Engineering PapersSearch

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “parameter space”

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

Explicit Cloud Representation in the Atmos 1D Climate Model for Earth and Rocky Planet Applications

1D climate models are less sophisticated than 3D global circulation models (GCMs), however their computational time is much less expensive, allowing a large number of runs in a short period of time to explore a wide parameter space. Exploring parameter space is particularly important for predicting the observable properties of exoplanets, for which few parameters are known with certainty. Therefore, 1D climate models are still very useful tools for planetary studies. In most of these 1D models, clouds are not physically represented in the atmosphere, despite having a well-known, significant impact on a planetary radiative budget. This impact is simulated by artificially raising surface albedo, in order to reproduce the observed-averaged surface temperature (i.e. 288 K for modern Earth) and a radiative balance at the top of the atmosphere. This non-physical representation of clouds, causes atmospheric long wave and shortwaves fluxes to not match observational data. Additionally, this technique represents a parameter that is highly-tuned to modern Earth’s climate, and may not be appropriate for planets that deviate from modern Earth’s climate conditions. In this paper, we present an update to the climate model within the Atmos 1­D atmospheric modeling package with a physical representation of clouds. We show that this physical representation of clouds in the atmosphere allows both long wave and shortwave fluxes to match observational data. This improvement will allow us to study the energy fluxes for a variety of cloudy rocky planets, and increase our confidence in future simulations of temperature profile and net energy balance.

Thomas Fauchez

Recursive Branching Simulated Annealing Algorithm

This innovation is a variation of a simulated-annealing optimization algorithm that uses a recursive-branching structure to parallelize the search of a parameter space for the globally optimal solution to an objective. The algorithm has been demonstrated to be more effective at searching a parameter space than traditional simulated-annealing methods for a particular problem of interest, and it can readily be applied to a wide variety of optimization problems, including those with a parameter space having both discrete-value parameters (combinatorial) and continuous-variable parameters. It can take the place of a conventional simulated- annealing, Monte-Carlo, or random- walk algorithm. In a conventional simulated-annealing (SA) algorithm, a starting configuration is randomly selected within the parameter space. The algorithm randomly selects another configuration from the parameter space and evaluates the objective function for that configuration. If the objective function value is better than the previous value, the new configuration is adopted as the new point of interest in the parameter space. If the objective function value is worse than the previous value, the new configuration may be adopted, with a probability determined by a temperature parameter, used in analogy to annealing in metals. As the optimization continues, the region of the parameter space from which new configurations can be selected shrinks, and in conjunction with lowering the annealing temperature (and thus lowering the probability for adopting configurations in parameter space with worse objective functions), the algorithm can converge on the globally optimal configuration. The Recursive Branching Simulated Annealing (RBSA) algorithm shares some features with the SA algorithm, notably including the basic principles that a starting configuration is randomly selected from within the parameter space, the algorithm tests other configurations with the goal of finding the globally optimal solution, and the region from which new configurations can be selected shrinks as the search continues. The key difference between these algorithms is that in the SA algorithm, a single path, or trajectory, is taken in parameter space, from the starting point to the globally optimal solution, while in the RBSA algorithm, many trajectories are taken; by exploring multiple regions of the parameter space simultaneously, the algorithm has been shown to converge on the globally optimal solution about an order of magnitude faster than when using conventional algorithms. Novel features of the RBSA algorithm include: 1. More efficient searching of the parameter space due to the branching structure, in which multiple random configurations are generated and multiple promising regions of the parameter space are explored; 2. The implementation of a trust region for each parameter in the parameter space, which provides a natural way of enforcing upper- and lower-bound constraints on the parameters; and 3. The optional use of a constrained gradient- search optimization, performed on the continuous variables around each branch s configuration in parameter space to improve search efficiency by allowing for fast fine-tuning of the continuous variables within the trust region at that configuration point.

Bolcar, Matthew

Propagation and application of waves in the ionosphere.

This review deals with the propagation of waves, especially radio waves in the ionosphere. In the macroscopic electromagnetic theory, the mathematical structure of wave propagation problems depends entirely on the properties of the dielectric operator in a magnetically nonpermeable medium. These properties can be deduced from general discussions of symmetry and considerations of physical principles. When the medium is specifically the ionosphere, various physical phenomena may occur. Because of a large number of parameters, it is desirable to define a parameter space. A point in the parameter space corresponds to a specific plasma. The parameter space is subdivided into regions whose boundaries correspond to conditions of resonance and cutoff. As the point crosses these boundaries, the refractive index surface transforms continuously.

Yeh, K. C.

Progressive Response Surfaces

Response surface functions are often used as simple and inexpensive replacements for computationally expensive computer models that simulate the behavior of a complex system over some parameter space. Progressive response surfaces are ones that are built up progressively as global information is added from new sample points in the parameter space. As the response surfaces are globally upgraded based on new information, heuristic indications of the convergence of the response surface approximation to the exact (fitted) function can be inferred. Sampling points can be incrementally added in a structured fashion, or in an unstructured fashion. Whatever the approach, at least in early stages of sampling it is usually desirable to sample the entire parameter space uniformly. At later stages of sampling, depending on the nature of the quantity being resolved, it may be desirable to continue sampling uniformly over the entire parameter space (Progressive response surfaces), or to switch to a focusing/economizing strategy of preferentially sampling certain regions of the parameter space based on information gained in early stages of sampling (Adaptive response surfaces). Here we consider Progressive response surfaces where a balanced indication of global response over the parameter space is desired.We use a variant of Moving Least Squares to fit and interpolate structured and unstructured point sets over the parameter space. On a 2-D test problem we compare response surface accuracy for three incremental sampling methods: Progressive Lattice Sampling; Simple-Random Monte Carlo; and Halton Quasi-Monte-Carlo sequences. We are ultimately after a system for constructing efficiently upgradable response surface approximations with reliable error estimates.

Romero, V. J.

The effects of simulated space environmental parameters on six commercially available composite materials

The effects of simulated space environmental parameters on microdamage induced by the environment in a series of commercially available graphite-fiber-reinforced composite materials were determined. Composites with both thermoset and thermoplastic resin systems were studied. Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) exposures were simulated by thermal cycling; geosynchronous-orbit (GEO) exposures were simulated by electron irradiation plus thermal cycling. The thermal cycling temperature range was -250 F to either 200 F or 150 F. The upper limits of the thermal cycles were different to ensure that an individual composite material was not cycled above its glass transition temperature. Material response was characterized through assessment of the induced microcracking and its influence on mechanical property changes at both room temperature and -250 F. Microdamage was induced in both thermoset and thermoplastic advanced composite materials exposed to the simulated LEO environment. However, a 350 F cure single-phase toughened epoxy composite was not damaged during exposure to the LEO environment. The simuated GEO environment produced microdamage in all materials tested.

Funk, Joan G.

SOC Microstructural Property Estimator

This pre-trained ML model is a tool that uses basic compositional parameters for porous solid oxide cell (SOC) electrodes - the phase fractions and mean particle/pore diameters – as inputs and uses them to estimate additional electrochemical performance parameters: active (i.e., connected) TPB density, all tortuosity factors, and phase pair specific interfacial areas. The electrode is assumed to be composed of two solid phases and a pore phase. The property calculations are performed using neural network regression models trained on a large bank of synthetic electrode microstructural data that NETL has generated using the program DREAM3D (that bank is also hosted on EDX: https://edx.netl.doe.gov/dataset/soc-synthetic-microstructure-bank). This means the generated parameters are based on training from actual measured properties from 3D microstructures, not estimated from geometric simplifications. This tool was developed and is intended to replace percolation theory calculations in models that use hypothetical electrode properties. An example use case would be running SOC performance simulations across a parametric sweep of electrode designs (e.g., varying phase fractions and particle sizes) and assessing how it impacts the electrochemical performance of the SOC. Within the parameter space of the training data (statistics of that parameter space is provided in the readme file), this model achieves sub-5% mean absolute percent errors, an order of magnitude less error than percolation theory across the same parameter space. However, be aware that this tool was developed with parametric simulations in mind, and users are encouraged to assess accuracy for their own specific use case rather than taking accuracy metrics at face value. More info, including a usage guide, is in the included readme file. This tool should be cited with the DOI number provided.

Electrode Microstructure

Derivation of Delaware Bay tidal parameters from Space Shuttle photography

The tide-related parameters of the Delaware Bay are derived from Space Shuttle time-series photographs. The water areas in the bay are measured from interpretation maps of the photographs with a CALCOMP 9100 digitizer and ERDAS Image Processing System. The corresponding tidal levels are calculated using the exposure time annotated on the photographs. From these data, an approximate function relating the water area to the tidal level at a reference point is determined. Based on the function, the water areas of the Delaware Bay at mean high water (MHW) and mean low water (MLW), below 0 m, and for the tidal zone are inferred. With MHW and MLW areas and the mean tidal range, we calculate the tidal influx of the Delaware Bay, which is 2.76 x 10 exp 9 cu m. The velocity of flood tide at the bay mouth is determined using the tidal flux and an integral of the velocity distribution function at the cross section between Cape Henlopen and Cape May. The result is 132 cm/s, which compares well with the data on tidal current charts.

Zheng, Quanan

Modeling Interplanetary Expansion and Deformation of CMEs with ANTEATR-PARADE II: Sensitivity to Input Parameters

Space weather predictions related to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) requires understanding how a CME is initiated and how its properties change as it propagates. While some parameters can be measured relatively easily near the Sun, others are much harder to disentangle from projected coronagraph images. Most predictions have been limited to the arrival time of a CME and include little to no information about the CME's internal properties. ANTEATR-PARADE represents the most thorough description of the interplanetary evolution of CMEs in a highly computationally-efficient model. (Kay & Nieves-Chinchilla, 2020) presents the derivation of this model, where we have added an elliptical cross section to the original arrival time model ANTEATR and introduced internal magnetic forces that, combined with the drag, can alter the shape of the central axis and cross section. ANTEATR-PARADE results include the transit time of CMEs, as well as the shape and size, propagation and expansion velocities, density, and magnetic field properties upon impact. We determine the dependence of each output on each of the ANTEATR-PARADE input parameters. For a fast CME, we see that the transit time and propagation velocity depend most strongly on inputs that modify the drag force whereas the inputs affecting the magnetic forces determine the expansion of the CME. We extend to other CMEs and _nd that the sensitivities change with CME scale. Magnetic forces become more important for an average CME whereas the drag force becomes more important for an extreme CME.

Coronal mass ejections

Current status of the light neutralino thermal dark matter in the phenomenological MSSM

In a previous publication, we studied the parameter space of the phenomenological minimal Supersymmetric standard model with a light neutralino thermal dark matter ( M χ ˜ 1 0 ≤ M h / 2 ) and observed that the recent results from the dark matter and collider experiments put strong constraints on this scenario. In this work, we present in detail the arguments behind the robustness of this result against scanning over the large number of parameters in phenomenological minimal Supersymmetric standard model. The Run 3 of LHC will be crucial in probing the surviving regions of the parameter space. We further investigate the impact of light staus on our parameter space and also provide benchmarks that can be interesting for Run 3 of LHC. We analyze these benchmarks at the LHC using the machine learning framework of . Finally, we also discuss the effect of nonstandard cosmology on the parameter space. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Barman, Rahool Kumar

Ignition and Burn in a Hybrid Nuclear Fuel for a Pulsed Rocket Engine

This work explores the parameter space of a cylindrical hybrid nuclear fuel in support of a z-pinch driven pulsed fission-fusion (PuFF) engine. 0D power balance and 1D burn wave calculations have been performed to explore the parameter space of hybrid cylindrical nuclear fuels. The boundary of minimal initial conditions needed to reach breakeven are found within the context of the model. The effects of initial conditions upon the yield at the end of burn wave expansion are also determined. The model is used to examine the minimum initial energies predicted to result in yields of a few MJ. The goal of this work is to guide fuel design, inform future models and experiments as well as look for the most efficient parameter space for ignition in a z-pinch driven hybrid nuclear reaction. The impact of initial parameters upon ignition, burn, and gain are discussed. It is found that a hybrid cylindrical target may breakeven with initial energy near the axis of approximately 4 to 6 MJ in lithium deuteride/uranium 235 fuel. It is also found that magnetic field can lower the threshold further of which the magnitude changes across the parameter space. The dual fusion/fission reactions are found to boost each other leading to lower initial driving energies needed to reach breakeven in the hybrid cylindrical nuclear fuel.

fission