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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

An application of the IMC software to controller design for the JPL LSCL Experiment Facility

A software package which Integrates Model reduction and Controller design (The IMC software) is applied to design controllers for the JPL Large Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment Facility. Modal Cost Analysis is used for the model reduction, and various Output Covariance Constraints are guaranteed by the controller design. The main motivation is to find the controller with the 'best' performance with respect to output variances. Indeed it is shown that by iterating on the reduced order design model, the controller designed does have better performance than that obtained with the first model reduction.

Zhu, Guoming↗

Aeroelastic Modeling of X-56A Stiff-Wing Configuration Flight Test Data

Aeroelastic stability and control derivatives for the X-56A Multi-Utility Technology Testbed (MUTT), in the stiff-wing configuration, were estimated from flight test data using the output-error method. Practical aspects of the analysis are discussed. The orthogonal phase-optimized multisine inputs provided excellent data information for aeroelastic modeling. Consistent parameter estimates were determined using output error in both the frequency and time domains. The frequency domain analysis converged faster and was less sensitive to starting values for the model parameters, which was useful for determining the aeroelastic model structure and obtaining starting values for the time domain analysis. Including a modal description of the structure from a finite element model reduced the complexity of the estimation problem and improved the modeling results. Effects of reducing the model order on the short period stability and control derivatives were investigated.

Grauer, Jared A.↗

Developing a MATLAB(registered)-Based Tool for Visualization and Transformation

An important step in the structural design and development of spacecraft is the experimental identification of a structure s modal characteristics, such as its natural frequencies and modes of vibration. These characteristics are vital to developing a representative model of any given structure or analyzing the range of input frequencies that can be handled by a particular structure. When setting up such a representative model of a structure, careful measurements using precision equipment (such as accelerometers and instrumented hammers) must be made on many individual points of the structure in question. The coordinate location of each data point is used to construct a wireframe geometric model of the structure. Response measurements obtained from the accelerometers is used to generate the modal shapes of the particular structure. Graphically, this is displayed as a combination of the ways a structure will ideally respond to a specified force input. Two types of models of the tested structure are often used in modal analysis: an analytic model showing expected behavior of the structure, and an experimental model showing measured results due to observed phenomena. To evaluate the results from the experimental model, a comparison of analytic and experimental results must be made between the two models. However, comparisons between these two models become difficult when the two coordinate orientations differ in a manner such that results are displayed in an unclear fashion. Such a problem proposes the need for a tool that not only communicates a graphical image of a structure s wireframe geometry based on various measurement locations (called nodes), but also allows for a type of transformation of the image s coordinate geometry so that a model s coordinate orientation is made to match the orientation of another model. Such a tool should also be designed so that it is able to construct coordinate geometry based on many different listings of node locations and is able to transform the wireframe coordinate orientation to match almost any possible orientation (i.e. it should not be a problem specific application) if it is to be of much value in modal analysis. Also, since universal files are used to store modal parameters and wireframe geometry, the tool must be able to read and extract information from universal files and use these files to exchange model data.The purpose of this project is to develop such a tool as a computer graphical user interface (GUI) capable of performing the following tasks: 1) Browsing for a particular universal file within the computer directory and displaying the name of this file to the screen; 2) Plotting each of the nodes within the universal file in a useful, descriptive, and easily understood figure; 3) Reading the node numbers from the selected file and listing these node numbers to the user for selection in an easily accessible format; 4) Allowing for user selection of a new model orientation defined by three selected nodes; and 5) Allowing the user to specify a directory to which the transformed model s node locations will be saved, and saving the transformed node locations to the specified file.

Anderton, Blake J.↗

Modal simulation of gearbox vibration with experimental correlation

A newly developed global dynamic model was used to simulate the dynamics of a gear noise rig at NASA Lewis Research Center. Experimental results from the test rig were used to verify the analytical model. In this global dynamic model, the number of degrees of freedom of the system are reduced by transforming the system equations of motion into modal coordinates. The vibration of the individual gear-shaft system are coupled through the gear mesh forces. A three-dimensional, axial-lateral coupled, bearing model was used to couple the casing structural vibration to the gear-rotor dynamics. The coupled system of modal equations is solved to predict the resulting vibration at several locations on the test rig. Experimental vibration data was compared to the predictions of the global dynamic model. There is excellent agreement between the vibration results from analysis and experiment.

Choy, Fred K.↗

Modal simulation of gearbox vibration with experimental correlation

A newly developed global dynamic model was used to simulate the dynamics of a gear noise rig at NASA Lewis Research Center. Experimental results from the test rig were used to verify the analytical model. In this global dynamic model, the number of degrees of freedom of the system are reduced by transforming the system equations of motion into modal coordinates. The vibration of the individual gear-shaft system are coupled through the gear mesh forces. A three-dimensional, axial-lateral coupled, bearing model was used to couple the casing structural vibration to the gear-rotor dynamics. The coupled system of modal equations is solved to predict the resulting vibration at several locations on the test rig. Experimental vibration data was compared to the predicitions of the global dynamic model. There is excellent agreement between the vibration results from analysis and experiment.

Choy, Fred K.↗

Nonlinear modal resonances in low-gravity slosh-spacecraft systems

Nonlinear models of low gravity slosh, when coupled to spacecraft vibrations, predict intense nonlinear eigenfrequency shifts at zero gravity. These nonlinear frequency shifts are due to internal quadratic and cubic resonances between fluid slosh modes and spacecraft vibration modes. Their existence has been verified experimentally, and they cannot be correctly modeled by approximate, uncoupled nonlinear models, such as pendulum mechanical analogs. These predictions mean that linear slosh assumptions for spacecraft vibration models can be invalid, and may lead to degraded control system stability and performance. However, a complete nonlinear modal analysis will predict the correct dynamic behavior. This paper presents the analytical basis for these results, and discusses the effect of internal resonances on the nonlinear coupled response at zero gravity.

Peterson, Lee D.↗

Modal characteristics of a stiffened composite cylinder with open and closed end conditions

The structural and acoustic modal frequencies and the loss factors of a composite fuselage model under free-free end and support-end conditions are evaluated. The fuselage model is a composite filament wound, cylindrical structure composed of carbon fibers embedded in an epoxy resin and has a ply orientation of +,-45, +,-32, 0, -,+32, and -,+45. A computer aided test system was utilized to obtain resonance frequencies, modal damping, and mode shape coefficients. Sound pressure and phase survey data are utilized to estimate acoustic modal freuencies and reverberation time was measured to calculate the acoustic loss factors. The derived structural and acoustic modal parameters are compared to analytical data from a computer prediction model. The data reveal that the acoustic modal frequencies and mode shape correlate well with predicted data, and there is fair agreement between structural modal frequencies and mode shape for the two data sets.

Grosveld, F. W.↗

State-space formulation of multi-shaker modal analysis

As modal testing techniques have improved in recent years, the demands placed on the accuracy of modal test results have increased. This paper describes a new multi-input, multi-output modal parameter estimation algorithm suitable for the identification of reduced-order models of structures. The method described is a frequency-domain method based on excitation and response spectra. The principal features of the algorithm are: (1) applicability to general linear, time-invariant systems, (2) direct use of multiple input and multiple response data, (3) identification of reduced-order models with minimum user interaction through the use of two automatic model-reduction techniques, (4) identification of a consistent set of modal parameters through the use of numerically stable least-squares techniques, and (5) complete user documentation.

Craig, Roy R., Jr.↗

Maven: a multimodal foundation model for supernova science

Abstract A common setting in astronomy is the availability of a small number of high-quality observations, and larger amounts of either lower-quality observations or synthetic data from simplified models. Time-domain astrophysics is a canonical example of this imbalance, with the number of supernovae observed photometrically outpacing the number observed spectroscopically by multiple orders of magnitude. At the same time, no data-driven models exist to understand these photometric and spectroscopic observables in a common context. Contrastive learning objectives, which have grown in popularity for aligning distinct data modalities in a shared embedding space, provide a potential solution to extract information from these modalities. We present Maven, the first foundation model for supernova science. To construct Maven, we first pre-train our model to align photometry and spectroscopy from 0.5 M synthetic supernovae using a contrastive objective. We then fine-tune the model on 4702 observed supernovae from the Zwicky transient facility. Maven reaches state-of-the-art performance on both classification and redshift estimation, despite the embeddings not being explicitly optimized for these tasks. Through ablation studies, we show that pre-training with synthetic data improves overall performance. In the upcoming era of the Vera C. Rubin observatory, Maven will serve as a valuable tool for leveraging large, unlabeled and multimodal time-domain datasets.

Zhang, Gemma (ORCID:0000000280198082)↗

Dynamic modeling of structures from measured complex modes

A technique is presented to use a set of identified complex modes together with an analytical mathematical model of a structure under test to compute improved mass, stiffness and damping matrices. A set of identified normal modes, computed from the measured complex modes, is used in the mass orthogonality equation to compute an improved mass matrix. This eliminates possible errors that may result from using approximated complex modes as normal modes. The improved mass matrix, the measured complex modes and the higher analytical modes are then used to compute the improved stiffness and damping matrices. The number of degrees-of-freedom of the improved model is limited to equal the number of elements in the measured modal vectors. A simulated experiment shows considerable improvements, in the system's analytical dynamic model, over the frequency range of the given measured modal information.

Ibrahim, s. R.↗

Dynamic Modeling of Structures from Measured Complex Modes

A technique is presented to use a set of identified complex modes together with an analytical mathematical model of a structure under test to compute improved mass, stiffness and damping matrices. A set of identified normal modes, computed from the measured complex modes, is used in the mass orthogonality equation to compute an improved mass matrix. This eliminates possible errors that may result from using approximated complex modes as normal modes. The improved mass matrix, the measured complex modes and the higher analytical modes are then used to compute the improved stiffness and damping matrices. The number of degrees-of-freedom of the improved model is limited to equal the number of elements in the measured modal vectors. A simulated experiment shows considerable improvements, in the system's analytical dynamic model, over the frequency range of the given measured modal information.

Ibrahim, S. R.↗

Measured and calculated acoustic attenuation rates of tuned resonator arrays for two surface impedance distribution models with flow

An experiment was performed to validate two analytical models for predicting low frequency attenuation of duct liner configurations built from an array of seven resonators that could be individually tuned via adjustable cavity depths. These analytical models had previously been developed for high frequency aero-engine inlet duct liner design. In the low frequency application, the liner surface impedance distribution is unavoidably spatially varying by virtue of available fabrication techniques. The characteristic length of this spatial variation may be a significant fraction of the acoustic wavelength. Comparison of measured and predicted attenuation rates and transmission losses for both modal decomposition and finite element propagation models were in good to excellent agreement for a test frequency range that included the first and second cavity resonance frequencies. This was true for either of two surface impedance distribution modeling procedures used to simplify the impedance boundary conditions. In the presence of mean flow, measurements revealed a fine scale structure of acoustic hot spots in the attenuation and phase profiles. These details were accurately predicted by the finite element model. Since no impedance changes due to mean flow were assumed, it is concluded that this fine scale structure was due to convective effects of the mean flow interacting with the surface impedance nonuniformities.

Parrott, Tony L.↗

Mode Projection for Target Mode Identification

A method for projecting flight configuration eigenvectors onto the vector space of the test configuration eigenvectors is proposed. The underlying concept of the proposed method is that any flight configuration eigenvectors that can be replicated by a linear combination of test configuration eigenvectors, is correlated, if the constituent test eigenvectors are themselves correlated. Therefore, the modal test target mode shapes should be those test modes that combine to form the important modes of the flight configurations. This approach also recognizes that it is the deformed shapes that dictate what sections of the structure are “highly strained” (in a relative sense, within each mode shape), and that these “highly strained” sections require an accurate stiffness representation to achieve an accurate model correlation.

modal testing↗

Mode Projection Method for Target Mode Identification

A method for projecting flight configuration eigenvectors onto the vector space of the test configuration eigenvectors is proposed. The underlying concept of the proposed method is that any flight configuration eigenvectors that can be replicated by a linear combination of test configuration eigenvectors, is correlated, if the constituent test eigenvectors are themselves correlated. Therefore, the modal test target mode shapes should be those test modes that combine to form the important modes of the flight configurations. This approach also recognizes that it is the deformed shapes that dictate what sections of the structure are “highly strained” (in a relative sense, within each mode shape), and that it is these highly strained sections that require an accurate stiffness representation to achieve an accurate model correlation.

Modal Testing↗

A Generic Nonlinear Aerodynamic Model for Aircraft

A generic model of the aerodynamic coefficients was developed using wind tunnel databases for eight different aircraft and multivariate orthogonal functions. For each database and each coefficient, models were determined using polynomials expanded about the state and control variables, and an othgonalization procedure. A predicted squared-error criterion was used to automatically select the model terms. Modeling terms picked in at least half of the analyses, which totalled 45 terms, were retained to form the generic nonlinear aerodynamic (GNA) model. Least squares was then used to estimate the model parameters and associated uncertainty that best fit the GNA model to each database. Nonlinear flight simulations were used to demonstrate that the GNA model produces accurate trim solutions, local behavior (modal frequencies and damping ratios), and global dynamic behavior (91% accurate state histories and 80% accurate aerodynamic coefficient histories) under large-amplitude excitation. This compact aerodynamics model can be used to decrease on-board memory storage requirements, quickly change conceptual aircraft models, provide smooth analytical functions for control and optimization applications, and facilitate real-time parametric system identification.

Grauer, Jared A.↗

Uncertainty quantification and reliability assessment for intermodal freight transportation

Intermodal freight optimization models support cost-effective, low-emission, and timely goods movement by coordinating trucks, rail, and barges. These models determine optimal flows, routing, and modal switches while respecting infrastructure and operational constraints. However, their real-world utility is often undermined by pervasive uncertainties-such as fluctuating transportation costs and emissions, variable terminal capacities, and uncertain freight demand-that distort key performance outcomes, including total system cost, carbon footprint, and transit time reliability. This study presents a structured framework for quantifying uncertainty in intermodal freight transportation (IFT) optimization. The framework evaluates how input uncertainty affects system performance and reliability, a critical need for ensuring that model-based decisions remain robust under real-world variability, especially amid volatile fuel prices, shifting demand, and growing disruptions. It integrates three complementary methods: (1) Sobol-based global sensitivity analysis to identify influential parameters affecting cost, emissions, and transit time, (2) Monte Carlo-based capacity perturbation analysis to assess robustness under probabilistic facility disruptions, and (3) Monte Carlo filtering with Bayesian inference to detect threshold-based performance vulnerabilities. The results highlight diesel truck unit cost as the dominant driver of variability. To improve system resilience, planners should prioritize uncertainty in fuel-related parameters when designing intermodal strategies.

Intermodal freight transportation↗

Towards Content Authenticity: Multimodal Fake News Detection and AI-Generated Text Identification

In today’s digital world, the spread of fake news and the rise of AI-generated text have become major threats to content authenticity and public trust. This thesis addresses both challenges through two complementary research directions: detecting fake news using multimodal features, and identifying AI-generated text using semantic and structural reasoning. The first part of the work focuses on fake news detection by introducing a novel model that combines text and image features through a unique rotational attention mechanism. Unlike traditional attention methods, this approach rotates the roles of query, key, and value across modalities to capture deeper interactions. Additionally, the model incorporates external domain information by linking news posts to top-ranked websites from Google search results, which helps assess the credibility of content based on its broader web context. This results in a more reliable and accurate fake news detection system that outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods. The second part presents SGG-ATD, a new framework for detecting AI-generated text. It uses masked language modeling to measure sentence coherence, followed by constructing a graph where keywords—both original and predicted—are connected based on semantic and contextual similarity. A Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) is then used to learn structural relationships within the text for final classification. Experimental results demonstrate that SGG-ATD achieves high F1-scores and consistently outperforms strong baselines. This method contributes to robust AI text detection, supporting accountability and resilience against AI-driven misinformation.

Gupta, Nidhi↗

Blunt-Body Paradox and Improved Application of Transient-Growth Framework

The “Reshotko-Tumin transition criterion" based on optimal transient growth successfully correlates laboratory measurements of roughness induced transition over blunt body configurations. Even though transient growth has not been conclusively linked to the measured onset of transition, the above correlation denotes the only available physics-based model for subcritical transition in blunt body flows, since the latter do not support any modal instabilities at typical experimental conditions. Unlike other established models based on empirical curve fits that are valid for a specific subclass of datasets, the optimal-growth-based transition criterion appears to provide a reasonable correlation with measurements in various wind tunnel and ballistic range facilities and for a broad range of surface temperature ratios. This paper is focused on optimal growth calculations that improve upon significant shortcomings of the computations underlying the Reshotko-Tumin correlation. The improved framework is applied to leeward transition over a spherical section forebody that was tested in the Mach 6 Adjustable Contour Expansion wind tunnel at Texas A&M University. The computed results highlight the significance of nonparallel basic state evolution, curvature terms, and an optimization procedure that varies both inflow and outflow locations of the transient growth interval. More important, the results indicate that the modified correlation is very close to its original form, and hence, that the accuracy of the transient-growth-based transition criterion is not compromised by using a more thorough theoretical framework. Yet the results also show that the optimal energy gain up to the predicted transition onset location can be rather small, highlighting the need to further investigate the optimal growth criterion for additional experimental configurations and to also uncover the in-depth physics underlying blunt body transition.

Freestream conditions↗