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At least 235 records · Page 13

On the continuous dependence with respect to sampling of the linear quadratic regulator problem for distributed parameter systems

The convergence of solutions to the discrete or sampled time linear quadratic regulator problem and associated Riccati equation for infinite dimensional systems to the solutions to the corresponding continuous time problem and equation, as the length of the sampling interval (the sampling rate) tends toward zero (infinity) is established. Both the finite and infinite time horizon problems are studied. In the finite time horizon case, strong continuity of the operators which define the control system and performance index together with a stability and consistency condition on the sampling scheme are required. For the infinite time horizon problem, in addition, the sampled systems must be stabilizable and detectable, uniformly with respect to the sampling rate. Classes of systems for which this condition can be verified are discussed. Results of numerical studies involving the control of a heat/diffusion equation, a hereditary of delay system, and a flexible beam are presented and discussed.

Rosen, I. G.↗

On the continuous dependence with respect to sampling of the linear quadratic regulator problem for distributed parameter system

The convergence of solutions to the discrete- or sampled-time linear quadratic regulator problem and associated Riccati equation for infinite-dimensional systems to the solutions to the corresponding continuous time problem and equation, as the length of the sampling interval (the sampling rate) tends toward zero(infinity) is established. Both the finite-and infinite-time horizon problems are studied. In the finite-time horizon case, strong continuity of the operators that define the control system and performance index, together with a stability and consistency condition on the sampling scheme are required. For the infinite-time horizon problem, in addition, the sampled systems must be stabilizable and detectable, uniformly with respect to the sampling rate. Classes of systems for which this condition can be verified are discussed. Results of numerical studies involving the control of a heat/diffusion equation, a hereditary or delay system, and a flexible beam are presented and discussed.

Rosen, I. G.↗

Computer Programs For Automated Welding System

Computer programs developed for use in controlling automated welding system described in MFS-28578. Together with control computer, computer input and output devices and control sensors and actuators, provide flexible capability for planning and implementation of schemes for automated welding of specific workpieces. Developed according to macro- and task-level programming schemes, which increases productivity and consistency by reducing amount of "teaching" of system by technician. System provides for three-dimensional mathematical modeling of workpieces, work cells, robots, and positioners.

Agapakis, John E.↗

Convection treatment for high Rayleigh number, laminar, natural convection calculation

The problem of natural convection in a square cavity of a Boussinesq incompressible fluid is computed using a consistent central-difference approximation, a consistent second-order upwind scheme, and the hybrid scheme for the energy equation. It was found that, for this problem, the second-order upwind scheme yields satisfactory solutions and that an apparently low-order combination of schemes, with the second-order upwind scheme for the momentum equations and the hybrid scheme for the energy equation, can produce satisfactory predictions for this problem.

Shyy, Wei↗

Free-flight investigation of forebody blowing for stability and control

A free-flight wind-tunnel investigation was conducted on a generic fighter model with forebody pneumatic vortex control for high angle-of-attack directional control. This is believed to be the first flight demonstration of a forebody blowing concept integrated into a closed-loop flight control system for stability augmentation and control. The investigation showed that the static wind tunnel estimates of the yaw control available generally agreed with flight results. The control scheme for the blowing nozzles consisted of an on/off control with a deadband. Controlled flight was obtained for the model using forebody blowing for directional control to beyond 45 deg. angle of attack.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Semi-Annual Status Report

This 6 month period continued the effort on absolute spectrally continuous stellar calibration begun in January 1991. The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) DCATT team has continued its analysis and intercomparisons of the Spatial Infrared Imaging Telescope (SPIRIT-III) ground calibration, the on-orbit stellar calibration (using our stellar spectra), and the on-orbit observations of the MIT Lincoln Labs. "emissive spheres". All three approaches are in very good agreement, at about the +/-3% level (absolute). This demonstrates the consistency of our overall calibration scheme and validates the context in which Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) and MSX data also reside. Final "globalization" of the overall MSX calibration is in progress, combining calibrations by stars, by the "emissive spheres" experiments, and by the NIST-traceable ground calibration. The work in support of the Infrared Telescope Satellite (IRTS) continues. I am currently calculating the contribution of diffuse starlight to the background in "dark" regions of the sky observed by the IRTS Near-IR Spectrometer. To accomplish this I am using the SKY model with a new extended wavelength capability, covering the 1.00-2.00 micron region for the first time. These calculations, together with models of the zodiacal light, will be used to seek the presence of a cosmic near-IR background. Papers VIII and IX in the calibration series appeared in this 6 month period. These describe our results on asteroid thermal nodes and anticipate the eventual production of a new network of stellar calibrators, numbering over 400 and extending over the whole sky. These will be constructed as stellar "templates", building on the legacy of our series of calibration papers. The first analyses of star counts from MSX are under way using SKY.

Cohen, Martin↗

Background Oriented Schlieren Implementation in a Jet-Surface Interaction Test

Many current and future aircraft designs rely on the wing or other aircraft surfaces to shield the engine noise from observers on the ground. However the available data regarding how a planar surface interacts with a jet to shield and/or enhance the jet noise are currently limited. Therefore, the Jet-Surface Interaction Tests supported by NASA's Fundamental Aeronautics Program's Fixed Wing Project were undertaken to supply experimental data covering a wide range of surface geometries and positions interacting with high-speed jet flows in order to support the development of noise prediction methods. Phase 1 of the Test was conducted in the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory at NASA Glenn Research Center and consisted of validating noise prediction schemes for a round nozzle interacting with a planar surface. Phased array data and far-field acoustic data were collected for both the shielded and reflected sides of the surface. Phase 1 results showed that the broadband shock noise was greatly reduced by the surface when the jet was operated at the over-expanded condition, however, it was unclear whether this reduction was due a change in the shock cell structure by the surface. In the present study, Background Oriented Schlieren is implemented in Phase 2 of the Jet-Surface Interaction Tests to investigate whether the planar surface interacts with the high-speed jet ow to change the shock cell structure. Background Oriented Schlieren data are acquired for under-expanded, ideally-expanded, and over-expanded ow regimes for multiple axial and radial positions of the surface at three different plate lengths. These data are analyzed with far-field noise measurements to relate the shock cell structure to the broadband shock noise produced by a jet near a surface.

Clem, Michelle M.↗

An Ensemble Recentering Kalman Filter with an Application to Argo Temperature Data Assimilation into the NASA GEOS-5 Coupled Model

A two-step ensemble recentering Kalman filter (ERKF) analysis scheme is introduced. The algorithm consists of a recentering step followed by an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) analysis step. The recentering step is formulated such as to adjust the prior distribution of an ensemble of model states so that the deviations of individual samples from the sample mean are unchanged but the original sample mean is shifted to the prior position of the most likely particle, where the likelihood of each particle is measured in terms of closeness to a chosen subset of the observations. The computational cost of the ERKF is essentially the same as that of a same size EnKF. The ERKF is applied to the assimilation of Argo temperature profiles into the OGCM component of an ensemble of NASA GEOS-5 coupled models. Unassimilated Argo salt data are used for validation. A surprisingly small number (16) of model trajectories is sufficient to significantly improve model estimates of salinity over estimates from an ensemble run without assimilation. The two-step algorithm also performs better than the EnKF although its performance is degraded in poorly observed regions.

Particle Filter↗

The GOddard SnoW Impurity Module (GOSWIM) for the NASA GEOS-5 Earth System Model: Preliminary Comparisons with Observations in Sapporo, Japan

The snow darkening module evaluating dust, black carbon, and organic carbon depositions on mass and albedo has been developed for the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System, Version 5 (GEOS-5) Earth System Model, as the GOddard SnoW Impurity Module (GOSWIM). GOSWIM consists of the snow albedo scheme from a previous study (Yasunari et al. 2011) with updates and a newly developed mass concentration scheme, using aerosol depositions from the chemical transport model (GOCART) in GEOS-5. Compared to observations at Sapporo, the numerical experiments, forced by observation-based meteorology and aerosol depositions from GOES-5, better simulated the seasonal migration of snow depth, albedos, and impurities of dust, BC, and OC in the snow surface. However, the magnitude of the impurities is underestimated, compared to the sporadic snow impurity measurements. Increasing the deposition rates of dust and BC could explain the differences on the snow darkening effect between observation and simulation. Ignoring BC deposition can possibly lead to an extension of snow cover duration in Sapporo for four days. Comparing the off-line GOSWIM and the GEOS-5 global simulations, we found that determining better local precipitation and deposition rates of the aerosols are key factors in generating better GOSWIM snow darkening simulation in NASA GEOS-5.

land surface processes↗

Chemical Thermodynamics and the Mathematical Integration of Reaction Kinetics

Key advances in the development of numerical methods for non-reacting compressible flows have been enabled by translating physical requirements into concrete numerical guidelines, such as the satisfaction of entropy inequalities for shock-capturing techniques [Lax, Contributions to Nonlinear Functional Analysis (1971) 603-634]. In the present work, we present nonlinear numerical analysis tools that draw from Chemical Thermodynamics , the branch of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics that deals with chemical reactions. Through Gibbs formalism, chemical thermodynamics provides a well-known theoretical expression for the chemical equilibrium constant of a reaction in terms of reduced chemical potentials. A less-known, yet extremely valuable result, due to [Krambeck, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. , 38 (1970) 317], states that when this expression is implemented, mass-action kinetic models are consistent with the dynamical prescriptions of the 2nd law of thermodynamics. For fixed-temperature ordinary differential equations modeling constant-volume reacting gas mixtures, this leads to a decreasing Helmholtz free energy. If the temperature is allowed to vary in accordance with conservation of energy (1st law), this leads to the statement of increasing entropy. These nonlinear prescriptions can, and should be, used to further develop temporal integration techniques for reaction kinetics. We demonstrate that Krambeck's result holds even when the equilibrium constants are approximated from data. We prove this result by constructing the implicit free energy and the implicit entropy inherent to a given approximation. This is first done for a 5-species, 17-reaction model problem for air. With this structure established, elements of discrete entropy-stability theory [Tadmor, Acta Numer. , 12 (2003) 451] are leveraged to examine the consistency of time-integration schemes with these prescriptions. Using chemical potentials, one can compute the respective contributions of the kinetics model and of the temporal scheme to free energy/entropy variations. We introduce a nonlinear-stable version of the Discontinuous-Galerkin (DG) scheme in time which shows robustness improvements over the standard linearly-stable version. Most notably, the maximum timestep that can be resolved with the nonlinearly-stable variant tends to grow with polynomial order, in contrast to the linearly-stable variant. We generalize our constructions to arbitrary systems of reversible chemical reactions, ultimately showing that the compressible reacting Euler system admits the opposite of the implicitly constructed thermodynamic entropy as a mathematical entropy . This lays important theoretical foundations towards robust scheme development [Harten, J. Comput. Phys. 49 (1983) 151-164].

STMD↗

Polarimetric Properties of Event Horizon Telescope Targets from ALMA

We present the results from a full polarization study carried out with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) during the first Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) campaign, which was conducted in 2017 April in the λ3 mm and λ1.3 mm bands, in concert with the Global mm-VLBI Array (GMVA) and the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), respectively. We determine the polarization and Faraday properties of all VLBI targets, including Sgr A*, M87, and a dozen radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs), in the two bands at several epochs in a time window of 10 days. We detect high linear polarization fractions (2%–15%) and large rotation measures (RM > 10 3.3 –10 5.5 rad m -2 ), confirming the trends of previous AGN studies at millimeter wavelengths. We find that blazars are more strongly polarized than other AGNs in the sample, while exhibiting (on average) order-of-magnitude lower RM values, consistent with the AGN viewing angle unification scheme. For Sgr A* we report a mean RM of (-4.2 ± 0.3) × 10 5 rad m -2 at 1.3 mm, consistent with measurements over the past decade and, for the first time, an RM of (–2.1 ± 0.1) × 10 5 rad m -2 at 3 mm, suggesting that about half of the Faraday rotation at 1.3 mm may occur between the 3 mm photosphere and the 1.3 mm source. We also report the first unambiguous measurement of RM toward the M87 nucleus at millimeter wavelengths, which undergoes significant changes in magnitude and sign reversals on a one year timescale, spanning the range from -1.2 to 0.3 × 10 5 rad m -2 at 3 mm and -4.1 to 1.5 × 10 5 rad m -2 at 1.3 mm. Given this time variability, we argue that, unlike the case of Sgr A*, the RM in M87 does not provide an accurate estimate of the mass accretion rate onto the black hole. We put forward a two-component model, comprised of a variable compact region and a static extended region, that can simultaneously explain the polarimetric properties observed by both the EHT (on horizon scales) and ALMA (which observes the combined emission from both components). These measurements provide critical constraints for the calibration, analysis, and interpretation of simultaneously obtained VLBI data with the EHT and GMVA.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Quantum Mechanical Simulations of Dynamics of Electronic Excitations in Low-Dimensional Photovoltaics Materials

Dynamics of electronically excited states including exciton generation and relaxation, exciton-exciton interaction, and charge/energy transfer and transport, are critical to understanding and optimizing photovoltaic materials. Although considerable progress has been made, accurate experimental characterization of such crucial dynamics remains extremely challenging, especially in low-dimensional materials. In this talk, I will discuss how the advancement of quantum mechanical simulations of the dynamics of electronic excitations can reveal the physical mechanisms hindering or improving solar energy harvest. Specifically, we find that surface dangling-bond defects on silicon quantum dots cause rapid charge recombination and low carrier mobility in the inorganic-organic PV cells. Although small quantum dots are essentially free of defects, their optical gaps are too large. To solve this issue, a full-spectrum-light-absorption scheme is computationally designed, taking advantage of complexity and flexibility of low-dimensional materials consisting of different characteristics and dimensions. In this scheme the multifunctional ligands are used to (1) passivate against oxidation, (2) facilitate interfacial charge transfer, and (3) improve both charge transport and optical absorption. A joint theoretical and experimental study has demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. Finally, I will briefly talk about how this scheme and the well-tested quantum mechanical simulations can be employed to help improve energy-conversion efficiency in perovskite photovoltaics including perovskite-based tandem cells.

Zhigang Wu↗

Combination of TOPEX/POSEIDON Data with a Hydrographic Inversion for Determination of the Oceanic General Circulation and its Relation to Geoid Accuracy

A global estimate of the absolute oceanic general circulation from a geostrophic inversion of in situ hydrographic data is tested against and then combined with an estimate obtained from TOPEX/POSEIDON altimetric data and a geoid model computed using the JGM-3 gravity-field solution. Within the quantitative uncertainties of both the hydrographic inversion and the geoid estimate, the two estimates derived by very different methods are consistent. When the in situ inversion is combined with the altimetry/geoid scheme using a recursive inverse procedure, a new solution, fully consistent with both hydrography and altimetry, is found. There is, however, little reduction in the uncertainties of the calculated ocean circulation and its mass and heat fluxes because the best available geoid estimate remains noisy relative to the purely oceanographic inferences. The conclusion drawn from this is that the comparatively large errors present in the existing geoid models now limit the ability of satellite altimeter data to improve directly the general ocean circulation models derived from in situ measurements. Because improvements in the geoid could be realized through a dedicated spaceborne gravity recovery mission, the impact of hypothetical much better, future geoid estimates on the circulation uncertainty is also quantified, showing significant hypothetical reductions in the uncertainties of oceanic transport calculations. Full ocean general circulation models could better exploit both existing oceanographic data and future gravity-mission data, but their present use is severely limited by the inability to quantify their error budgets.

Ganachaud, Alexandre↗

Lowering the Scaling of Self-Consistent Field Methods by Combining Tensor Hypercontraction and a Density Difference Ansatz

We present the tensor hypercontraction difference self-consistent field (SCF) method, an approach that reduces the formal computational scaling of traditional naive self-consistent field methods from 𝑂(𝑁 4 ) to 𝑂(𝑁 3 ) with system size 𝑁. The scaling reduction is achieved by developing a new technique for constructing the tensor hypercontraction decomposition based on the fundamental approximation made in density fitting. Combining this scheme with the difference self-consistent field methodology, we achieve a method that enables 𝑂(𝑁 3 ) scaling SCF calculations with only 𝑂(𝑁 2 ) storage requirements. In conclusion, our proof-of-concept numerical tests demonstrate robust performance with errors in total energies below 8 × 10 –4 E h and with sub 1 kcal/mol errors for relative energies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solution of 3-dimensional time-dependent viscous flows. Part 1: Investigation of candidate algoriths

There is considerable interest in developing a numerical scheme for solving the time dependent viscous compressible three dimensional flow to aid in the design of helicopter rotors. Numerical algorithms are examined to determine their overall suitability for the efficient and routine solution of an appropriate system of partial differential equations. It is concluded that a consistently split time linearized block implicit scheme using either quintic B spline collocation or the generalized operator compact implicit approach to generate a fourth order accurate algorithm is particularly well suited for use on the present problem. High cell Reynolds number behavior leads to favoring the generalized operator compact implicit approach over the quintic B spline collocation method.

Weinberg, B. C.↗

Self-Consistent Relativistic Electron Scattering using the Sherlock Scattering Model for X-ray Diagnostics

We present on a new, self-consistent, arbitrary-temperature Romberg integration scheme for modeling electron scattering in materials in a LANL Lagrangian Shock Hydro (LSH) code. Electron beam-target interactions are fundamental to a wide range of scientific and technological applications. When high-energy electron beams hit their target, they may scatter, deposit energy, or ionize the source. These processes govern the behavior and outcomes in nanotechnology manufacturing, electron microscopy, and modern X-ray diagnostics. Simulating these interactions is essential for interpreting experimental results, predicting material responses, and designing efficient tools and experiments. At Los Alamos, this is done using a LSH code, which is a multi-dimension, multi-material, massively parallel, multi-physics code used to simulate applications from asteroid impacts to electron beam interactions. By effectively and efficiently modeling the way that electrons scatter from the beam we can bolster these simulations and more accurately predict experimental outcomes. The model currently implemented in the LSH of interest is based on work by Papp and does not self-consistently preserve momentum in the slightly relativistic regime; here we adopt a model proposed by Braams and Karney and implement a Romberg integration scheme to compute the diffusion tensor. In this paper we will provide background on the Braams-Karney diffusion tensor as well as the Romberg integration scheme we employed to numerically solve for it. We will show that our integration scheme is accurate in solving for the set of scalar potentials used to re-express the diffusion tensor in differential form, and in solving for the diffusion coefficients in the larger LSH code. By using this diffusion tensor rather than the existing Papp one, and numerically integrating it with a Romberg method, we produce much more accurate, self-consistent results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Distributed Wind Certification Best Practices Guideline: January 16, 2023 - January 15, 2026

This Distributed Wind (DW) Certification Best Practices Guideline describes the typical approach for certification of distributed wind turbines above and below 150 kilowatts (kW) in size based on the conformity assessment requirements in the United States. The purpose of the guideline is to clarify and consistently describe the path to certification for various systems and components by helping the user navigate the complex path to certification compliance. This is done via clarification of both the required turbine type certification elements, as well as third-party electrical safety listing of turbine system components and subassemblies. In the United States specifically, there is no wind turbine certification scheme that governs or maintains a consistent set of conformity assessment requirements, and this can lead to wide ranging interpretations of the standards and required elements for certifications. This guideline attempts to simplify the path by organizing the information and guiding the user to the applicable set of requirements. Any wind turbine manufacturer or designer of wind turbines used in distributed generation applications in the United States would find value in the conformity assessment guidance in this guideline. Users are expected to be involved in the technical development of the product and supporting documentation, as the details provided are geared towards electrical and mechanical engineering of the system and components.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Formulation and application of Russell's method

It is shown that the numerical technique of Russell's momentum approach can be derived by using Hamilton's principle and Vance's numerical scheme. It results in a set of first order differnce equations for solving the angular velocities. The numerical examples show that the method is reliable. The algorithm is modified next to perform the analysis of N-body systems with closed loop topology. To increase the formulation flexibility, the equations of motion are represented by using Cartesian coordinates and Lagrange multipliers. The algorithm consists of two parts, Vance's scheme and an unconstrained minimization. The Vance's scheme is used to find the angular velocities, and the unconstrained minimization is applied to provide the correct angular displacements. The proposed scheme is further extended to find the design sensitivity of an N-body system with closed loop configuration, and to carry out the design optimization as well. The numerical example of a small-scaled mechanical system is presented to verify the proposed formulation.

Hou, J. W.↗