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At least 487 records · Page 27

The Silver Lining

Clouds are shareable scientific instruments that create the potential for reproducibility by ensuring that all investigators have access to a common execution platform on which computational experiments can be repeated and compared. By virtue of the interface they present, they also lead to the creation of digital artifacts compatible with the cloud, such as images or orchestration templates, that go a long way-and sometimes all the way-to representing an experiment in a digital, repeatable form. In this article, I describe how we developed these natural advantages of clouds in the Chameleon testbed and argue that we should leverage them to create a digital research marketplace that would make repeating experiments as natural and viable part of research as sharing ideas via reading papers is today.

Cloud computing↗

Design-to-Deployment Continuum Platform for Microscopes and Computing Ecosystems

Science ecosystems with networked computing systems and physical instruments are increasingly being deployed with a goal to achieve the productivity promised by AI-supported remote automation. In support of these efforts, the virtual infrastructure twins (VITs) have been successfully utilized to develop the orchestration codes for these ecosystems without requiring physical access to expensive instruments, such as electron microscopes. Currently, the utility of such a VIT is severely limited by the computing capacity and capability of the computing system used as its host. Furthermore, codes developed on the VIT typically need to be transferred and refactored for production use, particularly, on high-performance systems with accelerators. In response, we develop a design-to-deployment continuum platform wherein a VIT runs natively on the ecosystem's own computing system, and thereby facilitates the continual in-situ testing and transition of codes for production use. Here, we describe the development and testing of software for remote microscope steering and GPU-based image reconstruction using this platform on a multi-GPU computing system networked to Nion microscopes. We demonstrate a continual transition of steering and reconstruction codes developed under VIT platform to production ecosystem deployment.

Al-Najjar, Anees [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (O↗

Geomagnetically Induced Current Field Test on Large Grid-Connected Power Transformers: Analysis, Model Development, and Simulations

Geomagnetic-induced current (GIC) flow in power grids can cause undesirable effects such as transformer overheating, harmonics, higher reactive power demand, etc. Many simulation models have been developed to study these effects, but real-world verification on modern transformer designs is rare. Here, this paper presents the first long-duration GIC field test in the U.S. performed on high-voltage, grid-connected transformers featuring winding clamps and tie rods instead of conventional tie bars. Field measurements were taken to evaluate GIC effects. These measurements also aided in developing and validating thermal and electromagnetic transient (EMT) models of the transformers. During the test, significant current and voltage distortions were observed along with considerable transformer reactive power losses. Analysis of the field measurements showed that the transformers’ hottest spot was at the inner windings, and their k-factors were close to factory test and software default values. Thermal simulations indicated that the transformers would not violate their thermal limits even for a GIC waveform that peaks at about 200 A/phase. EMT simulations revealed that increased transformer loading may reduce GIC-induced reactive power demand and harmonics in certain scenarios. The study also highlighted potential inaccuracies in using the k-factor method to calculate transformer reactive power losses.

EMTDC↗

Evaluation of Energy Storage Potential of Unconventional Shale Reservoirs Using Numerical Simulation of Cyclic Gas Injection

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) stores energy as compressed air in underground formations, typically salt dome caverns. When electricity demand grows, the compressed air is released through a turbine to produce electricity. CAES in the US is limited to one plant built in 1991, due in part to the inherent risk and uncertainty of developing subsurface storage reservoirs. As an alternative to CAES, we propose using some of the hundreds of thousands of hydraulically fractured horizontal wells to store energy as compressed natural gas in unconventional shale reservoirs. To store energy, produced or “sales” natural gas is injected back into the formation using excess electricity and is later produced through an expander to generate electricity. To evaluate this concept, we performed numerical simulations of cyclic natural gas injection into unconventional shale reservoirs using cmg-gem commercial reservoir modeling software. We tested short-term (diurnal) and long-term (seasonal) energy storage potential by modeling well injection and production gas flowrates as a function of bottom-hole pressure. First, we developed a conceptual model of a single fracture stage in an unconventional shale reservoir to characterize reservoir behavior during cyclic injection and production. Next, we modeled cyclic injection in the Marcellus shale gas play using published data. Results indicate that Marcellus unconventional shale reservoirs could support both short- and long-term energy storage at capacities of 100–1000 kWe per well. The results indicate that energy storage in unconventional shale gas wells may be feasible and warrants further investigation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Assessment of the Phase-to-Ground Fault Apparent Admittance Method with Phase/Ground Boundaries to Detect Types of Electrical Faults for Protective Relays Using Signature Library and Simulated Events

Protective relays in electric power grids recognize the types of electrical faults in a few seconds. The most common detection method to detect the types of electrical faults is based on measuring the angle between the zero and negative sequence currents. However, it is not completely accurate because the phase-to-phase-ground and phase-to-ground electrical faults could have the same detection conditions. Therefore, engineers need to plot the events after an electrical fault to observe the nature of the incidents in detail. In this study, the phase-to-ground fault apparent (PGFA) admittance method with phase/ground boundaries identified the types of electrical faults located in distribution power lines and feeders. This method was based on measuring the PGFA admittance magnitudes for the faulted and nonfaulted phases, resulting in greater than zero and near zero, respectively. The PGFA admittance algorithm was built with MATLAB/Simulink software and tested with signature library and grid simulation events. The PGFA method with phase/ground boundaries was evaluated with the confusion matrix. The measured and predicted values matched in more than 90% of the tests, and the PGFA admittance method with phase/ground boundaries presented an accuracy of 94.3% and a precision of 100%.

42 ENGINEERING↗

FAUST - Benchmark and Validation Framework [Slides]

This presentation discusses Python packages for nuclear data applications and for benchmarking. It also discusses the goals and objectives for FAUST which include providing input and output processing for different calculation codes, allowing for exchanging results between different applications and codes, running benchmarks and processing the results, automating and simplify plot and report generation, and providing a basis for developing applications useful for nuclear data evaluators. The presentation also discusses how the packages can be used both inside and outside LANL.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Transient Data Library of Solar Grid Integrated Distributed System

This submission contains an open-source library of transient events in distributed system with high solar PV. The library includes the collected data, related documents and scripts for loading the data. The data library is built for transient event detection and machine learning based analysis algorithm development. The data was collected via both field test and software simulation. The units for the data are included in the data file headers for each data series. A text editor or spreadsheet software, such as Excel, and Matlab is required to view the data.

algorithms↗

Analysis of Spectral Lines in Large Databases of Synthetic Spectra for Massive Stars

In this paper, we describe a program that identifies in the optical spectrum the main parameters of a spectral line, namely the initial and final wavelengths, and the line depth. Moreover, using numerical calculations, it identifies and removes adjacent lines. Next, the program calculates the equivalent width and the FWHM. The software was tested in a sample of 300 lines in two databases of synthetic spectra generated by the CMFGEN and PoWR codes, and 300 lines in observed spectra from the IACOB database, showing a Gaussian distribution of relative errors, from which it is inferred that 80% of the measured lines have errors less than 17% and only 5% of the lines have errors greater than 26%. The program was also run on the entire database of 45,000 CMFGEN and 202 POWR synthetic spectra, generating a library of H i, He i, and He ii lines necessary to feed the FITspec code for the derivation of stellar parameters: effective temperature, surface gravity, and luminosity.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Recovering the Star Formation Histories of Recently Quenched Galaxies: The Impact of Model and Prior Choices

Accurate models of the star formation histories (SFHs) of recently quenched galaxies can provide constraints on when and how galaxies shut down their star formation. The recent development of nonparametric SFH models promises the flexibility required to make these measurements. However, model and prior choices significantly affect derived SFHs, particularly for post-starburst galaxies (PSBs), which have sharp changes in their recent SFH. In this paper, we create mock PSBs, then use the Prospector SED fitting software to test how well four different SFH models recover key properties. We find that a two-component parametric model performs well for our simple mock galaxies, but is sensitive to model mismatches. The fixed- and flexible-bin nonparametric models included in Prospector are able to rapidly quench a major burst of star formation, but systematically underestimate the post-burst age by up to 200 Myr. We develop a custom SFH model that allows for additional flexibility in the recent SFH. Our flexible nonparametric model is able to constrain post-burst ages with no significant offset and just ~90 Myr of scatter. Our results suggest that while standard nonparametric models are able to recover first-order quantities of the SFH (mass, SFR, average age), accurately recovering higher-order quantities (burst fraction, quenching time) requires careful consideration of model flexibility. These mock recovery tests are a critical part of future SFH studies. Finally, we show that our new, public SFH model is able to accurately recover the properties of mock star-forming and quiescent galaxies and is suitable for broader use in the SED fitting community. https://github.com/bd-j/prospector

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A guide to onboard checkout. Volume 1: Guidance, navigation and control

The results are presented of a study of onboard checkout techniques, as they relate to space station subsystems, as a guide to those who may need to implement onboard checkout in similar subsystems. Guidance, navigation, and control subsystems, and their reliability and failure analyses are presented. Software and testing procedures are also given.

Source record↗

Microbial load monitor

Design analysis of a microbial load monitor system flight engineering model was presented. Checkout of the card taper and media pump system was fabricated as well as the final two incubating reading heads, the sample receiving and card loading device assembly, related sterility testing, and software. Progress in these areas was summarized.

Caplin, R. S.↗

YF-12 cooperative airframe/propulsion control system program, volume 1

Several YF-12C airplane analog control systems were converted to a digital system. Included were the air data computer, autopilot, inlet control system, and autothrottle systems. This conversion was performed to allow assessment of digital technology applications to supersonic cruise aircraft. The digital system was composed of a digital computer and specialized interface unit. A large scale mathematical simulation of the airplane was used for integration testing and software checkout.

Anderson, D. L.↗

Gravity and magnetic anomaly modeling and correlation using the SPHERE program and Magsat data

The spherical Earth inversion, modeling, and contouring software were tested and modified for processing data in the Southern Hemisphere. Preliminary geologic/tectonic maps and selected cross sections for South and Central America and the Caribbean region are being compiled and as well as gravity and magnetic models for the major geological features of the area. A preliminary gravity model of the Andeas Beniff Zone was constructed so that the density columns east and west of the subducted plates are in approximate isostatic equilibrium. The magnetic anomaly for the corresponding magnetic model of the zone is being computed with the SPHERE program. A test tape containing global magnetic measurements was converted to a tape compatible with Purdue's CDC system. NOO data were screened for periods of high diurnal activity and reduced to anomaly form using the IGS-75 model. Magnetic intensity anomaly profiles were plotted on the conterminous U.S. map using the track lines as the anomaly base level. The transcontinental magnetic high seen in POGO and MAGSAT data is also represented in the NOO data.

Braile, L. W.↗

Geometric error characterization and error budgets

Procedures used in characterizing geometric error sources for a spaceborne imaging system are described using the LANDSAT D thematic mapper ground segment processing as the prototype. Software was tested through simulation and is undergoing tests with the operational hardware as part of the prelaunch system evaluation. Geometric accuracy specifications, geometric correction, and control point processing are discussed. Cross track and along track errors are tabulated for the thematic mapper, the spacecraft, and ground processing to show the temporal registration error budget in pixel (42.5 microrad) 90%.

Beyer, E.↗