Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “database for model validation”

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 73 records · Page 4

Bias Correction and Statistical Downscaling of Future Solar Irradiance Projections Using the NSRDB

Assessing renewable energy resources under future climate scenarios has been highlighted to understand potential impacts of future climate change in renewable generation on the power sector. Climate model projection has been recognized by the renewable energy community as a useful data set to analyze the impacts of future climate change on renewable resources. However, future climate projections generated from general circulation models (GCMs) contain inherent biases that need to be corrected for accurate analysis of future projections of climate variables. In addition, the coarse spatiotemporal resolution of GCMs needs to be improved for regional climate studies. In this work, we develop statistical methods to downscale future projections of global horizontal irradiance (GHI) in a computationally efficient way. Our approach builds statistical downscaling models that correct bias of climate projection of GHI and downscale the future GHI projection from daily-scale to hourly-scale. The National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) is used to calibrate the statistical models and validate the downscaled GHI projections across the contiguous United State (CONUS). Preliminary results show that the statistical approach efficiently downscales climate projections of GHI with a nBIAS of 3%, nMAE of 34 % and nRMSE of 46% calculated against NSRDB for CONUS. This study describes the implemented methodology and initial results as well as future research to create high-resolution climate data sets for solar energy applications.

analytical models↗

Doppler Global Velocimeter Measurements of the Vortical Flow Above a Thin Delta Wing

A new measurement technique is being developed by NASA to measure off-surface flow fields. This method, Doppler global velocimetry, will allow quantification of complex three-dimensional flow fields at video camera rates. The entire flow field structure within a selected plane is measured simultaneously rather than by scanned, point-by-point measurements using conventional laser velocimetry. Data obtained using this technique will be used to correlate with other data sets for verification, and following verification, provide a quantified, highly detailed definition of the flow field. This will help to improve the understanding of fluid physics, supplement and broaden the database required to validate and refine computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models, and improve aircraft design methodology. To assess the capability of the technique, velocity measurements of the vortical flow field above a thin 75-degree delta wing were made in the NASA - Langley Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel. Preliminary comparisons of the results were made with similar measurements obtained using a three component laser velocimeter indicate that this technique is capable of describing the entire three - component velocity flow field simultaneously within a measurement plane in real time.

Usry, Jimmy W.↗

Space Transportation System (STS)-133/External Tank (ET)-137 Intertank (IT) Stringer Cracking Issue and Repair Assessment: Proximate Cause Determination and Material Characterization Study

Several cracks were detected in stringers located beneath the foam on the External Tank (ET) following the launch scrub of Space Transportation System (STS)-133 on November 5, 2010. The stringer material was aluminum-lithium (AL-Li) 2090-T83 fabricated from sheets that were nominally 0.064 inches thick. The mechanical properties of the stringer material were known to vary between different material lots, with the stringers from ET-137 (predominately lots 620853 and 620854) having the highest yield and ultimate stresses. Subsequent testing determined that these same lots also had the lowest fracture toughness properties. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) supported the Space Shuttle Program (SSP)-led investigation. The objective of this investigation was to develop a database of test results to provide validation for structural analysis models, independently confirm test results obtained from other investigators, and determine the proximate cause of the anomalous low fracture toughness observed in stringer lots 620853 and 620854. This document contains the outcome of the investigation.

Piascik, Robert S.↗

Technology Readiness Assessment for HEEET TPS

The HEEET project was conceived to develop a heatshield with a high performance ablative thermal protection material that can withstand the extreme entry environment produced as a result of rapid deceleration during high speed entry into Venus, Saturn, Uranus or higher speed entry into Earth's atmosphere. Successful maturation of HEEET supports future New Frontiers and Discovery AO's, as well as Flagship and directed missions in the longer term. In addition, HEEET has the potential to evolve and to support re-entry to Earth, for missions such as Mars Sample Return.The primary goal of the HEEET Project was to develop an ablative TPS heat-shield based on woven TPS technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. Key evidence to support the TRL evaluation includes: Demonstration of reproducible manufacturing of a dual layer material over a range of thicknesses and integrated on to a heatshield engineering test unit at a scale that is applicable to near term Discovery as the highest priority and future NF missions as secondary priority set of missions. Demonstration of predictable and stable performance of the dual layer TPS over a range of entry environments that are applicable to near term Discovery and NF missions of interest to SMD.Includes completion of coupon arc jet and laser testing and development of a mid-fidelity thermal response model that correlates with test results. Demonstration of flight heatshield system design for a range of sizes and loads that are relevant to near term Discovery and NF missions of interest to SMD. Includes completion of structural testing to validate analytic thermal/structural models and development of a material property database. Includes structural testing of a ~1m Engineering Test Unit under relevant entry loads.

Gage, Peter↗

Deploying a Self-Supervised Learning Based Model to Search Events Across Space and Time

Motivation - Scientific Study of natural events, phenomena, or disasters require examples which span across time and space. - Machine Learning adaptation is on the rise, but there’s a lack of labeled training datasets that could be used to train or validate the models. - Best case scenario: - There’s an event database that tracks events available through time and space. - Provides all data associated with the events. - Real life scenario: - Some events are better tracked than others. - Scientists need to spend significant time identifying and gathering examples of events from different sources.

Iksha Gurung↗

Evaluating Meteorological Dust Events and Machine-Learning Based Dust Identification in Geostationary Satellite Imagery

NASA scientists in the Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) developed a physically-based machine learning approach to identify dust in satellite imagery with a focus on night-time dust detection (Berndt et al. 201; DustTracker-AI). NASA/NOAA Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite-16 (GOES-16) imagery was used for training and model inputs. The training, testing and validation data set consists of 28 events in the Southwest United States, capturing dust and null events in the region from 2018-2020.With 83 distinct images and millions of pixels a random forest model was trained and validated, correctly labeling 85% of dust pixels.For the first time, the model was run in near-real time production during the spring of 2022 and dust probability visualizations were made available to NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters to assess its utility for dust forecasting. Results indicated the model helped increase the confidence in the presence of dust and enabled dust tracking for a longer period of time into the night-time hours. Forecaster assessment and running the model in near real-time allowed for the team to determine the types of events missed, captured, and false alarms. To gain additional context on model performance,the SPoRT team sought to gather more detailed information on the training database(e.g., meteorological characteristics and drivers). The goal of this project was to identify the meteorological drivers for the dust events and create a database which synthesized information from observations, forecaster discussions, and analyses pertaining to the dust events to understand the types of events currently used to train the model. A more detailed meteorological synopsis was created for each dust event in the training, testing, and validation datasets. Following the completion of the database and documentation, the classification details revealed that 88% of the dust events were synoptically driven while mesoscale events were less prevalent in model datasets. Meteorological conditions found such as mixing layer depth and wind velocity had mean values of 645mb and 21kt respectively.With conditions of deep mixed layers and moderate to strong surface winds a mesoscale thunderstorm outflow event was considered and subsequently added to the model training data set to test the impact of additional mesoscale training data. The model was retrained and then qualitatively tested on a sample thunderstorm outflow case that the original model was unable to identify. Preliminary results showed potential that the addition of more mesoscale events included in the training data could help to better identify indistinct and localized dust events.

Connor Welch↗

Statistical Downscaling of Climate Models for Solar Resource Assessment

This study presents the development of statistical models to efficiently downscale future projections of solar irradiance for solar energy applications. A climate data set simulated from a Regional Climate Model (RCM) obtained from the North American Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (NA-CORDEX) is selected as input to the statistical models to create high-resolution global horizontal irradiance (GHI) over the contiguous United States (CONUS). Our approach builds statistical downscaling models that (1) regrid RCM data (0.22 degree and daily spatiotemporal resolution), (2) correct bias of GHI projections, (3) downscale the future GHI project from daily-scale to hourly-scale, and (4) spatially downscale to generate GHI at 8-km resolution. To calibrate and validate the statistical models, we adapt and use the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB). Preliminary results show that the statistical downscaling approach downscales future projections of GHI under two climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) with a nBIAS of 3%, nMAE of 34% and nRMSE of 46% estimated against NSRDB for the contiguous United State. This presentation will summarize the implemented methodology and validation results as well as future extension of this research.

climate data↗

Implementation of A New Microwave Scattering Database and A Forward Model for Active Microwave Sensors in CRTM

Radiative transfer models are extensively used for the assimilation of satellite observations into NWP models as well as retrieving geophysical products from satellite measurements. CRTM is a community model developed by NOAA JCSDA and widely used for different purposes requiring RT calculations. CRTM requires bulk scattering lookup tables in order to perform all-sky RT calculations. However, the current CRTM lookup tables for microwave frequencies were generated based on the Mie theory by assuming spherical frozen particles. The scattering lookup tables generated using the DDA technique has shown to largely improve the RT scattering calculations in the MW region. This presentation targets (i) the implementation and validation of a DDA database that was originally developed for the ARTS RT model into CRTM, and (ii) developing the CRTM active sensor module that takes advantage of the backscattering coefficients computed using the DDA method. The DDA database only provides single scattering properties of different habits, while CRTM requires bulk scattering properties. The CRTM cloud coefficients were previously generated based on the effective radius for representing the size of the particles. However, effective radius is neither measurable nor provided by the NWP models, thus need to be estimated from other geophysical variables such as water content. Therefore, in addition to calculating the CRTM bulk scattering properties from the DDA single scattering database, the CRTM was also largely modified to use cloud water content (kg.m-3), instead of effective radius, for performing the interpolation over size/mass of the particles. CRTM already requires water content as input, thus no extra variables are required for performing scattering calculations using the new ARTS DDA database. The CRTM scattering modules search for effective radius in cloud coefficient files and will use the cloud water content if the effective radius dimension is not found in the cloud coefficient files. Figure 1 shows the CRTM simulated brightness temperatures computed using different cloud coefficients versus ATMS observed values over Hurricane Irma on September 7, 2017 at 18:00 UTC. We used all the cloud water content values included in ERA5 with default CRTM/DDA habits for water, rain, snow, ice, hail, and graupel. ERA5 does not provide separate water content values for ice, hail, and graupel, thus the ice water content values were divided between ice, hail, and graupel clouds similar to what was explained in the previous section. In channels with a frequency lower than 90 GHz, emission from water and rain clouds can compensate for cloud scattering so that cloud contaminated Tbs are larger than corresponding clear sky Tbs. The DDA simulations for channels 1-7 largely perform better than the Mie simulations. The DDA simulations show a mix of small negative and positive simulated minus observed values, while the Mie results show large negative biases. The weighting functions for some of the ATMS temperature sounding channels (channels 9-15) peak mostly above the clouds, therefore the measured Tbs become less sensitive to clouds so that the results of both Mie and DDA become very similar. The Mie lookup tables generate excessive scattering for channel 16, but not enough scattering for the water vapor channels. In the specific case of Hurricane Maria, the DDA lookup tables do not generate enough scattering for channel 16, but the DDA results are much more consistent with observations for water vapor channels than for channel 16. It should be noted that the results may vary if we use other habits to represent snow, hail, and graupel in the DDA simulations. Although these results clearly show the advantage of the DDA database over the Mie dataset, different error sources such as error in the observations, displacement of clouds in the ERA5 reanalysis, and also lack of convective clouds or in general errors in the input atmospheric and cloud profiles contribute to the differences between the simulated and observed values. Aside from the improvements in the simulations, a major advantage of the new dataset is a large number of habits that can be used to tune the data assimilation systems to perform well in different weather conditions.

Isaac Moradi↗

Towards fast and accurate predictions of radio frequency power deposition and current profile via data-driven modelling: applications to lower hybrid current drive

Three machine learning techniques (multilayer perceptron, random forest and Gaussian process) provide fast surrogate models for lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) simulations. A single GENRAY/CQL3D simulation without radial diffusion of fast electrons requires several minutes of wall-clock time to complete, which is acceptable for many purposes, but too slow for integrated modelling and real-time control applications. The machine learning models use a database of more than 16 000 GENRAY/CQL3D simulations for training, validation and testing. Latin hypercube sampling methods ensure that the database covers the range of nine input parameters ( $n_{e0}$ , $T_{e0}$ , $I_p$ , $B_t$ , $R_0$ , $n_{\|}$ , $Z_{{\rm eff}}$ , $V_{{\rm loop}}$ and $P_{{\rm LHCD}}$ ) with sufficient density in all regions of parameter space. The surrogate models reduce the inference time from minutes to $\sim$ ms with high accuracy across the input parameter space.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Optical Measurements in a Combustor Using a 9-Point Swirl-Venturi Fuel Injector

This paper highlights the use of two-dimensional data to characterize a multipoint swirl-venturi injector. The injector is based on a NASA-conceived lean direct injection concept. Using a variety of advanced optical diagnostic techniques, we examine the flows resultant from multipoint, lean-direct injectors that have nine injection sites arranged in a 3 x 3 grid. The measurements are made within an optically-accessible, jet-A-fueled, 76-mm by 76-mm flame tube combustor. Combustion species mapping and velocity measurements are obtained using planar laser-induced fluorescence of OH and fuel, planar laser scatter of liquid fuel, chemiluminescence from CH*, NO*, and OH*, and particle image velocimetry of seeded air (non-fueled). These measurements are used to study fuel injection, mixedness, and combustion processes and are part of a database of measurements that will be used for validating computational combustion models.

Hicks, Yolanda R.↗

Towards fast, accurate predictions of RF simulations via data-driven modeling: Forward and lateral models

Three machine learning techniques (multilayer perceptron, random forest, and Gaussian process) provide fast surrogate models for lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) simulations. A single GENRAY/CQL3D simulation without radial diffusion of fast electrons requires several minutes of wall-clock time to complete, which is acceptable for many purposes, but too slow for integrated modeling and real-time control applications. More accurate simulations with fast electron diffusion are even slower, requiring multiple hours of run time with parallel processing. The machine learning models use a database of 16,000+ GEN-RAY/CQL3D simulations for training, validation, and testing. Latin hypercube sampling methods implemented in πScope ensure that the database covers the range of 9 input parameters (n e0 , T e0 , I p , B t , R 0 , n ∥︀ , Z e f f , V loop , P LHCD ) with sufficient density in all regions of parameter space. The surrogate models reduce the computation time from minutes-hours to ms with high accuracy across the input parameter space. Data-driven surrogate models also allow for solving inverse and “lateral” problems. A surrogate model for the inverse problem maps from a desired current drive or power deposition profile to a set of input parameters that would result in such a profile, while a surrogate model for the lateral problem maps from a measured experimental quantity such as hard x-ray emission to a current drive or power deposition profile. In conclusion, the πScope database creation workflow is flexible and applicable to other RF simulation codes such as TORIC.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A Priori Analysis of Subgrid-Scale Models for Large Eddy Simulations of Supercritical Binary-Species Mixing Layers

Models for large eddy simulation (LES) are assessed on a database obtained from direct numerical simulations (DNS) of supercritical binary-species temporal mixing layers. The analysis is performed at the DNS transitional states for heptane/nitrogen, oxygen/hydrogen and oxygen/helium mixing layers. The incorporation of simplifying assumptions that are validated on the DNS database leads to a set of LES equations that requires only models for the subgrid scale (SGS) fluxes, which arise from filtering the convective terms in the DNS equations. Constant-coefficient versions of three different models for the SGS fluxes are assessed and calibrated. The Smagorinsky SGS-flux model shows poor correlations with the SGS fluxes, while the Gradient and Similarity models have high correlations, as well as good quantitative agreement with the SGS fluxes when the calibrated coefficients are used.

turbulence↗

Flight Acoustic Testing and For the Rotorcraft Noise Data Acquisition Model (RNM)

Two acoustic flight tests have been conducted on a remote test range at Eglin Air Force Base in the panhandle of Florida. The first was the "Acoustics Week" flight test conducted in September 2003. The second was the NASA Heavy Lift Rotorcraft Acoustics Flight Test conducted in October-November 2005. Benchmark acoustic databases were obtained for a number of rotorcraft and limited fixed wing vehicles for a variety of flight conditions. The databases are important for validation of acoustic prediction programs such as the Rotorcraft Noise Model (RNM), as well as for the development of low noise flight procedures and for environmental impact assessments. An overview of RNM capabilities and a detailed description of the RNM/ART (Acoustic Repropagation Technique) process are presented. The RNM/ART process is demonstrated using measured acoustic data for the MD600N. The RNM predictions for a level flyover speed sweep show the highest SEL noise levels on the flight track centerline occurred at the slowest vehicle speeds. At these slower speeds, broadband noise content is elevated compared to noise levels obtained at the higher speeds. A descent angle sweep shows that, in general, ground noise levels increased with increasing descent rates. Vehicle orientation in addition to vehicle position was found to significantly affect the RNM/ART creation of source noise semi-spheres for vehicles with highly directional noise characteristics and only mildly affect those with weak acoustic directionality. Based on these findings, modifications are proposed for RNM/ART to more accurately define vehicle and rotor orientation.

Burley, Casey L.↗

Flight Acoustic Testing and Data Acquisition For the Rotor Noise Model (RNM)

Two acoustic flight tests have been conducted on a remote test range at Eglin Air Force Base in the panhandle of Florida. The first was the Acoustics Week flight test conducted in September 2003. The second was the NASA Heavy Lift Rotorcraft Acoustics Flight Test conducted in October-November 2005. Benchmark acoustic databases were obtained for a number of rotorcraft and limited fixed wing vehicles for a variety of flight conditions. The databases are important for validation of acoustic prediction programs such as the Rotorcraft Noise Model (RNM), as well as for the development of low noise flight procedures and for environmental impact assessments. An overview of RNM capabilities and a detailed description of the RNM/ART (Acoustic Repropagation Technique) process are presented. The RNM/ART process is demonstrated using measured acoustic data for the MD600N. The RNM predictions for a level flyover speed sweep show the highest SEL noise levels on the flight track centerline occurred at the slowest vehicle speeds. At these slower speeds, broadband noise content is elevated compared to noise levels obtained at the higher speeds. A descent angle sweep shows that, in general, ground noise levels increased with increasing descent rates. Vehicle orientation in addition to vehicle position was found to significantly affect the RNM/ART creation of source noise semi-spheres for vehicles with highly directional noise characteristics and only mildly affect those with weak acoustic directionality. Based on these findings, modifications are proposed for RNM/ART to more accurately define vehicle and rotor orientation.

Conner, David A.↗

Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (SRRL) Core Project Final Report: Fiscal Years 2022-2024

The Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (SRRL) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is a world-leading solar calibration and measurement facility and maintains and disseminates the World Radiation Reference (essentially the W/m2) for the United States that is essential for traceable and accurate measurements of solar radiation at all solar generation facilities. SRRL operates two calibration facilities that meet International Standards Organization-17025 (ISO-17025) standards and provide unique high-quality calibrations to NREL and other U.S. Department of Energy laboratories. The Baseline Measurement System (BMS) at SRRL provides a high-quality record of solar irradiance and surface meteorological conditions. SRRL capabilities are used to develop (1) improved methods for the calibration of solar radiometers; (2) new standards through the ISO, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the American Standards for Testing of Materials (ASTM) International; (c) solar radiation and meteorological models; and (d) advanced instrumentation and methods for operating solar measurement stations. The SRRL datasets are also critical for the validation of new models and datasets, such as the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB). The research and development of solar radiation measurement systems and resource modeling techniques are essential for advancing the scientific basis for producing reliable resource data. Specifically, the spatial, temporal, and spectral (wavelength dependency) characteristics of the solar resource are required in several different time frames for various project phases.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Steps Towards Efficiently Demonstrating Adequate MSR Safety

The substantial technical differences of liquid-salt fueled nuclear power plants from previously licensed reactors results in significant divergence in the evidence necessary to demonstrate adequate protection of the health and safety of the public and the environment. The US Government is supporting a diverse set of activities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of molten salt reactor safety adequacy evaluation. Key current projects include developing a fuel salt thermophysical and thermochemical properties database and performing integral and separate effects experiments to validate accident progression models.

Holcomb, David↗

MnEdgeNet for accurate decomposition of mixed oxidation states for Mn XAS and EELS L2,3 edges without reference and calibration

Accurate decomposition of the mixed Mn oxidation states is highly important for characterizing the electronic structures, charge transfer and redox centers for electronic, and electrocatalytic and energy storage materials that contain Mn. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements of the Mn L2,3 edges are widely used for this purpose. To date, although the measurements of the Mn L2,3 edges are straightforward given the sample is prepared properly, an accurate decomposition of the mix valence states of Mn remains non-trivial. For both EELS and XAS, 2+, 3+, and 4+ reference spectra need to be taken on the same instrument/beamline and preferably in the same experimental session because the instrumental resolution and the energy axis offset could vary from one session to another. To circumvent this hurdle, in this study, we adopted a deep learning approach and developed a calibration-free and reference-free method to decompose the oxidation state of Mn L2,3 edges for both EELS and XAS. A deep learning regression model is trained to accurately predict the composition of the mix valence state of Mn. To synthesize physics-informed and ground-truth labeled training datasets, we created a forward model that takes into account plural scattering, instrumentation broadening, noise, and energy axis offset. With that, we created a 1.2 million-spectrum database with 1-by-3 oxidation state composition ground truth vectors. The library includes a sufficient variety of data including both EELS and XAS spectra. By training on this large database, our convolutional neural network achieves 85% accuracy on the validation dataset. We tested the model and found it is robust against noise (down to PSNR of 10) and plural scattering (up to t/λ = 1). We further validated the model against spectral data that were not used in training. In particular, the model shows high accuracy and high sensitivity for the decomposition of Mn 3 O 4 , MnO, Mn 2 O 3 , and MnO 2 . The accurate decomposition of Mn 3 O 4 experimental data shows the model is quantitatively correct and can be deployed for real experimental data. Our model will not only be a valuable tool to researchers and material scientists but also can assist experienced electron microscopists and synchrotron scientists in the automated analysis of Mn L edge data.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Validated environmental and physiological data from the CELSS Breadboard Projects Biomass Production Chamber. BWT931 (Wheat cv. Yecora Rojo)

This KSC database is being made available to the scientific research community to facilitate the development of crop development models, to test monitoring and control strategies, and to identify environmental limitations in crop production systems. The KSC validated dataset consists of 17 parameters necessary to maintain bioregenerative life support functions: water purification, CO2 removal, O2 production, and biomass production. The data are available on disk as either a DATABASE SUBSET (one week of 5-minute data) or DATABASE SUMMARY (daily averages of parameters). Online access to the VALIDATED DATABASE will be made available to institutions with specific programmatic requirements. Availability and access to the KSC validated database are subject to approval and limitations implicit in KSC computer security policies.

Stutte, G. W.↗