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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 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Experimental and FEM Study of Residual Stresses During Ultra-Precision Turning of Aluminum 2024-T3

Aluminum 2024-T3 is commonly used in ultra-precision turning. In this study, the residual stresses of aluminum 2024-T3 were investigated by the finite element method (FEM) and a series of cutting experiments. The effects of depth of cut, cutting speed, rake angle and tool edge radius on the residual stresses were discussed by FEM. Moreover, an orthogonal simulation experiment was also conducted. The order of the strong-to-weak sequence of factors on residual stresses in cutting direction is the rake angle, tool edge radius, depth of cut and cutting speed. The cutting experiments were conducted and the surface residual stresses in the cutting direction were measured by X-ray diffraction. The experimental results showed that increasing cutting speed and decreasing tool edge radius can reduce the surface residual stresses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

A simple design of highly birefringent and nonlinear photonic crystal fiber with ultra-flattened dispersion

We present a compressed hexagonal photonic crystal fiber (CH-PCF) based on a simple structure with ultra-flattened dispersion, high birefringence and nonlinearity. The propagation characteristics are studied accurately by utilizing full vector finite-element method (FEM). Numerical results indicate that the birefringence of 1.59 × 10{sup −2} was obtained with high nonlinear coefficient of 42.58 W{sup −1} km{sup −1}(X) and 52.80 W{sup −1} km{sup −1}(Y) at an effective wavelength of 1.55 μm. Furthermore, CH-PCF presents an ultra-flattened dispersion with variation of ± 3.4 ps/nm/km(X) and ± 1.6 ps/nm/km(Y) over 1.3 μm to 1.8 μm (0.5 μm bandwidth), respectively. In addition, this circular-hole structure can be fabricated conveniently at most easy compared with complex designs, which is an advantage for practical applications such as dispersion compensation and nonlinear optics application.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

Magnetic field calculation for a 10 MeV positron emission tomography cyclotron

The magnetic field calculation and correction for a 10 MeV positron emission tomography cyclotron is presented. 3D TOSCA analysis results are compared with the measured data, and the calculation error is used to calibrate the B-H curve to obtain a very precise finite element method estimator, which is used to predict the correction of the magnet pole for achieving the isochronous field. The isochronous field error is approximated with the effects of a set of standard patches. On the assumption that the effect of each small patch is proportional to its surface, the correction of the magnet pole is found by solving a system of equations using the least square scheme. The magnet shimming is performed and the measured magnetic field is found in good agreement with the prediction, with an error less than 2 G.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Solutal separation in a binary nanofluid due to thermodiffusion

Transport phenomena in porous media have received considerable attention due to an increasing interest in geothermal processes, chemical catalytic reactors, waste storage (especially geological or ocean storage of carbon dioxide), etc. Among others, oil industry has shown an increasing interest in studying diffusion phenomenon. Nanofluid is a term used to describe the suspension of low concentration of metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles in a base fluid. The size of a nanoparticle ranges from 10 to 100nm, and the conventional fluids used are water, ethylene glycol (C{sub 2}H{sub 6}O{sub 2}) or engine oil. Various studies have proven that nanoparticles improve the heat transfer of a base fluid. However, using various nanofluids it has been shown that the results could vary depending on different initial concentrations. The main objective of this paper is to study the diffusion and the thermodiffusion effect in a nanofluid for different fluid/porous media configurations. In this configuration, a liquid layer surrounds a porous layer. The full Brinkman equation coupled with the heat and mass transfer equations have been solved numerically for the porous layer using the finite element technique. The full Navier stokes equation coupled with heat and mass transfer equations have been solved for the liquid layer using the finite element method. A constraint between the liquid and porous layer has been applied to ensure heat flow and mass transfer continuity is maintained. A square cavity filled with hydrocarbon nanofluid of a mixture of fullerene-toluene with varying concentration of fullerene has been subject to different heating conditions. The entire cavity has been considered to be fully wetted with nanofluid. Results have confirmed that in the presence of a nanofluid a heat transfer enhancement is present up to certain initial concentration of the fullerene. The heat convection coefficient has been found to be 16% higher when a nanofluid is used as the working fluid.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Region-of-interest diffuse optical tomography system

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) using near-infrared light is a promising tool for non-invasive imaging of deep tissue. This technique is capable of quantitative reconstruction of absorption (μ{sub a}) and scattering coefficient (μ{sub s}) inhomogeneities in the tissue. The rationale for reconstructing the optical property map is that the absorption coefficient variation provides diagnostic information about metabolic and disease states of the tissue. The aim of DOT is to reconstruct the internal tissue cross section with good spatial resolution and contrast from noisy measurements non-invasively. We develop a region-of-interest scanning system based on DOT principles. Modulated light is injected into the phantom/tissue through one of the four light emitting diode sources. The light traversing through the tissue gets partially absorbed and scattered multiple times. The intensity and phase of the exiting light are measured using a set of photodetectors. The light transport through a tissue is diffusive in nature and is modeled using radiative transfer equation. However, a simplified model based on diffusion equation (DE) can be used if the system satisfies following conditions: (a) the optical parameter of the inhomogeneity is close to the optical property of the background, and (b) μ{sub s} of the medium is much greater than μ{sub a} (μ{sub s} > > μ{sub a}). The light transport through a highly scattering tissue satisfies both of these conditions. A discrete version of DE based on finite element method is used for solving the inverse problem. The depth of probing light inside the tissue depends on the wavelength of light, absorption, and scattering coefficients of the medium and the separation between the source and detector locations. Extensive simulation studies have been carried out and the results are validated using two sets of experimental measurements. The utility of the system can be further improved by using multiple wavelength light sources. In such a scheme, the spectroscopic variation of absorption coefficient in the tissue can be used to arrive at the oxygenation changes in the tissue.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Statistics of dislocation pinning at localized obstacles

Pinning of dislocations at nanosized obstacles like precipitates, voids, and bubbles is a crucial mechanism in the context of phenomena like hardening and creep. The interaction between such an obstacle and a dislocation is often studied at fundamental level by means of analytical tools, atomistic simulations, and finite element methods. Nevertheless, the information extracted from such studies cannot be utilized to its maximum extent on account of insufficient information about the underlying statistics of this process comprising a large number of dislocations and obstacles in a system. Here, we propose a new statistical approach, where the statistics of pinning of dislocations by idealized spherical obstacles is explored by taking into account the generalized size-distribution of the obstacles along with the dislocation density within a three-dimensional framework. Starting with a minimal set of material parameters, the framework employs the method of geometrical statistics with a few simple assumptions compatible with the real physical scenario. The application of this approach, in combination with the knowledge of fundamental dislocation-obstacle interactions, has successfully been demonstrated for dislocation pinning at nanovoids in neutron irradiated type 316-stainless steel in regard to the non-conservative motion of dislocations. An interesting phenomenon of transition from rare pinning to multiple pinning regimes with increasing irradiation temperature is revealed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

Atomistic Simulations of Mass and Thermal Transport in Oxide Nuclear Fuels

In this talk we discuss simulations of the mass and thermal transport in oxide nuclear fuels. Redistribution of fission gases such as Xe is closely coupled to nuclear fuel performance. Most fission gases have low solubility in the fuel matrix, specifically the insolubility is most pronounced for large fission gas atoms such as Xe, and as a result there is a significant driving force for segregation of gas atoms to grain boundaries or dislocations and subsequently for nucleation of gas bubbles at these sinks. The first step of the fission gas redistribution is diffusion of individual gas atoms through the fuel matrix to existing sinks, which is governed by the activation energy for bulk diffusion. Fission gas bubbles are then formed by either separate nucleation events or by filling voids that were nucleated at a prior stage; in both cases their formation and latter growth is coupled to vacancy dynamics and thus linked to the production of vacancies via irradiation or thermal events. In order to better understand bulk Xe behavior (diffusion mechanisms) in UO 2±x we first calculate the relevant activation energies using density functional theory (DFT) techniques. By analyzing a combination of Xe solution thermodynamics, migration barriers and the interaction of dissolved Xe atoms with U, we demonstrate that Xe diffusion predominantly occurs via a vacancy-mediated mechanism, though other alternatives may exist in high irradiation fields. Since Xe transport is closely related to diffusion of U vacancies, we have also studied the activation energy for this process. In order to explain the low value of 2.4 eV found for U migration from independent damage experiments (not thermal equilibrium) the presence of vacancy clusters must be included in the analysis. Next a continuum transport model for Xe and U is formulated based on the diffusion mechanisms established from DFT. After combining this model with descriptions of the interaction between Xe and grain boundaries derived from separate atomistic calculations, we simulate Xe redistribution for a few simple microstructures using finite element methods (FEM), as implemented in the MOOSE framework from Idaho National Laboratory. Thermal transport together with the power distribution determines the temperature distribution in the fuel rod and it is thus one of the most influential properties on nuclear fuel performance. The fuel thermal conductivity changes as function of time due to microstructure evolution (e.g. fission gas redistribution) and compositional changes. Using molecular dynamics simulations we have studied the impact of different types of grain boundaries and fission gas bubbles on UO 2 thermal conductivity.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2015

A heterogeneous stochastic FEM framework for elliptic PDEs

We introduce a new concept of sparsity for the stochastic elliptic operator −div(a(x,ω)∇(⋅)), which reflects the compactness of its inverse operator in the stochastic direction and allows for spatially heterogeneous stochastic structure. This new concept of sparsity motivates a heterogeneous stochastic finite element method (HSFEM) framework for linear elliptic equations, which discretizes the equations using the heterogeneous coupling of spatial basis with local stochastic basis to exploit the local stochastic structure of the solution space. We also provide a sampling method to construct the local stochastic basis for this framework using the randomized range finding techniques. The resulting HSFEM involves two stages and suits the multi-query setting: in the offline stage, the local stochastic structure of the solution space is identified; in the online stage, the equation can be efficiently solved for multiple forcing functions. An online error estimation and correction procedure through Monte Carlo sampling is given. Numerical results for several problems with high dimensional stochastic input are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the HSFEM in the online stage.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Influences of Quench Cooling Rate on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy Based on the End-Quenching Test

To investigate the effects of the quench cooling rate on corrosion resistance of Al-Cu-Mg alloy, an end-quenching test was conducted and the microstructures at different cooling rates were observed by SEM and TEM. Additionally, the corrosion resistance was characterized by an intergranular corrosion test and electrochemical test. Moreover, the finite element method was applied to simulate the end quenching process. The results indicate that the actual end quenching process can be approximated as one-dimensional heat transfer, and the cooling rate varies at different cooling distances. By affecting the microstructures, decreasing the cooling rate leads to a decline in the corrosion properties. Low cooling rates coarsen the constituent particles and grain boundary particles, resulting in a wide precipitation-free zone and an increase in the intensity of corrosion reactions. A high cooling rate concentrates on the intragranular precipitant, which can reduce the pitting depth and represents a conversion from localized corrosion to general corrosion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

A robust process-structure model for predicting the joint interface structure in impact welding

The impact welding is gaining popularity in joining of dissimilar metals as any intermetallics are often very thin or discontinous with little to no heat affected zone resulting from the process. This work focuses on a recently developed impact welding technique, known as the Vaporizing Foil Actuator Welding (VFAW), which uses the pressure created from the electrically driven rapid vaporization of a thin metallic conductor to drive the flyer. A typical characteristic of an impact-welded joint is the wavy weld interface which is attributed to the complex interfacial kinematics resulting from the high-speed oblique impact of the metal plates. A numerical simulation framework based on the finite element method (FEM) with Eulerian formalism is developed to model the high-speed impact between the metal plates. The model accounts for the thermomechanical interactions in the process and captures the complex interfacial deformations. A thorough validation of the model is achieved by comparing the wave characteristics obtained from numerical simulations with the experimental results from vaporizing foil actuator welding. The amplitude and wavelength of the interfacial waves and the resulting joint microstructure is shown to be strongly dependent on the process conditions and the specific material system, which is well captured by the model.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quasi photonic crystal fiber for chemical sensing purpose in the terahertz regime: design and analysis

In this work, a novel quasi-photonic crystal fiber has been proposed, for the first time, in the chemical sensing purpose in the terahertz (THz) regime. Along with the sensing response, power fraction, scattering loss, effective mode area, and V parameter have been numerically computed by the full-vector finite element method with anisotropic circular perfect matched layers. Numerically computed results show that the proposed sensor offers 70.94%, 71.06%, and 72.19% sensing responses for targeted analytes water, ethanol, and benzene respectively at the optical frequency f = 1 THz. Besides, effective mode area of 1.43 × 10{sup 5} µm{sup 2}, 1.48 × 10{sup 5} µm{sup 2} and 1.55 × 10{sup 5} µm{sup 2} have found at the same time for the same analytes. The Q-PCF model proposed in this paper have bright aspects for practical applications in clinical and diagnostic sensing, medical imaging, environmental monitoring purpose and many other fields related to it.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Design and Performance Evaluation of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiC Composite for Direct-Bonded Copper Substrate

A computational material design approach is applied to propose a novel ceramic material for direct-bonded copper (DBC) substrate with enhanced thermal and structural performance. The material design inherently consists of many competing requirements that require careful decisions regarding key trade-offs in terms of material composition, inclusion size, shape, and distribution to achieve the target properties. The alumina-silicon (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiC) composite, as compared to commercial alumina, used in DBC is found to be the most suitable design among other candidates with improved thermal and structural properties. In order to study the performance characteristics and the effects of the new ceramic composite with improved properties in terms of structural behavior and fatigue life of the DBC substrate, the normal working and extreme thermal cycling conditions were simulated and analyzed using finite element method. The temperature, strain, and localized stress distribution within the substrate at a steady-state condition were analyzed, and the improved Coffin–Manson law was used to calculate the fatigue life of the substrate under extreme thermal cycling conditions. The proposed Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-SiC composite is found to be more robust than the commercial alumina as DBC substrates considering the thermal–mechanical performance. The fatigue life cycle of the DBC substrate with the proposed material is predicted to be about two times longer than the commercial alumina DBC ceramic under transient thermal cycling test.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor using a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer array integrated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor electronics

This paper presents an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor based on a 24 × 8 array of 22 MHz piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) with 100 μm pitch, fully integrated with 180 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry through eutectic wafer bonding. Each PMUT is directly bonded to a dedicated CMOS receive amplifier, minimizing electrical parasitics and eliminating the need for through-silicon vias. The array frequency response and vibration mode-shape were characterized using laser Doppler vibrometry and verified via finite element method simulation. The array's acoustic output was measured using a hydrophone to be ∼14 kPa with a 28 V input, in reasonable agreement with predication from analytical calculation. Pulse-echo imaging of a 1D steel grating is demonstrated using electronic scanning of a 20 × 8 sub-array, resulting in 300 mV maximum received amplitude and 5:1 contrast ratio. Because the small size of this array limits the maximum image size, mechanical scanning was used to image a 2D polydimethylsiloxane fingerprint phantom (10 mm × 8 mm) at a 1.2 mm distance from the array.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Acoustic beam splitting in two-dimensional phononic crystals using self-collimation effect

We propose two models of self-collimation-based beam splitters in phononic crystals. The finite element method is used to investigate the propagation properties of acoustic waves in two-dimensional phononic crystals. The calculated results show that the efficiency of the beam splitter can be controlled systematically by varying the radius of the rods or by changing the orientation of the square rods in the line defect. The effect of changing the side length of the square rods on acoustic wave propagation is discussed. The results show that the total transmission/reflection range decreases/increases as the side length increases. We also find that the relationship between the orientation of the transflective point and the side length of the square rods is quasi-linear.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Numerical—experimental analysis of two floor platform designs for auxiliary construction truck

In an auxiliary construction truck, the permanent deformations created by impact of rocks against the floor platform during the daily work generate the premature failure and need for replacement of the platform floor. This article shows the process followed in the analysis of two floor platforms for auxiliary construction trucks. This analysis has been carried out by means of the methodology developed in collaboration with truck manufacturer (ZAMARBU S.L) and the research group “New Technologies Applied on Vehicles and Road Safety” (VEHIVIAL) of the University of Zaragoza. The methodology applied in the floor platform development has been based on the application of numerical techniques by means of the finite element method (FEM) with explicit integration of dynamic equilibrium equation and the validation of the numerical results by means of experimental test. Applied load cases correspond to the impact of a sphere of 50, 150, and 250 kg. These load cases reproduce the impact caused by stones falling on the floor platform, which are the most restrictive for the floor design, because the vehicle’s rigidity and resistance against torsion and bending are provided for the chassis. The results of the analysis served to demonstrate the efficiency of the methodology developed for the optimization of the floor platform for auxiliary construction truck, getting an innovative floor platform design that improves the current models.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sierra/SolidMechanics 4.56 Capabilities In Development

This user's guide documents capabilities in Sierra/SolidMechanics which remain "in-development" and thus are not tested and hardened to the standards of capabilities listed in Sierra/SM 4.56 User's Guide. Capabilities documented herein are available in Sierra/SM for experimental use only until their official release. These capabilities include, but are not limited to, novel discretization approaches such as peridynamics and the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM), numerical fracture and failure modeling aids such as the extended finite element method (XFEM) and J-integral, explicit time step control techniques, dynamic mesh rebalancing, as well as a variety of new material models and finite element formulations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Sierra/SolidMechanics 4.52 Capabilities in Development

This user's guide documents capabilities in Sierra/SolidMechanics which remain "in-development" and thus are not tested and hardened to the standards of capabilities listed in Sierra/SM 4.52 User's Guide. Capabilities documented herein are available in Sierra/SM for experimental use only until their official release. These capabilities include, but are not limited to, novel discretization approaches such as peridynamics and the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM), numerical fracture and failure modeling aids such as the extended finite element method (XFEM) and J-integral, explicit time step control techniques, dynamic mesh rebalancing, as well as a variety of new material models and finite element formulations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Numerical Simulation of Bulging Deformation for Wide-Thick Slab Under Uneven Cooling Conditions

In the present work, the bulging deformation of a wide-thick slab under uneven cooling conditions was studied using finite element method. The non-uniform solidification was first calculated using a 2D heat transfer model. The thermal material properties were derived based on a microsegregation model, and the water flux distribution was measured and applied to calculate the cooling boundary conditions. Based on the solidification results, a 3D bulging model was established. The 2D heat transfer model was verified by the measured shell thickness and the slab surface temperature, and the 3D bulging model was verified by the calculated maximum bulging deflections using formulas. The bulging deformation behavior of the wide-thick slab under uneven cooling condition was then determined, and the effect of uneven solidification, casting speed, and roll misalignment were investigated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗