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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 1,639 records · Page 91

The detection of clouds, aerosols and marine atmospheric boundary layer characteristics from simulated GLAS data

Scheduled for launch in 2001 as part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS), the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) will provide continuous laser sounding of the earth's atmosphere from space for the first time. From its polar orbit about 600 km above the surface, GLAS will employ a 40 Hz solid state laser operating at 1064 nm to measure topography to an accuracy of 10 cm. Simultaneously, the atmospheric channels (1064 and 532 nm) of GLAS will provide profiles of atmospheric backscatter from 40 km to the ground with 75 meter vertical resolution (Spinhirne and Palm, 1996). These measurements will give scientists an unprecedented global data set on the vertical structure of clouds and aerosols which will greatly aid research efforts aimed at understanding their effects on climate and their role in climate change (Hartman, 1994). To better understand and predict the performance of the GLAS atmospheric channels, a computer model was developed to simulate the type of signal that the instrument would likely produce. The model uses aircraft lidar data and provides realistic simulated GLAS data sets over large areas spanning a wide range of atmospheric conditions. These simulated GLAS datasets are invaluable for designing and testing algorithms for the retrieval of parameters such as cloud and aerosol layer height, optical depth and extinction cross section. This work is currently proceeding and in this paper we will present results of the cloud and aerosol detection algorithm with emphasis on the detection of Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) aerosol. In addition, we use a recently developed technique to ascertain the feasability of estimating MABL moisture and temperature structure from spaceborne systems such as GLAS.

Palm, Stephen P.↗

Equicontrollability and its application to model-following and decoupling.

Discussion of 'model following,' a term used to describe a class of problems characterized by having two dynamic systems, generically known as the 'plant' and the 'model,' it being required to find a controller to attach to the plant so as to make the resultant compensated system behave, in an input/output sense, in the same way as the model. The approach presented to the problem takes a structural point of view. The result is a complex but informative definition which solves the problem as posed. The application of both the algorithm and its basis, equicontrollability, to the decoupling problem is considered.

Curran, R. T.↗

The NATA code; theory and analysis. Volume 3: Programmer's manual

The present, third volume of the final report is a programmer's manual for the code. It provides a listing of the FORTRAN 4 source program; a complete glossary of FORTRAN symbols; a discussion of the purpose and method of operation of each subroutine (including mathematical analyses of special algorithms); and a discussion of the operation of the code on IBM/360 and UNIVAC 1108 systems, including required control cards and the overlay structure used to accommodate the code to the limited core size of the 1108. In addition, similar information is provided to document the programming of the NOZFIT code, which is employed to set up nozzle profile curvefits for use in NATA.

Bade, W. L.↗

Mixed time integration methods for transient thermal analysis of structures, appendix 5

Mixed time integration methods for transient thermal analysis of structures are studied. An efficient solution procedure for predicting the thermal behavior of aerospace vehicle structures was developed. A 2D finite element computer program incorporating these methodologies is being implemented. The performance of these mixed time finite element algorithms can then be evaluated employing the proposed example problem.

Liu, W. K.↗

Nonlinear evolution of radiation-driven thermally unstable fluids

The nonlinear evolution of a radiation-driven thermally unstable planar fluid is simulated numerically using a semiimplicit finite-difference algorithm. When the equilibrium state of the fluid is perturbed by random initial excitation of the velocity field, dense, cool, two-dimensional structures are found to form in a rarer, warmer surrounding medium. The nonlinear phase of evolution is characterized by the turbulent contraction of the condensed region, accompanied by a significant increase in the amount of energy radiated. It is found that, if the random velocity perturbation has a sufficiently large amplitude, the fluid will not form condensed structures. Finally, the relationship of these results to observations of the solar chromosphere, transition region, and corona is discussed.

Dahlburg, R. B.↗

Iterative methods for design sensitivity analysis

A numerical method is presented for design sensitivity analysis, using an iterative-method reanalysis of the structure generated by a small perturbation in the design variable; a forward-difference scheme is then employed to obtain the approximate sensitivity. Algorithms are developed for displacement and stress sensitivity, as well as for eignevalues and eigenvector sensitivity, and the iterative schemes are modified so that the coefficient matrices are constant and therefore decomposed only once.

Belegundu, A. D.↗

Spatial versus time hysteresis in damping mechanisms

A description is given of continuing investigations on the task of estimating internal damping mechanisms in flexible structures. Specifically, two models for internal damping in Euler-Bernoulli beams are considered: spatial hysteresis and time hysteresis. A theoretically sound computational algorithm for estimation is described, and experimental results are discussed. It is concluded that both models perform well in the sense that they accurately predict response for the experiments conducted.

Banks, H. T.↗

CFD in the 1980's from one point of view

The present interpretive treatment of the development history of CFD in the 1980s gives attention to advancements in such algorithmic techniques as flux Jacobian-based upwind differencing, total variation-diminishing and essentially nonoscillatory schemes, multigrid methods, unstructured grids, and nonrectangular structured grids. At the same time, computational turbulence research gave attention to turbulence modeling on the bases of increasingly powerful supercomputers and meticulously constructed databases. The major future developments in CFD will encompass such capabilities as structured and unstructured three-dimensional grids.

Lomax, Harvard↗

Conditions for continuation of the efficient curve for multi-objective control-structure optimization

The paper describes the conditions for continuation of the efficient curve for bi-objective control-structure optimization of a ten-bar truss with two collocated sensors and actuators. The curve has been obtained with an active set algorithm using a homotopy method. The curve is discontinuous. A general stability theory has been implemented to determine sufficient conditions for the persistence of minima, and bifurcation theory has been used to characterize the possible points of discontinuity of the path.

Rakowska, Joanna↗

Multiblock Navier-Stokes solutions about the F/A-18 wing-LEX-fuselage configuration

Three-dimensional thin-layer Navier-Stokes computations are presented for the F/A-18 configuration. The modeled configuration includes an accurate surface representation of the fuselage, leading-edge extension (LEX), and wing, both with and without leading-edge flap deflection. A multiblock structured grid strategy is employed to decompose the computational flowfield domain around the subject configuration. Steady-state solutions are obtained from an algorithm that solves the compressible Navier-Stokes equations with an upwind-biased, flux-difference splitting approach. The results presented are based on a fully turbulent flow assumption, simulating the high Reynolds number flow conditions that correspond to a recent FI A-18 flight experiment. Good agreements between the computations and the flight test results are obtained for both surface flow patterns as well as surface pressure distributions. Furthermore, a correlation between the computed LEX vortex-core and the flight test results, observed by way of smoke visualization, is also presented.

Aircraft configurations↗

Finite-element solution scheme for compressible viscous flow

Adaptivity offers the possibility of using FEM for problems that are otherwise intractable. The solution algorithm is combined with an adaptive approach in which the unstructured portion of the grid is adaptively regenerated as the solution proceeds; the structured portion of the mesh is modified accordingly, to ensure both compatibility along the interface between the implicit and explicit element groups and increased resolution of the viscous layer. The approach offers significant computational savings in 3D simulations.

Hassan, O.↗

Radioactive Transfer Models for Saturn and Titan

The infrared spectra of the earth's atmosphere and planetary atmospheres contains information about atmospheric physical and chemical processes. Atmospheric molecular constituents absorb and emit infrared radiation by rotational and vibrational transition. Observed spectra exhibit characteristic features in the electromagnetic spectrum region. Observation of the absorption or thermal emission spectra may be obtained with space-borne high resolution infrared spectrometers in the 10-5000 cm(exp -1) (2-1000 micro-m) spectral region. Information about the atmospheric thermal structure, composition, and the chemical and physical processes of the observed spectral was accomplished. A preliminary version of a P-T retrieval algorithm for Saturn using all three modes for temperature inversion, e.g., CH4-limb, and H2-nadir spectra was completed and tested for accuracy. Radiative transfer and inversion programs were studied and analyzed for applications to infrared limb thermal emission observations of Saturn and Titan from the Cassini Orbiter, as well as Earth's atmosphere. Analysis and modification of the existing radiative transfer and inversion programs for Earth and planetary atmospheres are being made. Data analysis and retrieval of information form the observations by digital calculations were carried out at UAH and MSFC computer. The working program for generating and reading g-k arrays for using the c-k arrays via the c-k method for radiative transfer calculations for desired atmospheric and instrumental parameters was completed, tested for accuracy and resides at the MSFC computer.

Wu, S. T.↗

Reduced-Order Modeling and Wavelet Analysis of Turbofan Engine Structural Response Due to Foreign Object Damage (FOD) Events

The development of a wavelet-based feature extraction technique specifically targeting FOD-event induced vibration signal changes in gas turbine engines is described. The technique performs wavelet analysis of accelerometer signals from specified locations on the engine and is shown to be robust in the presence of significant process and sensor noise. It is envisioned that the technique will be combined with Kalman filter thermal/health parameter estimation for FOD-event detection via information fusion from these (and perhaps other) sources. Due to the lack of high-frequency FOD-event test data in the open literature, a reduced-order turbofan structural model (ROM) was synthesized from a finite element model modal analysis to support the investigation. In addition to providing test data for algorithm development, the ROM is used to determine the optimal sensor location for FOD-event detection. In the presence of significant noise, precise location of the FOD event in time was obtained using the developed wavelet-based feature.

Turso, James↗

Probabilistic Classification Using Elemental Abundance Distributions and Lossless Image Compression in Apollo 17 Lunar Dust Samples from Mare Serenitatis

We have previously outlined a strategy for the detection of fossils [Storrie-Lombardi and Hoover, 2004] and extant microbial life [Storrie-Lombaudi and Hoover, 20051 during robotic missions to Mars using co-registered structural and chemical signatures. Data inputs included image lossless compression indices to estimate relative textural complexity and elemental abundance distributions. Two exploratory classification algorithms (principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis) provide an initial tentative classification of all targets. Nonlinear stochastic neural networks are then trained to produce a Bayesian estimate of algorithm classification accuracy. The strategy previously has been successful in distinguishing regions of biotic and abiotic alteration of basalt glass from unaltered samples. [Storrie-Lombardi and Fisk, 2004; Storrie-Lombardi and Fisk, 2004] Such investigations of abiotic versus biotic alteration of terrestrial mineralogy on Earth are compromised by .the difficulty finding mineralogy completely unaffected by the ubiquitous presence of microbial life on the planet. The renewed interest in lunar exploration offers an opportunity to investigate geological materials that may exhibit signs of aqueous alteration, but are highly unlikely to contain contaminating biological weathering signatures. We here present an extension of our earlier data set to include lunar dust samples obtained during the Apollo 17 mission. Apollo 17 landed in the Taurus-Littrow Valley in Mare Serenitatis. Most of the rock samples from this region of the lunar highlands are basalts comprised primarily of plagioclase and pyroxene and selected examples of orange and black volcanic glass. SEM images and elemental abundances (C6, N7, O8, Na11, Mg12, Al13, Si14, P15, S16, Cll7, K19, Ca20, Fe26) for a series of targets in the lunar dust samples are compared to the extant cyanobacteria, fossil trilobites, Orgueil meteorite, and terrestrial basalt targets previously discussed. The data set provides a first step in producing a quantitative probabilistic methodology for geobiological analysis of returned lunar samples or in situ exploration.

Storrie-Lombardi, Michael C.↗

Constructing LDPC Codes from Loop-Free Encoding Modules

A method of constructing certain low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes by use of relatively simple loop-free coding modules has been developed. The subclasses of LDPC codes to which the method applies includes accumulate-repeat-accumulate (ARA) codes, accumulate-repeat-check-accumulate codes, and the codes described in Accumulate-Repeat-Accumulate-Accumulate Codes (NPO-41305), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 31, No. 9 (September 2007), page 90. All of the affected codes can be characterized as serial/parallel (hybrid) concatenations of such relatively simple modules as accumulators, repetition codes, differentiators, and punctured single-parity check codes. These are error-correcting codes suitable for use in a variety of wireless data-communication systems that include noisy channels. These codes can also be characterized as hybrid turbolike codes that have projected graph or protograph representations (for example see figure); these characteristics make it possible to design high-speed iterative decoders that utilize belief-propagation algorithms. The present method comprises two related submethods for constructing LDPC codes from simple loop-free modules with circulant permutations. The first submethod is an iterative encoding method based on the erasure-decoding algorithm. The computations required by this method are well organized because they involve a parity-check matrix having a block-circulant structure. The second submethod involves the use of block-circulant generator matrices. The encoders of this method are very similar to those of recursive convolutional codes. Some encoders according to this second submethod have been implemented in a small field-programmable gate array that operates at a speed of 100 megasymbols per second. By use of density evolution (a computational- simulation technique for analyzing performances of LDPC codes), it has been shown through some examples that as the block size goes to infinity, low iterative decoding thresholds close to channel capacity limits can be achieved for the codes of the type in question having low maximum variable node degrees. The decoding thresholds in these examples are lower than those of the best-known unstructured irregular LDPC codes constrained to have the same maximum node degrees. Furthermore, the present method enables the construction of codes of any desired rate with thresholds that stay uniformly close to their respective channel capacity thresholds.

Divsalar, Dariush↗

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2006

Topics covered include: Measurement and Controls Data Acquisition System IMU/GPS System Provides Position and Attitude Data Using Artificial Intelligence to Inform Pilots of Weather Fast Lossless Compression of Multispectral-Image Data Developing Signal-Pattern-Recognition Programs Implementing Access to Data Distributed on Many Processors Compact, Efficient Drive Circuit for a Piezoelectric Pump; Dual Common Planes for Time Multiplexing of Dual-Color QWIPs; MMIC Power Amplifier Puts Out 40 mW From 75 to 110 GHz; 2D/3D Visual Tracker for Rover Mast; Adding Hierarchical Objects to Relational Database General-Purpose XML-Based Information Managements; Vaporizable Scaffolds for Fabricating Thermoelectric Modules; Producing Quantum Dots by Spray Pyrolysis; Mobile Robot for Exploring Cold Liquid/Solid Environments; System Would Acquire Core and Powder Samples of Rocks; Improved Fabrication of Lithium Films Having Micron Features; Manufacture of Regularly Shaped Sol-Gel Pellets; Regulating Glucose and pH, and Monitoring Oxygen in a Bioreactor; Satellite Multiangle Spectropolarimetric Imaging of Aerosols; Interferometric System for Measuring Thickness of Sea Ice; Microscale Regenerative Heat Exchanger Protocols for Handling Messages Between Simulation Computers Statistical Detection of Atypical Aircraft Flights NASA's Aviation Safety and Modeling Project Multimode-Guided-Wave Ultrasonic Scanning of Materials Algorithms for Maneuvering Spacecraft Around Small Bodies Improved Solar-Radiation-Pressure Models for GPS Satellites Measuring Attitude of a Large, Flexible, Orbiting Structure

Source record↗

The Third Flight of the Marshall Grazing Incidence X-Ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS-3)

The Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS) is the first X-ray slitless imaging spectrograph sounding rocket instrument designed to observe spectrally dispersed soft X-ray images of the solar corona over a wide field-of-view. During the first flight of MaGIXS (MaGIXS-1), occurred on 30 July 2021, several emission lines from coronal structures including X-ray bright points were observed. Further, MaGIXS-1 analysis also demonstrated the successful inversion of overlappograms using robust unfolding algorithms. Given the demonstrated success of MaGIXS-1, the second flight of the instrument with a simplified optical design, MaGIXS-2, is scheduled for 2024 to observe high temperature diagnostic emission lines. Results from MaGIXS-1 discovered dominant missing emission lines near 15A, arising from relatively cool plasma that peaks around 2 MK. This wavelength region hosts several closely spaced satellite lines of Fe XVII, Fe XVI and Fe XV ions, which are expected to be enhanced at lower temperatures and are currently unmodeled in the CHIANTI atomic database. This wavelength region offers one of the most unique diagnostics to measure electron temperature, as well as signatures of equilibrium state of the plasma in active regions, which has not been studied so far. The goal of MaGIXS-3 mission is the to determine coronal heating parameters, such as the spatial and temporal properties of coronal heating events, by measuring discriminating observations, such as electron temperature, effective temperature, density, abundance, and departures from thermal equilibrium of the plasma, by observing the Sun in the SXR wavelength range. To meet this goal, the MaGIXS instrument will be upgraded with a new X-ray telescope mirror that will provide higher spatial and spectral resolution and throughput, allowing for spectral lines to be observed at the relevant spatial and temporal scales. In addition, MaGIXS-3 will also carry The Resolving Inversion Context X-ray Spectrometer (TRICXS), a high dispersion Bragg crystal spectrometer to spectrally resolve the lines near 14.9 to 15.9A, critical to unlock the full diagnostic potential of this wavelength range. Here we will present the preliminary concept design of MaGIXS-3 and discuss the potential observations.

X-ray Imaging↗