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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 325 records · Page 18

Large-Scale Simulation of a Distributed Sensing Network Supporting Regional Urban Air Mobility Operations

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is set to transform transportation in densely populated regions like the San Francisco Bay Area. This paper introduces an innovative simulation approach to explore large-scale UAM scenarios, emphasizing the use of distributed sensing to enhance operational efficiency and safety. The Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) model is employed as the framework for simulating complex interactions among multiple vehicles within urban landscapes. Strategically deployed ground sensor nodes enable distributed sensing, enhancing situational awareness and operational effectiveness. By integrating empirical data and geographical realism, the simulations provide a systematic analysis of the feasibility, efficiency, and safety considerations associated with UAM deployment in urban environments. Factors such as air traffic density and infrastructural requirements are thoroughly examined, offering actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders. This paper aims to refine the structure and scenarios for large-scale simulations based on distributed sensing, thereby contributing to the advancement of UAM operations.

Aircraft Mobility↗

A model to simulate the oxygen distribution in hypoxic tumors for different vascular architectures

Purpose: As hypoxic cells are more resistant to photon radiation, it is desirable to obtain information about the oxygen distribution in tumors prior to the radiation treatment. Noninvasive techniques are currently not able to provide reliable oxygenation maps with sufficient spatial resolution; therefore mathematical models may help to simulate microvascular architectures and the resulting oxygen distributions in the surrounding tissue. Here, the authors present a new computer model, which uses the vascular fraction of tumor voxels, in principle measurable noninvasively in vivo, as input parameter for simulating realistic PO2 histograms in tumors, assuming certain 3D vascular architectures.Methods: Oxygen distributions were calculated by solving a reaction-diffusion equation in a reference volume using the particle strength exchange method. Different types of vessel architectures as well as different degrees of vascular heterogeneities are considered. Two types of acute hypoxia (ischemic and hypoxemic) occurring additionally to diffusion-limited (chronic) hypoxia were implemented as well.Results: No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing 2D- and 3D-vessel architectures (p > 0.79 in all cases) and highly heterogeneously distributed linear vessels show good agreement, when comparing with published experimental intervessel distance distributions and PO2 histograms. It could be shown that, if information about additional acute hypoxia is available, its contribution to the hypoxic fraction (HF) can be simulated as well. Increases of 128% and 168% in the HF were obtained when representative cases of ischemic and hypoxemic acute hypoxia, respectively, were considered in the simulations.Conclusions: The presented model is able to simulate realistic microscopic oxygen distributions in tumors assuming reasonable vessel architectures and using the vascular fraction as macroscopic input parameter. The model may be used to generate PO2 histograms, which are needed as input in models predicting the radiation response of hypoxic tumors.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Improving Project Management with Simulation and Completion Distribution Functions

Despite the critical importance of project completion timeliness, management practices in place today remain inadequate for addressing the persistent problem of project completion tardiness. A major culprit in late projects is uncertainty, which most, if not all, projects are inherently subject to. This uncertainty resides in the estimates for activity durations, the occurrence of unplanned and unforeseen events, and the availability of critical resources. In response to this problem, this research developed a comprehensive simulation based methodology for conducting quantitative project completion time risk analysis. It is called the Project Assessment by Simulation Technique (PAST). This new tool enables project stakeholders to visualize uncertainty or risk, i.e. the likelihood of their project completing late and the magnitude of the lateness, by providing them with a completion time distribution function of their projects. Discrete event simulation is used within PAST to determine the completion distribution function for the project of interest. The simulation is populated with both deterministic and stochastic elements. The deterministic inputs include planned project activities, precedence requirements, and resource requirements. The stochastic inputs include activity duration growth distributions, probabilities for events that can impact the project, and other dynamic constraints that may be placed upon project activities and milestones. These stochastic inputs are based upon past data from similar projects. The time for an entity to complete the simulation network, subject to both the deterministic and stochastic factors, represents the time to complete the project. Repeating the simulation hundreds or thousands of times allows one to create the project completion distribution function. The Project Assessment by Simulation Technique was demonstrated to be effective for the on-going NASA project to assemble the International Space Station. Approximately $500 million per month is being spent on this project, which is scheduled to complete by 2010. NASA project stakeholders participated in determining and managing completion distribution functions produced from PAST. The first result was that project stakeholders improved project completion risk awareness. Secondly, using PAST, mitigation options were analyzed to improve project completion performance and reduce total project cost.

Cates, Grant R.↗

Outer rim simulation: Predicting matter distribution in a universe with billions of galaxies

Anticipating the completion of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) in 2021 in Chile, Argonne scientists have created one of the largest simulations ever produced, the Outer Rim simulation. As it follows the evolution of matter distribution in the universe and the influence of dark energy, the Outer Rim simulation helps researchers make predictions on what they should expect to see when pointing a next generation telescope like the LSST in its direction. Argonne is helping to develop advanced supercomputing and data analysis tools in support of the LSST.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Modeling and Compensation Design for a Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation of an AC Distribution System

Power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulation, where actual hardware under text is coupled with a real-time digital model in closed loop, is a powerful tool for analyzing new methods of control for emerging distributed power systems. However, without careful design and compensation of the interface between the simulated and actual systems, PHIL simulations may exhibit instability and modeling inaccuracies. This paper addresses issues that arise in the PHIL simulation of a hardware battery inverter interfaced with a simulated distribution feeder. Both the stability and accuracy issues are modeled and characterized, and a methodology for design of PHIL interface compensation to ensure stability and accuracy is presented. The stability and accuracy of the resulting compensated PHIL simulation is then shown by experiment.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

ON THE COMPETITION BETWEEN RADIAL EXPANSION AND COULOMB COLLISIONS IN SHAPING THE ELECTRON VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION: KINETIC SIMULATIONS

We present numerical simulations of the solar wind using a fully kinetic model which takes into account the effects of particle's binary collisions in a quasi-neutral plasma in spherical expansion. Starting from an isotropic Maxwellian velocity distribution function for the electrons, we show that the combined effect of expansion and Coulomb collisions leads to the formation of two populations: a collision-dominated cold and dense population almost isotropic in velocity space and a weakly collisional, tenuous field-aligned and antisunward drifting population generated by mirror force focusing in the radially decreasing magnetic field. The relative weights and drift velocities for the two populations observed in our simulations are in excellent agreement with the relative weights and drift velocities for both core and strahl populations observed in the real solar wind. The radial evolution of the main moments of the electron velocity distribution function is in the range observed in the solar wind. The electron temperature anisotropy with respect to the magnetic field direction is found to be related to the ratio between the collisional time and the solar wind expansion time. Even though collisions are found to shape the electron velocity distributions and regulate the properties of the strahl, it is found that the heat flux is conveniently described by a collisionless model where a fraction of the electron thermal energy is advected at the solar wind speed. This reinforces the currently largely admitted fact that collisions in the solar wind are clearly insufficient to force the electron heat flux obey the classical Spitzer-Haerm expression where heat flux and temperature gradient are proportional to each other. The presented results show that the electron dynamics in the solar wind cannot be understood without considering the role of collisions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Modeling and Compensation Design for a Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation of an AC Distribution System: Preprint

Power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulation, where actual hardware under text is coupled with a real-time digital model in closed loop, is a powerful tool for analyzing new methods of control for emerging distributed power systems. However, without careful design and compensation of the interface between the simulated and actual systems, PHIL simulations may exhibit instability and modeling inaccuracies. This paper addresses issues that arise in the PHIL simulation of a hardware battery inverter interfaced with a simulated distribution feeder. Both the stability and accuracy issues are modeled and characterized, and a methodology for design of PHIL interface compensation to ensure stability and accuracy is presented. The stability and accuracy of the resulting compensated PHIL simulation is then shown by experiment.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Dynamic-Phasor Model of Transformer Inrush Simulation for Unbalanced Distribution System

Abstract— Power system stability is a critical concern, with respect to the increasing distributed energy resources, microgrids, and emphasis on enhancing resiliency. For stability analysis and evaluation, modeling and simulation capabilities are important. In this paper, the authors’ previous work on modeling transformer inrush dynamics is improved with a new formulation of the key equation that converts the dynamic-phasor into real-time value. Simulation results in an electromechanical time-scale are compared with PSCAD results in an electromagnetic time-scale to demonstrate the improvement. The impact of simulation step size is discussed. A bug in PSCAD transformer setting that leads to incorrect magnetizing flux and current under Delta winding type is identified and reported. In addition, explanations and analysis are provided on two modeling techniques utilized since the previous work. This work is being incorporated into the next release of GridLAB-D. The improved transformer inrush calculation enables more accurate predictions of current amplitudes for analyzing the dynamics of distribution operation and control.

power transformers, power system simulation, satur↗

Phase space distribution functions and energy distributions of dark matter particles in haloes

ABSTRACT For a spherical dark matter halo with isotropic velocity distribution, the phase space distribution function (DF), the energy distribution, and the density profile form a set of self-consistent description of its equilibrium state, and knowing one is sufficient to determine the other two. The Navarro–Frenk–White density profile (NFW profile) is known to be a good approximation to the spherically averaged density distribution in simulated haloes. The DARKexp energy distribution is also known to compare well with the simulated energy distribution. We present a quantitative assessment of the NFW and DARKexp fits to the simulated DF and energy distribution for a wide range of haloes in a dark-matter-only simulation from the IllustrisTNG Project. As expected, we find that the NFW fits work well except at low energy when the density at small radii deviates from the NFW profile. Further, the NFW and DARKexp fits have comparable accuracy in the region where both fit well, but the DARKexp fits are better at low energy because they require matching of the central gravitational potential. We also find an approximate relation between the energy scale parametrizing the DARKexp energy distribution and that defined by the characteristic density and radius of the NFW profile. This relation may be linked to the relaxation process during halo formation.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Simulation of spatial distribution of absorbed laser energy in spherical microcapsules

Specific features of optical field distribution in composite spherical particles consisting of a liquid core and nanocomposite absorbing shell are theoretically studied at different wavelengths of incident radiation. Using the numerical simulation it is shown that the thickness of the shell of the spherical microcapsule particle and its intrinsic absorption coefficient determine the character of the spatial distribution and the absorbed power. The variation of these parameters allows one to change the spatial position of efficient volume absorption regions and peak absorption values. This provides favourable conditions for opening the shells in appropriate spatial zones to release the contents of the microcapsules. (interaction of laser radiation with matter)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Simulations of Multiplicity Distributions and Perturbations to Nubar Data [Slides]

The objectives of this project are: (1) Use covariance data to generate random samples of energy dependent nubar; (2) Input the new samples of nubar into MCNP; (3) Run simulations and compare to experimental data; and (4) Repeat until a set of nubar that matches multiplicity distribution without significantly altering k{sub eff} is found. Some conclusions are: (1) Demonstrated that by adjusting nubar within covariance data can recreate multiplicity distributions correctly; (2) k eff was not changed that significantly, and more trials will likely generate a better result; (3) Can adjust FOM to produce a set of data that does what is desired; and (4) The covariances are tiny relative to the variances.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Simulation of dose distribution for iridium-192 brachytherapy source type-H01 using MCNPX

Dosimetric data for a brachytherapy source should be known before it used for clinical treatment. Iridium-192 source type H01 was manufactured by PRR-BATAN aimed to brachytherapy is not yet known its dosimetric data. Radial dose function and anisotropic dose distribution are some primary keys in brachytherapy source. Dose distribution for Iridium-192 source type H01 was obtained from the dose calculation formalism recommended in the AAPM TG-43U1 report using MCNPX 2.6.0 Monte Carlo simulation code. To know the effect of cavity on Iridium-192 type H01 caused by manufacturing process, also calculated on Iridium-192 type H01 if without cavity. The result of calculation of radial dose function and anisotropic dose distribution for Iridium-192 source type H01 were compared with another model of Iridium-192 source.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

A Framework for Model Validation and Calibration of Microgrid Components Using PMU Data

This paper presents a framework for phasor measurement-based component model validation and calibration islanded microgrids, with emphasis on grid-forming inverters. Real measurements from the Plum Island microgrid facility are used to calibrate the model of a commercial inverter in the open-source phasor-based distribution system simulator GridLAB-D.Limitations of current distribution system simulators in replicating the behavior of commercial inverters are also identified.

microgrid, Synchrophasor data, model validation↗

Impact of microwave derived soil moisture on hydrologic simulations using a spatially distributed water balance model

Spatial distributions of soil moisture over an agricultural watershed with a drainage area of 60 ha were derived from two NASA microwave remote sensors, and then used as a feedback to determine the initial condition for a distributed water balance model. Simulated hydrologic fluxes over a period of twelve days were compared with field observations and with model predictions based on a streamflow derived initial condition. The results indicated that even the low resolution remotely sensed data can improve the hydrologic model's performance in simulating the dynamics of unsaturated zone soil moisture. For the particular watershed under study, the simulated water budget was not sensitive to the resolutions of the microwave sensors.

Lin, D. S.↗

Coarsening Up: Expanding the Particle Size Distributions of Lunar Simulants to Encompass A Comprehensive Range of Regolith Granularity

Due to a paucity of lunar regolith samples, simulated granular materials (simulants) have been developed and deployed for a variety of engineering and research purposes in an attempt to meet the requirements for lunar exploration. Broadly speaking, these manufactured materials aim to replicate the compositional (i.e., mineralogy and chemistry) and physical (e.g., particle size distribution, particle shape) profiles of lunar soil samples collected during the Apollo missions. While creating a “near-perfect” lunar simulant is prohibitive due to the unique formative processes (i.e., meteorite impacts, solar wind implantation) and conditions (anhydrous, reducing environment and exposure to radiation on the surface over billions of years) encountered on the moon, certain granular properties of the regolith can be recreated with a high level of fidelity by leveraging contemporary technologies. A fundamental physical property and descriptor, grain size can be correlated between samples and replicated through processing; however, a holistic understanding of the particle size distribution of lunar regolith must be considered when creating analog materials. This study produces particle size distributions for Apollo 16 returned samples, incorporating the sieved out >1 cm coarse-grained fraction, in order to provide a more comprehensive characterization of surficial lunar regolith grain sizes for the development of highlands-type granular analog testing materials.

R. N. Kovtun↗

Determining Levels of Detail for Simulators of Parallel and Distributed Computing Systems via Automated Calibration

There are two sources of inaccuracy when simulating parallel and distributed computing systems: (i) a simulator implemented at an insufficient level of detail; and (ii) incorrectly calibrated simulation parameter values. Increasing the simulator’s level of detail can improve accuracy, but at the cost of higher space, time, and/or software complexity. Furthermore, evaluating the intrinsic accuracy of a simulator requires that its parameters be well-calibrated. Making decisions regarding the level of detail is thus challenging. We propose a methodology for instantiating the simulation calibration process and a framework for automating this process, which makes it possible to pick appropriate levels of detail for any simulator. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach via two case studies for two different domains.

McDonald, Jessie [University of Hawaii at Manoa, H↗

Open-source framework for power system transmission and distribution dynamics co-simulation

The promise of the smart grid entails more interactions between the transmission and distribution networks, and there is an immediate need for tools to provide the comprehensive modelling and simulation required to integrate operations at both transmission and distribution levels. Existing electromagnetic transient simulators can perform simulations with integration of transmission and distribution systems, but the computational burden is high for large-scale system analysis. For transient stability analysis, currently there are only separate tools for simulating transient dynamics of the transmission and distribution systems. In this paper, we introduce an open source co-simulation framework “Framework for Network Co-Simulation” (FNCS), together with the decoupled simulation approach that links existing transmission and distribution dynamic simulators through FNCS. FNCS is a middleware interface and framework that manages the interaction and synchronization of the transmission and distribution simulators. Preliminary testing results show the validity and capability of the proposed open-source co-simulation framework and the decoupled co-simulation methodology.

Huang, Renke↗

A single-column particle-resolved model for simulating the vertical distribution of aerosol mixing state: WRF-PartMC-MOSAIC-SCM v1.0

Abstract. The PartMC-MOSAIC particle-resolved aerosol model was previously developed to predict the aerosol mixing state as it evolves in the atmosphere. However, the modeling framework was limited to a zero-dimensional box model approach without resolving spatial gradients in aerosol concentrations. This paper presents the development of stochastic particle methods to simulate turbulent diffusion and dry deposition of aerosol particles in a vertical column within the planetary boundary layer. The new model, WRF-PartMC-MOSAIC-SCM, resolves the vertical distribution of aerosol mixing state. We verified the new algorithms with analytical solutions for idealized test cases and illustrate the capabilities with results from a 2-day urban scenario that shows the evolution of black carbon mixing state in a vertical column.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗