Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “homogeneous”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Determining whether metals nucleate homogeneously on graphite: A case study with copper

In this study, we observe that Cu clusters grow on surface terraces of graphite as a result of physical vapor deposition in ultrahigh vacuum. We show that the observation is incompatible with a variety of models incorporating homogeneous nucleation and calculations of atomic-scale energetics. An alternative explanation, ion-mediated heterogeneous nucleation, is proposed and validated, both with theory and experiment. This serves as a case study in identifying when and whether the simple, common observation of metal clusters on carbon-rich surfaces can be interpreted in terms of homogeneous nucleation. We describe a general approach for making system-specific and laboratory-specific predictions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effects of non-homogeneous flow on ADCP data processing in a hydroturbine forebay

Observations of the flow conditions in the forebay of a hydroelectric power station indicate significant regions of non-homogeneous velocities near the intakes and shoreline. The effect of these non-homogeneous regions on the velocity measurement of an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is investigated. By using a numerical model of an ADCP operating in a velocity field calculated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the errors due to the spatial variation of the flow velocity are identified. The numerical model of the ADCP is referred to herein as a Virtual ADCP (VADCP). Two scenarios are modeled in the numerical analyses presented. Firstly the measurement error of the VADCP is calculated for a single instrument adjacent to the short converging intake of the powerhouse. Secondly, the flow discharge through the forebay is estimated from a transect of VADCP instruments at dif- ferent distances from the powerhouse. The influence of instrument location and orientation are investigated for both cases. A velocity error of over up to 94% of the reference velocity is calculated for a VADCP modeled adjacent to an operating intake. Qualitative agreement is observed between the calculated VADCP velocities and reference velocities by an offset of one intake height upstream of the powerhouse.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Computational homogenization at extreme scales

Multi-scale simulations at extreme scales in terms of both physical length scales and computational resources are presented. In this letter, we introduce a hierarchically parallel computational homogenization solver that employs hundreds of thousands of computing cores and resolves in material length scales (from to ). Simulations of this kind are important in understanding the multi-scale essence of many natural and synthetically made materials. Thus, we present a simulation consisting of 53.8 Billion finite elements with 28.1 Billion nonlinear equations that is solved on 393,216 computing cores (786,432 threads). The excellent parallel performance of the computational homogenization solver is demonstrated by a strong scaling test from 4,096 to 262,144 cores. A fully coupled multi-scale damage simulation shows a complex crack profile at the micro-scale and the macroscopic crack tunneling phenomenon. Such large and predictive simulations are an important step towards Virtual Materials Testing and can aid in development of new material formulations with extreme properties. Furthermore, the high computational efficiency of our computational homogenization solver holds great promise for utilizing the next generation of exascale parallel computing platforms that are expected to accelerate computations through orders of magnitude increase in parallelism rather than speed of each processor.

Engineering↗
NASA NTRS2010

Refined Zigzag Theory for Homogeneous, Laminated Composite, and Sandwich Plates: A Homogeneous Limit Methodology for Zigzag Function Selection

The Refined Zigzag Theory (RZT) for homogeneous, laminated composite, and sandwich plates is presented from a multi-scale formalism starting with the inplane displacement field expressed as a superposition of coarse and fine contributions. The coarse kinematic field is that of first-order shear-deformation theory, whereas the fine kinematic field has a piecewise-linear zigzag distribution through the thickness. The condition of limiting homogeneity of transverse-shear properties is proposed and yields four distinct sets of zigzag functions. By examining elastostatic solutions for highly heterogeneous sandwich plates, the best-performing zigzag functions are identified. The RZT predictive capabilities to model homogeneous and highly heterogeneous sandwich plates are critically assessed, demonstrating its superior efficiency, accuracy ; and a wide range of applicability. The present theory, which is derived from the virtual work principle, is well-suited for developing computationally efficient CO-continuous finite elements, and is thus appropriate for the analysis and design of high-performance load-bearing aerospace structures.

Tessler, Alexander↗
DOE OSTI2018

Oxygen Reduction by Homogeneous Molecular Catalysts and Electrocatalysts

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key component of biological processes and energy technologies. This review provides a comprehensive report of soluble molecular catalysts and electrocatalysts for the ORR. The precise synthetic control and relative ease of mechanistic study for homogeneous molecular catalysts, as compared to heterogeneous materials or surface-adsorbed species, enables a detailed understanding of the individual steps of ORR catalysis. Thus, the review places particular emphasis on ORR mechanism and thermodynamics. First, the thermochemistry of oxygen reduction and the factors influencing ORR efficiency are described to contextualize the discussion of catalytic studies that follows. Reports of ORR catalysis are presented in terms of their mechanism, with separate sections for catalysis proceeding via initial outer- and inner-sphere electron transfer to O2. The rates and selectivities (for production of H2O2 vs H2O) of these catalysts are provided, along with suggested methods for accurately comparing catalysts of different metals and ligand scaffolds that were examined under different experimental conditions.

oxygen, electrocatalysis, molecular↗
DOE OSTI2021

Temperature Homogeneity under Selective and Localized Microwave Heating in Structured Flow Reactors

Selective heating of different phases of multiphase systems via microwaves can result in energy savings and suppression of side reactions. However, materials properties and operating conditions that maximize temperature gradients are poorly understood. Here we utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations and temperature measurements in structured flow reactors (monoliths) in a monomodal microwave cavity to assess the temperature difference between the walls and the fluid and develop a simple lumped model to estimate when temperature gradients exist. We also explore the material’s thermal and electrical properties of structured reactors for isothermal catalyst conditions. We propose that CFD simulations can be used as a nonintrusive, predictive tool of temperature homogeneity. Importantly, we demonstrate that localized heating in the bed under several conditions rather than selective heating is responsible for the selectivity enhancement. Furthermore, our results indicate that structured beds made of high thermal conductivity materials avoid arcing and enable temperature homogeneity and low electrical conductivity materials allow microwaves to penetrate the domain.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Particle dispersion in homogeneous turbulence using the one-dimensional turbulence model

Lagrangian particle dispersion is studied using the one-dimensional turbulence (ODT) model in homogeneous decaying turbulence configurations. The ODT model has been widely and successfully applied to a number of reacting and nonreacting flow configurations, but only limited application has been made to multiphase flows. Here, we present a version of the particle implementation and interaction with the stochastic and instantaneous ODT eddy events. The model is characterized by comparison to experimental data of particle dispersion for a range of intrinsic particle time scales and body forces. Particle dispersion, velocity, and integral time scale results are presented. The particle implementation introduces a single model parameter β{sub p}, and sensitivity to this parameter and behavior of the model are discussed. Good agreement is found with experimental data and the ODT model is able to capture the particle inertial and trajectory crossing effects. These results serve as a validation case of the multiphase implementations of ODT for extensions to other flow configurations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Toward optimal organ at risk sparing in complex volumetric modulated arc therapy: An exponential trade-off with target volume dose homogeneity

Purpose: Conventional radiotherapy typically aims for homogenous dose in the planning target volume (PTV) while sparing organs at risk (OAR). The authors quantified and characterized the trade-off between PTV dose inhomogeneity (IH) and OAR sparing in complex head and neck volumetric modulated arc therapy plans. Methods: Thirteen simultaneous integrated boost plans were created per patient, for ten patients. PTV boost{sub (B)}/elective{sub (E)} optimization priorities were systematically increased. IH{sub B} and IH{sub E}, defined as (100% − V95%) + V107%, were evaluated against the average of the mean dose to the combined composite swallowing and combined salivary organs (D-OAR{sub comp}). To investigate the influence of OAR size and position with respect to PTV{sub B/E}, OAR dose was evaluated against a modified Euclidean distance (DM{sub B}/DM{sub E}) between OAR and PTV. Results: Although the achievable D-OAR{sub comp} for a given level of PTV IH differed between patients, excellent logarithmic fits described the D-OAR{sub comp}/IH{sub B} and IH{sub E} relationship in all patients (mean R{sup 2} of 0.98 and 0.97, respectively). Allowing an increase in average IH{sub B} and IH{sub E} over a clinically acceptable range, e.g., from 0.4% ± 0.5% to 2.0% ± 2.0% and 6.9% ± 2.8% to 14.8% ± 2.7%, respectively, corresponded to a decrease in average dose to the composite salivary and swallowing structures from 30.3 ± 6.5 to 23.6 ± 4.7 Gy and 32.5 ± 8.3 to 26.8 ± 9.3 Gy. The increase in PTV{sub E} IH was mainly accounted for by an increase in V107, by on average 5.9%, rather than a reduction in V95, which was on average only 2%. A linear correlation was found between the OAR dose to composite swallowing structures and contralateral parotid and submandibular gland, with DM{sub E} (R{sup 2} = 0.83, 0.88, 0.95). Only mean ipsilateral parotid dose correlated with DM{sub B} (R{sup 2} = 0.87). Conclusions: OAR sparing is highly dependent on the permitted PTV{sub B/E} IH. PTV{sub E} IH substantially influences OAR doses. These results are relevant for clinical practice and for future automated treatment-planning strategies.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fabrication of Carbon-Platinum Interdigitated Array Electrodes and Their Application for Investigating Homogeneous Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis

Interdigitated array electrodes (IDAEs) with one carbon electrode and the other platinum electrode were constructed by electrodepositing platinum on one set of the carbon electrodes. Platinum deposition was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry. The width of the carbon and platinum digits is less than 2 μm and the gap between two adjacent digits is around 3 μm. The carbon-platinum IDAEs benefit from the characteristics of both carbon and platinum in that carbon can provide a wide nonreactive potential window while platinum is a good catalyst for hydrogen reactions making it useful to characterize the catalytic hydrogen production cycle of the molecular electrocatalyst [Ni(P Ph 2 N Ph 2 ) 2 (CH 3 CN)](BF 4 ) 2 (where P Ph 2 N Ph 2 is 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane). With properly set potentials, the molecular electrocatalyst was reduced at the carbon digits to initiate a homogeneous H 2 production reaction while the platinum digits detect the H 2 by oxidation, providing direct evidence of its production rate from the catalytic cycles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Type Ibn Supernovae Show Photometric Homogeneity and Spectral Diversity at Maximum Light

Type Ibn supernovae (SNe) are a small yet intriguing class of explosions whose spectra are characterized by low-velocity helium emission lines with little to no evidence for hydrogen. The prevailing theory has been that these are the core-collapse explosions of very massive stars embedded in helium-rich circumstellar material (CSM). We report optical observations of six new SNe Ibn: PTF11rfh, PTF12ldy, iPTF14aki, iPTF15ul, SN 2015G, and iPTF15akq. This brings the sample size of such objects in the literature to 22. We also report new data, including a near-infrared spectrum, on the Type Ibn SN 2015U. In order to characterize the class as a whole, we analyze the photometric and spectroscopic properties of the full Type Ibn sample. We find that, despite the expectation that CSM interaction would generate a heterogeneous set of light curves, as seen in SNe IIn, most Type Ibn light curves are quite similar in shape, declining at rates around 0.1 mag day{sup −1} during the first month after maximum light, with a few significant exceptions. Early spectra of SNe Ibn come in at least two varieties, one that shows narrow P Cygni lines and another dominated by broader emission lines, both around maximum light, which may be an indication of differences in the state of the progenitor system at the time of explosion. Alternatively, the spectral diversity could arise from viewing-angle effects or merely from a lack of early spectroscopic coverage. Together, the relative light curve homogeneity and narrow spectral features suggest that the CSM consists of a spatially confined shell of helium surrounded by a less dense extended wind.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1987

EDQNM closure: A homogeneous simulation to support it. A quasi-homogeneous simulation to disprove it

It is known that two-point closures are useful tools for understanding and predicting turbulence. Among the various closures, the Eddy Damped Quasi-Normal Markovian (EDQNM) approach is one of the simplest and, at the same time, most useful. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) can provide information that can be used to test the validity of two-point theories. It is the purpose of the present work to use DNS to validate, or improve upon, EDQNM. A case was selected for which EDQNM is known to give satisfactory results: homogeneous isotropic turbulence. Quantities were then evaluated which may be used to test the assumptions of two-point closure approximations: spectral Lagrangian time scales. The goal was to make a careful and refined study to validate the EDQNM theory. A reference case was built for which EDQNM is likely to give poor results. An attempt to generate a quasi-homogeneous turbulent field containing organized structures, was built by artifically injecting them in the initial conditions. The results of direct simulations using such initial conditions are expected to provide a challenge for EDQNM since this kind of field is simple enough to allow comparisons with two-point theories, but at the same time contains coherent structures which cannot be expected to be accurately accounted for by closures based on expansions about Gaussianity.

Bertoglio, J. P.↗