2,664 research outputs found
Conceptual study of on orbit production of cryogenic propellants by water electrolysis
The feasibility is assessed of producing cryogenic propellants on orbit by water electrolysis in support of NASA's proposed Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) missions. Using this method, water launched into low earth orbit (LEO) would be split into gaseous hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis in an orbiting propellant processor spacecraft. The resulting gases would then be liquified and stored in cryogenic tanks. Supplying liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuel to space vehicles by this technique has some possible advantages over conventional methods. The potential benefits are derived from the characteristics of water as a payload, and include reduced ground handling and launch risk, denser packaging, and reduced tankage and piping requirements. A conceptual design of a water processor was generated based on related previous studies, and contemporary or near term technologies required. Extensive development efforts would be required to adapt the various subsystems needed for the propellant processor for use in space. Based on the cumulative results, propellant production by on orbit water electrolysis for support of SEI missions is not recommended
Big data brings new power to open-source intelligence
The story of Eliot Higgins, a blogger who exploits publicly accessible material to piece together important facts about the Syrian conflict, offers a unique insight into the enormous potential of open-source intelligence. Matthew Moran describes how the networked society has spawned new analytical approaches and opportunities
Hydrogen no-vent fill testing in a 5 cubic foot (142 liter) tank using spray nozzle and spray bar liquid injection
A total of 38 hydrogen no-vent fill tests were performed in this test series using various size spray nozzles and a spray bar with different hole sizes in a 5 cubic foot receiver tank. Fill levels of 90 percent by volume or greater were achieved in 26 of the tests while maintaining a receiver tank pressure below 30 psia. Spray nozzles were mounted at the top of the tank, whereas, the spray bar was centered in the tank axially. The spray nozzle no-vent fills demonstrated tank pressure and temperature responses comparable to previous test series. Receiver tank pressure responses for the spray bar configuration were similar to the spray nozzle tests with the pressure initially rising rapidly, then leveling off as vapor condenses onto the discharging liquid streams, and finally ramping up near the end of the test due to ullage compression. Both liquid injection techniques tested were capable of filling the receiver tank to 90 percent under variable test conditions. Comparisons between the spray nozzle and spray bar configurations for well matched test conditions indicate the spray nozzle injection technique is more effective in minimizing the receiving tank pressure throughout a no-vent fill compared to the spray bar under normal gravity conditions
Improving Big Data Visual Analytics with Interactive Virtual Reality
For decades, the growth and volume of digital data collection has made it
challenging to digest large volumes of information and extract underlying
structure. Coined 'Big Data', massive amounts of information has quite often
been gathered inconsistently (e.g from many sources, of various forms, at
different rates, etc.). These factors impede the practices of not only
processing data, but also analyzing and displaying it in an efficient manner to
the user. Many efforts have been completed in the data mining and visual
analytics community to create effective ways to further improve analysis and
achieve the knowledge desired for better understanding. Our approach for
improved big data visual analytics is two-fold, focusing on both visualization
and interaction. Given geo-tagged information, we are exploring the benefits of
visualizing datasets in the original geospatial domain by utilizing a virtual
reality platform. After running proven analytics on the data, we intend to
represent the information in a more realistic 3D setting, where analysts can
achieve an enhanced situational awareness and rely on familiar perceptions to
draw in-depth conclusions on the dataset. In addition, developing a
human-computer interface that responds to natural user actions and inputs
creates a more intuitive environment. Tasks can be performed to manipulate the
dataset and allow users to dive deeper upon request, adhering to desired
demands and intentions. Due to the volume and popularity of social media, we
developed a 3D tool visualizing Twitter on MIT's campus for analysis. Utilizing
emerging technologies of today to create a fully immersive tool that promotes
visualization and interaction can help ease the process of understanding and
representing big data.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures, 2015 IEEE High Performance Extreme Computing
Conference (HPEC '15); corrected typo
Microbial diversity in the thermal springs within Hot Springs National Park
The thermal water systems of Hot Springs National Park (HSNP) in Hot Springs, Arkansas exist in relative isolation from other North American thermal systems. The HSNP waters could therefore serve as a unique center of thermophilic microbial biodiversity. However, these springs remain largely unexplored using culture-independent next generation sequencing techniques to classify species of thermophilic organisms. Additionally, HSNP has been the focus of anthropogenic development, capping and diverting the springs for use in recreational bathhouse facilities. Human modification of these springs may have impacted the structure of these bacterial communities compared to springs left in a relative natural state. The goal of this study was to compare the community structure in two capped springs and two uncapped springs in HSNP, as well as broadly survey the microbial diversity of the springs. We used Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing of water samples from each spring, the QIIME workflow for sequence analysis, and generated measures of genera and phyla richness, diversity, and evenness. In total, over 700 genera were detected and most individual samples had more than 100 genera. There were also several uncharacterized sequences that could not be placed in known taxa, indicating the sampled springs contain undescribed bacteria. There was great variation both between sites and within samples, so no significant differences were detected in community structure between sites. Our results suggest that these springs, regardless of their human modification, contain a considerable amount of biodiversity, some of it potentially unique to the study site
Testing the predictability of water-based flexographic inks on plastic substrates
The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the applications of surface energy measurements in predicting the ink adhesion of four different Fasson plastic substrates using the flexographic printing process and water -based inks. These four plastic substrates are as follows: Clear P.E.T., Clear Acetate, Polystyrene, Vinyl. These films were identified by Fasson as substrates they believe to have poor adhesion. The aim was to develop a method to predict ink adhesion of these plastic surfaces by correlating a surface energy test on the substrate before printing begins to ink adhesion tests of the finished print. Water -based inks offer many advantages over traditional solventbased inks. They are as follows: 1. They are physiologically safer. 2. They don\u27t burn. 3. They don\u27t cause air pollution. 4. They are tasteless and odor less. 5. Water -based inks are less expensive to store, to transport, and to produce. 6. Water is available in large quantities. The use of water -based inks is becoming more popular not only because of increased government regulations and insurance problems IV for solvent ink users, but because water -based inks produce cleaner prints, more consistent colors and faster washups. Water -based inks unfortunately don\u27t wet a surface as good as solvent-based inks. This was the basis for this type of research
Going To The Movies: Immersion, Visual Awareness, And Memory
Immersion describes the extent of which one feels involved in a virtual experience. In immersive environments, observers report high levels of sensory interaction, story engagement, and an impression of reality. According to the concept of Inattentional Blindness (IB), many people can miss an unexpected stimulus or object even if it is in their field of vision while attending to a task. Can immersion affect susceptibility to IB, and can it affect memory performance? To answer this question, two model theaters were used in order to manipulate a person\u27s assessment of being immersed in two experiments. A realistic condition used a model of a movie theater complete with curtains, seats, wallpaper, working wall sconces, and patrons. A haphazard condition (control) used a model of the same size, but materials were used in a way that does not resemble a movie theater. Both conditions used an IB paradigm apparatus housed beneath the stage area that moved an unexpected stimulus (movie patron or bolt) in front of a movie screen. Upon completion of a movie clip, participants were first asked if they noticed the unexpected object, and to describe what they noticed. Immersion was then measured using Jennett et al.\u27s (2008; International Journal of Human Computer Studies) questionnaire, and memory was assessed with a 10-question multiple-choice test about the movie clip. Results did not show a clear relationship between immersion and IB. Differences between groups were marginal for immersion, IB, and memory
Experiences from semantic web service tutorials
We have given around 20 tutorials on Semantic Web Services in international events during the last two years. This position paper presents our experiences and depicts central aspects relevant for education, dissemination and exploitation of Semantic Web and Semantic Web service technologies in academia and industry
Initial experimentation on the nonvented fill of a 0.14m3 (5 ft. 3) dewar with nitrogen and hydrogen
A series of nonvented fills were performed on a 0.14 cu m (5 cu ft) stainless steel dewar. Fills were conducted with a 120 deg cone angle spray nozzle over a range of inflow and initial wall temperatures with both liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogen. Fill levels in excess of 85 percent liquid were achieved for four out of four nitrogen and two out of five hydrogen tests. Previously developed analytical models were compared to the test results and shown to have general trend agreement
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