51,217 research outputs found
Research on a non-destructive fluidic storage control device
Fluidic memory device with associated fluidic alpha numerical displa
Particle Computation: Complexity, Algorithms, and Logic
We investigate algorithmic control of a large swarm of mobile particles (such
as robots, sensors, or building material) that move in a 2D workspace using a
global input signal (such as gravity or a magnetic field). We show that a maze
of obstacles to the environment can be used to create complex systems. We
provide a wide range of results for a wide range of questions. These can be
subdivided into external algorithmic problems, in which particle configurations
serve as input for computations that are performed elsewhere, and internal
logic problems, in which the particle configurations themselves are used for
carrying out computations. For external algorithms, we give both negative and
positive results. If we are given a set of stationary obstacles, we prove that
it is NP-hard to decide whether a given initial configuration of unit-sized
particles can be transformed into a desired target configuration. Moreover, we
show that finding a control sequence of minimum length is PSPACE-complete. We
also work on the inverse problem, providing constructive algorithms to design
workspaces that efficiently implement arbitrary permutations between different
configurations. For internal logic, we investigate how arbitrary computations
can be implemented. We demonstrate how to encode dual-rail logic to build a
universal logic gate that concurrently evaluates and, nand, nor, and or
operations. Using many of these gates and appropriate interconnects, we can
evaluate any logical expression. However, we establish that simulating the full
range of complex interactions present in arbitrary digital circuits encounters
a fundamental difficulty: a fan-out gate cannot be generated. We resolve this
missing component with the help of 2x1 particles, which can create fan-out
gates that produce multiple copies of the inputs. Using these gates we provide
rules for replicating arbitrary digital circuits.Comment: 27 pages, 19 figures, full version that combines three previous
conference article
Application of advanced on-board processing concepts to future satellite communications systems
An initial definition of on-board processing requirements for an advanced satellite communications system to service domestic markets in the 1990's is presented. An exemplar system architecture with both RF on-board switching and demodulation/remodulation baseband processing was used to identify important issues related to system implementation, cost, and technology development
Retention and application of Skylab experiences to future programs
The problems encountered and special techniques and procedures developed on the Skylab program are described along with the experiences and practical benefits obtained for dissemination and use on future programs. Three major topics are discussed: electrical problems, mechanical problems, and special techniques. Special techniques and procedures are identified that were either developed or refined during the Skylab program. These techniques and procedures came from all manufacturing and test phases of the Skylab program and include both flight and GSE items from component level to sophisticated spaceflight systems
Impact and promise of NASA aeropropulsion technology
The aeropropulsion industry in the U.S. has established an enviable record of leading the world in aeropropulsion for commercial and military aircraft. NASA's aeropropulsion program (primarily conducted through the Lewis Research Center) has significantly contributed to that success through research and technology advances and technology demonstration. Some past NASA contributions to engines in current aircraft are reviewed, and technologies emerging from current research programs for the aircraft of the 1990's are described. Finally, current program thrusts toward improving propulsion systems in the 2000's for subsonic commercial aircraft and higher speed aircraft such as the High-Speed Civil Transport and the National Aerospace Plane are discussed
An ultrafast reconfigurable nanophotonic switch using wavefront shaping of light in a nonlinear nanomaterial
We demonstrate a new concept for reconfigurable nanophotonic devices
exploiting ultrafast nonlinear control of shaped wavefronts in a multimode
nanomaterial consisting of semiconductor nanowires. Femtosecond pulsed laser
excitation of the nanowire mat is shown to provide an efficient nonlinear
mechanism to control both destructive and constructive interference in a shaped
wavefront. Modulations of up to 63% are induced by optical pumping, due to a
combination of multimode dephasing and induced transient absorption. We show
that part of the nonlinear phase dynamics can be inverted to provide a
dynamical revival of the wavefront into an optimized spot with up to 18%
increase of the peak to background ratio caused by pulsed laser excitation. The
concepts of multimode nonlinear switching demonstrated here are generally
extendable to other photonic and plasmonic systems and enable new avenues for
ultrafast and reconfigurable nanophotonic devices.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure
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