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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 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Image processing on the IBM personal computer

An experimental, personal computer image processing system has been developed which provides a variety of processing functions in an environment that connects programs by means of a 'menu' for both casual and experienced users. The system is implemented by a compiled BASIC program that is coupled to assembly language subroutines. Image processing functions encompass subimage extraction, image coloring, area classification, histogramming, contrast enhancement, filtering, and pixel extraction.

Myers, H. J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Algebraic discrete quantum harmonic oscillator with dynamic resolution scaling

We develop an algebraic formulation for the discrete quantum harmonic oscillator (DQHO) from the Hamiltonian for two, coupled QHOs and provide a physical picture for the Kravchuk function eigenstates of the oscillator. The familiar $\mathfrak{su}(2)$ structure of the coupled QHO Hamiltonian divides its spectrum into sets corresponding to the DQHO at different resolutions. In addition to energy ladder operators, the formulation allows for the introduction of resolution ladder operators connecting all DQHOs with different resolutions, thus enabling the dynamic scaling of the resolution of finite degree-of-freedom quantum simulations. The coherent state of the DQHO is constructed, and its expected position is proven to oscillate as a classical harmonic oscillator. The DQHO coherent state recovers that of the quantum harmonic oscillator at large resolution.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS2013

Energy Band Gap Study of Semiconducting Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Bundle

The electronic properties of multiple semiconducting single walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) considering various distribution inside a bundle are studied. The model derived from the proposed analytical potential function of the electron density for an individual s-SWCNT is general and can be easily applied to multiple nanotubes. This work demonstrates that regardless the number of carbon nanotubes, the strong coupling occurring between the closest neighbours reduces the energy band gap of the bundle by 10%. As expected, the coupling is strongly dependent on the distance separating the s-SWCNTs. In addition, based on the developed model, it is proposed to enhance this coupling effect by applying an electric field across the bundle to significantly reduce the energy band gap of the bundle by 20%.

potential function↗
DOE OSTI2026

Small-molecule modulation of β-arrestins

β-Arrestins are multifunctional regulators of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling and orchestrate diverse downstream signalling events and physiological responses across the GPCR superfamily. Although GPCR pharmacology has advanced to target orthosteric and allosteric sites, as well as G proteins and GPCR kinases, direct chemical tools to modulate β-arrestin activities have remained conspicuously absent. Here we report the identification of small-molecule inhibitors that selectively target β-arrestins and delineate their mechanism of action through integrated pharmacological, biochemical, biophysical and structural analyses. These inhibitors disrupt β-arrestin engagement with agonist-activated GPCRs, impairing desensitization, internalization and β-arrestin-dependent physiological functions while sparing G protein–receptor coupling. Cryo-electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations and structure-guided mutagenesis reveal that one modulator, Cmpd-5, engages a pocket within the central crest of β-arrestin1 formed by the middle, C and lariat loops, a critical receptor-binding interface, stabilizing a distinct conformation that is incompatible with full β-arrestin–receptor engagement. Together, these findings establish a mechanistic framework for β-arrestin modulation, reveal a novel allosteric site for structure-based drug design, and open new avenues for transducer-targeted, pathway-specific GPCR therapeutic agents.

Kahsai, Alem W. [Duke University, Durham, NC (Unit↗
DOE OSTI2020

Singlet fission in core-linked terrylenediimide dimers

We have studied two regioisomeric terrylenediimide (TDI) dimers in which the 1-positions of two TDIs are linked via 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene spacers, mTDI 2 and pTDI, respectively. The nature and the dynamics of the multiexciton state are tuned by altering the through-bond electronic couplings in the ground and excited states and by changing the solvent environment. Our results show that controlling the electronic coupling between the two chromophores by an appropriate choice of linker can result in independent triplet state formation, even though the initial correlated triplet pair state is confined to a dimer. Moreover, even in polar solvents, if the electronic coupling is strong, the correlated triplet pair state is observed prior to symmetry-breaking charge separation. These results point out the close relationship between the singlet, correlated triplet pair, and charge transfer states in molecular dimers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multi-fidelity learning for interatomic potentials: low-level forces and high-level energies are all you need

The promise of machine learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) has led to an abundance of public quantum mechanical (QM) training datasets. The quality of an MLIP is directly limited by the accuracy of the energies and atomic forces in the training dataset. Unfortunately, most of these datasets are computed with relatively low-accuracy QM methods, e.g. density functional theory with a moderate basis set. Due to the increased computational cost of more accurate QM methods, e.g. coupled-cluster theory with a complete basis set (CBS) extrapolation, most high-accuracy datasets are much smaller and often do not contain atomic forces. The lack of high-accuracy atomic forces is quite troubling, as training with force data greatly improves the stability and quality of the MLIP compared to training to energy alone. Because most datasets are computed with a unique level of theory, traditional single-fidelity (SF) learning is not capable of leveraging the vast amounts of published QM data. In this study, we apply multi-fidelity learning (MFL) to train an MLIP to multiple QM datasets of different levels of accuracy, i.e. levels of fidelity. Specifically, we perform three test cases to demonstrate that MFL with both low-level forces and high-level energies yields an extremely accurate MLIP—far more accurate than a SF MLIP trained solely to high-level energies and almost as accurate as a SF MLIP trained directly to high-level energies and forces. Therefore, MFL greatly alleviates the need for generating large and expensive datasets containing high-accuracy atomic forces and allows for more effective training to existing high-accuracy energy-only datasets. Indeed, low-accuracy atomic forces and high-accuracy energies are all that are needed to achieve a high-accuracy MLIP with MFL.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1987

Oscillator strengths for S I, S II, and S III

A series of calculations for atomic data of various sulfur and oxygen ions is examined. Recent observations of the Io plasma torus obtained with the Voyager UV Spectrometer, the IUE satellite short wavelength spectrograph, and the rocket-borne faint object telescope are discussed. The calculation of oscillator strengths for S II, the P I sequence, S I, and S III in terms of configuration interaction effects is described. The derivation of orbital wave functions is considered. The use of the close coupling method to estimate collision strengths is studied. The accuracy of these calculations depends on: (1) the number of states used in the close coupling expansion; (2) resonance contributions to the thermally averaged collision strength; and (3) the quality of the target state wave functions. Tables of the derived oscillator strengths are presented.

Ho, Y. K.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Characters, quasinormal modes, and Schwinger pairs in dS 2 with flux

An integral representation of the 1-loop partition function for charged scalars and spinors, minimally coupled to a uniform U(1) field on S 2 , is given in terms of SO(1, 2) Harish-Chandra group characters and evaluated exactly in terms of Hurwitz ζ-functions. Analytically continuing the U(1) field, we interpret the path integrals as quasicanonical partition functions in dS 2 with an electric field. The character itself is obtained as a trace over states living at the future boundary of de Sitter and has a quasinormal mode expansion. The imaginary part of the partition function captures Schwinger pair creation in the static patch at finite temperature. The thermal enhancement is most noticeable for scalar masses below Hubble and leads to non-monotonicity of the current as a function of the field. This parameter range, when dimensionally reducing from a charged or rotating Nariai spacetime, is excluded by Swampland-inspired bounds. Around the AdS 2 black hole, in contrast to dS 2 , there is a threshold to pair creation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Superconductivity, charge density waves, and bipolarons in the Holstein model

The electron-phonon ( e-ph ) interaction remains of great interest in condensed matter physics and plays a vital role in realizing superconductors, charge density waves (CDW), and polarons. We study the two-dimensional Holstein model for e-ph coupling using determinant quantum Monte Carlo across a wide range of its phase diagram as a function of temperature, electron density, dimensionless e-ph coupling strength, and the adiabatic ratio of the phonon frequency to the Fermi energy. We describe the behavior of the CDW correlations, the competition between superconducting and CDW orders and polaron formation, the optimal conditions for superconductivity, and the transition from the weak-coupling regime to the strong-coupling regime. Superconductivity is optimized at intermediate e-ph coupling strength and intermediate electron density, and the superconducting correlations increase monotonically with phonon frequency. The global maximum for superconductivity in the Holstein model occurs at large phonon frequency, the limit where an attractive Hubbard model effectively describes the physics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2026

Degenerate coupled-cluster theory

A size-extensive, converging, black-box, ab initio coupled-cluster (ΔCC) ansatz is introduced that computes the energies and wave functions of states from any degenerate or nondegenerate Slater-determinant references with any numbers of α- and β-spin electrons, any patterns of orbital occupancy, any spin multiplicities, and any spatial symmetries. For a nondegenerate reference, it reduces to the single-reference coupled-cluster ansatz. For a degenerate multireference, it is a natural coupled-cluster extension of degenerate Møller–Plesset perturbation (ΔMP) theory. For ionized and electron-attached references, it is a coupled-cluster Green’s function, although the present theory is convergent toward the full-configuration-interaction limits, while the Feynman–Dyson many-body Green’s function (MBGF) theory generally is not. Its single-excitation instance is a projection Hartree–Fock theory as per the Thouless theorem, which may be useful for core ionizations, high-spin states, and possibly electron affinities. Additionally, a new multireference coupled-cluster theory for a general model space is developed. This quasidegenerate coupled-cluster (QCC) theory is exactly converging, but not black-box, and intended for strong correlation. Determinant-based, general-order algorithms of ΔCC and QCC theories are implemented and compared with configuration-interaction (CI) and equation-of-motion coupled-cluster (EOM-CC) theories through octuple excitations and with ΔMP and MBGF theories up to the nineteenth order. An algebraic, optimal-scaling algorithm of the ΔCC theory is computer-synthesized at the levels of single excitations (ΔCCS) and of single and double excitations (ΔCCSD). As a result, the order of performance is QCC ≈ ΔCC > EOM-CC > CI at the same order or QCC ≈ ΔCC > ΔMP > MBGF at the same cost scaling.

Hirata, So [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Interlayer magnetophononic coupling in MnBi2Te4

Abstract The emergence of magnetism in quantum materials creates a platform to realize spin-based applications in spintronics, magnetic memory, and quantum information science. A key to unlocking new functionalities in these materials is the discovery of tunable coupling between spins and other microscopic degrees of freedom. We present evidence for interlayer magnetophononic coupling in the layered magnetic topological insulator MnBi 2 Te 4 . Employing magneto-Raman spectroscopy, we observe anomalies in phonon scattering intensities across magnetic field-driven phase transitions, despite the absence of discernible static structural changes. This behavior is a consequence of a magnetophononic wave-mixing process that allows for the excitation of zone-boundary phonons that are otherwise ‘forbidden’ by momentum conservation. Our microscopic model based on density functional theory calculations reveals that this phenomenon can be attributed to phonons modulating the interlayer exchange coupling. Moreover, signatures of magnetophononic coupling are also observed in the time domain through the ultrafast excitation and detection of coherent phonons across magnetic transitions. In light of the intimate connection between magnetism and topology in MnBi 2 Te 4 , the magnetophononic coupling represents an important step towards coherent on-demand manipulation of magnetic topological phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1994

Design oriented structural analysis

Desirable characteristics and benefits of design oriented analysis methods are described and illustrated by presenting a synoptic description of the development and uses of the Equivalent Laminated Plate Solution (ELAPS) computer code. ELAPS is a design oriented structural analysis method which is intended for use in the early design of aircraft wing structures. Model preparation is minimized by using a few large plate segments to model the wing box structure. Computational efficiency is achieved by using a limited number of global displacement functions that encompass all segments over the wing planform. Coupling with other codes is facilitated since the output quantities such as deflections and stresses are calculated as continuous functions over the plate segments. Various aspects of the ELAPS development are discussed including the analytical formulation, verification of results by comparison with finite element analysis results, coupling with other codes, and calculation of sensitivity derivatives. The effectiveness of ELAPS for multidisciplinary design application is illustrated by describing its use in design studies of high speed civil transport wing structures.

Giles, Gary L.↗
DOE OSTI2023

In situ x-ray absorption investigations of a heterogenized molecular catalyst and its interaction with a carbon nanotube support

A highly active heterogenized molecular CO 2 reduction catalyst on a conductive carbon support is investigated to identify if its improved catalytic activity can be attributed to strong electronic interactions between catalyst and support. The molecular structure and electronic character of a [Re +1 (tBu-bpy)(CO) 3 Cl] (tBu-bpy = 4,4'-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine) catalyst deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes are characterized using Re L 3 -edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy under electrochemical conditions and compared to the homogeneous catalyst. The Re oxidation state is characterized from the near-edge absorption region, while structural changes of the catalyst are assessed from the extended x-ray absorption fine structure under reducing conditions. Chloride ligand dissociation and a Re-centered reduction are both observed under applied reducing potential. The results confirm weak coupling of [Re(tBu-bpy)(CO) 3 Cl] with the support, since the supported catalyst exhibits the same oxidation changes as the homogeneous case. However, these results do not preclude strong interactions between a reduced catalyst intermediate and the support, preliminarily investigated here using quantum mechanical calculations. Thus, our results suggest that complicated linkage schemes and strong electronic interactions with the initial catalyst species are not required to improve the activity of heterogenized molecular catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1994

Principal modes of atmospheric circulation anomalies associated with global angular momentum fluctuations

This paper provides a description of the variability of global atmospheric angular momentum (GAM) and its relationship with principal modes of three-dimensional atmospheric circulation anomalies. The data used are 5-day mean global wind fields from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts initialized dataset for 1980-1989. Significant seasonal variation of GAM is observed with maxima in April and November and a minimum during late July. The amplitude of the annual cycle is largest in the upper troposphere and decreases toward the surface. Although the lower tropospheric contribution to the total angular momentum is relatively small, its annual cycle is out of phase with those of the upper atmosphere and GAM. Also identified is a distinct semiannual component, with double peaks appearing in April and November. This signal is most noticeable in the upper troposphere above the 300-mb level. The principal modes of zonal-mean angular momentum and meridional circulation anomalies and their coupled modes are obtained by using empirical orthogonal function analysis and singular value decomposition. It is shown that the leading modes of the angular momentum and meridional circulation are coupled with each other and are responsible for much of the variability in GAM. The coupled modes represent fluctuations of upper-level subtropical zonal flow, which are linked to the modulation of Hadley circulation intensity in both hemispheres. It is found that GAM is highly correlated with the first eigenvector of upper-level streamfunction anomalies, which consists of a superrotational flow in the tropics and subtropics, except over the central Pacific where a 'blocked' flow with two subtropical anticyclonic circulation cells straddling the equator is found. Much of the blocked flow is due to the establishment of dipole anomalies in the velocity potential with centers over the central Pacific and the Maritime Continent on the interannual time scale. On the intraseasonal time scale, GAM fluctuation is dominated by superrotational flow in the tropics, with the blocked flow present to a much lesser extent. The associated velocity potential anomaly has a weak dipole structure with centers over the Indian Ocean and the eastern Pacific. The implications of the above results on the total angular momentum balance of the earth-atmosphere system are also discussed.

Kang, In-Sik↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electrochemical Hydrogenation of CO on Cu(100): Insights from Accurate Multiconfigurational Wavefunction Methods

Copper (Cu) remains the most efficacious electrocatalyst for electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R). Its activity and selectivity are highly facet-dependent. We recently examined the commonly proposed rate-limiting CO hydrogenation step on Cu(111) via embedded correlated wavefunction (ECW) theory and demonstrated that only this higher-level theory yields predictions consistent with potential-dependent experimental kinetics. Here, to understand the differing activities of Cu(111) and Cu(100) in catalyzing CO 2 R, we explore CO hydrogenation on Cu(100) using ECW theory. We predict that the preferred pathway involves the reduction of adsorbed CO (*CO) to *COH via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) at working potentials, although *CHO also may form with a kinetically accessible but higher barrier. In contrast, our earlier work on Cu(111) concluded that *COH and *CHO formation via PCET are equally feasible. Furthermore, this work illustrates one possible origin of the facet dependence of CO 2 R mechanisms and products on Cu electrodes and sheds light on how the selectivity of CO 2 R electrocatalysts can be controlled by the surface morphology.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
NASA NTRS2002

Efficient Reformulation of the Thermoelastic Higher-order Theory for Fgms

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are characterized by spatially variable microstructures which are introduced to satisfy given performance requirements. The microstructural gradation gives rise to continuously or discretely changing material properties which complicate FGM analysis. Various techniques have been developed during the past several decades for analyzing traditional composites and many of these have been adapted for the analysis of FGMs. Most of the available techniques use the so-called uncoupled approach in order to analyze graded structures. These techniques ignore the effect of microstructural gradation by employing specific spatial material property variations that are either assumed or obtained by local homogenization. The higher-order theory for functionally graded materials (HOTFGM) is a coupled approach developed by Aboudi et al. (1999) which takes the effect of microstructural gradation into consideration and does not ignore the local-global interaction of the spatially variable inclusion phase(s). Despite its demonstrated utility, however, the original formulation of the higher-order theory is computationally intensive. Herein, an efficient reformulation of the original higher-order theory for two-dimensional elastic problems is developed and validated. The use of the local-global conductivity and local-global stiffness matrix approach is made in order to reduce the number of equations involved. In this approach, surface-averaged quantities are the primary variables which replace volume-averaged quantities employed in the original formulation. The reformulation decreases the size of the global conductivity and stiffness matrices by approximately sixty percent. Various thermal, mechanical, and combined thermomechanical problems are analyzed in order to validate the accuracy of the reformulated theory through comparison with analytical and finite-element solutions. The presented results illustrate the efficiency of the reformulation and its advantages in analyzing functionally graded materials.

Bansal, Yogesh↗
DOE OSTI2026

Optimizing district energy systems by integrating Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Using a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming g-function framework with a Multi-Timescale Rolling Horizon method

Shallow geothermal has gained increasing attention in recent years; however, a reliable framework for its accurate incorporation into large-scale energy system optimization remains lacking. This study proposes a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) framework combined with the g-function approach to integrate Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) technology into energy system optimization. Validation against a Modelica-based reservoir network simulation demonstrates that the proposed framework effectively captures the ground thermal response under varying energy loads and accurately estimates the borefield energy supply. To enhance scalability, a Rolling Horizon with Multi-Timescale (RH-MTS) method is further introduced, reducing computational time by 73 % for the 1-year optimization model with only minor loss of optimality. The framework is demonstrated through the case study of the UC Berkeley campus. Results indicate that BTES is a cost-effective and low-carbon solution: two borefields comprising 382 boreholes can meet 8.0 % and 6.6 % of the total campus heating and cooling demand, respectively, at an average energy rate of 0.70–0.77 USD/kWh and carbon intensity of 0.54 kg-CO2/kWh. Short-term analysis reveals a 35%–65% decline in BTES energy flow after 3–6 months of continuous heating/cooling operation, while long-term simulation shows that annual energy production of BTES can vary by up to 12.0 % after four years before stabilizing. Overall, this study develops a novel optimization framework that couples physics-based g-function method with MILP optimization framework, thereby advancing methodological development for shallow-geothermal integration and providing actionable guidance for BTES deployment in district-energy systems.

Yang, Jiahui↗