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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2024

Lensless Particle Image Velocimetry

The application of lensless imaging to particle image velocimetry (PIV) is demonstrated. Lensless PIV eliminates the need for imaging lenses to measure flow fields near a surface. Only the camera sensor, a thin mask, and computations are required to image particles in a flow field and to compute the velocity field. The small form factor could enable embedded sensors for near-wall measurements. Flow field measurements are obtained simultaneously for a lensless system and lens-based 2D PIV system, and several different reconstruction techniques are demonstrated. The reconstructed particle images and computed velocity fields compare well for both a uniform and shear flow. The potential for stereo and 3D volumetric PIV with a single camera sensor is demonstrated through different image reconstruction approaches.

Lensless imaging↗
DOE OSTI2020

Cloud Particle Imager (CPI) and 3-View Cloud Particle Imager (3V-CPI) Instrument Handbook

The cloud particle imager (CPI) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility instrument for measuring the concentration and size of cloud droplet and ice crystals. Hydrometeors entering the tube will be detected by a system of two continuous wave lasers that are perpendicular to each other, monitoring the sample volume. When a hydrometeor obscures both laser beams it is inside the sample volume and a third laser is triggered to illuminate the hydrometeor and a camera records a two-dimensional image. The CPI records images with a resolution of 2.3 μm. Since the camera has 1024 x 1024 pixels, the maximum detectable size is 2.3 mm x 2.3 mm.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of techniques for gantryless associated-particle imaging

To move fast-neutron radiography using the associated-particle imaging technique from the laboratory to the field, the development of new analysis techniques is required. In particular, the relative positions of the source and detectors need to be determined when they have been placed by hand, the normalization for a particular source–detector geometry needs to be determined without a measurement in the same geometry with no object present, and accurate image stitching is required when multiple detector positions are necessary to image an object. The present work describes methods that employ transmission neutron data to localize a fast-neutron imaging panel with respect to the neutron source, calculate a normalization for a given source–detector geometry, stitch images together, and describes the required system calibrations. The reported techniques enable in-field neutron radiography for cases in which the source–detector geometry is not well known a priori and where operational constraints preclude a normalization measurement.

Heath, Matthew↗
DOE OSTI2023

Center-of-Mass Corrections in Associated Particle Imaging

Associated particle imaging (API) utilizes the inelastic scattering of neutrons produced in deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion reactions to obtain 3-D isotopic distributions within an object. The locations of the inelastic scattering centers are calculated by measuring the arrival time and position of the associated alpha particle produced in the fusion reactions, and the arrival time of the prompt gamma created in the neutron scattering event. While the neutron and its associated particle move in opposite directions in the center-of-mass (COM) system, in the laboratory system the angle is slightly less than 180°, and the COM movement must be taken into account in the reconstruction of the scattering location. Furthermore, the fusion reactions are produced by ions of different momenta, and thus the COM velocity varies, resulting in an uncertainty in the reconstructed positions. In this article, we analyze the COM corrections to this reconstruction by simulating the energy loss of beam ions in the target material and identifying sources of uncertainty in these corrections. Here we show that an average COM velocity calculated using the ion beam direction and energy can be used in the reconstruction and discuss errors as a function of ion beam energy, composition, and alpha detection location. When accounting for the COM effect, the mean of the reconstructed locations can be considered a correctable systematic error leading to a shift/tilt in the reconstruction. However, the distribution of reconstructed locations also have a spread that will introduce an error in the reconstruction that cannot be corrected. In this article, we will use the known stopping powers of ions in materials and reaction cross sections to examine the reconstruction uncertainties. We also discuss the impact of this effect on our API system.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Slew-rate dependence of tracer magnetization response in magnetic particle imaging

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is a new biomedical imaging technique that produces real-time, high-resolution tomographic images of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle tracers. Currently, 25 kHz and 20 mT/μ{sub 0} excitation fields are common in MPI, but lower field amplitudes may be necessary for patient safety in future designs. Here, we address fundamental questions about MPI tracer magnetization dynamics and predict tracer performance in future scanners that employ new combinations of excitation field amplitude (H{sub o}) and frequency (ω). Using an optimized, monodisperse MPI tracer, we studied how several combinations of drive field frequencies and amplitudes affect the tracer's response, using Magnetic Particle Spectrometry and AC hysteresis, for drive field conditions at 15.5, 26, and 40.2 kHz, with field amplitudes ranging from 7 to 52 mT/μ{sub 0}. For both fluid and immobilized nanoparticle samples, we determined that magnetic response was dominated by Néel reversal. Furthermore, we observed that the peak slew-rate (ωH{sub o}) determined the tracer magnetic response. Smaller amplitudes provided correspondingly smaller field of view, sometimes resulting in excitation of minor hysteresis loops. Changing the drive field conditions but keeping the peak slew-rate constant kept the tracer response almost the same. Higher peak slew-rates led to reduced maximum signal intensity and greater coercivity in the tracer response. Our experimental results were in reasonable agreement with Stoner-Wohlfarth model based theories.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Intracellular performance of tailored nanoparticle tracers in magnetic particle imaging

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is a quantitative mass-sensitive, tracer-based imaging technique, with potential applications in various cellular imaging applications. The spatial resolution of MPI, in the first approximation, improves by decreasing the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the field-derivative of the magnetization, dm/dH of the nanoparticle (NP) tracers. The FWHM of dm/dH depends critically on NPs’ size, size distribution, and their environment. However, there is limited information on the MPI performance of the NPs after their internalization into cells. In this work, 30 to 150 μg of the iron oxide NPs were incubated in a lysosome-like acidic buffer (0.2 ml, 20 mM citric acid, pH 4.7) and investigated by vibrating sample magnetometry, magnetic particle spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The FWHM of the dm/dH curves of the NPs increased with incubation time and buffer to NPs ratio, consistent with a decrease in the median core size of the NPs from ∼20.1 ± 0.98 to ∼18.5 ± 3.15 nm. Further, these smaller degraded NPs formed aggregates that responded to the applied field by hysteretic reversal at higher field values and increased the FWHM. The rate of core size decrease and aggregation were inversely proportional to the concentration of the incubated NPs, due to their slower biodegradation kinetics. The results of this model experiment show that the MPI performance of the NPs in the acidic environments of the intracellular organelles (i.e., lysosomes and endosomes) can be highly dependent on their rate of internalization, residence time, and degradation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

Particle-Displacement Tracking In Particle-Image Velocimetry

Particle images processed rapidly and automatically into velocity-vector maps. This technique requires no processing of photographic plates, no tedious visual recognition and manual designation of large numbers of image features for subsequent processing, little or no interruption by technician and is order of magnitude faster than any of prior techniques.

Wernet, Mark P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Particle image velocimetry

Particle imaging velocimetry, which is rapidly becoming an essential tool for the synoptic measurement of two dimensional velocity fields, is addressed. This rapid development is carried out by a growing number of fluid mechanics experimentalists who recognize the unique capabilities of the technique to measure velocity fields in both space and time, and is supported by the concomitant development and availability of microcomputer hardware and software. Various applications of the technique to map different flow regimes are described and illustrated. Hardware implementations of the technique which utilize both conventional photography for image acquisition as well as digital 'online' methods for integrated image acquisition and processing are discussed. Recommendations to further enhance the technique and make it possible to map the three velocity components in three dimensional flow regions are given.

Lourenco, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Turbulent Flow Field Measurements of Separate Flow Round and Chevron Nozzles with Pylon Interaction Using Particle Image Velocimetry

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements for six separate flow bypass ratio five nozzle configurations have recently been obtained in the NASA Langley Jet Noise Laboratory. The six configurations include a baseline configuration with round core and fan nozzles, an eight-chevron core nozzle at two different clocking positions, and repeats of these configurations with a pylon included. One run condition representative of takeoff was investigated for all cases with the core nozzle pressure ratio set to 1.56 and the total temperature to 828 K. The fan nozzle pressure ratio was set to 1.75 with a total temperature of 350 K, and the freestream Mach number was M = 0.28. The unsteady flow field measurements provided by PIV complement recent computational, acoustic, and mean flow field studies performed at NASA Langley for the same nozzle configurations and run condition. The PIV baseline configuration measurements show good agreement with mean flow field data as well as existing PIV data acquired at NASA Glenn. Nonetheless, the baseline configuration turbulence profile indicates an asymmetric flow field, despite careful attention to concentricity. The presence of the pylon increases the upper shear layer turbulence levels while simultaneously decreasing the turbulence levels in the lower shear layer. In addition, a slightly shorter potential core length is observed with the addition of the pylon. Finally, comparisons of computational results with PIV measurements are favorable for mean flow, slightly over-predicted for Reynolds shear stress, and underpredicted for Reynolds normal stress components.

Doty, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Geometry planning and image registration in magnetic particle imaging using bimodal fiducial markers

Purpose: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a quantitative imaging modality that allows the distribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles to be visualized. Compared to other imaging techniques like x-ray radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MPI only provides a signal from the administered tracer, but no additional morphological information, which complicates geometry planning and the interpretation of MP images. The purpose of the authors’ study was to develop bimodal fiducial markers that can be visualized by MPI and MRI in order to create MP–MR fusion images. Methods: A certain arrangement of three bimodal fiducial markers was developed and used in a combined MRI/MPI phantom and also during in vivo experiments in order to investigate its suitability for geometry planning and image fusion. An algorithm for automated marker extraction in both MR and MP images and rigid registration was established. Results: The developed bimodal fiducial markers can be visualized by MRI and MPI and allow for geometry planning as well as automated registration and fusion of MR–MP images. Conclusions: To date, exact positioning of the object to be imaged within the field of view (FOV) and the assignment of reconstructed MPI signals to corresponding morphological regions has been difficult. The developed bimodal fiducial markers and the automated image registration algorithm help to overcome these difficulties.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Time-of-flight neutron spectrum unfolding for mixed-oxide nuclear fuel and plutonium metal using a dual-particle imager

A dual-particle imager with sensitivity to both neutrons and photons has been developed for the detection of special nuclear material. This system has the capability to provide spectral information on detected sources that is useful for safeguard applications. In nuclear facilities with high photon background rates, neutron detection can aid in identification and verification capabilities. The dual-particle imager creates a reconstructed neutron spectrum by correlating neutron counts in pairs of liquid scintillators. The reconstructed spectrum, a combination of energy deposited and time-of-flight, contains resolution effects that blur the true, emitted source-spectrum. To reduce the impact of resolution effects, the reconstructed spectrum can be unfolded to create an estimated source spectrum. A statistical technique, maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization, has been shown to produce an unfolded result for Cf-252 and Am-Be. This technique requires a system response-matrix that contains reconstructed spectra for single neutron energies. Since measuring mono-energetic neutrons is difficult, the system-response-matrix is simulated. Monte Carlo modeling with MCNPX-PoliMi has been show to produce an accurate system response. This work expands on previous neutron unfolding results by showing results for mixed-oxide fuel and plutonium metal measured with the dual-particle imager. Furthermore these results also demonstrate the ability of the dual-particle imager to discrimination between spontaneous fission neutrons and (α,n) reaction neutrons.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stochastic image reconstruction for a dual-particle imaging system

Stochastic image reconstruction has been applied to a dual-particle imaging system being designed for nuclear safeguards applications. The dual-particle imager (DPI) is a combined Compton-scatter and neutron-scatter camera capable of producing separate neutron and photon images. The stochastic origin ensembles (SOE) method was investigated as an imaging method for the DPI because only a minimal estimation of system response is required to produce images with quality that is comparable to common maximum-likelihood methods. Here, this work contains neutron and photon SOE image reconstructions for a 252Cf point source, two mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel canisters representing point sources, and the MOX fuel canisters representing a distributed source. Simulation of the DPI using MCNPX-PoliMi is validated by comparison of simulated and measured results. Because image quality is dependent on the number of counts and iterations used, the relationship between these quantities is investigated.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2005

Planar particle/droplet size measurement technique using digital particle image velocimetry image data

A method for determining a mass flux of an entrained phase in a planar two-phase flow records images of particles in the two-phase flow. Respective sizes of the particles (the entrained phase) are determined as a function of a separation between spots identified on the particle images. Respective velocities of the particles are determined. The mass flux of the entrained phase is determined as a function of the size and velocity of the particles.

Wernet, Mark P.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Dragonfly : an implementation of the expand–maximize–compress algorithm for single-particle imaging

Single-particle imaging (SPI) with X-ray free-electron lasers has the potential to change fundamentally how biomacromolecules are imaged. The structure would be derived from millions of diffraction patterns, each from a different copy of the macromolecule before it is torn apart by radiation damage. The challenges posed by the resultant data stream are staggering: millions of incomplete, noisy and un-oriented patterns have to be computationally assembled into a three-dimensional intensity map and then phase reconstructed. In this paper, the Dragonfly software package is described, based on a parallel implementation of the expand–maximize–compress reconstruction algorithm that is well suited for this task. Auxiliary modules to simulate SPI data streams are also included to assess the feasibility of proposed SPI experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source, Stanford, California, USA.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Particle Imaging Velocimetry Technique Development for Laboratory Measurement of Fracture Flow Inside a Pressure Vessel Using Neutron Imaging

This paper will describe recent progress made in developing neutron imaging based particle imaging velocimetry techniques for visualizing and quantifying flow structure through a high pressure flow cell with high temperature capability (up to 350 degrees C). This experimental capability has great potential for improving the understanding of flow through fractured systems in applications such as enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). For example, flow structure measurement can be used to develop and validate single phase flow models used for simulation, experimentally identify critical transition regions and their dependence on fracture features such as surface roughness, and study multiphase fluid behavior within fractured systems. The developed method involves the controlled injection of a high contrast fluid into a water flow stream to produce droplets that can be tracked using neutron radiography. A description of the experimental setup will be provided along with an overview of the algorithms used to automatically track droplets and relate them to the velocity gradient in the flow stream. Experimental results will be reported along with volume of fluids based simulation techniques used to model observed flow.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Position sensitive alpha detector for an associated particle imaging system

Associated Particle Imaging (API) is a nuclear technique that provides for the nondestructive determination of 3D isotopic distributions. The method is based on the detection of the alpha particles associated with the neutron emitted in the deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion reaction, which provides information regarding the direction and time of the emitted 14 MeV neutron. Inelastic neutron scattering leads to characteristic gamma-ray emission from certain isotopes, for example 12 C, that can be correlated with the neutron interaction location. An API system consisting of a sealed-type neutron generator, gamma detectors, and a position-sensitive alpha detector is under development for the nondestructive quantification of carbon distribution in soils. This paper describes the design of the alpha detector, detector response simulations, and first experimental results. The alpha detector consists of a Yttrium Aluminum Perovskite (YAP) scintillator mounted on the inside of a neutron generator tube. The scintillation light propagates through a sapphire window to a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube mounted on the outside. The 16x16 output signals are connected through a resistive network for a 4-corner readout. The four readout channels are amplified, filtered, and then digitized for the calculation of the alpha position. First test findings demonstrate that an excellent alpha position resolution, better than the 1 mm FWHM required by the application, can be achieved with this detector design.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multihead Attention U‐Net for Magnetic Particle Imaging–Computed Tomography Image Segmentation

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging noninvasive molecular imaging modality with high sensitivity and specificity, exceptional linear quantitative ability, and potential for successful applications in clinical settings. Computed tomography (CT) is typically combined with the MPI image to obtain more anatomical information. Herein, a deep learning‐based approach for MPI‐CT image segmentation is presented. The dataset utilized in training the proposed deep learning model is obtained from a transgenic mouse model of breast cancer following administration of indocyanine green (ICG)‐conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoworms (NWs‐ICG) as the tracer. The NWs‐ICG particles progressively accumulate in tumors due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. The proposed deep learning model exploits the advantages of the multihead attention mechanism and the U‐Net model to perform segmentation on the MPI‐CT images, showing superb results. In addition, the model is characterized with a different number of attention heads to explore the optimal number for our custom MPI‐CT dataset.

Juhong, Aniwat↗