shaped dual reflector optics. The main reflector and the subreflector are both fabricated from aluminum. Attention is given to feed array and beam-forming network, multiple beam antenna range tests, an analysis, and test results.

Smoll, A. E.↗

Dual-Roll Robotic Wrist-Joint Assembly

Compact robotic wrist-joint assembly includes two motor subassemblies providing two concentric output rotations about axis of wrist: outer output flange on front face of assembly rotated to, and held at, any predetermined roll angle within range of plus or minus 180 degrees, and inner output flange concentric with outer output flange capable of unlimited rotation relative to outer flange. Each motor subassembly includes concentric rotor and stator and harmonic drive.

Vranish, John M.↗

Man-equivalent telepresence through four fingered human-like hand system

The author describes a newly developed mechanical hand system. The robot hand is in human-like configuration with a thumb and three fingers, a palm, a wrist, and the forearm in which the hand and wrist actuators are located. Each finger and the wrist has its own active electromechanical compliance system, allowing the joint drive trains to be stiffened or loosened. This mechanism imitates the human muscle dual function of positioner and stiffness controller. This is essential for soft grappling operations. The hand-wrist assembly has 16 finger joints, three wrist joints, and five compliance mechanisms for a total of 24 degrees of freedom. The strength of the hand is roughly half that of the human hand and its size is comparable to a male hand. The hand is controlled through an exoskeleton glove controller that the operator wears. The glove provides the man-machine interface in telemanipulation control mode: it senses the operator's inputs to guide the mechanical hand in hybrid position and force control. The hand system is intended for dexterous manipulations in structured environments. Typical applications will include work in hostile environment such as space operations and nuclear power plants.

Jau, Bruno M.↗

Project Report: Reducing Color Rivalry in Imagery for Conjugated Multiple Bandpass Filter Based Stereo Endoscopy

A pair of conjugated multiple bandpass filters (CMBF) can be used to create spatially separated pupils in a traditional lens and imaging sensor system allowing for the passive capture of stereo video. This method is especially useful for surgical endoscopy where smaller cameras are needed to provide ample room for manipulating tools while also granting improved visualizations of scene depth. The significant issue in this process is that, due to the complimentary nature of the filters, the colors seen through each filter do not match each other, and also differ from colors as seen under a white illumination source. A color correction model was implemented that included optimized filter selection, such that the degree of necessary post-processing correction was minimized, and a chromatic adaptation transformation that attempted to fix the imaged colors tristimulus indices based on the principle of color constancy. Due to fabrication constraints, only dual bandpass filters were feasible. The theoretical average color error after correction between these filters was still above the fusion limit meaning that rivalry conditions are possible during viewing. This error can be minimized further by designing the filters for a subset of colors corresponding to specific working environments.

conjugated multiple bandpass filters (CMBF)↗

OH PLIF Visualization of a Premixed Ethylene-fueled Dual-Mode Scramjet Combustor

Hydroxyl radical (OH) planar induced laser fluorescence (PLIF) measurements have been performed in a small-scale scramjet combustor at the University of Virginia Aerospace Research Laboratory at nominal simulated Mach 5 enthalpy. OH lines were carefully chosen to have fluorescent signal that is independent of pressure and temperature but linear with mole fraction. The OH PLIF signal was imaged in planes orthogonal to and parallel to the freestream flow at different equivalence ratios. Flameout limits were tested and identified. Instantaneous planar images were recorded and analyzed to compare the results with width increased dual-pump enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (WIDECARS) measurements in the same facility and large eddy simulation/Reynolds average Navier-Stokes (LES/RANS) numerical simulation. The flame angle was found to be approximately 10 degrees for several different conditions, which is in agreement with numerical predictions and measurements using WIDECARS. Finally, a comparison between NO PLIF non-combustion cases and OH PLIF combustion cases is provided: the comparison reveals that the dominant effect of flame propagation is freestream turbulence rather than heat release and concentration gradients.

Cantu, Luca M. L.↗

Optimal Modulation and DM Filter Design for a High Switching Frequency Single-Stage Microinverter

This paper presents an optimal modulation and systematic filter design approach for a single-stage dual-active-bridge (DAB) based dc-ac microinverter to achieve improved differential-mode (DM) noise performance for electromagnetic interference (EMI) tests. As DM filters contribute significantly to the overall converter volume, the main objective of this work is to leverage the degrees of freedom in the DAB converters to effectively attenuate the EMI noise. In addition, the DM filter design method needs to ensure near unity power factor converter operation. To achieve these targets, this paper analyzes three modulation strategies based on fixed or variable switching frequency operation where the different control modulation variables are varied to find the simulated DM noise spectrum. Based on the required DM attenuation, a constrained optimization problem is formulated to determine minimal DM filter parameters. Simulation results show that a spread spectrum approach with variable switching frequency is shown to minimize the DM EMI attenuation effort by spreading the noise profile. A fully GaN 400 W hardware prototype demonstrated the spread-sprectrum approach.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Experimental and Numerical Characterization of a Steady-State Cylindrical Blackbody Cavity at 1100 Degrees Celsius

A blackbody calibration furnace at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center is used to calibrate heat flux gages. These gages are for measuring the aerodynamic heat flux on hypersonic flight vehicle surfaces. The blackbody is a graphite tube with a midplane partition which divides the tube into two compartments (dual cavities). Electrical resistance heating is used to heat the graphite tube. This heating and the boundary conditions imposed on the graphite tube result in temperature gradients along the walls of the blackbody cavity. This paper describes measurements made during steady-state operation and development of finite-difference thermal models of the blockbody furnace at 1100 C. Two configurations were studied, one with the blackbody outer surface insulated and the other without insulation. The dominant modes of heat transfer were identified for each configuration and the effect of variations in material properties and electric current that was passed through the blackbody were quantified.

Horn, Thomas J.↗