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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Local and Global Sensitivity Analysis of a Reactive Transport Model Simulating Floodplain Redox Cycling

Reactive transport models (RTMs) are essential tools that simulate the coupling of advective, diffusive, and reactive processes in the subsurface, but their complexity makes them difficult to understand, develop and improve without accompanying statistical analyses. Although global sensitivity analysis (SA) can address these issues, the computational cost associated with most global SA techniques limits their use with RTMs. In this study, we apply distance-based generalized sensitivity analysis (DGSA), a novel and computationally efficient method of global SA, to a floodplain-scale RTM and compare DGSA results to those from local SA. Our test case focuses on the impact of 17 uncertain environmental parameters on spatially and temporally variable redox conditions within a floodplain aquifer. The input parameters considered include flow and diffusion rates, geochemical reaction rates, and the spatial distribution of sediment facies. Sensitivity was evaluated for three distinct components of the model response, encompassing both multidimensional and categorical output. Parameter rankings differ between local SA and DGSA, due to nonlinear effects of individual parameters and interaction effects between parameters. DGSA results show that fluid residence time, which is controlled by aquifer permeability, generally exerts a stronger control on redox conditions than do geochemical reaction rates. Sensitivity indices also demonstrate that sulfate reduction is key for establishing and maintaining reducing conditions throughout the aquifer. Furthermore, these results provide insights into the key drivers of heterogeneous redox processes within floodplain aquifers, as well as the main sources of uncertainty when modeling complex subsurface systems.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Performance of high-order Godunov-type methods in simulations of astrophysical low Mach number flows

High-order Godunov methods for gas dynamics have become a standard tool for simulating different classes of astrophysical flows. Their accuracy is mostly determined by the spatial interpolant used to reconstruct the pair of Riemann states at cell interfaces and by the Riemann solver that computes the interface fluxes. In most Godunov-type methods, these two steps can be treated independently, so that many different schemes can in principle be built from the same numerical framework. Because astrophysical simulations often test out the limits of what is feasible with the computational resources available, it is essential to find the scheme that produces the numerical solution with the desired accuracy at the lowest computational cost. However, establishing the best combination of numerical options in a Godunov-type method to be used for simulating a complex hydrodynamic problem is a nontrivial task. In fact, formally more accurate schemes do not always outperform simpler and more diffusive methods, especially if sharp gradients are present in the flow. For this work, we used our fully compressible Seven-League Hydro (SLH) code to test the accuracy of six reconstruction methods and three approximate Riemann solvers on two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) problems involving subsonic flows only. We considered Mach numbers in the range from 10 −3 to 10 −1 , which are characteristic of many stellar and geophysical flows. In particular, we considered a well-posed, 2D, Kelvin–Helmholtz instability problem and a 3D turbulent convection zone that excites internal gravity waves in an overlying stable layer. Although the different combinations of numerical methods converge to the same solution with increasing grid resolution for most of the quantities analyzed here, we find that (i) there is a spread of almost four orders of magnitude in computational cost per fixed accuracy between the methods tested in this study, with the most performant method being a combination of a low-dissipation Riemann solver and a sextic reconstruction scheme; (ii) the low-dissipation solver always outperforms conventional Riemann solvers on a fixed grid when the reconstruction scheme is kept the same; (iii) in simulations of turbulent flows, increasing the order of spatial reconstruction reduces the characteristic dissipation length scale achieved on a given grid even if the overall scheme is only second order accurate; (iv) reconstruction methods based on slope-limiting techniques tend to generate artificial, high-frequency acoustic waves during the evolution of the flow; and (v) unlimited reconstruction methods introduce oscillations in the thermal stratification near the convective boundary, where the entropy gradient is steep.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Aerosol jet printed 3 omega sensors for thermal conductivity measurement

The 3 omega (3ω) method is a trusted technique for measuring thermal conductivity—a fundamental material property of critical importance in a broad range of applications. However, traditional 3ω sensor processing requires some form of physical vapor deposition, such as metal evaporation or sputtering. These 3ω sensor deposition techniques limit the materials and sample sizes applicable to the 3ω method. This work demonstrates an aerosol jet printing method to directly print silver 3ω sensors that yield accurate temperature-dependent measurement up to 300 °C on materials with thermal conductivity ranging from 1 to 150 W/m K. The interrelationship between printed sensor geometry, sensor thermal stability, and applicability to the 3ω method is examined. Thermal conductivity measurement with 3ω sensors conventionally sintered at 300 °C agrees to independent laser flash measurement within 4% from room temperature to 150 °C. An unconventional rapid high-temperature sintering method is shown to produce sensors that agree within 3% of the laser flash measurements from room temperature to 300 °C. The rapid sintering profiles also reduced the sensor–substrate thermal boundary resistance of the printed sensors by as much as 88%. The direct printing of 3ω sensors creates opportunities for measurement of thermal transport properties in applications previously inapplicable to the 3ω method.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Single-molecule 3D imaging of HIV cellular entry by liquid-phase electron tomography

Enveloped viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and SARS-CoV-2, target cells through membrane fusion process. The detailed understanding of the process is sought after for vaccine development but remains elusive due to current technique limitations for direct three-dimensional (3D) imaging of an individual virus during its viral entry. Recently, we developed a simple specimen preparation method for real-time imaging of metal dynamic liquid-vaper interface at nanometer resolution by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Here, we extended this method to study biology sample through snapshot 3D structure of a single HIV (pseudo-typed with the envelope glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus, VSV-G) at its intermediate stage of viral entry to HeLa cells in a liquid-phase environment. By individual-particle electron tomography (IPET), we found the viral surface release excess lipids with unbound viral spike proteins forming ~50-nm nanoparticles instead of merging cell membrane. Moreover, the spherical-shape shell formed by matrix proteins underneath the viral envelope does not disassemble into a cone shape right after fusion. Further, the snapshot 3D imaging of a single virus provides us a direct structure-based understanding of the viral entry mechanism, which can be used to examine other viruses to support the development of vaccines combatting the current ongoing pandemic.

Kong, Lingli↗
DOE OSTI2023

Phase-Field Modeling of Materials Interfaces and Nanostructures

Nanostructured materials offer unique properties for a wide range of energy applications. Among various known processing methods, liquid metal dealloying (LMD)—the selective dissolution of a base alloy element into a metallic melt—has emerged as a powerful technique to produce a new class of nano-/meso-scale open porous and bicontinuous composite structures with ultra-high interfacial area. LMD has recently been complemented by the advent of vapor phase dealloying (VPD), a novel technique that exploits the selective evaporation of one element from a parent alloy containing elements with very different vapor pressures, thereby enabling to fabricate open nanoporous structures of various elements from less-noble metals to inorganic elements regardless of their chemical activity without requiring high LMD temperatures and chemical etching. Together LMD and VPD have greatly expanded the scope of dealloying techniques, limited by traditional electrochemical means to noble metals, and boosted the design of new functional and structural materials that combine a wide variety of elements. Topologically-connected open porous structures with ultra-high surface area allow mass transport within the structure while preserving structural integrity, enabling them to serve as catalysts, fuel cells, supercapacitors, or high-capacity battery materials. Bicontinuous composite structures in turn can display high strength and high ductility or superior radiation-damage resistance due to the ultra-high interface area between interpenetrating solid phases. This research program makes use of state-of-the-art computational methods to understand at a basic level the self-organizing dealloying process with main focus on dealloying kinetics and interfacial pattern formation at the dealloying front controlling initial structure size, topology, and phase compositions. Phase-field simulation studies of LMD focus on solid solutions, line compounds, and intermetallic systems that can form ternary composites by nucleation and growth of a new phase. Studies of VPD employ phase-field modeling and a hybrid method combining a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) model of evaporation and surface diffusion with molecular dynamics for vapor-phase transport inside nanopores. Simulations explore mechanisms of interface- and diffusion-controlled dealloying kinetics, both observed in VPD but not fundamentally understood. In addition, our newly developed multi-physics phase-field approach of large-volume-change phase transformations is being used to model novel 3D anode geometries based on dealloyed nanoporous structures including novel sandwiched graphene/Si/silica for highrate Li ion battery. Those studies are aimed at elucidating geometric design principles that improve mechanical stability. We expect this research to enhance the capability to tailor nano-/mesoscale structures for a wide range of energy-related materials applications and to yield further advances in computational methodologies that benefit a broad materials research community.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Membrane Profiling by Free Flow Electrophoresis and SWATH-MS to Characterize Subcellular Compartment Proteomes in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

The study of subcellular membrane structure and function facilitates investigations into how biological processes are divided within the cell. However, work in this area has been hampered by the limited techniques available to fractionate the different membranes. Free Flow Electrophoresis (FFE) allows for the fractionation of membranes based on their different surface charges, a property made up primarily of their varied lipid and protein compositions. In this study, high-resolution plant membrane fractionation by FFE, combined with mass spectrometry-based proteomics, allowed the simultaneous profiling of multiple cellular membranes from the leaf tissue of the plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. Comparisons of the fractionated membranes’ protein profile to that of known markers for specific cellular compartments sheds light on the functions of proteins, as well as provides new evidence for multiple subcellular localization of several proteins, including those involved in lipid metabolism.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1969

Technique for assessing potential fire hazards

Combustion hazard modeling technique limits the fire evaluation to a description of only thermal energy exchanges which are involved in the burning process, and the calculation of temperatures, temperature changes, and weight losses as a result of these energy changes.

Lampert, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Intracavity CdTe modulators for CO2 lasers.

The use of cadmium telluride as an electrooptic material for intracavity modulation of CO2 lasers is described. Included are the predicted and measured effects of CdTe intracavity modulators on laser performance. Coupling and frequency modulation are discussed and experimental results compared with theoretically predicted performance for both techniques. Limitations on the frequency response of the two types of modulation are determined.

Kiefer, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1963

Principles and application of shock-tubes and shock tunnels

The principles, theoretical flow equations, calculation techniques, limitations and practical performance characteristics of basic and high performance shock tubes and shock tunnels are presented. Selected operating curves are included.

Ried, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Drilling technique for crystals

Hole-drilling technique uses special crystal driller in which drill bit rotates at fixed position at speed of 30 rpm while crystal slowly advances toward drill. Technique has been successfully applied to crystal of Rochell salt, Triglycine sulfate, and N-acetyglycine. Technique limits heat buildup and reduces strain on crystal.

Hunter, T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Report of subpanel on inter-image matching

Research needs in the area inter-image matching for remote Earth observation systems are defined. Correlation considerations include types of correlation algorithms, preprocessing techniques, limits on subpixed accuracy, relief and atmospheric refraction effects, evaluation of success rate, and evaluation of accuracy. Also recommended are investigations of the interaction of inter-image matching procedures and selection of ground control points for a given sensor; global multisensor control point library feasibility; multiple control point considerations; centralized processing systems; and user systems.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1986

Weld Repair of Thin Aluminum Sheet

Weld repairing of thin aluminum sheets now possible, using niobium shield and copper heat sinks. Refractory niobium shield protects aluminum adjacent to hole, while copper heat sinks help conduct heat away from repair site. Technique limits tungsten/inert-gas (TIG) welding bombardment zone to melt area, leaving surrounding areas around weld unaffected. Used successfully to repair aluminum cold plates on Space Shuttle, Commercial applications, especially in sealing fractures, dents, and holes in thin aluminum face sheets or clad brazing sheet in cold plates, heat exchangers, coolers, and Solar panels. While particularly suited to thin aluminum sheet, this process also used in thicker aluminum material to prevent surface damage near weld area.

Beuyukian, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Ground-based photometric measurements

Resolution in space, time, magnetic field strength, intensity variance, and wavelength all are used to isolate the signals from sunspots, plage, network, and nonmagnetic areas. Ground data has demonstrated the dominance of sunspots in causing irradiance variance on time scales of hours to months, the near balance of spot deficit and facular excess emission, and the low level of irradiance variation caused by nonmagnetic regions. Present techniques limit the accuracy of comparison with direct irradiance measures, and improvements should be made. Goals for ground-based photometry for the next cycle are suggested.

Labonte, Barry J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A network of small landers on Mars

This paper describes a class of small landers that could form part of a global network of scientific instrumentation on Mars. Two types of landers are considered: penetrators that implant instruments a few meters beneath the surface, and rough landers that may hit the surface at speeds up to tens of m/sec and survive through the use of impact-limiting techniques. Because some scientific objectives, such as seismic and meteorological investigations, require durations of months and years lander designs giving long lifetimes in the Martian environment are needed. This paper describes both past and more recent work at JPL toward this goal.

Burke, James D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

SI (Metric) handbook

This guide provides information for an understanding of SI units, symbols, and prefixes; style and usage in documentation in both the US and in the international business community; conversion techniques; limits, fits, and tolerance data; and drawing and technical writing guidelines. Also provided is information of SI usage for specialized applications like data processing and computer programming, science, engineering, and construction. Related information in the appendixes include legislative documents, historical and biographical data, a list of metric documentation, rules for determining significant digits and rounding, conversion factors, shorthand notation, and a unit index.

Artusa, Elisa A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Robust Locally Preconditioned Semi-Coarsening Multigrid Algorithm for the 2-D Navier-Stokes Equations

The goal of this thesis is to develop an efficient and robust locally preconditioned semi-coarsening multigrid algorithm for the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. This thesis examines the performance of the multigrid algorithm with local preconditioning for an upwind-discretization of the Navier-Stokes equations. A block Jacobi iterative scheme is used because of its high frequency error mode damping ability. At low Mach numbers, the performance of a flux preconditioner is investigated. The flux preconditioner utilizes a new limiting technique based on local information that was developed by Siu. Full-coarsening and-semi-coarsening are examined as well as the multigrid V-cycle and full multigrid. The numerical tests were performed on a NACA 0012 airfoil at a range of Mach numbers. The tests show that semi-coarsening with flux preconditioning is the most efficient and robust combination of coarsening strategy, and iterative scheme - especially at low Mach numbers.

Cain, Michael D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Description of the NASA Dryden Flow Visualization Facility

A water tunnel facility at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility is described. This water tunnel facility, the Flow Visualization Facility, is used primarily for visualizing and analyzing vortical flows on aircraft models and other shapes at high incidence angles. The tunnel is used extensively as a low cost diagnostic tool to help understand complex flows over aircraft and other full scale vehicles. The facility consists primarily of a closed circuit water tunnel with a 16 in by 24 in vertical test section. The velocity of the flow through the test section can be varied from 0 to 10 in/sec, however 3 in/sec has been found to be optimum for flow visualization. This corresponds to a unit Reynolds number of 23,000 per foot and a turbulence level over the majority of the test section below .05%. Flow visualization techniques described include the dye tracer, laser light sheet and the shadowgraph techniques. Limited correlation to full-scale flight data is shown.

DelFrate, John H.↗