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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2014

Overhead-Aware-Best-Fit (OABF) Resource Allocation Algorithm for Minimizing VM Launching Overhead

FermiCloud is a private cloud developed in Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory to provide elastic and on-demand resources for different scientific research experiments. The design goal of the FermiCloud is to automatically allocate resources for different scientific applications so that the QoS required by these applications is met and the operational cost of the FermiCloud is minimized. Our earlier research shows that VM launching overhead has large variations. If such variations are not taken into consideration when making resource allocation decisions, it may lead to poor performance and resource waste. In this paper, we show how we may use an VM launching overhead reference model to minimize VM launching overhead. In particular, we first present a training algorithm that automatically tunes a given refer- ence model to accurately reflect FermiCloud environment. Based on the tuned reference model for virtual machine launching overhead, we develop an overhead-aware-best-fit resource allocation algorithm that decides where and when to allocate resources so that the average virtual machine launching overhead is minimized. The experimental results indicate that the developed overhead-aware-best-fit resource allocation algorithm can significantly improved the VM launching time when large number of VMs are simultaneously launched.

Wu, Hao↗

DOE OSTI2018

Zee and Zee-Babu mechanisms in the minimal 331 model

We show that the minimal 3-3-1 model cannot accommodate the neutrino masses at tree level using present experimental data. Nevertheless, a modified Zee and the Zee-Babu mechanisms for generating neutrino masses at 1-loop and 2-loop, respectively, are automatically implemented in the minimal 3-3-1 model, without introducing new degrees of freedom to the model. We also present a systematic method for finding solutions to the leptonic sector masses and mixing. As a case study, we accommodate the charged and neutral leptons masses and the PMNS matrix in the 1-loop modified Zee mechanism contained in the minimal 3-3-1 model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2017

Combined shape and topology optimization for minimization of maximal von Mises stress

Here, this work shows that a combined shape and topology optimization method can produce optimal 2D designs with minimal stress subject to a volume constraint. The method represents the surface explicitly and discretizes the domain into a simplicial complex which adapts both structural shape and topology. By performing repeated topology and shape optimizations and adaptive mesh updates, we can minimize the maximum von Mises stress using the p-norm stress measure with p-values as high as 30, provided that the stress is calculated with sufficient accuracy.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2014

A weighted ℓ{sub 1}-minimization approach for sparse polynomial chaos expansions

This work proposes a method for sparse polynomial chaos (PC) approximation of high-dimensional stochastic functions based on non-adapted random sampling. We modify the standard ℓ{sub 1}-minimization algorithm, originally proposed in the context of compressive sampling, using a priori information about the decay of the PC coefficients, when available, and refer to the resulting algorithm as weightedℓ{sub 1}-minimization. We provide conditions under which we may guarantee recovery using this weighted scheme. Numerical tests are used to compare the weighted and non-weighted methods for the recovery of solutions to two differential equations with high-dimensional random inputs: a boundary value problem with a random elliptic operator and a 2-D thermally driven cavity flow with random boundary condition.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2016

Minimal subspace rotation on the Stiefel manifold for stabilization and enhancement of projection-based reduced order models for the compressible Navier–Stokes equations

For a projection-based reduced order model (ROM) of a fluid flow to be stable and accurate, the dynamics of the truncated subspace must be taken into account. This paper proposes an approach for stabilizing and enhancing projection-based fluid ROMs in which truncated modes are accounted for a priori via a minimal rotation of the projection subspace. Attention is focused on the full non-linear compressible Navier–Stokes equations in specific volume form as a step toward a more general formulation for problems with generic non-linearities. Unlike traditional approaches, no empirical turbulence modeling terms are required, and consistency between the ROM and the Navier–Stokes equation from which the ROM is derived is maintained. Mathematically, the approach is formulated as a trace minimization problem on the Stiefel manifold. As a result, the reproductive as well as predictive capabilities of the method are evaluated on several compressible flow problems, including a problem involving laminar flow over an airfoil with a high angle of attack, and a channel-driven cavity flow problem.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2023

Constraint energy minimizing generalized multiscale finite element method for multi-continuum Richards equations

In fluid flow simulation, the multi-continuum model is a useful strategy. When the heterogeneity and contrast of coefficients are high, the system becomes multiscale, and some kinds of reduced order methods are demanded. Combining these techniques with nonlinearity, we will consider in this paper a dual-continuum model which is generalized as a multi-continuum model for a coupled system of nonlinear Richards equations as unsaturated flows, in complex heterogeneous fractured porous media; and we will solve it by a novel multiscale approach utilizing the constraint energy minimizing generalized multiscale finite element method (CEM-GMsFEM). In particular, such a nonlinear system will be discretized in time and then linearized by Picard iteration (whose global convergence is proved theoretically). Subsequently, we tackle the resulting linearized equations by the CEM-GMsFEM and obtain proper offline multiscale basis functions to span the multiscale space (which contains the pressure solution). More specifically, we first introduce two new sources of samples, and the GMsFEM is used over each coarse block to build local auxiliary multiscale basis functions via solving local spectral problems, that are crucial for detecting high-contrast channels. Second, per oversampled coarse region, local multiscale basis functions are created through the CEM as constrainedly minimizing an energy functional. Various numerical tests for our approach reveal that the error converges with the coarse-grid size and that only few oversampling layers as well as basis functions are needed.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2023

Reactor physics characterization of triply periodic minimal surface-based nuclear fuel lattices

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattices are receiving substantial attention in numerous engineering fields due to their impressive topology-driven physical characteristics. TPMS lattices are periodic structures of two distinct intertwined volume domains separated by an area-minimizing surface or wall. TPMS lattices have been observed in nature, such as biological membranes, skeletons, block copolymers, sea urchins, butterfly wings, and equipotential surfaces in crystals. Intriguingly, the topology of TPMS lattices can be easily parametrized via level-set equations and thus are heavily numerically and experimentally studied. Here, a significant research effort is currently applying TPMS lattices for heat exchangers and sinks. This paper extends TPMS lattice applications to nuclear reactor fuel designs, with a focus on identifying relevant TPMS geometric parameters controlling neutronics characteristics, such as reactivity, neutron spectrum, and heat removal properties. We found that fuel surface-area-to-volume ratios for TPMS lattices can be two orders of magnitude larger than current cylindrical fuel rods. Further, the selected TPMS lattice and its implicit equation, the unit cell pitch, wall thickness, and structure porosity are design parameters enabling neutronics optimization for both thermal and fast spectrum configurations, paving the way for exceptionally compact and dense nuclear core concepts.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Energy minimization mechanisms of semi-coherent interfaces

In this article, we discussed energy minimization mechanisms of semi-coherent interfaces based on atomistic simulations and dislocation theory. For example, of (111) interfaces between two face centered cubic (FCC) crystals, interface comprises of two stable structures (normal FCC stacking structure and intrinsic stacking fault structure), misfit dislocations, and misfit dislocation intersections or nodes (corresponding to the high energy stacking fault (HESF) structure). According to atomistic simulations of four interfaces, we found that (1) greater spacing between misfit dislocations and/or larger slopes of generalized stacking fault energy at the stable interface structures leads to a narrower dislocation core and a higher state of coherency in the stable interfaces; (2) the HESF region is relaxed by the relative rotation and dilation/compression of the two crystals at the node. The crystal rotation is responsible for the spiral feature at the vicinity of a node and the dilation/compression is responsible for the creation of the free volume at a node; (3) the spiral feature is gradually frail and the free volume decreases with decreasing misfit dislocation spacing, which corresponds to an increase in lattice mismatch and/or a decrease in lattice rotation. Finally, the analysis method and energy minimization mechanisms explored in FCC (111) semi-coherent interfaces are also applicable for other semi-coherent interfaces.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2015

Minimization of number of setups for mounting machines

The article deals with the problem of minimizing the number of setups for mounting SMT machines. SMT is a device used to assemble components on printed circuit boards (PCB) during the manufacturing of electronics. Each type of PCB has a different set of components, which are obligatory. Components are placed in the SMT tray. The problem consists in the fact that the total number of components used for all products is greater than the size of the tray. Therefore, every change of manufactured product requires a complete change of components in the tray (i.e., a setup change). Currently, the number of setups corresponds to the number of printed circuit board type. Any production change affects the change of setup and stops production on one shift. Many components occur in more products therefore the question arose as to how to deploy the products into groups so as to minimize the number of setups. This would result in a huge increase in efficiency of production.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2015

Vertical and adiabatic excitations in anthracene from quantum Monte Carlo: Constrained energy minimization for structural and electronic excited-state properties in the JAGP ansatz

We study the ionization energy, electron affinity, and the π → π{sup ∗} ({sup 1}L{sub a}) excitation energy of the anthracene molecule, by means of variational quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods based on a Jastrow correlated antisymmetrized geminal power (JAGP) wave function, developed on molecular orbitals (MOs). The MO-based JAGP ansatz allows one to rigorously treat electron transitions, such as the HOMO → LUMO one, which underlies the {sup 1}L{sub a} excited state. We present a QMC optimization scheme able to preserve the rank of the antisymmetrized geminal power matrix, thanks to a constrained minimization with projectors built upon symmetry selected MOs. We show that this approach leads to stable energy minimization and geometry relaxation of both ground and excited states, performed consistently within the correlated QMC framework. Geometry optimization of excited states is needed to make a reliable and direct comparison with experimental adiabatic excitation energies. This is particularly important in π-conjugated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, where there is a strong interplay between low-lying energy excitations and structural modifications, playing a functional role in many photochemical processes. Anthracene is an ideal benchmark to test these effects. Its geometry relaxation energies upon electron excitation are of up to 0.3 eV in the neutral {sup 1}L{sub a} excited state, while they are of the order of 0.1 eV in electron addition and removal processes. Significant modifications of the ground state bond length alternation are revealed in the QMC excited state geometry optimizations. Our QMC study yields benchmark results for both geometries and energies, with values below chemical accuracy if compared to experiments, once zero point energy effects are taken into account.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2016

A promising limited angular computed tomography reconstruction via segmentation based regional enhancement and total variation minimization

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful and common inspection technique used for the industrial non-destructive testing. However, large-sized and heavily absorbing objects cause the formation of artifacts because of either the lack of specimen penetration in specific directions or the acquisition of data from only a limited angular range of views. Although the sparse optimization-based methods, such as the total variation (TV) minimization method, can suppress artifacts to some extent, reconstructing the images such that they converge to accurate values remains difficult because of the deficiency in continuous angular data and inconsistency in the projections. To address this problem, we use the idea of regional enhancement of the true values and suppression of the illusory artifacts outside the region to develop an efficient iterative algorithm. This algorithm is based on the combination of regional enhancement of the true values and TV minimization for the limited angular reconstruction. In this algorithm, the segmentation approach is introduced to distinguish the regions of different image knowledge and generate the support mask of the image. A new regularization term, which contains the support knowledge to enhance the true values of the image, is incorporated into the objective function. Then, the proposed optimization model is solved by variable splitting and the alternating direction method efficiently. A compensation approach is also designed to extract useful information from the initial projections and thus reduce false segmentation result and correct the segmentation support and the segmented image. The results obtained from comparing both simulation studies and real CT data set reconstructions indicate that the proposed algorithm generates a more accurate image than do the other reconstruction methods. The experimental results show that this algorithm can produce high-quality reconstructed images for the limited angular reconstruction and suppress the illusory artifacts caused by the deficiency in valid data.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2023

A practical approach to determine minimal quantum gate durations using amplitude-bounded quantum controls

Here, we present an iterative scheme to estimate the minimal duration in which a quantum gate can be realized while satisfying hardware constraints on the control pulse amplitudes. The scheme performs a sequence of unconstrained numerical optimal control cycles that each minimize the gate fidelity for a given gate duration alongside an additional penalty term for the control pulse amplitudes. After each cycle, the gate duration is adjusted based on the inverse of the resulting maximum control pulse amplitudes by re-scaling the dynamics to a new duration where control pulses satisfy the amplitude constraints. Those scaled controls then serve as an initial guess for the next unconstrained optimal control cycle, using the adjusted gate duration. We provide multiple numerical examples that each demonstrate fast convergence of the scheme toward a gate duration that is close to the quantum speed limit, given the control pulse amplitude bound. The proposed technique is agnostic to the underlying system and control Hamiltonian models, as well as the target unitary gate operation, making the time-scaling iteration an easy to implement and practically useful scheme for reducing the durations of quantum gate operations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-J-02: 4D Digital Tomosynthesis Based On Algebraic Image Reconstruction and Total-Variation Minimization for the Improvement of Image Quality

Purpose: In this paper, we implemented the four-dimensional (4D) digital tomosynthesis (DTS) imaging based on algebraic image reconstruction technique and total-variation minimization method in order to compensate the undersampled projection data and improve the image quality. Methods: The projection data were acquired as supposed the cone-beam computed tomography system in linear accelerator by the Monte Carlo simulation and the in-house 4D digital phantom generation program. We performed 4D DTS based upon simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) among the iterative image reconstruction technique and total-variation minimization method (TVMM). To verify the effectiveness of this reconstruction algorithm, we performed systematic simulation studies to investigate the imaging performance. Results: The 4D DTS algorithm based upon the SART and TVMM seems to give better results than that based upon the existing method, or filtered-backprojection. Conclusion: The advanced image reconstruction algorithm for the 4D DTS would be useful to validate each intra-fraction motion during radiation therapy. In addition, it will be possible to give advantage to real-time imaging for the adaptive radiation therapy. This research was supported by Leading Foreign Research Institute Recruitment Program (Grant No.2009-00420) and Basic Atomic Energy Research Institute (BAERI); (Grant No. 2009-0078390) through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP)

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-498: Energy Minimization and Dose-Volume Inverse Optimization in Prostate Cancer

Purpose: To compare dose-volume (DVH) and energy minimization-based (EM) optimization for prostate cancer cases. Methods: A dozen of prostate plans were retrospectively studied. For each case two IMRT plans were generated, one with DVH and the other with EM objective cost function. Those different objective functions were used only for the organs at risk (OARs), while target objectives were achieved through DVH cost functions. The plans used the same beam angles, maximum number of segments per plan, minimum segment area and MUs per segment. Both plans were normalized such that 95% of the PTV was covered by the same prescription dose. After prescription was achieved, doses to the OARs were iteratively lowered until the standard deviation of the dose across the PTV was ~3.5%. Plan quality was evaluated by several dose indices (DIs). A DI represents the dose delivered to certain volume of a structure. Tallied DIs were for rectum and bladder 10%, 40%, 60% volumes, and 1% volumes of the femoral heads as surrogate for maximum doses. Statistical significance in the differences among DIs was quantified with two-tailed paired t-tests. Results: On average EM plans performed better than DVH plans. Statistically significant dose reduction in rectum DI10, DI40, and DI60, were 2.6%, 25.7%, and 35.9%, respectively. For bladder DI10, DI40, and DI60 the differences were 1.1%, 20.8%, and 29.7%. Left and right femoral head DI1s were better by 33.8% and 27.8% in EM plans. The quoted dose reduction is with respect to EM absolute doses for the DIs. Conclusion: The performance of EM optimization with respect to DVH optimization is patient and DI dependent. While in some cases specific DIs were better with DVH optimization, on average the energy minimization allows better (ranging from 1% to ~40%) OAR sparing than DVH optimization. NIH-NCI.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

TU-H-BRA-04: A Novel Superconducting Magnet Design for Optimized Patient Access and Minimal SSD for Use in a Linac-MR Hybrid

Purpose: A prototype rotating hybrid MR imaging system and linac has been developed to allow for simultaneous imaging and radiation delivery parallel to B{sub 0}. However, the design of a compact magnet capable of rotation in a small vault with sufficient patient access and a typical clinical source-to-surface distance (SSD) is challenging. This work presents a novel superconducting magnet design that allows for a reduced SSD and ample patient access by moving the superconducting coils to the side of the yoke. The yoke and pole-plate structures are shaped to direct the magnetic flux appropriately. Methods: The surface of the pole plate for the magnet assembly is optimized. The magnetic field calculations required in this work are performed with the 3D finite element method software package Opera-3D. Each tentative design strategy is virtually modeled in this software package and externally controlled by MATLAB, with its key geometries defined as variables. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to optimize the variables subject to the minimization of a cost function. At each iteration, Opera-3D will solve the magnetic field solution over a field-of-view suitable for MR imaging and the degree of field uniformity will be assessed to calculate the value of the cost function associated with that iteration. Results: An optimized magnet assembly that generates a homogenous 0.2T magnetic field over an ellipsoid with large axis of 30 cm and small axes of 20 cm is obtained. Conclusion: The distinct features of this model are the minimal distance between the yoke’s top and the isocentre and the improved patient access. On the other hand, having homogeneity over an ellipsoid give us a larger field-of-view, essential for geometric accuracy of the MRI system. The increase of B{sub 0} from 0.2T in the present model to 0.5T is the subject of future work. Funding Sources: Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions (AIHS)| Disclosure and Conflict of Interest: B. Gino Fallone is a co-founder and CEO of MagnetTx Oncology Solutions (under discussions to license Alberta biplanar linac MR for commercialization).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

RCRA Permit for a Hazardous Waste Management Facility, Permit Number NEV HW0101: Annual Summary/Waste Minimization Report: Calendar Year 2013

This report summarizes the EPA identification number of each generator from which the Permittee received a waste stream, a description and quantity of each waste stream in tons and cubic feet received at the facility, the method of treatment, storage, and/or disposal for each waste stream, a description of the waste minimization efforts undertaken, a description of the changes in volume and toxicity of waste actually received, any unusual occurrences, and the results of tank integrity assessments. This Annual Summary/Waste Minimization Report is prepared in accordance with Section 2.13.3 of Permit Number NEV HW0101.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2015

RCRA Permit for a Hazardous Waste Management Facility Permit Number NEV HW0101 Annual Summary/Waste Minimization Report - Calendar Year 2014

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2017

RCRA Permit for a Hazardous Waste Management Facility, Permit Number NEV HW0101: Calendar Year 2016 (Annual Summary/Waste Minimization Report)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗