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At least 379 records · Page 21

An intercomparison of intraseasonal variability in general circulation models and observations

Low frequency oscillations appearing in three GCM seasonal cycle integrations are compared with the analyses of the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF). All three models have the same resolution: 4 deg latitude by 5 deg longitude, with 9 levels. The dominant phase speeds and the differential vertical structure of the heating profiles in the GCMs are in general agreement with current theory involving the positive feedback between latent heating and moist static stability. All three GCMs fail to capture the detailed evolution in the different stages of the development and decay of the oscillation. The results suggest that an improvement in the boundary layer moisture processes may be crucial for a better simulation of the oscillation.

Park, Chung-Kyu↗

Three-dimensional flat bands in pyrochlore metal CaNi 2

Electronic flat-band materials host quantum states characterized by a quenched kinetic energy. These flat bands are often conducive to enhanced electron correlation effects and emergent quantum phases of matter. Long studied in theoretical models, these systems have received renewed interest after their experimental realization in van der Waals heterostructures and quasi-two-dimensional (2D) crystalline materials. An outstanding experimental question is if such flat bands can be realized in three-dimensional (3D) networks, potentially enabling new materials platforms and phenomena. Here we investigate the C15 Laves phase metal CaNi 2 , which contains a nickel pyrochlore lattice predicted at a model network level to host a doubly-degenerate, topological flat band arising from 3D destructive interference of electronic hopping. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we observe a band with vanishing dispersion across the full 3D Brillouin zone that we identify with the pyrochlore flat band as well as two additional flat bands that we show arise from multi-orbital interference of Ni d -electrons. Furthermore, we demonstrate chemical tuning of the flat-band manifold to the Fermi level that coincides with enhanced electronic correlations and the appearance of superconductivity. Extending the notion of intrinsic band flatness from 2D to 3D, this provides a potential pathway to correlated behaviour predicted for higher-dimensional flat-band systems ranging from tunable topological to fractionalized phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Aerothermal modeling program, phase 2

The accuracy and utility of current aerothermal models for gas turbine combustors must be improved. Three areas of concern are identified: improved numerical methods for turbulent viscous recirculating flows; flow interaction; and fuel injector-air swirl characterization. Progress in each area is summarized.

Mularz, E. J.↗

A Subjective Assessment of Alternative Mission Architecture Operations Concepts for the Human Exploration of Mars at NASA Using a Three-Dimensional Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model

The primary driver for developing missions to send humans to other planets is to generate significant scientific return. NASA plans human planetary explorations with an acceptable level of risk consistent with other manned operations. Space exploration risks can not be completely eliminated. Therefore, an acceptable level of cost, technical, safety, schedule, and political risks and benefits must be established for exploratory missions. This study uses a three-dimensional multi-criteria decision making model to identify the risks and benefits associated with three alternative mission architecture operations concepts for the human exploration of Mars identified by the Mission Operations Directorate at Johnson Space Center. The three alternatives considered in this study include split, combo lander, and dual scenarios. The model considers the seven phases of the mission including: 1) Earth Vicinity/Departure; 2) Mars Transfer; 3) Mars Arrival; 4) Planetary Surface; 5) Mars Vicinity/Departure; 6) Earth Transfer; and 7) Earth Arrival. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and subjective probability estimation are used to captures the experts belief concerning the risks and benefits of the three alternative scenarios through a series of sequential, rational, and analytical processes.

Tavana, Madjid↗

Safe Deep Reinforcement Learning for Active Distribution System Model Predictive Control with EVs and DERs

The temporal and spatial mismatch between PV generation and electric vehicle (EV) charging and discharging may cause voltage violations in active distribution networks. Despite the widespread use of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in power system optimization and control, it lacks guarantees on constraint satisfaction during both training and deployment. This paper proposes a Lagrangian-based safe DRL approach for model predictive control (MPC) of active distribution systems with large-scale integration of PVs, EVs, and energy storage systems (ESSs). A Transformer-LSTM time-series model is proposed to forecast EV charging demand, which is then formulated as a constraint to ensure charging requirements are met. Using this prediction, a Lagrangian-based safe soft actor-critic (SAC) framework is developed for real-time control in a three-phase unbalanced distribution system, enforcing voltage safety constraints while optimizing the cumulative net reward. By integrating the forecasting model with multi-period constraints, the proposed framework jointly coordinates PV systems, EV charging and discharging, and ESS scheduling within the MPC horizon. Numerical experiments on a modified IEEE 123-bus system with real-world data show that, under a high PV penetration scenario, the proposed method increases the net reward by 30.74% and reduces average voltage violations from 0.0011 p.u. to 0.0002 p.u. compared with standard SAC. Compared with the optimal power flow (OPF) approach, it achieves similar voltage security while yielding lower line losses. It also maintains real-time control capability, reducing operation latency to 53.21 ms per 15-minute control interval. The proposed method remains effective under varying PV/EV penetrations and load conditions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Realistic fuel spray modeling for gasoline direct injection engine applications

Fuel spray modeling plays a critical role during modern gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine development due to fuel injection’s dominant impact on engine performance and emissions as well as the complex physical processes involved. In engineering three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, the liquid-phase fuel atomization, evaporation, and mixing are usually modeled with the discrete droplet model (DDM) adopting a Lagrangian approach for multiphase CFD simulations. To this end, general practices heavily depend on the reduced order characterization of the injector nozzle flow. However, such simplified injector modeling may lead to insufficient representations of the complex spray dynamics. To tackle this problem, this study proposes a novel workflow to numerically evaluate GDI sub-cooled and flash-boiling sprays under engine-relevant conditions using a side-mounted GDI injector together with real gasoline fuel properties. The workflow introduces a one-way coupling (OWC) method leveraging high-fidelity nozzle flow simulations to provide realistic boundary conditions to the Lagrangian injector model. The proposed workflow was first verified in a constant volume chamber (CVC) environment and then implemented in a practical GDI engine setup to study spray morphology, fuel-air mixing, and wall-wetting propensity. In addition, detailed comparison was performed between the OWC method and the conventional rate of injection (ROI) routine. In conclusion, quantitative analysis of spray characteristics was conducted to highlight possible source of discrepancies of the conventional ROI method.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Colossal Strain Tuning of Ferroelectric Transitions in KNbO 3 Thin Films

Strong coupling between polarization ( P ) and strain (ɛ) in ferroelectric complex oxides offers unique opportunities to dramatically tune their properties. Here colossal strain tuning of ferroelectricity in epitaxial KNbO 3 thin films grown by sub‐oxide molecular beam epitaxy is demonstrated. While bulk KNbO 3 exhibits three ferroelectric transitions and a Curie temperature ( T c ) of ≈676 K, phase‐field modeling predicts that a biaxial strain of as little as −0.6% pushes its T c > 975 K, its decomposition temperature in air, and for −1.4% strain, to T c > 1325 K, its melting point. Furthermore, a strain of −1.5% can stabilize a single phase throughout the entire temperature range of its stability. A combination of temperature‐dependent second harmonic generation measurements, synchrotron‐based X‐ray reciprocal space mapping, ferroelectric measurements, and transmission electron microscopy reveal a single tetragonal phase from 10 K to 975 K, an enhancement of ≈46% in the tetragonal phase remanent polarization ( P r ), and a ≈200% enhancement in its optical second harmonic generation coefficients over bulk values. These properties in a lead‐free system, but with properties comparable or superior to lead‐based systems, make it an attractive candidate for applications ranging from high‐temperature ferroelectric memory to cryogenic temperature quantum computing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhancement of Ni–(Y 2 O 3 ) 0.08 (ZrO 2 ) 0.92 fuel electrode performance by infiltration of Ce 0.8 Gd 0.2 O 2–δ nanoparticles

This paper addresses the use of Ce 0.8 Gd 0.2 O 2–δ (GDC) infiltration into the Ni–(Y 2 O 3 ) 0.08 (ZrO 2 ) 0.92 (YSZ) fuel electrode of solid oxide cells (SOCs) for improving their electrochemical performance in fuel cell and electrolysis operation. Although doped ceria infiltration into Ni–YSZ has recently been shown to improve the electrode performance and stability, the mechanisms defining how GDC impacts electrochemical characteristics are not fully delineated. Furthermore, the electrochemical characteristics have not yet been determined over the full range of conditions normally encountered in fuel cell and electrolysis operation. Here we present a study of both symmetric and full cells aimed at understanding the electrochemical mechanisms of GDC-modified Ni–YSZ over a wide range of fuel compositions and temperatures. Single-step GDC infiltration at an appropriate loading substantially reduced the polarization resistance of Ni–YSZ electrodes in electrolyte-supported cells, as measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at various temperatures (600–800 °C) in a range of H 2 O–H 2 mixtures (3–90 vol% H 2 O). Fuel-electrode-supported cells had significant concentration polarization due to the thick Ni–YSZ supports. Here, a distribution of relaxation times approach is used to develop a physically-based electrochemical model; the results show that GDC reduces the reaction resistance associated with three-phase boundaries, but also appears to improve oxygen transport in the electrode. Increasing the H 2 O fraction in the H 2 –H 2 O fuel mixture reduced both the three-phase boundary resistance and the gas diffusion resistance for Ni–YSZ; with GDC infiltration, the electrode resistance showed less variation with fuel composition. GDC infiltration improved the performance of fuel-electrode-supported full cells, which yielded a maximum power density of 2.28 W cm –2 in fuel cell mode and an electrolysis current density at 1.3 V of 2.22 A cm –2 , both at 800°C.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Vadose and Saturated Zone Flow and Transport Model Package Report for the Active Trenches of the Low-Level Burial Grounds, Hanford Site, Washington

This model package report (MPR) documents the development of the integrated vadose and saturated zone flow and transport model developed for the performance assessment of Trenches 31 and 34 in the low-level burial grounds (LLBGs). This modeling capability is intended for use in addressing the analysis requirements outlined in DOE O 435.1, Chg 1, Radioactive Waste Management1. The overall objective of the modeling effort is to provide a basis for making informed disposal decisions pertinent to Trenches 31 and 34. The purpose of the MPR is to document the development of the three-dimensional numerical vadose zone and saturated flow and transport model test case and evaluate its adequacy to support the LLBG performance assessment. The purpose is not to present results for DOE 435.1 decision making. The use of the model to perform base case and sensitivity analysis for the LLBG performance assessment, including inputs and results, is documented separately in subsequent environmental calculation files. This report discusses the development and translation of the conceptual model for flow and contaminant transport into the LLBG performance assessment three-dimensional numerical flow and transport model evaluated using the Subsurface Transport Over Multiple Phases (STOMP©) simulator. The development of representative geologic framework is described along with the implementation of waste release models used to represent contaminant release from waste disposed in the trenches. The report also provides the technical basis for specific model parameters and boundary conditions, along with description of modeling assumptions. This MPR includes certain calculations that are necessary to demonstrate the soundness of the model. Results provided by the model include vadose zone and saturated zone flow fields, and estimates of the possible future concentration in groundwater of technetium-99 and iodine-129 as example test cases. As an evaluation of the test cases, the model estimates of current vadose conditions are compared to available and analogous field and laboratory data, and compared to the results from the original performance assessment model (WHC-EP-0645, Performance Assessment for the Disposal of Low-Level Waste in the 200 West Area Burial Grounds 2 ). The features, events, and processes applicable to vadose zone and saturated zone flow and transport model are identified, and representative initial estimates for various parameters are documented. Note that the parameter estimates presented in this MPR are for illustration purposes, and may or may not reflect values selected for eventual performance assessment. Several key topical discussions (i.e., basis for recharge estimates, basis for vadose zone modeling, basis for saturated zone model development, and calibration) are included, which serve as the groundwork for confidence building for the groundwater pathway modeling and results. Numerical simulation results based on an example test case are included to illustrate the use of the combined saturated-unsaturated model in performance assessment calculations. Sensitivity and uncertainty results are not included in this MPR. Those results will be included in future environmental calculation files. The inclusion of the trapezoidal trench geometry and construction details in the finite difference grid introduces some gross simplifications regarding the trench and liner systems. The model test case presented in this MPR includes the assumption that the trench liner system does not affect flow through or around the trenches after the liner system is assumed to fail. This MPR also includes results of other test cases that involve alternate assumptions about how to incorporate the hydraulic effects of the trenches into the vadose zone of the model. These alternate cases do not attempt to account for the presence of the liner system after its assumed failure either. None of these cases is considered to be the base case at this time. Analysis and alternate cases that attempt to account for the presence of the liner system in greater detail, and its effect on flow through and around it, are to be documented in subsequent environmental calculation files. Depending on the results of those analyses and alternate cases, the eventual base case may involve more detailed inclusion of the effects of the liner system hydraulics.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Ninth Symposium (International) on Combustion

The Ninth Symposium (International) on Combustion was held at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, August 27 to September 1, 1962, under the auspices of the Combustion Institute. Registration was in excess of 600, with more than 100 attending from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. Over 200 papers were submitted for consideration, of which 121 were placed on the program and 108 printed in the Proceedings. Two Discussions (Detonations, organized by Dr. D. R. White, General Electric Research Laboratory; Fundamental Flame Processes, organized by Dr. W. H. Avery, APL/The Johns Hopkins University) occupied 4 half-day sessions each. Preprints of all Discussions papers were available several weeks prior to the Symposium. Three Colloquia (Modeling Principles, organized by Professor D. 13. Spalding, Imperial College; Reactions and Phase Changes in Supersonic Plow, organized by Professor P. P. Wegener, Yale University; Reciprocating Engine Combustion Research, organized by Professor E. S. Starkman, University of California) occupied 2 or 3 half-day sessions each. Contributed Papers in many areas of the combustion field were presented in 10 half-day sessions. Comments on nearly every paper are included in the Proceedings.

Gas phase↗

Application of remote sensing for prediction and detection of thermal pollution

The first phase is described of a three year project for the development of a mathematical model for predicting thermal pollution by use of remote sensing measurements. A rigid-lid model was developed, and results were obtained for different wind conditions at Biscayne Bay in South Florida. The design of the measurement system was completed, and instruments needed for the first stage of experiment were acquired, tested, and calibrated. A preliminary research flight was conducted.

Veziroglu, T. N.↗

On the investigation of cascade and turbomachinery rotor wake characteristics

The objective of the investigation reported in this thesis is to study the characteristics of a turbomachinery rotor wake, both analytically and experimentally. The constitutive equations for the rotor wake are developed using generalized tensors and a non-inertial frame of reference. Analytical and experimental investigation is carried out in two phases; the first phase involved the study of a cascade wake in the absence of rotation and three dimensionality. In the second phase the wake of a rotor is studied. Simplified two- and three-dimensional models are developed for the prediction of the mean velocity profile of the cascade and the rotor wake, respectively, using the principle of self-similarity. The effect of various major parameters of the rotor and the flow geometry is studied on the development of a rotor wake. Laws governing the decay of the wake velocity defect in a cascade and rotor wake as a function of downstream distance from the trailing edge, pressure gradient and other parameters are derived.

Raj, R.↗

RF coverage analysis and performance for Shuttle communication links

This paper describes the current work at NASA/Johnson Space Center in the area of RF coverage analysis and performance-assessment for the Space Shuttle Program communication and tracking radio links. Trajectories, antenna data, ground station and Shuttle hardware performance characteristics and RF link math models were assimilated to generate RF link performance predictions for the three basic mission phases - ascent, on-orbit, and descent. Results identify some earlier deficiencies that required re-configuration of the ground station. Overall performance is currently satisfactory.

Loh, Y.-C.↗

Time-dependent calculation of a forced mixing layer using a k-epsilon turbulence model

A two-dimensional-dependent calculation of a forced turbulent mixing layer is reported. The approach employs a k-epsilon turbulence model to represent the effects of motions which are three dimensional or out of phase with the forcing cycle. Calculations that correspond to conditions of the measurements of Weisbrot (1984) and Weisbrot and Wygnanski (1988) indicate that the main features of the mixing layer development are captured by the computation. The effect of grid refinement on the computed result indicates the importance of adequate resolution of the near field in correctly reproducing the flow evolution. The inlet boundary condition, similarly, is shown to play a decisive role in determining subsequent development.

Macinnes, J. M.↗

Control-Structure-Interaction (CSI) technologies and trends to future NASA missions

Control-structure-interaction (CSI) issues which are relevant for future NASA missions are reviewed. This goal was achieved by: (1) reviewing large space structures (LSS) technologies to provide a background and survey of the current state of the art (SOA); (2) analytically studying a focus mission to identify opportunities where CSI technology may be applied to enhance or enable future NASA spacecraft; and (3) expanding a portion of the focus mission, the large antenna, to provide in-depth trade studies, scaling laws, and methodologies which may be applied to other NASA missions. Several sections are presented. Section 1 defines CSI issues and presents an overview of the relevant modeling and control issues for LLS. Section 2 presents the results of the three phases of the CSI study. Section 2.1 gives the results of a CSI study conducted with the Geostationary Platform (Geoplat) as the focus mission. Section 2.2 contains an overview of the CSI control design methodology available in the technical community. Included is a survey of the CSI ground-based experiments which were conducted to verify theoretical performance predictions. Section 2.3 presents and demonstrates a new CSI scaling law methodology for assessing potential CSI with large antenna systems.

Source record↗

Calculating n-point charge correlations in evolving systems

Background: In dynamic systems such as heavy-ion collisions, charge susceptibilities and local charge correlations change with time. These changes are accompanied by nonlocal correlations, which spread diffusively with time and are constrained by local charge conservation. Such correlations have been measured at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) and have been linked to the chemical evolution of the matter and possible phase separation or critical phenomena. The evolution of such correlations has been modeled for two-point correlators superimposed onto hydrodynamics, but not for three- or four-point correlators. These higher-order correlators represent an essential basis for calculating the kurtosis and skewness of charge distributions measured at RHIC. For short-range correlations, such as those between charges on the same particle, and the associated charge-balance correlations a theoretical formalism was lacking for handling higher-order correlations. In particular, one needed to understand how higher-order charge fluctuations was split onto lower numbers of particles. For example, correlations of order three have contributions with charge all on one particle, split onto two particle, or split onto three. By assuming local chemical equilibrium of short-range correlations, the sources of the various correlators were found to be uniquely determined. The relevant theoretical foundation is presented here, including a diagrammatic technique to correctly account for all the possible terms to higher-order correlations. Here, we found a consistent theoretical treatment and its applicability, viability, and tractability are discussed. The formalism derived here enables realistic and quantitative modeling of the three- and four-point charge correlations necessary for understanding measurements of the kurtosis and skewness of charge distributions at RHIC. These observables have been promoted as signals of phase transitions or measures of chemical evolution.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Phase-field modeling and experiments of dynamic fracture in single crystal quartz

Predicting the onset and characteristics of brittle fracture is important for a wide range of engineering and geological material applications. In this paper, we study important aspects of brittle fracture in α-quartz by phase-field modeling and experiments using a top-down approach. In the modeling framework, the work term in the Griffith energy balance is replaced with internal energy contributions that represent surface energy, thermal energy, and elastic strain energy stored in defects. This allows parametrization of individual energy contributions in terms of internal state variables and keeps track of energy partitioning after the onset of fracture. The path and history dependence of fracture is included in evolution laws for internal state variables, e.g., entropy evolution, while the energy remains a true potential. In the experimental part, dynamic compression experiments coupled with X-ray phase contrast imaging are performed on cube-like samples with a hole. In the top-down analysis, dynamic compression and three point bending experiments from the literature are simulated with the developed phase-field damage model. In conclusion, the fitted model highlights the strain rate, size, and stress state dependence of damage nucleation and evolution in single crystal α-quartz.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Three-state Potts nematic order in stacked frustrated spin models with SO(3) symmetry

Here, we propose stacked two-dimensional lattice designs of frustrated and SO(3) symmetric spin models consisting of antiferromagnetic (AF) triangular and ferromagnetic (FM) sixfold symmetric sublattices that realize emergent $\mathbb{Z}_{3}$ Potts nematic order. Considering bilinear-biquadratic spin interactions, our models describe an SO(3)-symmetric triangular lattice AF subject to a fluctuating magnetization arising from the FM coupled sublattice. We focus on the classical AFM-FM windmill model and map out the zero- and finite-temperature phase diagram using Monte Carlo simulations and analytical calculations. We discover a state with composite Potts nematic order above the ferrimagnetic three-sublattice up-up-down ground state and relate it to Potts phases in SO(3)-broken Heisenberg and Ising AFMs in external magnetic fields. Finally, we show that the biquadratic exchange in our model is automatically induced by thermal and quantum fluctuations in the purely bilinear Heisenberg model, easing the requirements for realizing these lattice designs experimentally.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗