Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “object positioning”

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
DOE OSTI2025

Efficient near-field ptychography reconstruction using the Hessian operator

X-ray ptychography is a powerful and robust coherent imaging method providing access to the complex object and probe (illumination). Ptychography reconstruction is typically performed using first-order methods due to their computational efficiency. Higher-order methods, while potentially more accurate, are often prohibitively expensive in terms of computation. In this study, we present a mathematical framework for reconstruction using second-order information derived from an efficient computation of the bilinear Hessian and Hessian operator. The formulation is provided for Gaussian-based models, enabling the simultaneous reconstruction of the object, probe, and object positions. Synthetic data tests, along with experimental near-field ptychography data processing, demonstrate a ten-fold reduction in computation time compared to first-order methods. The derived formulas for computing the Hessians, along with the strategies for incorporating them into optimization schemes, are well-structured and easily adaptable to various ptychography problem formulations.

Carlsson, Marcus [Lund Univ. (Sweden)] (ORCID:0000↗
DOE OSTI2026

Framework for X-ray mirror surface shape fitting

For accurate characterization of grazing-incidence X-ray mirrors, we present a comprehensive framework to fit measured surface shapes (either slope or height) of X-ray mirrors used in synchrotron radiation and free-electron laser facilities. We summarize the closed-form expressions of some typical surface shapes of X-ray mirrors including elliptic cylinders, hyperbolic cylinders, ellipsoids, hyperboloids, and diaboloids. This framework is composed of four layers: definition of standard shapes with closed-form expressions, generation of theoretical surface with pose parameters (six degrees of freedom defining an object's position and orientation relative to a coordinate system), parameter optimization with the ability to select which parameters are fit and which are held constant, and the development of user-friendly fitting function wrappers for particular fitting tasks. A few practical fitting examples are demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed fitting framework. We discuss the physical meanings of the fitting parameters, and provide several examples using the elliptic cylinder and ellipsoid shapes to highlight some features of the framework. Moreover, we provide the presented framework as open-source codes (MATLAB and Python codes available at https://github.com/nsls2omf/xmf) to the community to encourage academic collaboration and further improvements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Coherent optical imaging of moving objects hidden in a heavily scattering random medium

Experimental results are presented that provide insight into the physics of statistical imaging in heavily scattering random media based on measured speckle correlations as a function of the change in position of a moving object. In this way, definitive interpretation of a rather complex and earlier theory is achieved, making this work an experimental complement to that theory paper []. Motion could be natural, where the set of positions is estimated or separately obtained, or directed, where a mechanical stage can be used to adjust the object's position. In the experiment, a coherent laser illuminates two scattering diffusers, while an object is translated between them in the resulting speckled field and images are collected in a transmission configuration. Results are shown for various objects of differing size and geometry, allowing the theory to be validated and interpreted with new understanding. This work demonstrates imaging opportunities, and applications include material characterization, environmental imaging and sensing, and deep-tissue imaging. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Hastings, Ryan L. (ORCID:0009000095977807)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Principles of stereo reconstruction of aerial objects using stationary cameras

An overview is given here of the principles and mathematics of stereo reconstruction of objects in the sky using stationary cameras with an emphasis on meteorological applications. Through its Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program, the Department of Energy has operated stereo-photogrammetric cameras since 2017 as part of an effort to measure the life-cycle properties of clouds. At the core of that technology is stereo reconstruction, which calculates the real-world position of an object from the location of the object’s image in two cameras’ photographs. Here, stereo reconstruction is stripped down to its basic elements and presented using conventions tailored to applications in atmospheric science. In addition, the resulting equations are used to illustrate the high sensitivity of reconstructed cloud positions to errors in the cameras’ Euler angles. The interested reader will find here a self-contained guide to performing stereo reconstructions using distortion-corrected images from a pair of calibrated, stationary cameras, as well as a demonstration of the need for high accuracy in the measurement of camera properties and orientations.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Southcentral/Upper-West Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership

This Final Technical Report describes the successful completion of all project tasks under award DE-EE0008272, plus three additional deliverables, all completed within the original budget. Our objective was to position CHP as a key driver of American competitiveness, the strategic use of domestic energy resources, and enhanced energy resilience. This vision was pursued through sustained collaboration with a broad range of public and private stakeholders, including manufacturers, commercial and institutional facilities, state and federal agencies, and associations of end-users, among others.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

ARPA-E Grid Optimization (GO) Competition Challenge 2

The ARPA-E Grid Optimization (GO) Competition Challenge 2, from 2020 to 2021, expanded upon the problem posed in Challenge 1 by adding adjustable transformer tap ratios, phase shifting transformers, switchable shunts, price-responsive demand, ramp rate constrained generators and loads, and fast-start unit commitment. Furthermore, Challenge 2 was a maximization problem while Challenge 1 was a minimization problem. Specifically, the economic surplus, defined as the benefit of serving load minus the cost of generation, is being maximized. It was expected that the objective value of a given solution should be positive, representing economic gain, but negative objectives from poor solutions were possible. The two code submission feature of Challenge 1 was maintained. Additionally, Divisions 3 and 4 within the competition permitted on/off switching of transmission lines (Divisions 1 and 2 did not). After the initial release of the Problem Formulation on 7/20/2020, ARPA-E Director Lane Genatowski announced Challenge 2 on 9/12/2020. The final May 31, 2021, version of the Problem Formulation was 97 pages long with 299 equations. The Challenge proceeded with 2 non-prize Events and 2 prize Events. Teams receiving Challenge 1 FOA awards and prize money were required to use the prize money to fund their Challenge 2 efforts (Georgia Institute of Technology, Global Optimal Technology, Inc., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lehigh University, Northwestern University, Artelys, Columbia, Pearl Street Technologies, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Colorado Boulder). For more information on the competition and challenge 2 see the "GO Competition Challenge 2 Information" resource below. Challenge 1 and Challenge 3 information can be found in the resources linked below.

ACOPF↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multi-objective optimization of sustainable aviation fuel production pathways in the U.S. Corn Belt

As a potential source of low-carbon transportation energy, biofuels offer certain advantages over vehicle electrification (e.g., lower societal vulnerability to grid failures, and improved range of sustainable aviation), but also several challenges, including cost, carbon intensity, and land usage. There are also well-founded concerns that biofuel supply chains could be disrupted if extreme weather events impact feedstock yields. In this paper, we explore the use of multi-objective optimization to identify biofuel production pathways that balance cost, greenhouse gas emissions, and supply vulnerability to extreme weather. We compare the use of three different many-objective evolutionary algorithms and linear programming in optimizing biomass cultivation decisions in the U.S. Corn Belt under weather uncertainty using historical, modeled, and synthetic yield data. We consider four feedstock choices (corn, soy, switchgrass, and algae) with two land types (agricultural and marginal lands) and evaluate decisions using three alternative spatial resolutions (ranging from the USDA agricultural district level to the state level). Results show that feedstock choice is the primary driver of objective performance (i.e., the position and shape of 3D, approximate Pareto frontiers). Spatial diversification is a less effective tool in reducing exposure to weather-caused drops in crop yield.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evaluation of Digital Nautical Chart data for confirmation and expansion of GeoNames data

Here, this work examines how Digital Nautical Chart (DNC) data may contribute to the evolution and refinement of GeoNames data for near-shore features. GeoNames features are point data with one or more possible place names. DNC Earth Cover Text (ECRText) objects are map labels positioned nearby their real word counterpart. ECRText feature map position strikes a compromise between association with real features and cartographic readability. This work explores whether ECRText features can confirm (or expand names for) existing locations or contribute new locations through data conflation. Due to name variations and spatial position, conflating these data are nontrivial. Previous work engaged in a brief examination using the trigram string matching algorithm under coarse proximity constraints, indicating that ECRText could provide additional value to GeoNames. This work builds on that study, by engaging in a deeper examination of spatial proximity and exploring conflation agreement across an ensemble of string matching approaches. The result finds strong ensemble agreement about ECRText features which already exist in GeoNames but mixed results about which features contribute new information, as well as exploring why some of these matching techniques fail. With an eye toward automation, computational efficiency was found not to be a constraint in sustaining updates.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Legacy Survey of Space and Time Data Preview 2: isolated_star_stellar_motions dataset type

We present Rubin Data Preview 2 (DP2), the second data preview from the NDF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Data Preview 2 (DP2) comprises coadds, detection catalogs, and ancillary data products; and when fully released will also include single-epoch images and difference images. DP2 is derived from observations acquired by the LSST Science Camera (LSSTCam) on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at the Summit Facility on Cerro Pachón, Chile, primarily during the on-sky commissioning campaign between 2025-04-16 and 2025-09-21, supplemented by observations taken between 2025-10-25 and 2026-01-06 that overlap the commissioning footprint. The DP2 footprint comprises the Science Validation wide-area survey, five Deep Drilling Fields, and a number of targeted small-field regions, including Trifid and Lagoon, Prawn, M49, and New Horizons, all observed as part of the Rubin First Look campaign. Each field was imaged in up to six broad photometric bands, ugrizy, and coadded to produce deep imaging covering an estimated 3,000 deg2. The addition of single-visit-only areas expands the total DP2 footprint to an estimated 15,000 deg2, with coverage in at least one filter. The median per-visit PSF FWHM across the wide-area survey ranges from 1.17 arcsec in the z band to 1.26 arcsec in g and r bands. The deepest field, reaches estimated coadded 5σ depths of u=26 mag, g=26.8 mag, r=26.3 mag, i=26.1 mag, z=25.3 mag, y=23.9 mag. Based on a roughly five-month primary observing baseline and covering only part of the eventual LSST footprint, DP2's area, depth, and multiband coverage nonetheless support a broad range of early science investigations ahead of LSST Data Release This dataset is a subset of the full data release consisting of the isolated_star_stellar_motions dataset type. These are position, proper motion, and parallax for isolated stars, fit using associated source measurements, with positions for associated reference objects if available. This release contains 7,809 datasets of this type.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Legacy Survey of Space and Time Data Preview 2: IsolatedStarStellarMotions searchable catalog

We present Rubin Data Preview 2 (DP2), the second data preview from the NDF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Data Preview 2 (DP2) comprises coadds, detection catalogs, and ancillary data products; and when fully released will also include single-epoch images and difference images. DP2 is derived from observations acquired by the LSST Science Camera (LSSTCam) on the Simonyi Survey Telescope at the Summit Facility on Cerro Pachón, Chile, primarily during the on-sky commissioning campaign between 2025-04-16 and 2025-09-21, supplemented by observations taken between 2025-10-25 and 2026-01-06 that overlap the commissioning footprint. The DP2 footprint comprises the Science Validation wide-area survey, five Deep Drilling Fields, and a number of targeted small-field regions, including Trifid and Lagoon, Prawn, M49, and New Horizons, all observed as part of the Rubin First Look campaign. Each field was imaged in up to six broad photometric bands, ugrizy, and coadded to produce deep imaging covering an estimated 3,000 deg2. The addition of single-visit-only areas expands the total DP2 footprint to an estimated 15,000 deg2, with coverage in at least one filter. The median per-visit PSF FWHM across the wide-area survey ranges from 1.17 arcsec in the z band to 1.26 arcsec in g and r bands. The deepest field, reaches estimated coadded 5σ depths of u=26 mag, g=26.8 mag, r=26.3 mag, i=26.1 mag, z=25.3 mag, y=23.9 mag. Based on a roughly five-month primary observing baseline and covering only part of the eventual LSST footprint, DP2's area, depth, and multiband coverage nonetheless support a broad range of early science investigations ahead of LSST Data Release This dataset is a subset of the full data release consisting of a searchable catalog named IsolatedStarStellarMotions. This catalog contains position, proper motion, and parallax for isolated stars, fit using associated source measurements, with positions for associated reference objects if available. This catalog contains 318,429,415 rows with 28 columns.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

LINAC Longitudinal Simulation and Measurement of Output Energy

The Linac at Fermilab, one of the oldest accelerators on-site, plays a crucial role in delivering 400 MeV proton beams to other accelerating facilities. The beam traveling through Linac needs to be carefully monitored for better accelerator operation. One of the key factors of efficient Linac operation is its longitudinal stability. The stability can minimize Linac loss and maximize beam current. For this purpose, I examined the beam's longitudinal profile, which is crucial for proper beam transfer between its two sections. After careful monitoring of the beam through Linac, we need to ensure that it leaves with desired parameters. The beam coming out from the Linac is subsequently injected into the Booster, a synchrotron that relies on dipole magnets to bend the beam at injection. If the output energy of the beam deviates from the expected value, the beam will bend at an incorrect radius, leading to potential beam loss. Therefore, precise regulation of the output energy is critical for the efficient operation of the accelerator. To address this, I have conducted a thorough examination of the Linac longitudinal simulations and data from Beam Position Monitors (BPMs). My objective is to measure and stabilize the output energy and verify its correspondence with the predicted simulation results. All these analyses are important for efficient operation of the accelerator.

Safaryan, Milena↗
DOE OSTI2024

Shadow of a laser beam

Light, being massless, casts no shadow; under ordinary circumstances, photons pass right through each other unimpeded. Here, we demonstrate a laser beam acting like an object — the beam casts a shadow upon a surface when the beam is illuminated by another light source. We observe a regular shadow in the sense it can be seen by the naked eye, it follows the contours of the surface it falls on, and it follows the position and shape of the object (the laser beam). Specifically, we use a nonlinear optical process involving four atomic levels of ruby. We are able to control the intensity of a transmitted laser beam by applying another perpendicular laser beam. We experimentally measure the dependence of the contrast of the shadow on the power of the laser beam, finding a maximum of approximately 22%, similar to that of a shadow of a tree on a sunny day. We provide a theoretical model that predicts the contrast of the shadow. This work opens new possibilities for fabrication, imaging, and illumination.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2026

IPC-Fusion (Infrastructure Perception and Control (IPC): Multisensor Data Fusion Software) [SWR-25-153]

As part of the National Laboratory of the Rockies' (NLR’s) Infrastructure Perception and Control Laboratory, the IPC-Fusion toolkit provides a probabilistic, scalable, multi-sensor fusion framework that integrates (late-stage fusion) heterogeneous object detection data from traffic sensors to enable robust, real-time tracking of roadway occupants. The algorithmic design of the toolkit is motivated by the need for creating a digital twin of traffic at the edge in a scalable and affordable manner. The software operates by combining object-level measurements (such as position and velocity) from a suite of sensors (such as radar, lidar, camera) using Kalman filtering and probabilistic data association techniques to overcome individual sensor limitations and achieve superior tracking performance in complex traffic zones. The framework addresses key challenges including heterogeneous measurement uncertainties, asynchronous data streams, varying spatiotemporal data resolutions, robust data association, and adaptive object lifecycle management. Validated on real-world traffic intersection data including vehicles and pedestrians, IPC-Fusion demonstrates enhanced tracking reliability across scenarios involving occlusions, sensor failures, and varying traffic densities, supporting the broader IPC initiative's goal of transforming transportation infrastructure through advanced perception capabilities for intelligent transportation systems, traffic safety applications, and autonomous vehicle support.

Sandhu, Rimple [National Laboratory of the Rockies↗
DOE OSTI2026

2004 Kansas City Regional Household Travel Survey

The 2004 Regional Household Travel Survey documented the travel behavior characteristics of Kansas City residents to update the area's transportation model. The Mid-America Regional Council and the Kansas and Missouri Departments of Transportation sponsored the survey, which was administered by NuStats. Activity and travel information was collected for all household members, regardless of age, during a specific 24-hour period. It relied on the willingness of households to provide demographic information about its members and vehicles and to have all household members record all travel and activity for a specific 24-hour period. The study also included a subsample of household vehicles with global positioning system (GPS) devices. The objectives of the GPS component were twofold: (1) to provide an independent data stream of vehicular travel in order to measure the accuracy of the travel data reported over the telephone, and (2) to obtain details about those trips that were captured by GPS but not reported over the telephone, in order to derive a trip-correction factor.

1Hz data↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced Monte Carlo Simulations for Electron Energy Loss Mitigation in Real-Space Nanoimaging of Thick Biological Samples and Microchips

High-resolution imaging using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is essential for applications such as grain boundary analysis, microchip defect characterization, and biological imaging. However, TEM images are often compromised by electron energy spread and other factors. In TEM mode, where the objective and projector lenses are positioned downstream of the sample, electron–sample interactions cause energy loss, which adversely impacts image quality and resolution. This study introduces a simulation tool to estimate the electron energy loss spectrum (EELS) as a function of sample thickness, covering electron beam energies from 300 keV to 3 MeV. Leveraging recent advances in MeV-TEM/STEM technology, which includes a state-of-the-art electron source with 2-picometer emittance, an energy spread of 3 × 10 -5 , and optimized beam characteristics, we aim to minimize energy spread. By integrating EELS capabilities into the BNL Monte Carlo (MC) simulation code for thicker samples, we evaluate electron beam parameters to mitigate energy spread resulting from electron–sample interactions. Based on our simulations, we propose an experimental procedure for quantitively distinguishing between elastic and inelastic scattering. The findings will guide the selection of optimal beam settings, thereby enhancing resolution for nanoimaging of thick biological samples and microchips.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Radsource Mr: Mixed Reality Planning Tool For Radioactive Recovery

The RadSource MR system leverages Meta Quest 3's advanced mixed reality capabilities to create a comprehensive spatial planning platform for end-of-life sealed radioactive source recovery operations. The application utilizes the Quest 3's high-resolution passthrough cameras and spatial mapping algorithms to generate accurate 3D environmental models. Core technical components include: (1) Real-time spatial measurement algorithms calculating distances, angles, slopes, and surface areas with sub-centimeter accuracy; (2) Virtual object placement system allowing users to position digital representations of recovery equipment (trailers, containment vessels, protective barriers) within the real environment; (3) Voice recording and annotation system for hands-free documentation in protective equipment; (4) 3D mesh capture and storage capabilities for post-operation analysis and regulatory documentation. (5) Procedure documentation is available for viewing in Mixed Reality, providing an innovative and convenient way to access the information during pre-visit and inspection activities. (6) Support for screen capture for the view for real world and virtual objects together to use it later for planning. The system integrates computer vision techniques for environmental understanding, spatial mathematics for precise measurements, and human-computer interaction principles optimized for hazardous environment operations. Data persistence allows teams to save and share planning sessions across multiple stakeholders while maintaining operational security requirements.

Khadka, Rajiv [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Id↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental study of multiple-orientation muon tomography with image optimization in sparse data environments

Due to the high penetrating power of cosmic-ray muons, they can be used to probe very thick and dense objects. As muons are charged particles, they can be tracked by ionization detectors, determining the position and direction of the muons. With detectors on either side of an object to measure particle direction change, scattering information within the object can be found. This can be used to produce a scattering-intensity image within the object related to density and atomic number. Such imaging is typically performed with a single detector-object orientation, taking advantage of the more intense downward flux of muons, producing planar imaging with some depth-of-field information in the third dimension. Several simulation studies were published with multiorientation tomography, which can form a three-dimensional representation faster than a single-orientation view. In this study, experimental muon-scatter-based tomography was performed using a concrete filled steel drum with several different metal wedges inside, with the drum between detector planes. Data were collected from different detector-object orientations by rotating the steel drum. The data collected from each orientation were combined using two different tomographic methods. A traditional inverse Radon transform approach used for computed tomography and a combination of multiple depth-of-field reconstructions were applied to the data. As cosmic-ray muon flux imaging is rate limited, the imaging techniques were compared for sparse data. Using the combined depth-of-field reconstruction technique, fewer detector-object orientations were needed to reconstruct images that could be used to differentiate the metal wedges.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Performance prediction applying different reduced turbulence models to the SMART tokamak

The SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak (SMART) is currently being commissioned at the University of Seville and will be able to compare the performance of positive and negative triangularity plasmas at low aspect ratio. Predictive simulations have been performed for different machine scenarios and heating schemes using the TRANSP code. The objectives of these simulations are to predict the parameters expected in positive triangularity plasmas, to guide diagnostic development, and to validate transport models. Several reduced turbulence models have been used to predict electron and ion temperatures for the operational phase 2. All models provide similar results from approximately mid-radius to the separatrix but important discrepancies are found in the core region. These positive triangularity results are compared with experiments from a similar size machine like GLOBUS-M2. The multi-mode model (MMM) shows the best agreement. Simulations with different boundary conditions have been performed and no strong differences have been observed between them. The impact of neutral beam injection (NBI) on the predicted profiles has also been addressed. Rotation reduces turbulence levels so higher temperatures are achieved when included in the simulations. Studying the different contributions to the thermal diffusivities, it is observed that electron temperature gradient (ETG) turbulence dominates at the plasma core while micro-tearing modes (MTM) dominate at the edge in the electron channel. In the ion channel, the neoclassical contribution is dominant at the core and at the very edge while the Weiland component, which includes ion temperature gradient mode (ITG), trapped electron mode (TEM), kinetic ballooning mode (KBM), peeling mode (PM) and collisionless and collision dominated magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes governs the mid-radius region. For phase 3, two plasmas with different electron densities have been studied. The case with lower density matches well a specific discharge of GLOBUS-M2. The higher density plasma shows high performance with β N ≈ 3.8.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗