Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “field validation”

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 451 records · Page 25

Nucleon Spin Sum Rules and Spin Polarizabilities at low $Q^2$

We report on recently published experimental studies on spin sum rules, namely the generalized Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn, Bjorken, Burkhardt-Cottingham, Schwinger, and generalized spin polarizability sum rules. The data were taken at Jefferson Lab in Halls A and B by experiments E97-110 and EG4, respectively. They covered the very low $Q^2$ domain, down to $Q^2$$\simeq$0.02 GeV$^2$, where Chiral Effective Field Theory ($\chi$EFT) predictions should be valid. While some of the obervables agree with the state-of-the-art $\chi$EFT predictions, others are in tensions, including the Longitudinal-Transverse interference polarizability $\delta_{\rm LT}^n(Q^2)$ for which $\chi$EFT prediction was expected to be robust. This suggests that $\chi$EFT does not yet consistently describes nucleon spin observables, even in the very low $Q^2$ domain covered by the experiments.

Deur, Alexandre↗

Change Detection Applications in the Earth Sciences Using UAS-Based Sensing: A Review and Future Opportunities

Over the past decade, advancements in collection platforms such as unoccupied aerial systems (UAS), survey-grade GNSS, sensor packages, processing software, and spatial analytical tools have facilitated change detection analyses at an unprecedented resolution over broader spatial and temporal extents and in environments where such investigations present challenges. These technological improvements, coupled with the accessibility and versatility of UAS technology, have pushed the boundaries of spatial and temporal scales in geomorphic change detection. As a result, the cm-scale analysis of topographic signatures can detect and quantify surface anomalies during geomorphic evolution. This review focuses on the use of UAS photogrammetry for fine spatial (cm) and temporal (hours to days) scale geomorphic analyses, and it highlights analytical approaches to detect and quantify surface processes that were previously elusive. The review provides insight into topographic change characterization with precise spatial validations applied to landscape processes in various fields, such as the cryosphere and geosphere, as well as anthropogenic earth processes and national security applications. This work sheds light on previously unexplored aspects of both natural and human-engineered environments, demonstrating the potential of UAS observations in change detection. Our discussion examines the emerging horizons of UAS-based change detection, including machine learning and LIDAR systems. In addition, our meta-analysis of spatial and temporal UAS-based observations highlights the new fine-scale niche of UAS-photogrammetry. This scale advancement sets a new frontier in change detection, offering exciting possibilities for the future of land surface analysis and environmental monitoring in the field of Earth Science.

Andresen, Christian G.↗

Statistical Validation of Multiple Related Data Sets—Case Study Using Interstellar Boundary Explorer Satellite Data

Abstract Space scientists often face the question of whether data collected by different instruments are measurements of the same source population. This paper proposes a statistical validation method for evaluating the agreement between such related data sets. It offers a detailed case study focused on validating a new data set from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission, which serves as a practical how-to guide for similar analyses. Since 2008, the IBEX satellite has been gathering data on heliospheric energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) while being exposed to various sources of background noise, such as cosmic rays and solar energetic particles. The IBEX mission initially released only a qualified triple-coincidence (qABC) data product, which was designed to provide observations of ENAs free of background contamination. Further measurements revealed that the qABC data were in fact susceptible to contamination, having relatively low ENA counts and high background rates. To mitigate this issue, the mission team recently considered releasing a certain qualified double-coincidence (qBC) data product, which has roughly twice the detection rate of the qABC data product. This paper presents a simulation-based validation of the new qBC data product against the already-released qABC data product. The results show that the qBCs can plausibly be said to be measuring the same source population as the qABCs up to an average absolute deviation of 3.6%. Visual diagnostics provide additional confirmation of source rate coherence across data products. The framework introduced here is general and can be applied to other validation problems both within and outside the field of space physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A differential emissivity imaging technique for measuring hydrometeor mass and type

Abstract. The Differential Emissivity Imaging Disdrometer (DEID) is a new evaporation-based optical and thermal instrument designed to measure the mass, size, density and type of individual hydrometeors as well as their bulk properties. Hydrometeor spatial dimensions are measured on a heated metal plate using an infrared camera by exploiting the much higher thermal emissivity of water compared with metal. As a melted hydrometeor evaporates, its mass can be directly related to the loss of heat from the hotplate assuming energy conservation across the hydrometeor. The heat loss required to evaporate a hydrometeor is found to be independent of environmental conditions including ambient wind velocity, moisture level and temperature. The difference in heat loss for snow vs. rain for a given mass offers a method for discriminating precipitation phase. The DEID measures hydrometeors at sampling frequencies of up to 1 Hz with masses and effective diameters greater than 1 µg and 200 µm, respectively, determined by the size of the hotplate and the thermal camera specifications. Measurable snow water equivalent (SWE) precipitation rates range from 0.001 to 200 mm h−1, as validated against a standard weighing bucket. Preliminary field experiment measurements of snow and rain from the winters of 2019 and 2020 provided continuous automated measurements of precipitation rate, snow density and visibility. Measured hydrometeor size distributions agree well with canonical results described in the literature.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Probabilistic estimation of depth-resolved profiles of soil thermal diffusivity from temperature time series

Abstract. Improving the quantification of soil thermal and physical properties is key to achieving a better understanding and prediction of soil hydro-biogeochemical processes and their responses to changes in atmospheric forcing. Obtaining such information at numerous locations and/or over time with conventional soil sampling is challenging. The increasing availability of low-cost, vertically resolved temperature sensor arrays offers promise for improving the estimation of soil thermal properties from temperature time series, and the possible indirect estimation of physical properties. Still, the reliability and limitations of such an approach need to be assessed. In the present study, we develop a parameter estimation approach based on a combination of thermal modeling, sliding time windows, Bayesian inference, and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation to estimate thermal diffusivity and its uncertainty over time, at numerous locations and at an unprecedented vertical spatial resolution (i.e., down to 5 to 10 cm vertical resolution) from soil temperature time series. We provide the necessary framework to assess under which environmental conditions (soil temperature gradient, fluctuations, and trend), temperature sensor characteristics (bias and level of noise), and deployment geometries (sensor number and position) soil thermal diffusivity can be reliably inferred. We validate the method with synthetic experiments and field studies. The synthetic experiments show that in the presence of median diurnal fluctuations ≥ 1.5 ∘C at 5 cm below the ground surface, temperature gradients > 2 ∘C m−1, and a sliding time window of at least 4 d the proposed method provides reliable depth-resolved thermal diffusivity estimates with percentage errors ≤ 10 % and posterior relative standard deviations ≤ 5 % up to 1 m depth. Reliable thermal diffusivity under such environmental conditions also requires temperature sensors to be spaced precisely (with accuracy to a few millimeters), with a level of noise ≤ 0.02 ∘C, and with a bias defined by a standard deviation ≤ 0.01 ∘C. Finally, the application of the developed approach to field data indicates significant repeatability in results and similarity with independent measurements, as well as promise in using a sliding time window to estimate temporal changes in soil thermal diffusivity, as needed to potentially capture changes in bulk density or water content.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A Machine Learning-Based Method to Estimate Transformer Primary-Side Voltages with Limited Customer-Side AMI Measurements

Distribution control applications such as volt/var optimization, network reconfiguration, and distribution automation require accurate knowledge of the distribution system state. The lack of sufficient sensors on the primary side of distribution networks often limits the accuracy of the control decisions by these applications. The deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) provides utilities an opportunity to translate the AMI data on the secondary onto the primary so that it can be used as pseudo-measurements to augment the limited existing measurements on the primary. This paper develops an approach for estimating service transformer primary-side voltages by using limited secondary-side AMI measurements. The estimated primary-side voltages can be used by utilities as pseudo-measurements for distribution control applications. The detailed secondary model topology, which is an essential input data for many existing algorithms, is not required for the proposed method. The performance of the proposed method is validated by using AMI measurements from the field and an actual distribution feeder model of San Diego Gas & Electric Company.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A Machine Learning-Based Method to Estimate Transformer Primary-Side Voltages with Limited Customer-Side AMI Measurements: Preprint

Distribution control applications such as volt/var optimization, network reconfiguration, and distribution automation require accurate knowledge of the distribution system state. The lack of sufficient sensors on the primary side of distribution networks often limits the accuracy of the control decisions by these applications. The deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) provides utilities an opportunity to translate the AMI data on the secondary onto the primary so that it can be used as pseudo-measurements to augment the limited existing measurements on the primary. This paper develops an approach for estimating service transformer primary-side voltages by using limited secondary-side AMI measurements. The estimated primary-side voltages can be used by utilities as pseudo-measurements for distribution control applications. The detailed secondary model topology, which is an essential input data for many existing algorithms, is not required for the proposed method. The performance of the proposed method is validated by using AMI measurements from the field and an actual distribution feeder model of San Diego Gas & Electric Company.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

GOOML - Finding Optimization Opportunities for Geothermal Operations: Preprint

Geothermal Operational Optimization with Machine Learning (GOOML) is a transferable and extensible component-based geothermal asset modeling framework that considers complex steamfield relationships and identifies optimization prospects using a data-driven approach. We have used this framework to develop digital twins that provide steamfield operators with an operational environment to analyze and understand historical and forecasted power production, explore new steamfield configuration possibilities, and seek optimal asset management for real world applications. The GOOML modeling software is built on a generic component-based systems framework that allows for both historical and forecast analysis. A GOOML model can perform historical data-assimilation using first-principal thermodynamics to create a meaningful data model. Historical production data can then be coupled with a forecast framework to train machine-learning models of steamfield components to predict future outputs. This modeling environment enables digital exploration of steamfield design configurations and operational scenarios. GOOML digital twins have been developed for steamfields in New Zealand and the United States representing differing power generation and field conditions. These digital twins have been validated by comparing hindcast predictions against historical production data. Reinforcement learning experiments were conducted to demonstrate the ability to programmatically explore the operations space using machine learning agents. Our initial results are compelling; two to five percent increases in annual energy production were demonstrated by the GOOML models with no additional infrastructure build required. GOOML offers a new approach to geothermal operations by applying state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms, comprehensive data analytics, and interaction with digital twins. Through application of these tools, operators will realize greater availability and higher net generation which will increase the cost effectiveness of geothermal energy projects.

access↗

Performance and wake flow characterization of a 1:8.7-scale reference USDOE MHKF1 hydrokinetic turbine to establish a verification and validation test database

As hydrokinetic turbine technologies continue to advance towards commercialization, public datasets on the performance characteristics for these devices and their flow field effects are invaluable to advance our understanding of these technologies and to validate analytical and numerical models. The Applied Research Laboratory at The Pennsylvania State University (ARL Penn State) collaborated with Sandia National Laboratories and the University of California at Davis to design, fabricate (at a 1:8.7 scale), and experimentally test a novel hydrokinetic turbine rotor design to provide an open platform and dataset for further study and development. The water tunnel test of this three-bladed, horizontal-axis rotor recorded power production, blade loading, the near-wake flow, cavitation effects, and noise generation. These state-of-the-art measurements demonstrate much of the complex physics associated with the flow through an unducted, horizontal-axis turbine, and they elucidate the performance characteristics and flow field effects at an unprecedented fidelity, accuracy and resolution. Measurements of powering coefficients (power, torque and thrust) as a function of tip-speed-ratio were performed. The dataset also includes unsteady measurements of driveshaft loading, blade strain, tower pressures, and radiated noise. Detailed flow mapping using laser Doppler velocimetry, and planar and stereo particle image velocimetry includes measurements of mean velocity and Reynolds stresses. Although the wake measurements are limited to less than half a diameter, they reveal the complex flow patterns in the near-wake structure of the rotor. The full database, available at the United States Department of Energy’s marine and hydrokinetic data repository, includes tunnel and model Computer Aided Design geometry files and inflow data sufficient for a “Model-the-Test” computational Verification and Validation study.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Experiences and Lessons from Field Demonstration of Grid-forming Inverter in An AC Microgrid

The validation of GFM control strategies through simulation and hardware demonstration is important before their large-scale deployments in the real grid. Considering the importance of testing and validation, several works have explored the GFM inverter’s capability to blackstart a microgrid, synchronize and share loads, and interact with various types of generation sources and loads present in the grid. Herein, this paper complements the existing works by presenting the results and analysis of a field demonstration in an actual AC microgrid. The capability of a three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) GFM inverter equipped with a recursive feedback type of non-linear device level control to operate with PV source on its DC input and off-the-shelf PVGFL inverters and EV chargers of different kinds on the AC side is explored. The analysis and conclusions drawn would inform the readers to make better decisions during the field demonstration process.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

ROOT RNTuple and EOS: The Next Generation of Event Data I/O

For several years, the ROOT team is developing the new RNTuple I/O subsystem in preparation of the next generation of collider experiments. Both HL-LHC and DUNE are expected to start data taking by the end of this decade. They pose unprecedented challenges to event data I/O in terms of data rates, event sizes, and event complexity. At the same time, the I/O landscape is becoming more diverse. HPC cluster file systems and object stores, NVMe disk cache layers in analysis facilities, and S3 storage on cloud resources are mixing with traditional XRootD-managed spinning disk pools.The ROOT team will finalize a first production version of the RNTuple binary format by the end of 2024. After this point, ROOT will provide backward compatibility for RNTuple data. This contribution provides an overview of the RNTuple feature set, the related R&D activities and the long-term vision for RNTuple. We report on performance, interface design, tooling, robustness, integration with experiment frameworks, and validation results, as well as recent R&D on parallel reading and writing and exploitation of modern hardware and storage systems. We will give an outlook on possible future features after a first production release.Collaboratively, the IT and EP departments at CERN have launched a formal project within the Research and Computing sector to evaluate the novel data format for physics analysis data utilized in LHC experiments and other fields. This part of the project focuses on validating the scalability of the EOS storage backend during the transition from the over 25 years old TTree production format to the newly developed RNTuple format, using both replicated and erasure-coded storage profiles.

Blomer, Jakob [CERN]↗

Evaluation of a practical approach for field scale moisture flow modeling in heterogeneous media at a semiarid site

Abstract A practical approach for modeling field‐scale moisture flow in a highly heterogeneous unsaturated medium is described in this study. The validity of this approach is demonstrated through comparison of the numerical simulations with field observations at a semiarid site located in southcentral Washington State. The methodology is based on upscaling the core scale hydraulic properties and combining power‐law and tensorial connectivity‐tortuosity (PA‐TCT) approaches to derive macroscopic anisotropy parameters for each hydrostratigraphic unit (HSU) identified in the field. Each heterogeneous HSU is approximated by an equivalent homogeneous medium (EHM) model for which PA‐TCT parameters are used in the flow simulations. The available field data on moisture content and matric potential are compared with steady‐state flow simulations based on the mean form of Richards' equation. While the homogenization or averaging of heterogeneities, embedded in the EHM modeling approximation, cannot capture all of the field‐scale variability, the simulated steady‐state moisture and matric potential profiles capture well the central tendency of the field data. This approach is deemed practical for assessing the fate and transport of contaminants in highly heterogeneous unsaturated media at the transport scale of hundreds of meters.

Khaleel, Raziuddin↗

Machine Learning‐Assisted Microearthquake Location Workflow for Monitoring the Newberry Enhanced Geothermal System

Abstract Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) offer a sustainable energy source but face challenges in accurately locating microearthquakes induced during reservoir stimulation. Locating these microearthquakes provides reliable feedback on the stimulation progress. Current deep learning methods for locating earthquakes require extensive data sets for training, which is problematic as detected microearthquakes are often limited. To address the scarcity of training data, we propose a practical workflow using probabilistic multilayer perceptron (PMLP) which predicts microearthquake locations from cross‐correlation time lags in waveforms. Utilizing a 3D velocity model of Newberry site derived from ambient noise interferometry, we generate numerous synthetic microearthquakes and 3D acoustic waveforms for PMLP training. Accurate synthetic tests prompt us to apply the trained network to the 2012 and 2014 stimulation field waveforms. To enhance the accuracy of source localization, we carefully handpick the P‐arrival times. Predictions on the 2012 stimulation data set show major microseismic activity at depths of 0.5–1.2 km, correlating with a known casing leakage scenario. In the 2014 data set, the majority of predictions concentrate at 2.0–2.9 km depths, consistent with results obtained from conventional physics‐based inversion, and align with the presence of natural fractures from 2.0 to 2.7 km. We validate our findings by comparing the synthetic and field picks, demonstrating a satisfactory match for the first arrivals. By combining the benefits of quick inference speeds and accurate location predictions, we demonstrate the feasibility of using realistic synthetic data set to locate microseismicity for EGS monitoring.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Focused Ion Beam Tomography of Alloy 617 Corroded in Molten Chloride Salt

Materials qualification of reactor structural materials is a critical step in rapid implementation of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, particularly to assess the corrosion performance in these designs. Accelerated qualification of reactor structural materials requires incorporating powerful computational toolsets, such as phase field modelling in the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) framework, to predict the evolution of structural materials due to corrosion. Accordingly, computational toolsets will require experimental data generated at appropriate length scales to validate accuracy. Focused ion beam (FIB) provides a high degree of control over manipulation of materials for analytical purposes, including capturing data on the evolution in the microstructure and elemental composition of materials at the mesoscale, an appropriate length scale for phase field modelling of intergranular diffusion phenomena using the MOOSE framework. For instance, the FEI Helios G4 UX dual beam plasma FIB microscope at the Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL) is capable of backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) documenting the evolution in the microstructure and elemental composition, respectively. The Helios can perform EDS and EBSD three-dimensionally (3D) using tomography, which is then combined using different software packages to visualize 3D volumes correlating elemental composition to microstructural data. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a streamlined characterization and data processing workflow for 3D tomography studies on the FEI Helios G4 plasma FIB. The investigation is segmented into three parts: 1) Optimizing the data collection workflow, 2) identifying appropriate data processing and visualization software (i.e. DREAM.3D, MIPAR, and VGStudioMax), and 3) establishing an infrastructure for public release. The optimization of the data collection workflow is in collaboration with members of the U220 department to setup formal training on the tomography operation of the G4, through ThermoFisher Scientific, and exploring DREAM.3D, MIPAR, and VGStudioMax data processing/visualization software packages. VGStudioMax currently demonstrates the most promise for future use. Optimization of the data collection and processing workflow is still ongoing. A collaboration with INL High Performance Computing (HPC) established an open-source license for expediting the public release of FIB tomography datasets through HPC. FIB tomography data generated by the G4 will provide comprehensive data for validating 3D phase field mesoscale modelling tools within the MOOSE framework for accelerated qualification of reactor structural materials.

Copeland-Johnson, Trishelle↗

First application of a digital mirror Langmuir probe for real-time plasma diagnosis

We report for the first time, a digital Mirror Langmuir Probe (MLP) has successfully sampled plasma temperature, ion saturation current, and floating potential together on a single probe tip in real time in a radio-frequency driven helicon linear plasma device. This is accomplished by feedback control of the bias sweep to ensure a good fit to I–V characteristics with a high frequency, high power digital amplifier, and field-programmable gate array controller. Measurements taken by the MLP were validated by a low speed I–V characteristic manually collected during static plasma conditions. Plasma fluctuations, induced by varying the axial magnetic field($\widetilde{f}$ = 10 Hz), were also successfully monitored with the MLP. Further refinement of the digital MLP pushes it toward a turn-key system that minimizes the time to deployment and lessens the learning curve, positioning the digital MLP as a capable diagnostic for the study of low radio-frequency plasma physics. These demonstrations bolster confidence in fielding such digital MLP diagnostics in magnetic confinement experiments with high spatial and adequate temporal resolution, such as edge plasma, scrape-off layer, and divertor probes.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Model validation and selection in metabolic flux analysis and flux balance analysis

13C-Metabolic Flux Analysis (13C-MFA) and Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) are widely used to investigate the operation of biochemical networks in both biological and biotechnological research. Both methods use metabolic reaction network models of metabolism operating at steady state so that reaction rates (fluxes) and the levels of metabolic intermediates are constrained to be invariant. They provide estimated (MFA) or predicted (FBA) values of the fluxes through the network in vivo, which cannot be measured directly. These fluxes can shed light on basic biology and have been successfully used to inform metabolic engineering strategies. Several approaches have been taken to test the reliability of estimates and predictions from constraint-based methods and to compare alternative model architectures. Despite advances in other areas of the statistical evaluation of metabolic models, such as the quantification of flux estimate uncertainty, validation and model selection methods have been underappreciated and underexplored. We review the history and state-of-the-art in constraint-based metabolic model validation and model selection. Applications and limitations of the χ 2 -test of goodness-of-fit, the most widely used quantitative validation and selection approach in 13C-MFA, are discussed, and complementary and alternative forms of validation and selection are proposed. A combined model validation and selection framework for 13C-MFA incorporating metabolite pool size information that leverages new developments in the field is presented and advocated for. Finally, we discuss how adopting robust validation and selection procedures can enhance confidence in constraint-based modeling as a whole and ultimately facilitate more widespread use of FBA in biotechnology.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Measuring representative volume elements from high-resolution grain-scale strain fields

Most crystalline materials present a highly heterogeneous response at the microscale, which can be affected by both internal factors (such as microstructural parameters) and external factors (such as loading). Relating microscale inhomogeneities to the macroscale response of a material requires the use of homogenisation techniques, usually based on the concept of a representative volume element (RVE)—the smallest volume of material that represents the global average response. Here, in this work, we present a new and robust experimental method of measuring the size of a strain-based RVE from high-resolution grain-scale strain fields obtained using digital image correlation (DIC). The proposed method is based on the statistical (stereological) nature of the RVE, which has been widely adopted in numerical studies, and involves dividing a strain field into randomly selected regions of varying sizes and statistically analysing the distributions of average strains within them. To validate the new method, we generate a large number of synthetic strain fields from a fractional Gaussian noise algorithm. The proposed stereological method is shown to be capable of producing reliable RVE measurements from a very large range of possible microscale strain fields while at the same time being robust in that it can produce RVE measurement results even in cases where other existing methods may be unable to do so. The proposed method has a low field-of-view requirement, only needing a field-of-view about 1.2 times as large as the RVE to produce reliable measurements. In addition, the stereological method offers significant flexibility since its statistical nature allows for control over how strict the RVE measurement should be in each case.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Mu2e Digitizer ReAdout Controller (DiRAC): characterization and radiation hardness

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for the neutrino-less coherent conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of a nucleus. Mu2e detectors comprise a straw tracker, an electromagnetic calorimeter and a veto for cosmic rays. The calorimeter employs 1348 Cesium Iodide crystals readout by silicon photo-multipliers and fast front-end, and digitization electronics. The digitization board is named DiRAC (Digitizer ReAdout Controller) and 140 cards are needed for the readout of the full calorimeter. The DiRACs are hosted in crates located on the external surface of calorimeter disks, inside the detector solenoid cryostat and must sustain very high radiation and magnetic field so it was necessary to fully qualify it. Several version of prototypes were validated for operation in a high-vacuum (10−4 Torr) and under a 1T magnetic field. An extensive radiation hardness qualification campaign, carried out with photons, 14 MeV neutron beams, and 200 MeV protons, certified the DiRAC design to sustain doses up to 12 Krad, neutron fluences up to ∼ 1011 1 MeV neq/cm2, and very low occurrences of single-event effects. The qualification campaigns and quality assurance procedures will be reviewed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗