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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

Hamilton Standard Q-fan demonstrator dynamic pitch change test program, volume 1

Tests of a full scale variable pitch fan engine to obtain data on the structural characteristics, response times, and fan/core engine compatibility during transient changes in blade angle, fan rpm, and engine power is reported. Steady state reverse thrust tests with a take off nozzle configuration were also conducted. The 1.4 meter diameter, 13 bladed controllable pitch fan was driven by a T55 L 11A engine with power and blade angle coordinated by a digital computer. The tests demonstrated an ability to change from full forward thrust to reverse thrust in less than one (1) second. Reverse thrust was effected through feather and through flat pitch; structural characteristics and engine/fan compatibility were within satisfactory limits.

Demers, W. J.↗

Elucidation of Active Oxygen Sites upon Delithiation of Li 3 IrO 4

Transformational increases in the storage capacity of battery cathodes could be achieved by tapping into the redox activity at oxide ligands in addition to conventional transition metal couples. However, the key signatures that govern such lattice oxygen redox (LOR) have not been ascertained. Li 3 IrO 4 has the largest reversible LOR, rendering it a unique model system. Here, X-ray spectroscopy and computational simulations reveal that LOR in Li 3 IrO 4 is selectively compensated via O sites with three lone pairs, which are activated by Li/Ir disorder. The two-electron LOR can be reversed to regenerate the initial state without unlocking competing bulk reactions observed in many other compounds. We uncover an intricate interplay between stoichiometry, O coordination, and nonbonding states in LOR and pinpoint spectroscopic signatures. This interplay is indispensable for designing materials with 3d metals that fulfill the promise of LOR to overcome the bottlenecks of current cathodes for future implementation in practical batteries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

An efficient level set method for tracking many materials

Here, we present an efficient level set method to track an arbitrary number of materials. The algorithm is optimal in the sense that it only needs to store a single unsigned distance-like function and a single integer indicator function, independent of the number of materials or distinct regions being tracked. Furthermore, for smooth velocity fields and smooth interface shape, arbitrarily high order solutions can be demonstrated. For interfaces that are or become kinked, the solution is limited to second-order convergence rates in the L 1 norm and first-order in the L ∞ norm.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Derivations of the Total Radiation Belt Electron Content

Abstract We present multiple derivations of the Total Radiation Belt Electron Content (TRBEC), an indicator of the global number of electrons that instantaneously occupy the radiation belts. Derived from electron flux measurements, the TRBEC reduces the spatial information into a scalar quantity that concisely describes global aspects of the system. This index provides a simple, global, and long‐term assessment of the radiation belts that enables systematic analysis. In this work, we examine the TRBEC using the adiabatic invariants of which has been used in previous articles as this coordinate system removes reversible adiabatic effects. We then introduce a new expression to compute the TRBEC using the non‐adiabatic coordinates of , relevant in the contexts of energetic electron precipitation, chorus, and hiss scattering where adiabatic invariant quantities are no longer conserved. From both expressions of the TRBEC we demonstrate that an erroneous factor of that appeared in previous works using the adiabatic derivation led to an overestimate of the reported electron populations. In addition, we quantify electron loss in the outer radiation belt via a case study using the Van Allen Probes data over a 20‐day period from March 2013 specifying particle populations both in terms of the aforementioned adiabatic and non‐adiabatic variables. The total number of electrons in the outer radiation belt reached upwards of electrons at the peak of the storm, a rest mass of roughly 10 g.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

The effect of polymer stiffness on magnetization reversal of magnetorheological elastomers

Ultrasoft magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) offer convenient real-time magnetic field control of mechanical properties that provides a means to mimic mechanical cues and regulators of cells in vitro. Here, we systematically investigate the effect of polymer stiffness on magnetization reversal of MREs using a combination of magnetometry measurements and computational modeling. Poly-dimethylsiloxane-based MREs with Young’s moduli that range over two orders of magnitude were synthesized using commercial polymers Sylgard™ 527, Sylgard 184, and carbonyl iron powder. The magnetic hysteresis loops of the softer MREs exhibit a characteristic pinched loop shape with almost zero remanence and loop widening at intermediate fields that monotonically decreases with increasing polymer stiffness. A simple two-dipole model that incorporates magneto-mechanical coupling not only confirms that micrometer-scale particle motion along the applied magnetic field direction plays a defining role in the magnetic hysteresis of ultrasoft MREs but also reproduces the observed loop shapes and widening trends for MREs with varying polymer stiffnesses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Jan-Dec 2021 IC Project: w20_earthquake (Yearly Report) [Slides]

Large-scale simulations were conducted using the computational tool HOSS to investigate scientific aspects of the time reversal process. The main focus was the identification of damage/defects in wellbores for relevant subsurface applications.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Research Introduction [Slides]

In the topic of Reverse Time Imaging, we proposed a new IC to reduce computation cost but reserve image resolution for distributed sensor networks. For Induced Seismicity in Oklahoma, we analyzed fault stress state analysis at state scale, and we applied machine learning techniques to polarity picking and seismicity rate forecasting. The results provide better understanding of fault properties, stress field, and the relationships among fault, stress state, injections, and potential seismic hazards. Lastly, for Microseismic Monitoring, we detected and located 770 low-frequency events (5-50 Hz): (1) Shallow events are highly clustered, consistent with the pathway from injection well 13-10A to monitoring well; moment tensor inversion shows dominant tensile cracking; (2) Deep events are scattered and show migration pattern to the basement; moment tensors show that most events are shear cracks.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Shock pair observation

On day 84, 1969, the HEOS 1 satellite observed a shock pair connected with a plasma bulk velocity increase from 400 to approximately 750 km/sec. Both shocks were fast shocks. The forward shock had a Mach number of 1.7, the reverse shock had M(fast) = 1.4. The time interval between the two shocks was 7 hrs, 10 min. The time delay between HEOS 1 and Explorer 35 reverse shock observation (20 + or - 6 min) agrees with the computed time delay (11 + or - 4 min).

Chao, J. K.↗

Three-layer interactive method for computing supersonic laminar separated flows

An interactive model for numerical computation of complicated two-dimensional flowfields including regions of reversed flow is proposed. The present approach is one of dividing the flowfield into three regions, in each of which a simplified mathematical model is applied: (1) outer, supersonic flow for which the full potential equation (hyperbolic) is used; (2) viscous, laminar layer in which the compressible boundary-layer model (parabolic) is used; and (3) recirculating flow modeled by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations (elliptic). For matching of the numerical solutions in the three layers, two interaction models are developed: one for pressure interaction, the other for interaction between the shear layer and the recirculating flow. The uniform solution for the whole flowfield is then obtained by iteration of the local solutions under the constraints imposed by matching. The three-layer interactive model is used for solution of the flowfield past an asymmetric cavity. The method is shown to be capable of dealing with backflow without encountering problems at separation, characteristic to the boundary-layer approach.

Brandeis, J.↗

An Experimental and Theoretical Study of Radiative Extinction of Diffusion Flames

In a recent paper on 'Observations of candle flames under various atmospheres in microgravity' by Ross et al., it was found that for the same atmosphere, the burning rate per unit wick surface area and the flame temperature were considerably reduced in microgravity as compared with normal gravity. Also, the flame (spherical in microgravity) was much thicker and further removed from the wick. It thus appears that the flame becomes 'weaker' in microgravity due to the absence of buoyancy generated flow which serves to transport the oxidizer to the combustion zone and remove the hot combustion products from it. The buoyant flow, which may be characterized by the strain rate, assists the diffusion process to execute these essential functions for the survival of the flame. Thus, the diffusion flame is 'weak' at very low strain rates and as the strain rate increases the flame is initially 'strengthened' and eventually it may be 'blown out'. The computed flammability boundaries of T'ien show that such a reversal in material flammability occurs at strain rates around 5 sec. At very low or zero strain rates, flame radiation is expected to considerably affect this 'weak' diffusion flame because: (1) the concentration of combustion products which participate in gas radiation is high in the flame zone; and (2) low strain rates provide sufficient residence time for substantial amounts of soot to form which is usually responsible for a major portion of the radiative heat loss. We anticipate that flame radiation will eventually extinguish this flame. Thus, the objective of this project is to perform an experimental and theoretical investigation of radiation-induced extinction of diffusion flames under microgravity conditions. This is important for spacecraft fire safety.

Atreya, Arvind↗

Reinforcement Learning in a Nonstationary Environment: The El Farol Problem

This paper examines the performance of simple learning rules in a complex adaptive system based on a coordination problem modeled on the El Farol problem. The key features of the El Farol problem are that it typically involves a medium number of agents and that agents' pay-off functions have a discontinuous response to increased congestion. First we consider a single adaptive agent facing a stationary environment. We demonstrate that the simple learning rules proposed by Roth and Er'ev can be extremely sensitive to small changes in the initial conditions and that events early in a simulation can affect the performance of the rule over a relatively long time horizon. In contrast, a reinforcement learning rule based on standard practice in the computer science literature converges rapidly and robustly. The situation is reversed when multiple adaptive agents interact: the RE algorithms often converge rapidly to a stable average aggregate attendance despite the slow and erratic behavior of individual learners, while the CS based learners frequently over-attend in the early and intermediate terms. The symmetric mixed strategy equilibria is unstable: all three learning rules ultimately tend towards pure strategies or stabilize in the medium term at non-equilibrium probabilities of attendance. The brittleness of the algorithms in different contexts emphasize the importance of thorough and thoughtful examination of simulation-based results.

Bell, Ann Maria↗

Some Advanced Concepts in Discrete Aerodynamic Sensitivity Analysis

An efficient incremental iterative approach for differentiating advanced flow codes is successfully demonstrated on a two-dimensional inviscid model problem. The method employs the reverse-mode capability of the automatic differentiation software tool ADIFOR 3.0 and is proven to yield accurate first-order aerodynamic sensitivity derivatives. A substantial reduction in CPU time and computer memory is demonstrated in comparison with results from a straightforward, black-box reverse-mode applicaiton of ADIFOR 3.0 to the same flow code. An ADIFOR-assisted procedure for accurate second-rder aerodynamic sensitivity derivatives is successfully verified on an inviscid transonic lifting airfoil example problem. The method requires that first-order derivatives are calculated first using both the forward (direct) and reverse (adjoinct) procedures; then, a very efficient noniterative calculation of all second-order derivatives can be accomplished. Accurate second derivatives (i.e., the complete Hesian matrices) of lift, wave drag, and pitching-moment coefficients are calculated with respect to geometric shape, angle of attack, and freestream Mach number.

Taylor, Arthur C., III↗

Orbital simulations of satellite escape/capture and the origin of satellites such as Triton

We investigate satellite escape/capture in the context of the restricted, circular three body problem as applied to the Sun, Neptune, and Triton. We have computed a large number of coplanar prograde and retrograde orbital simulations over a range of initial distances and velocities. The satellite starts at superior conjunction within approximately 2 Hill radii of Neptune and has a velocity orthogonal to the Sun-planet line. Orbits with these initial conditions can be reflected with respect to time, so an escape is simply the reverse of a capture. We numerically integrate the equations of motion to compute the satellite's position until it escapes, collides with Neptune, or after 100 planetary years fails to escape, when computations cease. The initial distance x and velocity v in the restricted problem uniquely define the Jacobi constant C, a conserved energy-like quantity. Plots of the simulation outcomes in the prograde and retrograde C, x phase spaces reveal distinct zones in which temporary satellites approach the planet closely enough that permanent capture can be effected by gas drag with a protoplanetary nebula or by collision with a pre-existing satellite. Single and double close-flybys constitute the most common possible capture orbits. Long term multiple flyby orbits occur near the stability limits between bound and unbound orbits, and are more common among retrograde captures.

Benner, Lance A. M.↗

Periodicity of the earth's magnetic reversals

Results are presented from an attempt to perform a relatively comprehensive analysis of the evidence for a periodicity, with harmonics, of the observed regular reversals of the earth's magnetic field. The database considered covers 296 reversals over the past 165 Myr. Histograms with bins 1 Myr apart reveal only 30 Myr reversal patterns. The reversal dates are fitted to a linear periodic function and a spectrum is computed for the residuals at the adopted dates. The possible presence of multiple periodicities is evaluated and over various time intervals. The analysis shows that a recently observed 15 Myr periodicity is probably a harmonic of the 29.5-30.5 Myr period. The calculations do not confirm an inherent magnetic reversal property of the earth. The reversals may arise from tectonic events or from impacts from extraterrestrial objects.

Stothers, R. B.↗

POSTER: Automatic Differentiation of Parallel Loops with Formal Methods

The accompanying poster to this short paper presents a combination of reverse mode AD and formal methods to enable efficient differentiation of (or backpropagation through) shared-memory parallel code. Compared to the state of the art, our approach can more often avoid the need for atomic updates or private data copies during the parallel derivative computation, even in the presence of unstructured or data-dependent data access patterns. This is achieved by gathering information about the memory access patterns from the input program, which is assumed to be correctly parallelized. This information is then used to build a model of assertions in a theorem prover, which can be used to check the safety of shared memory accesses during the parallel derivative computation

Automatic Differentiation↗

Some Advanced Concepts in Discrete Aerodynamic Sensitivity Analysis

An efficient incremental-iterative approach for differentiating advanced flow codes is successfully demonstrated on a 2D inviscid model problem. The method employs the reverse-mode capability of the automatic- differentiation software tool ADIFOR 3.0, and is proven to yield accurate first-order aerodynamic sensitivity derivatives. A substantial reduction in CPU time and computer memory is demonstrated in comparison with results from a straight-forward, black-box reverse- mode application of ADIFOR 3.0 to the same flow code. An ADIFOR-assisted procedure for accurate second-order aerodynamic sensitivity derivatives is successfully verified on an inviscid transonic lifting airfoil example problem. The method requires that first-order derivatives are calculated first using both the forward (direct) and reverse (adjoint) procedures; then, a very efficient non-iterative calculation of all second-order derivatives can be accomplished. Accurate second derivatives (i.e., the complete Hessian matrices) of lift, wave-drag, and pitching-moment coefficients are calculated with respect to geometric- shape, angle-of-attack, and freestream Mach number

Taylor, Arthur C., III↗

Direct comparison between satellite electric field measurements and the visual aurora

Electric field data from two passes of the Injun 5 satellite, one corresponding to magnetically quiet conditions and one corresponding to substorm conditions, are compared with simultaneous all-sky-camera data from College, Alaska. In each case, a significant deviation of the electric field from the expected V x B field (where V is the satellite velocity) was evident and a distinct electric field reversal could be identified. In the region of substantial electric field equatorward of the electric field reversal a diffuse auroral arc was observed during the magnetically quiet pass and auroral patches were observed during the substorm pass. The motion of the auroral patches was consistent with the general direction and magnitude of the E x B drift computed from the satellite electric field measurements. In the substorm case the electric field reversal occurred very near a discrete auroral arc at the poleward side of the diffuse arcs and patches. Comparison of the quiet time and substorm cases suggests that the convection electric field penetrates deeper into the magnetosphere during a substorm.

Swift, D. W.↗