Designing a concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system in adjunct with a silicon photovoltaic panel for a solar competition car

Solar competition cars are a very interesting research laboratory for the development of new technologies heading to their further implementation in either commercial passenger vehicles or related applications -- Besides, worldwide competitions allow the spreading of such ideas where the best and experienced teams bet on innovation and leading edge technologies, in order to develop more efficient vehicles -- In these vehicles, some aspects generally make the difference such as aerodynamics, shape, weight, wheels and the main solar panels -- Therefore, seeking to innovate in a competitive advantage, the first Colombian solar vehicle “Primavera”, competitor at the World Solar Challenge (WSC)-2013, has implemented the usage of a Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) system as a complementary solar energy module to the common silicon photovoltaic panel -- By harvesting sunlight with concentrating optical devices, CPVs are capable of maximizing the allowable photovoltaic area -- However, the entire CPV system weight must be less harmful than the benefit of the extra electric energy generated, which in adjunct with added manufacture and design complexity, has intervened in the fact that CPVs had never been implemented in a solar car in such a scale as the one described in this work -- Design considerations, the system development process and implementation are presented in this document considering both the restrictions of the context and the interaction of the CPV system with the solar car setup -- The measured data evidences the advantage of using this complementary system during the competition and the potential this technology has for further development

Advanced design, test and fabrication of silica based micro optics

This thesis presents important advances in the laser processing of fused silica in order to create micro-optical structures using the techniques originally developed by the Lasers and Photonics Applications (LPA) group at Heriot-Watt University and subsequently by PowerPhotonic Ltd., the company created to commercialise the technology. This technology uses a CO2 laser operating in two separate modes at a wavelength of 10.6µm in order to first create a desired surface profile and subsequently to polish the surface, creating arbitrary freeform surface topologies with high quality optical surfaces. The first fabrication mode undertaken during processing, referred to as laser cutting, was investigated to determine whether the upper limit of achievable cut depth could be increased, which was approximately 60µm at the start of the EngD project. This resulted in the establishment of new methods that increase the sag of optics that can be manufactured using this laser machining process, with cut depths over 400µm. This in turn enabled the design and fabrication of fast-axis collimator arrays (FACAs), for which a patent was granted in 2014. During fabrication of these deep optics it was found that the silica dust produced during the laser cutting process can have a detrimental effect on final surface quality as it may be re-melted and fuse with the optical surface, changing the expected shape. Mechanisms that remove the dust as it is being produced were investigated and refined and subsequently used to create a system and methodology that is suitable for use in a production environment. This extraction system can now be used to create high quality optics even where volume removal, and thus dust generated, is large. The experience gained when designing, fabricating and testing a wide range of optical surfaces over the course of this EngD period enabled the design, development and implementation of a web-based rapid fabrication service for prototype freeform optics called LightForge. This original work now offers the unique ability in the micro-optics market for a customer to upload a fully defined optical design through a web portal and have it manufactured within 2 weeks. This revolutionary service has, and continues to, considerably expand the visibility and reach of PowerPhotonic within the micro-optics market. A patent has been applied to cover this process and is currently being examined

The NASA SBIR product catalog

The purpose of this catalog is to assist small business firms in making the community aware of products emerging from their efforts in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. It contains descriptions of some products that have advanced into Phase 3 and others that are identified as prospective products. Both lists of products in this catalog are based on information supplied by NASA SBIR contractors in responding to an invitation to be represented in this document. Generally, all products suggested by the small firms were included in order to meet the goals of information exchange for SBIR results. Of the 444 SBIR contractors NASA queried, 137 provided information on 219 products. The catalog presents the product information in the technology areas listed in the table of contents. Within each area, the products are listed in alphabetical order by product name and are given identifying numbers. Also included is an alphabetical listing of the companies that have products described. This listing cross-references the product list and provides information on the business activity of each firm. In addition, there are three indexes: one a list of firms by states, one that lists the products according to NASA Centers that managed the SBIR projects, and one that lists the products by the relevant Technical Topics utilized in NASA's annual program solicitation under which each SBIR project was selected

Polarization-dependent wavelength-selective structures for multispectral polarimetric infrared imaging

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-181).The need for compact, rugged, low-cost multispectral-polarimetric filtering technology exists in both the civilian and defense communities. Such technology can be used for object detection, object recognition, and image contrast enhancement. Mosaicked multispectral-polarimetric filter technology, using CMOS-type metallo-dielectric grating structures, is presented as a potential solution in which the spectral filtering and polarization filtering functions are performed in a single component. In this work, single-layer and double-layer metallic-grating structures, embedded in uniform dielectric are investigated. Spectral tunability using only transverse grating properties in a two-layer metallic-grating structure is demonstrated. Additionally, one-layer and two-layer slotted-grid rectangular-aperture two-dimensional metallic gratings for infrared imaging are also studied. To complement the simulations, thirty-nine separate infrared optical polarization and spectral filters were fabricated in silicon using the AMI 0.5pm / MOSIS foundry service, and they were characterized using polarized FTIR analysis. Polarized transmission spectra from these CMOS-based filters compare favorably with simulation results for four of the most promising filter types. An external-cavity-coupled single-layer metallic-grating structure, compatible with CMOS microbolometer detector technology is also offered as an application example.by David R. Dunmeyer.Ph.D

The 1991 research and technology report, Goddard Space Flight Center

The 1991 Research and Technology Report for Goddard Space Flight Center is presented. Research covered areas such as (1) earth sciences including upper atmosphere, lower atmosphere, oceans, hydrology, and global studies; (2) space sciences including solar studies, planetary studies, Astro-1, gamma ray investigations, and astrophysics; (3) flight projects; (4) engineering including robotics, mechanical engineering, electronics, imaging and optics, thermal and cryogenic studies, and balloons; and (5) ground systems, networks, and communications including data and networks, TDRSS, mission planning and scheduling, and software development and test

NASA SBIR abstracts of 1992, phase 1 projects

The objectives of 346 projects placed under contract by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are described. These projects were selected competitively from among proposals submitted to NASA in response to the 1992 SBIR Program Solicitation. The basic document consists of edited, non-proprietary abstracts of the winning proposals submitted by small businesses. The abstracts are presented under the 15 technical topics within which Phase 1 proposals were solicited. Each project was assigned a sequential identifying number from 001 to 346, in order of its appearance in the body of the report. Appendixes to provide additional information about the SBIR program and permit cross-reference of the 1992 Phase 1 projects by company name, location by state, principal investigator, NASA Field Center responsible for management of each project, and NASA contract number are included

NASA SBIR abstracts of 1990 phase 1 projects

The research objectives of the 280 projects placed under contract in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 1990 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 program are described. The basic document consists of edited, non-proprietary abstracts of the winning proposals submitted by small businesses in response to NASA's 1990 SBIR Phase 1 Program Solicitation. The abstracts are presented under the 15 technical topics within which Phase 1 proposals were solicited. Each project was assigned a sequential identifying number from 001 to 280, in order of its appearance in the body of the report. The document also includes Appendixes to provide additional information about the SBIR program and permit cross-reference in the 1990 Phase 1 projects by company name, location by state, principal investigator, NASA field center responsible for management of each project, and NASA contract number

Optical Sensors

This book is a compilation of works presenting recent developments and practical applications in optical sensor technology. It contains 10 chapters that encompass contributions from various individuals and research groups working in the area of optical sensing. It provides the reader with a broad overview and sampling of the innovative research on optical sensors in the world

Для студентов специальности 1-38 01 04 "Микро- и наносистемная техника"

Пособие предназначено сформировать у студентов навыки и развить умения понимания и правильного перевода научно-технических англоязычных текстов в соответствии со специальностью. Пособие включает 10 уроков, содержащих аутентичные тексты, упражнения к ним, а также дополнительный материал для самостоятельной аудиторной и внеаудиторной работы студентов

Actuator Feasibility Study for Active Control of Ducted Axial Fan Noise

A feasibility study was performed to investigate actuator technology which is relevant for a particular application of active noise control for gas turbine stator vanes. This study investigated many different classes of actuators and ranked them on the order of applicability. The most difficult requirements the actuators had to meet were high frequency response, large amplitude deflections, and a thin profile. Based on this assessment, piezoelectric type actuators were selected as the most appropriate actuator class. Specifically, Rainbows (a new class of high performance piezoelectric actuators), and unimorphs (a ceramic/metal composite) appeared best suited to the requirements. A benchtop experimental study was conducted. The performance of a variety of different actuators was examined, including high polymer films, flextensional actuators, miniature speakers, unimorphs, and Rainbows. The displacement/frequency response and phase characteristics of the actuators were measured. Physical limitations of actuator operation were also examined. This report includes the first known, high displacement, dynamic data obtained for Rainbow actuators. A new "hard" ceramic Rainbow actuator which does not appear to be limited in operation by self heating as "soft" ceramic Rainbows was designed, constructed and tested. The study concludes that a suitable actuator for active noise control in gas turbine engines can be achieved with state of the art materials and processing