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At least 235 records · Page 13

Stability boundary and optimal operating parameter identification in milling using Bayesian learning

Here, this paper describes a novel Bayesian learning approach for stability boundary and optimal parameter identification in milling without the knowledge of the underlying tool dynamics or material cutting force coefficients. The paper is divided into two parts. First, a Bayesian learning method for stability lobe identification using test results is described. Each axial depth and spindle speed combination is characterized by a probability of stability which is updated using Bayes’ rule when a test result (stable or unstable) is made available. A novel likelihood function is defined which incorporates knowledge of the stability behavior. Numerical results show convergence to the analytical stability lobe diagram. Second, an adaptive experimental strategy to identify optimal operating parameters that maximize material removal rate is described. Numerical evaluation shows convergence to the optimal operating point with error less than 15 % within ten tests on average. The approach is validated using experimental results. Results show that the proposed method is an efficient and robust learning method to identify the stability lobe diagram and optimal operating parameters with a limited number of tests/data points.

Bayesian machine learning↗

Numerical solution of the vertical structure equation in the normal mode method

In the present model of multilayered stability stratification, aimed at obtaining the analytic eigensolutions of the vertical structure equation, each layer is characterized by its own static stability value. By requiring continuity of pressure and vertical velocity across each interface level, and by imposing suitable upper and lower boundary conditions, matching eigensolutions are obtained in terms of the Bessel functions. Attention is given to an explicit example of a double-layered stratified atmosphere which demonstrates the mathematical manipulations involved; the resultant vertical structure functions are used to check the accuracy of the numerical solutions by the finite difference and finite element methods.

Sasaki, Y. K.↗

Buckling Design Studies of Inverted, Oblate Bulkheads for a Propellant Tank

An investigation of the deformation and buckling characteristics of a composite, oblate bulkhead that has an inverted geometry and is subjected to pressure-only loading is presented for three bulkhead geometries and thicknesses. The effects of a stiffening support ring at the bulkhead to cylinder interface are also evaluated. Buckling analyses conducted using the axisymmetric shell code BOSOR4 are discussed for several bulkhead configurations. These results are analytically verified using results from the Structural Analysis of General Shells (STAGS) code for a selected bulkhead configuration. The buckling characterization of an inverted, oblate bulkhead requires careful attention as small changes in bulkhead parameters can have a significant effect on the critical buckling load. Comparison of BOSOR4 and STAGS results provided a very good correlation between the two analysis methods. In addition, the analysis code BOSOR4 was found to be an efficient sizing tool that is useful during the preliminary design stage of a practical shell structure. Together, these two aspects should give the design engineer confidence in sizing these stability critical structures. Additional characterization is warranted, especially for a composite tank structure, since only one bulkhead configuration was examined closely.

Smeltzer, Stanley S., III↗

Assessing Physical Relationships Between Atmospheric State, Fluxes, and Boundary Layer Stability at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Observations at McMurdo Station, Antarctica from 24 November 2015 through 3 January 2017 were used to characterize the physical relationships between boundary layer stability and atmospheric state and fluxes. The basis of this analysis was self-organizing maps (SOMs), a neural network algorithm, used to identify the range of potential temperature profiles present in the twice-daily radiosonde data during the ARM (Atmospheric Radiation Measurement) West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) campaign. The SOM identified profiles ranging from strongly stable to weakly stable regimes over the lowest 500 m of the atmosphere. It was found that in the winter (MJJA), moderate and strongly stable regimes occur most frequently (61%), while weakly stable regimes dominate in the summer (DJ, 83.4%). The mechanisms responsible for the dominance of different stability regimes in each season were analyzed to determine why these regimes occur with varying frequency throughout the year. This analysis found that wind speed variations and radiative cooling are responsible for the stability observed in the winter, radiative warming, as well as weaker wind speeds, are responsible for summer weak stability, and stability variations in the transition seasons (FMA, SON) are characterized by a change in sign of net radiation with increasing stability, as wind speed changes little across stability regimes. Low-level jets were observed to occur about 50% of the time below areas of enhanced stability aloft and were observed most frequently in the transition seasons. The boundary layer depth, as determined by the Bulk Richardson number, was found to decrease with increasing stability.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Requirements and Design Reference Mission for the WFIRST-AFTA Coronagraph Instrument

The WFIRST-AFTA coronagraph instrument take s advantage of AFTA s 2.4 -meter aperture to provide novel exoplanet imaging science at approximately the same instrument cost as an Explorer mission. The AFTA coronagraph also matures direct imaging technologies to high TRL for an Exo-Earth Imager in the next decade. The coronagraph Design Reference Mission (DRM) optical design is based on the highly successful High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT), with modifications to accommodate the AFTA telescope design, service-ability, volume constraints, and the addition of an Integral Field Spectrograph (IFS). In order to optimally satisfy the three science objectives of planet imaging, planet spectral characterization and dust debris imaging, the coronagraph is designed to operate in two different modes : Hybrid Lyot Coronagraph or Shaped Pupil Coronagraph. Active mechanisms change pupil masks, focal plane masks, yot masks, and bandpass filters to shift between modes. A single optical beam train can thus operate alternatively as two different coronagraph architecture s. Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP) analysis predict s the instrument contrast with the Low Order Wave Front Control loop closed. The STOP analysis was also used to verify that the optical/structural/thermal design provides the extreme stability required for planet characterization in the presence of thermal disturbances expected in a typical observing scenario. This paper describes the instrument design and the flow down from science requirements to high level engineering requirements.

contrast↗

Transition Delay in Hypersonic Boundary Layers via Optimal Perturbations

The effect of nonlinear optimal streaks on disturbance growth in a Mach 6 axisymmetric flow over a 7deg half-angle cone is investigated in an e ort to expand the range of available techniques for transition control. Plane-marching parabolized stability equations are used to characterize the boundary layer instability in the presence of azimuthally periodic streaks. The streaks are observed to stabilize nominally planar Mack mode instabilities, although oblique Mack mode disturbances are destabilized. Experimentally measured transition onset in the absence of any streaks correlates with an amplification factor of N = 6 for the planar Mack modes. For high enough streak amplitudes, the transition threshold of N = 6 is not reached by the Mack mode instabilities within the length of the cone, but subharmonic first mode instabilities, which are destabilized by the presence of the streaks, reach N = 6 near the end of the cone. These results suggest a passive flow control strategy of using micro vortex generators to induce streaks that would delay transition in hypersonic boundary layers.

Boundary layer transition↗

Toward Thermally Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Vesicles Fabricated by Block Copolymer Blends for Nanocarriers

Polymeric vesicles, characterized by enhanced colloidal stability, excellent mechanical properties, controllable surface functionality, and adjustable membrane thickness, are extremely useful in nano- and bio-technology for potential applications as nanosized carriers for drugs and enzymes. However, a few preparative steps are necessary to achieve a unilamellar vesicle with a narrow size distribution. Herein, we report the spontaneous formation of unilamellar polymeric vesicles with nanometer sizes (<50 nm), fabricated by simply mixing diblock copolymers (P(EO-AGE)(2K-2K) and P(EO-AGE)(0.75K-2K)) with differing hydrophilic mass fractions in aqueous solutions. Depending on the mixing ratio of block copolymers and the temperature, the block copolymer mixtures self-assemble into various nanostructures, such as spherical and cylindrical micelles, or vesicles. The self-assembled structures of the block copolymer mixtures were characterized by small-angle neutron scattering, resulting in a phase diagram drawn as a function of temperature and the mixing condition. Notably, the critical temperature for the micelle-to-vesicle phase transition can be easily controlled by altering the mixing conditions; it decreases with an increase in the concentration of one of the block copolymers.

block copolymers↗

Heat Transfer and Thermal Stability Research for Advanced Hydrocarbon Fuel Technologies

In recent years there has been increased interest in the development of a new generation of high performance boost rocket engines. These efforts, which will represent a substantial advancement in boost engine technology over that developed for the Space Shuttle Main Engines in the early 1970s, are being pursued both at NASA and the United States Air Force. NASA, under its Space Launch Initiative s Next Generation Launch Technology Program, is investigating the feasibility of developing a highly reliable, long-life, liquid oxygen/kerosene (RP-1) rocket engine for launch vehicles. One of the top technical risks to any engine program employing hydrocarbon fuels is the potential for fuel thermal stability and material compatibility problems to occur under the high-pressure, high-temperature conditions required for regenerative fuel cooling of the engine combustion chamber and nozzle. Decreased heat transfer due to carbon deposits forming on wetted fuel components, corrosion of materials common in engine construction (copper based alloys), and corrosion induced pressure drop increases have all been observed in laboratory tests simulating rocket engine cooling channels. To mitigate these risks, the knowledge of how these fuels behave in high temperature environments must be obtained. Currently, due to the complexity of the physical and chemical process occurring, the only way to accomplish this is empirically. Heated tube testing is a well-established method of experimentally determining the thermal stability and heat transfer characteristics of hydrocarbon fuels. The popularity of this method stems from the low cost incurred in testing when compared to hot fire engine tests, the ability to have greater control over experimental conditions, and the accessibility of the test section, facilitating easy instrumentation. These benefits make heated tube testing the best alternative to hot fire engine testing for thermal stability and heat transfer research. This investigation used the Heated Tube Facility at the NASA Glenn Research Center to perform a thermal stability and heat transfer characterization of RP-1 in an environment simulating that of a high chamber pressure, regenerative cooled rocket engine. The first step in the research was to investigate the carbon deposition process of previous heated tube experiments by performing scanning electron microscopic analysis in conjunction with energy dispersive spectroscopy on the tube sections. This analysis gave insight into the carbon deposition process and the effect that test conditions played in the formation of deleterious coke. Furthermore, several different formations were observed and noted. One other crucial finding of this investigation was that in sulfur containing hydrocarbon fuels, the interaction of the sulfur components with copper based wall materials presented a significant corrosion problem. This problem in many cases was more life limiting than those posed by the carbon deposition process. The results of this microscopic analysis was detailed and presented at the December 2003 JANNAF Air-Breathing Propulsion Meeting as a Materials Compatibility and Thermal Stability Analysis of common Hydrocarbon Fuels (reference 1).

DeWitt, Kenneth↗

Flame stabilization in DME spray flames under engine-relevant conditions characterized by OH* chemiluminescence and formaldehyde laser-induced fluorescence

The transient and quasi-steady flame structures of Dimethyl Ether (DME) fuel sprays, produced by a single-hole injector (Spray D), were investigated using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) and chemiluminescence imaging in a constant-volume chamber under Engine Combustion Network (ECN) Spray A conditions (900 K ambient temperature, 60 bar ambient pressure, 1500 bar injection pressure, and 22.8 kg/m 3 ambient density). Low-temperature chemical reaction zones were visualized using formaldehyde (CH 2 O) PLIF with 355 nm excitation, while high-temperature flame regions were captured via chemiluminescence imaging of excited-state hydroxyl radicals (OH*). Both transient and quasi-steady flame structures clearly show the transition from CH 2 O to OH*, highlighting the progression from low- to high-temperature combustion, while the position of the flame is displaced for DME compared to reference hydrocarbon n-dodecane. Homogeneous reactor calculations with detailed chemistry and using adiabatic mixing for initial temperature show that CH 2 O peaks are significantly higher for DME at the same equivalence ratio, with a higher heat-release during the cool-flame regime with respect to the fuel heating value. Thus, the cool-flame dynamic as a precursor to high-temperature combustion and flame stabilization exhibit distinct behavior for DME relative to conventional hydrocarbons, and these phenomena are effectively resolved through the soot-free nature of DME and the high-speed, time-resolved diagnostics.

CH2O laser-induced fluorescence↗

EO-1 Hyperion Reflectance Time Series at Calibration and Validation Sites: Stability and Sensitivity to Seasonal Dynamics

This study evaluated Earth Observing 1 (EO-1) Hyperion reflectance time series at established calibration sites to assess the instrument stability and suitability for monitoring vegetation functional parameters. Our analysis using three pseudo-invariant calibration sites in North America indicated that the reflectance time series are devoid of apparent spectral trends and their stability consistently is within 2.5-5 percent throughout most of the spectral range spanning the 12-plus year data record. Using three vegetated sites instrumented with eddy covariance towers, the Hyperion reflectance time series were evaluated for their ability to determine important variables of ecosystem function. A number of narrowband and derivative vegetation indices (VI) closely described the seasonal profiles in vegetation function and ecosystem carbon exchange (e.g., net and gross ecosystem productivity) in three very different ecosystems, including a hardwood forest and tallgrass prairie in North America, and a Miombo woodland in Africa. Our results demonstrate the potential for scaling the carbon flux tower measurements to local and regional landscape levels. The VIs with stronger relationships to the CO2 parameters were derived using continuous reflectance spectra and included wavelengths associated with chlorophyll content and/or chlorophyll fluorescence. Since these indices cannot be calculated from broadband multispectral instrument data, the opportunity to exploit these spectrometer-based VIs in the future will depend on the launch of satellites such as EnMAP and HyspIRI. This study highlights the practical utility of space-borne spectrometers for characterization of the spectral stability and uniformity of the calibration sites in support of sensor cross-comparisons, and demonstrates the potential of narrowband VIs to track and spatially extend ecosystem functional status as well as carbon processes measured at flux towers.

Calibration↗

Effect of Hydrogen on Steady-State and Transient Combustion Instability Characteristics

This paper examines the effects of steady-state and transient hydrogen enrichment on thermoacoustic instability in a model gas turbine combustor. Combustion instability, a feedback loop between flame heat release rate oscillations and combustor acoustics, is characterized in a swirl-stabilized flame operated at a range of hydrogen–natural gas fuel blends and heat rates. Measurements of combustor chamber pressure fluctuations and CH* chemiluminescence imaging are used to characterize instability at a range of operating conditions. Steady-state tests show that both mixture heat rate and hydrogen content affect system stability. At a given heat rate, higher levels of hydrogen result in unstable combustion. As heat rate increases, instability occurs at lower concentrations of hydrogen in the fuel. Transient operation was tested in two directions—instability onset and decay—and two hydrogen-addition times—a short time of 1 ms and a longer time of 4 s. Results show that instability onset processes, through the transient addition of hydrogen, are highly repeatable regardless of the timescale of hydrogen addition. Certain instability decay processes are less repeatable, resulting in cases that do not fully transition from unstable to stable combustion despite similar changes in hydrogen fuel flow rate. Flame behavior before, during, and after the transient is characterized using high-speed CH* chemiluminescence imaging. Analysis of the high-speed images shows changes in flame stabilization and dynamics during the onset and decay processes. Finally, the results of this study can have implications for systems that experience variations in fuel composition, particularly in light of growing interest in hydrogen as a renewable fuel.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Connecting cation site location to alkane dehydrogenation activity in Ni/BEA catalysts

Ni-modified beta zeolite (Ni/BEA) catalysts activate carbon-hydrogen bonds in light alkanes, as demonstrated through isobutane reaction testing. Controlled synthesis of Ni/BEA allows for efficient introduction of ion-exchanged Ni sites at varying Ni loadings (0.43% - 1.8%). These catalysts exhibit site time yields (STY) for H2 production that increase with increasing Ni loading. A detailed analysis of secondary reactions and carbon deposition based on the relative molar flowrates of product C and H indicates that the observed increase in H2 STY with increasing Ni loading is likely attributed to both increasing alkane activation activity and increasing formation of hydrogen-deficient aromatic products retained within the catalyst pores. In situ diffuse-reflectance UV-visible-NIR absorbance and X-ray absorption spectroscopies indicate isolated, 4-coordinate Ni(2+) species for all loadings. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics modeling identifies two distinct Ni(2+) sites consistent with the structural characterization, but with differing relative stabilities due to their coordination environment. Computed reaction energetics for isobutane dehydrogenation demonstrate that the more stable Ni(2+) species at a six-membered 4Si-2Al ring, Ni-6MR, is less active for isobutane dehydrogenation than the less stable Ni(2+) at the five-membered 3Si-2Al ring, Ni-5MR. The differing local structure of the isolated cationic Ni sites in Ni/BEA offers a possible rationalization for the increased H2 STY observed at greater Ni loadings.

catalysts↗

Disturbance Propagation Stability in Droop-Controlled Microgrids

The disturbance response of the angle dynamics for a droop-controlled islanded microgrid is characterized. Specifically, a notion of propagation stability is defined, which is concerned with spatial attenuation vs amplification of input- output responses in the network in a H8 or H2 sense. Criteria for propagation stability are developed, phrased in terms of the microgrid’s inverter control parameters. The input frequency range over which the network is susceptible to amplification is also characterized, in the case that the criteria are not met. Based on the formal analysis, a the design of resilient controls that trade off coherence and disturbance propagation goals is briefly conceptualized. Finally, the propagation stability analysis is illustrate using a 15-bus example microgrid network.

Roy, Sandip↗

Modeling the influence of the solid electrolyte interphase on the sand’s time and dendrite formation on lithium metal electrodes

Lithium metal is a sought after battery material for its high energy density due to the low electrochemical potential and density. However, lithium metal is also highly reactive, which results in a strong propensity for dendrite formation. The Sand’s time has previously been used to predict the time of dendrite initiation on metals that do not form a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), but it has been shown that the Sand’s time is not accurate for lithium electrodes when using transport parameters associated with the electrolyte. Thus, we built a numerical model to simulate lithium ion transport through a growing SEI to predict the Sand’s time. The numerical model is shown to be more accurate than previous analytical solutions, especially for low current densities. We then analyze the sensitivity of the Sand’s time to different SEI properties and the chemical potential gradients present in the SEI, driving lithium transport. The results showed that high lithium concentration has a greater impact at high current density, while fast diffusivity is more important at low current density. Lastly, we modeled the influence of surface roughness on the plating evolution and chemical potential gradients when an SEI is present in comparison to the electrolyte. As a result, we demonstrate that the SEI plays a critical role in lithium electrode stability, and that improved characterization techniques are needed to better understand transport through the SEI and increase lithium metal utilization in energy storage devices.

Chemistry↗

Quantifying Uncertainties in Modeling Wind Resource Data from Different PBL Schemes in the WRF Model: A Case Study Over the Puerto Rico Region

This study examines the modeling uncertainty of wind resource data stemming from the use of various planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations available in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. WRF-based wind simulations spanning 20 years at 3-km resolution using 11 different PBL schemes are used to objectively investigate the uncertainty in modeling wind speed for land-based wind (LBW) and offshore wind (OSW) locations in Puerto Rico. The uncertainty in the wind modeling for the 20-year dataset is quantified using the spread index (SI) and standard deviation (SD). For virtual LBW and OSW sites, the SI and SD values are analyzed as calculated across various spatial and temporal scales. Because the PBL's atmospheric stability conditions can be characterized into two dominant categories, the study focuses on analyzing the SI and SD for daytime (mainly unstable PBL conditions) and nighttime (mainly stable PBL conditions). For wind shear (10 m-200 m) at the OSW and LBW sites, WRF-based numerical experiments indicate the following SI (or SD) ranges: 39%-94% (0.74 m/s-1.44 m/s) during the daytime for OSW, 50%-75% (0.68 m/s-1.19 m/s) during the daytime for LBW, 37%-60% (0.73 m/s-1.12 m/s) during the nighttime for OSW, and 57%-143 % (0.65 m/s-1.43 m/s) during the nighttime for LBW. While a high SI is observed when modeling LBW during the nighttime, there are notable modeling uncertainties during the daytime on the leeward side of the orographic barriers for Puerto Rico.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

The role of Ca-bridged organic matter in an alkaline soil, as revealed by multimodal chemical imaging

Mineral–organic matter (OM) studies have predominantly focused on acidic soils that are abundant in iron (Fe) oxides and aluminum (Al) oxides. We have probed mineral–OM interactions in an alkaline or calcareous soil of the Aridisols class. Unlike the role of Fe and Al, the role of Ca-minerals (particularly calcite), which are ubiquitous in alkaline soils, in OM sequestration is not well understood. Multiple recent model studies with aqueous Ca2+ or synthetic calcite and a suite of OM compounds have shown Ca-OM assemblages to be spatially correlated with calcite at the microscale. To study the chemical state of both Ca and Fe and their competing role in soil organic matter (SOM) stabilization, we performed laboratory characterization using x-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy, alongside synchrotron-based microscale chemical imaging using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy combined with near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure. Ca mineral–organic associations were found to be ubiquitous in this system and are likely critical for understanding SOM stabilization/degradation in alkaline soils. From our findings on mineralogy, speciation, and the nature of Ca-OM bridging, we identified differences in C and Ca chemistry based on the relative location of OM to Ca minerals. The OM near the calcite crystal was enriched in lipid and protein moieties, Ca-OM next to Fe minerals displayed a strong contribution from aromatic compounds, while on the surface of microbes, the carbonate was believed to be of microbial in origin, as also suggested by preliminary works reporting on the formation of amorphous calcite or nano-calcite. In Ca-OM admixed with carbonate, it was difficult to distinguish Ca-associated OM from amorphous calcite or nano-calcite.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Characterization of high thermal conductivity fuel surrogates before and after ion irradiation

High thermal conductivity nuclear fuels offer important potential advantages over traditional oxide-based fuels such as higher burnup, reduction in fission gas release, and better overall safety of the system. One proposed approach to high thermal conductivity fuels utilizes high thermal conductivity nonfissile additives with UO 2 fuel to lower the fuel operating temperature and thereby take advantage of the highly favorable radiation resistance of UO 2 at lower operating temperatures. However, differential swelling in the matrix and high conductivity additive phases during high dose irradiation could lead to internal cracking and poor performance. In the current study, ceria (CeO 2 ) and zirconia (ZrO 2 ) surrogate matrices were used to model UO2 behavior. Additives of 10 vol. % Al 2 O 3 or SiC in the form of short fibers or platelets were used for the high conductivity second phase. The nuclear fuel surrogates were sintered to achieve densities greater than 93% of the ideal values. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and X-ray diffraction confirmed the uniform distribution of the second phase and that no intermetallic second phase was formed during sintering. The thermal conductivity of the sintered samples was measured from 50 °C to 900 °C and confirmed the desirable increase compared to pure CeO 2 /ZrO 2 pellets. Samples were irradiated with 20 MeV Ni 6+ ions at midrange doses ranging from 1 to 15 displacements per atom (dpa) and temperatures from 300 °C to 700 °C. Post irradiation characterization revealed a good stability of the samples at low to medium doses with matrix lattice parameter swelling of < 0.14 % but showed a significant microstructural deterioration and decrease of the mechanical properties at 15 dpa.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

High Density Two-Component Glasses of Organic Semiconductors Prepared by Physical Vapor Deposition

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is widely utilized for the production of organic semiconductor devices due to its ability to form thin layers with exceptional properties. Although the layers in the device usually consist of two or more components, there is limited understanding about the fundamental characteristics of such multi-component vapor-deposited glasses. Here, spectroscopic ellipsometry was employed to characterize the densities, thermal stabilities and optical properties of co-vapor deposited NPD and TPD glasses across the entire range of composition. We find that co-deposited NPD and TPD form high density glasses with enhanced thermal stability. The dependences of density and stability upon substrate temperature are correlated, and the birefringence of the co-deposited glasses is determined by the reduced substrate temperature of mixtures. Additionally, we observe that the transformation of a highly stable and dense two-component glass into its supercooled liquid initiates from the free surface and propagates into the bulk at constant velocity, like single component PVD glasses. As a result, all these features are consistent with the surface equilibration mechanism.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗