32-01   COMMUNICATION SATELLITES
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
A Survey of Satellite Communications System Vulnerabilities
Document ID:
20090003607
Report #:
AD-A487592, AFIT/GA/ENG/08-01
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Steinberger, Jessica A
Published:
20080601
Source:
Joint Electronic Warfare Center (Kelly AFB, TX United States)
Pages:
140
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The U.S. military's increasing reliance on commercial and military communications satellites to enable widely-dispersed, mobile forces to communicate makes these space assets increasingly vulnerable to attack by adversaries. Attacks on these satellites could cause military communications to become unavailable at critical moments during a conflict. This research dissected a typical satellite communications system in order to provide an understanding of the possible attacker entry points into the system, to determine the vulnerabilities associated with each of these access points, and to analyze the possible impacts of these vulnerabilities to U.S. military operations. By understanding these vulnerabilities of U.S. communications satellite systems, methods can be developed to mitigate these threats and protect future systems. This research concluded that the satellite antenna is the most vulnerable component of the satellite communications system's space segment. The antenna makes the satellite vulnerable to intentional attacks such as: RF jamming, spoofing, meaconing, and deliberate physical attack. The most vulnerable Earth segment component was found to be the Earth station network, which incorporates both Earth station and NOC vulnerabilities. Earth segment vulnerabilities include RF jamming, deliberate physical attack, and Internet connection vulnerabilities. The most vulnerable user segment components were found to be the SSPs and PoPs. SSPs are subject to the vulnerabilities of the services offered, the vulnerabilities of Internet connectivity, and the vulnerabilities associated with operating the VSAT central hub. PoPs are susceptible to the vulnerabilities of the PoP routers, the vulnerabilities of Internet and Intranet connectivity, and the vulnerabilities associated with cellular network access.
Language:
English



32-02   COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Hastily-Formed Networks for First Responders
Document ID:
20090002196
Report #:
AD-A486824
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Singh, Gurminder
Published:
20080601
Source:
Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA United States)
Pages:
25
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
First responders who participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions have many special requirements which are not common in normal civilian operations. These include the ability to get going with their mission with minimal infrastructure tight-loop and frequent communication, light-weight equipment, ability to scale-up the team when needed, and finally, the longest-running and lightest power source for their equipment. We present a system called TwiddleNet, which harnesses the power of mobile devices, primarily smart phones, to enable 1) instant content capture and publish, 2) full owner control of content, and 3) search, view and download of content. TwiddleNet is most useful for first-responder networking and information sharing tasks which require immediate content capture and dissemination. TwiddleNet can be scaled up or down depending on the needs of the mission. The entire system can be run on handheld devices to support a small first-responder team, or on a mix of handheld devices and server-class computers to link together a large number of smartphones sharing images, music, videos and mobile-blogs. TwiddleNet is designed to support the first 48-72 hours of first responder missions. As a result, TwiddleNet assumes little infrastructure and provides sufficient redundancy to operate on alternate mechanisms.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (13th) (ICCRTS 2008) held in Seattle, WA on 17-19 Jun 2008. Document includes briefing charts (14 slides, title same as paper). The original document contains color images


Title:
Accuracy Assessment and Correction of Vaisala RS92 Radiosonde Water Vapor Measurements
Document ID:
20090002204
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 Copyright
Author(s):
Whiteman, David N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Miloshevich, Larry M. (National Center for Atmospheric Research) Vomel, Holger (Colorado Univ.) Leblanc, Thierry (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.)
Published:
20080101 Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
61
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Relative humidity (RH) measurements from Vaisala RS92 radiosondes are widely used in both research and operational applications, although the measurement accuracy is not well characterized as a function of its known dependences on height, RH, and time of day (or solar altitude angle). This study characterizes RS92 mean bias error as a function of its dependences by comparing simultaneous measurements from RS92 radiosondes and from three reference instruments of known accuracy. The cryogenic frostpoint hygrometer (CFH) gives the RS92 accuracy above the 700 mb level; the ARM microwave radiometer gives the RS92 accuracy in the lower troposphere; and the ARM SurTHref system gives the RS92 accuracy at the surface using 6 RH probes with NIST-traceable calibrations. These RS92 assessments are combined using the principle of Consensus Referencing to yield a detailed estimate of RS92 accuracy from the surface to the lowermost stratosphere. An empirical bias correction is derived to remove the mean bias error, yielding corrected RS92 measurements whose mean accuracy is estimated to be +/-3% of the measured RH value for nighttime soundings and +/-4% for daytime soundings, plus an RH offset uncertainty of +/-0.5%RH that is significant for dry conditions. The accuracy of individual RS92 soundings is further characterized by the 1-sigma "production variability," estimated to be +/-1.5% of the measured RH value. The daytime bias correction should not be applied to cloudy daytime soundings, because clouds affect the solar radiation error in a complicated and uncharacterized way.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Journal of Geophysical Research.


Title:
Demonstration of Aerosol Property Profiling by Multi-wavelength Lidar Under Varying Relative Humidity Conditions
Document ID:
20090002228
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 Copyright
Author(s):
Whiteman, D.N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Veselovskii, I. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Kolgotin, A. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Korenskii, M. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Andrews, E. (Colorado Univ.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
52
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The feasibility of using a multi-wavelength Mie-Raman lidar based on a tripled Nd:YAG laser for profiling aerosol physical parameters in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) is studied. The lidar quantifies three aerosol backscattering and two extinction coefficients and from these optical data the particle parameters such as concentration, size and complex refractive index are retrieved through inversion with regularization. The column-integrated, lidar-derived parameters are compared with results from the AERONET sun photometer. The lidar and sun photometer agree well in the characterization of the fine mode parameters, however the lidar shows less sensitivity to coarse mode. The lidar results reveal a strong dependence of particle properties on RH. The height regions with enhanced RH are characterized by an increase of backscattering and extinction coefficient and a decrease in the Angstrom exponent coinciding with an increase in the particle size. We present data selection techniques useful for selecting cases that can support the calculation of hygroscopic growth parameters using lidar. Hygroscopic growth factors calculated using these techniques agree with expectations despite the lack of co-located radiosonde data. Despite this limitation, the results demonstrate the potential of multi-wavelength Raman lidar technique for study of aerosol humidification process.
Language:
English
Notes:
Submitted to the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology


Title:
Integrated Circuit Chip Improves Network Efficiency
Document ID:
20090002468
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002468
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 144-145
Published:
20080901
Source:
BAE Systems (United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Prior to 1999 and the development of SpaceWire, a standard for high-speed links for computer networks managed by the European Space Agency (ESA), there was no high-speed communications protocol for flight electronics. Onboard computers, processing units, and other electronics had to be designed for individual projects and then redesigned for subsequent projects, which increased development periods, costs, and risks. After adopting the SpaceWire protocol in 2000, NASA implemented the standard on the Swift mission, a gamma ray burst-alert telescope launched in November 2004. Scientists and developers on the James Webb Space Telescope further developed the network version of SpaceWire. In essence, SpaceWire enables more science missions at a lower cost, because it provides a standard interface between flight electronics components; new systems need not be custom built to accommodate individual missions, so electronics can be reused. New protocols are helping to standardize higher layers of computer communication. Goddard Space Flight Center improved on the ESA-developed SpaceWire by enabling standard protocols, which included defining quality of service and supporting plug-and-play capabilities. Goddard upgraded SpaceWire to make the routers more efficient and reliable, with features including redundant cables, simultaneous discrete broadcast pulses, prevention of network blockage, and improved verification. Redundant cables simplify management because the user does not need to worry about which connection is available, and simultaneous broadcast signals allow multiple users to broadcast low-latency side-band signal pulses across the network using the same resources for data communication. Additional features have been added to the SpaceWire switch to prevent network blockage so that more robust networks can be designed. Goddard s verification environment for the link-and-switch implementation continuously randomizes and tests different parts, constantly anticipating situations, which helps improve communications reliability. It has been tested in many different implementations for compatibility.
Language:
English


Title:
Optical air data systems and methods
Document ID:
20090002656
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002656
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Caldwell, Loren M. O'Brien, Martin J. Weimer, Carl S. Nelson, Loren D.
Published:
20080715
Source:
Ophir Corp. (Littleton, CO United States)
Pages:
23
Contract #:
NAS4-0243
Abstract:
Systems and methods for sensing air outside a moving aircraft are presented. In one embodiment, a system includes a laser for generating laser energy. The system also includes one or more transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. Subsequently, each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines one or more air parameters based on the scattered laser radiation. Such air parameters may include air speed, air pressure, air temperature and aircraft orientation angle, such as yaw, angle of attack and sideslip.
Language:
English
Notes:
This application is a continuation and claims benefit of priority to commonly-owned and U.S. patent appl. Ser. No. 10/632,735, filed 1 Aug. 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,894,768 which claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 60/400,462, filed Aug. 2, 2002. Both of the above-mentioned applications are incorporated herein by reference


Title:
Directional microwave applicator and methods
Document ID:
20090002665
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002665
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Fink, Patrick W. Lin, Greg Y. Chu, Andrew W. Dobbins, Justin A. Arndt, G. Dickey Ngo, Phong H.
Published:
20080812
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
22
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A miniature microwave antenna is disclosed which may be utilized for biomedical applications such as, for example, radiation induced hyperthermia through catheter systems. One feature of the antenna is that it possesses azimuthal directionality despite its small size. This directionality permits targeting of certain tissues while limiting thermal exposure of adjacent tissue. One embodiment has an outer diameter of about 0.095'' (2.4 mm) but the design permits for smaller diameters.
Language:
English


Title:
AN/FMQ-12 Digital Ionospheric Sounding Systems in Greenland. Phase 3
Document ID:
20090003224
Report #:
AD-A487691
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487691
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Watermann, Jurgen Gleisner, Hans
Published:
20080429
Source:
Danish Meteorological Inst. (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Pages:
6
Contract #:
FA8655-05-C-4082
Abstract:
This report results from a contract tasking Danish Meteorological Institute as follows: The Grantee will study the polar ionosphere and develop data to correlate variances of space and atmospheric electromagnetic transmission as well as operation of space and airborne systems. The contractor will use the existing US Government Furnished Digital Ionospheric Sounding System (DISS or three AN/FMQ-12 ionospheric sounders) in Qaanaaq 77 deg 28 min N 69 deg 13 min W, Sondre Stromfjord/Kangerlussuaq 66 deg 55 min N 51 deg 07 min W, and Narsarsuaq 61 deg 20 min N 45 deg 21 min W Greenland. These sounders have been delivered, installed, and operated under State Department Permit to Operate, Permit Number 512-202, valid from 01 Jan 2004 through 31 Dec 2009 titled "Polar Cap and Auroral Ionospheric Dynamics - Satellite and Ground-Based Studies." At the conclusion of this contract, all US Government Furnished Equipment will remain the property of the United States. DMI will provide the following resources and services: 1) Operate the DISS in a combination of routine and special purpose modes: 2) Support the maintenance of DISS in cooperation with AFRL/VSBXI and the primary maintenance contractor. Specifically, DMI will 3) Analysis and quality control of the data obtained from the DISS and other sensors. 4) Provide copies upon request of any or all, raw or processed data gathered by the DISS in a form electronically compatible with AFRL/VS.
Language:
English


Title:
The Modal Decomposition of the Quality Factor of an Antenna in Prolate Spheroidal Coordinates
Document ID:
20090003298
Report #:
AD-A487968, SSC/SD-TR-1969
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487968
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Adams, R C Hansen, P M
Published:
20080901
Source:
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (San Diego, CA United States)
Pages:
61
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This report discusses extending the results for prolate spheroids by including higher order modes and finding the sum of modes giving the minimum radiation Q. There is no coupling between odd and even modes, but there is coupling between the lowest order even modes. The report also presents a simple result for the values of the degree of mixing of modes 2, 4, and 6 that minimizes Q(sub r).
Language:
English


Title:
VoIP Softphones
Document ID:
20090003365
Report #:
AD-A487142
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487142
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Premeaux, David
Published:
20080401
Source:
Army Information Systems Engineering Support Activity (Fort Huachuca, AZ United States)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provides the user with an opportunity to combine the use of a telephone with a personal computer (PC) into what is known as a Softphone. A Softphone allows users to place and receive calls using a PC. This article covers what a Softphone is and its issues, such as quality of service and security, which affect Softphones. The Technical Integration Center (TIC) currently does not recommend significant use of Softphones in the Army due to security and certification issues.
Language:
English
Notes:
Published in CrossTalk: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering, v21 n4 p23-26, April 2008



32-03   COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Effects of Visual Communication Tool and Separable Status Display on Team Performance and Subjective Workload in Air Battle Management
Document ID:
20090002146
Report #:
AD-A486735
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Schwartz, Daniel Knott, Benjamin A Galster, Scott M
Published:
20080601
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
19
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Tactical Air Battle Managers, such as AWACS Weapons Directors (WDs), perform as a team to effect command and control (C2) of assigned forces by planning, organizing, and directing operations. Specifically, AWACS WDs must coordinate offensive counter-air, defensive counter-air, and air refueling operations. AWACS WD teams accomplish their C2 function through networked collaboration that is typically supported by monitoring multiple radio communications channels under conditions of moderate to high ambient cabin noise while performing several visual and manual tasks. The purpose of this study is to compare team performance and subjective workload on a simulated AWACS scenario, for two conditions of communication (Voice-only, and Voice augmented with a Visual Communication Tool), and using two supplementary display conditions (Separable Status Display and No-Separable Status Display). Team performance measures on the AWACS scenario include (1) the percentage of enemy targets that were allowed to penetrate friendly airspace, (2) the percentage of high value assets destroyed (i.e., the air base, infantry units, and tanker aircraft), (3) the percentage of fighter assets that were lost due to fuel depletion or enemy attack, (4) the average time of enemy target prosecution.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (13th), held in Seattle, WA, on 17-19 June 2008. The original document contains color images


Title:
Network Science: Observations from the Omni Fusion 2007 Digital Warfighter Exercise Simulation Experiment
Document ID:
20090002148
Report #:
AD-A486737
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Thomas, Jeffrey A
Published:
20080601
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD United States)
Pages:
15
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Net-centric operations depend on the development of coherent systems of interacting networks using rapidly evolving information technologies, doctrine, and training paradigms (National Research Council, 2005). To this end, research and experimentation are required to understand the organizational processes and procedures required to enable network command and control (C2). This paper details the application of network science to understand human network interactions in a recent command and control simulation experiment, the Omni Fusion 2007 Experiment/Digital Warfighting Exercise Block III simulation exercise (SIMEX). This paper describes research and analyses about the promulgation of situation awareness (SA) and understanding throughout a Division and subordinate Brigade organizations. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to help determine the structure of human relations and to express that structure in network form. The SA data collected and the results from the SNA, taken together, assisted in understanding organizational networks, networking technology capabilities, and intra-and inter-team processes facilitating the development of SA among distributed and collocated commanders and staff within the refined modular division.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (13th), held in Seattle, WA, on 17-19 June 2008. The original document contains color images


Title:
Enabling Adaptive C2 via Semantic Communication and Smart Push: A Model-based Network Communication Approach
Document ID:
20090002179
Report #:
AD-A486792
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Oros, Carl
Published:
20080601
Source:
Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA United States)
Pages:
39
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Fundamental to the concept of Network Centric Warfare lies the precept that shared awareness, collaboration, and self-synchronization can be attained through the networking of knowledgeable, geographically and hierarchically dispersed entities. The DoD GIG Architecture Vision is the prime policy directive chosen to realize this goal. Consistent with the tenants of NCW, the GIG architecture framework envisions highly responsive, agile, adaptable, and information-centric operations. These desirable net-centric attributes are prescribed to be implemented via a Smart Pull methodology. However, a pull architecture not only must contend with the demands of disseminating diverse, timely information to numerous entities, but more importantly it must address the cognitive bandwidth limitations inherent to users searching for, discovering, and pulling contextually relevant, mission critical information. This paper provides an alternative operationalized Model-based C2 network approach where entities share a dynamic model of the environment and information is smartly Pushed via VIRT services to relevant entities when user defined Conditions of Interest occur. Mission thread semantics are used to generate an ontology that supports a contextually rich data structure capable of supporting the information requirements of diverse actors and entities united in the endeavor.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (ICCRTS 2008) (13th), held in Seattle, WA, on 17-19 June 2008. Document includes briefing charts in addition to text. The original document contains color images


Title:
Hastily-Formed Networks for First Responders
Document ID:
20090002196
Report #:
AD-A486824
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Singh, Gurminder
Published:
20080601
Source:
Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA United States)
Pages:
25
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
First responders who participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions have many special requirements which are not common in normal civilian operations. These include the ability to get going with their mission with minimal infrastructure tight-loop and frequent communication, light-weight equipment, ability to scale-up the team when needed, and finally, the longest-running and lightest power source for their equipment. We present a system called TwiddleNet, which harnesses the power of mobile devices, primarily smart phones, to enable 1) instant content capture and publish, 2) full owner control of content, and 3) search, view and download of content. TwiddleNet is most useful for first-responder networking and information sharing tasks which require immediate content capture and dissemination. TwiddleNet can be scaled up or down depending on the needs of the mission. The entire system can be run on handheld devices to support a small first-responder team, or on a mix of handheld devices and server-class computers to link together a large number of smartphones sharing images, music, videos and mobile-blogs. TwiddleNet is designed to support the first 48-72 hours of first responder missions. As a result, TwiddleNet assumes little infrastructure and provides sufficient redundancy to operate on alternate mechanisms.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (13th) (ICCRTS 2008) held in Seattle, WA on 17-19 Jun 2008. Document includes briefing charts (14 slides, title same as paper). The original document contains color images


Title:
Performance Measures for Edge Organizations: A Preliminary Report
Document ID:
20090002220
Report #:
AD-A486876
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Desouza, Kevin C Roy, Sumit Lin, Yuan
Published:
20080306
Source:
Washington Univ. (Seattle, WA United States)
Pages:
49
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Taking an information-processing view of organizations, we address the need for building a robust set of performance measures for Edge Organizations (EOs). Alberts and Hayes in Power to the Edge: Command, Control in the Information Age conceptualized EOs as information-intensive entities whose performance is directly related to their ability for agile information processing. We ask the question, how can we measure the information-processing capacities of EOs? To this end, in this research-in-progress paper, we examine (1) the technical dimension of information flows, (2) the human dimension of information flows, and (3) the socio-technical dimensions of information flows. The technical dimension represents movement of information between two machine nodes and can be informed by drawing on performance measures for telecommunications network theory. The social dimension represents the movement of information between two human nodes for which we examine the literature on social networks for performance measures. Finally, the socio-technical dimension represents movement of information between human and technical nodes or vice versa. To develop measures for these information flows we must not only extend, and customize, the performance measures from telecommunications networks and social networks, but also draw on measures in the disciplines of decision sciences, information sciences, and organizational science, among others.
Language:
English
Notes:
Sponsored in part by Office of the Director of National Intelligence and National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. The original document contains color images


Title:
Specific Communication Network Measure Distribution Estimation
Document ID:
20090002227
Report #:
AD-A486892
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Baller, Daniel P Lospinoso, Joshua
Published:
20080617
Source:
Military Academy (West Point, NY United States)
Pages:
31
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A new method is proposed to estimate the probability distribution of specific communication network measures. Real world communication networks are dynamic and vary based on an underlying social network, thus reliably estimating network measures is challenging. Two individuals that are socially connected may communicate several times one day, and not at all on another, yet their basic relationship remains unchanged. In this situation, estimates of network measures, such as density, degree centrality and others may be severely affected by the occurrence or absence of observed communication ties between individuals. The communication network of a group of mid-career Army officers is modeled from empirical data using the network probability matrix (NPM) proposed by McCulloh and Lospinoso (2007). The NPM provides a framework to model a communication network by estimating the edge probabilities between two individuals in a network. This framework can model a specific social group regardless of their network topology: random, small-world, scale-free, cellular, etc. Monte Carlo simulation is used with the NPM to generate 100,000 instances of the communication network. A statistical distribution is fit to the density measure. Using this probability distribution, statistically significant changes in density can be detected.
Language:
English


Title:
Applying Frequency-Domain Equalization to Code-Division Multiple Access and Transform-Domain Communications Systems
Document ID:
20090002268
Report #:
AD-A487015, AFIT/GE/ENG/08-33
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Tamayo, III, Alfred A
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
73
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This research examined the theory and application of using discrete multi-tone (DMT) frequency-domain equalization (FEQ) with communications systems that inherently possess null-tones in their respective transmission frequencies. DMT-FEQ relies on null-tones to equalize a non-ideal channel. A Hadamard encoded code division multiple access (CDMA) communications system with up to 32 synchronous users and a transform domain communications system (TDCS) with one user were investigated. Both communications systems were simulated while operating with real channel data corrupted by noise. Simulation results showed that the Hadamard encoded CDMA system worked well with DMT-FEQ only when the transmission signal obeyed DMT-FEQ null-tone conditions in conjunction with a vector estimation method. Simulation results also showed that modifications to TDCS with a conjugate-symmetric phase component in conjunction with a modified spectral mask with consecutive null-tones and forced null-tones provided acceptable results when equalizing with DMT-FEQ.
Language:
English


Title:
The Common MANET Framework
Document ID:
20090002444
Report #:
AD-A486704
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486704
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Frazier, Gregory
Published:
20080901
Source:
BAE Systems National Security Solution, Inc. (Burlington, MA United States)
Pages:
25
Contract #:
FA8750-07-C-0154
Abstract:
This effort researched, developed and demonstrated a Common Mobile Ad-hoc Networking (MANET) framework (CMF) to provide a uniform abstraction for wireless discovery, communication, and routing of network traffic over heterogeneous transmission technologies. The application program interface (API) supports the development of MANET-appropriate Internet Protocol (IP)- based applications and also provides observability and controlability interfaces to the CMF. The research uses two complementary algorithms: one uses application behavior to identify initial routes (Application Informed Routing AIR) and the other maintains and improves those routes over time (Dynamic Virtual Circuits (DVCs). In combination, these algorithms allow wireless routing to scale O (1) with respect to MANET size. The effort enables efficient routing for arbitrary sized MANETs. The Application Program Interface and Transmission Layer Interface allow multiple transmission technologies to interoperate, shielding both the applications and system administrators from having to address the heterogeneity.
Language:
English


Title:
Software Simulates Sight: Flat Panel Mura Detection
Document ID:
20090002490
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002490
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 136-137
Published:
20080901
Source:
Radiant Images, Inc. (Duvall, WA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In the increasingly sophisticated world of high-definition flat screen monitors and television screens, image clarity and the elimination of distortion are paramount concerns. As the devices that reproduce images become more and more sophisticated, so do the technologies that verify their accuracy. By simulating the manner in which a human eye perceives and interprets a visual stimulus, NASA scientists have found ways to automatically and accurately test new monitors and displays. The Spatial Standard Observer (SSO) software metric, developed by Dr. Andrew B. Watson at Ames Research Center, measures visibility and defects in screens, displays, and interfaces. In the design of such a software tool, a central challenge is determining which aspects of visual function to include while accuracy and generality are important, relative simplicity of the software module is also a key virtue. Based on data collected in ModelFest, a large cooperative multi-lab project hosted by the Optical Society of America, the SSO simulates a simplified model of human spatial vision, operating on a pair of images that are viewed at a specific viewing distance with pixels having a known relation to luminance. The SSO measures the visibility of foveal spatial patterns, or the discriminability of two patterns, by incorporating only a few essential components of vision. These components include local contrast transformation, a contrast sensitivity function, local masking, and local pooling. By this construction, the SSO provides output in units of "just noticeable differences" (JND) a unit of measure based on the assumed smallest difference of sensory input detectable by a human being. Herein is the truly amazing ability of the SSO, while conventional methods can manipulate images, the SSO models human perception. This set of equations actually defines a mathematical way of working with an image that accurately reflects the way in which the human eye and mind behold a stimulus. The SSO is intended for a wide variety of applications, such as evaluating vision from unmanned aerial vehicles, measuring visibility of damage to aircraft and to the space shuttles, predicting outcomes of corrective laser eye surgery, inspecting displays during the manufacturing process, estimating the quality of compressed digital video, evaluating legibility of text, and predicting discriminability of icons or symbols in a graphical user interface.
Language:
English


Title:
Wireless Fluid-Level Measurement System Equips Boat Owners
Document ID:
20090002516
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002516
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 90-91
Published:
20080901
Source:
Tidewater Sensors LLC (New Port News, VA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
While developing a measurement acquisition system to be used to retrofit aging aircraft with vehicle health monitoring capabilities, Langley Research Center developed an innovative wireless fluid-level measurement system. The NASA technology was of interest to Tidewater Sensors LLC, of Newport News, Virginia, because of its many advantages over conventional fuel management systems, including its ability to provide an accurate measurement of volume while a boat is experiencing any rocking motion due to waves or people moving about on the boat. These advantages led the company to license this novel fluid-level measurement system from NASA for marine applications.
Language:
English


Title:
Configuration of Wireless Cooperative/Sensor Networks
Document ID:
20090003233
Report #:
AD-A487709
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487709
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Shafiee, Hamid R Maham, B Vazifehdan, J
Published:
20080525
Source:
American Univ. (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Pages:
34
Contract #:
FA8655-07-1-3040
Abstract:
This report results from a contract tasking American University in Dubai as follows: The use of spatial diversity is an effective way to counter the adverse effects of fading in wireless channels. When employing more than one antenna at each node of a wireless network is not applicable, cooperation diversity protocols exploit the inherent spatial diversity of relay channels by allowing mobile terminals to cooperate and form virtual antenna arrays. In such cooperative networks, the use of relay terminals helps to transmit information from a source node to its destination. This strategy is especially imperative in sensor networks where the transmission power for each station has to be kept to a minimum to save battery life. Depending on how a partner station is used, two classes of cooperative diversity protocols can be defined, namely static and dynamic architectures. In static protocols, M relay terminals are used, each of which forward the message they receive from the source. Here, M is a pre-determined fixed value. In dynamic configurations, on the other hand, each relay terminal forwards its received message only upon request from the destination terminal. In such cases, the number of relay terminals is not preset in advance. It is thus possible, that the source node uses one or more terminals or none at all. The purpose of this research work is to devise suitable algorithms for configuring a cooperative/sensor network.
Language:
English


Title:
Location-Aware Cooperative Communications utilizing Linear Network Coding
Document ID:
20090003241
Report #:
AD-A487735
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487735
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Lai, Hung-Quoc Ibrahim, Ahmed S Liu, K J
Published:
20080101
Source:
Army Communications-Electronics Command (Fort Monmouth, NJ United States)
Pages:
6
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Cooperative communication can be used to reduce the transmit power of distant mobile units, compared to conventional direct transmission, given the same quality-of-service. However, imposing the constraint of having orthogonal transmission for the source and relays leads to large delay in TDMA systems. For a network of N mobile units, the transmission delay would be N(N +1)/2. In this work, we propose a location-aware cooperation-based scheme that aims to reduce transmit power of distant mobile units while maintaining a low transmission delay. The scheme utilizes a linear network coding protocol, where each mobile unit applies linear network coding to a set of transmit symbols that it has received previously. At the base station, multiuser detection is used to decouple the transmit symbols. Both decode-and-forward and amplify-and-forward cooperative protocols are considered. We show that our proposed scheme achieves a comparable bit-error-rate performance with the conventional cooperation-based TDMA scheme while requiring a delay of (2N - 1) time slots, a substantial reduction in the transmission delay.
Language:
English


Title:
Scheduling in Multi-Channel Wireless Networks with Limited Information
Document ID:
20090003352
Report #:
AD-A487104
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487104
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Bhandari, Vartika Vaidya, Nitin H
Published:
20080210
Source:
Illinois Univ. (Urbana-Champaign, IL United States)
Pages:
20
Contract #:
W911NF-05-1-0246 CNS-06-27074
Abstract:
The availability of multiple orthogonal channels in a wireless network can potentially lead to substantial performance improvement by alleviating contention and interference. However, this also gives rise to non-trivial channel coordination issues. The situation is exacerbated by variability in the achievable data-rates across channels and links. Thus, scheduling in such networks may require substantial information-exchange and lead to non-negligible overhead. This provides a strong motivation for the study of scheduling algorithms that can operate with limited information, while still providing acceptable worst-case performance guarantees. In this paper, we make an effort in this direction, by examining the scheduling implications of multiple channels, and heterogeneity in channel-rates. We establish lower bounds on performance of a class of maximal schedulers, and describe a scheduler that require limited information-exchange between nodes. We first demonstrate that when the underlying scheduling mechanism is "imperfect", the presence of multiple orthogonal channels can help alleviate the detrimental impact of the imperfect scheduler, and yield a significantly better efficiency-ratio in a wide range of network topologies. We then establish performance bounds for a scheduler than can achieve good efficiency-ratios in the presence of channels with heterogeneous rates without requiring explicit exchange of queue-information. Our results indicate that it may be possible to achieve a desirable trade-off between performance and information.
Language:
English


Title:
An Investigation into the Advantages, Mechanisms, and Developmental Challenges of Scripted Mobile Routing
Document ID:
20090003361
Report #:
AD-A487123, AFIT/GCS/ENG/08-13
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487123
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Jang, Boyeon
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
68
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) routing protocols provide routing solutions in mobile wireless networks, without assuming any prior knowledge of topology nor any prediction of future topology. However, the resulting routes suffer from delay and consume precious bandwidth. Perfectly scripted routing could theoretically be optimal, (i.e., introduce no delay and cost no additional bandwidth), but would naturally be very fragile. This thesis explores a merging of these approaches, following a routing script if and when available, but reverting to a robust recovery approach otherwise. Script-Assisted Ad Hoc On-demand Distance Vector (S-AODV) routing protocol is designed to take advantage of prior knowledge of topology to improve performance in a MANET, better utilizing available bandwidth. S-AODV uses pre-simulation to build a script to substitute for the route discovery process, avoiding delay and bandwidth penalties. Before sending any Route Request Packets (RREQs) to find a route, S-AODV consults the script. If the data exists, it updates the routing table. If not then it broadcasts RREQs like AODV routing protocol. Using this approach, S-AODV enjoys reduced the routing traffic and route discovery times. S-AODV is compared with Ad Hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol. S-AODV provides better performance in reducing routing traffic, route discovery time, and end-to-end delay. Also, S-AODV has better throughput in most scenarios except the environment in fast movement or heavy traffic loads.
Language:
English


Title:
Defeating 802.11 Wireless Networks
Document ID:
20090003394
Report #:
AD-A487251, AFIT/ICW/ENG/08-01
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487251
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Cosnowski, Charles R
Published:
20080601
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
56
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Homeland Security of the United States is constantly under threat of attack from terrorist organizations. A variable and current terrorist threat is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as weapons of mass destruction. These UAVs can be built simply and cheaply from commercial off the shelf (COTS) parts and are typically controlled using standard radio control (RC) technology. An emerging technology that is being implemented to control and communicate with UAVs is the 802.11 wireless network protocol or Wi-Fi. This project discusses various portions of the Wi-Fi protocol and analyzes the protocol to determine techniques for first detecting and then defeating wireless networks utilizing the protocol through denial or deception. The first set of techniques presented defeats a network through denial. These denial techniques are divided into two categories: broad area denial techniques and specific network denial techniques. After denial techniques are discussed a process for decieving an 802.11 wireless network is presented.
Language:
English


Title:
A Survey of Satellite Communications System Vulnerabilities
Document ID:
20090003607
Report #:
AD-A487592, AFIT/GA/ENG/08-01
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Steinberger, Jessica A
Published:
20080601
Source:
Joint Electronic Warfare Center (Kelly AFB, TX United States)
Pages:
140
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The U.S. military's increasing reliance on commercial and military communications satellites to enable widely-dispersed, mobile forces to communicate makes these space assets increasingly vulnerable to attack by adversaries. Attacks on these satellites could cause military communications to become unavailable at critical moments during a conflict. This research dissected a typical satellite communications system in order to provide an understanding of the possible attacker entry points into the system, to determine the vulnerabilities associated with each of these access points, and to analyze the possible impacts of these vulnerabilities to U.S. military operations. By understanding these vulnerabilities of U.S. communications satellite systems, methods can be developed to mitigate these threats and protect future systems. This research concluded that the satellite antenna is the most vulnerable component of the satellite communications system's space segment. The antenna makes the satellite vulnerable to intentional attacks such as: RF jamming, spoofing, meaconing, and deliberate physical attack. The most vulnerable Earth segment component was found to be the Earth station network, which incorporates both Earth station and NOC vulnerabilities. Earth segment vulnerabilities include RF jamming, deliberate physical attack, and Internet connection vulnerabilities. The most vulnerable user segment components were found to be the SSPs and PoPs. SSPs are subject to the vulnerabilities of the services offered, the vulnerabilities of Internet connectivity, and the vulnerabilities associated with operating the VSAT central hub. PoPs are susceptible to the vulnerabilities of the PoP routers, the vulnerabilities of Internet and Intranet connectivity, and the vulnerabilities associated with cellular network access.
Language:
English


Title:
Human Performance in Extreme Environments
Document ID:
20090004160
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 Copyright
Author(s):
Williams, Sunita (NASA Johnson Space Center) Fiedler, Edna R. (Baylor Coll. of Medicine) Harrison, Albert A. (California Univ.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
33
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Even on a bad day, looking down from orbit is a powerful and enjoyable experience, enhanced by the knowledge that time in orbit represents only a tiny fraction of one's life. You look down at Earth and you feel a sense of peace and solidarity. You look at the stars, and because they are not obscured by atmosphere, they are far more abundant than you realized, and they shine very bright. Later on you will reflect on this as one of life's greatest moments. Today astronauts and a few wealthy space tourists have been able to experience staying on the International Space Station. As representatives of humankind in space, astronauts have to get out there and tell people what it's like, and to encourage successive generations of children to consider careers in space. Perhaps the more people who can experience this view, the nicer we will all be to one another. Astronauts must speak authoritatively, without arrogance or a lack of humility. Each astronaut is an emissary who can share his or her experiences and educate people who will not have the opportunity to fly in space. This chapter is a part of that communication process.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published by Ashgate Publishing Limited, Spring 2009 (approximate date) - Chapter 3 in the book)



32-04   TELEMETRY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Littoral Drifter for Sensing Properties of Shallow Waters and Sediments: Riverine Drifter Field Trials July 10, August 13 and September 10, 2008
Document ID:
20090003228
Report #:
AD-A487700, CII-20080925RD_FINALREPORT
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487700
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Williams, W G Centurioni, Luca
Published:
20081008
Source:
Clearwater Instrumentation, Inc. (Watertown, MA United States)
Pages:
70
Contract #:
N00014-07-C-0270
Abstract:
Shallow water environments that exist where rivers and estuaries meet the ocean are often characterized by regimes of energetic currents and shallow rapidly varying bathymetry which in the case of easily mobilized sediments can by spatially modified over short periods. The Riverine drifter has the observational tools to measure the characteristics of the estuarine environment. It combines the position accuracy of GPS locations, 3-dimensional current measuring ability of an Acoustic Doppler Profiling Current meter, depth and bottom characterization of high precision acoustic pinging, and high data rate Iridium telemetry. All of these capabilities are in a compact, stable drifter that weighs less than 10 pounds and that has a very low profile at the sea surface. In addition, this early model of the Riverine Drifter has internal storage that allows many hours of data to be stored and retrieved at a later time to facilitate development of sampling and analysis strategies. Riverine Drifter generates and internally records a torrent of high quality data describing the aquatic environment it drifts through. A distillation of this information is sent to the user in Iridium data messages sent every ten minutes. Riverine Drifter has been tested in the field in three deployments in Boston Harbor.
Language:
English



32-05   RADIO NOISE
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



32-06   COMMUNICATION THEORY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
The Human Dimension of Networks
Document ID:
20090002155
Report #:
AD-A486752
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
West, Bruce J Bowman, Elizabeth K Rivera, Brian
Published:
20080601
Source:
Army Research Office (Research Triangle Park, NC United States)
Pages:
33
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This paper describes a research plan that will examine the linkage between the physical and human (cognitive and social) domains of a network as they relate to human decision-making. This strategy has three components: theory, computation/simulation and experiment/observation. We will extend the most recent methods of statistical physics to non-stationary, renewal stochastic processes that appear to be characteristic of the interactions among nodes in complex networks and we will pursue the phenomenon of synchronization, whose mathematical formulation has recently provided insight into how complex networks reach accommodation and cooperation. The theoretical analyses of complex networks often elude analytic solutions and require large-scale simulation and computation to analyze the underlying dynamic process. We will use agent-based modeling to simulate the dynamics of such complex networks, particularly models of dynamic decision-making under conflicting constraints and with incomplete information. We will develop decision-making scenarios from which to extract large amounts of data for analysis, for the development of theoretical models and the construction of large-scale computer simulations, as well as, optimal data processing techniques to guide the theoretical analysis. We expect that the theory, computation/simulation and experiment/observation components will inform and refine one another in an iterative way through intense collaboration.
Language:
English


Title:
Network-Centric Command Decision Services (netCDS) for the Component Numbered Air Force (7th Air Force Korea and 13th Air Force)
Document ID:
20090002200
Report #:
AD-A486834
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Adkins, Mark Grosse, Geoff Baldwin, Richard Coats, Randy Kruse, John
Published:
20080601
Source:
Accenture National Security Services (Camden, NJ United States)
Pages:
26
Contract #:
N61339-06-C-0025
Abstract:
The structure of the United States Air Force is changing with Headquarters United States Air Force Program Directive 06-09, entitled "Implementation of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Direction to Establish Force Component Organization," As Component Number Air Forces (C-NAF) operationalize the directive, Command and Control systems must adapt with a network centric environment that supports distributed operations between the tactical and operational levels of war, to include reachback for shared resources and capabilities. C2 systems are required to enable the commanders to quickly focus on priority issues with appropriate and sufficient information to make decisions or to monitor tasks that the AFFOR Staff is executing. The AFFOR Staff requires enhanced situational awareness and collaboration capability to plan, monitor, and sustain operations. This requirement will enable the AFFOR staff to actively think and innovate with a focus on airpower analysis, planning, and execution - not a battle rhythm synchronized around static tools such as briefing slides and spreadsheets. This paper reports an action research case analysis of the employment of a network centric command decision service (netCDS) at the 7th and 13th Air Forces over an 18 to 24 month period. Critical guiding principals for this case analysis are the Network Centric Operations (NCO) framework, technology adoption and the Technology Transition Model as well as decision-making and human communication theories that can be used to examine and explain the behavior of users of network centric operation systems.
Language:
English


Title:
Holonic Scheduling Concepts for C2 Organizational Design for MHQ With MOC
Document ID:
20090002201
Report #:
AD-A486835
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Park, Chulwoo Kleinman, David L Pattipati, Krishna R
Published:
20080601
Source:
Connecticut Univ. (Storrs, CT United States)
Pages:
37
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to present a C2 holonic reference architecture (HRA) that is applicable to Navy maritime headquarters (MHQ) with maritime operations center (MOC) for assessing, planning and executing multiple missions and tasks across a range of military operations. The control architecture consists of three levels: strategic level control (SLC), operational level control (OLC) and tactical level control (TLC). In addition to coordination within each level, two specific coordination layers are identified at the SLC-OLC and the OLC-TLC interfaces. The SLC-OLC interface layer resolves coordination issues associated with selecting and managing multiple missions (simultaneous or sequential), while the OLC-TLC interface layer is used to resolve coordination and synchronization issues associated with asset allocation and task scheduling for each mission. The proposed architecture conforms with the concepts of centralized assessment and guidance, distributed and collaborative planning, and decentralized execution in that it employs centralized decision making at the strategic level, collaborative planning at the operational level, and negotiation mechanisms at the tactical level. We employ Markov decision process (MDP) approach to decide on missions to be executed and their sequences at the SLC-OLC layer (coordination of future plans), while group technology and a nested genetic algorithm-based multi-objective optimization techniques for asset allocation and task scheduling at the OLC-TLC layer (coordination of future operations and current operations).
Language:
English



33-01   RADAR EQUIPMENT
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Nowcasting in the GPM Era
Document ID:
20090002041
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Hou, Arthur Y. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080922
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission is an international satellite mission to unify and advance global precipitation measurements from a constellation of dedicated and operational microwave sensors. The GPM concept centers on the deployment of a Core Spacecraft in a non-Sun-synchronous orbit at 65' inclination carrying a dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) and a multi-frequency passive microwave radiometer (GMI) with high-frequency capabilities to serve as a precipitation physics observatory and calibration standard for the constellation radiometers. The baseline GPM constellation is envisioned to comprise conical-scanning microwave imagers (e.g., GMI, SSMIS, AMSR, MIS, MADRAS, GPM-Brazil) augmented with cross-track microwave temperaturelhumidity sounders (e.g., MHS, ATMS) over land. In addition to the Core Satellite, the GPM Mission will contribute a second GMI to be flown in a low-inclination (-40') non-Sun-synchronous orbit to improve near real-time monitoring of hurricanes. GPM is a science mission with integrated applications goals aimed at (1) advancing the knowledge of the global waterlenergy cycle variability and freshwater availability and (2) improving weather, climate, and hydrological prediction capabilities through more accurate and frequent measurements of global precipitation. The GPM Mission is currently a partnership between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with opportunities for additional partners in satellite constellation and ground validation activities. Within the framework of the inter-governmental Group ob Earth Observations (GEO) and Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), GPM has been identified as a cornerstone for the Precipitation Constellation (PC) being developed under the auspices of Committee of Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). The GPM Core Observatory is scheduled for launch in 201 3, followed by the launch of the GPM Low-Inclination Observatory in 2014. An overview of the GPM mission status, measurement capabilities, ground validation plans, and anticipated contributions to scientific research and societal applications with a special emphasis on nowcasting will be presented.
Language:
English
Notes:
10 Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Storms Nicosia 22-25 Sep. 2008


Title:
Targeting Pod Effects on Weapons Release from F-18C Hornet
Document ID:
20090002138
Report #:
AD-A486722, USNA-TSPR-366
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Godiksen III, William H
Published:
20080101
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
97
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In recent years, the capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the trajectories of stores has greatly expanded. In this study, a CFD code developed at NASA has been used to explain an unexpected flight test result in order to assess the accuracy of CFD as applied to store separation. In December of 1998 during routine bombing practice at Fallon, NV, an F-18C released a Mark 82 JDAM bomb which impacted the Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared Pod (TFLIR) on the aircraft fuselage. This trajectory was entirely unexpected as that flight condition had previously been cleared as safe for store release. It had been assumed that the addition of the TFLIR would not cause a significant change to the aircraft's flowfield; an assumption which proved inaccurate. This study was designed to investigate whether CFD analysis could predict and explain the results of the aforementioned flight, and to determine the efficacy of CFD to predict and explain the effects of three different targeting pods of different geometries all carried by the F-18C Hornet. The three pods examined in this study were the TFLIR, the ATFLIR, and the Litening pod. The TFLIR and ATFLIR are geometrically quite similar while the Litening pod is both longer and wider. Surprisingly, flight tests showed that the ATFLIR and TFLIR pods had significantly different effects on the aerodynamic loads created on the bomb. Initial speculation centered on the physical differences between the forward ends of the pods, but this research revealed that the most important aspect was the shape and placement of the rear end of the pods. The initial investigation analyzed the aerodynamic effects of each pod on a bomb located adjacent to the pod on the inboard pylon beneath the wing.
Language:
English


Title:
Increasing Combat Aircraft Survivability Through Coherent Self-Protection Jammers
Document ID:
20090002190
Report #:
AD-A486808, AFIT/GE/ENG/08-20, X5-NATO/C3/NL
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Oezer, Soner
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
90
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
When the battlefields were within the visual range, the objective of deception tactics in warfare was to deceive the human senses. In the battlefield of electromagnetic spectrum, the objective of deception is to deceive the sensors of the enemy weapon systems. The survivability of the aircraft operating in hostile environment is of prime importance to the mission planner. If the aircraft can deny its location information to the tracking radar of the radar guided threat missile system, this, in return, may increase its survivability. The deception, a tactic which stems from the wisdom of ancient battles, incarnated in the form of Electronic Attack (EA) can give this capability to the aircraft operating in a hostile environment. Self-Protection Jammers (SPJs) mounted on aircraft that employ deception-repeater jamming techniques and the resulting effect of the deception jamming on the enemy sensor systems will be examined in this study. The impact of the specific flight path and formation geometry should be considered both from the perspective of coherent SPJs effectiveness and the survivability. The individual effectiveness of the EA by SPJs is usually limited by the available Effective Radiated Power (ERP). Due to limitations on the size of the aircraft, one can not afford to build powerful SPJs. The jamming technique and the effect of multiple jammers with respect to jamming effectiveness need to be examined for mission planning analysis. The specific jamming technique evaluated is the combined Range Gate Pull-Off (RGPO) and Velocity Gate Pull-Off (VGPO) against pulse Doppler radar. The challenge is to decide the least vulnerable flight path and the formation geometry for a strike formation in an air-to-ground engagement scenario. The degree of survivability provided by the combination of the formation geometry, flight path and the EA (multiple spatially dispersed coherent jammers) is the focus of this research.
Language:
English


Title:
Demonstration of Aerosol Property Profiling by Multi-wavelength Lidar Under Varying Relative Humidity Conditions
Document ID:
20090002228
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 Copyright
Author(s):
Whiteman, D.N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Veselovskii, I. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Kolgotin, A. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Korenskii, M. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Andrews, E. (Colorado Univ.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
52
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The feasibility of using a multi-wavelength Mie-Raman lidar based on a tripled Nd:YAG laser for profiling aerosol physical parameters in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) is studied. The lidar quantifies three aerosol backscattering and two extinction coefficients and from these optical data the particle parameters such as concentration, size and complex refractive index are retrieved through inversion with regularization. The column-integrated, lidar-derived parameters are compared with results from the AERONET sun photometer. The lidar and sun photometer agree well in the characterization of the fine mode parameters, however the lidar shows less sensitivity to coarse mode. The lidar results reveal a strong dependence of particle properties on RH. The height regions with enhanced RH are characterized by an increase of backscattering and extinction coefficient and a decrease in the Angstrom exponent coinciding with an increase in the particle size. We present data selection techniques useful for selecting cases that can support the calculation of hygroscopic growth parameters using lidar. Hygroscopic growth factors calculated using these techniques agree with expectations despite the lack of co-located radiosonde data. Despite this limitation, the results demonstrate the potential of multi-wavelength Raman lidar technique for study of aerosol humidification process.
Language:
English
Notes:
Submitted to the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology


Title:
High Density Lidar and Orthophotography in UXO Wide Area Assessment, Phase 2. Former Camp Beale Demonstration Site. Addendum, Revision 2
Document ID:
20090003229
Report #:
AD-A487703
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487703
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Bennett, Dale
Published:
20080101
Source:
United Research Services (Seattle, WA United States)
Pages:
99
Contract #:
N44255-02-D-2008
Abstract:
Since 2005, the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) has conducted a pilot program to test the effectiveness of a multi-technology approach to UXO/MEC Wide Area Assessment (WAA). The first phase of this program was carried out at three desert sites containing little or no vegetation and few non-military land uses; results from this first phase were very positive. Subsequently, a second phase of the pilot program was added, including two new sites: the Former Camp Beale site near Marysville, California, and the Toussaint River site near Lake Erie. The Former Camp Beale site is located approximately 20 miles from Marysville, California, and covers an area of approximately 18,263 acres (2,391 hectares). The objectives for the Former Camp Beale demonstration site were similar to those for the previous demonstration sites: to examine the ability of lidar and high-resolution orthophotos to identify and delineate MRS and MEC-related ground features, to verify or correct data in the existing CSM and ASR, and to contribute data that could be used to focus and prioritize the use of more expensive low-altitude or ground-based technologies. Of the ground features detected, many more were ambiguous than at the previous demonstration sites. Lidar and orthophotos did not, by themselves, provide sufficient data to determine the origin of these features. A
Language:
English


Title:
Range Precision of LADAR Systems
Document ID:
20090004044
Report #:
AD-A488211, AFIT/DEE/ENG/08-15
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Johnson, Steven
Published:
20080901
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
198
Contract #:
DACA99-99-C-9999
Abstract:
A key application of Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) systems is measurement of range to a target. Many modern LADAR systems are capable of transmitting laser pulses that are less than a few nanoseconds in duration. These short-duration pulses provide excellent range precision. However, randomness in the detected laser signals places limits on the precision. The goal of this dissertation is to quantify the range precision limits of LADAR systems. The randomness in the time between photon arrivals, which is called shot noise, is discussed in depth. System-dependent noise sources such as dark current and detector gain variation are considered. The effect of scene-dependent parameters including background light, target obscuration, and target orientation is also discussed. Finally, noise mitigation strategies such as pulse averaging and gain equalization are described and tested on simulated and real LADAR data.
Language:
English



33-02   SEMICONDUCTORS AND TRANSISTORS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Investigation of the Current Turn-off Characteristics of a GTO Thyristor in an Inductive Pulse Forming Network
Document ID:
20090002061
Report #:
AD-A486706, USNA-TSPR-377
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486706
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Vineyard, Gerald E
Published:
20080502
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
112
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The project investigated of the current interruption capability of Gate Turn Off (GTO) thyristors, specifically, factors that had potential to increase the amount of current that could safely be turned off. A series of GTO thyristors were used in an inductive pulse forming circuit to interrupt varying amounts of current. The test circuit consisted of a high-voltage capacitor bank, a wire-wound inductor, the GTO thyristor with control circuitry, and instrumentation to measure voltages and currents in the circuit. The capacitor bank supplied energy for each current pulse while the inductor controlled shape and duration of the current pulses; control circuitry determined timing of current pulses used to turn the GTO thyristor on and off. The test circuit utilized a conventional H-bridge driver to control turn on and turn off of the GTO thyristor with each leg of the H-bridge connected to a dedicated capacitor bank to supplied energy for current pulses. The H-bridge allowed shape and magnitude of the turn-off gate current pulse to be easily adjusted. The amount of gate turn-off current was adjusted to determine if the current interruption capacity of the GTO thyristors could be increased beyond their turn-off current rating. The project demonstrated that the GTO thyristors were capable of reliably interrupting twice their nominal turn-off current rating. Furthermore, the turn-off speed of the GTO thyristors is dependent upon the amount of gate current used to turn off the GTO thyristors. The GTO thyristors that were turned off using larger gate currents were able to interrupt higher levels of current and turn off faster than the GTO thyristors that were turned off using smaller gate currents. This project complements work on railgun pulse power systems. Inductive power supplies may provide a solution to the energy density requirements of electric weapon systems. This investigation demonstrates GTO thyristors can be used in inductive pulse power supplies.
Language:
English


Title:
Surface Modification Engineered Assembly of Novel Quantum Dot Architectures for Advanced Applications
Document ID:
20090002152
Report #:
AD-A486747
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Madhukar, Anupam Alivisatos, Paul Kalia, Rajiv K Nakano, Aiichiro Vashishta, Priya Rich, D H Chou, S
Published:
20080209
Source:
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA United States)
Pages:
58
Contract #:
F49620-01-1-0474
Abstract:
This DURINT program proposed and undertook several ground-breaking efforts aimed at exploring novel and innovative composite nanostructures created from the integration of the two classes of nanostuctures - the epitaxial nanostructures (e.g. quantum wells) and the nanocrystal quantum structures (e.g. quantum dots). This Final Technical Report summarizes the objectives pursued and major accomplishments. The highlights include the following firsts: (1) demonstration of nonradiative resonant excitation transfer from adsorbed NCQDs to adjacent buried nanostructure, thus opening a new paradigm for potentially high efficiency solar cells; (2) demonstration of epitaxial overgrowth on adsorbed nanocrystals; (3) demonstration of CdTe tetrapod single electron transistors; (4) molecular dynamics simulations of organic PEG-conjugated SAMs on Au and GaAs; (5) demonstration of metallic nanoparticles based plasmon ruler; (6) atomic-scale characterization of adsorbed peptide-conjugated SAMs and their role in specific adhesion of cells; (7) simultaneous nanoscale spatially-resolved measurement of morphology and luminescence from living cells; (8) synthesis and photoresponse measurement of semiconductor (CdSe)-metal (Au) epitaxial composite nanocrystal Schottky junction.
Language:
English


Title:
Design of Shallow p-type Dopants in ZnO (Presentation)
Document ID:
20090002181
Report #:
DE2008-939510, NREL/PR-520-43248
Sales Agency:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) No Copyright
Author(s):
Wei, S. H. Li, J. Yan, Y.
Published:
20080501
Source:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (Golden, CO United States)
Pages:
35
Contract #:
DE-AC36-99-GO10337
Abstract:
ZnO is a promising material for short wave-length opto-electronic devices such as UV lasers and LEDs due to its large exciton binding energy and low material cost. ZnO can be doped easily n-type, but the realization of stable p-type ZnO is rather difficult. Using first-principles band structure methods the authors address what causes the p-type doping difficulty in ZnO and how to overcome the p-type doping difficulty in ZnO.
Language:
English


Title:
Continuous wave, 30 W Laser-Diode Bar with 10 GHz Linewidth for Rb Laser Pumping
Document ID:
20090002186
Report #:
AD-A486802
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gourevitch, A Venus, G Smirnov, V Hostutler, D A Glebov, L
Published:
20080101
Source:
University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL United States)
Pages:
4
Contract #:
FA9451-07-C-0199
Abstract:
A laser-diode bar incorporated into an external cavity with a volume Bragg mirror produced 30W of cw output power within a 20 pm 10 GHz spectral linewidth (FWHM) centered at 780 nm. The device output power exceeded 90% of that for the free-running laser-diode bar. The emission wavelength was tuned over a 400 pm range without broadening laser spectrum width. Absorption of 90% of the laser radiation by a 25 mm vapor cell containing Rb that has been pressure broadened with 300 torr of ethane was demonstrated.
Language:
English


Title:
Hardware Algorithm Implementation for Mission Specific Processing
Document ID:
20090002219
Report #:
AD-A486875, AFIT/GE/ENG/08-27
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Shirley, Jason W
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
142
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
There is a need to expedite the process of designing military hardware to stay ahead of the adversary. The core of this project was to build reusable, synthesizeable libraries to make this a possibility. In order to build these libraries, Matlab commands and functions, such as Conv2, Round, Floor, Pinv, etc., had to be converted into reusable VHDL modules. These modules make up reusable libraries for the Mission Specific Process (MSP) which will support AFRL/RY. The MSP allows the VLSI design process to be completed in a mere matter of days or months using an FPGA or ASIC design, as opposed to the current way of developing a system which can take 1-2 years to complete. By having the libraries built, the components can be implemented in an FPGA or ASIC design over and over again. The libraries make it possible to make upgrades to weapons systems to meet the ever-changing needs the War Fighter faces. MSP makes it possible to develop various algorithms, including algorithms implemented in Matlab. The MSP libraries were built and tested using TSMC 250-nm technology library from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. They were also synthesized for an FPGA. The modules were all synthesized using the CAD tools from Cadence and Mentor Graphics. Power, area, and delay results for each module were presented.
Language:
English


Title:
Demonstration of Aerosol Property Profiling by Multi-wavelength Lidar Under Varying Relative Humidity Conditions
Document ID:
20090002228
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 Copyright
Author(s):
Whiteman, D.N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Veselovskii, I. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Kolgotin, A. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Korenskii, M. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Andrews, E. (Colorado Univ.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
52
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The feasibility of using a multi-wavelength Mie-Raman lidar based on a tripled Nd:YAG laser for profiling aerosol physical parameters in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) is studied. The lidar quantifies three aerosol backscattering and two extinction coefficients and from these optical data the particle parameters such as concentration, size and complex refractive index are retrieved through inversion with regularization. The column-integrated, lidar-derived parameters are compared with results from the AERONET sun photometer. The lidar and sun photometer agree well in the characterization of the fine mode parameters, however the lidar shows less sensitivity to coarse mode. The lidar results reveal a strong dependence of particle properties on RH. The height regions with enhanced RH are characterized by an increase of backscattering and extinction coefficient and a decrease in the Angstrom exponent coinciding with an increase in the particle size. We present data selection techniques useful for selecting cases that can support the calculation of hygroscopic growth parameters using lidar. Hygroscopic growth factors calculated using these techniques agree with expectations despite the lack of co-located radiosonde data. Despite this limitation, the results demonstrate the potential of multi-wavelength Raman lidar technique for study of aerosol humidification process.
Language:
English
Notes:
Submitted to the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology


Title:
Fabrication and Characterization of Schottky Diodes using Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Document ID:
20090002427
Report #:
AD-A485985, ARL-TR-4534
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA485985
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Luquette, Brandon E Nichols, Barbara M
Published:
20080801
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Adelphi, MD United States)
Pages:
16
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Schottky diodes using single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were fabricated using palladium and aluminum source and drain contacts, respectively. SWNTs were grown on high resistivity silicon substrates with a thermal oxide layer using chemical vapor deposition and ferric nitrate catalyst. Multiple cleanroom processing steps were used to make the diodes which included the deposition of marker layers, oxygen plasma etch for selective nanotube removal, and electron beam evaporation of metal electrodes in two separate depositions. The diodes were designed in a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line topology in order to facilitate RF testing. Electrical testing at the DC level was accomplished. Further investigation into the RF characterization of carbon nanotubes will allow for the incorporation of such devices into integrated circuit architectures.
Language:
English


Title:
Low Temperature Photoluminescence and Leakage Current Characteristics of InAs-GaSb Superlattice Photodiodes
Document ID:
20090002431
Report #:
AD-A486566, ARL-TR-4545
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486566
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Folkes, P A Little, J Svensson, S Olver, K
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Adelphi, MD United States)
Pages:
20
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We report the results of a study of the temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and leakage current characteristics of a set of type II idium arsenide (InAs)-gallium antimonide (GaSb) superlattice (SL) photodiode structures. We find that the PL efficiency of high-quality structures is determined by Shockley-Read and trap-assisted tunneling nonradiative recombination processes. Our results suggest a possible correlation between trap-assisted tunneling in some SL structures and an anomalous decrease in the PL efficiency with increasing temperature over the range 40-78 K, and provide insight into the effect of defects and SL homogeneity on the PL and transport characteristics of the photodiodes.
Language:
English


Title:
Study of Residual Background Carriers in Midinfrared InAs/GaSb Superlattices for Uncooled Detector Operation
Document ID:
20090002436
Report #:
AD-A486591, AFRL-RX-WP-TP-2008-4267
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486591
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Haugan, H J Elhamri, S Szmulowicz, F Ullrich, B Brown, G J Mitchel, W C
Published:
20080219
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
FA8650-06-D-5401 F33615-03-D-5801
Abstract:
The midinfrared 7 ML InAs/8 ML GaSb superlattices (SLs) were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at growth temperatures between 370 and 430 deg C in order to study the intrinsic characteristic of background carriers. Grown SLs were all residual p type with carrier densities in the low 10(exp 11)/sq cm, and a minimum density of 1.8 x 10(exp 11)/sq cm was obtained from the SL grown at 400 deg C. With increasing growth temperature, the in-plane carrier mobility decreased from 8740 to 1400 sq cm/V s due to increased interfacial roughness, while the photoluminescence intensity increased sixfold due to a decrease in the nonradiative defect densities.
Language:
English


Title:
Electronics Industry, Spring 2008
Document ID:
20090003215
Report #:
AD-A487610
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487610
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Published:
20080101
Source:
Industrial Coll. of the Armed Forces (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
33
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
America has long enjoyed worldwide leadership in the electronics industry. Such leadership has conferred tremendous economic and security benefits, however, today large segments of the semiconductor value chain have moved to Asia, drawn by foreign government incentives. The United States risks losing leadership in this critical industry unless immediate proactive policy measures are adopted, including support for education and R&D through full funding of the America COMPETES Act, tax and R&D incentives for American-based semiconductor companies, and the recruitment and retention of global engineering talent through the modification of the current H-1B visa program.
Language:
English


Title:
Q4 Known Good Substrates
Document ID:
20090003407
Report #:
AD-A487290
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487290
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Loboda, Mark J Carlson, Eric P Chung, Gilyong Lauer, Rebecca S
Published:
20080925
Source:
Dow Corning Corp. (Midland, MI United States)
Pages:
11
Contract #:
N00014-07-C-0918
Abstract:
The Known Good Substrates (KGS) Phase II program was initiated 29 August 2007. Wafer, epitaxy, modeling and metrology work has been the main focus of efforts in Q4. At the end of the fourth program quarter DCCSS has achieved step change improvements in crystal quality of 76mm diameter 4H n+ SiC crystals as assessed by MPD and HRXRD. Crystals grown in this quarter now exhibit an MPD range of 1-5/sq cm. HR-XRD tests are showing significant reduction of mosaic structure. MPD and mosaic structure now reaching parity with long term suppliers of SiC wafers. In epitaxy, process improvements have reduced epitaxy defect density values to state of the art levels. Device data is now starting to emerge from subcontractors. Record breakdown strength and Vf values are achieved on PiN devices. Vf values are showing strong correlations to high carrier lifetime values measured on epilayers. Program is tracking to achieve most all metrics targets. Challenges remain on improving doping uniformity and reducing wafer resistivity.
Language:
English


Title:
Sb-Based Double Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (DHBTs) With Fmax > 650GHz for 340GHz Transmitter
Document ID:
20090003814
Report #:
AD-A490741
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490741
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Hung, Alfred
Published:
20081201
Source:
Illinois Univ. at Urbana-Champaign (Urbana, IL United States)
Pages:
25
Contract #:
W911NF-07-1-0498
Abstract:
The proposed program goals are the development of transistor technology for the sub-millimeter wave (i.e 340GHz) source to be used in a wide range of military and consumer applications using transistors operating toward THz bandwidths. The transistors will be designed, developed and fabricated using a novel material structure employing a type H double heterojonction bipolar transistor (type II DHBT). This structure has a world-record high-speed operation (ft >500 GHz) with higher breakdown voltage and lower junction temperatures than any other competing technology, including lattice matched type I InP/InGaAs I SHBTs, type I DHBTs, and pseodomorphic high-electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs). We propose to accomplish these using Antimonide-based DHBTs for all active components of the power amplifier. This project will be broken up into three stages consisting of a transistor development and fabrication stage, a model development stage, and a power amplifier design stage. In the transistor development and fabrication stage the speed of Sb-DHBTs will be increased to reach the goal of 650/400 GHz (fMAX/fT). Device models (Agilent ADS and UTUC's own SDD2) will be refined to accurately represent the devices high frequency characteristics and enable the design of the power amplifier's components. Finally a power amplifier operating at 340GHz will be designed and simulated to assess power gain, maximum Output power, and power added efficiency.
Language:
English


Title:
Digital X-ray camera for quality evaluation three-dimensional topographic reconstruction of single crystals of biological macromolecules
Document ID:
20090004224
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090004224
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A02 No Copyright
Author(s):
Borgstahl, Gloria Lovelace, Jeff Snell, Edward Holmes Bellamy, Henry
Published:
20081216
Source:
Nebraska Univ. (Omaha, NE United States)
Pages:
8
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The present invention provides a digital topography imaging system for determining the crystalline structure of a biological macromolecule, wherein the system employs a charge coupled device (CCD) camera with antiblooming circuitry to directly convert x-ray signals to electrical signals without the use of phosphor and measures reflection profiles from the x-ray emitting source after x-rays are passed through a sample. Methods for using said system are also provided.
Language:
English
Notes:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/681,874 filed Oct. 7, 2003 now abandoned, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety



33-03   ANTENNAS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Novel Concepts for Conformal Load-Bearing Antenna Structure
Document ID:
20090002414
Report #:
AD-A485786, DSTO-TR-2096
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA485786
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Callus, Paul J
Published:
20080201
Source:
Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Victoria, Australia)
Pages:
111
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This report describes the activities undertaken by the author during his Defence Science Fellowship on the topic of Conformal Load-bearing Antenna Structure (CLAS) at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Vehicles Directorate, Structures Division, Advanced Structural Concepts Branch (AFRL/VASA), Multifunctional Structures Team at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA, from June 2006 to August 2007. The aim of CLAS is to enhance the performance and capability of air vehicles by integrating antennas into the load-bearing airframe structure. The author and AFRL/VASA team devised new CLAS concepts and selected one, Slotted Waveguide Antenna Stiffened Structure (SWASS), for further evaluation. In SWASS the top-hat cross-section stiffeners on thin skins or blade stiffeners in sandwich panels would serve the dual purpose of acting both as structural stiffeners and as slotted waveguide antennas. This concept was partially validated by modelling, design, manufacture and testing at the coupon level. Waveguides were manufactured from carbon fibre reinforced plastic and their insertion loss measured. Conventional AS4/3501-6 prepreg tape waveguides exhibited the lowest losses and, although these losses were well above those for metallic waveguides, they were expected to be acceptable for first generation SWASS antennas. Work is continuing to complete the validation.
Language:
English


Title:
Directional microwave applicator and methods
Document ID:
20090002665
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002665
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Fink, Patrick W. Lin, Greg Y. Chu, Andrew W. Dobbins, Justin A. Arndt, G. Dickey Ngo, Phong H.
Published:
20080812
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
22
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A miniature microwave antenna is disclosed which may be utilized for biomedical applications such as, for example, radiation induced hyperthermia through catheter systems. One feature of the antenna is that it possesses azimuthal directionality despite its small size. This directionality permits targeting of certain tissues while limiting thermal exposure of adjacent tissue. One embodiment has an outer diameter of about 0.095'' (2.4 mm) but the design permits for smaller diameters.
Language:
English


Title:
The Modal Decomposition of the Quality Factor of an Antenna in Prolate Spheroidal Coordinates
Document ID:
20090003298
Report #:
AD-A487968, SSC/SD-TR-1969
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487968
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Adams, R C Hansen, P M
Published:
20080901
Source:
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (San Diego, CA United States)
Pages:
61
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This report discusses extending the results for prolate spheroids by including higher order modes and finding the sum of modes giving the minimum radiation Q. There is no coupling between odd and even modes, but there is coupling between the lowest order even modes. The report also presents a simple result for the values of the degree of mixing of modes 2, 4, and 6 that minimizes Q(sub r).
Language:
English


Title:
Wideband Multiport Matching Phase I: Single-Feed Multiport Antennas
Document ID:
20090003300
Report #:
AD-A487970, SSC/SD-TR-1972
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487970
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Allen, J C Rockaway, J Arceo, D
Published:
20080901
Source:
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (San Diego, CA United States)
Pages:
64
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Impedance matching is a canonical problem in electrical engineering. The problem is to maximize power flowing from a generator to a load with an adroit design of a matching network. Typically, matching problems use a single-port load. In contrast, this report develops matching for a load with multiple ports. The specific multiport load is a three-wire antenna. Each wire has a feed port so that the load is a 3-port. The matching problem is to find a matching network that maximizes power flow from a single feed to all three ports across a wide frequency band (100-700 MHz). Unexpectedly, several theoretical matching multiports were found that gave excellent wideband performance. Consequently, this serendipitous result opens several directions of opportunity. One direction aims at the enhancing the antenna's wideband performance. Understanding the physical phenomenon of coupling between the wires, the physical geometry of the wires, and a Pareto theory for maximal bandwidth and minimal size are all significant research topics. Another direction aims at the matching networks because of the gaps in theory and practical design. Specific and detailed formulation of these research opportunities is made explicit in this report.
Language:
English



33-04   ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Bio-Nanotechnology Infrastructure and Technology Oriented Research
Document ID:
20090002197
Report #:
AD-A486827
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Jones, W K
Published:
20080717
Source:
Florida International Univ. (Miami, FL United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
FA-9550-05-1-0232
Abstract:
FIU research concentrated in the following areas of development: nanoelectronics, bio-nanosensors, and nanomaterials, processes, and characterization. Five projects were supported: next generation information storage devices-both three-dimensional magnetic and protein-based, high power cold cathodes for microwave generators, carbon nanotube-based bio-sensors, silicon/polymer nanophotonics, and doped nanodiamonds and nanoceramic lasers for future devices. In magnetic storage devices, this work has resulted in patterned soft underlayer metallizations to localize the recording and sensitivity fields in 3-D recording media and the development of a prototype using focused ion beam nanomachining to manufacture a 3-D magnetic system including a 3-D patterned media and magnetic transducer. In microwave generators, demonstrated thin-multiwall carbon nanotubes (tMWNTs) with low turn-on field (approx. 0.5 V/micron) and stable operation and synthesized multistage tungsten oxide field emitters with high emission current ( approx. 180 microA/1tip). Demonstrated two electron multiplier concepts using both alumina continuous multiplier and a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC)/Ag dynode structure. Demonstrated both an ultra-small Si ring resonators characterized by a 2 micron radius on a single ring , with a free-spectral range of 50 nm or 6THz and an operating wavelength of 1510-1610nm and a silicon Horizontal Slot waveguide coupler with approximately 80% fiber-chip efficiency.
Language:
English


Title:
Advanced X-Ray Sources Ensure Safe Environments
Document ID:
20090002515
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002515
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 86-87
Published:
20080901
Source:
inXitu (Mountain View, CA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Ames Research Center awarded inXitu Inc. (formerly Microwave Power Technology), of Mountain View, California, an SBIR contract to develop a new design of electron optics for forming and focusing electron beams that is applicable to a broad class of vacuum electron devices. This technology offers an inherently rugged and more efficient X-ray source for material analysis; a compact and rugged X-ray source for smaller rovers on future Mars missions; and electron beam sources to reduce undesirable emissions from small, widely distributed pollution sources; and remediation of polluted sites.
Language:
English


Title:
On-Orbit Maintenance of a Short Duration Mission: Space Technology 5
Document ID:
20090002670
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 Copyright
Author(s):
Calder, Alexander C. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20081113
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
18
Contract #:
NNG04CA30D
Abstract:
This viewgraph presentation contains an overview of the the Space Technology 5 (ST5) mission, a review of the Post-separation anomaly that occurred, and the patches and work-arounds that were implemented to correct the problems caused by the anomaly. The events that involved multi-bit errors and the actions that occurred to correct these are also reviewed.
Language:
English
Notes:
Flight Software Workshop 2008 Laurel, MD 13-14 Nov. 2008


Title:
Electronics Industry, Spring 2008
Document ID:
20090003215
Report #:
AD-A487610
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487610
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Published:
20080101
Source:
Industrial Coll. of the Armed Forces (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
33
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
America has long enjoyed worldwide leadership in the electronics industry. Such leadership has conferred tremendous economic and security benefits, however, today large segments of the semiconductor value chain have moved to Asia, drawn by foreign government incentives. The United States risks losing leadership in this critical industry unless immediate proactive policy measures are adopted, including support for education and R&D through full funding of the America COMPETES Act, tax and R&D incentives for American-based semiconductor companies, and the recruitment and retention of global engineering talent through the modification of the current H-1B visa program.
Language:
English


Title:
Modeling and Reduction of Shocks on Electronic Components Within a Projectile
Document ID:
20090003595
Report #:
AD-A487543
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Chakka, Vinod Trabia, Mohamed B O'Toole, Brendan Sridharala, Srujanbabu Ladkany, Samaan Chowdhury, Mostafiz
Published:
20080801
Source:
Nevada Univ. (Las Vegas, NV United States)
Pages:
24
Contract #:
DAAD19-03-2-0007
Abstract:
Electronic components within a projectile are subjected to severe loads over an extremely short duration during the launch process. Failure of these components during launch can result in negative effects on the mission of the projectile. While experimental data can be helpful in understanding failure of electronic components within a projectile, collecting such data are [sic] usually difficult. There are also limitations on the reliability of sensors under these circumstances. Finite element modeling (FEM) can offer a means to better understand the behavior of these components. It can also be used to develop better shock mitigation features into the projectile design. This research has two objectives. The first objective is to develop an FEM that one describes the interaction of a typical projectile with the gun barrel during launch. The projectile includes a payload of a one-pound mass representing a typical electronic package supported by a plate. The second objective of this work is to investigate the use of composite plates to support electronic payload as a means to reduce the transmitted shocks during the projectile launch event. The proposed plate has carbon fibers embedded in an epoxy matrix. A parametric study of the effects of varying the thickness of the supporting plate and the fiber volume fraction on the accelerations and stresses is included. Results of the study are used to reach general recommendations regarding reducing failure of electronic components within a projectile.
Language:
English
Notes:
Published in International Journal of Impact Engineering, v35 p1326-1338, 2008. The original document contains color images


Title:
Automated Classification of Power Signals
Document ID:
20090004037
Report #:
AD-A488187
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Proper, Ethan R
Published:
20080601
Source:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
179
Contract #:
N62271-97-G-0026
Abstract:
The Non-Intrusive Load Monitor (NILM) is a device that utilizes voltage and current measurements to monitor an entire system from a single reference point. The NILM and associated software convert the V/I signal to spectral power envelopes that can be searched to determine when a transient occurs. The identification of this signal can then be determined by an expert classifier and a series of these classifications can be used to diagnose system failures or improper operation. Current NILM research conducted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems (LEES) is exploring the application and expansion of NILM technology for the use of monitoring shipboard systems.
Language:
English


Title:
In-Flight Anomalies and Radiation Performance of NASA Missions - Selected Lessons Learned
Document ID:
20090004168
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090004168
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
LaBel, Kenneth A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20081130
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
22
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This presentation addresses in-flight electronic disturbances and radiation, specifically anomaly resolution. The process for anomaly review takes into account the environment, selected parts and design, existing and/or new radiation test data, risk probability and actions to be taken. Noise spikes and the meaning of upset in a fiber optic link are also discussed.
Language:
English
Notes:
4th International School in the Effects of Radiation on Embedded Systems for Space applicatoins (SERESSA) West Palm Beach, FL 30 Nov. - 5 Dec. 2008



33-05   CIRCUITRY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
SOA-Based Optical Logic Circuit Development and Demonstration
Document ID:
20090002165
Report #:
AD-A486765
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ippen, Erich P Kolodziejski, Leslie A
Published:
20080930
Source:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
10
Contract #:
W911NF-06-1-0060
Abstract:
In this program, we investigated the fabrication and optical characterization of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) designed for telecommunication applications using ultrafast (> 100Gbits/s) optical logic. The basic components in the PIC are active components, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), integrated with passive, light-routing waveguides. Optical switching is accomplished by embedding the amplifiers within the arms of Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs), whereas power splitting of propagating signals is carried out within multimode interferometers (MMIs). Figure 1 shows a schematic of the basic unit cell under investigation.
Language:
English


Title:
Algorithms for White-box Obfuscation Using Randomized Subcircuit Selection and Replacement
Document ID:
20090002184
Report #:
AD-A486799, AFIT/GCS/ENG/08-17
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Norman, Kenneth E
Published:
20080327
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
99
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Software protection remains an active research area with the goal of preventing adversarial software exploitation such as reverse engineering, tampering, and piracy. Heuristic obfuscation techniques lack strong theoretical underpinnings while current theoretical research highlights the impossibility of creating general, efficient, and information theoretically secure obfuscators. In this research, we consider a bridge between these two worlds by examining obfuscators based on the Random Program Model (RPM). Such a model envisions the use of program encryption techniques which change the black-box (semantic) and white-box (structural) representations of underlying programs. In this thesis we explore the possibilities for white-box transformation. Under an RPM formulation, if an adversary cannot distinguish an original program from either its obfuscated version (whose black-box behavior has been strategically altered) or a randomly generated program of comparable size, then the white-box intent of the original program has been sufficiently protected. One proposed method of creating such random indistinguishability is by choosing (at random) a program from a size-bounded set of all semantically equivalent possibilities. Since full enumeration of reasonably sized programs is not possible, in this work we focus on obfuscators which introduce random white-box structural variation based on iterative selection and replacement. We design and develop an obfuscation framework for programmatic logic expressed as combinatorial Boolean circuits and compare six unique approaches for sub-circuit selection. We analyze the relative behavior of random and guided-random sub-circuit selection algorithms while showing their utility in producing random white-box structural variation.
Language:
English


Title:
Anti-Tamper Method for Field Programmable Gate Arrays Through Dynamic Reconfiguration and Decoy Circuits
Document ID:
20090002187
Report #:
AD-A486803, AFIT/GE/ENG/08-30
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Stone, Samuel J
Published:
20080327
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
134
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
As Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) become more widely used, security concerns have been raised regarding FPGA use for cryptographic, sensitive, or proprietary data. Storing or implementing proprietary code and designs on FPGAs could result in compromise of sensitive information if the FPGA device was physically relinquished or remotely accessible to adversaries seeking to obtain the information. Although multiple defensive measures have been implemented (and overcome), the possibility exists to create a secure design through the implementation of polymorphic Dynamically Reconfigurable FPGA (DRFPGA) circuits. Using polymorphic DRFPGAs removes the static attributes from their design; thus, substantially increasing the difficulty of successful adversarial reverse-engineering attacks. A variety of dynamically reconfigurable methodologies exist for implementations that challenge designers in the reconfigurable technology field. A Hardware Description Language (HDL) DRFPGA model is presented for use in security applications. The Very High Speed Integrated Circuit HDL(VHSIC)language was chosen to take advantage of its capabilities, which are well suited to the current research. Additionally, algorithms that explicitly support granular autonomous reconfiguration have been developed and implemented on the DRFPGA as a means of protecting its designs. Documented testing validated the reconfiguration results, compared original FPGA and DRFPGA, security, power usage, and area estimates.
Language:
English


Title:
Hardware Algorithm Implementation for Mission Specific Processing
Document ID:
20090002219
Report #:
AD-A486875, AFIT/GE/ENG/08-27
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Shirley, Jason W
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
142
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
There is a need to expedite the process of designing military hardware to stay ahead of the adversary. The core of this project was to build reusable, synthesizeable libraries to make this a possibility. In order to build these libraries, Matlab commands and functions, such as Conv2, Round, Floor, Pinv, etc., had to be converted into reusable VHDL modules. These modules make up reusable libraries for the Mission Specific Process (MSP) which will support AFRL/RY. The MSP allows the VLSI design process to be completed in a mere matter of days or months using an FPGA or ASIC design, as opposed to the current way of developing a system which can take 1-2 years to complete. By having the libraries built, the components can be implemented in an FPGA or ASIC design over and over again. The libraries make it possible to make upgrades to weapons systems to meet the ever-changing needs the War Fighter faces. MSP makes it possible to develop various algorithms, including algorithms implemented in Matlab. The MSP libraries were built and tested using TSMC 250-nm technology library from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. They were also synthesized for an FPGA. The modules were all synthesized using the CAD tools from Cadence and Mentor Graphics. Power, area, and delay results for each module were presented.
Language:
English


Title:
Prioritization Taxonomy and Logic for Network-Centric Operations
Document ID:
20090002234
Report #:
AD-A486909
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Donnelly, Brian P Galster, Scott M
Published:
20080601
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
35
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The effects of network-centric operations would be degraded if not for inherent human or machine sensemaking capabilities. Without knowing the situation or understanding the actors and their disposition and intent, deciding and executing the most appropriate response is a futile activity. Collecting data and creating track information to resolve the intent and disposition of disparate actors is only possible by having an integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) network of humans and supporting systems. While ISR networks in the military context are becoming increasingly elaborate and more tightly 'networked' to perform their roles for a commander, so, too, must the underlying logic be developed to impart commander's intent on the ISR network such that it functions with the agility needed to keep pace with the dynamic environment. Dynamic networks rely on a foundation of interoperability standards, among which should be a prioritization taxonomy that baselines priorities of actors in the situation and dynamically allocates the ISR resources accordingly to achieve the desired effects. This paper examines the required characteristics of a prioritization taxonomy and proposes a sample framework for implementation.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (13th) (ICCRTS 2008) held in Seattle, WA on 17-19 Jun 2008. Document includes briefing charts (15 slides, title: Prioritization Taxonomy for Network-centric Operations). The original document contains color images


Title:
Integrated Circuit Chip Improves Network Efficiency
Document ID:
20090002468
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002468
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 144-145
Published:
20080901
Source:
BAE Systems (United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Prior to 1999 and the development of SpaceWire, a standard for high-speed links for computer networks managed by the European Space Agency (ESA), there was no high-speed communications protocol for flight electronics. Onboard computers, processing units, and other electronics had to be designed for individual projects and then redesigned for subsequent projects, which increased development periods, costs, and risks. After adopting the SpaceWire protocol in 2000, NASA implemented the standard on the Swift mission, a gamma ray burst-alert telescope launched in November 2004. Scientists and developers on the James Webb Space Telescope further developed the network version of SpaceWire. In essence, SpaceWire enables more science missions at a lower cost, because it provides a standard interface between flight electronics components; new systems need not be custom built to accommodate individual missions, so electronics can be reused. New protocols are helping to standardize higher layers of computer communication. Goddard Space Flight Center improved on the ESA-developed SpaceWire by enabling standard protocols, which included defining quality of service and supporting plug-and-play capabilities. Goddard upgraded SpaceWire to make the routers more efficient and reliable, with features including redundant cables, simultaneous discrete broadcast pulses, prevention of network blockage, and improved verification. Redundant cables simplify management because the user does not need to worry about which connection is available, and simultaneous broadcast signals allow multiple users to broadcast low-latency side-band signal pulses across the network using the same resources for data communication. Additional features have been added to the SpaceWire switch to prevent network blockage so that more robust networks can be designed. Goddard s verification environment for the link-and-switch implementation continuously randomizes and tests different parts, constantly anticipating situations, which helps improve communications reliability. It has been tested in many different implementations for compatibility.
Language:
English


Title:
Water-Based Coating Simplifies Circuit Board Manufacturing
Document ID:
20090002501
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002501
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 127
Published:
20080901
Source:
Advanced Coatings International (Akron, OH, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The Structures and Materials Division at Glenn Research Center is devoted to developing advanced, high-temperature materials and processes for future aerospace propulsion and power generation systems. The Polymers Branch falls under this division, and it is involved in the development of high-performance materials, including polymers for high-temperature polymer matrix composites; nanocomposites for both high- and low-temperature applications; durable aerogels; purification and functionalization of carbon nanotubes and their use in composites; computational modeling of materials and biological systems and processes; and developing polymer-derived molecular sensors. Essentially, this branch creates high-performance materials to reduce the weight and boost performance of components for space missions and aircraft engine components. Under the leadership of chemical engineer, Dr. Michael Meador, the Polymers Branch boasts world-class laboratories, composite manufacturing facilities, testing stations, and some of the best scientists in the field.
Language:
English


Title:
Intelligent Memory Module Overcomes Harsh Environments
Document ID:
20090002508
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002508
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 142-143
Published:
20080901
Source:
3D PLUS USA Inc. (McKinney, TX, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Solar cells, integrated circuits, and sensors are essential to manned and unmanned space flight and exploration, but such systems are highly susceptible to damage from radiation. Especially problematic, the Van Allen radiation belts encircle Earth in concentric radioactive tori at distances from about 6,300 to 38,000 km, though the inner radiation belt can dip as low as 700 km, posing a severe hazard to craft and humans leaving Earth s atmosphere. To avoid this radiation, the International Space Station and space shuttles orbit at altitudes between 275 and 460 km, below the belts range, and Apollo astronauts skirted the edge of the belts to minimize exposure, passing swiftly through thinner sections of the belts and thereby avoiding significant side effects. This radiation can, however, prove detrimental to improperly protected electronics on satellites that spend the majority of their service life in the harsh environment of the belts. Compact, high-performance electronics that can withstand extreme environmental and radiation stress are thus critical to future space missions. Increasing miniaturization of electronics addresses the need for lighter weight in launch payloads, as launch costs put weight at a premium. Likewise, improved memory technologies have reduced size, cost, mass, power demand, and system complexity, and improved high-bandwidth communication to meet the data volume needs of the next-generation high-resolution sensors. This very miniaturization, however, has exacerbated system susceptibility to radiation, as the charge of ions may meet or exceed that of circuitry, overwhelming the circuit and disrupting operation of a satellite. The Hubble Space Telescope, for example, must turn off its sensors when passing through intense radiation to maintain reliable operation. To address the need for improved data quality, additional capacity for raw and processed data, ever-increasing resolution, and radiation tolerance, NASA spurred the development of the Radiation Tolerant Intelligent Memory Stack (RTIMS).
Language:
English


Title:
Comprehensive Review of Planar Pulsed Inductive Plasma Thruster Research and Technology
Document ID:
20090002569
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Polzin, Kurt A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
61
Contract #:
None Abstract: Pulsed inductive plasma thrusters are spacecraft propulsion devices in which energy is capacitively stored and then discharged through an inductive coil. While there are many pulsed inductive plasma accelerator concepts in existence, this review is limited to a discussion of planar pulsed inductive thrusters, where the inductive coil takes the shape of a flat spiral (as illustrated schematically in Fig. 1). The device is electrodeless, with the time-varying azimuthal current in the inductive coil (current density j) producing a magnetic field with components in the r-z plane in accordance with Ampere's law. Any temporal variation in the magnetic field induces an azimuthal electric field according to Faraday's law. If there exists a plasma covering the face of the coil, then the induced electric field drives an azimuthal plasma current. Propellant is accelerated and expelled at a high exhaust velocity by the Lorentz body force arising from the interaction of the plasma current and the induced magnetic field. Consequently, the Lorentz force on the plasma is proportional to the product of j with its time-derivative. Development of an efficient pulsed inductive plasma accelerator is a challenging proposition. Jahn has succinctly stated the following inherent difficulties pertaining to both ionization and acceleration that must be overcome for efficient inductive thruster operation: "... inductive discharges embody two inherent electrodynamic disadvantages to conversion efficiency which detract from their propulsive effectiveness. First, any delay in breakdown of the gas after application of the primary field pulse results in energy being dissipated in the external circuit, which, unlike that of the direct electrode devices, is complete without the gas loop... This difficulty might be relieved by providing a separate preionization mechanism or by operation at a sufficiently rapid repetition rate, but it is indicative of an inherent inefficiency in coupling of the external circuit to the plasma." "Equally troublesome is the need to accomplish all the energy input to the gas before much motion of it has occurred. The current induced in the gas-loop secondary depends on its mutual inductance with the external primary, and thus is a strong function of the physical separation of these two current paths. As they separate under the acceleration, the coupling rapidly becomes weaker." These two quotes demonstrate why efficient propellant ionization and acceleration are both critical aspects of pulsed inductive accelerator operation. If current is pulsed in the inductive acceleration coil and there is no plasma, or the plasma is late in forming, the magnetic field produced by the coil (and the associated field energy) will radiate into space without performing any useful work. In addition, primary acceleration of the plasma must occur very quickly before it separates too far from the acceleration coil and effectively decouples from the magnetic field induced by the current in the coil. For several decades, research and development of pulsed inductive plasma accelerators were primarily conducted by a small group at TRW Space Systems in Redondo Beach, CA (later acquired by Northrop- Grumman). This work, directed by C.L. Dailey and R.H. Lovberg, included detailed plasma physics studies, component-level development efforts, and performance testing of prototypical thruster units with the end goal being an inductive thruster operating at high efficiency. To this end several different design variations were tested, generating data that contain several important insights into inductive thruster physics. These data, to be discussed below, highlight the benefits and deficiencies of different design strategies and provide guidance for future component and thruster development efforts. Recently, several groups have pursued various parallel lines of inductive thruster research and development. New experimental efforts seek to advance the state of the arf inductive thruster technology, either by making incremental improvements to various components and subsystems of an existing thruster or by implementing completely new designs that address deficiencies in the performance and/or lifetime of current state of the art systems.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Journal of Propulsion and Power/American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)


Title:
High throughput reconfigurable data analysis system
Document ID:
20090002668
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002668
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Bearman, Greg Pelletier, Michael J. Seshadri, Suresh Pain, Bedabrata
Published:
20081230
Source:
California Inst. of Tech. (Pasadena, CA United States)
Pages:
18
Contract #:
NAS7-03001
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for performing rapid and programmable analysis of data. The present invention relates to a reconfigurable detector comprising at least one array of a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels can be selected to receive and read-out an input. The pixel array is divided into at least one pixel group for conducting a common predefined analysis. Each of the pixels has a programmable circuitry programmed with a dynamically configurable user-defined function to modify the input. The present detector also comprises a summing circuit designed to sum the modified input.
Language:
English
Notes:
This application claims priority based on provisional patent application No. 60/440,462, filed Jan. 16, 2003 and 60/502,542, filed Sep. 12, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference


Title:
SHI(EL)DS: A Novel Hardware-Based Security Backplane to Enhance Security with Minimal Impact to System Operation
Document ID:
20090003355
Report #:
AD-A487110, AFIT/GCE/ENG/08-07
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487110
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Judge, Matthew G
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
139
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Computer security continues to increase in importance both in the commercial world and within the Air Force. Dedicated hardware for security purposes presents and enhances a number of security capabilities. Hardware enhances both the security of the security system and the quality and trustworthiness of the information being gathered by the security monitors. Hardware reduces avenues of attack on the security system and ensures the trustworthiness of information only through proper design and placement. Without careful system design, security hardware leaves itself vulnerable to many attacks that it is capable of defending against. Our SHI(EL)DS architecture combines these insights into a comprehensive, modular hardware security backplane architecture. This architecture provides many of the capabilities required by the Cybercraft deployment platform. Most importantly, it makes significant progress towards establishing a root of trust for this platform. Progressing the development of the Cybercraft initiative advances the capabilities of the Air Force's ability to operate in and defend cyberspace.
Language:
English



33-06   ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Magnetic Properties of the DNA-Quaternary Ammonium Surfactant Complexes Studied by EMR Spectroscopy and SQUID Measurement
Document ID:
20090002289
Report #:
AD-A487055
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Kwon, Young-Wan Do, Eui D Choi, Dong H Jin, Jung-Il Lee, Chang H Koh, Eui K Grote, James G
Published:
20080924
Source:
Korea Univ. (Seoul, Korea, Republic of)
Pages:
20
Contract #:
FA4869-07-1-4023
Abstract:
Due to their unique chemical structures and versatile functionalities associated with their structural characteristics many research groups are studying the materials science aspects of natural and synthetic DNA. In particular, interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology is accelerating the exploration of DNA for various properties such as electrical conductivity electron or hole transport and optical properties. In contrast, study on the magnetic properties of DNA is still in the infant stage. Recently, we reported for the first time that natural dsDNA in dry state (A-DNA) showed an extremely broad electron magnetic resonance (EMR) signal as well as an S-shaped magnetization-magnetic field (M-H) curve in SQUID measurements. The broad EMR signal was interpreted as a cyclotron resonance (CR), which is possible only when the double helical structure of each dsDNA coherently couples throughout the elementary fibrils resulting in the formation of lateral loop currents responsible for the S-shaped M-H curves in SQUID measurements. Both the EMR signals and the S-shaped magnetizations are found to be strongly correlated to each other. Assuming that the fibrillar dsDNA are in a morphologically heterogeneous structure, formation of such loop currents by the external field must be much more favored in ordered regions than in amorphous ones. In other word, the dsDNA can not only be a molecular solenoid in the single molecular level, but also can be a ferromagnetic in the well ordered regions due to coherently coupled bundles of DNA molecular solenoids. Therefore, if one introduces a magnetic dipole into the DNA molecular solenoid, a strong enhancement of DNA susceptibility is expected to occur as in an electrical solenoid with a magnetic bar. In this respect, we tried to insert various stable radicals into the dsDNA and succeeded in observing strong enhancements in their magnetic susceptibilities.
Language:
English


Title:
Liquid Metal Pump Technologies for Nuclear Surface Power
Document ID:
20090002399
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Polzin, Kurt A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
25
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Multiple liquid metal _ump options are reviewed for the purpose of determining the technologies that are best suited for inclusion in a nuclear reactor thermal simulator intended to test prototypical space nuclear surface power system components. Conduction, induction, and thermoelectric electromagnetic pumps are evaluated based on their performance characteristics and the technical issues associated with incorporation into a reactor system. A thermoelectric electromagnetic pump is selected as the best option for use in NASA-MSFC's Fission Surface Power-Primary Test Circuit reactor simulator based on its relative simplicity, low power supply mass penalty, flight heritage, and the promise of increased pump efficiency over those earlier pump designs through the use of skutterudite thermoelectric elements.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Nuclear Technology/American Nuclearn Society


Title:
Analyzing the Effects of Component Reliability on Naval Integrated Power System Quality of Service
Document ID:
20090004035
Report #:
AD-A488182
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Hawbaker, Benjamin F
Published:
20080601
Source:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
92
Contract #:
N62271-97-G-0026
Abstract:
The Integrated Power System (IPS) is a key enabling technology for future naval vessels and their advanced weapon systems. While conventional warship designs utilize separate power systems for propulsion and shipboard electrical service, the IPS combines these functions. This allows greater optimization of engineering plant design and operations and leads to significant potential lifecycle cost savings through reduced fuel consumption and maintenance. Traditionally the focus of power system design has been survivability, with the assumption that service continuity was inherently provided. A new probabilistic metric Quality of Service (QOS), now allows the power continuity and quality delivered to loads to be addressed explicitly during the design of IPS vessels. This metric is based both on the reliability of the power system components and the system architecture employed.
Language:
English


Title:
Piezoelectric Generator and Method
Document ID:
20090004145
Report #:
AD-D020382
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Howarth, Thomas R
Published:
20081010
Source:
Department of the Navy (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
21
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is provided to produce energy from movement of a user. At least one pair of plates is utilized to secure an array of cymbal transducers there between. The array of cymbal transducers is electrically interconnected with signal conditioning circuitry and power storage member. Electrical interconnections may comprise parallel and/or series connections between ones or groups of the cymbal transducers.
Language:
English


Title:
Automated Energy Distribution and Reliability System (AEDR): Final Report
Document ID:
20090004183
Report #:
DE2008-937332, NREL/SR-581-43674
Sales Agency:
Department of Energy Information Bridge No Copyright
Author(s):
Buche, D. L. Basso, T.
Published:
20080701
Source:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (Golden, CO United States) Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (Merrillville, IN, United States)
Pages:
61
Contract #:
DE-AC36-99-GO10337
Abstract:
This report describes Northern Indiana Public Service Co. project efforts to develop an automated energy distribution and reliability system. The purpose of this project was to implement a database-driven GIS solution that would manage all of the company's gas, electric, and landbase objects.
Language:
English



33-07   AMPLIFIERS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
SOA-Based Optical Logic Circuit Development and Demonstration
Document ID:
20090002165
Report #:
AD-A486765
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ippen, Erich P Kolodziejski, Leslie A
Published:
20080930
Source:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
10
Contract #:
W911NF-06-1-0060
Abstract:
In this program, we investigated the fabrication and optical characterization of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) designed for telecommunication applications using ultrafast (> 100Gbits/s) optical logic. The basic components in the PIC are active components, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), integrated with passive, light-routing waveguides. Optical switching is accomplished by embedding the amplifiers within the arms of Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs), whereas power splitting of propagating signals is carried out within multimode interferometers (MMIs). Figure 1 shows a schematic of the basic unit cell under investigation.
Language:
English



33-08   FEEDBACK AND CONTROL THEORY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



33-09   ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



33-10   MICROELECTRONICS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Nowcasting in the GPM Era
Document ID:
20090002041
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Hou, Arthur Y. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080922
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission is an international satellite mission to unify and advance global precipitation measurements from a constellation of dedicated and operational microwave sensors. The GPM concept centers on the deployment of a Core Spacecraft in a non-Sun-synchronous orbit at 65' inclination carrying a dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) and a multi-frequency passive microwave radiometer (GMI) with high-frequency capabilities to serve as a precipitation physics observatory and calibration standard for the constellation radiometers. The baseline GPM constellation is envisioned to comprise conical-scanning microwave imagers (e.g., GMI, SSMIS, AMSR, MIS, MADRAS, GPM-Brazil) augmented with cross-track microwave temperaturelhumidity sounders (e.g., MHS, ATMS) over land. In addition to the Core Satellite, the GPM Mission will contribute a second GMI to be flown in a low-inclination (-40') non-Sun-synchronous orbit to improve near real-time monitoring of hurricanes. GPM is a science mission with integrated applications goals aimed at (1) advancing the knowledge of the global waterlenergy cycle variability and freshwater availability and (2) improving weather, climate, and hydrological prediction capabilities through more accurate and frequent measurements of global precipitation. The GPM Mission is currently a partnership between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with opportunities for additional partners in satellite constellation and ground validation activities. Within the framework of the inter-governmental Group ob Earth Observations (GEO) and Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), GPM has been identified as a cornerstone for the Precipitation Constellation (PC) being developed under the auspices of Committee of Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). The GPM Core Observatory is scheduled for launch in 201 3, followed by the launch of the GPM Low-Inclination Observatory in 2014. An overview of the GPM mission status, measurement capabilities, ground validation plans, and anticipated contributions to scientific research and societal applications with a special emphasis on nowcasting will be presented.
Language:
English
Notes:
10 Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Storms Nicosia 22-25 Sep. 2008


Title:
Bio-Nanotechnology Infrastructure and Technology Oriented Research
Document ID:
20090002197
Report #:
AD-A486827
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Jones, W K
Published:
20080717
Source:
Florida International Univ. (Miami, FL United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
FA-9550-05-1-0232
Abstract:
FIU research concentrated in the following areas of development: nanoelectronics, bio-nanosensors, and nanomaterials, processes, and characterization. Five projects were supported: next generation information storage devices-both three-dimensional magnetic and protein-based, high power cold cathodes for microwave generators, carbon nanotube-based bio-sensors, silicon/polymer nanophotonics, and doped nanodiamonds and nanoceramic lasers for future devices. In magnetic storage devices, this work has resulted in patterned soft underlayer metallizations to localize the recording and sensitivity fields in 3-D recording media and the development of a prototype using focused ion beam nanomachining to manufacture a 3-D magnetic system including a 3-D patterned media and magnetic transducer. In microwave generators, demonstrated thin-multiwall carbon nanotubes (tMWNTs) with low turn-on field (approx. 0.5 V/micron) and stable operation and synthesized multistage tungsten oxide field emitters with high emission current ( approx. 180 microA/1tip). Demonstrated two electron multiplier concepts using both alumina continuous multiplier and a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC)/Ag dynode structure. Demonstrated both an ultra-small Si ring resonators characterized by a 2 micron radius on a single ring , with a free-spectral range of 50 nm or 6THz and an operating wavelength of 1510-1610nm and a silicon Horizontal Slot waveguide coupler with approximately 80% fiber-chip efficiency.
Language:
English


Title:
Directional microwave applicator and methods
Document ID:
20090002665
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002665
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Fink, Patrick W. Lin, Greg Y. Chu, Andrew W. Dobbins, Justin A. Arndt, G. Dickey Ngo, Phong H.
Published:
20080812
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
22
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A miniature microwave antenna is disclosed which may be utilized for biomedical applications such as, for example, radiation induced hyperthermia through catheter systems. One feature of the antenna is that it possesses azimuthal directionality despite its small size. This directionality permits targeting of certain tissues while limiting thermal exposure of adjacent tissue. One embodiment has an outer diameter of about 0.095'' (2.4 mm) but the design permits for smaller diameters.
Language:
English


Title:
Polypeptides Based Molecular Electronics
Document ID:
20090003308
Report #:
AD-A487993
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487993
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Lam, Yeng M Mhaisalkar, Subodh Li, Lain-Jong Dravid, Vinayak P Shekhawat, Gajendra S Suri, Raman
Published:
20081006
Source:
Nanyang Technological Univ. (Nanyang, Singapore)
Pages:
26
Contract #:
FA4869-07-1-4062
Abstract:
This report discusses use of polypeptide supramolecules that will self assemble from solution and will form molecular wires that exploit quantum mechanical transport mechanisms thus enabling the formation of molecular devices such as transistors, diodes, and sensors. We have designed the peptides, arranged them on substrates using self-assembly, Dip-PEN nanolithography, and also e-beam assisted lithography. The peptides are characterized using AFM and the electrical properties of the self-assembled interconnects are characterized as well. These peptides can be nanoengineer/nanoassemble individual building blocks at the molecular level, atom by atom, to form conducting channel towards realization of molecular MOSFETs/CMOS device technology.
Language:
English



33-11   MICROWAVE AND SUBMILLIMETER WAVE TECHNOLOGY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Nowcasting in the GPM Era
Document ID:
20090002041
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Hou, Arthur Y. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080922
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission is an international satellite mission to unify and advance global precipitation measurements from a constellation of dedicated and operational microwave sensors. The GPM concept centers on the deployment of a Core Spacecraft in a non-Sun-synchronous orbit at 65' inclination carrying a dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) and a multi-frequency passive microwave radiometer (GMI) with high-frequency capabilities to serve as a precipitation physics observatory and calibration standard for the constellation radiometers. The baseline GPM constellation is envisioned to comprise conical-scanning microwave imagers (e.g., GMI, SSMIS, AMSR, MIS, MADRAS, GPM-Brazil) augmented with cross-track microwave temperaturelhumidity sounders (e.g., MHS, ATMS) over land. In addition to the Core Satellite, the GPM Mission will contribute a second GMI to be flown in a low-inclination (-40') non-Sun-synchronous orbit to improve near real-time monitoring of hurricanes. GPM is a science mission with integrated applications goals aimed at (1) advancing the knowledge of the global waterlenergy cycle variability and freshwater availability and (2) improving weather, climate, and hydrological prediction capabilities through more accurate and frequent measurements of global precipitation. The GPM Mission is currently a partnership between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with opportunities for additional partners in satellite constellation and ground validation activities. Within the framework of the inter-governmental Group ob Earth Observations (GEO) and Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), GPM has been identified as a cornerstone for the Precipitation Constellation (PC) being developed under the auspices of Committee of Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). The GPM Core Observatory is scheduled for launch in 201 3, followed by the launch of the GPM Low-Inclination Observatory in 2014. An overview of the GPM mission status, measurement capabilities, ground validation plans, and anticipated contributions to scientific research and societal applications with a special emphasis on nowcasting will be presented.
Language:
English
Notes:
10 Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Storms Nicosia 22-25 Sep. 2008


Title:
Directional microwave applicator and methods
Document ID:
20090002665
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002665
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Fink, Patrick W. Lin, Greg Y. Chu, Andrew W. Dobbins, Justin A. Arndt, G. Dickey Ngo, Phong H.
Published:
20080812
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
22
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A miniature microwave antenna is disclosed which may be utilized for biomedical applications such as, for example, radiation induced hyperthermia through catheter systems. One feature of the antenna is that it possesses azimuthal directionality despite its small size. This directionality permits targeting of certain tissues while limiting thermal exposure of adjacent tissue. One embodiment has an outer diameter of about 0.095'' (2.4 mm) but the design permits for smaller diameters.
Language:
English


Title:
A Plasma-Assisted Megawatt Class Microwave Source With an Output of 1KJ Per Pulse
Document ID:
20090004023
Report #:
AD-A488150
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Carmel, Yuval
Published:
20080901
Source:
Maryland Univ. (College Park, MD United States)
Pages:
9
Contract #:
FA9550-05-1-0292
Abstract:
The Air Force requires lightweight, compact sources of high-power high-frequency radiation for numerous applications in communications, radar, ECM, and directed-energy weapons (DEW). This effort will be a satellite effort under the "Microwave Power Research Initiative (MiPRI)" program that addresses important research issues that impact directly on both the high-power microwave (HPM) and microwave vacuum electronics (MVE) R&D thrusts within the DOD. The goal of the proposed basic research is to study and understand the physics of the "Plasma Assisted Slow-wave Oscillator (PASOtron)." That HPM device concept, originally proposed by Schumacher at the Hughes Research Labs in the late 1980s, hold exceptional promise for a future high efficiency, low cost HPM system of the future. Before progress toward prototype development can move forward, however, the fundamental physics of the device concept must be thoroughly mastered.
Language:
English



33-12   MAGNETISM
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Investigation of the Current Turn-off Characteristics of a GTO Thyristor in an Inductive Pulse Forming Network
Document ID:
20090002061
Report #:
AD-A486706, USNA-TSPR-377
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486706
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Vineyard, Gerald E
Published:
20080502
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
112
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The project investigated of the current interruption capability of Gate Turn Off (GTO) thyristors, specifically, factors that had potential to increase the amount of current that could safely be turned off. A series of GTO thyristors were used in an inductive pulse forming circuit to interrupt varying amounts of current. The test circuit consisted of a high-voltage capacitor bank, a wire-wound inductor, the GTO thyristor with control circuitry, and instrumentation to measure voltages and currents in the circuit. The capacitor bank supplied energy for each current pulse while the inductor controlled shape and duration of the current pulses; control circuitry determined timing of current pulses used to turn the GTO thyristor on and off. The test circuit utilized a conventional H-bridge driver to control turn on and turn off of the GTO thyristor with each leg of the H-bridge connected to a dedicated capacitor bank to supplied energy for current pulses. The H-bridge allowed shape and magnitude of the turn-off gate current pulse to be easily adjusted. The amount of gate turn-off current was adjusted to determine if the current interruption capacity of the GTO thyristors could be increased beyond their turn-off current rating. The project demonstrated that the GTO thyristors were capable of reliably interrupting twice their nominal turn-off current rating. Furthermore, the turn-off speed of the GTO thyristors is dependent upon the amount of gate current used to turn off the GTO thyristors. The GTO thyristors that were turned off using larger gate currents were able to interrupt higher levels of current and turn off faster than the GTO thyristors that were turned off using smaller gate currents. This project complements work on railgun pulse power systems. Inductive power supplies may provide a solution to the energy density requirements of electric weapon systems. This investigation demonstrates GTO thyristors can be used in inductive pulse power supplies.
Language:
English


Title:
Magnetic Properties of the DNA-Quaternary Ammonium Surfactant Complexes Studied by EMR Spectroscopy and SQUID Measurement
Document ID:
20090002289
Report #:
AD-A487055
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Kwon, Young-Wan Do, Eui D Choi, Dong H Jin, Jung-Il Lee, Chang H Koh, Eui K Grote, James G
Published:
20080924
Source:
Korea Univ. (Seoul, Korea, Republic of)
Pages:
20
Contract #:
FA4869-07-1-4023
Abstract:
Due to their unique chemical structures and versatile functionalities associated with their structural characteristics many research groups are studying the materials science aspects of natural and synthetic DNA. In particular, interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology is accelerating the exploration of DNA for various properties such as electrical conductivity electron or hole transport and optical properties. In contrast, study on the magnetic properties of DNA is still in the infant stage. Recently, we reported for the first time that natural dsDNA in dry state (A-DNA) showed an extremely broad electron magnetic resonance (EMR) signal as well as an S-shaped magnetization-magnetic field (M-H) curve in SQUID measurements. The broad EMR signal was interpreted as a cyclotron resonance (CR), which is possible only when the double helical structure of each dsDNA coherently couples throughout the elementary fibrils resulting in the formation of lateral loop currents responsible for the S-shaped M-H curves in SQUID measurements. Both the EMR signals and the S-shaped magnetizations are found to be strongly correlated to each other. Assuming that the fibrillar dsDNA are in a morphologically heterogeneous structure, formation of such loop currents by the external field must be much more favored in ordered regions than in amorphous ones. In other word, the dsDNA can not only be a molecular solenoid in the single molecular level, but also can be a ferromagnetic in the well ordered regions due to coherently coupled bundles of DNA molecular solenoids. Therefore, if one introduces a magnetic dipole into the DNA molecular solenoid, a strong enhancement of DNA susceptibility is expected to occur as in an electrical solenoid with a magnetic bar. In this respect, we tried to insert various stable radicals into the dsDNA and succeeded in observing strong enhancements in their magnetic susceptibilities.
Language:
English


Title:
Liquid Metal Pump Technologies for Nuclear Surface Power
Document ID:
20090002399
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Polzin, Kurt A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
25
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Multiple liquid metal _ump options are reviewed for the purpose of determining the technologies that are best suited for inclusion in a nuclear reactor thermal simulator intended to test prototypical space nuclear surface power system components. Conduction, induction, and thermoelectric electromagnetic pumps are evaluated based on their performance characteristics and the technical issues associated with incorporation into a reactor system. A thermoelectric electromagnetic pump is selected as the best option for use in NASA-MSFC's Fission Surface Power-Primary Test Circuit reactor simulator based on its relative simplicity, low power supply mass penalty, flight heritage, and the promise of increased pump efficiency over those earlier pump designs through the use of skutterudite thermoelectric elements.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Nuclear Technology/American Nuclearn Society


Title:
Fast Electromagnetic Solvers for Large-Scale Naval Scattering Problems
Document ID:
20090003362
Report #:
AD-A487132, SIG.ONR.017.FINAL
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487132
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Carin, Lawrence
Published:
20080927
Source:
Signal Innovations Group, Inc. (Durham, NC United States)
Pages:
17
Contract #:
N00014-06-C-0029
Abstract:
Efficient modeling of electromagnetic scattering has always been an active topic in the field of computational electromagnetics. To reduce the memory and CPU time in the method of moments (MoM) solution, an efficient method based on pseudo skeleton approximation is presented in this report. The algorithm is purely algebraic, and therefore its performance is not associated with the kernel functions in the integral equations. The algorithm starts with a multilevel partitioning of the computational domain, which is very similar to the technique employed in multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA). Any of the impedance sub-matrices (with size of m x n) associated with the well-separated partitioning clusters (far interaction terms) is represented by the product of two much smaller matrices (with sizes of m x r and r x n), where r is the effective rank. Therefore, the memory requirement will be relieved and the total CPU time will be reduced significantly as well, since the rank is much smaller than the original matrix dimensions. It should be noted that we don't have to calculate all the impedance entries to implement the aforementioned decomposition. Instead, we only need to calculate a few randomly chosen rows and columns of those impedance entries. Further compressions based on singular value decomposition (SVD) are performed so that the rank reaches its optimal limit, which leads to the optimized final matrix compression. Numerical examples are provided to show the validity of the new algorithm. Future work directions are also discussed in this report.
Language:
English


Title:
Modeling Magnetic Core Loss for Sinusoidal Waveforms
Document ID:
20090004046
Report #:
AD-A488218
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Dunlop, Colin J
Published:
20080601
Source:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
112
Contract #:
N62271-97-G-0026
Abstract:
Among the challenging unsolved technical problems that have plagued the minds of scientist and engineers throughout the 20th and 21st century is the development of a quantifiable model to accurately estimate or explain Core Power Losses (CPL). Theoretical advances in magnets led to many model proposals, but as these models were experimentally examined, they quickly lost their validation. Many of the current models use manufacturer's material estimates to form limited curve fitted equations. These equations are only valid for a specific waveform over a specified range. Unless the designers use the same conditions used to determine the manufacturer's fitted equations, the models quickly lose their precision. The scope of this thesis is to explain and compare several of the current models and evaluate them using experimental data. The validity of some of the term components used in many of these models will also be investigated.
Language:
English



34-01   BOUNDARY LAYER TECHNOLOGY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



34-03   FLUIDICS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composites for Autonomous Structural Tailoring
Document ID:
20090003333
Report #:
AD-A488029
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA488029
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Wang, K W Bakis, Charles E Rahn, Christopher D
Published:
20080908
Source:
Pennsylvania State Univ. (University Park, PA United States)
Pages:
20
Contract #:
FA9550-07-1-0001
Abstract:
This project develops Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composites (F2MC) and structures that have controllable and reversible stiffness change. F2MC tubes are fiber wound and filled with fluid. If the fluid flows freely in and out of the tube then the stiffness is relatively low. Blocking the fluid flow by closing a valve results in high stiffness. In this investigation, we develop an accurate analytical model to predict and optimize F2MC tube performance and experimentally demonstrate 52 times stiffness change from open valve to closed valve. Tailoring the fiber wind angle and matrix material results in a broad range of open and closed valve stiffness values, indicating the wide applicability of the concept. Flexibility in the tube wall and air entrainment in the fluid are found to limit the maximum stiffness ratio that can be achieved. As a first step to develop variable stiffness structures, we model, design, build, and test a honeycomb-F2MC sandwich structure. This beam structure is cantilevered and demonstrates a three times increase in stiffness to an endpoint load from open valve to closed valve. The project demonstrates that F2MC technology has the potential to impact many applications, including soft robotics, isolation mounts, and morphing aircraft.
Language:
English



34-04   FLUID FLOW
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 1: Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Direct Refrigeration Cooling
Document ID:
20090001956
Report #:
AD-A486410, N00014-05-1-0408-FR-PT-1
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486410
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
340
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 2: Low Temperature Hybrid Micro-Channel/Micro-Jet Impingement Cooling
Document ID:
20090001957
Report #:
AD-A486411, N00014-05-1-0408-FR
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486411
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
172
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
Combined Wave and Surge Overtopping of Levees: Flow Hydrodynamics and Articulated Concrete Mat Stability
Document ID:
20090002010
Report #:
AD-A486615, ERDC/CHL-TR-08-10
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486615
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Hughes, Steven A
Published:
20080801
Source:
Army Engineer Research and Development Center (Vicksburg, MS United States)
Pages:
184
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A 1-to-25 scale physical model of a typical cross section of the levee along the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) was constructed at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory in Vicksburg, MS. The purpose of the physical model was to obtain hydrodynamic measurements of unsteady flow conditions caused by combined wave and surge overtopping of the levee, and to examine the feasibility of using articulated concrete mats (ACMs) for levee protection during this type of overtopping event. Specifically, the U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, was interested in determining whether the same ACMs used by the Corps Mat Sinking Unit to protect river banks could be used to protect the MRGO levee against surge and wave overtopping. When the storm surge elevation was 0.75 ft above the levee crest, the stability tests indicated the ACMs were prone to uplift on the lower portion of the levee protected-side slope for even relatively mild wave overtopping. An increase in wave height created mat rollup instability at the toe of the flood-side levee slope, indicating the need to bury or anchor the leading and tailing edges of the mats. Mat stability could be increased with additional anchoring or increasing mat thickness. Tests were also conducted to document the hydrodynamics associated with combined wave and surge overtopping. The primary parameters were three overtopping surge levels (+1, +3, and +5 ft); three significant wave heights (3, 6, and 9 ft); and three peak wave periods (6, 10, and 14 sec) for a total of 27 unique conditions. Measurements included the incident irregular waves and time series of water elevations at seven locations on the crest and protected-side slope of the levee. Horizontal flow velocity was recorded near the leeward levee crest shoulder, and the velocity was then combined with water elevation to estimate the unsteady instantaneous discharge over the levee.
Language:
English


Title:
Diagnostics for Combustion and Ignition Enhancement Using the Non-Equilibrium Plasma
Document ID:
20090002031
Report #:
AD-A486657
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486657
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ju, Yiguang Ombrello, Timothy Won, Sanghee
Published:
20080812
Source:
Princeton Univ. (NJ United States)
Pages:
9
Contract #:
FA9550-06-1-0349
Abstract:
A Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) system, an Imaged Intensified CCD (ICCD) camera (PI-MAX), an infrared laser diode, an oscilloscope, and a boxcar Integrator were purchased for the diagnostics of combustion and ignition enhancement using the non-equilibrium plasma and for the species measurements in non-premixed flames using JP-8 surrogate fuels. The systems were integrated into the existing Nd-YAG and Cobra-Stretch dye lasers, as well as the plasma assisted combustion burners. OH concentrations, O3 and O(1D) emissions, temperature distributions in plasma assisted combustion were measured by using the planar laser induced fluorescence, emission spectroscopy, and Rayleigh scattering. The flow field and flame speeds of surrogate fuel-air premixed flames were measured by using the PIV system. A new diagnostic method for simultaneous measurement of flow velocity and temperature by using PIV technique together with nanophosphor emissions is under development. The purchased experimental equipment significantly increased the experimental capabilities for quantitative measurements of intermediate species in plasma assisted combustion and contributed to the advancement of fundamental understanding of non-equilibrium plasma assisted combustion.
Language:
English


Title:
A Parallel Implementation of Three-Dimensional, Lagrangian Shallow Water Equations
Document ID:
20090002066
Report #:
AD-A486714, USNA-TSPR-368, USNA-1531-2
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486714
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Hartig, Daniel D
Published:
20080507
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
91
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This project developed fluid circulation models for the two- and three-dimensional Lagrangian shallow water equations. There were two stages to this development: in the first, the two-dimensional shallow water equations were transformed from first principles of oceanography into a serial implementation in MATLAB. In the second part, a serial implementation of the three-dimensional shallow water equations, developed by Dr. James Greenberg, was modified to run in parallel on many nodes of a computing cluster. There are two deliverable products from this project. First, there is a serial two-dimensional model of fluid circulation that takes into account many different user-designated initial conditions and can be useful for determining how well the mathematics of this model can approximate physical phenomena. Secondly, this project produced a three-dimensional parallel model that serves as a proof of concept for future development of more advanced parallel models.
Language:
English


Title:
Targeting Pod Effects on Weapons Release from F-18C Hornet
Document ID:
20090002138
Report #:
AD-A486722, USNA-TSPR-366
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Godiksen III, William H
Published:
20080101
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
97
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In recent years, the capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the trajectories of stores has greatly expanded. In this study, a CFD code developed at NASA has been used to explain an unexpected flight test result in order to assess the accuracy of CFD as applied to store separation. In December of 1998 during routine bombing practice at Fallon, NV, an F-18C released a Mark 82 JDAM bomb which impacted the Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared Pod (TFLIR) on the aircraft fuselage. This trajectory was entirely unexpected as that flight condition had previously been cleared as safe for store release. It had been assumed that the addition of the TFLIR would not cause a significant change to the aircraft's flowfield; an assumption which proved inaccurate. This study was designed to investigate whether CFD analysis could predict and explain the results of the aforementioned flight, and to determine the efficacy of CFD to predict and explain the effects of three different targeting pods of different geometries all carried by the F-18C Hornet. The three pods examined in this study were the TFLIR, the ATFLIR, and the Litening pod. The TFLIR and ATFLIR are geometrically quite similar while the Litening pod is both longer and wider. Surprisingly, flight tests showed that the ATFLIR and TFLIR pods had significantly different effects on the aerodynamic loads created on the bomb. Initial speculation centered on the physical differences between the forward ends of the pods, but this research revealed that the most important aspect was the shape and placement of the rear end of the pods. The initial investigation analyzed the aerodynamic effects of each pod on a bomb located adjacent to the pod on the inboard pylon beneath the wing.
Language:
English


Title:
Combustion Devices CFD Team Analyses Review
Document ID:
20090002407
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002407
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 No Copyright
Author(s):
Rocker, Marvin (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080307
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
51
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A variety of CFD simulations performed by the Combustion Devices CFD Team at Marshall Space Flight Center will be presented. These analyses were performed to support Space Shuttle operations and Ares-1 Crew Launch Vehicle design. Results from the analyses will be shown along with pertinent information on the CFD codes and computational resources used to obtain the results. Six analyses will be presented - two related to the Space Shuttle and four related to the Ares I-1 launch vehicle now under development at NASA. First, a CFD analysis of the flow fields around the Space Shuttle during the first six seconds of flight and potential debris trajectories within those flow fields will be discussed. Second, the combusting flows within the Space Shuttle Main Engine's main combustion chamber will be shown. For the Ares I-1, an analysis of the performance of the roll control thrusters during flight will be described. Several studies are discussed related to the J2-X engine to be used on the upper stage of the Ares I-1 vehicle. A parametric study of the propellant flow sequences and mixture ratios within the GOX/GH2 spark igniters on the J2-X is discussed. Transient simulations will be described that predict the asymmetric pressure loads that occur on the rocket nozzle during the engine start as the nozzle fills with combusting gases. Simulations of issues that affect temperature uniformity within the gas generator used to drive the J-2X turbines will described as well, both upstream of the chamber in the injector manifolds and within the combustion chamber itself.
Language:
English
Notes:
Graduate Seminar, Aerospace Engineering Dept., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH., March 7, 2008


Title:
Software Performs Complex Design Analysis
Document ID:
20090002496
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002496
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 76-77
Published:
20080901
Source:
Optimal Solutions Software, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Designers use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to gain greater understanding of the fluid flow phenomena involved in components being designed. They also use finite element analysis (FEA) as a tool to help gain greater understanding of the structural response of components to loads, stresses and strains, and the prediction of failure modes. Automated CFD and FEA engineering design has centered on shape optimization, which has been hindered by two major problems: 1) inadequate shape parameterization algorithms, and 2) inadequate algorithms for CFD and FEA grid modification. Working with software engineers at Stennis Space Center, a NASA commercial partner, Optimal Solutions Software LLC, was able to utilize its revolutionary, one-of-a-kind arbitrary shape deformation (ASD) capability-a major advancement in solving these two aforementioned problems-to optimize the shapes of complex pipe components that transport highly sensitive fluids. The ASD technology solves the problem of inadequate shape parameterization algorithms by allowing the CFD designers to freely create their own shape parameters, therefore eliminating the restriction of only being able to use the computer-aided design (CAD) parameters. The problem of inadequate algorithms for CFD grid modification is solved by the fact that the new software performs a smooth volumetric deformation. This eliminates the extremely costly process of having to remesh the grid for every shape change desired. The program can perform a design change in a markedly reduced amount of time, a process that would traditionally involve the designer returning to the CAD model to reshape and then remesh the shapes, something that has been known to take hours, days-even weeks or months-depending upon the size of the model.
Language:
English


Title:
GFSSP Training Course Lectures
Document ID:
20090002568
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002568
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A07 No Copyright
Author(s):
Majumdar, Alok K. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080818
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
133
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
GFSSP has been extended to model conjugate heat transfer Fluid Solid Network Elements include: a) Fluid nodes and Flow Branches; b) Solid Nodes and Ambient Nodes; c) Conductors connecting Fluid-Solid, Solid-Solid and Solid-Ambient Nodes. Heat Conduction Equations are solved simultaneously with Fluid Conservation Equations for Mass, Momentum, Energy and Equation of State. The extended code was verified by comparing with analytical solution for simple conduction-convection problem The code was applied to model: a) Pressurization of Cryogenic Tank; b) Freezing and Thawing of Metal; c) Chilldown of Cryogenic Transfer Line; d) Boil-off from Cryogenic Tank.
Language:
English
Notes:
Thermal and Fluids Analysis Workshop (TFAWS) 2008 San Jose, CA 18-22 Aug. 2008


Title:
Computational Analyses in Support of Sub-scale Diffuser Testing for the A-3 Facility
Document ID:
20090002608
Report #:
SSTI-8080-0023
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 Copyright
Author(s):
Allgood, Daniel C. (NASA Stennis Space Center) Graham, Jason S. (Jacobs Technologies Engineering Science Contract Group) Ahuja, Vineet (Combustion Research and Flow Technology, Inc.) Hosangadi, Ashvin (Combustion Research and Flow Technology, Inc.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Stennis Space Center (Stennis Space Center, MS, United States)
Pages:
3
Contract #:
NNS04AB67T NNX08CA36C Abstract: Simulation technology can play an important role in rocket engine test facility design and development by assessing risks, providing analysis of dynamic pressure and thermal loads, identifying failure modes and predicting anomalous behavior of critical systems. Advanced numerical tools assume greater significance in supporting testing and design of high altitude testing facilities and plume induced testing environments of high thrust engines because of the greater inter-dependence and synergy in the functioning of the different sub-systems. This is especially true for facilities such as the proposed A-3 facility at NASA SSC because of a challenging operating envelope linked to variable throttle conditions at relatively low chamber pressures. Facility designs in this case will require a complex network of diffuser ducts, steam ejector trains, fast operating valves, cooling water systems and flow diverters that need to be characterized for steady state performance. In this paper, we will demonstrate with the use of CFD analyses s advanced capability to evaluate supersonic diffuser and steam ejector performance in a sub-scale A-3 facility at NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) where extensive testing was performed. Furthermore, the focus in this paper relates to modeling of critical sub-systems and components used in facilities such as the A-3 facility. The work here will address deficiencies in empirical models and current CFD analyses that are used for design of supersonic diffusers/turning vanes/ejectors as well as analyses for confined plumes and venting processes. The primary areas that will be addressed are: (1) supersonic diffuser performance including analyses of thermal loads (2) accurate shock capturing in the diffuser duct; (3) effect of turning duct on the performance of the facility (4) prediction of mass flow rates and performance classification for steam ejectors (5) comparisons with test data from sub-scale diffuser testing and assessment of confidence levels in CFD based flowpath modeling of the facility. The analyses tools used here expand on the multi-element unstructured CFD which has been tailored and validated for impingement dynamics of dry plumes, complex valve/feed systems, and high pressure propellant delivery systems used in engine and component test stands at NASA SSC. The analyses performed in the evaluation of the sub-scale diffuser facility explored several important factors that influence modeling and understanding of facility operation such as (a) importance of modeling the facility with Real Gas approximation, (b) approximating the cluster of steam ejector nozzles as a single annular nozzle, (c) existence of mixed subsonic/supersonic flow downstream of the turning duct, and (d) inadequacy of two-equation turbulence models in predicting the correct pressurization in the turning duct and expansion of the second stage steam ejectors. The procedure used for modeling the facility was as follows: (i) The engine, test cell and first stage ejectors were simulated with an axisymmetric approximation (ii) the turning duct, second stage ejectors and the piping downstream of the second stage ejectors were analyzed with a three-dimensional simulation utilizing a half-plane symmetry approximation. The solution i.e. primitive variables such as pressure, velocity components, temperature and turbulence quantities were passed from the first computational domain and specified as a supersonic boundary condition for the second simulation. (iii) The third domain comprised of the exit diffuser and the region in the vicinity of the facility (primary included to get the correct shock structure at the exit of the facility and entrainment characteristics). The first set of simulations comprising the engine, test cell and first stage ejectors was carried out both as a turbulent real gas calculation as well as a turbulent perfect gas calculation. A comparison for the two cases (Real Turbulent and Perfect gas turbulent) of the Ma Number distribution and temperature distributions are shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. The Mach Number distribution shows small yet distinct differences between the two cases such as locations of shocks/shock reflections and a slightly different impingement point on the wall of the diffuser from the expansion at the exit of the nozzle. Similarly the temperature distribution indicates different flow recirculation patterns in the test cell. Both cases capture all the essential flow phenomena such as the shock-boundary layer interaction, plume expansion, expansion of the first stage ejectors, mixing between the engine plume and the first stage ejector flow and pressurization due to the first stage ejectors. The final paper will discuss thermal loads on the walls of the diffuser and cooling mechanisms investigated.
Language:
English


Title:
System and method for determining velocity of electrically conductive fluid
Document ID:
20090002663
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002663
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A02 No Copyright
Author(s):
Polzin, Kurt A. Korman, Valentin Markusic, Thomas E. Stanojev, Boris Johann
Published:
20080812
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
6
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A flowing electrically-conductive fluid is controlled between an upstream and downstream location thereof to insure that a convection timescale of the flowing fluid is less than a thermal diffusion timescale of the flowing fluid. First and second nodes of a current-carrying circuit are coupled to the fluid at the upstream location. A current pulse is applied to the current-carrying circuit so that the current pulse travels through the flowing fluid to thereby generate a thermal feature therein at the upstream location. The thermal feature is convected to the downstream location where it is monitored to detect a peak associated with the thermal feature so-convected. The velocity of the fluid flow is determined using a time-of-flight analysis.
Language:
English
Notes:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/877,015 filed on Dec. 4, 2006


Title:
FY07 NRL DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program Annual Reports
Document ID:
20090003562
Report #:
AD-A487456, NRL/PU/5590-08-510
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Shingler, Portia A Howell, Beth A
Published:
20080905
Source:
Naval Research Lab. (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
109
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
These reports summarize the accomplishments of the NRL Principal Investigators who received computer allocations on the DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program Shared Resource Center in FY07.
Language:
English


Title:
Simulation of Compressible Multi-Phase Turbulent Reacting Flows
Document ID:
20090004012
Report #:
AD-A488134, GIT-CCL-TR-2008-09-1
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Menon, Suresh Genin, Franklin
Published:
20080901
Source:
Georgia Inst. of Tech. (Atlanta, GA United States)
Pages:
53
Contract #:
FA9550-06-1-0056
Abstract:
Simulation of multi-phase, turbulent reacting flow is in itself a very complex task but when such flows occur in the presence of strong, unsteady shocks additional complexity can arise. Shock interactions with shear turbulence can change turbulent structures and shock induced heating can trigger ignition, combustion and turbulent flame propagation. In this research, a new and an efficient large-eddy simulation (LES) strategy has been developed to investigate turbulent flows in a high-speed, compressible environment. A new numerical algorithm has been validated that permits a proper capture of strong shocks and shear turbulence simultaneously. This algorithm has been combined with a new dynamic subgrid closure for LES of highly compressible flows such that there are no ad hoc adjustable parameters. Extensive validation has been conducted and application of the hybrid solver to shock-shear interactions, re-shocked Richtmyer-Meshkov instability, and regular and irregular detonations have been demonstrated. These results establish a new capability to simulate high Reynolds number complex flows containing strong shocks, shear turbulence and reacting flows in a multi-phase (gas-liquid-solid) environment.
Language:
English


Title:
Minimum Pressure Envelope Cavitation Analysis Using Two-Dimensional Panel Method
Document ID:
20090004053
Report #:
AD-A488241
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Peterson, Christopher J
Published:
20080601
Source:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
102
Contract #:
N62271-97-G-0026
Abstract:
An analysis tool for calculating minimum pressure envelopes was developed using XFOIL. This thesis presents MATLAB(registered) executables that interface with a modified version of XFOIL for determining the minimum pressure of a foil operating in an inviscid fluid. The code creates minimum pressure envelopes, similar to those published by Brockett (1965). XFOIL, developed by Mark Drela in 1986, is a design system for Low Reynolds Number Airfoils that combines the speed and accuracy of high-order panel methods with fully-coupled viscous/inviscid interaction. XFOIL was altered such that it reads in command line arguments that provide operating instructions, rather than operator interaction via menu options. In addition, all screen output and plotting functions were removed. These modifications removed XFOIL's user interface, and created a black box version of XFOIL that would perform the desired calculations and write the output to a file. These modifications allow rapid execution and interface by an external program, such as MATLAB. In addition, XFOIL's algorithms provide a significant improvement in the accuracy of minimum pressure prediction over the method published by Brockett. Development of the modified XFOIL and MATLAB interface contained in this thesis is intended for future interface with Open-source Propeller Design and Analysis Program (OpenProp). OpenProp is an open source MATLAB-based suite of propeller design tools. Currently, OpenProp performs parametric analysis and single propeller design, but does not perform cavitation analysis. Minimum pressure envelopes provide the propeller designer information about operating conditions encountered by propellers. The code developed in this thesis allows the designer to rapidly assess cavitation conditions while in the design phase, and make modifications to propeller blade design in order to optimize cavitation performance. A methodology for design is discussed outlining future integration with OpenProp.
Language:
English



34-05   COMBUSTION PHYSICS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Emission control system
Document ID:
20090002662
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002662
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A02 No Copyright
Author(s):
Parrish, Clyde F.
Published:
20080729
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
9
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus utilizing hydrogen peroxide are useful to reduce NOx, SOx and mercury (or other heavy metal) emissions from combustion flue gas streams. Continuous concentration of hydrogen peroxide to levels approaching or exceeding propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide facilitates increased system efficiency. In this manner, combustion flue gas streams can be treated for the removal of NOx, SOx and heavy metals, while isolating useful by-products streams of sulfuric acid and nitric acid as well as solids for the recovery of the heavy metals.
Language:
English


Title:
Regular and Mach Reflections to Mach 18 with Air and TNT Detonation Products
Document ID:
20090003410
Report #:
AD-A487305, NRL/MR/6410--08-9132
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487305
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Schwer, Douglas
Published:
20080910
Source:
Naval Research Lab. (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
15
Contract #:
64-1530-1-7
Abstract:
This report describes the computation of critical incident shock wave angles for regular (alpha sub d) reflections as a function of Mach number up to 18. First, the effect of different values for the specific heat ratio (gamma) is examined, and is found that as gamma decreases from 1.4 to 1.2, the value for alpha sub N decreases for regular reflections, and the value for alpha sub d increases, resulting in a significantly larger dual-solution-domain. Next, temperature dependent properties for air were used with standard temperature and pressure inflow conditions. These results were compared with the perfect gas case with gamma set to 1.4, and showed that the variable properties calculation had very little effect on the alpha sub N value. However, variable properties had a significant effect on the alpha sub d value, because Mach reflections represent stronger shock waves with larger temperature jumps across the shock wave. The next set of results compared the air with variable properties results with results using variable properties and TNT detonation products. Again, we found that the alpha sub N followed the perfect gas case closely with gamma set to 1.2 while the alpha sub d value differed substantially from the perfect gas and variable air properties cases. All cases were significantly different from the gamma = 1.4 case. Finally, results were computed for air with variable properties and equilibrium chemistry. We have that alpha sub N was not sensitive to equilibrium chemistry over the entire range of Mach numbers while alpha sub d increased significantly at the higher Mach numbers. At Mach 18, the values for alpha sub N varied between 18.9 degrees (detonation products) and 23.1 degrees (gamma = 1.4), and the values for alpha sub d varied between 39.9 degrees (gamma = 1.4) and 49.2 degrees (detonation products). In general, we found alpha sub N to be fa
Language:
English


Title:
Making Space for Combustion Experiments
Document ID:
20090003882
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Flinn, Edward D.
Journal:
Aerospace America, Volume: Volume 46 , Issue: No. 5 , Page: 28--30
Published:
20080501 Publisher: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Source:
American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Washington, DC, United States)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Recently, engineers at NASA Glenn displayed an experiment rack, the CIR (combustion integrated rack) test array and its initial experiment, the multiuser droplet combustion apparatus. These are destined to be installed in the U.S. laboratory module on the space station as an integral part of the fluids and combustion facility (FCF). Engineers at Glenn designed and built the FCF to accomodate the unique challenges of working with fluids and combustion processes in microgravity. The FCF will also provide services and capabilities comparable to those found in traditional Earth-based laboratories. Six years in the design and building, the CIR and its first experiment are slated to launch aboard the shuttle Endeavor. Once on board the station, the rack will house combustion experiments to be performed in space. NASA scientists expect this activity to further their understanding of fire prevention, detection, and suppression during long-duration space travel, and possibly yield innovations in fire prevention and combustion on Earth. The CIR experiments will also address critical needs involving power generation and the incineration of solid.wastes. In addition, the rack will provide hardware, software, power, data management, communication, and environmental controls for the experiments.
Language:
English



34-06   HEAT TRANSFER, BASIC
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 1: Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Direct Refrigeration Cooling
Document ID:
20090001956
Report #:
AD-A486410, N00014-05-1-0408-FR-PT-1
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486410
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
340
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 2: Low Temperature Hybrid Micro-Channel/Micro-Jet Impingement Cooling
Document ID:
20090001957
Report #:
AD-A486411, N00014-05-1-0408-FR
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486411
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
172
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
GFSSP Training Course Lectures
Document ID:
20090002568
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002568
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A07 No Copyright
Author(s):
Majumdar, Alok K. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080818
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
133
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
GFSSP has been extended to model conjugate heat transfer Fluid Solid Network Elements include: a) Fluid nodes and Flow Branches; b) Solid Nodes and Ambient Nodes; c) Conductors connecting Fluid-Solid, Solid-Solid and Solid-Ambient Nodes. Heat Conduction Equations are solved simultaneously with Fluid Conservation Equations for Mass, Momentum, Energy and Equation of State. The extended code was verified by comparing with analytical solution for simple conduction-convection problem The code was applied to model: a) Pressurization of Cryogenic Tank; b) Freezing and Thawing of Metal; c) Chilldown of Cryogenic Transfer Line; d) Boil-off from Cryogenic Tank.
Language:
English
Notes:
Thermal and Fluids Analysis Workshop (TFAWS) 2008 San Jose, CA 18-22 Aug. 2008


Title:
Unitized regenerative fuel cell system
Document ID:
20090002667
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002667
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Burke, Kenneth A.
Published:
20080812
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell system uses heat pipes to convey waste heat from the fuel cell stack to the reactant storage tanks. The storage tanks act as heat sinks/sources and as passive radiators of the waste heat from the fuel cell stack. During charge up, i.e., the electrolytic process, gases are conveyed to the reactant storage tanks by way of tubes that include dryers. Reactant gases moving through the dryers give up energy to the cold tanks, causing water vapor in with the gases to condense and freeze on the internal surfaces of the dryer. During operation in its fuel cell mode, the heat pipes convey waste heat from the fuel cell stack to the respective reactant storage tanks, thereby heating them such that the reactant gases, as they pass though the respective dryers on their way to the fuel cell stacks retrieve the water previously removed.
Language:
English


Title:
Transient Thermal Response of a Projectile Misfired in a Mortar Tube
Document ID:
20090003970
Report #:
AD-A488049, ARMET-TR-08017
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Carluuci, Pasquale Potucek, Jerry
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (Picatinny Arsenal, NJ United States)
Pages:
15
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Valuable insight into the response of various projectile features under misfire conditions can be drawn from an accurate finite element analysis. This is important since it can model the response and performance of safety critical features including vent plugs and propellant cook-off times. This paper describes the approach used to model the transient thermal analysis of a misfired Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM) in a mortar tube. The analysis of the PGMM described here can be applied to a wide range of projectiles, from large caliber artillery to small caliber bullets with similar environmental conditions. In developing the model, projectile and gun tube components are assigned temperature states representative of misfire. Hand calculations are then performed to determine the dominant heat transfer mode. Las fly, critical parameters are used to setup a finite element model in ABAQUS/CAE for an uncoupled heat transfer analysis.
Language:
English



34-07   REENTRY HEAT TRANSFER
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



34-08   THERMAL PROTECTION
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 1: Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Direct Refrigeration Cooling
Document ID:
20090001956
Report #:
AD-A486410, N00014-05-1-0408-FR-PT-1
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486410
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
340
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 2: Low Temperature Hybrid Micro-Channel/Micro-Jet Impingement Cooling
Document ID:
20090001957
Report #:
AD-A486411, N00014-05-1-0408-FR
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486411
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
172
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
Polymer Fabric Protects Firefighters, Military, and Civilians
Document ID:
20090002489
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002489
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 84-85
Published:
20080901
Source:
Celanese Corp. of America (New York, NY, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In 1967, NASA contracted with Celanese Corporation, of New York, to develop a line of PBI textiles for use in space suits and vehicles. In 2005, the PBI fiber and polymer business was sold to PBI Performance Products Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina, under the ownership of the InterTech Group, of North Charleston, South Carolina. PBI Performance Products now offers two distinct lines: PBI, the original heat and flame resistant fiber; and Celazole, a family of high-temperature PBI polymers available in true polymer form. PBI is now used in numerous firefighting, military, motor sports, and other applications.
Language:
English


Title:
Studies on Enhancing Transverse Thermal Conductivity in Carbon/Carbon Composites
Document ID:
20090003282
Report #:
AD-A487927
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487927
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Manocha, Lalit M
Published:
20081001
Source:
Sophisticated Instruments Center for Applied Research and Testing (Vallabh Vidyanagar, India)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
FA4869-07-1-4036
Abstract:
In the present studies, attempts were made to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on a large scale in the form of aligned carbon nanotubes as arrays. Arrays of these carbon nanotubes were densified, like in carbon felt densification process by filling the space within the nanotubes. Therefore, the work undertaken in the present studies was to develop arrays of MWNTs and to develop aligned MWNTs composite films using chemical vapor infiltration technique. Substantial characterization was completed and documented. Thermal conductivity of as purified aligned carbon nanotube film was 7.169 W/m.K. After infiltration, this densified film showed thermal conductivity of about 16.0 W/m.K. The lattice defects present in these nanocomposites were minimized by graphitization at high temperature. The heat treatment of these films at 2400 deg C yielded increase in thermal conductivity to 10.2761 and 51.319 W/m.K for 950 deg C and 1050 deg C infiltrated films, respectively.
Language:
English


Title:
Science Underpinning TBC Design for Durability in Aggressive Environments
Document ID:
20090003284
Report #:
AD-A487929
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487929
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Levi, Carlos G
Published:
20081001
Source:
California Univ. (Santa Barbara, CA United States)
Pages:
18
Contract #:
N00014-99-1-0471
Abstract:
The aims of this research were the scientific understanding of the environmental degradation of thermal barrier systems by molten deposits, as relevant to the US Navy aircraft and marine engines, and the application of this understanding to develop mitigation strategies. The program had two thrusts, one addressing molten deposits of calcium-magnesium alumino silicates (CMAS), and the other corrosive sulfate/vanadate (S/V) melts resulting from salt ingestion combined with fuel contaminants. In principle, both types of deposits can penetrate the coating and reduce its compliance upon freezing, leading to thermomechanical damage, but also attack thermochemically the TBC by dissolving the barrier oxide and reprecipitating undesirable phases. The program successfully elucidated the mechanisms and identified mitigating strategies for both problems. The proposed CMAS mitigation is based on reaction with a rare earth zirconate layer, which leads to the precipitation of solid phases in sufficient volume to inhibit the capillary-driven flow of CMAS into the pore spaces of the coating. The approach for S/v relied on reducing the Y activity by co-doping with Ta. The latter compositions also offer phase stability at considerably higher temperatures than 7YSZ and attractive toughness.
Language:
English


Title:
System and method for suppressing sublimation using opacified aerogel
Document ID:
20090004218
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090004218
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Sakamoto, Jeff S. Snyder, G. Jeffrey Calliat, Thierry Fleurial, Jean-Pierre Jones, Steven M. Palk, Jong-Ah
Published:
20081209
Source:
California Inst. of Tech. (Pasadena, CA United States)
Pages:
12
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a castable, aerogel-based, ultra-low thermal conductivity opacified insulation to suppress sublimation. More specifically, the present invention relates to an aerogel opacified with various opacifying or reflecting constituents to suppress sublimation and provide thermal insulation in thermoelectric modules. The opacifying constituent can be graded within the aerogel for increased sublimation suppression, and the density of the aerogel can similarly be graded to achieve optimal thermal insulation and sublimation suppression.
Language:
English
Notes:
The present application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/515,259, filed Oct. 29, 2003, entitled ''Castable, Aerogel-Based, Thermal Insulation.''



34-09   ABLATION
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



34-10   CRYOGENICS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 1: Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Direct Refrigeration Cooling
Document ID:
20090001956
Report #:
AD-A486410, N00014-05-1-0408-FR-PT-1
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486410
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
340
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
Two-Phase Flow in High-Heat-Flux Micro-Channel Heat Sink for Refrigeration Cooling Applications. Part 2: Low Temperature Hybrid Micro-Channel/Micro-Jet Impingement Cooling
Document ID:
20090001957
Report #:
AD-A486411, N00014-05-1-0408-FR
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486411
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mudawar, Issam Lee, Jaeseon Sung, Myung Ki
Published:
20080901
Source:
Purdue Univ. (West Lafayette, IN United States)
Pages:
172
Contract #:
N00014-05-1-0408
Abstract:
This report examines the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. New models and correlations are proposed for both saturated and subcooled boiling conditions. These tools are shown to provide accurate predictions of pressure drop, two-phase heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Also discussed in this report is a new hybrid cooling system that combines the cooling attributes of micro-channel flow and jet impingement. It is shown this system is very effective at meeting the cooling demands of high-flux defense electronics, including the ability to dissipate in excess of 1000 W/sq cm. Detailed predictive tools are provided to tackle the design of a hybrid cooling module.
Language:
English


Title:
Assessment of Superstructural Ice Protection as Applied to Offshore Oil Operations Safety
Document ID:
20090002005
Report #:
AD-A486608, ERDC/CRREL-TR-08-14
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486608
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ryerson, Charles C
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab. (Hanover, NH United States)
Pages:
155
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Superstructure sea spray icing and atmospheric icing from snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, rime, sleet, and frost reduce the safety of offshore platform and supply boat operations. Though icing reduces safety and reduces operational efficiency, it has not caused the loss of offshore platforms. Supply boats are at greater risk of loss from icing than are platforms. Platforms operating in cold regions are protected primarily by designs that reduce ice accretion, coupled with the selective use of heat. A variety of deicing and anti-icing technologies have been tested on offshore platforms and boats, but with little overall success. New technologies and modern versions of old technologies, now used successfully in aviation, the electric power industry, and on transportation systems in general, may be transferable to the offshore environment. Fifteen classes of deicing and anti-icing technologies are identified, explained, and reviewed, as are numerous ice detection technologies for controlling deicing and anti-icing systems. These technologies are the population from which new marine ice protection systems may be selected.
Language:
English


Title:
Accuracy Assessment and Correction of Vaisala RS92 Radiosonde Water Vapor Measurements
Document ID:
20090002204
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 Copyright
Author(s):
Whiteman, David N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Miloshevich, Larry M. (National Center for Atmospheric Research) Vomel, Holger (Colorado Univ.) Leblanc, Thierry (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.)
Published:
20080101 Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
61
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Relative humidity (RH) measurements from Vaisala RS92 radiosondes are widely used in both research and operational applications, although the measurement accuracy is not well characterized as a function of its known dependences on height, RH, and time of day (or solar altitude angle). This study characterizes RS92 mean bias error as a function of its dependences by comparing simultaneous measurements from RS92 radiosondes and from three reference instruments of known accuracy. The cryogenic frostpoint hygrometer (CFH) gives the RS92 accuracy above the 700 mb level; the ARM microwave radiometer gives the RS92 accuracy in the lower troposphere; and the ARM SurTHref system gives the RS92 accuracy at the surface using 6 RH probes with NIST-traceable calibrations. These RS92 assessments are combined using the principle of Consensus Referencing to yield a detailed estimate of RS92 accuracy from the surface to the lowermost stratosphere. An empirical bias correction is derived to remove the mean bias error, yielding corrected RS92 measurements whose mean accuracy is estimated to be +/-3% of the measured RH value for nighttime soundings and +/-4% for daytime soundings, plus an RH offset uncertainty of +/-0.5%RH that is significant for dry conditions. The accuracy of individual RS92 soundings is further characterized by the 1-sigma "production variability," estimated to be +/-1.5% of the measured RH value. The daytime bias correction should not be applied to cloudy daytime soundings, because clouds affect the solar radiation error in a complicated and uncharacterized way.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Journal of Geophysical Research.


Title:
Aerogels Insulate Missions and Consumer Products
Document ID:
20090002467
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002467
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 108-109
Published:
20080901
Source:
Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (Northborough, MA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Aspen Aerogels, of Northborough, Massachusetts, worked with NASA through an SBIR contract with Kennedy Space Center to develop a robust, flexible form of aerogel for cryogenic insulation for space shuttle launch applications. The company has since used the same manufacturing process developed under the SBIR award to expand its product offerings into the more commercial realms, making the naturally fragile aerogel available for the first time as a standard insulation that can be handled and installed just like standard insulation.
Language:
English


Title:
Polymer Coats Leads on Implantable Medical Device
Document ID:
20090002469
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002469
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 52-53
Published:
20080901
Source:
Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Langley Research Center s Soluble Imide (LaRC-SI) was discovered by accident. While researching resins and adhesives for advanced composites for high-speed aircraft, Robert Bryant, a Langley engineer, noticed that one of the polymers he was working with did not behave as predicted. After putting the compound through a two-stage controlled chemical reaction, expecting it to precipitate as a powder after the second stage, he was surprised to see that the compound remained soluble. This novel characteristic ended up making this polymer a very significant finding, eventually leading Bryant and his team to win several NASA technology awards, and an "R&D 100" award. The unique feature of this compound is the way that it lends itself to easy processing. Most polyimides (members of a group of remarkably strong and incredibly heat- and chemical-resistant polymers) require complex curing cycles before they are usable. LaRC-SI remains soluble in its final form, so no further chemical processing is required to produce final materials, like thin films and varnishes. Since producing LaRC-SI does not require complex manufacturing techniques, it has been processed into useful forms for a variety of applications, including mechanical parts, magnetic components, ceramics, adhesives, composites, flexible circuits, multilayer printed circuits, and coatings on fiber optics, wires, and metals. Bryant s team was, at the time, heavily involved with the aircraft polymer project and could not afford to further develop the polymer resin. Believing it was worth further exploration, though, he developed a plan for funding development and submitted it to Langley s chief scientist, who endorsed the experimentation. Bryant then left the high-speed civil transport project to develop LaRC-SI. The result is an extremely tough, lightweight thermoplastic that is not only solvent-resistant, but also has the ability to withstand temperature ranges from cryogenic levels to above 200 C. The thermoplastic s unique characteristics lend it to many commercial applications; uses that Bryant believed would ultimately benefit industry and the Nation. "LaRC-SI," he explains, "is a product created in a government laboratory, funded with money from the tax-paying public. What we discovered helps further the economic competitiveness of the United States, and it was our goal to initiate the technology transfer process to ensure that our work benefited the widest range of people." Several NASA centers, including Langley, have explored methods for using LaRC-SI in a number of applications from radiation shielding and as an adhesive to uses involving replacement of conventional rigid circuit boards. In the commercial realm, LaRC-SI can now be found in several commercial products, including the thin-layer composite unimorph ferroelectric driver and sensor (THUNDER) piezoelectric actuator, another "R&D 100" award winner (Spinoff 2005).
Language:
English


Title:
Innovative Stemless Valve Eliminates Emissions
Document ID:
20090002477
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002477
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 120-121
Published:
20080901
Source:
Big Horn Valve, Inc. (Sheridan, WY, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Big Horn Valve Inc. (BHVI), of Sheridan, Wyoming, won a series of SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts with Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center to explore and develop a revolutionary valve technology. BHVI developed a low-mass, high-efficiency, leak-proof cryogenic valve using composites and exotic metals, and had no stem-actuator, few moving parts, with an overall cylindrical shape. The valve has been installed at a methane coal gas field, and future applications are expected to include in-flight refueling of military aircraft, high-volume gas delivery systems, petroleum refining, and in the nuclear industry.
Language:
English


Title:
GFSSP Training Course Lectures
Document ID:
20090002568
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002568
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A07 No Copyright
Author(s):
Majumdar, Alok K. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080818
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
133
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
GFSSP has been extended to model conjugate heat transfer Fluid Solid Network Elements include: a) Fluid nodes and Flow Branches; b) Solid Nodes and Ambient Nodes; c) Conductors connecting Fluid-Solid, Solid-Solid and Solid-Ambient Nodes. Heat Conduction Equations are solved simultaneously with Fluid Conservation Equations for Mass, Momentum, Energy and Equation of State. The extended code was verified by comparing with analytical solution for simple conduction-convection problem The code was applied to model: a) Pressurization of Cryogenic Tank; b) Freezing and Thawing of Metal; c) Chilldown of Cryogenic Transfer Line; d) Boil-off from Cryogenic Tank.
Language:
English
Notes:
Thermal and Fluids Analysis Workshop (TFAWS) 2008 San Jose, CA 18-22 Aug. 2008


Title:
Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 1-1-003 Cold Regions Personnel Effects
Document ID:
20090003554
Report #:
AD-A487444, TOP-1-1-003
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Published:
20080915
Source:
Army Cold Regions Test Center (Fort Greely, AK United States)
Pages:
13
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This Test Operations Procedure (TOP) provides background information on physiological and psychological effects of cold on the human. It is an overview TOP and is organized to provide information on some of the problems associated with conducting operations, training, testing, and living in a cold environment. Rather than test procedures, it provides needed knowledge to safely conduct tests in the cold environment.
Language:
English


Title:
Structural and Mechanistic Analyses of TSC1/2 and Rheb 1/2-Mediated Regulation of the mTORC Pathway
Document ID:
20090003997
Report #:
AD-A488112
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Sabatini, David
Published:
20080731
Source:
Whitehead Inst. for Biomedical Research (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
12
Contract #:
W81XWH-07-1-0448
Abstract:
The multiprotein mTORC1 protein kinase complex is the central component of a pathway that promotes growth in response to insulin, energy levels, and amino acids and is deregulated in common cancers. In particular, the mTOR pathway is hyperactive in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a mental retardation and cancer-prone syndrome affecting 1 in 6,000 people in the United States. With the long-term goal of developing anti-cancer therapeutics based on the mTORC1 regulatory mechanism, we recently found that the Rag proteins, a family of four related small GTPases, interact with mTORC1 in an amino acid sensitive manner and are necessary for the activation of the mTORC1 pathway by amino acids. The Rag proteins do not directly stimulate the kinase activity of mTORC1, but, like amino acids, promote the intracellular localization of mTOR to a compartment that also contains its activator Rheb. In addition, our structural analysis of mTORC1 generated preliminary cryo-EM reconstructions of the mTORC1 dimer and Raptor at resolutions of 25 and 30 , respectively.
Language:
English



35-01   PHOTOGRAPHY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Calibrated Mid-wave Infrared (IR) (MidIR) and Long-wave IR (LWIR) Stokes and Degree-of-Liner Polarization (DOLP)
Document ID:
20090002049
Report #:
AD-A486684, ARL-TR-4544
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486684
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gurton, Kristan P Felton, Melvin
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Adelphi, MD United States)
Pages:
30
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We present radiometric and polarimetric calibrated imagery recorded in both the mid-wave infrared (IR) (MidIR) and long-wave IR (LWIR) as a function of diurnal variation over several multiday periods. We compare differences in polarimetric and conventional thermal imagery for both IR atmospheric transmission windows, i.e., the 3-5 mu and 8-12 mu regions. Meteorological parameters measured during the study include temperature, relative humidity, wind speed/direction, precipitation, and ambient atmospheric IR loading. The two camera systems used in the study differed significantly in design. The LWIR polarimetric sensor utilizes a spinning achromatic retarder and is best suited for static scenes, while the MidIR system is based on a division-of-aperture design and is capable of recording polarimetric imagery of targets that are rapidly moving. Examples of both So (conventional thermal) and degree-of-linear polarization (DOLP) imagery are presented and compared.
Language:
English


Title:
Web-Based Mapping Puts the World at Your Fingertips
Document ID:
20090002478
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002478
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 122-123
Published:
20080901
Source:
DATASTAR, Inc. (Picayune, MS, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
NASA's award-winning Earth Resources Laboratory Applications Software (ELAS) package was developed at Stennis Space Center. Since 1978, ELAS has been used worldwide for processing satellite and airborne sensor imagery data of the Earth's surface into readable and usable information. DATASTAR Inc., of Picayune, Mississippi, has used ELAS software in the DATASTAR Image Processing Exploitation (DIPEx) desktop and Internet image processing, analysis, and manipulation software. The new DIPEx Version III includes significant upgrades and improvements compared to its esteemed predecessor. A true World Wide Web application, this product evolved with worldwide geospatial dimensionality and numerous other improvements that seamlessly support the World Wide Web version.
Language:
English


Title:
Photorefraction Screens Millions for Vision Disorders
Document ID:
20090002481
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002481
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 58-59
Published:
20080901
Source:
Vision Research Corp. (Birmingham, AL, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Who would have thought that stargazing in the 1980s would lead to hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren seeing more clearly today? Collaborating with research ophthalmologists and optometrists, Marshall Space Flight Center scientists Joe Kerr and the late John Richardson adapted optics technology for eye screening methods using a process called photorefraction. Photorefraction consists of delivering a light beam into the eyes where it bends in the ocular media, hits the retina, and then reflects as an image back to a camera. A series of refinements and formal clinical studies followed their highly successful initial tests in the 1980s. Evaluating over 5,000 subjects in field tests, Kerr and Richardson used a camera system prototype with a specifically angled telephoto lens and flash to photograph a subject s eye. They then analyzed the image, the cornea and pupil in particular, for irregular reflective patterns. Early tests of the system with 1,657 Alabama children revealed that, while only 111 failed the traditional chart test, Kerr and Richardson s screening system found 507 abnormalities.
Language:
English


Title:
Historic Partnership Captures Our Imagination
Document ID:
20090002498
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002498
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 100-103
Published:
20080901
Source:
Hasselblad (Victor) A.B. (Goteborg, Sweden)
Pages:
4
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Victor Hasselblad AB, of Gothenburg, Sweden, has enjoyed a long-lived collaboration with NASA, especially Johnson Space Center. For over four decades, Hasselblad has supplied camera equipment to the NASA Space Program, and Hasselblad cameras still take on average between 1,500 and 2,000 photographs on each space shuttle mission. Collaboration with NASA has allowed a very small company to achieve worldwide recognition-Hassleblad's operations now include centers in Parsippany, New Jersey; and Redmond, Washington; as well as France and Denmark-and consumer camera models have featured improvements resulting from refinements for the space models.
Language:
English


Title:
Mars Cameras Make Panoramic Photography a Snap
Document ID:
20090002506
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002506
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 92-93
Published:
20080901
Source:
Carnegie-Mellon Univ. (Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
If you wish to explore a Martian landscape without leaving your armchair, a few simple clicks around the NASA Web site will lead you to panoramic photographs taken from the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Many of the technologies that enable this spectacular Mars photography have also inspired advancements in photography here on Earth, including the panoramic camera (Pancam) and its housing assembly, designed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Cornell University for the Mars missions. Mounted atop each rover, the Pancam mast assembly (PMA) can tilt a full 180 degrees and swivel 360 degrees, allowing for a complete, highly detailed view of the Martian landscape. The rover Pancams take small, 1 megapixel (1 million pixel) digital photographs, which are stitched together into large panoramas that sometimes measure 4 by 24 megapixels. The Pancam software performs some image correction and stitching after the photographs are transmitted back to Earth. Different lens filters and a spectrometer also assist scientists in their analyses of infrared radiation from the objects in the photographs. These photographs from Mars spurred developers to begin thinking in terms of larger and higher quality images: super-sized digital pictures, or gigapixels, which are images composed of 1 billion or more pixels. Gigapixel images are more than 200 times the size captured by today s standard 4 megapixel digital camera. Although originally created for the Mars missions, the detail provided by these large photographs allows for many purposes, not all of which are limited to extraterrestrial photography.
Language:
English


Title:
Immersive Photography Renders 360 degree Views
Document ID:
20090002507
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002507
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 98-99
Published:
20080901
Source:
Interactive Pictures Corp. (Oak Ridge, TN, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
An SBIR contract through Langley Research Center helped Interactive Pictures Corporation, of Knoxville, Tennessee, create an innovative imaging technology. This technology is a video imaging process that allows real-time control of live video data and can provide users with interactive, panoramic 360 views. The camera system can see in multiple directions, provide up to four simultaneous views, each with its own tilt, rotation, and magnification, yet it has no moving parts, is noiseless, and can respond faster than the human eye. In addition, it eliminates the distortion caused by a fisheye lens, and provides a clear, flat view of each perspective.
Language:
English


Title:
James Webb Space Telescope: Frequently Asked Questions for Scientists and Engineers
Document ID:
20090003207
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090003207
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Gardner, Jonathan P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20081125
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
11
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
JWST will be tested incrementally during its construction, starting with individual mirrors and instruments (including cameras and spectrometers) and building up to the full observatory. JWST's mirrors and the telescope structure are first each tested individually, including optical testing of the mirrors and alignment testing of the structure inside a cold thermal-vacuum chamber. The mirrors are then installed on the telescope structure in a clean room at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). In parallel to the telescope assembly and alignment, the instruments are being built and tested, again first individually, and then as part of an integrated instrument assembly. The integrated instrument assembly will be tested in a thermal-vacuum chamber at GSFC using an optical simulator of the telescope. This testing makes sure the instruments are properly aligned relative to each other and also provides an independent check of the individual tests. After both the telescope and the integrated instrument module are successfully assembled, the integrated instrument module will be installed onto the telescope, and the combined system will be sent to Johnson Space Flight Center (JSC) where it will be optically tested in one of the JSC chambers. The process includes testing the 18 primary mirror segments acting as a single primary mirror, and testing the end-to-end system. The final system test will assure that the combined telescope and instruments are focused and aligned properly, and that the alignment, once in space, will be within the range of the actively controlled optics. In general, the individual optical tests of instruments and mirrors are the most accurate. The final system tests provide a cost-effective check that no major problem has occurred during assembly. In addition, independent optical checks of earlier tests will be made as the full system is assembled, providing confidence that there are no major problems.
Language:
English


Title:
High Density Lidar and Orthophotography in UXO Wide Area Assessment, Phase 2. Former Camp Beale Demonstration Site. Addendum, Revision 2
Document ID:
20090003229
Report #:
AD-A487703
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487703
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Bennett, Dale
Published:
20080101
Source:
United Research Services (Seattle, WA United States)
Pages:
99
Contract #:
N44255-02-D-2008
Abstract:
Since 2005, the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) has conducted a pilot program to test the effectiveness of a multi-technology approach to UXO/MEC Wide Area Assessment (WAA). The first phase of this program was carried out at three desert sites containing little or no vegetation and few non-military land uses; results from this first phase were very positive. Subsequently, a second phase of the pilot program was added, including two new sites: the Former Camp Beale site near Marysville, California, and the Toussaint River site near Lake Erie. The Former Camp Beale site is located approximately 20 miles from Marysville, California, and covers an area of approximately 18,263 acres (2,391 hectares). The objectives for the Former Camp Beale demonstration site were similar to those for the previous demonstration sites: to examine the ability of lidar and high-resolution orthophotos to identify and delineate MRS and MEC-related ground features, to verify or correct data in the existing CSM and ASR, and to contribute data that could be used to focus and prioritize the use of more expensive low-altitude or ground-based technologies. Of the ground features detected, many more were ambiguous than at the previous demonstration sites. Lidar and orthophotos did not, by themselves, provide sufficient data to determine the origin of these features. A
Language:
English


Title:
Exploitation of Thermal Signals in a Tidal Flat Environment -- Planning
Document ID:
20090003771
Report #:
AD-A490460
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490460
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Thomson, Jim Chickadel, Chris
Published:
20081209
Source:
Washington Univ. (Seattle, WA United States)
Pages:
4
Contract #:
N00014-07-1-0682
Abstract:
Investigators participated within the planning phase of the Tidal Flats Department Research Initiative (DRI) to help design and site a series of large collaborative field experiments. The work included meetings and field trips to characterize potential sites, as well as logistical concerns. Emphasis was on integrating remote (infrared imagery) and in situ (thermistor) field sensing of thermal signals into the experiment plan. Investigators attended DRI planning meetings in Hawaii and South Korea, scouted field sites in Washington State, began development of new methods, and collected preliminary data. The preliminary data include infrared images from Korean sites, and sediment temperature profiles from Washington State sites.
Language:
English


Title:
Understanding the Function of Circular Polarisation Vision in Mantis Shrimps: Building a C-Pol Camera
Document ID:
20090003995
Report #:
AD-A488110
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Marshall, Justin
Published:
20081024
Source:
Queensland Univ. (Saint Lucia, Australia)
Pages:
10
Contract #:
FA48690610039
Abstract:
Report coversplans to construct a Mini-DV video camera capable of imaging C-Pol light, put this is an underwater housing and make field observations of both natural objects and man-made targets in the habitat of stomatopods. The camera system is a modified version of one already in use for imaging linear polarised light. Here a LCD switch-plate system, placed in front of the camera and capable of rotating the plane of incoming polarised light into 2 orthogonal directions (ie vertical and horizontal) has been synched to the frame rate of a video camera. As a result, alternate frames are views of the world through V and H polarising filters. Objects that appear to flicker (differ in intensity) between frames, are therefore reflecting or transmitting polarised light (seen differentially by the alternating V and H views of the world). This system will be modified using a switchable 1/4 wave plate and linear polarising filter to give frames seem through alternating R and L - handed circular polarising filters. Again, flickering objects or areas in frame varying in intensity between frames will indicate C-polarisation activity. Furthermore, analysis of alternate frames can be used to attempt image contrast enhancement, another possible advantage of C-polarisation vision.
Language:
English



35-02   INFRARED TECHNOLOGY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
The Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry (BETTII): High Angular Resolution Astronomy at Far-Infrared Wavelengths
Document ID:
20090001967
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Rinehart, Stephen A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080104
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Astronomical studies at infrared wavelengths have dramatically improved our understanding of the universe, and observations with Spitzer, the upcoming Herschel mission. and SOFIA will continue to provide exciting new discoveries. The comparatively low spatial resolution of these missions, however. is insufficient to resolve the physical scales on which mid- to far-infrared emission arises, resulting in source and structure ambiguities that limit our ability to answer key science questions. Interferometry enables high angular resolution at these wavelengths. We have proposed a new high altitude balloon experiment, the Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry (BETTII). High altitude operation makes far-infrared (30- 300micron) observations possible, and BETTII's 8-meter baseline provides unprecedented angular resolution (-0.5 arcsec) in this band. BETTII will use a double- Fourier instrument to simultaneously obtain both spatial and spectral informatio~~T. he spatially resolved spectroscopy provided by BETTII will address key questions about the nature of disks in young cluster stars and active galactic nuclei and the envelopes of evolved stars. BETTII will also lay the groundwork for future space interferometers.
Language:
English
Notes:
American Astronomical Society California 4 - 8 Jan. 2008


Title:
Calibrated Mid-wave Infrared (IR) (MidIR) and Long-wave IR (LWIR) Stokes and Degree-of-Liner Polarization (DOLP)
Document ID:
20090002049
Report #:
AD-A486684, ARL-TR-4544
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486684
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gurton, Kristan P Felton, Melvin
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Adelphi, MD United States)
Pages:
30
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We present radiometric and polarimetric calibrated imagery recorded in both the mid-wave infrared (IR) (MidIR) and long-wave IR (LWIR) as a function of diurnal variation over several multiday periods. We compare differences in polarimetric and conventional thermal imagery for both IR atmospheric transmission windows, i.e., the 3-5 mu and 8-12 mu regions. Meteorological parameters measured during the study include temperature, relative humidity, wind speed/direction, precipitation, and ambient atmospheric IR loading. The two camera systems used in the study differed significantly in design. The LWIR polarimetric sensor utilizes a spinning achromatic retarder and is best suited for static scenes, while the MidIR system is based on a division-of-aperture design and is capable of recording polarimetric imagery of targets that are rapidly moving. Examples of both So (conventional thermal) and degree-of-linear polarization (DOLP) imagery are presented and compared.
Language:
English


Title:
The Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry
Document ID:
20090002070
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Silverburg, Robert (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090104
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Astronomical studies at infrared wavelengths have dramatically improved our understanding of the universe, and observations with Spitzer, the upcoming Herschel mission, and SOFIA will continue to provide exciting new discoveries. The comparatively low spatial resolution of these missions, however, is insufficient to resolve the physical scales on which mid- to far-infrared emission arises, resulting in source and structure ambiguities that limit our ability to answer key science questions. Interferometry enables high angular resolution at these wavelengths. We have proposed a new high altitude balloon experiment, the Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry (BETTII). High altitude operation makes far-infrared (30- 300micron) observations possible, and BETTII's 8-meter baseline provides unprecedented angular resolution (approx. 0.5 arcsec) in this band. BETTII will use a double-Fourier instrument to simultaneously obtain both spatial and spectral information. The spatially resolved spectroscopy provided by BETTII will address key questions about the nature of disks in young cluster stars and active galactic nuclei and the envelopes of evolved stars. BETTII will also lay the groundwork for future space interferometers.
Language:
English
Notes:
American Astronomical Society California 4 - 9 Jan. 2009


Title:
Targeting Pod Effects on Weapons Release from F-18C Hornet
Document ID:
20090002138
Report #:
AD-A486722, USNA-TSPR-366
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Godiksen III, William H
Published:
20080101
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
97
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In recent years, the capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the trajectories of stores has greatly expanded. In this study, a CFD code developed at NASA has been used to explain an unexpected flight test result in order to assess the accuracy of CFD as applied to store separation. In December of 1998 during routine bombing practice at Fallon, NV, an F-18C released a Mark 82 JDAM bomb which impacted the Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared Pod (TFLIR) on the aircraft fuselage. This trajectory was entirely unexpected as that flight condition had previously been cleared as safe for store release. It had been assumed that the addition of the TFLIR would not cause a significant change to the aircraft's flowfield; an assumption which proved inaccurate. This study was designed to investigate whether CFD analysis could predict and explain the results of the aforementioned flight, and to determine the efficacy of CFD to predict and explain the effects of three different targeting pods of different geometries all carried by the F-18C Hornet. The three pods examined in this study were the TFLIR, the ATFLIR, and the Litening pod. The TFLIR and ATFLIR are geometrically quite similar while the Litening pod is both longer and wider. Surprisingly, flight tests showed that the ATFLIR and TFLIR pods had significantly different effects on the aerodynamic loads created on the bomb. Initial speculation centered on the physical differences between the forward ends of the pods, but this research revealed that the most important aspect was the shape and placement of the rear end of the pods. The initial investigation analyzed the aerodynamic effects of each pod on a bomb located adjacent to the pod on the inboard pylon beneath the wing.
Language:
English


Title:
Assessment of Electromagnetic and Passive Diffuse Infrared Sensors in Detection of IED-Related Behavior
Document ID:
20090002143
Report #:
AD-A486730
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Sundram, Joshua Sim, Phua Poh Rowe, Neil C Singh, Gurminder
Published:
20080601
Source:
Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA United States)
Pages:
40
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Persistent wireless sensor networks can be a cost-effective way to monitor public areas for suspicious behavior and reduce the need for military patrols. We examine here their applicability to the difficult problem of detecting emplacement of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). We first discuss the threat and how wireless sensor networks could help fight it; flexible and adaptable management of the sensor network is essential. We then report some experiments with magnetic and infrared sensors from Crossbow Technologies. We built a network of these sensors and ran human subjects through it engaged in various activities, some involving carrying of ferromagnetic materials. Results indicated that a variety of suspicious activities could be detected, though not all mock IEDs triggered detection, and triangulation was difficult due to the tendency of the signal to quickly saturate. Our network design is such that data can be easily aggregated in larger networks for broad-area automated monitoring of settings such as airports and busy urban areas.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (13th) (ICCRTS 2008) held in Seattle, WA on 17-19 Jun 2008. Document includes briefing charts (20 slides, title same as report). The original document contains color images


Title:
Verification of Atmospheric Signals Associated with Major Seismicity by Space and Terrestrial Observations
Document ID:
20090002166
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Taylor, Patrick
Published:
20081214
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Observations from the last twenty years suggest the existence of electromagnetic (EM) phenomena during or preceding some earthquakes [Haykawa et a!, 2004; Pulinets at al, 1999,2004, 2006, Ouzounov et all 2007 and Liu et all 20041. Both our previous studies [Pulinets at al, 2005, 2006, Ouzounov et al, 2006, 20071 and the latest review by the Earthquake Remote Precursor Sensing panel [ERPS; 2003- 20051; have shown that there were precursory atmospheric TIR signals observed on the ground and in space associated with several recent earthquakes. [Tramutoli at al, 2005, 2006, Cervone et al, 2006, Ouzounov et all 2004,2006JT.o study these signals, we applied both multi parameter statistical analysis and data mining methods that require systematic measurements from an Integrated Sensor Web of observations of several physical and environmental parameters. These include long wave earth infra-red radiation, ionospheric electrical and magnetic parameters, temperature and humidity of the boundary layer, seismicity and may be associated with major earthquakes. Our goal is to verify the earthquake atmospheric correlation in two cases: (i) backward analysis - 2000-2008 hindcast monitoring of multi atmospheric parameters over the Kamchatka region, Russia ; and (ii) forward real-time alert analysis over different seismo-tectonic regions for California, Turkey, Taiwan and Japan. Our latest results, from several post-earthquake independent analyses of more then 100 major earthquakes, show that joint satellite and some ground measurements, using an integrated web, could provide a capability for observing pre-earthquake atmospheric signals by combining the information from multiple sensors into a common framework. Using our methodology, we evaluated and compared the observed signals preceding the latest M7.9 Sichuan earthquake (0511212008), M8.0 earthquake in Peru (0811512007), M7.6 Kashmir earthquake (1010812005) and M9.0 Sumatra earthquake (1212812004). We found evidence of the systematic appearance of both atmospheric and ionospheric anomalies preceding most of the major events during the period of our analysis 2001 -2008.
Language:
English
Notes:
Fall American Geophysical Union California 14 - 20 Dec. 2008


Title:
Vapor-Phase Infrared Absorptivity Coefficient of BIS-(2-Chloroethyl) Sulfide
Document ID:
20090002264
Report #:
AD-A487002, ECBC-TR-638
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Williams, Barry R Hulet, Melissa S Samuels, Alan C Miles, Ronald W Berg, Frederic J McMahon, Leslie Durst, H D
Published:
20080701
Source:
Science Applications International Corp. (Abingdon, MD United States)
Pages:
31
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We measured the vapor-phase absorptivity coefficient of the vesicant chemical warfare agent, bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (HD), in the mid-infrared (4000-550/cm) at a spectral resolution of 0.125/cm. The HD used in the feedstock was subjected to a rigorous analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and NMR to verify its purity, and the vapor used to produce the composite spectrum was periodically sampled by GC. In this report, we describe the experimental method employed to acquire the individual spectra that were used to produce the composite spectrum, summarized the statistical uncertainties in the data, and provide a comparison to similar data from another laboratory.
Language:
English


Title:
Study of Residual Background Carriers in Midinfrared InAs/GaSb Superlattices for Uncooled Detector Operation
Document ID:
20090002436
Report #:
AD-A486591, AFRL-RX-WP-TP-2008-4267
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486591
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Haugan, H J Elhamri, S Szmulowicz, F Ullrich, B Brown, G J Mitchel, W C
Published:
20080219
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
FA8650-06-D-5401 F33615-03-D-5801
Abstract:
The midinfrared 7 ML InAs/8 ML GaSb superlattices (SLs) were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at growth temperatures between 370 and 430 deg C in order to study the intrinsic characteristic of background carriers. Grown SLs were all residual p type with carrier densities in the low 10(exp 11)/sq cm, and a minimum density of 1.8 x 10(exp 11)/sq cm was obtained from the SL grown at 400 deg C. With increasing growth temperature, the in-plane carrier mobility decreased from 8740 to 1400 sq cm/V s due to increased interfacial roughness, while the photoluminescence intensity increased sixfold due to a decrease in the nonradiative defect densities.
Language:
English


Title:
TES Carbon Monoxide Validation during the Two AVE Campaigns using the Argus and ALIAS Instruments on NASA's WB-57F
Document ID:
20090002620
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2007JD008811
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Lopez, Jinena P. (NASA Ames Research Center) Luo, Ming (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.) Christensen, Lance E. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.) Loewenstein, Max (NASA Ames Research Center) Jost, Hansjurg (NovaWave Technologies) Webster, Christopher R. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.) Osterman, Greg (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.)
Journal:
Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres, Volume: 113
Published:
20080802 Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Source:
NASA Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
NNA05CS27A
Abstract:
The Aura Validation Experiment (AVE) focuses on validating Aura satellite measurements of important atmospheric trace gases using ground-based, aircraft, and balloon-borne instruments. Global satellite observations of CO from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) on the EOS Aura satellite have been ongoing since September 2004. This paper discusses CO validation experiments during the Oct-AVE (2004 Houston, Texas) and CR-AVE (2006 San Jose, Costa Rica) campaigns. The coincidences in location and time between the satellite observations and the available in situ profiles for some cases are not ideal. However, the CO distribution patterns in the two validation flight areas are shown to have very little variability in the aircraft and satellite . observations, thereby making them suitable for validation comparisons. TES CO profiles, which typically have a retrieval uncertainty of 10-20%, are compared with in situ CO measurements from NASA Ames Research Center's Argus instrument taken on board the WB-57F aircraft during Oct-AVE. TES CO retrievals during CR-AVE are compared with in situ measurements from Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Aircraft Laser Infrared Absorption Spectrometer (ALIAS) instrument as well as with the Argus instrument, both taken on board the WB-57F aircraft. During CR-AVE, the average overall difference between ALIAS and Argus CO was 4%, with the ALIAS measurement higher. During individual flights, 2-min time-averaged differences between the two in situ instruments had standard deviation of 14%. The TES averaging kernels and a priori constraint profiles for CO are applied to the in situ data for proper comparisons to account for the reduced vertical resolution and the influence of the a priori in the satellite-derived profile. In the TES sensitive pressure range, approx.700-200 hPa, the in situ profiles and TES profiles agree within 5-10%, less than the variability in CO distributions obtained by both TES and the aircraft instruments in the two regions. TES CO is slightly lower than in situ measurements in the Houston area (midlatitudes) and slightly higher than in situ CO measurements in the Costa Rica region (tropical).
Language:
English


Title:
Observing Solar System Objects with the James Webb Space Telescope
Document ID:
20090002621
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Sonneborn, George (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Issacs, J. (STScI) Balzano, V. (STScI) Nelan, E.P. (STScI) Anandakrishnan, S. (Northrop Grumman Corp.) Hammel, H. (Space Science Inst.)
Published:
20081028
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will have the capability to observe Solar System objects having apparent rates of motion up to 30 milliarcseconds/sec. The key science drivers are the study of Kuiper Belt Objects, asteroids, comets, and the outer planets and their moons at near and mid-infrared wavelengths. This poster presents the results from a recent study that defined the conceptual design for a capability for JWST to track and observe moving targets. We illustrate about how guide star acquisition and tracking wi11 be handled while retaining the efficient and flexible execution characteristics of JWST event-driven operations. We also show how the JWST pointing control system can readily support moving target observations. The characteristics of Solar System objects that can be observed by JWST are summarized along with descriptions of the major aspects of moving target science observation planning and on-board event-driven execution.
Language:
English
Notes:
Observing Solar System Objects with the James Webb Space Telescope California 4 - 9 Jan. 2009


Title:
Exploitation of Thermal Signals in a Tidal Flat Environment -- Planning
Document ID:
20090003771
Report #:
AD-A490460
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490460
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Thomson, Jim Chickadel, Chris
Published:
20081209
Source:
Washington Univ. (Seattle, WA United States)
Pages:
4
Contract #:
N00014-07-1-0682
Abstract:
Investigators participated within the planning phase of the Tidal Flats Department Research Initiative (DRI) to help design and site a series of large collaborative field experiments. The work included meetings and field trips to characterize potential sites, as well as logistical concerns. Emphasis was on integrating remote (infrared imagery) and in situ (thermistor) field sensing of thermal signals into the experiment plan. Investigators attended DRI planning meetings in Hawaii and South Korea, scouted field sites in Washington State, began development of new methods, and collected preliminary data. The preliminary data include infrared images from Korean sites, and sediment temperature profiles from Washington State sites.
Language:
English


Title:
Concurrent MR-NIR Imaging for Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Document ID:
20090003969
Report #:
AD-A488046
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Yazici, Birsen
Published:
20080601
Source:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. (Troy, NY United States)
Pages:
71
Contract #:
W81XWH-04-1-0559
Abstract:
The primary objective of this research program is to investigate concurrent near infrared (NIR) optical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for breast cancer diagnosis. The NIR diffuse optical imaging offers novel criteria for cancer differentiation with the ability to measure (in vivo) oxygenation and vascularization state, the uptake and release of contrast agents and chromophore concentrations with high sensitivity. However, NIR diffuse optical tomography is inherently a low spatial resolution imaging modality due to diffuse nature of light photons. Alternatively, MRI provides high spatial resolution with excellent tissue discrimination, but has limited ability to monitor hemoglobin dynamics and other contrast mechanisms that optical imaging provides. Therefore, concurrent MRI-NIR optical imaging brings together the most advantageous aspects of the two imaging modalities for breast cancer diagnosis.
Language:
English


Title:
Ultrafast Multidimensional Infrared Vibrational Echo Spectroscopy of Gases and Liquids
Document ID:
20090004029
Report #:
AD-A488161
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Fayer, Michael D
Published:
20080917
Source:
Stanford Univ. (Stanford, CA United States)
Pages:
7
Contract #:
FA9550-05-1-0116
Abstract:
Ultrafast infrared 2D-IR vibrational echo experiments were extended experimentally and theoretically. Detailed studies of water dynamics were performed and compared to MD simulations. 2D-IR vibrational echo chemical exchange experiments were used to study the formation and dissociation kinetics of eight solute-solvent complexes, and the results were related to the enthalpies of formation. MD simulations of the chemical exchange were performed for the phenol-benzene complex and found to be in good agreement with the data. Chemical exchange experiments were used to measure the rate of gauche-trans orientational isomerization about a carbon-carbon single bond. The dynamics of molecules in the first solvation shell of solutes in mixed solvents were studied, and the time dependent solvent compositional fluctuations about solutes were elucidated. A detailed time dependent diagrammatic perturbation theory of the 2D-IR vibrational echo chemical exchange experiment including spectral diffusion, orientational relaxation, and vibrational relaxation was developed. An important new theoretical method for determining the dynamics from 2D-IR vibrational echo experiments was developed and demonstrated.
Language:
English


Title:
A Study of the Irradiance- and Temperature-Dependence of Mid-Wave-Infrared (MWIR) Absorption in Indium Antimonide (InSb)
Document ID:
20090004038
Report #:
AD-A488194, AFIT/GEO/ENP/08-S01
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Callahan, John M
Published:
20080801
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
133
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This work entails further investigation of the absorption of photons in indium antimonide (InSb). Previously work at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) attributed laser blooming effects in InSb focal plane arrays (FPA's) to the Burstein-Moss effect. The contributing effect is from a decrease in the absorption of the InSb material, such that the transmitted optical energy scatters off the integrated circuitry beneath the InSb thin film back into the optical system. To evaluate this, irradiance-dependent laser-absorption experiments were performed on thinned, InSb wafers prior to their FPA fabrication. The samples were illuminated with a focused CO2 laser at 4.6 micrometers, and translated along the optical axis to vary the irradiance. A control process to remotely manage the experiment's apparatuses during data collection has been developed utilizing LabView 8.5. The transmission of the InSb sample was measured at different laser powers and temperatures. As the temperature decreases for a determined laser irradiance, it has been observed that the absorption decreases nonlinearly. A model of the absorption-saturation phenomena is also developed so that agreement between the measured and modeled results can be studied for the carrier lifetime and density of carriers.
Language:
English


Title:
Cr.sup.3+-doped laser materials and lasers and methods of making and using
Document ID:
20090004216
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090004216
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Alfano, Robert R. Bykov, Alexey Petricevic, Vladimir Sharonov, Mikhail
Published:
20081202
Source:
City Univ. of New York (NY United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A laser medium includes a single crystal of chromium-doped LiSc.sub.l-xIn.sub.xGe.sub.1-ySi.sub.yO.sub.4, where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1 and 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1. Preferably, x and y are not both 0. A laser, such as a tunable near infrared laser, can contain the laser medium.
Language:
English
Notes:
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/645,611, filed Jan. 24, 2005, incorporated herein by reference



35-03   INSTRUMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION TECHNIQUES
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Biosensors for EVA: Muscle Oxygen and pH During Walking, Running and Simulated Reduced Gravity
Document ID:
20090002614
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 Copyright
Author(s):
Lee, S. M. C. (Wyle Labs., Inc.) Ellerby, G. (Massachusetts Univ.) Scott, P. (Massachusetts Univ.) Stroud, L. (Wyle Labs., Inc.) Norcross, J. (Wyle Labs., Inc.) Pesholov, B. (Massachusetts Univ.) Zou, F. (Massachusetts Univ.) Gernhardt, M. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Soller, B. (Massachusetts Univ.)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
During lunar excursions in the EVA suit, real-time measurement of metabolic rate is required to manage consumables and guide activities to ensure safe return to the base. Metabolic rate, or oxygen consumption (VO2), is normally measured from pulmonary parameters but cannot be determined with standard techniques in the oxygen-rich environment of a spacesuit. Our group developed novel near infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) methods to calculate muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), hematocrit, and pH, and we recently demonstrated that we can use our NIRS sensor to measure VO2 on the leg during cycling. Our NSBRI-funded project is looking to extend this methodology to examine activities which more appropriately represent EVA activities, such as walking and running and to better understand factors that determine the metabolic cost of exercise in both normal and lunar gravity. Our 4 year project specifically addresses risk: ExMC 4.18: Lack of adequate biomedical monitoring capability for Constellation EVA Suits and EPSP risk: Risk of compromised EVA performance and crew health due to inadequate EVA suit systems.
Language:
English


Title:
TES Carbon Monoxide Validation during the Two AVE Campaigns using the Argus and ALIAS Instruments on NASA's WB-57F
Document ID:
20090002620
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2007JD008811
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Lopez, Jinena P. (NASA Ames Research Center) Luo, Ming (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.) Christensen, Lance E. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.) Loewenstein, Max (NASA Ames Research Center) Jost, Hansjurg (NovaWave Technologies) Webster, Christopher R. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.) Osterman, Greg (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech.)
Journal:
Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres, Volume: 113
Published:
20080802 Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Source:
NASA Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
NNA05CS27A
Abstract:
The Aura Validation Experiment (AVE) focuses on validating Aura satellite measurements of important atmospheric trace gases using ground-based, aircraft, and balloon-borne instruments. Global satellite observations of CO from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) on the EOS Aura satellite have been ongoing since September 2004. This paper discusses CO validation experiments during the Oct-AVE (2004 Houston, Texas) and CR-AVE (2006 San Jose, Costa Rica) campaigns. The coincidences in location and time between the satellite observations and the available in situ profiles for some cases are not ideal. However, the CO distribution patterns in the two validation flight areas are shown to have very little variability in the aircraft and satellite . observations, thereby making them suitable for validation comparisons. TES CO profiles, which typically have a retrieval uncertainty of 10-20%, are compared with in situ CO measurements from NASA Ames Research Center's Argus instrument taken on board the WB-57F aircraft during Oct-AVE. TES CO retrievals during CR-AVE are compared with in situ measurements from Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Aircraft Laser Infrared Absorption Spectrometer (ALIAS) instrument as well as with the Argus instrument, both taken on board the WB-57F aircraft. During CR-AVE, the average overall difference between ALIAS and Argus CO was 4%, with the ALIAS measurement higher. During individual flights, 2-min time-averaged differences between the two in situ instruments had standard deviation of 14%. The TES averaging kernels and a priori constraint profiles for CO are applied to the in situ data for proper comparisons to account for the reduced vertical resolution and the influence of the a priori in the satellite-derived profile. In the TES sensitive pressure range, approx.700-200 hPa, the in situ profiles and TES profiles agree within 5-10%, less than the variability in CO distributions obtained by both TES and the aircraft instruments in the two regions. TES CO is slightly lower than in situ measurements in the Houston area (midlatitudes) and slightly higher than in situ CO measurements in the Costa Rica region (tropical).
Language:
English


Title:
Engineering Evaluation Tests of 16 Gauge Stapes IAW MIL-STD-1660, 40MM Cartridge on Wooden Pallet
Document ID:
20090003986
Report #:
AD-A488073, DAC/VED-08-14A
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gordon, Walter
Published:
20080801
Source:
Army Defense Ammunition Center (McAlester, OK United States)
Pages:
29
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center (DAC), Validation Engineering Division (SJMAC-DEV) was tasked by Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC/AMSRD-AAR-AIL-TP[R]) to conduct Engineering Evaluation Tests IAW MIL-STD-1660, "Design Criteria for Ammunition Unit Loads" on the use of 16 gauge staples vs 14 gauge staples. The unit load tested simulated 40MM cartridges, packed 32 per PA120 metal container, and unitized 48 containers per 40 in. x 48 in. pallet. Three test units were tested with a load of 2,910 lbs, 2,915 lbs, and 2,915 lbs. The testing accomplished on the test units was the Stacking, Repetitive Shock, Edgewise-Rotational Drop, Incline-Impact, Forklifting, and Disassembly Tests. Test Units #1 and #2 were unitized using 16 gauge staples holding the wooden gates in place, while Test Unit #3 was unitized using the existing requirement of 14 gauge staples holding the gates in place. The result of the staples being disengaged did not differ significantly between the use of the 14 gauge or 16 gauge staples. The use of 16 gauge staples on the 40MM cartridges packed 32 per PA120 metal container and unitized 48 containers per 40 in. x 48 in. pallet, as simulated for testing, meets the requirements of MIL-STD-1660 and can be utilized by the United States Army.
Language:
English



35-04   TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Geant4 Validation with CMS Calorimeters Test-Beam Data
Document ID:
20090001936
Report #:
DE2008-940130, FERMILAB-CONF-08-371-CMS
Sales Agency:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) No Copyright
Author(s):
Piperov, S.
Published:
20080101
Source:
Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (Batavia, IL, United States)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
CMS experiment is using Geant4 for Monte-Carlo simulation of the detector setup. Validation of physics processes describing hadronic showers is a major concern in view of getting a proper description of jets and missing energy for signal and background events. This is done by carrying out an extensive studies with test beam using the prototypes or real detector modules of the CMS calorimeter. These data are matched with Geant4 predictions. Tuning of the Geant4 models is carried out and steps to be used in reproducing detector signals are defined in view of measurements of energy response, energy resolution, transverse and longitudinal shower profiles for a variety of hadron beams over a broad energy spectrum between 2 to 300 GeV/c.
Language:
English


Title:
Calibrated Mid-wave Infrared (IR) (MidIR) and Long-wave IR (LWIR) Stokes and Degree-of-Liner Polarization (DOLP)
Document ID:
20090002049
Report #:
AD-A486684, ARL-TR-4544
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486684
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gurton, Kristan P Felton, Melvin
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Adelphi, MD United States)
Pages:
30
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We present radiometric and polarimetric calibrated imagery recorded in both the mid-wave infrared (IR) (MidIR) and long-wave IR (LWIR) as a function of diurnal variation over several multiday periods. We compare differences in polarimetric and conventional thermal imagery for both IR atmospheric transmission windows, i.e., the 3-5 mu and 8-12 mu regions. Meteorological parameters measured during the study include temperature, relative humidity, wind speed/direction, precipitation, and ambient atmospheric IR loading. The two camera systems used in the study differed significantly in design. The LWIR polarimetric sensor utilizes a spinning achromatic retarder and is best suited for static scenes, while the MidIR system is based on a division-of-aperture design and is capable of recording polarimetric imagery of targets that are rapidly moving. Examples of both So (conventional thermal) and degree-of-linear polarization (DOLP) imagery are presented and compared.
Language:
English


Title:
Study of Residual Background Carriers in Midinfrared InAs/GaSb Superlattices for Uncooled Detector Operation
Document ID:
20090002436
Report #:
AD-A486591, AFRL-RX-WP-TP-2008-4267
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486591
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Haugan, H J Elhamri, S Szmulowicz, F Ullrich, B Brown, G J Mitchel, W C
Published:
20080219
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
FA8650-06-D-5401 F33615-03-D-5801
Abstract:
The midinfrared 7 ML InAs/8 ML GaSb superlattices (SLs) were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at growth temperatures between 370 and 430 deg C in order to study the intrinsic characteristic of background carriers. Grown SLs were all residual p type with carrier densities in the low 10(exp 11)/sq cm, and a minimum density of 1.8 x 10(exp 11)/sq cm was obtained from the SL grown at 400 deg C. With increasing growth temperature, the in-plane carrier mobility decreased from 8740 to 1400 sq cm/V s due to increased interfacial roughness, while the photoluminescence intensity increased sixfold due to a decrease in the nonradiative defect densities.
Language:
English


Title:
Implementation of Complex Signal Processing Algorithms for Position-Sensitive Microcalorimeters
Document ID:
20090002674
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002674
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Smith, Stephen J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
26
Contract #:
NNH06CC03B
Abstract:
We have recently reported on a theoretical digital signal-processing algorithm for improved energy and position resolution in position-sensitive, transition-edge sensor (POST) X-ray detectors [Smith et al., Nucl, lnstr and Meth. A 556 (2006) 2371. PoST's consists of one or more transition-edge sensors (TES's) on a large continuous or pixellated X-ray absorber and are under development as an alternative to arrays of single pixel TES's. PoST's provide a means to increase the field-of-view for the fewest number of read-out channels. In this contribution we extend the theoretical correlated energy position optimal filter (CEPOF) algorithm (originally developed for 2-TES continuous absorber PoST's) to investigate the practical implementation on multi-pixel single TES PoST's or Hydras. We use numerically simulated data for a nine absorber device, which includes realistic detector noise, to demonstrate an iterative scheme that enables convergence on the correct photon absorption position and energy without any a priori assumptions. The position sensitivity of the CEPOF implemented on simulated data agrees very well with the theoretically predicted resolution. We discuss practical issues such as the impact of random arrival phase of the measured data on the performance of the CEPOF. The CEPOF algorithm demonstrates that full-width-at- half-maximum energy resolution of < 8 eV coupled with position-sensitivity down to a few 100 eV should be achievable for a fully optimized device.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Optical Fabrication and Testing/Elsevier



35-05   PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
A Hybrid Pressure and Vector Sensor Towed Array
Document ID:
20090002134
Report #:
AD-D020380
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADD020380
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Huang, Dehua
Published:
20080818
Source:
Department of the Navy (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The invention as disclosed is of a combined acoustic pressure and acoustic vector sensor array, where multiple acoustic pressure sensors are integrated with an acoustic vector sensor in a towed array as a means of resolving the left-right ambiguity of the multiple acoustic pressure sensors.
Language:
English


Title:
Computational Analyses in Support of Sub-scale Diffuser Testing for the A-3 Facility
Document ID:
20090002608
Report #:
SSTI-8080-0023
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 Copyright
Author(s):
Allgood, Daniel C. (NASA Stennis Space Center) Graham, Jason S. (Jacobs Technologies Engineering Science Contract Group) Ahuja, Vineet (Combustion Research and Flow Technology, Inc.) Hosangadi, Ashvin (Combustion Research and Flow Technology, Inc.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Stennis Space Center (Stennis Space Center, MS, United States)
Pages:
3
Contract #:
NNS04AB67T NNX08CA36C Abstract: Simulation technology can play an important role in rocket engine test facility design and development by assessing risks, providing analysis of dynamic pressure and thermal loads, identifying failure modes and predicting anomalous behavior of critical systems. Advanced numerical tools assume greater significance in supporting testing and design of high altitude testing facilities and plume induced testing environments of high thrust engines because of the greater inter-dependence and synergy in the functioning of the different sub-systems. This is especially true for facilities such as the proposed A-3 facility at NASA SSC because of a challenging operating envelope linked to variable throttle conditions at relatively low chamber pressures. Facility designs in this case will require a complex network of diffuser ducts, steam ejector trains, fast operating valves, cooling water systems and flow diverters that need to be characterized for steady state performance. In this paper, we will demonstrate with the use of CFD analyses s advanced capability to evaluate supersonic diffuser and steam ejector performance in a sub-scale A-3 facility at NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) where extensive testing was performed. Furthermore, the focus in this paper relates to modeling of critical sub-systems and components used in facilities such as the A-3 facility. The work here will address deficiencies in empirical models and current CFD analyses that are used for design of supersonic diffusers/turning vanes/ejectors as well as analyses for confined plumes and venting processes. The primary areas that will be addressed are: (1) supersonic diffuser performance including analyses of thermal loads (2) accurate shock capturing in the diffuser duct; (3) effect of turning duct on the performance of the facility (4) prediction of mass flow rates and performance classification for steam ejectors (5) comparisons with test data from sub-scale diffuser testing and assessment of confidence levels in CFD based flowpath modeling of the facility. The analyses tools used here expand on the multi-element unstructured CFD which has been tailored and validated for impingement dynamics of dry plumes, complex valve/feed systems, and high pressure propellant delivery systems used in engine and component test stands at NASA SSC. The analyses performed in the evaluation of the sub-scale diffuser facility explored several important factors that influence modeling and understanding of facility operation such as (a) importance of modeling the facility with Real Gas approximation, (b) approximating the cluster of steam ejector nozzles as a single annular nozzle, (c) existence of mixed subsonic/supersonic flow downstream of the turning duct, and (d) inadequacy of two-equation turbulence models in predicting the correct pressurization in the turning duct and expansion of the second stage steam ejectors. The procedure used for modeling the facility was as follows: (i) The engine, test cell and first stage ejectors were simulated with an axisymmetric approximation (ii) the turning duct, second stage ejectors and the piping downstream of the second stage ejectors were analyzed with a three-dimensional simulation utilizing a half-plane symmetry approximation. The solution i.e. primitive variables such as pressure, velocity components, temperature and turbulence quantities were passed from the first computational domain and specified as a supersonic boundary condition for the second simulation. (iii) The third domain comprised of the exit diffuser and the region in the vicinity of the facility (primary included to get the correct shock structure at the exit of the facility and entrainment characteristics). The first set of simulations comprising the engine, test cell and first stage ejectors was carried out both as a turbulent real gas calculation as well as a turbulent perfect gas calculation. A comparison for the two cases (Real Turbulent and Perfect gas turbulent) of the Ma Number distribution and temperature distributions are shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. The Mach Number distribution shows small yet distinct differences between the two cases such as locations of shocks/shock reflections and a slightly different impingement point on the wall of the diffuser from the expansion at the exit of the nozzle. Similarly the temperature distribution indicates different flow recirculation patterns in the test cell. Both cases capture all the essential flow phenomena such as the shock-boundary layer interaction, plume expansion, expansion of the first stage ejectors, mixing between the engine plume and the first stage ejector flow and pressurization due to the first stage ejectors. The final paper will discuss thermal loads on the walls of the diffuser and cooling mechanisms investigated.
Language:
English



35-06   DISPLAY SYSTEMS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Effects of Visual Communication Tool and Separable Status Display on Team Performance and Subjective Workload in Air Battle Management
Document ID:
20090002146
Report #:
AD-A486735
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Schwartz, Daniel Knott, Benjamin A Galster, Scott M
Published:
20080601
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
19
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Tactical Air Battle Managers, such as AWACS Weapons Directors (WDs), perform as a team to effect command and control (C2) of assigned forces by planning, organizing, and directing operations. Specifically, AWACS WDs must coordinate offensive counter-air, defensive counter-air, and air refueling operations. AWACS WD teams accomplish their C2 function through networked collaboration that is typically supported by monitoring multiple radio communications channels under conditions of moderate to high ambient cabin noise while performing several visual and manual tasks. The purpose of this study is to compare team performance and subjective workload on a simulated AWACS scenario, for two conditions of communication (Voice-only, and Voice augmented with a Visual Communication Tool), and using two supplementary display conditions (Separable Status Display and No-Separable Status Display). Team performance measures on the AWACS scenario include (1) the percentage of enemy targets that were allowed to penetrate friendly airspace, (2) the percentage of high value assets destroyed (i.e., the air base, infantry units, and tanker aircraft), (3) the percentage of fighter assets that were lost due to fuel depletion or enemy attack, (4) the average time of enemy target prosecution.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (13th), held in Seattle, WA, on 17-19 June 2008. The original document contains color images


Title:
Network Visualization Design Using Prefuse Visualization Toolkit
Document ID:
20090002248
Report #:
AD-A486958, AFIT/GCS/ENG/08-03
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Belue, J M
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
80
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Visualization of network simulation events or network visualization is an effective and low cost method to evaluate the health and status of a network and analyze network designs, protocols, and network algorithms. This research designed and developed a network event visualization framework using an open source general visualization toolkit. This research achieved three major milestones during the development of this framework: A robust network simulator trace file parser, multiple network visualization layouts{including user-defined layouts, and precise visualization timing controls and integrated display of network statistics.The toolkit design is readily extensible allowing developers to easily expand the framework to meet research-specific visualization goals.
Language:
English


Title:
A Sensemaking Visualization Tool with Military Doctrinal Elements
Document ID:
20090002253
Report #:
AD-A486975
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ntuen, Celestine A Gwang-Myung, Kim
Published:
20080601
Source:
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State Univ. (Greensboro, NC United States)
Pages:
45
Contract #:
W911NF-04-2-0052
Abstract:
The Army's Center of Battlefield Excellence in Human-Centric Command & Control Decision Making is exploring how to use information visualization to enable collaborative sensemaking. The goal is to provide a common operating picture with shared situation awareness in the context of dynamic task situations. We have developed a Sensemaking Support System (S3), a prototype sensemaking visualization tool with situation understanding capability and knowledge discovery components. We experimentally validate the utility of the tool through series of experiments from a set of minimally constructed stories (MCS) that contain the saliencies of unstructured battlefield information dynamics. The results show the followings: a) the perception rating of S3 with respect to sensemaking cognitive measures was highly significant; b) the problem scenarios (MCS) were highly significant; and there were noticeable interaction effects between the cognitive measures and the problem types. Generally, the S3 software needs further improvement in representation fidelity of problems that mimic battle field situations. This is shown by the poor weighted ratings in a more chaotic scenario MCS3.
Language:
English


Title:
Software Simulates Sight: Flat Panel Mura Detection
Document ID:
20090002490
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002490
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 136-137
Published:
20080901
Source:
Radiant Images, Inc. (Duvall, WA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In the increasingly sophisticated world of high-definition flat screen monitors and television screens, image clarity and the elimination of distortion are paramount concerns. As the devices that reproduce images become more and more sophisticated, so do the technologies that verify their accuracy. By simulating the manner in which a human eye perceives and interprets a visual stimulus, NASA scientists have found ways to automatically and accurately test new monitors and displays. The Spatial Standard Observer (SSO) software metric, developed by Dr. Andrew B. Watson at Ames Research Center, measures visibility and defects in screens, displays, and interfaces. In the design of such a software tool, a central challenge is determining which aspects of visual function to include while accuracy and generality are important, relative simplicity of the software module is also a key virtue. Based on data collected in ModelFest, a large cooperative multi-lab project hosted by the Optical Society of America, the SSO simulates a simplified model of human spatial vision, operating on a pair of images that are viewed at a specific viewing distance with pixels having a known relation to luminance. The SSO measures the visibility of foveal spatial patterns, or the discriminability of two patterns, by incorporating only a few essential components of vision. These components include local contrast transformation, a contrast sensitivity function, local masking, and local pooling. By this construction, the SSO provides output in units of "just noticeable differences" (JND) a unit of measure based on the assumed smallest difference of sensory input detectable by a human being. Herein is the truly amazing ability of the SSO, while conventional methods can manipulate images, the SSO models human perception. This set of equations actually defines a mathematical way of working with an image that accurately reflects the way in which the human eye and mind behold a stimulus. The SSO is intended for a wide variety of applications, such as evaluating vision from unmanned aerial vehicles, measuring visibility of damage to aircraft and to the space shuttles, predicting outcomes of corrective laser eye surgery, inspecting displays during the manufacturing process, estimating the quality of compressed digital video, evaluating legibility of text, and predicting discriminability of icons or symbols in a graphical user interface.
Language:
English


Title:
Pharmacokinetics of Intranasal Scopolamine Gel Formulation (Inscop)
Document ID:
20090002615
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Boyd, Jason L. (Universities Space Research Association) Du, Brian (Wyle Labs., Inc.) Daniels, Vernie (Wyle Labs., Inc.) Simmons, Rita (Naval Aerospace Medical Inst.) Buckey, Jay (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center) Putcha, Lakshmi (NASA Johnson Space Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Space Motion Sickness (SMS) is commonly experienced by astronauts and often requires treatment with medications during early flight days of space missions. Orally administered scopolamine is commonly used by astronauts to prevent SMS. Bioavailability of oral (PO) SMS medications is often low and highly variable. Intranasal (IN) administration of medications achieves higher and more reliable bioavailability than from an equivalent PO dose. Methods: To test the safety and reliability of INSCOP, two clinical studies were performed, a dose escalation study and a comparison study administering INSCOP during normal ambulation and head down tilt bedrest. Efficacy was evaluated by testing INSCOP with two, different motion sickness inducing paradigms. Results: Preliminary results indicate that INSCOP demonstrates linear pharmacokinetics and a low side effect profile. In head down tilt bedrest, relative bioavailability of INSCOP was increased for females at both doses (0.2 and 0.4 mg) and for males at the higher dose (0.4 mg) but is reduced at the lower dose (0.2 mg) compared to normal ambulation. INSCOP displays gender specific differences during ABR. One of the treatment efficacy trials conducted at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center demonstrated that INSCOP is efficacious at both doses (0.2 and 0.4 mg) in suppressing motion sickness symptoms as indicated by longer chair ride times with INSCOP administration than with placebo, and efficacy increases with dose. Similar results were seen using another motion sickness simulator, the motion simulator dome, at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, with significantly increased time in the dome in motion-susceptible subjects when using INSCOP compared to untreated controls. Conclusion: Higher bioavailability, linear pharmacokinetics, a low incidence of side effects, and a favorable efficacy profile make INSCOP a desirable formulation for prophylactic and rescue treatment of astronauts in space and military personnel on duty.
Language:
English
Notes:
Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop League City, TX 2-4 Feb. 2009


Title:
Development of a Night Vision Goggle Heads-Up Display for Paratrooper Guidance
Document ID:
20090003597
Report #:
AD-A487563, AFIT/GCS/ENG/08-24
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ontiveros, Fernando
Published:
20080601
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
140
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This thesis provides the proof of concept for the development and implementation of a Global Positioning System (GPS) display via Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Heads-Up Display (HUD) for paratroopers. The system has been designed for soldiers who will be able to utilize the technology in the form of a processing system worn in an ammo pouch and displayed via NVG HUD as a tunnel in the sky. The tunnel in the sky display design is essentially a series of boxes displayed within the goggle's HUD leading the paratrooper to the desired Landing Zone (LZ). The algorithm developed is effective and efficient in order to receive GPS sensor data, correlate head-tracking data, and display the combined information in the paratrooper's NVG HUD as the tunnel in the sky. The primary goal of the project is to provide a product which allows Special Operations personnel to reach a desired LZ in obscured visibility conditions, i.e. darkness, clouds, smoke, and other unforeseen situations. This allows missions to be carried out around the clock, even in adverse visibility conditions which would normally halt operations.
Language:
English


Title:
Computer Simulation of a 155-mm Projectile in a Scat Gun Assembly
Document ID:
20090003992
Report #:
AD-A488094, ARMET-TR-08019
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Walsh, Kenneth P
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (Picatinny Arsenal, NJ United States)
Pages:
34
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This report presents the results of a computer simulation of a 45.36 kg 155-mm projectile as it moves through a scat gun assembly using a FORTRAN program. The experimental data was taken from a test performed by the Analysis Engineering and Technical Division at the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey on 7 April 2007 (test CBR5). The data was filtered using an Abaqus Butterworth Filter with a cutoff frequency of 500 Hz because the data plot exhibited "noisy" displays due to the electronic circuitry. The simulation entails aerodynamic deceleration of the projectile and the acceleration/deceleration of the piston inside the assembly in a long tube attached to the gun barrel. The projectile had an entrance velocity of 516 m/s and the shock wave preceding it ruptures the diaphragm. The projectile decelerates as high pressure builds between it and the free piston due to shock-wave propagation. The piston disengages and travels forward scooping water. The waterlog that forms in front of the piston effectively increases the piston's mass and also induces a braking force because of the water friction with the tube wall. The simulation predicts the piston will be decelerated with the piston coming to a rest about 22 m from the back end of the assembly. The computer simulation is based on the closed form formulas, incorporating unsteady one-dimensional fluid dynamics. This report details effects of shockwave induced pressure on the projectile and piston and how accurate the simulations are compared to the actual data lot.
Language:
English



35-07   DATA RECORDING
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Bio-Nanotechnology Infrastructure and Technology Oriented Research
Document ID:
20090002197
Report #:
AD-A486827
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Jones, W K
Published:
20080717
Source:
Florida International Univ. (Miami, FL United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
FA-9550-05-1-0232
Abstract:
FIU research concentrated in the following areas of development: nanoelectronics, bio-nanosensors, and nanomaterials, processes, and characterization. Five projects were supported: next generation information storage devices-both three-dimensional magnetic and protein-based, high power cold cathodes for microwave generators, carbon nanotube-based bio-sensors, silicon/polymer nanophotonics, and doped nanodiamonds and nanoceramic lasers for future devices. In magnetic storage devices, this work has resulted in patterned soft underlayer metallizations to localize the recording and sensitivity fields in 3-D recording media and the development of a prototype using focused ion beam nanomachining to manufacture a 3-D magnetic system including a 3-D patterned media and magnetic transducer. In microwave generators, demonstrated thin-multiwall carbon nanotubes (tMWNTs) with low turn-on field (approx. 0.5 V/micron) and stable operation and synthesized multistage tungsten oxide field emitters with high emission current ( approx. 180 microA/1tip). Demonstrated two electron multiplier concepts using both alumina continuous multiplier and a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC)/Ag dynode structure. Demonstrated both an ultra-small Si ring resonators characterized by a 2 micron radius on a single ring , with a free-spectral range of 50 nm or 6THz and an operating wavelength of 1510-1610nm and a silicon Horizontal Slot waveguide coupler with approximately 80% fiber-chip efficiency.
Language:
English


Title:
Waveform Modeling of the Crust and Upper Mantle Using S, Sp, SsPmP, and Shear-Coupled PL Waves
Document ID:
20090002443
Report #:
AD-A486701
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486701
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Pulliam, Jay Sen, Mrinal K Gangopadhyay, Abhijit
Published:
20080510
Source:
Texas Univ. (Austin, TX United States)
Pages:
48
Contract #:
FA8718-04-C-0014
Abstract:
We developed a waveform modeling code that computes synthetic seismograms with a parallelized reflectivity method and fits the observed waveforms by global optimization. Assuming a 1-D, isotropic, layered Earth, our code computes synthetic seismograms for all layers, frequencies, and ray parameters. It implements a global optimization algorithm using Very Fast Simulated Annealing that allows for broad model space search so as to rind the global minimum, and hence minimizes dependency on the starting model. Our method also computes the Posterior Probability Densities and correlation matrices to evaluate the uniqueness of the resulting models and trade-offs between individual model parameters. We applied the code to determine the crust and upper mantle structure beneath permanent broadband seismic stations in Africa, China, and Canada using large teleseismic earthquakes recorded at these stations. We modeled the S, Sp, SsPmP, and shear-coupled PB waves from these earthquakes and our P- and S-wave velocity models compare well with, and in some cases improve upon the models obtained from other existing methods. Our use of the shear-coupled PB phase wherever available improved constraints on the models of the lower crust and upper mantle.
Language:
English



35-08   GAS FLOW MEASUREMENT
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Combined Wave and Surge Overtopping of Levees: Flow Hydrodynamics and Articulated Concrete Mat Stability
Document ID:
20090002010
Report #:
AD-A486615, ERDC/CHL-TR-08-10
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486615
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Hughes, Steven A
Published:
20080801
Source:
Army Engineer Research and Development Center (Vicksburg, MS United States)
Pages:
184
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A 1-to-25 scale physical model of a typical cross section of the levee along the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) was constructed at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory in Vicksburg, MS. The purpose of the physical model was to obtain hydrodynamic measurements of unsteady flow conditions caused by combined wave and surge overtopping of the levee, and to examine the feasibility of using articulated concrete mats (ACMs) for levee protection during this type of overtopping event. Specifically, the U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, was interested in determining whether the same ACMs used by the Corps Mat Sinking Unit to protect river banks could be used to protect the MRGO levee against surge and wave overtopping. When the storm surge elevation was 0.75 ft above the levee crest, the stability tests indicated the ACMs were prone to uplift on the lower portion of the levee protected-side slope for even relatively mild wave overtopping. An increase in wave height created mat rollup instability at the toe of the flood-side levee slope, indicating the need to bury or anchor the leading and tailing edges of the mats. Mat stability could be increased with additional anchoring or increasing mat thickness. Tests were also conducted to document the hydrodynamics associated with combined wave and surge overtopping. The primary parameters were three overtopping surge levels (+1, +3, and +5 ft); three significant wave heights (3, 6, and 9 ft); and three peak wave periods (6, 10, and 14 sec) for a total of 27 unique conditions. Measurements included the incident irregular waves and time series of water elevations at seven locations on the crest and protected-side slope of the levee. Horizontal flow velocity was recorded near the leeward levee crest shoulder, and the velocity was then combined with water elevation to estimate the unsteady instantaneous discharge over the levee.
Language:
English


Title:
An Experimental Study of Water Injection into a Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20B Turboshaft Gas Turbine
Document ID:
20090002139
Report #:
AD-A486724, USNA-TSPR-367
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Golden, Daniel L
Published:
20080506
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
79
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Environmental responsibility is a focus of researchers in many fields. In the field of engine and propulsion research this is manifested in a focus on minimization of emissions while maximizing efficiency and performance. Water Fog Injection (WFI) has been suggested as a method for the suppression of nitrous oxide emissions in gas turbines. WFI consists of spraying a fine mist of water into the compressor inlet of the gas turbine. Prior research on larger, higher pressure ratio engines determined the WFI can not only reduce nitrous oxide emissions but also yields increases in power output and thermodynamic efficiency. While previous research has focused on large gas turbines, the effects of water fog injection on a smaller, lower pressure ratio gas turbine, as represented by the Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20B, have yet to provide conclusive results. This investigation determined the effect of WFI on the Model 250-C20B's exhaust gas composition, power output, thermodynamic efficiency and component efficiencies. The investigation used an instrumented Model 250-C20B gas turbine and an original water spray system. Temperatures and pressures were measured for each of the gas turbine's five state points. Exhaust gas composition and output shaft torque and speed were also measured. Experiments were conducted with water fog injection water flow rates ranging from 0.1 to 1.4 gallons per minute. This represents up to a maximum of 5 percent of the maximum mass flow rate of air through the engine. The results of these tests were compared with baseline runs conducted with no water fog injection. From the experimental data it was determined that the exhaust gas composition was significantly affected by the water fog injection.
Language:
English



36-01   LASERS AND MASERS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Diagnostics for Combustion and Ignition Enhancement Using the Non-Equilibrium Plasma
Document ID:
20090002031
Report #:
AD-A486657
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486657
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ju, Yiguang Ombrello, Timothy Won, Sanghee
Published:
20080812
Source:
Princeton Univ. (NJ United States)
Pages:
9
Contract #:
FA9550-06-1-0349
Abstract:
A Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) system, an Imaged Intensified CCD (ICCD) camera (PI-MAX), an infrared laser diode, an oscilloscope, and a boxcar Integrator were purchased for the diagnostics of combustion and ignition enhancement using the non-equilibrium plasma and for the species measurements in non-premixed flames using JP-8 surrogate fuels. The systems were integrated into the existing Nd-YAG and Cobra-Stretch dye lasers, as well as the plasma assisted combustion burners. OH concentrations, O3 and O(1D) emissions, temperature distributions in plasma assisted combustion were measured by using the planar laser induced fluorescence, emission spectroscopy, and Rayleigh scattering. The flow field and flame speeds of surrogate fuel-air premixed flames were measured by using the PIV system. A new diagnostic method for simultaneous measurement of flow velocity and temperature by using PIV technique together with nanophosphor emissions is under development. The purchased experimental equipment significantly increased the experimental capabilities for quantitative measurements of intermediate species in plasma assisted combustion and contributed to the advancement of fundamental understanding of non-equilibrium plasma assisted combustion.
Language:
English


Title:
Design of Shallow p-type Dopants in ZnO (Presentation)
Document ID:
20090002181
Report #:
DE2008-939510, NREL/PR-520-43248
Sales Agency:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) No Copyright
Author(s):
Wei, S. H. Li, J. Yan, Y.
Published:
20080501
Source:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (Golden, CO United States)
Pages:
35
Contract #:
DE-AC36-99-GO10337
Abstract:
ZnO is a promising material for short wave-length opto-electronic devices such as UV lasers and LEDs due to its large exciton binding energy and low material cost. ZnO can be doped easily n-type, but the realization of stable p-type ZnO is rather difficult. Using first-principles band structure methods the authors address what causes the p-type doping difficulty in ZnO and how to overcome the p-type doping difficulty in ZnO.
Language:
English


Title:
Continuous wave, 30 W Laser-Diode Bar with 10 GHz Linewidth for Rb Laser Pumping
Document ID:
20090002186
Report #:
AD-A486802
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gourevitch, A Venus, G Smirnov, V Hostutler, D A Glebov, L
Published:
20080101
Source:
University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL United States)
Pages:
4
Contract #:
FA9451-07-C-0199
Abstract:
A laser-diode bar incorporated into an external cavity with a volume Bragg mirror produced 30W of cw output power within a 20 pm 10 GHz spectral linewidth (FWHM) centered at 780 nm. The device output power exceeded 90% of that for the free-running laser-diode bar. The emission wavelength was tuned over a 400 pm range without broadening laser spectrum width. Absorption of 90% of the laser radiation by a 25 mm vapor cell containing Rb that has been pressure broadened with 300 torr of ethane was demonstrated.
Language:
English


Title:
Demonstration of Aerosol Property Profiling by Multi-wavelength Lidar Under Varying Relative Humidity Conditions
Document ID:
20090002228
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 Copyright
Author(s):
Whiteman, D.N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Veselovskii, I. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Kolgotin, A. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Korenskii, M. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Andrews, E. (Colorado Univ.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
52
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The feasibility of using a multi-wavelength Mie-Raman lidar based on a tripled Nd:YAG laser for profiling aerosol physical parameters in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) is studied. The lidar quantifies three aerosol backscattering and two extinction coefficients and from these optical data the particle parameters such as concentration, size and complex refractive index are retrieved through inversion with regularization. The column-integrated, lidar-derived parameters are compared with results from the AERONET sun photometer. The lidar and sun photometer agree well in the characterization of the fine mode parameters, however the lidar shows less sensitivity to coarse mode. The lidar results reveal a strong dependence of particle properties on RH. The height regions with enhanced RH are characterized by an increase of backscattering and extinction coefficient and a decrease in the Angstrom exponent coinciding with an increase in the particle size. We present data selection techniques useful for selecting cases that can support the calculation of hygroscopic growth parameters using lidar. Hygroscopic growth factors calculated using these techniques agree with expectations despite the lack of co-located radiosonde data. Despite this limitation, the results demonstrate the potential of multi-wavelength Raman lidar technique for study of aerosol humidification process.
Language:
English
Notes:
Submitted to the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology


Title:
Characterizing Lasers that Emit Widely Diverging Radiation
Document ID:
20090002426
Report #:
AD-A485986, ARL-TR-4536
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA485986
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Tober, Richard L
Published:
20080801
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Adelphi, MD United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
It is often difficult to accurately measure the power emitted from mid- and long-wave IR lasers because their inherently large radiation divergence. This is simply due to the fact that experimental geometry limits the solid angle of the emitted radiation that the sensitive area of a power meter can capture. However, one can confidently estimate the total power emerging from a widely diverging laser by integrating the power of an elliptically symmetric Gaussian beam that is incident on the meter's sensitive surface.
Language:
English


Title:
Apparatus and method for packaging and integrating microphotonic devices
Document ID:
20090002649
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002649
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Nguyen, Hung
Published:
20080708
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
19
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed that includes a carrier structure and an optical coupling arrangement. The carrier structure is made of a silicon material and allows for the packaging and integrating of microphotonic devices onto a single chip. The optical coupling mechanism enables laser light to be coupled into and out of a microphotonic resonant disk integrated on the carrier. The carrier provides first, second and third cavities that are dimensioned so as to accommodate the insertion and snug fitting of the microphotonic resonant disk and first and second prisms that are implemented by the optical coupling arrangement to accommodate the laser coupling.
Language:
English


Title:
Development of GaN/AlGaN Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser
Document ID:
20090003782
Report #:
AD-A490557
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490557
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Wang, Shing-Chung
Published:
20081119
Source:
National Chiao Tung Univ. (Hsinchu, Taiwan, Province of China)
Pages:
22
Contract #:
FA4869-07-1-4076
Abstract:
This reports research on GaN-based optoelectronic materials and light emitting devices using the MOCVD system for epitaxial growth.
Language:
English


Title:
Range Precision of LADAR Systems
Document ID:
20090004044
Report #:
AD-A488211, AFIT/DEE/ENG/08-15
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Johnson, Steven
Published:
20080901
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
198
Contract #:
DACA99-99-C-9999
Abstract:
A key application of Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) systems is measurement of range to a target. Many modern LADAR systems are capable of transmitting laser pulses that are less than a few nanoseconds in duration. These short-duration pulses provide excellent range precision. However, randomness in the detected laser signals places limits on the precision. The goal of this dissertation is to quantify the range precision limits of LADAR systems. The randomness in the time between photon arrivals, which is called shot noise, is discussed in depth. System-dependent noise sources such as dark current and detector gain variation are considered. The effect of scene-dependent parameters including background light, target obscuration, and target orientation is also discussed. Finally, noise mitigation strategies such as pulse averaging and gain equalization are described and tested on simulated and real LADAR data.
Language:
English


Title:
Cr.sup.3+-doped laser materials and lasers and methods of making and using
Document ID:
20090004216
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090004216
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Alfano, Robert R. Bykov, Alexey Petricevic, Vladimir Sharonov, Mikhail
Published:
20081202
Source:
City Univ. of New York (NY United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A laser medium includes a single crystal of chromium-doped LiSc.sub.l-xIn.sub.xGe.sub.1-ySi.sub.yO.sub.4, where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1 and 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1. Preferably, x and y are not both 0. A laser, such as a tunable near infrared laser, can contain the laser medium.
Language:
English
Notes:
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/645,611, filed Jan. 24, 2005, incorporated herein by reference



36-02   LASER APPLICATIONS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Compact Femtosecond Pulse Approach to Explosives Detection Combining InN-Based Time Domain Terahertz Spectroscopy and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Document ID:
20090001991
Report #:
AD-A486559, ARL-TN-329
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486559
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Wraback, Michael Sampath, Anand Stratis-Cullum, Dimitra
Published:
20080801
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Adelphi, MD United States)
Pages:
18
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The feasibility of attaining improved explosives detection and identification using complementary InN-based time-domain terahertz spectroscopy (TDTS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) techniques employing 1550-nm femtosecond (fs) pulse technology has been investigated. The use of very low-energy, ultra-short, near-infrared laser pulses for both TDTS and LIBS has been demonstrated. Novel approaches exploiting polarization fields in wurtzite nitride semiconductors such as InN and GaN led to an enhancement of TMz generation by more than a factor of 3 relative to more conventional sources fabricated from these materials. These results could lead to improved TMz sources at fs fiber laser wavelengths of interest, with further advances in materials quality. Threshold LIBS pulse energies used in this investigation are the lowest reported to date, and gated detection is not required, potentially leading to an overall simpler and inexpensive system more amenable to field use. Finally, the use of low pulse energies in these studies currently available from more compact mode-locked fiber laser systems indicates potential for incorporation in field-deployable explosives-detection platforms.
Language:
English


Title:
Continuous wave, 30 W Laser-Diode Bar with 10 GHz Linewidth for Rb Laser Pumping
Document ID:
20090002186
Report #:
AD-A486802
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gourevitch, A Venus, G Smirnov, V Hostutler, D A Glebov, L
Published:
20080101
Source:
University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL United States)
Pages:
4
Contract #:
FA9451-07-C-0199
Abstract:
A laser-diode bar incorporated into an external cavity with a volume Bragg mirror produced 30W of cw output power within a 20 pm 10 GHz spectral linewidth (FWHM) centered at 780 nm. The device output power exceeded 90% of that for the free-running laser-diode bar. The emission wavelength was tuned over a 400 pm range without broadening laser spectrum width. Absorption of 90% of the laser radiation by a 25 mm vapor cell containing Rb that has been pressure broadened with 300 torr of ethane was demonstrated.
Language:
English


Title:
Demonstration of Aerosol Property Profiling by Multi-wavelength Lidar Under Varying Relative Humidity Conditions
Document ID:
20090002228
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A04 Copyright
Author(s):
Whiteman, D.N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Veselovskii, I. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Kolgotin, A. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Korenskii, M. (Troitsk Inst. for Innovation) Andrews, E. (Colorado Univ.)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
52
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The feasibility of using a multi-wavelength Mie-Raman lidar based on a tripled Nd:YAG laser for profiling aerosol physical parameters in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) is studied. The lidar quantifies three aerosol backscattering and two extinction coefficients and from these optical data the particle parameters such as concentration, size and complex refractive index are retrieved through inversion with regularization. The column-integrated, lidar-derived parameters are compared with results from the AERONET sun photometer. The lidar and sun photometer agree well in the characterization of the fine mode parameters, however the lidar shows less sensitivity to coarse mode. The lidar results reveal a strong dependence of particle properties on RH. The height regions with enhanced RH are characterized by an increase of backscattering and extinction coefficient and a decrease in the Angstrom exponent coinciding with an increase in the particle size. We present data selection techniques useful for selecting cases that can support the calculation of hygroscopic growth parameters using lidar. Hygroscopic growth factors calculated using these techniques agree with expectations despite the lack of co-located radiosonde data. Despite this limitation, the results demonstrate the potential of multi-wavelength Raman lidar technique for study of aerosol humidification process.
Language:
English
Notes:
Submitted to the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology


Title:
Fiber Optic Sensing Monitors Strain and Reduces Costs
Document ID:
20090002484
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002484
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 82-83
Published:
20080901
Source:
Luna Technologies, Inc. (Blacksburg, VA, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In applications where stress on a structure may vary widely and have an unknown impact on integrity, a common engineering strategy has been overbuilding to ensure a sufficiently robust design. While this may be appropriate in applications where weight concerns are not paramount, space applications demand a bare minimum of mass, given astronomical per-pound launch costs. For decades, the preferred solution was the tactic of disassembly and investigation between flights. Knowing there must be a better way, Dr. Mark Froggatt, of Langley Research Center, explored alternate means of monitoring stresses and damage to the space shuttle. While a tear-it-apart-and-have-a-look strategy was effective, it was also a costly and time consuming process that risked further stresses through the very act of disassembly and reassembly. An alternate way of monitoring the condition of parts under the enormous stresses of space flight was needed. Froggatt and his colleagues at Langley built an early-warning device to provide detailed information about even minuscule cracks and deformations by etching a group of tiny lines, or grating, on a fiber optic cable five-thousandths of an inch thick with ultraviolet light. By then gluing the fiber to the side of a part, such as a fuel tank, and shining a laser beam down its length, reflected light indicated which gratings were under stress. Inferring this data from measurements in light rather than in bonded gauges saved additional weight. Various shuttle components now employ the ultrasonic dynamic vector stress sensor (UDVSS), allowing stress detection by measuring light beamed from a built-in mini-laser. By measuring changes in dynamic directional stress occurring in a material or structure, and including phase-locked loop, synchronous amplifier, and contact probe, the UDVSS proved especially useful among manufacturers of aerospace and automotive structures for stress testing and design evaluation. Engineers could ensure safety in airplanes and spaceships with a narrower, not overbuilt, margin of safety. For this development, in 1997, Discover Magazine named Froggatt a winner in the "Eighth Annual Awards for Technological Innovation" from more than 4,000 entries.
Language:
English


Title:
Software Simulates Sight: Flat Panel Mura Detection
Document ID:
20090002490
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002490
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 136-137
Published:
20080901
Source:
Radiant Images, Inc. (Duvall, WA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In the increasingly sophisticated world of high-definition flat screen monitors and television screens, image clarity and the elimination of distortion are paramount concerns. As the devices that reproduce images become more and more sophisticated, so do the technologies that verify their accuracy. By simulating the manner in which a human eye perceives and interprets a visual stimulus, NASA scientists have found ways to automatically and accurately test new monitors and displays. The Spatial Standard Observer (SSO) software metric, developed by Dr. Andrew B. Watson at Ames Research Center, measures visibility and defects in screens, displays, and interfaces. In the design of such a software tool, a central challenge is determining which aspects of visual function to include while accuracy and generality are important, relative simplicity of the software module is also a key virtue. Based on data collected in ModelFest, a large cooperative multi-lab project hosted by the Optical Society of America, the SSO simulates a simplified model of human spatial vision, operating on a pair of images that are viewed at a specific viewing distance with pixels having a known relation to luminance. The SSO measures the visibility of foveal spatial patterns, or the discriminability of two patterns, by incorporating only a few essential components of vision. These components include local contrast transformation, a contrast sensitivity function, local masking, and local pooling. By this construction, the SSO provides output in units of "just noticeable differences" (JND) a unit of measure based on the assumed smallest difference of sensory input detectable by a human being. Herein is the truly amazing ability of the SSO, while conventional methods can manipulate images, the SSO models human perception. This set of equations actually defines a mathematical way of working with an image that accurately reflects the way in which the human eye and mind behold a stimulus. The SSO is intended for a wide variety of applications, such as evaluating vision from unmanned aerial vehicles, measuring visibility of damage to aircraft and to the space shuttles, predicting outcomes of corrective laser eye surgery, inspecting displays during the manufacturing process, estimating the quality of compressed digital video, evaluating legibility of text, and predicting discriminability of icons or symbols in a graphical user interface.
Language:
English


Title:
Apparatus and method for packaging and integrating microphotonic devices
Document ID:
20090002649
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002649
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Nguyen, Hung
Published:
20080708
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
19
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed that includes a carrier structure and an optical coupling arrangement. The carrier structure is made of a silicon material and allows for the packaging and integrating of microphotonic devices onto a single chip. The optical coupling mechanism enables laser light to be coupled into and out of a microphotonic resonant disk integrated on the carrier. The carrier provides first, second and third cavities that are dimensioned so as to accommodate the insertion and snug fitting of the microphotonic resonant disk and first and second prisms that are implemented by the optical coupling arrangement to accommodate the laser coupling.
Language:
English


Title:
Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Phase Conjugation in Fiber Optic Waveguides
Document ID:
20090003395
Report #:
AD-A487254, AFIT/DS/ENP/08-S03
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487254
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Massey, Steven M
Published:
20080701
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
199
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The objective of this research effort was to demonstrate the path to continuous wave, coherent beam combination through stimulated Brillouin scattering phase conjugation in optical fiber. This work experimentally determined the fiber parameters necessary for phase conjugation in step-index optical fiber. Continuous wave phase conjugation using stimulated Brillouin scattering in step-index fibers was achieved for the first time with a fidelity of 0.8 and a threshold power of 16 W in a 15-m fiber with 0.13 NA. A fidelity of 0.8 was also achieved using 40 m of fiber with 0.06-NA and a threshold power of 15 W. The fidelity of phase conjugation was found to decline by ~45% in an additional 20 m of 0.13-NA fiber and by ~15% in 20 m of the 0.06-NA fiber. The effective Brillouin gain coefficient of the multimode fibers was found to vary directly with fidelity. A new technique using interference to measure fidelity was tested, and stimulated Brillouin scattering in a 2.5-km, graded-index fiber was found to produce beam cleanup to the fundamental fiber mode of the fiber with fidelity less than 0.1. This work demonstrated that coherent beam combining via continuous wave phase conjugation in optical fiber is achievable.
Language:
English


Title:
High Resolution X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging with Acoustic Tissue-Selective Contrast Enhancement
Document ID:
20090003763
Report #:
AD-A490409
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490409
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Diebold, Gerald J
Published:
20080601
Source:
Brown Univ. (Providence, RI United States)
Pages:
12
Contract #:
W81XWH-04-1-0481
Abstract:
We show that an ultrafast laser plasma x-ray source made by focusing a fs laser onto a liquid mercury target can be used for phase contrast imaging of a murine liver in vitro. The x-ray spectrum emitted at 5-kHz repetition rate has characteristics of a 2.5-W 30-kV microfocus x-ray tube with a tungsten anode. The phase contrast images of the liver show the venous network with approximately 20-pm spatial resolution without the use of a phase contrast agent. The method permits taking tomography images that can be viewed as orthogonal cross sections. Second we report a new preparative method for providing contrast through reduction in electron density that is uniquely suited for in-line X- ray phase contrast imaging. The method which results in an air filled vasculature makes possible visualization of the smallest micro vessels in an excised murine liver.
Language:
English


Title:
Range Precision of LADAR Systems
Document ID:
20090004044
Report #:
AD-A488211, AFIT/DEE/ENG/08-15
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Johnson, Steven
Published:
20080901
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
198
Contract #:
DACA99-99-C-9999
Abstract:
A key application of Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) systems is measurement of range to a target. Many modern LADAR systems are capable of transmitting laser pulses that are less than a few nanoseconds in duration. These short-duration pulses provide excellent range precision. However, randomness in the detected laser signals places limits on the precision. The goal of this dissertation is to quantify the range precision limits of LADAR systems. The randomness in the time between photon arrivals, which is called shot noise, is discussed in depth. System-dependent noise sources such as dark current and detector gain variation are considered. The effect of scene-dependent parameters including background light, target obscuration, and target orientation is also discussed. Finally, noise mitigation strategies such as pulse averaging and gain equalization are described and tested on simulated and real LADAR data.
Language:
English


Title:
50th Anniversary Celebration: 46th Sagamore Army Materials Research Conference on Advances and Needs in Multi-Spectral Transparent Materials Technology
Document ID:
20090004047
Report #:
AD-A488220, ARL-SR-0164
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Sands, James M McCauley, James W
Published:
20080901
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD United States)
Pages:
170
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Since 1954, the Sagamore Army Materials Research Conference has brought together scientists and engineers from government, industry, and academia for in-depth discussions on cutting edge materials technology issues of critical importance to the U.S. Army community. The 46th Sagamore Army Materials Research Conference continued this tradition with a focus on Advances and Needs in Multi-Spectral Transparent Materials Technology. Held at the Harbourtowne Golf Resort and Conference Center, St. Michaels, MD, on May 9-12, 2005, the objective of this conference was to review the applications, requirements, and major technical barriers of multi-spectral transparent materials for sensor protection, ground and air vehicle ballistic protection, personnel protection, and infrastructure survivability. The conference proceedings, documented in this report, included presentation media along with selected papers and supporting content that highlight the performance and capabilities requirements of the embedded Army systems in Current and Future Forces. The multi-spectral transparent materials technology needs include transparent armor, phased array radar, displays, electromagnetic windows and domes, and polycrystalline lasers. The presentations focus on processing, characterization, property testing, and system requirements of advanced ceramic and polymer systems to enable the cost-effective manufacturing of high quality, reproducible materials for these applications. These proceedings demonstrate both the effective communication of critical technology needs within the industrial community as well as continued opportunities for advancement of these technologies for military applications.
Language:
English



37-01   BEARINGS AND GEARS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
High Strength P/M Gears for Vehicle Transmissions - Phase 2
Document ID:
20090001992
Report #:
AD-A486567, PSU/ARL-TR-08-003-PHASE-2
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486567
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Rao, Suren B Sonti, Nagesh
Published:
20080815
Source:
Pennsylvania State Univ. (University Park, PA United States)
Pages:
50
Contract #:
N00024-02-D-6604-0317
Abstract:
This effort accomplished three major objectives. A production capable powder metal (P/M) gear ausform finishing machine was designed by a select machine tool builder (Kinefac Corporation of Worcester, CT). The integration of this machine on the production floor of a powder metal parts manufacturer (Keystone Powder Metal Company, St. Marys, PA), which included the automatic load/unload mechanism and other sub-systems, was defined. The final objective accomplished was the optimization of the ausform finishing process and the total P/M gear manufacturing process to achieve higher gear quality and lower cost, with the use of lower density P/M parts.
Language:
English


Title:
Novel Concepts for Conformal Load-Bearing Antenna Structure
Document ID:
20090002414
Report #:
AD-A485786, DSTO-TR-2096
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA485786
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Callus, Paul J
Published:
20080201
Source:
Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Victoria, Australia)
Pages:
111
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This report describes the activities undertaken by the author during his Defence Science Fellowship on the topic of Conformal Load-bearing Antenna Structure (CLAS) at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Vehicles Directorate, Structures Division, Advanced Structural Concepts Branch (AFRL/VASA), Multifunctional Structures Team at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA, from June 2006 to August 2007. The aim of CLAS is to enhance the performance and capability of air vehicles by integrating antennas into the load-bearing airframe structure. The author and AFRL/VASA team devised new CLAS concepts and selected one, Slotted Waveguide Antenna Stiffened Structure (SWASS), for further evaluation. In SWASS the top-hat cross-section stiffeners on thin skins or blade stiffeners in sandwich panels would serve the dual purpose of acting both as structural stiffeners and as slotted waveguide antennas. This concept was partially validated by modelling, design, manufacture and testing at the coupon level. Waveguides were manufactured from carbon fibre reinforced plastic and their insertion loss measured. Conventional AS4/3501-6 prepreg tape waveguides exhibited the lowest losses and, although these losses were well above those for metallic waveguides, they were expected to be acceptable for first generation SWASS antennas. Work is continuing to complete the validation.
Language:
English


Title:
Control System for Bearingless Motor-generator
Document ID:
20090002465
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002465
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Kascak, Peter E. Jansen, Ralph H. Dever, Timothy P.
Published:
20081125
Source:
Toledo Univ. (OH United States)
Pages:
27
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A control system for an electromagnetic rotary drive for bearingless motor-generators comprises a winding configuration comprising a plurality of individual pole pairs through which phase current flows, each phase current producing both a lateral force and a torque. A motor-generator comprises a stator, a rotor supported for movement relative to the stator, and a control system. The motor-generator comprises a winding configuration supported by the stator. The winding configuration comprises at least three pole pairs through which phase current flows resulting in three three-phase systems. Each phase system has a first rotor reference frame axis current that produces a levitating force with no average torque and a second rotor reference frame axis current that produces torque.
Language:
English
Notes:
This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/637,280, which was filed on Dec. 17, 2004, and the description of which is incorporated herein by reference


Title:
Stereocontrolled Additions to a Rigid Bicyclo [3.3.0] Octane Ring System
Document ID:
20090002559
Report #:
AD-A486710, USNA-TSPR-372
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486710
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Moore, John B
Published:
20080505
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
108
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Organisms in nature often produce complicated molecules difficult to synthesize in the laboratory. Dolabellanes have demonstrated significant anti-tumor capability but are found principally in marine species inhabiting sensitive ecosystems. Interest in their synthesis is high. These compounds contain a multi-functionalized eleven-membered ring fused to a cyclopentane ring bearing three stereocenters. This project investigated means of introducing stereocenters relevant to dolabellanes to simplify their ultimate synthesis. The project has postulated employing a fused bicyclopentane system can permit the creation of stereocenters with predictable chirality. This is made possible by the rigidity of the fused system, which is energetically constricted to one conformation. Ketone in a previously prepared molecule was converted into an alkene conjugated with a carbonyl-containing ethyl ester. Two reaction methods were studied. The Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction was employed using triethyl phosphonoacetate as the reagent; the Wittig reaction was then explored to introduce the same carbon-carbon double bond motif using an ylide reagent. The latter reaction proved to be more successful and was used in subsequent reactions. Creation of a quaternary stereocenter was first explored. Continuing, tertiary stereocenters were investigated via two reactions. Catalytic hydrogenation consisted of the reaction of hydrogen gas with ester mediated by the surface properties of several metallic catalysts. The second reaction employed Grignard reagents to add directly to the ketone carbonyl of the fused bicyclopentane. Sterics of the convex side of the molecule caused the Grignard reagents to act as bases, extracting the hydrogen bonded between the carbonyls. Secondary stereocenters were created through the use of hindered reduction reagents attacking the ketone carbonyl of the fused bicyclopentane. Spectroscopic methods allowed conclusive confirmation of structure and reaction products.
Language:
English


Title:
Targeting Sirna Missiles to Her2+ Breast Cancer
Document ID:
20090003315
Report #:
AD-A488005
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA488005
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Medina-Kauwe, Lali K
Published:
20080601
Source:
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles, CA United States)
Pages:
10
Contract #:
W81XWH-06-1-0549
Abstract:
The most significant findings here are that HerPBK10-siRNA complexes retain stability in whole serum and evade serum nuclease mediated degradation of the siRNA, thus providing an encouraging prediction that the complex will be stable in vivo. We also show that HerPBK10- siRNA complexes induce targeted cell death to HER2+ but not HER2- cells in culture, suggesting that in vivo tumor targeting and cell death, as anticipated in the third year of this project, will be feasible. We show that the complex induces IFN-alpha secretion from HER2+ but not HER2- cells, which likely contributes to the mechanism of targeted cell death by these complexes. Interestingly, we also found that the HerPBK10 protein alone also induced a similar pattern of IFN-alpha secretion, and will be examining the contribution of the carrier protein and siRNA toward the targeted cell death observed here. Finally, we show that the siRNA carrier, HerPBK10, undergoes tumor-preferential accumulation in tumor-bearing mice, and preferentially avoids of normal tissues and organs.
Language:
English


Title:
Exploiting for Breast Cancer Control a Proposed Unified Mechanism for Reduction of Human Breast Cancer Risk by the Hormones of Pregnancy
Document ID:
20090003981
Report #:
AD-A488067
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Jacobson, Herbert Andersen, Thomas T Bennett, James A
Published:
20080501
Source:
Albany Medical Coll. (NY United States)
Pages:
18
Contract #:
W81XWH-04-1-0486
Abstract:
Results in the third grant year further support the Unified Mechanism Hypothesis in that: (1) Giving pregnancy associated hormones or hCG to virgin female rats either before or after MNU treatment elicits persistent serum AFP levels, thereby explaining why breast cancer appearance is inhibited when employing either treatment sequence; (2) Giving hCG to estrogenized SCID mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts inhibits the cancer growth, apparently by action of murine AFP that the treatment has elicited from the mouse liver as an inform with low avidity for our available anti mAFP antibody. We are able to detect mAFP in mouse serum by western blot when it is present in the very high concentration that is elicited by injection of the animals with high E3 doses. (3) In an all-human in vitro system, hCG elicits hAFP from cultured HepG2 human liver cancer cells, addition of the hAFP-containing supernate to cultures of MCF7 human breast cancer cells blocks their growth, and that adding anti hAFP antibody to that system prevents the inhibition. hAFP is thus confirmed as the proximal inhibitor.
Language:
English


Title:
Enhancing the Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Breast Cancer Treatment with Nonanticoagulant Heparins
Document ID:
20090004011
Report #:
AD-A488133
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mousa, Shaker A
Published:
20080501
Source:
Albany Coll. of Pharmacy (Albany, NY United States)
Pages:
10
Contract #:
W81XWH-07-1-0344
Abstract:
A mouse model of breast cancer with human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 (wild type) or MCF7-doxorubicin resistant (MCF7-R) cells was used evaluate the efficacy of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) either alone or in combination with doxorubicin to prevent tumor growth. Tumor volume measurements were performed at intervals throughout the course of treatment. LMWH compounds (Enoxaparin or non-anticoagulant heparin NACH) given together with chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin decreased tumor growth rate and prolong survival in animals bearing MCF7 wild-type tumors. These agents appeared to be less effective in animals bearing doxorubicin-resistant tumors. Bleeding times determined on animals in all treatment groups showed that there were no statistically significant differences among the groups. However, animals in ENOX groups showed increased bruising at the sites of injection. These studies will be repeated, and studies with alpha v beta 3-targeted nanoparticle formulations will be performed to compare the efficacies of non-targeted and targeted therapies.
Language:
English



37-02   LUBRICATION AND LUBRICANTS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



37-03   MACHINING
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Evaluation of Two Skid-Mounted Core Drills for Airfield Pavement Evaluation
Document ID:
20090001981
Report #:
AD-A486525, AFRL-RX-TY-TR-2008-4589
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486525
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Mellerski, R C Chapman, Michael Hammons, Michael I
Published:
20080804
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Tyndall AFB, FL United States)
Pages:
17
Contract #:
FA4819-07-D-0001
Abstract:
Two commercial skid-mounted core drills were evaluated for use by Air Force pavement evaluation teams. AFRL evaluated the drills for their ability to be mounted on a mobile platform (water requirements, power requirements, stability, etc.), and performed benchmark testing of the two drills on concrete pavements. No modifications to the commercial off-the-shelf rigs were made by the laboratory. Both drills were found to be functional with a cutting rate and depth potential compatible to other units of their size. Plumbing the drills was problematic. The drills tended to bind in the pavement during coring. Neither drill is recommended for use by the Air Force evaluation teams on small utility vehicles (including pickup trucks, panel vans, or other equivalent-sized vehicles) for contingency pavement evaluations.
Language:
English



37-04   FRICTION AND WEAR
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
NASA Design Strengthens Welds
Document ID:
20090002512
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002512
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 154-155
Published:
20080901
Source:
MTS Systems Corp. (Eden Prairie, MN, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining process-a combination of extruding and forging-ideal for use when the original metal characteristics must remain as unchanged as possible. While exploring methods to improve the use of FSW in manufacturing, engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center created technologies to address the method's shortcomings. MTS Systems Corporation, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, discovered the NASA-developed technology and then signed a co-exclusive license agreement to commercialize Marshall's design for use in high-strength structural alloys. The resulting process offers the added bonuses of being cost-competitive, efficient, and most importantly, versatile.
Language:
English


Title:
Improved Submariner Eyewear for Routine Wear and Emergency Equipment Use Underway
Document ID:
20090003794
Report #:
AD-A490638, NSMRL/50518/MR--2008-1266
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490638
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
America, Alison Horn, Wayne G
Published:
20081121
Source:
Naval Submarine Medical Research Lab. (Groton, CT United States)
Pages:
29
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate prescription eyewear for use with the Emergency Air Breathing (EAB) mask. The eyewear options that are currently available to submariners are unacceptable for many reasons. Primarily, submariner frames leave the wearer with disfiguring facial creases. Frames of choice, when worn by submariners, cause a break in the seal of the EAB mask, putting the submariner at risk for inhaling dangerous gases. Rochester Optical designed wire-framed eyewear that did not break the EAB gas tight seal in the submarine environment. We recommend further testing of this eyewear by submariners who wear prescription eyewear during underway time.
Language:
English



37-05   SEALS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Multiple internal seal ring micro-electro-mechanical system vacuum packaging method
Document ID:
20090002641
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002641
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Hayworth, Ken J. Yee, Karl Y. Shcheglov, Kirill V. Bae, Youngsam Wiberg, Dean V. Challoner, A. Dorian Peay, Chris S.
Published:
20080708
Source:
California Inst. of Tech. (Pasadena, CA United States)
Pages:
16
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A Multiple Internal Seal Ring (MISR) Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) vacuum packaging method that hermetically seals MEMS devices using MISR. The method bonds a capping plate having metal seal rings to a base plate having metal seal rings by wafer bonding the capping plate wafer to the base plate wafer. Bulk electrodes may be used to provide conductive paths between the seal rings on the base plate and the capping plate. All seals are made using only metal-to-metal seal rings deposited on the polished surfaces of the base plate and capping plate wafers. However, multiple electrical feed-through metal traces are provided by fabricating via holes through the capping plate for electrical connection from the outside of the package through the via-holes to the inside of the package. Each metal seal ring serves the dual purposes of hermetic sealing and providing the electrical feed-through metal trace.
Language:
English
Notes:
This divisional application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of the following U.S. patent application, which is incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/865,344, filed Jun. 10, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,844, by Hayworth et al., entitled ''MULTIPLE INTERNAL SEAL RING MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL VACUUM PACKAGE''


Title:
Variable area nozzle including a plurality of convexly vanes with a crowned contour, in a vane to vane sealing arrangement and with nonuniform lengths
Document ID:
20090004214
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090004214
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Arnold, Steven M. Penney, Nicholas
Published:
20081202
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
33
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A variable area nozzle comprising a concentric support and a plurality of convexly contoured self sealing vanes is disclosed and claimed. The vanes are circumferentially and rotatably mounted to the concentric support forming a nozzle infinitely positionable between a first position corresponding to a minimum area nozzle and a second position corresponding to a maximum area nozzle. A closer, which is preferably a shape memory alloy (SMA), urges the nozzle toward the first position corresponding to a minimum area nozzle. Periodically spaced openers act between adjacent vanes to urge the nozzle to a second position corresponding to a maximum area nozzle.
Language:
English



37-06   WELDING
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Novel Process Revolutionizes Welding Industry
Document ID:
20090002471
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002471
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 148-149
Published:
20080901
Source:
Delphi Corp. (United States) Michigan Research Institute (Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Glenn Research Center, Delphi Corporation, and the Michigan Research Institute entered into a research project to study the use of Deformation Resistance Welding (DRW) in the construction and repair of stationary structures with multiple geometries and dissimilar materials, such as those NASA might use on the Moon or Mars. Traditional welding technologies are burdened by significant business and engineering challenges, including high costs of equipment and labor, heat-affected zones, limited automation, and inconsistent quality. DRW addresses each of those issues, while drastically reducing welding, manufacturing, and maintenance costs.
Language:
English


Title:
NASA Design Strengthens Welds
Document ID:
20090002512
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002512
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 154-155
Published:
20080901
Source:
MTS Systems Corp. (Eden Prairie, MN, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining process-a combination of extruding and forging-ideal for use when the original metal characteristics must remain as unchanged as possible. While exploring methods to improve the use of FSW in manufacturing, engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center created technologies to address the method's shortcomings. MTS Systems Corporation, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, discovered the NASA-developed technology and then signed a co-exclusive license agreement to commercialize Marshall's design for use in high-strength structural alloys. The resulting process offers the added bonuses of being cost-competitive, efficient, and most importantly, versatile.
Language:
English


Title:
Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Element Overview
Document ID:
20090002561
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002561
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
McArthur, J. Craig (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080720
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
18
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This viewgraph presentation gives an overview of NASA's Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Upper Stage Element. The topics incluse: 1) What is NASA s Mission?; 2) NASA s Exploration Roadmap What is our time line?; 3) Building on a Foundation of Proven Technologies Launch Vehicle Comparisons; 4) Ares I Upper Stage; 5) Upper Stage Primary Products; 6) Ares I Upper Stage Development Approach; 7) What progress have we made?; 8) Upper Stage Subsystem Highlights; 9) Structural Testing; 10) Common Bulkhead Processing; 11) Stage Installation at Stennis Space Center; 12) Boeing Producibility Team; 13) Upper Stage Low Cost Strategy; 14) Ares I and V Production at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF); 15) Merged Manufacturing Flow; and 16) Manufacturing and Assembly Weld Tools.
Language:
English
Notes:
44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference Hartford, CT 20-23 Jul. 2008


Title:
Fatigue Crack Growth in Peened Friction Stir Welds
Document ID:
20090002675
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002675
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Forth, Scott C. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Hatamleh, Omar (NASA Johnson Space Center)
Published:
20081215
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
19
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Friction stir welding induces residual stresses that accelerates fatigue crack growth in the weld nugget. Shot peening over the weld had little effect on growth rate. Laser peening over the weld retarded the growth rate: Final crack growth rate was comparable to the base, un-welded material. Crack tunneling evident from residual compressive stresses. 2195-T8 fracture surfaces were highly textured. Texturing makes comparisons difficult as the material system is affecting the data as much as the processing. Material usage becoming more common in space applications requiring additional work to develop useful datasets for damage tolerance analyses.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Conference on Laser Peening Houston, TX 15-17 Dec. 2008


Title:
The Concept of Electrically Assisted Friction Stir Welding (EAFSW) and Application to the Processing of Various Metals
Document ID:
20090003296
Report #:
AD-A487963, NSWCCD-61-TR-2008/13
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487963
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Ferrando, William A
Published:
20080901
Source:
Naval Surface Warfare Center (Bethesda, MD United States)
Pages:
33
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This report introduces a novel variant of conventional friction stir welding (FSW). Since 1991, friction stir welding provides an alternative to arc welding as a metal joining method in numerous applications. In FSW, the heat required to soften the target metal is generated totally by the rotating friction of the tool which necessitates rather high downward (Z) operating force and often leads to relatively short tool life. In the proposed modification, an electric current is added through the tip which provides ohmic heating of the work piece in its vicinity. This additional contribution combines with the tool rotation to produce Electrically Assisted Friction Stir Welding (EAFSW) and reduces frictional forces required of the tool to produce softening of the work piece metal. This can result in reduced tool wear, lower applied Z force and potentially higher weld speed. The reduction in Z force requirement, in particular, might enable construction of a smaller, more portable FSW machine having similar weld capabilities as the current large units. The machine modification/configuration is described. Experiments with various work piece metals and tool materials are discussed. Representative pictures of the resulting welds are presented. Finally, some conclusions regarding the possible scope and advantages of this new weld method are drawn.
Language:
English


Title:
Stress Analysis of the Lifting Fixture Used in the 2008 Conformal Sonar Array Trials at Seneca Lake
Document ID:
20090003604
Report #:
AD-A487573, NUWC-NPT-TR-11882
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Cavallaro, Paul V Johnson, Matthew E Cox, Donald L White, Julie C Hulton, Peter H Recine, Emilio
Published:
20080901
Source:
Naval Undersea Warfare Center (Newport, RI United States)
Pages:
29
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Detailed stress analyses were required of critical lifting fixture components used to support conformal sonar array assemblies in performance trials conducted in 2008 at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center's Seneca Lake Test Facility. The stress analyses were necessary to ensure that the lifting fixture had sufficient structural integrity for the handling and operational phases of the trials. The targeted structural integrity levels required compliance with a minimum safety factor for each of the specific components investigated. The minimum safety factor was set to 5.0 based on the yield stress of each component. The stress analyses examined key screwed connections and weldments that join the lifting fixture to the array modules. The safety factors for the current component designs were determined and compared to the minimum requirement.
Language:
English


Title:
Advanced Integration of Multi-Scale Mechanics and Welding Process Simulation in Weld Integrity Assessment, (Final)
Document ID:
20090004171
Report #:
DE2008-939185, DOE/GO/14040-1
Sales Agency:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) No Copyright
Author(s):
Wilkowski, G. M. Rudland, D. L. Shim, D. J. Brust, F. W. Babu, S.
Published:
20080630
Source:
General Motors Corp. (Warren, MI, United States)
Pages:
201
Contract #:
DE-FC36-04GO14040
Abstract:
The potential to save trillions of BTUs in energy usage and billions of dollars in cost on an annual basis based on use of higher strength steel in major oil and gas transmission pipeline construction is a compelling opportunity recognized by both the US Department of Energy (DOE). The use of high-strength steels (X100) is expected to result in energy savings across the spectrum, from manufacturing the pipe to transportation and fabrication, including welding of line pipe. Elementary examples of energy savings include more the 25 trillion BTUs saved annually based on lower energy costs to produce the thinner-walled high-strength steel pipe, with the potential for the US part of the Alaskan pipeline alone saving more than 7 trillion BTU in production and much more in transportation and assembling. Annual production, maintenance and installation of just US domestic transmission pipeline is likely to save 5 to 10 times this amount based on current planned and anticipated expansions of oil and gas lines in North America. Among the most important conclusions from these studies were: While computational weld models to predict residual stress and distortions are well-established and accurate, related microstructure models need improvement. Fracture Initiation Transition Temperature (FITT) Master Curve properly predicts surface-cracked pipe brittle-to-ductile initiation temperature. It has value in developing Codes and Standards to better correlate full-scale behavior from either CTOD or Charpy test results with the proper temperature shifts from the FITT master curve method. For stress-based flaw evaluation criteria, the new circumferentially cracked pipe limit-load solution in the 2007 API 1104 Appendix A approach is overly conservative by a factor of 4/p, which has additional implications. . For strain-based design of girth weld defects, the hoop stress effect is the most significant parameter impacting CTOD-driving force and can increase the crack-driving force by a factor of 2 depending on strain-hardening, pressure level as a % of SMYS, and flaw size. From years of experience in circumferential fracture analyses and experimentation, there has not been sufficient integration of work performed for other industries into analogous problems facing the oil and gas pipeline markets. Some very basic concepts and problems solved previously in these fields could have circumvented inconsistencies seen in the stress-based and strain-based analysis efforts. For example, in nuclear utility piping work, more detailed elastic-plastic fracture analyses were always validated in their ability to predict loads and displacements (stresses and strains). The eventual implementation of these methodologies will result in acceleration of the industry adoption of higher-strength line-pipe steels.
Language:
English



37-07   METAL FORMING
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Fatigue Crack Growth in Peened Friction Stir Welds
Document ID:
20090002675
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002675
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Forth, Scott C. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Hatamleh, Omar (NASA Johnson Space Center)
Published:
20081215
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
19
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Friction stir welding induces residual stresses that accelerates fatigue crack growth in the weld nugget. Shot peening over the weld had little effect on growth rate. Laser peening over the weld retarded the growth rate: Final crack growth rate was comparable to the base, un-welded material. Crack tunneling evident from residual compressive stresses. 2195-T8 fracture surfaces were highly textured. Texturing makes comparisons difficult as the material system is affecting the data as much as the processing. Material usage becoming more common in space applications requiring additional work to develop useful datasets for damage tolerance analyses.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Conference on Laser Peening Houston, TX 15-17 Dec. 2008



37-08   PUMPS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Liquid Metal Pump Technologies for Nuclear Surface Power
Document ID:
20090002399
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Polzin, Kurt A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080101
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
25
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Multiple liquid metal _ump options are reviewed for the purpose of determining the technologies that are best suited for inclusion in a nuclear reactor thermal simulator intended to test prototypical space nuclear surface power system components. Conduction, induction, and thermoelectric electromagnetic pumps are evaluated based on their performance characteristics and the technical issues associated with incorporation into a reactor system. A thermoelectric electromagnetic pump is selected as the best option for use in NASA-MSFC's Fission Surface Power-Primary Test Circuit reactor simulator based on its relative simplicity, low power supply mass penalty, flight heritage, and the promise of increased pump efficiency over those earlier pump designs through the use of skutterudite thermoelectric elements.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Nuclear Technology/American Nuclearn Society



37-09   VACUUM TECHNOLOGY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Development and Testing of a Sorbent-Based Atmosphere Revitalization System for the Crew Exploration Vehicle 2007/2008
Document ID:
20090001943
Report #:
2008-01-2082
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 Copyright
Author(s):
Knox, James C. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Howard, David (All Points Logistics, Inc.) Miller, Lee (Miller (Lee) Consulting)
Published:
20080629
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
13
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The design of a Vacuum-Swing Adsorption (VSA) system to remove metabolic water and metabolic carbon dioxide from the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) atmosphere is presented. The approach for Orion is a VSA system that removes not only 100 percent of the metabolic CO2 from the atmosphere, but also 100% of the metabolic water as well, a technology approach that has not been used in previous spacecraft life support systems. The design and development of the Sorbent Based Atmosphere Regeneration (SBAR) system, including test articles, a facility test stand, and full-scale testing in late 2007 and early 2008 is discussed.
Language:
English
Notes:
38th International Conference on Environmental Systems San Francisco, CA 29 Jun. - 2 Jul. 2008


Title:
Enquiry Concerning Charmless Semileptonic Decays of Bottom Mesons
Document ID:
20090002395
Report #:
DE2008-937463, SLAC-R-896
Sales Agency:
Department of Energy Information Bridge No Copyright
Author(s):
Chaisanguanthum, K. S.
Published:
20080101
Source:
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (CA, United States)
Pages:
145
Contract #:
DE-AC02-76SF00515
Abstract:
In the Standard Model of particle physics, the weak and electromagnetic interactions are described by a manifestly chiral SU(2) X U(1) gauge symmetry which is broken by a scalar Higgs field 0 with a nonzero vacuum expectation value.
Language:
English


Title:
Advanced X-Ray Sources Ensure Safe Environments
Document ID:
20090002515
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002515
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 86-87
Published:
20080901
Source:
inXitu (Mountain View, CA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Ames Research Center awarded inXitu Inc. (formerly Microwave Power Technology), of Mountain View, California, an SBIR contract to develop a new design of electron optics for forming and focusing electron beams that is applicable to a broad class of vacuum electron devices. This technology offers an inherently rugged and more efficient X-ray source for material analysis; a compact and rugged X-ray source for smaller rovers on future Mars missions; and electron beam sources to reduce undesirable emissions from small, widely distributed pollution sources; and remediation of polluted sites.
Language:
English


Title:
LETS: Lunar Environments Test System
Document ID:
20090002581
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002581
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
Vaughn, Jason A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Schneider, Todd (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Craven, Paul (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Norwood, Joey (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20080812
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The Environmental Effects Branch (EM50) at the Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a unique capability within the agency, namely the Lunar Environment Test System (LETS). LETS is a cryo-pumped vacuum chamber facility capable of high vacuum (10-7 Torr). LETS is a cylindrical chamber, 30 in. (0.8 m) diameter by 48 in. (1.2 m) long thermally controlled vacuum system. The chamber is equipped with a full array of radiation sources including vacuum ultraviolet, electron, and proton radiation. The unique feature of LETS is that it contains a large lunar simulant bed (18 in. x 40 in. x 6 in.) holding 75 kg of JSC-1a simulant while operating at a vacuum of 10-7 Torr. This facility allows three applications: 1) to study the charging, levitation and migration of dust particles, 2) to simulate the radiation environment on the lunar surface, and 3) to electrically charge the lunar simulant enhancing the attraction and adhesion of dust particles to test articles more closely simulating the lunar surface dust environment. LETS has numerous diagnostic instruments including TREK electrostatic probes, residual gas analyzer (RGA), temperature controlled quartz crystal microbalance (TQCM), and particle imaging velocimeter (PIV). Finally, LETS uses continuous Labview data acquisition for computer monitoring and system control.
Language:
English
Notes:
Lunar Regolith Behavior Workshop Houston, TX 12-14 Aug. 2008


Title:
Multiple internal seal ring micro-electro-mechanical system vacuum packaging method
Document ID:
20090002641
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002641
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Hayworth, Ken J. Yee, Karl Y. Shcheglov, Kirill V. Bae, Youngsam Wiberg, Dean V. Challoner, A. Dorian Peay, Chris S.
Published:
20080708
Source:
California Inst. of Tech. (Pasadena, CA United States)
Pages:
16
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A Multiple Internal Seal Ring (MISR) Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) vacuum packaging method that hermetically seals MEMS devices using MISR. The method bonds a capping plate having metal seal rings to a base plate having metal seal rings by wafer bonding the capping plate wafer to the base plate wafer. Bulk electrodes may be used to provide conductive paths between the seal rings on the base plate and the capping plate. All seals are made using only metal-to-metal seal rings deposited on the polished surfaces of the base plate and capping plate wafers. However, multiple electrical feed-through metal traces are provided by fabricating via holes through the capping plate for electrical connection from the outside of the package through the via-holes to the inside of the package. Each metal seal ring serves the dual purposes of hermetic sealing and providing the electrical feed-through metal trace.
Language:
English
Notes:
This divisional application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of the following U.S. patent application, which is incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/865,344, filed Jun. 10, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,844, by Hayworth et al., entitled ''MULTIPLE INTERNAL SEAL RING MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL VACUUM PACKAGE''


Title:
James Webb Space Telescope: Frequently Asked Questions for Scientists and Engineers
Document ID:
20090003207
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090003207
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Gardner, Jonathan P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20081125
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
11
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
JWST will be tested incrementally during its construction, starting with individual mirrors and instruments (including cameras and spectrometers) and building up to the full observatory. JWST's mirrors and the telescope structure are first each tested individually, including optical testing of the mirrors and alignment testing of the structure inside a cold thermal-vacuum chamber. The mirrors are then installed on the telescope structure in a clean room at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). In parallel to the telescope assembly and alignment, the instruments are being built and tested, again first individually, and then as part of an integrated instrument assembly. The integrated instrument assembly will be tested in a thermal-vacuum chamber at GSFC using an optical simulator of the telescope. This testing makes sure the instruments are properly aligned relative to each other and also provides an independent check of the individual tests. After both the telescope and the integrated instrument module are successfully assembled, the integrated instrument module will be installed onto the telescope, and the combined system will be sent to Johnson Space Flight Center (JSC) where it will be optically tested in one of the JSC chambers. The process includes testing the 18 primary mirror segments acting as a single primary mirror, and testing the end-to-end system. The final system test will assure that the combined telescope and instruments are focused and aligned properly, and that the alignment, once in space, will be within the range of the actively controlled optics. In general, the individual optical tests of instruments and mirrors are the most accurate. The final system tests provide a cost-effective check that no major problem has occurred during assembly. In addition, independent optical checks of earlier tests will be made as the full system is assembled, providing confidence that there are no major problems.
Language:
English


Title:
Biologic and Computational Modeling of Mammographic Density and Stromal Patterning
Document ID:
20090003319
Report #:
AD-A488009
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA488009
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Seewaldt, Victoria Lo, Joseph
Published:
20080701
Source:
Duke Univ. (Durham, NC United States)
Pages:
13
Contract #:
W81XWH-07-1-0393
Abstract:
The goals of this synergistic grant proposal are to develop computational and biological tools to investigate the relationship between mammographic density and short-term breast cancer risk. Here we have worked to correlate computational models of mammographic and stromal patterning with clinical outcome leading to the construction of multi-disciplinary tools for the classification of breast cancer risk and response to prevention strategies. To this end we have currently evaluated mammographic density in 25 women taking tamoxifen chemoprevention and 25 high-risk women who elected not to take tamoxifen using pattern analysis of 1) serial mammograms, 2) serial breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and 3) Random Periareolar Fine Needle Aspiration (RPFNA). We observe no correlation between the presence or absence of atypia after tamoxifen prevention and changes in mammographic density. Two women developed breast cancer while taking tamoxifen who had a progressive decrease in mammographic density. These findings demonstrate the viability of using RPFNA to assess prevention response.
Language:
English


Title:
Multi-Objective Optimization of Mixed Variable, Stochastic Systems Using Single-Objective Formulations
Document ID:
20090004008
Report #:
AD-A488130, AFIT/GOR/ENS/08-17
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Paciencia, Todd J
Published:
20080301
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
236
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Two new algorithms are presented for multi-objective optimization of mixed-variable, stochastic systems. Both are based off of prior algorithms, but combine those pre-exsting algorithms with several other methods, to include single-objective formulations, surrogates, n-dimensional visualizations, aspiration an reservation levels, and direct search methods. Results are shown for a test set of 13 problems, ranging from 2 to 8 objectives, and including non-convex, mixed-variable, and discontinuous problems.
Language:
English


Title:
A Plasma-Assisted Megawatt Class Microwave Source With an Output of 1KJ Per Pulse
Document ID:
20090004023
Report #:
AD-A488150
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Carmel, Yuval
Published:
20080901
Source:
Maryland Univ. (College Park, MD United States)
Pages:
9
Contract #:
FA9550-05-1-0292
Abstract:
The Air Force requires lightweight, compact sources of high-power high-frequency radiation for numerous applications in communications, radar, ECM, and directed-energy weapons (DEW). This effort will be a satellite effort under the "Microwave Power Research Initiative (MiPRI)" program that addresses important research issues that impact directly on both the high-power microwave (HPM) and microwave vacuum electronics (MVE) R&D thrusts within the DOD. The goal of the proposed basic research is to study and understand the physics of the "Plasma Assisted Slow-wave Oscillator (PASOtron)." That HPM device concept, originally proposed by Schumacher at the Hughes Research Labs in the late 1980s, hold exceptional promise for a future high efficiency, low cost HPM system of the future. Before progress toward prototype development can move forward, however, the fundamental physics of the device concept must be thoroughly mastered.
Language:
English


Title:
Advanced resistive exercise device
Document ID:
20090004219
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090004219
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Raboin, Jasen L. Niebuhr, Jason Cruz, Santana F. Lamoreaux, Christopher D.
Published:
20081209
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
13
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an exercise device, which includes a vacuum cylinder and a flywheel. The flywheel provides an inertial component to the load, which is particularly well suited for use in space as it simulates exercising under normal gravity conditions. Also, the present invention relates to an exercise device, which has a vacuum cylinder and a load adjusting armbase assembly.
Language:
English



37-10   NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



37-11   TURBOMACHINERY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
An Experimental Study of Water Injection into a Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20B Turboshaft Gas Turbine
Document ID:
20090002139
Report #:
AD-A486724, USNA-TSPR-367
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Golden, Daniel L
Published:
20080506
Source:
Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD United States)
Pages:
79
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Environmental responsibility is a focus of researchers in many fields. In the field of engine and propulsion research this is manifested in a focus on minimization of emissions while maximizing efficiency and performance. Water Fog Injection (WFI) has been suggested as a method for the suppression of nitrous oxide emissions in gas turbines. WFI consists of spraying a fine mist of water into the compressor inlet of the gas turbine. Prior research on larger, higher pressure ratio engines determined the WFI can not only reduce nitrous oxide emissions but also yields increases in power output and thermodynamic efficiency. While previous research has focused on large gas turbines, the effects of water fog injection on a smaller, lower pressure ratio gas turbine, as represented by the Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20B, have yet to provide conclusive results. This investigation determined the effect of WFI on the Model 250-C20B's exhaust gas composition, power output, thermodynamic efficiency and component efficiencies. The investigation used an instrumented Model 250-C20B gas turbine and an original water spray system. Temperatures and pressures were measured for each of the gas turbine's five state points. Exhaust gas composition and output shaft torque and speed were also measured. Experiments were conducted with water fog injection water flow rates ranging from 0.1 to 1.4 gallons per minute. This represents up to a maximum of 5 percent of the maximum mass flow rate of air through the engine. The results of these tests were compared with baseline runs conducted with no water fog injection. From the experimental data it was determined that the exhaust gas composition was significantly affected by the water fog injection.
Language:
English


Title:
Sensing Challenges for Controls and PHM in the Hostile Operating Conditions of Modern Turbine Engine (Postprint)
Document ID:
20090002433
Report #:
AD-A486578, AFRL-RZ-WP-TP-2008-2184
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486578
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Behbahani, Alireza Semega, Kenneth
Published:
20080701
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Advanced gas turbine engines have evolved over the last several decades to dominate aviation's propulsion, commercial and the military market. Continuing engine performance and reliability advances will require sensor components that operate reliably under extreme engine operating conditions (e.g., takeoff, max thrust) and in harsh environments (e.g., high temperature and radiation). The design of advanced controls and Propulsion Health Management (PHM) will also depend on the use of components with increased susceptibility to atmospheric radiation. This paper will discuss the current and future engine operating temperature environment that provides major challenges in sensor design for control and propulsion health management. Atmospheric radiation effects on the design and operation of engine electronics and PHM systems will be discussed. Methods to mitigate deleterious effects on system safety and performance will also be discussed. Finally, expected changes in the engine operating conditions over the next several decades will be discussed along with solutions for sensing and control.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit (44th) held in Hartford, CT, on 21-23 July 2008



38-01   QUALITY CONTROL AND RELIABILITY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Durability Testing of Polymer D Material
Document ID:
20090002169
Report #:
AD-A486773, NAWCADPAX/TM-2008/124
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Tillman, Matthew Koegel, William Bosak, Michael Barrett, David J
Published:
20080916
Source:
Naval Air Warfare Center (Patuxent River, MD United States)
Pages:
23
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Viscoelastic damping materials are used to control resonant vibrations in mechanical and structural systems. Before these materials can be applied to a naval air application, they must demonstrate an ability to survive the aggressive marine environment. This report documents the results of a laboratory investigation into the durability of the Polymer D damping material. In general, Polymer D was found to have adequate durability as long as it is shielded from excessive exposure to operational fluids.
Language:
English


Title:
CrossTalk: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering. Volume 21, Number 6
Document ID:
20090002457
Report #:
AD-A487060
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Humphrey, Watts S Jones, Capers Neff, Thomas D Anderson, Paul Kuhn, Richard Lei, Yu Kacker, Raghu Voas, Jeffrey
Published:
20080601
Source:
Software Technology Support Center (Hill AFB, UT United States)
Pages:
33
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
CONTENTS: 1) The Software Quality Challenge by Watts S. Humphrey: As software in systems grow larger, it also contains more defects that adversely affect the systems. Article explains why common test-and-fix software quality strategy is no longer adequate, and offers suggestions for improvement. 2) Measuring Defect Potentials and Defect Removal Efficiency by Capers Jones: Discusses two measures that have strong influences on the outcomes of software projects: defect potentials and defect removal efficiency; relates positive effects that can be achieved by increasing defect removal efficiency to 95 % and beyond. 3) Quality Processes Yield Quality Products by Thomas D. Neff: Article lists steps than can be taken to achieve that goal and more. The author draws on 15 years of experience in process improvement to sift through helpful tips including: not looking for a quick fix, keeping it short, and not reinventing the wheel. 4) The Use and Limitations of Static-Analysis Tools to Improve Software Quality by Dr. Paul Anderson: Advanced static-analysis tools have been found to be effective at finding defects that jeopardize system safety and security. In this article, the author describes how these work and outlines their limitations. 5) Automated Combinatorial Test Methods - Beyond Pairwise Testing by D. Richard Kuhn, Dr. Yu Lei, and Dr. Raghu Kacker: This article introduces new tools for automating the production of complete test cases covering up to 6-way combinations, going beyond the popular Pairwise testing. Pairwise (2-way) is low in cost, but is not sufficient for assurance of mission-critical software. 6) Software Quality Unpeeled by Dr. Jeffrey Voas: The term software quality has many interpretations and meanings. The author helps readers understand the underlying considerations that underscore software quality. Software quality is a lot more than standards, metrics models, and testing, and the mystique behind this elusive area is explored.
Language:
English
Notes:
CrossTalk,The Journal of Defense Software Engineering is co-sponsored by the Department of Defense Chief Information Office (DoD-CIO); the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L); U.S. Navy (USN); U.S. Air Force (USAF); and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)


Title:
Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 1-1-030 RAM-D and ILS Analysis
Document ID:
20090002537
Report #:
AD-A486429, ATC-TOP-1-1-030
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486429
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Published:
20080908
Source:
Army Test and Evaluation Command (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD United States)
Pages:
61
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This Test Operations Procedure (TOP) establishes guidelines to use when performing a reliability, availability, maintainability, durability (RAM-D) and/or integrated logistic supportability (ILS) analysis during developmental testing. This document is intended for use in assessing RAM-D and ILS characteristics of various types of materiel, including individual items and systems.
Language:
English


Title:
Quality Processes Yield Quality Products
Document ID:
20090003376
Report #:
AD-A487204
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487204
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Neff, Thomas D
Published:
20080601
Source:
MTC Technologies (Fort Belvoir, VA United States)
Pages:
4
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Would your company like to save $100,000 per day? Would you like to surge an urgent project's delivery time by 50 percent and deliver zero errors? Software organizations have done just that. In this article, I list small steps you can take that will lead your company toward similar results based on my 15 years of process improvement experience.
Language:
English
Notes:
Published in CROSSTALK: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering, v21 n6 p14-16, June 2008


Title:
Analyzing the Effects of Component Reliability on Naval Integrated Power System Quality of Service
Document ID:
20090004035
Report #:
AD-A488182
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Hawbaker, Benjamin F
Published:
20080601
Source:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. (Cambridge, MA United States)
Pages:
92
Contract #:
N62271-97-G-0026
Abstract:
The Integrated Power System (IPS) is a key enabling technology for future naval vessels and their advanced weapon systems. While conventional warship designs utilize separate power systems for propulsion and shipboard electrical service, the IPS combines these functions. This allows greater optimization of engineering plant design and operations and leads to significant potential lifecycle cost savings through reduced fuel consumption and maintenance. Traditionally the focus of power system design has been survivability, with the assumption that service continuity was inherently provided. A new probabilistic metric Quality of Service (QOS), now allows the power continuity and quality delivered to loads to be addressed explicitly during the design of IPS vessels. This metric is based both on the reliability of the power system components and the system architecture employed.
Language:
English



39-01   SHELLS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



39-02   STRESSES AND LOADS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Nonlinear Dynamic Response Optimization Using the Equivalent Static Loads for a Joined-Wing
Document ID:
20090003345
Report #:
AD-A487090
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487090
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Park, Gyung-Jin
Published:
20080901
Source:
Hanyang Univ. (Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)
Pages:
49
Contract #:
FA4869-07-1-4087
Abstract:
The joined-wing airplane proposed by Wolkovich in 1986 is defined as an airplane that incorporates tandem wings arranged to form diamond shapes in both top and front views. The joined-wing can lead to increased aerodynamic performances as well as reduction of the structural weight. However, the joined-wing has high geometric nonlinearity under the gust load. The gust load acts as a dynamic load. In previous researches, linear dynamic response optimization and nonlinear static responses optimization are performed. In this research, nonlinear dynamic response optimization of a joined-wing is carried out by using "equivalent static loads," a concept expanded and newly proposed for nonlinear dynamic response optimization. Equivalent static loads are the load sets which generate the same response field in linear static analysis as that from nonlinear dynamic analysis by repeated use of linear response optimization. For the verification of efficiency of the proposed method, a simple nonlinear dynamic response optimization problem is introduced. The problem is solved by using both the equivalent static loads method and the conventional method with sensitivity analysis using the finite difference method. The procedure for nonlinear dynamic response optimization of a joined-wing using equivalent static loads is explained and the optimum results are discussed.
Language:
English



39-03   STRUCTURE VIBRATION AND DAMPING
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Multi-Core Processors: An Enabling Technology for Embedded Distributed Model-Based Control (Postprint)
Document ID:
20090002432
Report #:
AD-A486577, AFRL-RZ-WP-TP-2008-2183
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486577
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Behbahani, Alireza Gibson, Nathan Rangarajan, Murali Benson, Dewey
Published:
20080701
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States) General Electric Aviation (Cincinnati, OH, United States) Honeywell Aerospace (Golden Valley, MN, United States) Honeywell Aerospace (Tempe, AZ, United States)
Pages:
13
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Multi-core processing technology has been developing rapidly and multi-core solutions are becoming increasingly prevalent in industry. The potential impact and disruption of multi-core technologies to centralized computationally intensive applications, such as engine control, may be significant. With the ability to efficiently partition code between separate processing elements, whilst sharing a common I/O space, a new generation of process partitioning, a thread pipelining becomes possible. In this paper we briefly summarize the requirements and trends for FADEC based control applications and then discuss the emerging capabilities and challenges of multi-core processing technology in the context of the developing FADEC environment, presenting a hypothetical realization of an example application. Finally we discuss the application of Time-Triggered architectural techniques to the multi-core problem. The intersection of these technology areas may present some promising architectural options for disturbed based control applications of the future.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit (44th) held in Hartford, CT, on 21-23 July 2008


Title:
Sensing Challenges for Controls and PHM in the Hostile Operating Conditions of Modern Turbine Engine (Postprint)
Document ID:
20090002433
Report #:
AD-A486578, AFRL-RZ-WP-TP-2008-2184
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486578
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Behbahani, Alireza Semega, Kenneth
Published:
20080701
Source:
Air Force Research Lab. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Advanced gas turbine engines have evolved over the last several decades to dominate aviation's propulsion, commercial and the military market. Continuing engine performance and reliability advances will require sensor components that operate reliably under extreme engine operating conditions (e.g., takeoff, max thrust) and in harsh environments (e.g., high temperature and radiation). The design of advanced controls and Propulsion Health Management (PHM) will also depend on the use of components with increased susceptibility to atmospheric radiation. This paper will discuss the current and future engine operating temperature environment that provides major challenges in sensor design for control and propulsion health management. Atmospheric radiation effects on the design and operation of engine electronics and PHM systems will be discussed. Methods to mitigate deleterious effects on system safety and performance will also be discussed. Finally, expected changes in the engine operating conditions over the next several decades will be discussed along with solutions for sensing and control.
Language:
English
Notes:
Presented at the AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit (44th) held in Hartford, CT, on 21-23 July 2008


Title:
Sensors Increase Productivity in Harsh Environments
Document ID:
20090002472
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002472
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 150-151
Published:
20080901
Source:
Endevco Corp. (San Juan Capistrano, CA, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
California's San Juan Capistrano-based Endevco Corporation licensed three patents covering high-temperature, harsh-environment silicon carbide (Si-C) pressure sensors from Glenn Research Center. The company is exploring their use in government markets, as well as in commercial markets, including commercial jet testing, deep well drilling applications where pressure and temperature increase with drilling depth, and in automobile combustion chambers.
Language:
English


Title:
Method for creating an aeronautic sound shield having gas distributors arranged on the engines, wings, and nose of an aircraft
Document ID:
20090002666
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002666
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Corda, Stephen Smith, Mark Stephen Myre, David Daniel
Published:
20080805
Source:
NASA (Washington, DC United States)
Pages:
13
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The present invention blocks and/or attenuates the upstream travel of acoustic disturbances or sound waves from a flight vehicle or components of a flight vehicle traveling at subsonic speed using a local injection of a high molecular weight gas. Additional benefit may also be obtained by lowering the temperature of the gas. Preferably, the invention has a means of distributing the high molecular weight gas from the nose, wing, component, or other structure of the flight vehicle into the upstream or surrounding air flow. Two techniques for distribution are direct gas injection and sublimation of the high molecular weight solid material from the vehicle surface. The high molecular weight and low temperature of the gas significantly decreases the local speed of sound such that a localized region of supersonic flow and possibly shock waves are formed, preventing the upstream travel of sound waves from the flight vehicle.
Language:
English


Title:
Nonlinear Dynamic Response Optimization Using the Equivalent Static Loads for a Joined-Wing
Document ID:
20090003345
Report #:
AD-A487090
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA487090
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Park, Gyung-Jin
Published:
20080901
Source:
Hanyang Univ. (Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)
Pages:
49
Contract #:
FA4869-07-1-4087
Abstract:
The joined-wing airplane proposed by Wolkovich in 1986 is defined as an airplane that incorporates tandem wings arranged to form diamond shapes in both top and front views. The joined-wing can lead to increased aerodynamic performances as well as reduction of the structural weight. However, the joined-wing has high geometric nonlinearity under the gust load. The gust load acts as a dynamic load. In previous researches, linear dynamic response optimization and nonlinear static responses optimization are performed. In this research, nonlinear dynamic response optimization of a joined-wing is carried out by using "equivalent static loads," a concept expanded and newly proposed for nonlinear dynamic response optimization. Equivalent static loads are the load sets which generate the same response field in linear static analysis as that from nonlinear dynamic analysis by repeated use of linear response optimization. For the verification of efficiency of the proposed method, a simple nonlinear dynamic response optimization problem is introduced. The problem is solved by using both the equivalent static loads method and the conventional method with sensitivity analysis using the finite difference method. The procedure for nonlinear dynamic response optimization of a joined-wing using equivalent static loads is explained and the optimum results are discussed.
Language:
English


Title:
Shooting for the Moon
Document ID:
20090003739
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Jones, Thomas D.
Journal:
Aerospace America, Volume: Volume 46 , Issue: No. 5 , Page: 20-22
Published:
20080501 Publisher: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Source:
American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics (United States)
Pages:
5
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The development, design and assignment of the Altair lander are described. The lander is meant to carry four astronauts to the lunar surface around 2019, in an effort to complete the Constellation program's plan for a lunar return. Serious development of the lander, as well as the Ares V launcher, will not begin until 2011, once the space shuttle's retirement has freed the necessary funding.
Language:
English


Title:
Flexible Twist for Pitch Control in a High Altitude Long Endurance Aircraft with Nonlinear Response
Document ID:
20090003784
Report #:
AD-A490575, AFIT/DS/ENY/08-D11
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490575
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Bond, Vanessa L
Published:
20081201
Source:
Air Force Inst. of Tech. (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH United States)
Pages:
233
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Information dominance is the key motivator for employing high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) aircraft to provide continuous coverage in the theaters of operation A joined-wing configuration of such a craft gives the advantage of a platform for higher resolution sensors. Design challenges emerge with structural flexibility that arise from a long-endurance aircraft design. The goal was to demonstrate that scaling the nonlinear response of a full-scale finite element model of a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) aircraft was possible if the model was aeroelastically and "nonlinearly" scaled. A straight-forward method of scaling the first three natural vibration frequencies and mode shapes, and the first buckling eigenvalue was attempted. In addition to analytical scaling several experiments were accomplished to understand and overcome design challenges of HALE aircraft. One such challenge is combated by eliminating pitch control surfaces and replacing them with an aft-wing twist concept. This design was physically realized through wind tunnel measurement of forces, moments and pressures on a subscale experimental model proving that pitch control with aft-wing twist is feasible. Another challenge is predicting the nonlinear response of long-endurance aircraft. This was addressed by experimental validation of modeling nonlinear response on a subscale experimental model. The validation accomplished during this experiment on a subscale model will reduce technical risk for full-scale development of such pioneering craft. Nonlinearities can be attributed to follower forces, which were found to be a significant influence in HALE aircraft.
Language:
English


Title:
No Winglets: What a Drag...Argument for Adding Winglets to Large Air Force Aircraft
Document ID:
20090003864
Report #:
AD-A490778
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Safranek, Joel W
Published:
20080101
Source:
Marine Corps Development and Education Command (Quantico, VA United States)
Pages:
41
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
To save hundreds of millions of dollars in operating costs and improve aircraft capabilities, the Air Force should retrofit its existing large aircraft with winglets. The U.S. Government faces a situation today that is similar to one it faced during the 1970s: growing instability in the Middle East that is contributing to the towering price of oil. As oil prices have escalated, so have political demands to decrease America's reliance on foreign oil. One way to conserve energy is based on a NASA aeronautical engineer's research during the 1970s on "winglets." Dr. Richard Whitcomb's research showed that adding winglets to large aircraft decreased fuel consumption by 3 to 6 percent. Unfortunately for winglet technology, oil prices plummeted during the 1980s and remained low throughout the 1990s, distracting the government's energy conservation priorities and burying the winglet concept for large military aircraft. The concept remained dormant for over two decades until soaring energy prices once again brought improving aircraft aerodynamic efficiencies to the forefront of the energy conservation debate. The data collected here display the overwhelmingly positive arguments for retrofitting the Air Force's existing transport-type airframes with winglets.
Language:
English



39-04   IMPACT PHENOMENA
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
A Yield Strength Model and Thoughts on an Ignition Criterion for a Reactive PTFE-Aluminum Composite
Document ID:
20090002062
Report #:
AD-A486709, ARL-RP-219
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA486709
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Raftenberg, M N Scheidler, M J Casem, D A
Published:
20080801
Source:
Army Research Lab. (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD United States)
Pages:
20
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We studied a pressed and sintered reactive composite of 74 wt% polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, or Teflon) and 26 wt% aluminum powder. A model, which we call "JCP", was developed to relate the yield strength of this material to the equivalent plastic strain, total strain rate, and temperature. The model was fit to Instron compression data at 0.1/s strain rate and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) compression data at approximately 2900/s strain rate. The SHPB database included initial temperatures of 297K and 325K. The model predicted a high susceptibility to shear localization due to the material's thermal softening and strain hardening characteristics. The hypothesis of shear localization as a precursor to ignition led us to consider equivalent plastic strain as a basis for an ignition initiation criterion. The JCP model was installed into the EPIC finite element wavecode and used to simulate Taylor impact tests involving impact speeds of 104 and 222 m/s. The computed boundary shapes versus time were compared with digitized images from a framing camera. Agreement was good at 104 m/s throughout the 36-microsec time range of observation. Agreement was good at 222 m/s until 16 microsec after impact. Thereafter the photographs displayed a greater degree of mushrooming than did the EPIC simulation. We speculated that internal ignition, fracture of various modes including petalling, and inaccuracies associated with interpolations and extrapolations of our JCP fit all may accounted for some of the mushrooming in excess of that predicted using JCP.
Language:
English
Notes:
Published in Proceedings of the 55th JANNAF Conference, Newton, MA, 12-16 May 2008. The original document contains color images


Title:
Inductive System Monitors Tasks
Document ID:
20090002491
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002491
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Journal:
Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008), Page: 138-139
Published:
20080901
Source:
iSagacity, Inc. (Portland, ME, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The Inductive Monitoring System (IMS) software developed at Ames Research Center uses artificial intelligence and data mining techniques to build system-monitoring knowledge bases from archived or simulated sensor data. This information is then used to detect unusual or anomalous behavior that may indicate an impending system failure. Currently helping analyze data from systems that help fly and maintain the space shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS), the IMS has also been employed by data classes are then used to build a monitoring knowledge base. In real time, IMS performs monitoring functions: determining and displaying the degree of deviation from nominal performance. IMS trend analyses can detect conditions that may indicate a failure or required system maintenance. The development of IMS was motivated by the difficulty of producing detailed diagnostic models of some system components due to complexity or unavailability of design information. Successful applications have ranged from real-time monitoring of aircraft engine and control systems to anomaly detection in space shuttle and ISS data. IMS was used on shuttle missions STS-121, STS-115, and STS-116 to search the Wing Leading Edge Impact Detection System (WLEIDS) data for signs of possible damaging impacts during launch. It independently verified findings of the WLEIDS Mission Evaluation Room (MER) analysts and indicated additional points of interest that were subsequently investigated by the MER team. In support of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, IMS is being deployed as an anomaly detection tool on ISS mission control consoles in the Johnson Space Center Mission Operations Directorate. IMS has been trained to detect faults in the ISS Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG) systems. In laboratory tests, it has already detected several minor anomalies in real-time CMG data. When tested on archived data, IMS was able to detect precursors of the CMG1 failure nearly 15 hours in advance of the actual failure event. In the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, IMS successfully performed real-time engine health analysis. IMS was able to detect simulated failures and actual engine anomalies in an F/A-18 aircraft during the course of 25 test flights. IMS is also being used in colla
Language:
English



39-05   STRUCTURAL FATIGUE
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Fatigue Crack Growth in Peened Friction Stir Welds
Document ID:
20090002675
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090002675
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
Forth, Scott C. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Hatamleh, Omar (NASA Johnson Space Center)
Published:
20081215
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
19
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Friction stir welding induces residual stresses that accelerates fatigue crack growth in the weld nugget. Shot peening over the weld had little effect on growth rate. Laser peening over the weld retarded the growth rate: Final crack growth rate was comparable to the base, un-welded material. Crack tunneling evident from residual compressive stresses. 2195-T8 fracture surfaces were highly textured. Texturing makes comparisons difficult as the material system is affecting the data as much as the processing. Material usage becoming more common in space applications requiring additional work to develop useful datasets for damage tolerance analyses.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Conference on Laser Peening Houston, TX 15-17 Dec. 2008


Title:
Effects of Subzero Temperatures and Sea Water Immersion on Damage Initiation and Growth in Sandwich Composites
Document ID:
20090003792
Report #:
AD-A490613
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA490613
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Davidson, Barry D
Published:
20081210
Source:
Syracuse Univ. (NY United States)
Pages:
34
Contract #:
N00014-07-1-0418
Abstract:
Progress during the past six months is described on the project "Effects of Subzero Temperatures and Seawater Immersion on Damage Initiation and Growth in Sandwich Composites." Efforts during this period have focused on (1) assessing the effects of environment and impact damage on the flexural response of sandwich laminates, (2) linalizing the improved modified peel test and associated data reduction method for determining the debonding toughness of sandwich structures, and (3) using this new test to assessment the toughness of sandwich structures with different face sheet materials under a variety of environments. In the first focus area, the proposed test matrix has been completed and the data obtained are used to draw a number of conclusions about the effects of temperature, sea water saturation, and impact damage on the static strength, static stiffness, fatigue strength, fatigue stiffness and life of sandwich laminates. Work in the second and third focus areas has been completed. This work has been documented in one publication and a second is in preparation.
Language:
English



39-06   SANDWICH CONSTRUCTION
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.



39-07   STRESS ANALYSIS
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base


Title:
Stress Analysis of the Lifting Fixture Used in the 2008 Conformal Sonar Array Trials at Seneca Lake
Document ID:
20090003604
Report #:
AD-A487573, NUWC-NPT-TR-11882
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Cavallaro, Paul V Johnson, Matthew E Cox, Donald L White, Julie C Hulton, Peter H Recine, Emilio
Published:
20080901
Source:
Naval Undersea Warfare Center (Newport, RI United States)
Pages:
29
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Detailed stress analyses were required of critical lifting fixture components used to support conformal sonar array assemblies in performance trials conducted in 2008 at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center's Seneca Lake Test Facility. The stress analyses were necessary to ensure that the lifting fixture had sufficient structural integrity for the handling and operational phases of the trials. The targeted structural integrity levels required compliance with a minimum safety factor for each of the specific components investigated. The minimum safety factor was set to 5.0 based on the yield stress of each component. The stress analyses examined key screwed connections and weldments that join the lifting fixture to the array modules. The safety factors for the current component designs were determined and compared to the minimum requirement.
Language:
English



39-08   STRUCTURAL TESTS AND RELIABILITY
Feb 1, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

No records are available for this topic on this date.