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At least 217 records · Page 12

Electron inelastic mean free path in water

Liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) is rapidly developing as a powerful tool for probing processes in liquid environments with close to atomic resolution. Knowledge of the water thickness is needed for reliable interpretation and modelling of analytical studies in LPTEM, and is particularly essential when using thin liquid layers, required for achieving the highest spatial resolutions. Furthermore, the log-ratio method in electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is often applied in TEM to quantify the sample thickness, which is measured relative to the inelastic mean free path ( λ IMFP ). However, λ IMFP itself is dependent on sample material, the electron energy, and the convergence and divergence angles of the microscope electronoptics. Here, we present a detailed quantitative analysis of the λ IMFP of water as functions of the EELS collection angle ( β ) at 120 keV and 300 keV in a novel nanochannel liquid cell. We observe good agreement with earlier studies conducted on ice, but find that the most widely used theoretical models significantly underestimate λ IMFP of water. We determine an adjusted average energy-loss term E m, water , and characteristic scattering angle θ E, water that improve the accuracy. The results provide a comprehensive knowledge of the λ IMFP of water (or ice) for reliable interpretation and quantification of observations in LPTEM and cryo-TEM studies.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Spin-free formulation of the multireference driven similarity renormalization group: A benchmark study of first-row diatomic molecules and spin-crossover energetics

We report a spin-free formulation of the multireference (MR) driven similarity renormalization group (DSRG) based on the ensemble normal ordering of Mukherjee and Kutzelnigg (1997). This ensemble averages over all microstates of a given total spin quantum number, and therefore, it is invariant with respect to SU(2) transformations. As such, all equations may be reformulated in terms of spin-free quantities and they closely resemble those of spin-adapted closed-shell coupled cluster (CC) theory. The current implementation is used to assess the accuracy of various truncated MR-DSRG methods (perturbation theory up to third order and iterative methods with single and double excitations) in computing the constants of 33 first-row diatomic molecules. The accuracy trends for these first-row diatomics are consistent with our previous benchmark on a small subset of closed-shell diatomic molecules. We then present the first MR-DSRG application on transition-metal complexes by computing the spin splittings of the [Fe(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ and [Fe(NH 3 ) 6 ] 2+ molecules. A focal point analysis (FPA) shows that third-order perturbative corrections are essential to achieve reasonably converged energetics. The FPA based on the linearized MR-DSRG theory with one- and two-body operators and up to a quintuple- ζ basis set predicts the spin splittings of [Fe(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ and [Fe(NH 3 ) 6 ] 2+ to be –35.7 and –17.1 kcal mol –1 , respectively, showing good agreement with the results of local CC theory with singles, doubles, and perturbative triples.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Efficient perturbation-tracking method for directly probing the spectral phonon properties from molecular dynamics simulations

Existing methods for directly extracting the spectral phonon properties from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, like the normal mode analysis (NMA) and spectral energy density analysis, all require a very long simulation time to produce reliable results with good convergence. So far, these methods are mainly applied in studies using small systems and with empirical potentials, as the heavy computational load has greatly hindered their further applications. Here we propose a perturbation-tracking (PT) method for directly probing the mode-wise phonon anharmonic frequencies and lifetimes. We show that results obtained from our method are in excellent agreement with those from the conventional NMA approach, using Si as the model material system. Comparing with the NMA approach, the PT method offers a greater accuracy and significant improvement of efficiency. It takes an average of two orders of magnitude and up to three orders of magnitude less simulation time to obtain the same lifetime result of a phonon mode with intermediate to high accuracy. Meanwhile, our method preserves all the dynamics of probed phonon mode from a particular state, which means it is capable of studying the transient thermal transport processes in a nonequilibrium system. Besides the exceptional efficiency, our method also comes with freedom to choose to probe only those modes of interest. This makes it ideal for use with large systems and in computationally demanding applications, such as ab initio MD simulations. Moreover, the PT method we propose here is very straightforward and easy to implement.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Adaptive Path-Following Control for Ground Vehicles Using a Switching Non-Quadratic Lyapunov Function

The application of adaptive control techniques in the development of control systems for intelligent vehicles, especially for ground vehicle path-following controllers, has gained popularity due to their ability to handle large-scale parametric uncertainties. However, the use of a standard quadratic Lyapunov function in existing adaptive control-based path-following controllers can lead to poor transient performance, such as slow convergence and/or large overshoot. To address this limitation, this study proposes the use of a switching non-quadratic Lyapunov function to design a model reference adaptive path-following controller that aims to provide superior transient performance. The stability and signal convergence of the closed-loop system are demonstrated through a Lyapunov-like analysis. Through dSPACE ASM simulation, the effectiveness of the proposed controller is illustrated, which confirms improved tracking performance over a baseline solution.

Zhou, Xingyu↗

A Refinement-by-Superposition -Method for (curl)- and (div)-Conforming Discretizations

Here, we present refinement-by-superposition (RBS) hp-refinement infrastructure for computational electromagnetics (CEMs), which permits exponential rates of convergence. In contrast to dominant approaches to hp-refinement for continuous Galerkin methods, which rely on explicit constraint equations, the multilevel strategy presented drastically reduces the implementation complexity. Through the RBS methodology, enforcement of continuity occurs by construction, enabling arbitrary levels of refinement with ease, and without the practical (but not theoretical) limitations of constrained-node refinement. We outline the construction of the RBS hp-method for refinement with H (curl)- and H (div)-conforming finite cells. Numerical simulations for the 2-D finite element method (FEM) solution of the Maxwell eigenvalue problem demonstrate the effectiveness of RBS hp-refinement. As an additional goal of this work, we aim to promote the use of mixed-order (low- and high-order) elements in practical CEM applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The Modulation of Gulf Stream Influence on the Troposphere by the Eddy-Driven Jet

This study suggests that the Gulf Stream influence on the wintertime North Atlantic troposphere is most pronounced when the eddy-driven jet (EDJ) is farthest south and better collocated with the Gulf Stream. Using the reanalysis dataset NCEP-CFSR for December–February 1979–2009, the daily EDJ latitude is separated into three regimes (northern, central, and southern). It is found that the average trajectory of atmospheric fronts covaries with EDJ latitude. In the southern EDJ regime (~19% of the time), the frequency of near-surface atmospheric fronts that pass across the Gulf Stream is maximized. Analysis suggests that this leads to significant strengthening in near-surface atmospheric frontal convergence resulting from strong air–sea sensible heat flux gradients (due to strong temperature gradients in the atmosphere and ocean). In recent studies, it was shown that the pronounced band of time-mean near-surface wind convergence across the Gulf Stream is set by atmospheric fronts. Here, it is shown that an even smaller subset of atmospheric fronts—those associated with a southern EDJ—primarily sets the time mean, due to enhanced Gulf Stream air–sea interaction. Furthermore, statistically significant anomalies in vertical velocity extending well above the boundary layer are identified in association with changes in EDJ latitude. These anomalies are particularly strong for a southern EDJ and are spatially consistent with increases in near-surface atmospheric frontal convergence over the Gulf Stream. These results imply that much of the Gulf Stream influence on the time-mean atmosphere is modulated on synoptic time scales, and enhanced when the EDJ is farthest south.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Hypercomplex Automatic Differentiation in the Eulerian Hydrocode PAGOSA

Enabling the computation of partial derivatives or sensitivities in production hydrocodes is beneficial for design, optimization, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty quantification. Traditional finite difference approximations of these sensitivities are inefficient since convergence studies of the step size is required for each parameter of interest. For these reasons, HYPercomplex Automatic Differentiation (HYPAD) was implemented in the Eulerian hydrocode PAGOSA. HYPAD is analogous to forward-mode automatic differentiation except hypercomplex numbers (numbers with multiple imaginary parts) are used instead of dual numbers. Accurate partial derivatives can be computed of all state variables with respect to multiple input variables in a single run. The method was implemented using operator overloading to handle hypercomplex algebra. HYPAD was demonstrated and verified on Sod’s shock tube problem to compute derivatives of the state variables with respect to a material parameter, initial conditions, and geometry.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Randomized Federated Learning Methods for Nonsmooth, Nonconvex, and Hierarchical Optimization (Final Technical Report)

This final technical report summarizes the outcomes of a DOE-funded project on federated scientific machine learning (FL) under nonsmooth, nonconvex, and hierarchical optimization settings. The project develops new mathematical models, algorithms, and theoretical guarantees for decentralized stochastic, bilevel, and minimax optimization problems arising in DOE mission-relevant applications. A unified framework of randomized and zeroth-order federated optimization methods is introduced, providing provable convergence, communication efficiency, and sample-complexity guarantees. The report documents algorithmic design, theoretical analysis, and empirical validation of the proposed federated learning methods. The project also contributes to workforce development through graduate training and dissemination of results via publications and seminars.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Reassessing energy deposition for the ITER 5 MA vertical displacement event with an improved DINA model

The beryllium (Be) main chamber wall interaction during a 5 MA/1.8 T upward, unmitigated VDE scenario, first analysed in [J. Coburn et al., Phys. Scr. T171 (2020) 014076] for ITER, has been re-evaluated using the latest energy deposition analysis software. Updates to the DINA disruption model are summarized, including an improved numerical convergence for the 0D power balance, limitations on the safety factor within the plasma core, and the choice to maintain a constant plasma +halo poloidal cross-section. Such updates result in a broad halo region and higher radiated power fractions compared to previous models. The new scenario lasts for ~75 ms and deposits ~29 MJ of energy, with the radial distribution of parallel heat flux q‖(r)resembling an exponential falloff with an effective λ_q=75-198 mm. A maximum halo width w_h of 0.52 m at the outboard midplane is observed. SMITER field line tracing and energy deposition simulations calculate a q_{⊥,max} of ~83 MW/m^2 on the upper first wall panels (FWP). Heat transfer calculations with the MEMOS-U code show that the FWP surface temperature reaches ~1000 K, well below the Be melt threshold. Variations of this 5 MA scenario with Be im-purity densities from 0 to 3∙10^19 m^-3 also remain below the melt threshold despite differences in energy deposition and duration. These results are in contrast to the early study which predicted melt damage to the first wall [J. Coburn et al., Phys. Scr. T171 (2020) 014076], and emphasize the importance of accurate models for the halo width w_h and the heat flux distribution q‖(r)within that halo width. The 2020 halo model in DINA has been compared with halo current experiments on COMPASS, JET, and Alcator C-Mod, and the preliminary results build confidence in the broad halo width predictions. Results for the 5 MA VDE are compared with those for a 15 MA equivalent, generated using the new DINA model. At the higher current, significant melting of the upper FWP is to be expected.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Analysis of cell-based diffusion acceleration for the slice balance approach

In this work, we perform analysis on the use of cell-based diffusion acceleration methodologies to accelerate the convergence of transport solutions discretized with the slice balance approach (SBA) on unstructured polygonal grids.We investigated both linear diffusion synthetic acceleration (DSA) and non linear diffusion acceleration (NDA), including its partial-current variant (pNDA). DSA and NDA were both shown to diverge for intermediate ranges of mesh optical thicknesses. However, pNDA and Krylov methods like GMRES and Broyden stabilized the acceleration schemes, including problems with degenerate cells formed by mesh refinement. (author)

42 ENGINEERING↗

A hierarchical evaluation framework for assessing climate simulations relevant to the energy-water-land nexus (Final Report)

The overarching goal was to construct a hierarchy of new and well-tested metrics and analysis tools that support both fundamental and use-inspired research. Motivating this goal was a convergence of needs from climate scientists and stakeholders alike for a systematic, robust framework of model evaluation and diagnosis to provide scientific insights, inform model development, support best practices for the use of climate model outputs, and facilitate communication of climate information in the evolving landscapes of multi-model, multi-resolution, and large ensemble simulations that generate terabytes of data for any single climate run. Steps toward attaining these goals benefited from expertise and established capability of the project team, which included leadership of the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) and the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), development of hierarchical model evaluation approaches, and successful research in the analysis and diagnosis of climate model skill, as well as the understanding and modeling of regional climate processes in North America. As part of the overarching goal, the project worked to disseminate a suite of methodologies, algorithms, and software components that the wider community can employ to advance climate science and applications. With rigorous demonstration, the evaluation framework and the mix of standard and high risk / high reward approaches helped form the basis for future development of a computationally enabled user-friendly system for community use.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Multi-strain analysis of Pseudomonas putida reveals the metabolic and genetic diversity of the species

Pseudomonas putida is a gram-negative bacterial species increasingly utilized in biotechnology due to its robust growth, ability to degrade aromatic compounds, solvent tolerance, and genetic tractability. In this study, we report a comprehensive multi-strain analysis of 164 P. putida strains based on the reconstruction of a pan-putida metabolic network and the formulation of strain-specific genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs). We performed whole-genome sequencing and hybrid assembly for 40 strains, contributing a ~8% increase to the available genomic data for P. putida . Furthermore, high-throughput phenotypic profiling using the Biolog phenotype microarray system for 24 strains on 190 unique carbon sources, along with 15 aromatic compounds not present on Biolog plates, yielded 4,920 unique strain-phenotype measurements. These data were leveraged to curate GEMs for 24 representative strains, including a refined model for strain KT2440, which comprised 1,480 genes and 2,191 metabolites, achieving a prediction accuracy of 91.2% in carbon utilization. Systematic comparison of genomes and GEMs revealed both conserved core pathways and significant allelic and functional divergence across strains, highlighting strain-specific variation in aromatic degradation. While pathways for protocatechuate and phenylacetate degradation were widely conserved, metabolic capabilities for compounds such as ferulate, phenol, and cresols varied markedly, suggesting adaptation to distinct ecological niches. Alleleome analysis of enzymes, such as PcaI and PcaJ, revealed distinct, functionally similar clades, indicating possible convergent evolution or horizontal gene transfer. These results provide computable resources and informative models for selecting P. putida strains with desired traits for biomanufacturing and bioremediation and offer insights into the evolution and phylogeny of the P. putida species.

aromatics utilization↗

Numerical analysis of a time discretized method for nonlinear filtering problem with Lévy process observations

Abstract In this paper, we consider a nonlinear filtering model with observations driven by correlated Wiener processes and point processes. We first derive a Zakai equation whose solution is an unnormalized probability density function of the filter solution. Then, we apply a splitting-up technique to decompose the Zakai equation into three stochastic differential equations, based on which we construct a splitting-up approximate solution and prove its half-order convergence. Furthermore, we apply a finite difference method to construct a time semi-discrete approximate solution to the splitting-up system and prove its half-order convergence to the exact solution of the Zakai equation. Finally, we present some numerical experiments to demonstrate the theoretical analysis.

Mathematics↗

Linear convergence of accelerated conditional gradient algorithms in spaces of measures

A class of generalized conditional gradient algorithms for the solution of optimization problem in spaces of Radon measures is presented. The method iteratively inserts additional Dirac-delta functions and optimizes the corresponding coefficients. Under general assumptions, a sub-linear [see formula in PDF] rate in the objective functional is obtained, which is sharp in most cases. To improve efficiency, one can fully resolve the finite-dimensional subproblems occurring in each iteration of the method. We provide an analysis for the resulting procedure: under a structural assumption on the optimal solution, a linear [see formula in PDF] convergence rate is obtained locally.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

High‐speed 4‐dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy using compressive sensing techniques

Abstract Here we show that compressive sensing allows 4‐dimensional (4‐D) STEM data to be obtained and accurately reconstructed with both high‐speed and reduced electron fluence. The methodology needed to achieve these results compared to conventional 4‐D approaches requires only that a random subset of probe locations is acquired from the typical regular scanning grid, which immediately generates both higher speed and the lower fluence experimentally. We also consider downsampling of the detector, showing that oversampling is inherent within convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns and that detector downsampling does not reduce precision but allows faster experimental data acquisition. Analysis of an experimental atomic resolution yttrium silicide dataset shows that it is possible to recover over 25 dB peak signal‐to‐noise ratio in the recovered phase using 0.3% of the total data. Lay abstract : Four‐dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4‐D STEM) is a powerful technique for characterizing complex nanoscale structures. In this method, a convergent beam electron diffraction pattern (CBED) is acquired at each probe location during the scan of the sample. This means that a 2‐dimensional signal is acquired at each 2‐D probe location, equating to a 4‐D dataset. Despite the recent development of fast direct electron detectors, some capable of 100kHz frame rates, the limiting factor for 4‐D STEM is acquisition times in the majority of cases, where cameras will typically operate on the order of 2kHz. This means that a raster scan containing 256^2 probe locations can take on the order of 30s, approximately 100‐1000 times longer than a conventional STEM imaging technique using monolithic radial detectors. As a result, 4‐D STEM acquisitions can be subject to adverse effects such as drift, beam damage, and sample contamination. Recent advances in computational imaging techniques for STEM have allowed for faster acquisition speeds by way of acquiring only a random subset of probe locations from the field of view. By doing this, the acquisition time is significantly reduced, in some cases by a factor of 10‐100 times. The acquired data is then processed to fill‐in or inpaint the missing data, taking advantage of the inherently low‐complex signals which can be linearly combined to recover the information. In this work, similar methods are demonstrated for the acquisition of 4‐D STEM data, where only a random subset of CBED patterns are acquired over the raster scan. We simulate the compressive sensing acquisition method for 4‐D STEM and present our findings for a variety of analysis techniques such as ptychography and differential phase contrast. Our results show that acquisition times can be significantly reduced on the order of 100‐300 times, therefore improving existing frame rates, as well as further reducing the electron fluence beyond just using a faster camera.

Robinson, Alex W.↗

Low-order preconditioning of the Stokes equations

A well-known strategy for building effective preconditioners for higher-order discretizations of some PDEs, such as Poisson's equation, is to leverage effective preconditioners for their low-order analogs. In this work, we show that high-quality preconditioners can also be derived for the Taylor–Hood discretization of the Stokes equations in much the same manner. In particular, we investigate the use of geometric multigrid based on the Q 1 iso Q 2 /Q 1 discretization of the Stokes operator as a preconditioner for the Q 2 /Q 1 discretization of the Stokes system. We utilize local Fourier analysis to optimize the damping parameters for Vanka and Braess–Sarazin relaxation schemes and to achieve robust convergence. Furthermore, these results are then verified and compared against the measured multigrid performance. While geometric multigrid can be applied directly to the Q 2 /Q 1 system, our ultimate motivation is to apply algebraic multigrid within solvers for Q 2 /Q 1 systems via the Q 1 iso Q 2 /Q 1 discretization, which will be considered in a companion paper.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Assessing the Impact of a Novel TBC Material on Heat Transfer in a Spark Ignition Engine through 3D CFD-FEA Co-Simulation Routine

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) have been of interest since the 1970s for application in internal combustion (IC) engines. Thin TBCs exhibit a temperature swing phenomenon wherein wall temperatures dynamically respond to the transient working-gas temperature throughout the engine cycle, thus reducing the temperature difference driving the heat transfer. Determining these varying wall temperatures is necessary to evaluate and study the effect of coatings on wall heat transfer. This study focuses on developing a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-finite element analysis (FEA) coupled simulation, or co-simulation, routine to determine the wall temperatures of a piston coated with a thin TBC layer subject to spark ignition combustion heat flux. A CONVERGE 3D-CFD model was used to simulate the combustion process in a single-cylinder, light-duty experimental spark ignition (SI) engine. Transient piston heat transfer analysis was conducted using ABAQUS, a FEA package, under the simulated combustion heat flux load. The effect of the temperature swing phenomenon due to this TBC layer was observed in a CFD simulation by implementing the FEA results as the piston thermal boundary conditions. The boundary conditions were passed between the CFD and FEA tools until a quasi-steady state solution was achieved. Furthermore, a reduction in wall heat transfer was observed due to a reduced temperature difference between the wall and the working gas.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Shock compression behavior of stainless steel 316L octet-truss lattice structures

Lattice structures offer desirable mechanical properties for applications of energy absorption and impact mitigation but limited research has been carried out on their shock compression behavior. In this work, the shock compression behavior of stainless steel 316L (SS316L) octet-truss lattice structures was investigated through experimental techniques and numerical simulations. Plate impact experiments with high-speed imaging were conducted at impact velocities of 270 – 390 m/s on lattice specimens with 5x5x10 unit cell geometries additively manufactured (AM) using direct metal laser sintering. High-speed imaging together with digital image correlation was used to extract full-field measurements and define a two-wave structure consisting of an elastic wave and planar compaction (shock) wave which propagated along the impact direction. A linear shock velocity versus particle velocity relation was found to approximate the measurements with a unit slope and a linear fit constant equal to the crushing speed. Furthermore, the shock velocity versus particle velocity relation, full-field measurements, and elastic limit together with the Eulerian form of the Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions were used to find relations for the stress and internal energy behind the shock. Stress behind the shock increased with relative density and particle velocity, and specific internal energy converged to a single curve similar to that of bulk AM SS316L. Explicit finite element analysis using the Johnson-Cook constitutive model demonstrated similar shock behavior observed in experiments and a linear shock velocity versus particle velocity relation and corresponding Hugoniot calculations were found to be in agreement with experimental results. Numerical simulations confirmed negligible effects of exterior versus interior measurements and further validated the application of one-dimensional shock theory.

42 ENGINEERING↗