Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “finite difference”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 685 records · Page 38
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Composites and additive manufacturing for high-field coil supports for stellarators

The utilization of composites layered on an additive manufactured substrate, for the production of coil supports for modular coils in small or middle size experimental stellarators is assessed. The focus of the study is a monolithic coil support comprising the coils of a half-period of a stellarator, somewhat similar to the ones in UST_2 and ARIES-CS stellarators. However, the concept may be applicable to quasi-monolithic coil supports (coil forms of NCSX type) or individual coil casings (W7-X type).Coil supports for stellarators require high precision, stiffness and strength for large contorted parts. Traditionally, monolithic coil supports are produced by steel casting/forging and final machining. This production method and material gives accurate, stiff and strong coil supports, but the method may be expensive for monolithic supports due to the geometrical complexity and required accuracy of the structure. In relation to those matters, this work investigates whether a monolithic coil support comprising an additive manufactured resin substrate, which is externally (outward from the coils) surrounded with a thick layer of fibre-reinforced resin, may achieve enough strength and stiffness under middle/high magnetic fields. Finite element calculations are produced to obtain the direction of the principal stresses and their values in compression and tension at different areas of the monolithic support, which is relevant for anisotropic materials. The feasibility of directional application of (carbon) fibres on the winding surface of the stellarator outward from the coils is experimentally tested on a scaled-down additively manufactured prototype of a monolithic support. The strength and stiffness of the composite structure appears sufficient for common magnetic fields in experimental stellarators, and the 3D-composite design and manufacturing was technically feasible.

Queral, Vicente↗
DOE OSTI2021

A multi-dimensional Child–Langmuir law for any diode geometry

While prior theoretical studies of multi-dimensional space-charge limited current (SCLC) assumed emission from a small patch on infinite electrodes, none have considered emission from an entire finite electrode. In this paper, we apply variational calculus (VC) and conformal mapping, which have previously been used to derive analytic solutions for SCLC density (SCLCD) for nonplanar one-dimensional geometries, to obtain mathematical relationships for any multi-dimensional macroscopic diode with finite cathode and anode. We first derive a universal mathematical relationship between space-charge limited potential and vacuum potential for any diode and apply this technique to determine SCLCD for an eccentric spherical diode. We then apply VC and the Schwartz–Christoffel transformation to derive an exact equation for SCLCD in a general two-dimensional planar geometry with emission from a finite emitter. Particle-in-cell simulations using VSim agreed within 4%–13% for a range of ratios of emitter width to gap distance using the thinnest electrodes practical for the memory constraints of our hardware, with the difference partially attributed to the theory's assumption of infinitesimally thin electrodes. After generalizing this approach to determine SCLCD for any orthogonal diode as a function of only the vacuum capacitance and vacuum potential, we derive an analytical formulation of the three-dimensional Child–Langmuir law for finite parallel rectangular and disk geometries. These results demonstrate the utility for calculating SCLCD for any diode geometry using vacuum capacitance and vacuum potential, which are readily obtainable for many diode geometries, to guide experiment and simulation development.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mesoscale modeling of microstructure-dependent thermal conductivity in U-Zr fuels

In uranium-zirconium (U-Zr) based metallic fuels, different phases can form at different compositions and temperatures. Typically, lamellar δ-UZr 2 and α-U phases are the dominant microstructures in U-rich U-Zr alloys at temperatures below 880 K. In this work, a finite element method based mesoscale modeling technique is used to calculate the effective thermal conductivities of such heterogeneous microstructures, using the thermal conductivities of two individual phases and their interphase thermal resistance (Kapitza resistance) as input parameters. The Kapitza resistance between δ-UZr 2 and α-U is determined at different temperatures, which shows an approximately T 3 dependence in the temperature range between 300 and 800 K. In addition, the Kapitza resistance exhibits a strong dependence on the aspect ratio of the δ-UZr 2 phase. Further, an analytical model is therefore developed to quantify the effects of both temperature and δ-UZr 2 aspect ratio on the Kapitza resistance. Using this newly developed Kapitza resistance model, the effective thermal conductivities of a number of δ-UZr 2 + α-U heterogeneous microstructures in U-Zr alloys, including non-lamellar microstructures, can be estimated accurately.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Tritium Transport Modeling at the Pore Scale in Ceramic Breeder Materials Using TMAP8

Fusion reactors depend on the blanket material to breed and release tritium at the same rate or faster than it is consumed by the fusion reaction. Cellular ceramic breeders (CCBs) are dense materials that can maintain a high tritium breeding ratio while promoting tritium release because of highly connected pores. Assessing the tritium breeding capabilities of these materials requires a combination of extensive experimental and modeling efforts. In this work, we develop and calibrate a multiphysics model of tritium transport. This novel model accounts for ceramic and pore diffusion, trapping and detrapping, and several surface reactions at the pore surface. We perform a sensitivity analysis and calibrate the model by comparing its predictions against experimental measurements of deuterium absorption. The calibrated model is then used to model tritium absorption in samples with different pore microstructures to investigate the effect of pore interconnectivity on tritium absorption. The model is part of the development of the multiscale, multiphysics framework for tritium transport [i.e., the Tritium Migration Analysis Program (TMAP8)], which is itself built on top of the finite-element multiphysics framework multiphysics object-oriented simulation environment (MOOSE). This study demonstrates some of TMAP8’s capabilities and is the first step toward assessing the tritium breeding capabilities of ceramic breeder material designs.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Finite-Time Ensemble Method for Mixed Layer Model Comparison

Here, this work evaluates the fidelity of various upper-ocean turbulence parameterizations subject to realistic monsoon forcing and presents a finite-time ensemble vector (EV) method to better manage the design and numerical principles of these parameterizations. The EV method emphasizes the dynamics of a turbulence closure multimodel ensemble and is applied to evaluate 10 different ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) parameterizations within a single-column (SC) model against two boundary layer large-eddy simulations (LES). Both LES include realistic surface forcing, but one includes wind-driven shear turbulence only, while the other includes additional Stokes forcing through the wave-average equations that generate Langmuir turbulence. The finite-time EV framework focuses on what constitutes the local behavior of the mixed layer dynamical system and isolates the forcing and ocean state conditions where turbulence parameterizations most disagree. Identifying disagreement provides the potential to evaluate SC models comparatively against the LES. Observations collected during the 2018 monsoon onset in the Bay of Bengal provide a case study to evaluate models under realistic and variable forcing conditions. The case study results highlight two regimes where models disagree 1) during wind-driven deepening of the mixed layer and 2) under strong diurnal forcing.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Learning likelihood ratios with neural network classifiers

The likelihood ratio is a crucial quantity for statistical inference in science that enables hypothesis testing, construction of confidence intervals, reweighting of distributions, and more. Many modern scientific applications, however, make use of data- or simulation-driven models for which computing the likelihood ratio can be very difficult or even impossible. By applying the so-called “likelihood ratio trick,” approximations of the likelihood ratio may be computed using clever parametrizations of neural network-based classifiers. A number of different neural network setups can be defined to satisfy this procedure, each with varying performance in approximating the likelihood ratio when using finite training data. We present a series of empirical studies detailing the performance of several common loss functionals and parametrizations of the classifier output in approximating the likelihood ratio of two univariate and multivariate Gaussian distributions as well as simulated high-energy particle physics datasets.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Microstructure Generation via Generative Adversarial Network for Heterogeneous, Topologically Complex 3D Materials

Using a large-scale, experimentally captured 3D microstructure dataset, we implement the generative adversarial network (GAN) framework to learn and generate 3D microstructures of solid oxide fuel cell electrodes. The generated microstructures are visually, statistically, and topologically realistic, with distributions of microstructural parameters, including volume fraction, particle size, surface area, tortuosity, and triple phase boundary density, being highly similar to those of the original microstructure. These results are compared and contrasted with those from an established, grain-based generation algorithm (DREAM.3D). Importantly, simulations of electrochemical performance, using a locally resolved finite element model, demonstrate that the GAN generated microstructures closely match the performance distribution of the original, while DREAM.3D leads to significant differences. Finally, the ability of the generative machine learning model to recreate microstructures with high fidelity suggests that the essence of complex microstructures may be captured and represented in a compact and manipulatable form.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Shoulder fillet effects in strength distributions of microelectromechanical system components

The failure forces and fracture strengths of polysilicon microelectromechanical system (MEMS) components in the form of stepped tensile bars with shoulder fillets were measured using a sequential failure chain methodology. Approximately 150 specimens for each of four fillet geometries with different stress concentration factors were tested. The resulting failure force and strength distributions of the four geometries were related by a common sidewall flaw population existing within different effective stressed lengths. The failure forces, strengths, and flaw population were well described by a weakest-link based analytical framework. Finite element analysis was used to verify body-force based expressions for the stress concentration factors and to provide insight into the variation of specimen effective length with fillet geometry. Monte Carlo simulations of flaw size and location, based on the strength measurements, were also used to provide insight into fillet shape and size effects. The successful description of the shoulder fillet specimen strengths provides further empirical support for application of the strength and flaw framework in MEMS fabrication and design optimization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ultrarelativistic quark-nucleus scattering in a light-front Hamiltonian approach

In this work, we investigate the scattering of a quark on a heavy nucleus at high energies using the time-dependent basis light-front quantization (tBLFQ) formalism, which is the first application of the tBLFQ formalism in QCD. We present the real-time evolution of the quark wave function in a strong classical color field of the relativistic nucleus, described as the color glass condensate. The quark and the nucleus color field are simulated in the QCD SU(3) color space. We calculate the total and the differential cross sections, and the quark distribution in coordinate and color spaces using the tBLFQ approach. We recover the eikonal cross sections in the eikonal limit. We find that the differential cross section from the tBLFQ simulation is in agreement with a perturbative calculation at large $p_⊥$, and it deviates from the perturbative calculation at small $p_⊥$ due to higher-order contributions. In particular, we relax the eikonal limit by letting the quark carry realistic finite longitudinal momenta. We study the sub-eikonal effect on the quark through the transverse coordinate distribution of the quark with different longitudinal momentum, and we find the sub-eikonal effect to be sizable. Our results can significantly reduce the theoretical uncertainties in small $p_⊥$ region which has important implications to the phenomenology of the hadron-nucleus and deep inelastic scattering at high energies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Accurate contrast determination for X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy

X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy using X-ray free-electron lasers has long been proposed as a probe of fast dynamics in noncrystalline materials. In this paper, numerical modeling is presented to show how the data interpretation of visibility spectroscopy can be impacted by the nonidealities of real-life X-ray detectors. Using simulated detector data, this work provides a detailed analysis of the systematic errors of several contrast extraction algorithms in the context of low-count-rate X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy and their origins are discussed. Here, it was found that the finite detector charge cloud and pixel size lead to an unavoidable `degeneracy' in photon position determination, and that the contrasts extracted using different algorithms can all be corrected by a simple linear model. The results suggest that experimental calibration of the correction coefficient at the count rate of interest is possible and essential. This allows computationally lightweight algorithms to be implemented for on-the-fly analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Toward a Fully Integrated Multiphysics Simulation Framework for Fusion Blanket Design

Fusion is an attractive clean-energy solution, thanks to its various advantages, such as reduced radioactivity, little high-level nuclear waste, ample fuel supplies, and increased safety. However, the harsh operating environment introduced by a complex fusion plasma system makes design and integration of fusion blankets incredibly challenging and time-consuming. This work focuses on developing a fully integrated multiphysics simulation framework based on an advanced open-source platform—the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE)—to alleviate the difficulties in fusion blanket design and integration. MOOSE is a massively parallel finite element/volume multiphysics simulation platform that has been widely adopted within the nuclear fission community. Even though fission and fusion are fundamentally different, they involve similar multiphysics phenomena. A fully integrated open-source multiphysics simulation framework tailored for the fusion blanket design will be implemented by leveraging the well-established multiphysics capabilities in MOOSE. Once successfully developed, this fully integrated framework will rapidly evaluate a blanket design concept and offer insights for subsequent iterations. As the first step, we will mainly aim to integrate neutronics analysis, system thermal hydraulics simulation, and full 3-D heat transfer calculations. The efficacy of the integrated framework will be verified using an innovative solid ceramic blanket design. While the project’s final goal is to enable a fully integrated multiphysics simulation platform for various fusion blanket concepts, here this work, as a preliminary step, will mainly focus on a solid ceramic breeder helium-cooled blanket.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Effective sensor location for detection of change in structural dynamic response

This paper investigates the sensitivity of structural system response to the sensor location by investigating consequences of small changes in the location to the structural system response. The paper discusses how maximum observability (based on mode shape and the participation of that mode in the input provided) drives optimal location. The structural responses were investigated in terms of the g-rms response for various low-frequency inputs (pure sinusoids and real-life inputs such as an earthquake and trains). Results were then analyzed in the context of Modal Contributions Factors (MCF) and changes to the Force-to-response Transfer Functions (TRFs). A modal-matching process is first presented using a Matlab TM -based Finite Element Method (FEM) model of a cantilever beam and instrumentation to determine the location of a small mass based on three different criteria. Subsequently, the structural response is investigated using experiments and the FEM model. The accelerometer of small mass (at 1/3 height) was moved up or down to obtain changes in the structural response (TRF) to various realistic low-frequency inputs. Modal Contribution Factor (MCF) and derivative (slope) of the associated mode-shapes were correlated to the observed changes in TRFs. Results show how optimal sensor locations for detecting change in structural response can be based on the MCFs and the associated mode-shapes.

Woodall, J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Resilience Framework for Electric Energy Delivery Systems (R.1)

The intent of this document is to provide a Resilience Framework for electrical energy delivery systems which can be applied to Distributed Wind. However, the framework is not limited by application to any resource or system. This framework represents the defined steps to a cyclical process similar in mechanism to both cybersecurity and risk frameworks, while providing a common set of language and process for all stakeholders involved. The need for this Resilience Framework was established in a previous document, “Distributed Wind Resilience Metrics for Electric Energy Delivery Systems.” One important characteristic we see in resilience is the unique needs and perspectives of different systems, geographies, resources, stakeholders, perceived risks, and consequences, which we term the distinctiveness property. This distinctiveness property drives the requirement to have a resilience framework or methodology that can be implemented by different types of organizations and systems. The process or methodology should be cyclic. Recognizing that a system’s resilience is based on finite resources and time, it must continually evolve through this framework’s risk management and capital investment steps at an appropriate pace for its distinctiveness property.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Lattice Design and Advanced Modeling to Guide the Design of High-Performance Lightweight Structural Materials

Lightweight structural materials are required to increase the mobility of fission batteries. The materials must feature a robust combination of mechanical properties to demonstrate structural resilience. The primary objective of this project is to produce lightweight structural materials whose strength-to-weight ratios exceed those of the current widely used structural materials such as 316L stainless steels (316L SS). To achieve this, advanced modeling and simulation tools were employed to design lattice structures with different lattice parameters and different lattice types. A process was successfully developed for transforming lattice-structures models into Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) inputs. Finite element modeling (FEM) was used to simulate the uniaxial tensile testing of the lattice-structured parts to investigate the stress distribution at a given displacement. The preliminary results showed that the lattice-structured sample displayed a lower Young’s modulus in comparison with the solid material and that the unit cell size of the lattice had a minimal effect. The novelty here is to apply up-front modeling to determine the best structure for the application before actually producing the sample. The approach of using modeling as a guiding tool for preliminary material design can significantly save time and cost for material development.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Lattice Structured Lightweight Structural Materials

The development of lightweight structural materials is crucial for enhancing the performance and deployment feasibility of fission batteries. This study aims to produce lightweight structural materials whose strength-to-weight ratios exceed those of current widely used structural materials. To achieve this, advanced modeling and simulation tools were employed to design lattice structures with different lattice parameters and different lattice types. A process was successfully developed for transforming lattice-structured models into Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) inputs. Finite element modeling (FEM) was used to simulate the uniaxial tensile testing of the lattice-structured parts to investigate the stress distribution at a given displacement. The modeling results showed that the lattice-structured sample displayed a lower Young’s modulus in comparison to the solid material; the increase in solid shell thickness and blend radius enhances the mechanical performance; and the effect of unit cell size on macro scale stress is minimal. Tensile testing was conducted on the solid and lattice-structured materials fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing. The experimental results agreed well with the model prediction. The approach of using modeling as a guiding tool for preliminary material design can significantly save time and cost for new material development.

lightweight material↗
DOE OSTI2020

Many-body quantum dynamics slows down at low density

We study quantum many-body systems with a global U(1) conservation law, focusing on a theory of N interacting fermions with charge conservation, or N interacting spins with one conserved component of total spin. We define an effective operator size at finite chemical potential through suitably regularized out-of-time-ordered correlation functions. The growth rate of this density-dependent operator size vanishes algebraically with charge density; hence we obtain new bounds on Lyapunov exponents and butterfly velocities in charged systems at a given density, which are parametrically stronger than any Lieb-Robinson bound. We argue that the density dependence of our bound on the Lyapunov exponent is saturated in the charged Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model. We also study random automaton quantum circuits and Brownian Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev models, each of which exhibit a different density dependence for the Lyapunov exponent, and explain the discrepancy. We propose that our results are a cartoon for understanding Planckian-limited energy-conserving dynamics at finite temperature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modelling the Lyman-α forest with Eulerian and SPH hydrodynamical methods

ABSTRACT We compare two state-of-the-art numerical codes to study the overall accuracy in modelling the intergalactic medium and reproducing Lyman-α forest observables for DESI and high-resolution data sets. The codes employ different approaches to solving both gravity and modelling the gas hydrodynamics. The first code, Nyx, solves the Poisson equation using the Particle-Mesh (PM) method and the Euler equations using a finite-volume method. The second code, CRK-HACC , uses a Tree-PM method to solve for gravity, and an improved Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) technique, where fluid elements are modelled with particles, to treat the intergalactic gas. We compare the convergence behaviour of the codes in flux statistics as well as the degree to which the codes agree in the converged limit. We find good agreement overall with differences being less than observational uncertainties, and a particularly notable ≲1 per cent agreement in the 1D flux power spectrum. This agreement was achieved by applying a tessellation methodology for reconstructing the density in CRK-HACC instead of using an SPH kernel as is standard practice. We show that use of the SPH kernel can lead to significant and unnecessary biases in flux statistics; this is especially prominent at high redshifts, z ∼ 5, as the Lyman-α forest mostly comes from lower-density regions that are intrinsically poorly sampled by SPH particles.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Characteristics Approach to the Finite Element Method

Herein, we present a new method for solving the linear Boltzmann transport equation. Two commonly used and well-understood methods for solving partial differential equations are the method of characteristics (MOC) and the finite element method (FEM). We propose a new method that combines the fundamental concept of the FEM with the analytic solution from the MOC to obtain coefficients for the FEM basis function expansion. Traditionally, coefficients for the FEM basis function expansion are obtained via matrix inversion. Instead, we solve for the coefficients with the MOC and represent the underlying fields with the basis function expansion using these coefficients. We provide a convergence study for our method with results from two sets of FEM basis functions: Gauss-Legendre and Gauss-Lobatto sets. We also compare two different variations of our method categorized as short characteristics and intermediate characteristics.

42 ENGINEERING↗