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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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Spall Strength of Shock-Heated Hafnium and the Equation of State of Its Polymorphic Modifications

We determined the spall strength of hafnium heated by a loading shock wave to thousands of degrees and subjected to transformations into denser polymorphic modifications. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved. The pressure profiles at the interface between the sample and soft buffer material in the spall experiments with flat, one-dimensional loading are measured. The equations of state of three polymorphic modifications of hafnium are constructed in the pressure range up to 100 GPa. The thermodynamic states of hafnium were calculated under the conditions of the performed experiments, which, together with the results of measurements of pressure profiles, made it possible to determine the spall strength of hafnium heated in a cycle of shock compression–unloading. The spall strength of hafnium was –4(1) GPa at a temperature of 1680(380) K. The spall experiments were mathematically simulated in the framework of a one-dimensional hydrocode.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Calculation of Self-Sputtering Yield under Ion Bombardment of Solids: Computer Simulation and Theory

We developed a computer simulation program for investigation of solid self-sputtering under ion bombardment. The program is based on binary collision approximation, truncated Coulomb potential, and the model of local inelastic losses proportional to energy. As a result of simulation, the self-sputtering yield is calculated as a function of atomic number and ion energy. To verify the cascade simulation code, we created a self-sputtering theory for the case of hard sphere potential. Simulation results show good agreement with both experimental data and theory.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

LANL Summer 2016 Report

The Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) utilizes nuclear cross-section data in a compact ENDF (ACE) format. The accuracy of MCNP calculations depends on the accuracy of nuclear ACE data tables, which depends on the accuracy of the original ENDF files. There are some noticeable differences in ENDF files from one generation to the next, even among the more common fissile materials. As the next generation of ENDF files is being prepared, several software tools were developed to simulate a large number of benchmarks in MCNP (over 1000), collect data from these simulations, and visually represent the results.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Constraining AGN feedback in massive ellipticals with south pole telescope measurements of the thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect

Energetic feedback due to active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is likely to play an important role in the observed anti-hierarchical trend in the evolution of galaxies, and yet the energy injected into the circumgalactic medium by this process is largely unknown. One promising approach to constrain this feedback is through measurements of spectral distortions in the cosmic microwave background due to the thermal Sunyaev–Zeldovich (tSZ) effect, whose magnitude is directly proportional to the energy input by AGNs. With current instruments, making such measurements requires stacking large numbers of objects to increase signal-to-noise. While one possible target for such stacks is AGNs themselves, these are relatively scarce sources that contain contaminating emission that complicates tSZ measurements. Here we adopt an alternative approach and co-add South Pole Telescope SZ (SPT-SZ) survey data around a large set of massive quiescent elliptical galaxies at z⩾0.5, which are much more numerous and less contaminated than active AGNs, yet are subject to the same feedback processes from the AGNs they hosted in the past. We use data from the Blanco Cosmology Survey and VISTA Hemisphere Survey to create a large catalog of galaxies split up into two redshift bins: one with 3394 galaxies at 0.5⩽z⩽1.0 and one with 924 galaxies at 1.0⩽z⩽1.5, with typical stellar masses of 1.5×10{sup 11}M{sub ⊙}. We then co-add the emission around these galaxies, resulting in a measured tSZ signal at 2.2σ significance for the lower redshift bin and a contaminating signal at 1.1σ for the higher redshift bin. To remove contamination due to dust emission, we use SPT-SZ source counts to model a contaminant source population in both the SPT-SZ bands and Planck high-frequency bands for a subset of 937 galaxies in the low-redshift bin and 240 galaxies in the high-redshift bin. This increases our detection to 3.6σ for low redshifts and 0.9σ for high redshifts. We find the mean angularly integrated Compton-y values to be 2.2{sub −0.7}{sup +0.9}×10{sup −7} Mpc{sup 2} for low redshifts and 1.7{sub −1.8}{sup +2.2}×10{sup −7} Mpc{sup 2} for high redshifts, corresponding to total thermal energies of 7.6{sub −2.3}{sup +3.0}×10{sup 60} erg and 6.0{sub −6.3}{sup +7.7}×10{sup 60} erg, respectively. These numbers are higher than expected from simple theoretical models that do not include AGN feedback, and serve as constraints that can be applied to current simulations of massive galaxy formation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Determining pitch-angle diffusion coefficients from test particle simulations

The transport and acceleration of charged particles in turbulent media are topics of great interest in space physics and interstellar astrophysics. These processes are dominated by the scattering of particles off magnetic irregularities. The scattering process itself is usually described by small-angle scattering, with the pitch-angle coefficient D{sub μμ} playing a major role. Since the diffusion coefficient D{sub μμ} can be determined analytically only for the approximation of quasilinear theory, the determination of this coefficient from numerical simulations has become more important. So far these simulations have yielded particle tracks for small-scale scattering, which can then be interpreted using the running diffusion coefficients. This method has a limited range of validity. This paper presents two new methods that allow for the calculation of the pitch-angle diffusion coefficient from numerical simulations. These methods no longer analyze particle trajectories and instead examine the change of particle distribution functions. It is shown that these methods provide better resolved results and allow for the analysis of strong turbulence. The application of these methods to Monte Carlo simulations of particle scattering and hybrid MHD-particle simulations is presented. Both analysis methods are able to recover the diffusion coefficients used as input for the Monte Carlo simulations and provide better results in MHD simulations, especially for stronger turbulence.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Magnus: A New Resistive MHD Code with Heat Flow Terms

We present a new magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code for the simulation of wave propagation in the solar atmosphere, under the effects of electrical resistivity—but not dominant—and heat transference in a uniform 3D grid. The code is based on the finite-volume method combined with the HLLE and HLLC approximate Riemann solvers, which use different slope limiters like MINMOD, MC, and WENO5. In order to control the growth of the divergence of the magnetic field, due to numerical errors, we apply the Flux Constrained Transport method, which is described in detail to understand how the resistive terms are included in the algorithm. In our results, it is verified that this method preserves the divergence of the magnetic fields within the machine round-off error (∼1×10{sup −12}). For the validation of the accuracy and efficiency of the schemes implemented in the code, we present some numerical tests in 1D and 2D for the ideal MHD. Later, we show one test for the resistivity in a magnetic reconnection process and one for the thermal conduction, where the temperature is advected by the magnetic field lines. Moreover, we display two numerical problems associated with the MHD wave propagation. The first one corresponds to a 3D evolution of a vertical velocity pulse at the photosphere–transition–corona region, while the second one consists of a 2D simulation of a transverse velocity pulse in a coronal loop.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Survey of Multizone Airflow Simulation Software

H-Canyon simulates the building and process ventilation to ensure positive contamination control for any modifications as well as evaluating off-normal conditions. Simulations can also be used to identify air quality of personnel occupied areas. The models can be classified into two groups, single and multi-zone models. As the name states, a single zone model assumes that the building can be described by a single, well-mixed zone. Whereas large buildings have structures that must be described as multizone. Multizone airflow models deal with the difficulty of flows in a building by distinguishing the effects of internal flow restrictions. Several models have been developed that take internal partitions into account. CONTAM (currently used) is a multizone airflow program created by NIST to determine airflows including infiltration, exfiltration, wind pressures acting outside the building, buoyancy effects caused by the indoor and outdoor air temperature difference. COMIS is a multizone air infiltration, ventilation, and contaminant transport model that was developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. COMIS deals with applied pressure distribution, airflow components, HVAC systems, schedules, and contaminant transport. EnergyPlus is designed by DOE. It supports flexible component level configuration of HVAC models and simulates sub-hourly time steps to control fast dynamic systems. The program features include providing accurate environmental performance data including energy consumption and carbon emissions, and reporting solar gains on surfaces. Heavent is used to model industrial ventilation systems to control airborne contaminants. It's designed based on the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Ventilation manual. DesignBuilder is the most recognized and advanced user interface to EnergyPlus. It gives access to all of the most frequently required simulation capabilities covering building fabric, thermal mass, glazing, shading renewables, and HVAC analysis. The objective of this study is to identify all relevant software available including commercially licensed, freely licensed, and open source, that can be used to simulate large, complex process facility ventilation systems. All discovered software tools are evaluated for salient features and compared to the software tool currently used to simulate the H-Canyon ventilation system. The design criteria of a ventilation system has two basic requirements: Supplying fresh air for the occupants and changing the air in the room sufficiently; therefore, the smells, fumes, and contaminants will be removed. In this study, first, whether the software simulates airflow (infiltration, natural ventilation, and interzonal) or considers them to be inputs is discussed. Second, if indoor contaminant levels are considered; and finally suggestions on how airflow analysis can be more appropriately accounted for when performing airflow simulation of a building. All of the airflow software reviewed for this study can account for constant infiltration and natural ventilation rates that are not affected by changes in indoor and outdoor conditions. Modelling infiltration in EnergyPlus or DesignBuilder are applicable for small buildings and not appropriate for larger buildings like the H-Canyon. The effect of wind on external pressures, infiltration, and natural and mechanical ventilation, can also be calculated using all of these software. These programs have control options to switch between natural to mechanical ventilation modes or both (hybrid). Interzonal airflow can be applied which means one zone can be specified to receive a fixed amount of air from another zone. The following ventilation modeling software is recommended for further testing: CONTAM, COMIS, Heavent. The next step in evaluating the software will consist of creating test facility simulations using evaluation copies of the software.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

The International Experimental Thermal-Hydraulic Systems Database TIETHYS: a new NEA Validation Tool

Recent advances in multi-physics modeling and simulation tools and their necessary validation, has reinvigorated interest in fundamental thermal-hydraulics validation data for appropriate test scenarios and associated physical phenomena. The OECD-NEA has a well-established collection of such references known as the CCVM. However common problems encountered with accessibility of this data have prompted work on a new search and access database tool to allow more efficient and comprehensive use of these data. This will complement the existing tools for neutronics validation, as well as other NEA references resources. As well as acting as a means to better access and preserve this valuable information, it also creates an extendable platform for inclusion of new experimental systems, including eventually those for non-water coolants and high fidelity data focused towards novel CFD simulations.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Simulation of a Flexible Production System

The development of computer models for a flexible production system is considered, as a step toward automated design. The formulation of modeling algorithms for flexible production systems at the level of technological operations is outlined. The corresponding software for a computerized modeling system is described.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Three-Dimensional Model of Holographic Formation of Inhomogeneous PPLC Diffraction Structures

A three-dimensional theoretical model of holographic formation of inhomogeneous diffraction structures in composite photopolymer - liquid crystal materials is presented considering both the nonlinearity of recording and the amplitude-phase inhomogeneity of the recording light field. Based on the results of numerical simulation, the kinematics of formations of such structures and their spatial profile are investigated.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Optimized Electromagnetic Fields Levitate Bulk Metallic Materials

The bulk metallic electromagnetic levitation technique has a promising application prospect in condensed physics and materials science. In order to resolve the problem of weak levitation force and the small size of samples, an optimized solution based on finite element analysis (FEA) is developed to seek the best electromagnetic field distribution in the levitation zone. The influence of material properties on the distribution of magnetic flux density, surface pressure, and the Lorentz force were studied by the FEA method with various sample sizes of titanium and copper balls. The levitation capability of cylindrical coil system which consists of a single-layer coil with an inner diameter of 30 mm and the levitated object with a diameter of 20 mm was analyzed. To keep a balance between the turn number and increment efficiency of force, the best number of 7 turns is confirmed. Then, two types of optimized coils were predicted by numerical simulations, and the levitation force is improved drastically. The double-layer coil displays an outstanding levitation capability owing to the strong electromagnetic field generated by multilayer turns. In addition, 5 to 50 g aluminum, titanium, copper, and nickel are levitated by the above three kinds of coils and the levitation capacities are validated from the recorded data of the minimum operating current that can levitate the samples. The experimental results show good agreements with the simulation results, and the minimum current for optimized coils is reduced efficiently.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Phase-Field Modeling of Nugget Zone for a AZ31-Mg-Alloy Friction Stir Weld

This work presents simulation of microstructure evolution in the nugget zone (NZ) of a AZ31-Mg-alloy friction stir weld. The process parameters (tool geometrical characteristics, rotational speed, travel speed, applied load) have been correlated with the resulting microstructural features in the NZ of the weld (grain size and population) with the aid of the MICRESS software, which provides the ability to simulate both nucleation and grain growth during dynamic recrystallization phenomena evolving in the NZ during the weld thermal cycle. The input parameters of the developed model include the tool geometry, the welding conditions as well as the recrystallization energy, the grain boundary mobility and specific material properties. NZ microstructure obtained by simulation shows good agreement with experimental measurements for both grain population and size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Quantifying uncertainty in material damage from vibrational data

The response of a vibrating beam to a force depends on many physical parameters including those determined by material properties. Damage caused by fatigue or cracks results in local reductions in stiffness parameters and may drastically alter the response of the beam. Data obtained from the vibrating beam are often subject to uncertainties and/or errors typically modeled using probability densities. The goal of this paper is to estimate and quantify the uncertainty in damage modeled as a local reduction in stiffness using uncertain data. We present various frameworks and methods for solving this parameter determination problem. We also describe a mathematical analysis to determine and compute useful output data for each method. We apply the various methods in a specified sequence that allows us to interface the various inputs and outputs of these methods in order to enhance the inferences drawn from the numerical results obtained from each method. Numerical results are presented using both simulated and experimentally obtained data from physically damaged beams.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

A multiscale coupled finite-element and phase-field framework to modeling stressed grain growth in polycrystalline thin films

A previously-developed finite-deformation- and crystal-elasticity-based constitutive theory for stressed grain growth in cubic polycrystalline bodies has been augmented to include a description of excess surface energy and grain-growth stagnation mechanisms through the use of surface effect state variables in a thermodynamically-consistent manner. The constitutive theory was also implemented into a multiscale coupled finite-element and phase-field computational framework. With the material parameters in the constitutive theory suitably calibrated, our three-dimensional numerical simulations show that the constitutive model is able to accurately predict the experimentally-determined evolution of crystallographic texture and grain size statistics in polycrystalline copper thin films deposited on polyimide substrate and annealed at high-homologous temperatures. In particular, our numerical analyses show that the broad texture transition observed in the annealing experiments of polycrystalline thin films is caused by grain growth stagnation mechanisms. - Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Developing a theory for stressed grain growth in polycrystalline thin films. • Implementation into a multiscale coupled finite-element and phase-field framework. • Quantitative reproduction of the experimental grain growth data by simulations. • Revealing the cause of texture transition to be due to the stagnation mechanisms.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Experimental concept and design of DarkLight, a search for a heavy photon

This talk gives an overview of the DarkLight experimental concept: a search for a heavy photon A′ in the 10-90 MeV/c{sup 2} mass range. After briefly describing the theoretical motivation, the talk focuses on the experimental concept and design. Topics include operation using a half-megawatt, 100 MeV electron beam at the Jefferson Lab FEL, detector design and performance, and expected backgrounds estimated from beam tests and Monte Carlo simulations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2013

On the stability analysis of a pair of van der Pol oscillators with delayed self-connection, position and velocity couplings

In this paper, we perform a stability analysis of a pair of van der Pol oscillators with delayed self-connection, position and velocity couplings. Bifurcation diagram of the damping, position and velocity coupling strengths is constructed, which gives insight into how stability boundary curves come into existence and how these curves evolve from small closed loops into open-ended curves. The van der Pol oscillator has been considered by many researchers as the nodes for various networks. It is inherently unstable at the zero equilibrium. Stability control of a network is always an important problem. Currently, the stabilization of the zero equilibrium of a pair of van der Pol oscillators can be achieved only for small damping strength by using delayed velocity coupling. An interesting question arises naturally: can the zero equilibrium be stabilized for an arbitrarily large value of the damping strength? We prove that it can be. In addition, a simple condition is given on how to choose the feedback parameters to achieve such goal. We further investigate how the in-phase mode or the out-of-phase mode of a periodic solution is related to the stability boundary curve that it emerges from a Hopf bifurcation. Analytical expression of a periodic solution is derived using an integration method. Some illustrative examples show that the theoretical prediction and numerical simulation are in good agreement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Microwave absorptions of ultrathin conductive films and designs of frequency-independent ultrathin absorbers

We study the absorption properties of ultrathin conductive films in the microwave regime, and find a moderate absorption effect which gives rise to maximal absorbance 50% if the sheet (square) resistance of the film meets an impedance matching condition. The maximal absorption exhibits a frequency-independent feature and takes place on an extremely subwavelength scale, the film thickness. As a realistic instance, ∼5 nm thick Au film is predicted to achieve the optimal absorption. In addition, a methodology based on metallic mesh structure is proposed to design the frequency-independent ultrathin absorbers. We perform a design of such absorbers with 50% absorption, which is verified by numerical simulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

On the metastability of the hexatic phase during the melting of two-dimensional charged particle solids

For two-dimensional many-particle systems, first-order, second-order, single step continuous, as well as two-step continuous (KTHNY-like) melting transitions have been found in previous studies. Recent computer simulations, using particle numbers in the ≥10{sup 5} range, as well as a few experimental studies, tend to support the two-step scenario, where the solid and liquid phases are separated by a third, so called hexatic phase. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations on Yukawa (Debye-Hückel) systems at conditions earlier predicted to belong to the hexatic phase. Our simulation studies on the time needed for the equilibration of the systems conclude that the hexatic phase is metastable and disappears in the limit of long times. We also show that simply increasing the particle number in particle simulations does not necessarily result in more accurate conclusions regarding the existence of the hexatic phase. The increase of the system size has to be accompanied with the increase of the simulation time to ensure properly thermalized conditions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗