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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 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Magnetic islands and singular currents at rational surfaces in three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibria

Using the recently developed multiregion, relaxed MHD (MRxMHD) theory, which bridges the gap between Taylor's relaxation theory and ideal MHD, we provide a thorough analytical and numerical proof of the formation of singular currents at rational surfaces in non-axisymmetric ideal MHD equilibria. These include the force-free singular current density represented by a Dirac δ-function, which presumably prevents the formation of islands, and the Pfirsch-Schlüter 1/x singular current, which arises as a result of finite pressure gradient. An analytical model based on linearized MRxMHD is derived that can accurately (1) describe the formation of magnetic islands at resonant rational surfaces, (2) retrieve the ideal MHD limit where magnetic islands are shielded, and (3) compute the subsequent formation of singular currents. The analytical results are benchmarked against numerical simulations carried out with a fully nonlinear implementation of MRxMHD.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

The ensemble switch method for computing interfacial tensions

We present a systematic thermodynamic integration approach to compute interfacial tensions for solid-liquid interfaces, which is based on the ensemble switch method. Applying Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling techniques, we obtain results for hard spheres, which are in agreement with previous computations. The case of solid-liquid interfaces in a variant of the effective Asakura-Oosawa model and of liquid-vapor interfaces in the Lennard-Jones model are discussed as well. We demonstrate that a thorough finite-size analysis of the simulation data is required to obtain precise results for the interfacial tension.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dynamical mean-field theory and weakly non-linear analysis for the phase separation of active Brownian particles

Recently, we have derived an effective Cahn-Hilliard equation for the phase separation dynamics of active Brownian particles by performing a weakly non-linear analysis of the effective hydrodynamic equations for density and polarization [Speck et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 218304 (2014)]. Here, we develop and explore this strategy in more detail and show explicitly how to get to such a large-scale, mean-field description starting from the microscopic dynamics. The effective free energy emerging from this approach has the form of a conventional Ginzburg-Landau function. On the coarsest scale, our results thus agree with the mapping of active phase separation onto that of passive fluids with attractive interactions through a global effective free energy (motility-induced phase transition). Particular attention is paid to the square-gradient term necessary for the phase separation kinetics. We finally discuss results from numerical simulations corroborating the analytical results.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mass transport and turbulence in gravitationally unstable disk galaxies. I. The case of pure self-gravity

The role of gravitational instability-driven turbulence in determining the structure and evolution of disk galaxies, and the extent to which gravity rather than feedback can explain galaxy properties, remains an open question. To address it, we present high-resolution adaptive mesh refinement simulations of Milky Way-like isolated disk galaxies, including realistic heating and cooling rates and a physically motivated prescription for star formation, but no form of star formation feedback. After an initial transient, our galaxies reach a state of fully nonlinear gravitational instability. In this state, gravity drives turbulence and radial inflow. Despite the lack of feedback, the gas in our galaxy models shows substantial turbulent velocity dispersions, indicating that gravitational instability alone may be able to power the velocity dispersions observed in nearby disk galaxies on 100 pc scales. Moreover, the rate of mass transport produced by this turbulence approaches ∼1 M{sub ⊙} yr{sup −1} for Milky Way-like conditions, sufficient to fully fuel star formation in the inner disks of galaxies. In a companion paper, we add feedback to our models, and use the comparison between the two cases to understand which galaxy properties depend sensitively on feedback and which can be understood as the product of gravity alone. All of the code, initial conditions, and simulation data for our model are publicly available.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Determination of the k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} correction factors for detectors used with an 800 MU/min CyberKnife{sup ®} system equipped with fixed collimators and a study of detector response to small photon beams using a Monte Carlo method

Purpose: In a previous work, output ratio (OR{sub det}) measurements were performed for the 800 MU/min CyberKnife{sup ®} at the Oscar Lambret Center (COL, France) using several commercially available detectors as well as using two passive dosimeters (EBT2 radiochromic film and micro-LiF TLD-700). The primary aim of the present work was to determine by Monte Carlo calculations the output factor in water (OF{sub MC,w}) and the k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} correction factors. The secondary aim was to study the detector response in small beams using Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: The LINAC head of the CyberKnife{sup ®} was modeled using the PENELOPE Monte Carlo code system. The primary electron beam was modeled using a monoenergetic source with a radial gaussian distribution. The model was adjusted by comparisons between calculated and measured lateral profiles and tissue-phantom ratios obtained with the largest field. In addition, the PTW 60016 and 60017 diodes, PTW 60003 diamond, and micro-LiF were modeled. Output ratios with modeled detectors (OR{sub MC,det}) and OF{sub MC,w} were calculated and compared to measurements, in order to validate the model for smallest fields and to calculate k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} correction factors, respectively. For the study of the influence of detector characteristics on their response in small beams; first, the impact of the atomic composition and the mass density of silicon, LiF, and diamond materials were investigated; second, the material, the volume averaging, and the coating effects of detecting material on the detector responses were estimated. Finally, the influence of the size of silicon chip on diode response was investigated. Results: Looking at measurement ratios (uncorrected output factors) compared to the OF{sub MC,w}, the PTW 60016, 60017 and Sun Nuclear EDGE diodes systematically over-responded (about +6% for the 5 mm field), whereas the PTW 31014 Pinpoint chamber systematically under-responded (about −12% for the 5 mm field). OR{sub det} measured with the SFD diode and PTW 60003 diamond detectors were in good agreement with OF{sub MC,w} except for the 5 mm field size (about −7.5% for the diamond and +3% for the SFD). A good agreement with OF{sub MC,w} was obtained with the EBT2 film and micro-LiF dosimeters (deviation less than 1.4% for all fields investigated). k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} correction factors for several detectors used in this work have been calculated. The impact of atomic composition on the dosimetric response of detectors was found to be insignificant, unlike the mass density and size of the detecting material. Conclusions: The results obtained with the passive dosimeters showed that they can be used for small beam OF measurements without correction factors. The study of detector response showed that OR{sub det} is depending on the mass density, the volume averaging, and the coating effects of the detecting material. Each effect was quantified for the PTW 60016 and 60017 diodes, the micro-LiF, and the PTW 60003 diamond detectors. None of the active detectors used in this work can be recommended as a reference for small field dosimetry, but an improved diode detector with a smaller silicon chip coated with tissue-equivalent material is anticipated (by simulation) to be a reliable small field dosimetric detector in a nonequilibrium field.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-657: In-Room Neutron Dose From High Energy Photon Beams

Purpose: To estimate neutron dose inside the treatment room from photodisintegration events in high energy photon beams using Monte Carlo simulations and experimental measurements. Methods: The Monte Carlo code MCNP6 was used for the simulations. An Eberline ESP-1 Smart Portable Neutron Detector was used to measure neutron dose. A water phantom was centered at isocenter on the treatment couch, and the detector was placed near the phantom. A Varian 2100EX linear accelerator delivered an 18MV open field photon beam to the phantom at 400MU/min, and a camera captured the detector readings. The experimental setup was modeled in the Monte Carlo simulation. The source was modeled for two extreme cases: a) hemispherical photon source emitting from the target and b) cone source with an angle of the primary collimator cone. The model includes the target, primary collimator, flattening filter, secondary collimators, water phantom, detector and concrete walls. Energy deposition tallies were measured for neutrons in the detector and for photons at the center of the phantom. Results: For an 18MV beam with an open 10cm by 10cm field and the gantry at 180°, the Monte Carlo simulations predict the neutron dose in the detector to be 0.11% of the photon dose in the water phantom for case a) and 0.01% for case b). The measured neutron dose is 0.04% of the photon dose. Considering the range of neutron dose predicted by Monte Carlo simulations, the calculated results are in good agreement with measurements. Conclusion: We calculated in-room neutron dose by using Monte Carlo techniques, and the predicted neutron dose is confirmed by experimental measurements. If we remodel the source as an electron beam hitting the target for a more accurate representation of the bremsstrahlung fluence, it is feasible that the Monte Carlo simulations can be used to help in shielding designs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Slow light engineering in a photonic crystal slab waveguide through optofluidic infiltration and geometric modulation

In this paper, a new type of flat-band slow light structure with high group index (n{sub g}) and large normalized delay-bandwidth product (NDBP) in a silicon on insulator (SOI) based photonic crystal (PC) slab waveguide with a triangular lattice of circular holes is demonstrated. The dispersion engineering is performed by infiltrating optical fluids with different refractive indices n{sub f} in the first row and shifting the second row of air holes adjacent to the PC waveguide (PCW) in the longitudinal direction. In the optimized case, a high NDBP of 0.32 with a group index of 54.55 and a bandwidth of 9.13 nm could be obtained. Furthermore, an ultra-low group velocity dispersion (GVD) in the range of 10{sup –20} s{sup 2}/m is achieved in all of the structures. These results are obtained by numerical simulations based on three-dimensional (3D) plane wave expansion (PWE) method.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Experimental and numerical investigation of reactive shock-accelerated flows

The main goal of this program was to establish a qualitative and quantitative connection, based on the appropriate dimensionless parameters and scaling laws, between shock-induced distortion of astrophysical plasma density clumps and their earthbound analog in a shock tube. These objectives were pursued by carrying out laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to study the evolution of two gas bubbles accelerated by planar shock waves and compare the results to available astrophysical observations. The experiments were carried out in an vertical, downward-firing shock tube, 9.2 m long, with square internal cross section (25×25 cm 2 ). Specific goals were to quantify the effect of the shock strength (Mach number, M) and the density contrast between the bubble gas and its surroundings (usually quantified by the Atwood number, i.e. the dimensionless density difference between the two gases) upon some of the most important flow features (e.g. macroscopic properties; turbulence and mixing rates). The computational component of the work performed through this program was aimed at (a) studying the physics of multi-phase compressible flows in the context of astrophysics plasmas and (b) providing a computational connection between laboratory experiments and the astrophysical application of shock-bubble interactions. Throughout the study, we used the FLASH4.2 code to run hydrodynamical and magnetohydrodynamical simulations of shock bubble interactions on an adaptive mesh.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Refined Dynamic Calculation of a Diesel-Engine Crank Mechanism

A mathematical model is proposed for the connecting rod of a diesel engine as a deformable component of a crank mechanism. VisSim 6.0 software is used for dynamic simulation of the connecting rod. Vibration is observed when the force exerted by the gas pressure is a maximum.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

IMAGING ANALYSIS OF THE HARD X-RAY TELESCOPE ProtoEXIST2 AND NEW TECHNIQUES FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION CODED-APERTURE TELESCOPES

Wide-field (≳100 deg{sup 2}) hard X-ray coded-aperture telescopes with high angular resolution (≲2′) will enable a wide range of time domain astrophysics. For instance, transient sources such as gamma-ray bursts can be precisely localized without the assistance of secondary focusing X-ray telescopes to enable rapid followup studies. On the other hand, high angular resolution in coded-aperture imaging introduces a new challenge in handling the systematic uncertainty: the average photon count per pixel is often too small to establish a proper background pattern or model the systematic uncertainty in a timescale where the model remains invariant. We introduce two new techniques to improve detection sensitivity, which are designed for, but not limited to, a high-resolution coded-aperture system: a self-background modeling scheme which utilizes continuous scan or dithering operations, and a Poisson-statistics based probabilistic approach to evaluate the significance of source detection without subtraction in handling the background. We illustrate these new imaging analysis techniques in high resolution coded-aperture telescope using the data acquired by the wide-field hard X-ray telescope ProtoEXIST2 during a high-altitude balloon flight in fall 2012. We review the imaging sensitivity of ProtoEXIST2 during the flight, and demonstrate the performance of the new techniques using our balloon flight data in comparison with a simulated ideal Poisson background.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

NO OVERDENSITY OF LYMAN-ALPHA EMITTING GALAXIES AROUND A QUASAR AT z ∼ 5.7

Bright quasars, observed when the universe was less than one billion years old ( z > 5.5), are known to host massive black holes (∼10{sup 9} M {sub ⊙}) and are thought to reside in the center of massive dark matter overdensities. In this picture, overdensities of galaxies are expected around high-redshift quasars. However, observations based on the detection of Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) around these quasars do not offer a clear picture: this may be due to the uncertain redshift constraints of LBGs, which are solely selected through broadband filters. To circumvent such uncertainties, we here perform a search for Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies (LAEs) in the field of the quasar PSO J215.1512–16.0417 at z ∼ 5.73, through narrowband deep imaging with FORS2 at the Very Large Telescope. We study an area of 37 arcmin{sup 2}, i.e., ∼206 comoving Mpc{sup 2} at the redshift of the quasar. We find no evidence of an overdensity of LAEs in the quasar field with respect to blank-field studies. Possible explanations for these findings may be that our survey volume is too small, or that the strong ionizing radiation from the quasar hinders galaxy formation in its immediate proximity. Another possibility is that these quasars are not situated in the dense environments predicted by some simulations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Investigation of differential surface removal due to electropolishing at JLab

Surface chemistry carried out for Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities such as Buffered Chemical Polishing (BCP) and Electropolishing (EP) aims to uniformly remove the internal surface of a cavity along the entire structure and within each cell from equator to iris in order to obtain an equally etched surface. A uniform removal, however, is not readily achievable due to the complex fluid flow and varying temperatures of the acid mixture, which can lead to differential etching. This needs to be considered when envisaging a certain surface damage removal throughout the interior. The process-specific differential etching influences the target frequency set at the manufacturing stage as well as the field flatness and length of the as-built cavity. We report on analyses of JLab's present EP system using experimental data for six nine-cell cavities that have been processed recently in the frame of the LCLS-II high-Q development plan. In conjunction with numerical simulations, the differential etching and the impact on field flatness is assessed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Prediction of countercurrent flow limitation and its uncertainty in a PWR hot leg

In previous studies, we did small-scale air-water experiments for the hot leg and pressurizer surge line in a PWR and three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations for PWR conditions to evaluate countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) there, and we developed a one-dimensional (1D) prediction method to generalize prediction of CCFL in a piping system such as the hot leg and pressurizer surge line. In this study, we evaluated computation errors of the 1D prediction method in comparison with CCFL data in the PWR hot leg models with the diameter D and length L of D = 50-650 mm and L/D = 4.5-9.5, and then evaluated uncertainties of the 1D prediction method in comparison with 3D numerical simulations for PWR conditions with D = 750 mm and L/D = 8.6. We found the computation errors were within the difference of dC = ±0.05 for the CCFL constant of C = 0.63 in the correlation with the Wallis parameters, but the computation errors include experimental errors and they are not uncertainties for the PWR conditions. The total uncertainty of the 1D computations for the actual PWR hot leg (including effects of the diameter and fluid properties) was estimated to be dC = ±0.035. The CCFL correlation and its uncertainty of dC = ±0.035 derived from the 1D prediction method were very close to those previously obtained from CCFL data and 3D simulations (dC = ±0.03). (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Spectral Analysis of LDV Measurements inside of the TAMU Air-Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System - 18688

Spectral analysis was applied to the LDV measurements inside of the TAMU air-cooled RCCS facility at two different locations to both evaluate the feasibility of spectral methods for this experiment and gain a first insight into the flow behavior using a Fourier representation. Application of the wavelet transform showed that there are patterns in the flow signified by repeating frequencies and flow structures. Although the sampling rate of 7.92 Hz at the data point centered at the bottom center of riser 4 was lower than the higher frequency sampling rate of 57.92 Hz at the top data point of the upper plenum, the wavelet transforms of the higher frequency data point showed that the dominant frequencies were bounded within 4 Hz. Application of wavelet analysis is limited by the size of the interrogation window but may be modified according to the frequency range of interest by adjusting the size of the time width for the undilated Morlet mother wavelet. Spectral analysis can be applied to future experiments to understand uncharacterized flow behavior such as flow reversal inside of the upper plenum and for benchmarking future CFD simulations. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A multi-mode state-space dynamic model for Pyrofusion neutron sources - 371

Pyrofusion neutron sources are compact, low power systems which may be capable of producing short intense pulses of neutrons from D-D fusion reactions. The neutron pulse duration has been too short for use as a continuous wave source, and too long for application in interrogation techniques. However, initial analysis of Pyrofusion dynamics has indicated the potential to manipulate the pulse characteristics through system control. This paper introduces the development of state-space multimode system models in MATLAB/Simulink that may be used to support the predictability and control of the neutron pulse. Preliminary examples of frequency-domain studies, stability analysis and time-domain simulations are reported. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

HTS Transformer Windings Design Using Distributive Ratios for Minimization of Short Circuit Forces

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) transformers have a promising feature in reduction of total weight, total size, and the losses of large-scale distribution transformers. However, the lower leakage reactance of HTS transformers results in a higher short-circuit fault currents and electromagnetic forces. Therefore, optimization of short-circuit electromagnetic forces is one of the crucial aspects in the design of HTS transformers. In this paper, a novel analytical method is proposed for determination of optimum distributive ratios resulting in minimization of these forces for asymmetrical multi-segment windings of an HTS transformer. Employing these distributive ratios, radial and axial components of short-circuit electromagnetic forces in an HTS transformer are significantly reduced. Two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) finite element method (FEM) simulations are employed to verify the analytical method results.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Heat Flux for a Relativistic Dilute Bidimensional Gas

Relativistic kinetic theory predicts substantial modifications to the dissipation mechanisms of a dilute gas. For the heat flux, these include (in the absence of external forces) a correction to the thermal conductivity and the appearance of a new, purely relativistic, term proportional to the density gradient. In this work we obtain such constitutive equation for the particular case of a bidimensional gas. The calculation is based on the Chapman–Enskog solution to the relativistic Boltzmann equation and yields analytical expressions for the corresponding transport coefficients, which are evaluated for the particular case of hard disks. These results will be useful for numerical simulations and may be applied to bidimensional non-dense materials.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗