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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

A New Mask for An Old Suspect: Testing the Sensitivity of the Galactic Center Excess to the Point Source Mask

The Fermi-LAT collaboration has recently released a new point source catalog, referred to as 4FGL. For the first time, we perform a template fit using information from this new catalog and find that the Galactic center excess is still present. On the other hand, we find that a wavelet-based search for point sources is highly sensitive to the use of the 4FGL catalog: no excess of bright regions on small angular scales is apparent when we mask out 4FGL point sources. We postulate that the 4FGL catalog contains the large majority of bright point sources that have previously been suggested to account for the excess in gamma rays detected at the Galactic center in Fermi-LAT data. Furthermore, after identifying which bright sources have no known counterpart, we place constraints on the luminosity function necessary for point sources to explain the smooth emission seen in the template fit.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Automatic Segmentation of Building Envelope Point Cloud Data Using Machine Learning

About 50% of buildings in the US were constructed before energy codes were introduced. Modular overclad panel retrofits, in which a new envelope is constructed over the existing building, are a promising solution given that it minimizes occupant disruption and shortens construction time at the jobsite. Current state-of-the-art retrofit panel layout and dimensioning consists of three steps: 1) 3D point cloud data generation of the building envelope using commonly available surveying equipment, 2) manual segmentation of 3D point cloud data by a trained professional to identify and dimension window openings, door openings, and other architectural features, and 3) modular panel layout optimization and dimensioning by an architect or engineer. Among these steps, the second one remains the most difficult and costly because it is very labor-intensive. We propose a methodology to automatically label 3D point cloud data to reduce the time and expense spent in manual segmentation. Machine learning methods were employed to classify the point cloud data into distinct groups, each of which corresponds to different features of the building envelope. After classification, a segmentation algorithm was developed to perform boundary detection and separate the components of the façade. Finally, the algorithm returns the relative positions and dimensions of the features in the building envelope. The measurements obtained with the proposed automated method were compared against the actual dimensions to determine the overall algorithm accuracy. The proposed algorithm can then be used to reduce manual efforts for 3D point cloud labeling before modular panel layout optimization is performed.

Maldonado Puente, Bryan↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficient Floating-Point Arithmetic on Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers

We propose a novel floating-point encoding scheme that builds on prior work involving fixed-point encodings. We encode floating-point numbers using Two's Complement fixed-point mantissas and Two's Complement integral exponents. We used our proposed approach to develop quantum algorithms for fundamental arithmetic operations, such as bit-shifting, reciprocation, multiplication, and addition. We prototyped and investigated the performance of the floating-point encoding scheme on quantum computer simulations by performing reciprocation on randomly drawn inputs and by solving first-order ordinary differential equations, while varying the number of qubits in the encoding. We observed rapid convergence to the exact solutions as we increased the number of qubits and a significant reduction in the number of ancilla qubits required for reciprocation when compared with similar approaches.

Serrallés, José Cruz [Weill Cornell Med. Coll.]↗
DOE OSTI2015

Point model equations for neutron correlation counting: Extension of Böhnel's equations to any order

Various methods of autocorrelation neutron analysis may be used to extract information about a measurement item containing spontaneously fissioning material. The two predominant approaches being the time correlation analysis (that make use of a coincidence gate) methods of multiplicity shift register logic and Feynman sampling. The common feature is that the correlated nature of the pulse train can be described by a vector of reduced factorial multiplet rates. We call these singlets, doublets, triplets etc. Within the point reactor model the multiplet rates may be related to the properties of the item, the parameters of the detector, and basic nuclear data constants by a series of coupled algebraic equations – the so called point model equations. Solving, or inverting, the point model equations using experimental calibration model parameters is how assays of unknown items is performed. Currently only the first three multiplets are routinely used. In this work we develop the point model equations to higher order multiplets using the probability generating functions approach combined with the general derivative chain rule, the so called Faà di Bruno Formula. Explicit expression up to 5th order are provided, as well the general iterative formula to calculate any order. This study represents the first necessary step towards determining if higher order multiplets can add value to nondestructive measurement practice for nuclear materials control and accountancy.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

In Situ Optical Absorption Studies of Point Defect Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Oxide Thin Films

The authors discuss the use of in situ optical absorption to probe point defect equilibria and kinetics in oxides, with particular attention to thin films and high-temperature measurements evaluating changes in oxygen content. The introduction notes the effect of point defects on oxide behavior, including differences in thin films versus bulk materials, and describes methods to evaluate point defect equilibria and kinetics; advantages of optical absorption among these methods are highlighted. Section 2 provides an overview of how optical absorption and point defect concentrations are related, including various possible structural and electronic origins of defect-mediated absorption changes corresponding to oxygen content changes. Section 3 traces the development of historical understanding of optical absorption in nonstoichiometric oxides and emergence of thin film applications and measurement approaches that resulted. Section 4 details the procedure for determining surface exchange coefficients from optical transmission relaxation measurements and provides specific examples of how this approach uniquely has enabled new insights into thin film surface exchange behavior with and without current collectors. Section 5 provides examples of optically derived diffusivity measurements and comparisons of bulk and thin film defect equilibria. Section 7 outlines potential opportunities and future developments in this area, and Section 7 concludes the manuscript.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Comparing Transcriptomic Points of Departure to Apical Effect Concentrations For Larval Fathead Minnow Exposed to Chemicals with Four Different Modes Of Action

It is postulated that below a transcriptomic-based point of departure, adverse effects are unlikely to occur, thereby providing a chemical concentration to use in screening level hazard assessment. The present study extends previous work describing a high-throughput fathead minnow assay that can provide full transcriptomic data after exposure to a test chemical. One-day post-hatch fathead minnows were exposed to ten concentrations of three representatives of four chemical modes of action: organophosphates, ecdysone receptor agonists, plant photosystem II inhibitors, and estrogen receptor agonists for 24 h. Concentration response modeling was performed on whole body gene expression data from each exposure, using measured chemical concentrations when available. Transcriptomic points of departure in larval fathead minnow were lower than apical effect concentrations across fish species but not always lower than toxic effect concentrations in other aquatic taxa like crustaceans and insects. The point of departure was highly dependent on measured chemical concentration which were often lower than the nominal concentration. Differentially expressed genes between chemicals within modes of action were compared and often showed statistically significant overlap. In addition, reproducibility between identical exposures using a positive control chemical (CuSO 4 ) and variability associated with the transcriptomic point of departure using in silico sampling were considered. Results extend a transcriptomic-compatible fathead minnow high-throughput assay for possible use in ecological hazard screening.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effective dynamics of a classical point charge

The effective Lagrangian of a point charge is derived by eliminating the electromagnetic field within the framework of the classical closed time path formalism. The short distance singularity of the electromagnetic field is regulated by an UV cutoff. The Abraham–Lorentz force is recovered and its similarity to quantum anomalies is underlined. The full cutoff-dependent linearized equation of motion is obtained, no runaway trajectories are found but the effective dynamics shows acausality if the cutoff is beyond the classical charge radius. The strength of the radiation reaction force displays a pole in its cutoff-dependence in a manner reminiscent of the Landau-pole of perturbative QED. Similarity between the dynamical breakdown of the time reversal invariance and dynamical symmetry breaking is pointed out. -- Highlights: •Extension of the classical action principle for dissipative systems. •New derivation of the Abraham–Lorentz force for a point charge. •Absence of a runaway solution of the Abraham–Lorentz force. •Acausality in classical electrodynamics. •Renormalization of classical electrodynamics of point charges.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

The latent variable proximal point algorithm for variational problems with inequality constraints

The latent variable proximal point (LVPP) algorithm is a framework for solving infinite-dimensional variational problems with pointwise inequality constraints. The algorithm is a saddle point reformulation of the Bregman proximal point algorithm. At the continuous level, the two formulations are equivalent, but the saddle point formulation is more amenable to discretization because it introduces a structure-preserving transformation between a latent function space and the feasible set. Working in this latent space is much more convenient for enforcing inequality constraints than the feasible set, as discretizations can employ general linear combinations of suitable basis functions, and nonlinear solvers can involve general additive updates. LVPP yields numerical methods with observed mesh-independence for obstacle problems, contact, fracture, plasticity, and others besides; in many cases, for the first time. The framework also extends to more complex constraints, providing means to enforce convexity in the Monge–Ampère equation and handling quasi-variational inequalities, where the underlying constraint depends implicitly on the unknown solution. Here, in this paper, we describe the LVPP algorithm in a general form and apply it to ten problems from across mathematics.

Inequality constraints↗
DOE OSTI2022

Using lifetime of point defects for dislocation bias in bcc Fe

The interaction between dislocations and point defects is key to deformation processes and microstructural evolution of structural materials. In this work, we compute the lifetime of point defects to describe their interaction with dislocations. This approach can accurately account for the effects of the dislocation core and anisotropic defect dynamics to accumulatively determine the capture efficiency, sink strength, and dislocation bias at different temperatures and dislocation densities. Particularly, the absorption of point defects by straight screw and edge dislocations in a model bcc iron system is studied. The maximum swelling rates based on the obtained bias factors are in close agreement with a variety of experimental measurements, including both neutron and ion-irradiation data, especially when considering the survival fraction for point defects from displacement cascades. Further, this approach applies to many other processes and sinks, such as dislocation loops and interfaces, providing a powerful means to develop fundamental insights critical for improving radiation resistance and mechanical properties of structural materials through controlling defect interaction and evolution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

The Curvature-Augmented Closest Point method with vesicle inextensibility application

Here, the Closest Point method, initially developed by Ruuth and Merriman, allows for the numerical solution of surface partial differential equations without the need for a parameterization of the surface itself. Surface quantities are embedded into the surrounding domain by assigning each value at a given spatial location to the corresponding value at the closest point on the surface. This embedding allows for surface derivatives to be replaced by their Cartesian counterparts (e.g. ∇ s =∇). This equivalence is only valid on the surface, and thus, interpolation is used to enforce what is known as the side condition away from the surface. To improve upon the method, this work derives an operator embedding that incorporates curvature information, making it valid in a neighborhood of the surface. With this, direct enforcement of the side condition is no longer needed. Comparisons in R 2 and R 3 show that the resulting Curvature-Augmented Closest Point method has better accuracy and requires less memory, through increased matrix sparsity, than the Closest Point method, while maintaining similar matrix condition numbers. To demonstrate the utility of the method in a physical application, simulations of inextensible, bi-lipid vesicles evolving toward equilibrium shapes are also included.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2018

A novel approach to quantifying the kinetics of point defect absorption at dislocations

We report that microstructure evolution under creep loading and/or irradiation is largely affected by the two-way coupling between dislocation induced plasticity and point defect diffusion as mediated by the internal elastic strain field within the medium. The magnitude of this effect has been quantified only in idealized, simplified environments such that estimates of absorption rates of point defects to dislocations ignore the collective effects on capture rates arising from particular distribution of dislocations in a given network, the interaction of point defects with the internal strain, or in many cases both. To quantify these effects, we advance a novel methodology to determine point defect capture rates locally within a spatially resolved finite difference solution to the diffusion problem for arbitrarily directed dislocations and the corresponding strain fields. In addition to examining the effects of these couplings on local and effective absorption rates of dislocation networks, the potential consequences of these interactions on other microstructure evolution phenomena are examined using void swelling under irradiation as an example. Our study indicates that local rates of defect mediated microstructural changes such as cavity growth can vary strongly as a consequence of the arrangement of the dislocation network and the corresponding strain state. Lastly, the heterogeneous aspects of the resultant defect populations are shown to provide mechanisms for microstructural evolution under irradiation that are not available in the conventional homogeneous theory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Fast imaging of filaments in the X-point region of Alcator C-Mod

A rich variety of field-aligned fluctuations has been revealed using fast imaging of D α emission from Alcator C-Mod's lower X-point region. Field-aligned filamentary fluctuations are observed along the inner divertor leg, within the Private-Flux-Zone (PFZ), in the Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) outside the outer divertor leg, and, under some conditions, at or above the X-point. The locations and dynamics of the filaments in these regions are strikingly complex in C-Mod. Changes in the filaments’ generation appear to be ordered by plasma density and magnetic configuration. Filaments are not observed for plasmas with n/n Greenwald ≲ 0.12 nor are they observed in Upper Single Null configurations. In a Lower Single Null with 0.12 ≲ n/n Greenwald ≲ 0.45 and Bx∇B directed down, filaments typically move up the inner divertor leg toward the X-point. Reversing the field direction results in the appearance of filaments outside of the outer divertor leg. With the divertor targets “detached”, filaments inside the LCFS are seen. Lastly, these studies were motivated by observations of filaments in the X-point and PFZ regions in MAST, and comparisons with those observations are made.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of grain size on the melting point of confined thin aluminum films

The melting of aluminum thin film was studied by a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique. The effect of the grain size and type of confinement was investigated for aluminum film with a constant thickness of 4 nm. The results show that coherent intercrystalline interface suppress the transition of solid aluminum into liquid, while free-surface gives melting point depression. The mechanism of melting of polycrystalline aluminum thin film was investigated. It was found that melting starts at grain boundaries and propagates to grain interiors. The melting point was calculated from the Lindemann index criterion, taking into account only atoms near to grain boundaries. This made it possible to extend melting point calculations to bigger grains, which require a long time (in the MD scale) to be fully molten. The results show that 4 nm thick film of aluminum melts at a temperature lower than the melting point of bulk aluminum (933 K) only when the grain size is reduced to 6 nm.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Concentration of point defects in 4H-SiC characterized by a magnetic measurement

A magnetic method is presented to characterize the concentration of point defects in silicon carbide. In this method, the concentration of common charged point defects, which is related to the density of paramagnetic centers, is determined by fitting the paramagnetic component of the specimen to the Brillouin function. Several parameters in the Brillouin function can be measured such as: the g-factor can be obtained from electron spin resonance spectroscopy, and the magnetic moment of paramagnetic centers can be obtained from positron lifetime spectroscopy combined with a first-principles calculation. To evaluate the characterization method, silicon carbide specimens with different concentrations of point defects are prepared with aluminum ion implantation. The fitting results of the densities of paramagnetic centers for the implanted doses of 1 × 10{sup 14} cm{sup −2}, 1 × 10{sup 15} cm{sup −2} and 1 × 10{sup 16} cm{sup −2} are 6.52 × 10{sup 14}/g, 1.14 × 10{sup 15}/g and 9.45 × 10{sup 14}/g, respectively. The same trends are also observed for the S-parameters in the Doppler broadening spectra. It is shown that this method is an accurate and convenient way to obtain the concentration of point defects in 4H-SiC.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Novel SOLPS-ITER simulations of X-point target and snowflake divertors

Abstract The design and understanding of alternative divertor configurations may be crucial for achieving acceptable steady-state heat and particle material loads for magnetic confinement fusion reactors. Multiple X-point alternative divertor geometries such as snowflakes and X-point targets have great potential in reducing power loads, but have not yet been simulated widely in codes with kinetic neutrals. This paper discusses recent changes made to the SOLPS-ITER code to allow for the simulation of X-point target and low-field side snowflake divertor geometries. Snowflake simulations using this method are presented, in addition to the first SOLPS-ITER simulation of the X-point target. Analysis of these results show reasonable consistency with the simple modelling and theoretical predictions, supporting the validity of the methodology implemented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Distinguishing dark matter from unresolved point sources in the Inner Galaxy with photon statistics

Data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope suggests that there is an extended excess of GeV gamma-ray photons in the Inner Galaxy. Identifying potential astrophysical sources that contribute to this excess is an important step in verifying whether the signal originates from annihilating dark matter. In this paper, we focus on the potential contribution of unresolved point sources, such as millisecond pulsars (MSPs). We propose that the statistics of the photons—in particular, the flux probability density function (PDF) of the photon counts below the point-source detection threshold—can potentially distinguish between the dark-matter and point-source interpretations. We calculate the flux PDF via the method of generating functions for these two models of the excess. Working in the framework of Bayesian model comparison, we then demonstrate that the flux PDF can potentially provide evidence for an unresolved MSP-like point-source population.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Bifurcation-like transition of divertor conditions induced by X-point radiation in KSTAR L-mode plasmas *

Abstract Density ramps with ion grad B drift directed into lower single null KSTAR L-mode plasmas are associated with a simultaneous and abrupt reduction of the divertor particle flux on both low- and high-field-side targets when the mid-plane line averaged electron density reaches a given level. Target embedded Langmuir probe signals show a clear ‘cliff edge’ behavior similar to that observed in the divertor target electron temperature in DIII-D H-mode plasmas (Eldon et al 2017 Nucl. Fusion 57 066039; McLean et al 2015 J. Nucl. Mater. 463 533–6). The collapse of the particle flux is observed along the whole divertor target area (from private flux region to the far scrape-off layer (SOL)). The critical upstream density of this target flux cliff is invariant under fuel gas throughput modulation. The transition along the cliff occurs in tens of milliseconds. With the cliff, carbon impurities and deuterium neutrals transported through the X-point to the core produce a strong radiation spot near the X-point, seen on bolometric signals, and increase the upstream density. The experimental observations are consistent with time-dependent SOLPS-ITER simulations, which also demonstrate an abrupt transition of the target flux and upstream density with the increase in X-point radiation. The timescale of the cliff predicted by SOLPS-ITER is consistent with the experiment, although, it is influenced by gas throughput or time-dependent numerical methods. In the L-mode phase space of separatrix electron density and temperature, branches are divided based on target temperature, because the latter is strongly coupled to the radiation front and ionization front due to the monotonic characteristic of the parallel electron temperature distribution. Since the H-mode condition operates at a much higher upstream density and electron temperature in phase space, dissipation from sputtered carbon alone leads to the density limit before reaching the X-point radiation condition. This is therefore consistent with the fact that cliffs have never been observed in H-mode KSTAR experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Phonon scattering effects from point and extended defects on thermal conductivity studied via ion irradiation of crystals with self-impurities

Fundamental theories predict that reductions in thermal conductivity from point and extended defects can arise due to phonon scattering with localized strain fields. In this paper, to experimentally determine how these strain fields impact phonon scattering mechanisms, we employ ion irradiation as a controlled means of introducing strain and assorted defects into the lattice. In particular, we observe the reduction in thermal conductivity of intrinsic natural silicon after self-irradiation with two different silicon isotopes, $^{28}\mathrm{Si}^{+}$ and $^{29}\mathrm{Si}^{+}$. Irradiating with an isotope with a nearly identical atomic mass as the majority of the host lattice produces a damage profile lacking mass impurities and allows us to assess the role of phonon scattering with local strain fields on the thermal conductivity. Our results demonstrate that point defects will decrease the thermal conductivity more so than spatially extended defect structures assuming the same volumetric defect concentrations due to the larger strain per defect that arises in spatially separated point defects. Finally, with thermal conductivity models using density functional theory, we show that for a given defect concentration, the type of defect (i.e., point vs extended) plays a negligible role in reducing the thermal conductivity compared to the strain per defect in a given volume.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗