Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “3-dimensional systems”

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.

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

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

A system for extracting 3-dimensional measurements from a stereo pair of TV cameras

Obtaining accurate three-dimensional (3-D) measurement from a stereo pair of TV cameras is a task requiring camera modeling, calibration, and the matching of the two images of a real 3-D point on the two TV pictures. A system which models and calibrates the cameras and pairs the two images of a real-world point in the two pictures, either manually or automatically, was implemented. This system is operating and provides three-dimensional measurements resolution of + or - mm at distances of about 2 m.

Yakimovsky, Y.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Anomalies in the Electronic Stopping of Slow Antiprotons in LiF

We present first-principles theoretical calculations for the electronic stopping power (SP) of both protons and antiprotons in LiF. Our results show the presence of the Barkas effect: a higher stopping for positively charged particles than their negatively charged antiparticles. In contrast, a previous study has predicted an anti-Barkas effect (higher stopping for negative charges) at low velocity [Qi, Bruneval and Maliyov, Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 043401 (2022)]. Here, we explain this discrepancy by showing that this anti-Barkas effect appears for highly symmetric trajectories and disappears when considering trajectories that better reproduce the experimental setup. Our low-velocity results show that the SP of both protons and antiproton vanish for velocities under 0.1 a.u.

3-dimensional systems↗
DOE OSTI2025

Construction of hopfion crystals

Hopfions, three-dimensional topological solitons characterized by nontrivial Hopf indices, represent a fundamental class of field configurations that emerge across diverse areas of physics. Despite extensive studies of isolated hopfions, a framework for constructing spatially ordered arrays of hopfions, i.e., hopfion crystals, has been lacking. Here, we present a systematic approach for generating hopfion crystals with cubic symmetry by combining the Hopf map with rational mapping techniques. By superposing helical waves in ℝ 4 , we construct hopfion crystals with tunable Hopf indices and controllable topology. We demonstrate simple cubic, face-centered cubic, and body-centered cubic hopfion crystals and extend our framework to create crystals of more complex topological structures, including axially symmetric tori, torus links, and torus knots with higher Hopf indices. Our results provide a foundation for searching hopfions in real materials and studying their collective phenomena.

3-dimensional systems↗
DOE OSTI2025

Stability, electronic quantum states, and magnetic interactions of Er 3+ ions in Ga 2 ⁢O 3

Here, we report an ab initio study of phase stability, defect formation, electronic structure, and multiple magnetic, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya, optical, hyperfine, and crystal field interactions in erbium (Er)-doped wide band gap 𝛼- and 𝛽-gallium oxides (Ga 2 ⁢O 3 ), critically important to make a foundation for both optoelectronic and quantum information applications. The chemical, structural, mechanical, and dynamical stabilities of the pristine phases are confirmed from respective negative formation energies, negative cohesive energies, favorable elastic constants, and positive phonon frequencies. The phonon dispersions indicate that the Ga-O bonds are uniform in the 𝛼-phase, while they vary in the 𝛽-phase due to the anisotropic polyhedral movement. The defect formation energy analysis confirms that both Er-doped 𝛼- and 𝛽−Ga 2 ⁢O 3 prefer Er 3+ (neutral) state. The underestimated band gaps of the pristine phases from standard density functional theory (DFT) calculations as compared to experimental values are corrected by employing the hybrid functional calculations, resulting in the indirect band gaps of 5.21 eV in 𝛼−Ga 2 ⁢O 3 and 4.94 eV in 𝛽−Ga 2 ⁢O 3 . The site preference energy analysis indicates partial occupation of Er in the octahedral site of Ga. The anisotropic nature of hyperfine tensor coefficients of Er is similar in both phases, which may be due to the occupation of Er in the same octahedral Ga site. On the other hand, the calculated magnetic exchange interaction between two Er dopants is negative for 𝛼 and positive for 𝛽, indicating an antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state in the former and a ferromagnetic (FM) ground state in the latter. Large values of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMIs) are obtained along the 𝑥 direction in the 𝛼 and along the 𝑦 direction in the 𝛽. The large DMI may support exotic magnetic textures, a promising direction for spintronic applications. The analysis of dielectric constants and refractive indices of both pristine and Er-doped phases shows a good agreement with available experimental values. The calculated optical anisotropy is slightly higher in 𝛽 than those in 𝛼, which is due to the involvement of lower symmetry in 𝛽. The crystal field coefficients (CFCs) calculated from DFT are used to analyze 4⁢𝑓 multiplets and 4⁢𝑓 −4⁢𝑓 transitions. Thus calculated lowest energy level of the first excited state to the lowest energy level of the ground state is about 1.53 µ⁢m, which is in a good agreement with available experiments, and it falls within the quantum telecommunication wavelength range.

3-dimensional systems↗
NASA NTRS1977

Solar thermionic power systems for terrestrial applications

The results of a feasibility study which showed that a low-temperature, high-efficient thermionic power system can efficiently convert solar energy to electrical energy without heat transport, as required by most solar thermal systems are described. A 3-dimensional (2-axis tracking) 93 sq m parabolic solar concentrator, consisting of mirrors on a foam glass substrate and designed to a concentration ratio (mirror area/aperture area) of 2000 is considered for producing a design temperature of 1100 C at an efficiency of 74%. A tracking subsystem must track the sun at an accuracy of a nominal plus or minus 1.0 degree for maximum use of the sun's energy. Each complete solar thermionic power system unit rated at about 20 kWe peak can generate approximately 48,000 kWh/yr. In addition, a thermal energy conversion system can be cascaded within the thermionic power system so that the high quality waste heat can be further utilized to increase the net electrical output. Potential applications of a solar thermionic power generation system are remote sites, apartment house complexes, heating and cooling, hydrogen production and large power stations.

Shimada, K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A stand-alone interactive graphics finite element modeling system

The finite element modeling (FEM) system described here is an interactive graphics system designed for use with an intelligent terminal. It offers an economical alternative to the conventional methods (hand compilation and remote terminals) of 2 and 3-dimensional model generation. Using local computing and local storage, this FEM system allows the operator to create and display 3-dimensional models entirely off-line from the host computer. This eliminates costly on-line computer and host-processing time, and makes the user more effective by greatly reducing computer response time. The system allows model generation by down-loading node and element data from the host computer or by using the system's model generation operations for digitizing and automatic creation. The system then generates completed model information in the desired analysis package's bulk data format and transmits it to the host computer for finite element analysis.

Gingerich, J. Z.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Terrestrial Gamma‐Ray Flash Following Intense Negative Return Stroke Observed With BIMAP‐3D

We report ground-based observations of a terrestrial gamma-ray flash (TGF) associated with a strong negative cloud-to-ground lightning strike (-CG) which occurred near Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico, USA. Gamma photons were detected by the Terrestrial High-energy Observations of Radiation (THOR) instrument, developed at the University of California, Santa Cruz, which has been hosted at LANL since 2022. Simultaneous measurements were also made with the 3-Dimensional Broadband Interferometric Mapping and Polarization (BIMAP-3D) system, which includes 3D lightning mapping, two fast antennas, and an additional plastic scintillator. Additional field change waveforms were obtained from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN). The lightning initiated about 1 km above the ground, leading to a powerful -CG with an ENTLN peak current of −237 kA and bipolar field change matching the recently described “energetic compact stroke” (ECS) shape. The TGF was then observed ∼35 µs after the start of the return stroke. We also observe an electric field pulse likely produced by the TGF either in isolation or by coupling to the lightning channel. Based on modeling of the radiated electric field and photon propagation through the atmosphere we infer that the TGF source was on the order of 1⁢0 17 photons. This TGF and associated lightning are extremely similar to some recently reported ECS TGFs in coastal Japan in winter, but we report the first observation of this phenomenon outside of Japan in a different climate, terrain, and season.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1975

Interactive computer aided technology, evolution in the design/manufacturing process

A powerful computer-operated three dimensional graphic system and associated auxiliary computer equipment used in advanced design, production design, and manufacturing was described. This system has made these activities more productive than when using older and more conventional methods to design and build aerospace vehicles. With the use of this graphic system, designers are now able to define parts using a wide variety of geometric entities, define parts as fully surface 3-dimensional models as well as "wire-frame" models. Once geometrically defined, the designer is able to take section cuts of the surfaced model and automatically determine all of the section properties of the planar cut, lightpen detect all of the surface patches and automatically determine the volume and weight of the part. Further, his designs are defined mathematically at a degree of accuracy never before achievable.

English, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Radar derived spatial statistics of summer rain. Volume 1: Experiment description

An experiment was performed at Wallops Island, Virginia, to obtain a statistical description of summer rainstorms. Its purpose was to obtain information needed for design of earth and space communications systems in which precipitation in the earth's atmosphere scatters or attenuates the radio signal. Rainstorms were monitored with the high resolution SPANDAR radar and the 3-dimensional structures of the storms were recorded on digital tape. The equipment, the experiment, and tabulated data obtained during the experiment are described.

Katz, I.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design of an optical amplifier for amplified OSC in IOTA facility at Fermilab

Optical stochastic cooling (OSC) is a cutting-edge beam cooling technology to reduce, control the 3 dimensional spread and the motion of particle beams. It has recently been successfully, experimentally, demonstrated in Fermilab's IOTA storage ring, marking a major step forward in beam cooling. OSC has the potential to significantly improve both the performance and flexibility as a beam cooling system. One promising way to boost OSC performance is by adding a high-gain optical amplifier. However, this amplifier must be carefully designed to meet the specific constraints of the OSC system. A major challenge lies in the limited optical delay, which is just 6 mm for the case of IOTA, set by the beam bypass, restricts us to use a short-length gain medium. This, along with IOTA’s high repetition rate and the relatively long duration of the optical pulses, limits the peak power available for the pump laser without damaging the crystal, which is crucial for achieving strong nonlinear gain. Additionally, it's essential to preserve the phase coherence of the undulator radiation during amplification, which further complicates the amplifier design. This report details a specialized amplifier setup that addresses these challenges, includes simulations of the integrated system, and summarizes the latest experimental progress and results.

Mondal, Abhishek [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Reaction Mechanism of Electrodeposited ε-MnO 2 : A Proton-Centered Pathway in Aqueous Zn-Ion Systems

Aqueous Zn/MnO 2 batteries have garnered significant interests owing to their abundance, high theoretical specific capacity, safety, and low cost. However, large-scale application of these systems is limited by the incomplete understanding of the MnO 2 reaction chemistry. The different crystal lattice structures among MnO 2 polymorphs contribute to the variations in reported reaction mechanisms. Among them, ε-MnO 2 polymorph, the dominant phase in electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), is notably observed during the charge cycles of aqueous Zn/MnO 2 batteries. Here, in this work, we investigate the electrochemical behavior of an ε-MnO 2 cathode synthesized via electrodeposition from a ZnSO 4 and MnSO 4 electrolyte, onto a 3-dimensional carbon cloth substrate. Proton intercalation emerges as the dominant charge storage mechanism, critically enabling the reversibility of ε-MnO 2 during cycling, as revealed by operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Additionally, a proton-coupled dissolution/redeposition pathway operates alongside minor Zn 2+ intercalation, as quantified by Rietveld refinement. Morphological and chemical heterogeneities are studied by transmission X-ray microscopy further validates this reaction mechanism. These mechanistic insights provide the foundation for rationally designing Zn/MnO 2 batteries with optimized proton dynamics and charge transfer, advancing these systems as a viable solution for safe, cost-effective grid-scale energy storage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Challenges in Pulsed-Field Gradient Nuclear Magnetic Resonance on Magnetically Heterogeneous Interfaces: Sequence and Field-Dependent Apparent Diffusion Coefficients

It is well known that the internal gradient (gi) that exists within pores haunts the diffusion coefficient (D) as measured by the pulsed-field gradient (PFG) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Several PFG-NMR methods developed to determine an accurate D were not successful. Then, the steady-state diffusion coefficient (Dapp,8) for the cation [C4mim]+ of [C4mim][Tf2N]; [1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium][bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imde] ionic liquid confined in ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) were determined by comparing Dapp,8 obtained from 1H PFG-NMR performed with three different stimulated echo sequences: STE, APFG, and MPFG under the two external magnetic field strength, B0 = 9.4 and 14.1 Tesla. The measured Dapp,8 which is an order of magnitude smaller than D of bulk [C4mim][Tf2N], is in good agreement between APFG and MPFG both in B0 = 9.4 and 14.1 Tesla. However, the strong gi artifact, which caused apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) depending strongly and weakly on B0 and temperature, respectively, in diffusion-time dependent Dapp, Dapp(?) obtained from a sequence with monopolar gradients (STE) was suppressed by using sequences employing bipolar gradients (APFG and MPFG) in the region of steady-state diffusion. But incompletely suppressed gi artifact resulting in the different behaviors of the early part of Dapp(?) between the sequences leads a ˜ 0.6 and 0.9 in MPFG and APFG, respectively, in the relationship between mean squared displacement and diffusion time: = 2Dta, where a = 0.5 and 1 for 1-dimensional single file diffusion and 3-dimensional bulk diffusion, respectively. The above observations clearly show that the diffusion behavior of ions/molecules within the pores and pore structure, such as the surface-to-volume ratio? (D?_app (?)=D_0 [1-4/(9vp) S/V v(D_0 ?)]) and tortuosity (T = D0/Dapp,8), are possible to be misunderstood, especially in the systems with a non-negligible gi. This work demonstrates that it may be necessary to test several PFG sequences under multiple external magnetic fields for the correct determination of the diffusion behavior of ions/molecules in the pores with a larger internal gradient, gi.

Han, Kee Sung↗
NASA NTRS1978

Flap survey test of a combined surface blowing model: Flow measurements at static flow conditions

The Combined Surface Blowing (CSB) V/STOL lift/propulsion system consists of a blown flap system which deflects the exhaust from a turbojet engine over a system of flaps deployed at the trailing edge of the wing. Flow measurements consisting of velocity measurements using split film probes and total measure surveys using a miniature Kiel probe were made at control stations along the flap systems at two spanwise stations, the centerline of the nozzle and 60 percent of the nozzle span outboard of the centerline. Surface pressure measurements were made in the wing cove and the upper surface of the first flap element. The test showed a significant flow separation in the wing cove. The extent of the separation is so large that the flow into the first flap takes place only at the leading edge of the flap. The velocity profile measurements indicate that large spanwise (3 dimensional) flow may exist.

Fukushima, T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Computationally efficient models for aqueous organic redox flow batteries

The rising usage of intermittent energy has garnered the need for large scale energy storage systems. Redox flow batteries (RFB) based energy storage system shows promising potential. Numerical simulations and machine learning approaches have been widely used to study RFB performance. The development of autonomous material discovery framework and digital twin of energy storage system usually needs to query cell performance through fast response models. In this study, two computationally efficient models are introduced: a physics-based analytical flow battery model (EZBattery), and a machine learning operator model (Deep Operator Network, denoted by DeepONet). Both models can provide cell performance near instantly, and prediction accuracy was systematically examined on an application of evaluating the performances of a 780 cm 2 aqueous organic redox flow battery (AORFB), using potential anolyte candidates in dihydroxyphenazine (DHP)-based family of organic materials. A validated computationally expansive 3-dimensional multi-physics finite element model by COMSOL was used as the ground truth and provided the training data set for the DeepONet. 1280 samples were generated with 10 properties to mimic the different possible anolyte candidates, and the cell performances were evaluated under 10 different combined operating conditions. The accuracy comparisons for the two computationally efficient models show that both models can provide comparable accuracy in predicting cell charging/discharging voltage curves. DeepONet can provide slightly higher overall accuracy than EZBattery with faster calculation speed, but highly relies on the training dataset. EZBattery does not need a training dataset and can provide interpretable physics-based explanations of the results, while being more flexible to adjust to adapt any different cell designs, flow battery architectures, and electrolyte materials.

Analytical model↗
DOE OSTI2025

Remote sensing images, DEM, and point clouds associated with “Accuracy evaluation of cost-effective 3D reconstruction approaches for hydrobiogeochemical processes in non-perennial stream riverbeds”

This data package is associated with the publication “Accuracy evaluation of cost-effective 3D reconstruction approaches for hydrobiogeochemical processes in non-perennial stream riverbeds” published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, Environmental Informatics and Remote Sensing (Bao et al., 2026; doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2026.1725258). This data package includes the drone photos for a section of Umtanum Creek in Washington, Unted States. The photos were used to reconstruct the 3-dimensional (3D) digital elevation model (DEM) of the riverbed for the investigated stream section. The reconstruction results from four approaches are provided: (1) unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV, colloquially known as drone) imagery-based Structure-from-Motion (SfM), (2) a machine learning-based 3D reconstruction model, Visual Geometry Grounded Deep Structure from Motion (VGGSfM), (3) Visual Geometry Grounded Transformer for long sequence of images (VGGT-Long), and (4) handheld smartphone LiDAR scanning. The ground truth measurements by tripod-mounted optical level kit and ground control points GPS locations for evaluating the accuracy of the four reconstruction approaches are also provided in this data package. A preliminary version of this data package was published in October 2025 at the time of manuscript submission. It was updated in March 2026, at the time of manuscript acceptance, to include additional metadata (this readme, data dictionary, and file level metadata). The data did not change. For details on how to navigate data packages generated by this project, see https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/portals/PNNLRiverCorridorSFA/About. In addition to a readme, this data package also includes a file-level metadata (FLMD) file that describes each file and a data dictionary (DD) that describes all column/row headers and variable definitions. This dataset is comprised of (1) 8 folders; (2) the detailed flight configuration html files; (3) field metadata; (4) a readme; (5) a data dictionary; and (6) file-level metadata. The folders “2024_10_18_d01” and “2024_10_18_d02” contain the original drone photos for the two drone flights (d01 and d02) on October 18, 2024. The reconstruction results from each of the approaches are in the folders called “ODM_SfM”, “VGGSfM”, “VGGTLong”, and “LiDAR”. The ground truth measurements are in the folder called “optical_level_kit”. Lastly, results comparing the different approaches are in the folder called “comparisons”. All files are .csv, .html, .jpg, .obj, .txt, and .npy. For information on using the .obj and .npy files, see the readme files within the same folder as the files.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hydraulic Conductivity Measurements, Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, 2014

Six individual ice cores were collected from the Barrow Environmental Observatory in Barrow, Alaska, in May of 2013 as part of the Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE). Each core was drilled at a different location to varying depths. After drilling, the cores were stored in coolers packed with dry ice and flown to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in Berkeley, CA. 3-dimensional images of the cores were constructed using medical X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner at 120kV. Hydraulic conductivity samples were extracted from these cores at LBNL Richmond Field Station in Richmond, CA, in February 2014 by cutting 5 to 8 inch segments using a chop saw. Samples were packed individually and stored at -20C freezing temperatures to minimize any changes in structure or loss of ice content prior to analysis. Hydraulic conductivity was determined through falling head tests using a permeameter [ELE International, Model #: K-770B] (Appendix A). Samples were placed in a latex membrane via a membrane stretcher while frozen. Use of a membrane stretcher made the membranes easier to secure and minimized contact with the sample. A clear polycarbonate sleeve, fabricated with a stainless steel ring at the bottom to keep the sleeve from floating, was placed around the sample inside the permeameter to minimize deformation during analysis. The permeameter was filled with water and 1.0 PSI of air was applied for confining pressure during sample defrost. Outflow valves were left open to allow for incremental thawing and samples were left to thaw for approximately 12 hours. After approximately 12 hours of thaw, initial falling head tests were performed. When the flow was significantly too fast or too slow, the analysis was stopped and the burette size was adjusted accordingly (i.e. a larger diameter burette was used for flows that were faster than desired or a smaller diameter burette was used for flows that were slower than desired). Two to four measurements were collected on each sample and collection stopped when the applied head load exceeded 25% change from the original load. Analyses were performed between 2 to 3 times for each sample. The final hydraulic conductivity calculations were computed using methodology of Das et al., 1985.The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), was a 15-year research effort (2012-2027) to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research. The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska. Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗