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At least 721 records · Page 40

BISON TRISO Modeling Advancements and Validation to AGR-1 Data

BISON is a finite element-based nuclear fuel performance code. Among its unique characteristics are its ability to model 1D, 2D, and 3D geometries and its applicability to a wide variety of nuclear fuels. For the last eight years, BISON has included a beginning capability to model tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel. Recently, interest in TRISO fuel has grown, and a significant effort has been made to improve BISON’s capabilities in this area. Capability development has occurred for each material present in TRISO fuel particles: the buffer, inner pyrolytic carbon, silicon carbide, and outer pyrolytic carbon layers, as well as the fuel kernel. New elastic, creep, swelling, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, and fission gas release (FGR) models are available. New models for the graphite matrix are also now available. Another important addition is the ability to perform statistical failure analysis of large samples of fuel particles. This new capability, which continues to grow, enables evaluation of failure due to pressure or crack formation by analyzing many thousands of particles. This enables realistic calculations of fission product release from the many particles in a TRISO-fueled reactor. These capabilities were checked via regression and verification tests. A large number of code benchmarking problems were also run, showing that BISON’s results closely match those of other software tools. Finally, a significant validation effort was completed in which fission product release, measured as part of the AGR-1 capsule experiments, was compared to BISON outputs. BISON outputs compared very well to the experimental data and to PARFUME results. Interest in BISON’s TRISO capabilities is growing, with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Westinghouse Electric Company receiving training during the past year. Multiple other entities have expressed interest in or are actively using BISON. Kairos Power, LLC, has a strong partnership with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) regarding the use of BISON for TRISO analysis. While its capabilities still continue to grow, BISON has already become a powerful tool for TRISO analysis.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

GeoThermalCloud: A Machine Learning Tool for Discovery, Exploration, and Development of Hidden Geothermal Resources

In this 25 minute presentation, we showcase our open source “GeoThermalCloud” tool for identifying hidden geothermal resources using a publicly available dataset for southwestern New Mexico. The presenters include Bulbul Ahmmed and Luke Frash. All of the visuals use source material from LA-UR approved publications and this work falls under the Earth Sciences DUSA. The code shown in this video is already released with LANL approval in open source format on GitHub and DockerHub. The audio in this video includes only material on the topics of geothermal energy and machine learning applied to geothermal energy. The primary machine learning method used is LANL’s Non-negative Matrix Factorization “NMFk” method. Modeling work also mentions LANL’s Geothermal Design Tool “GeoDT” which is another approved open source code that has been released by LANL. This work was performed for DOE Geothermal Technologies Office (DE-EE-3.1.8.1). The host for the released video is intended to be YouTube or a suitable perpetual data repository such as GDR.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Mining Product Reviews for Important Product Features of Refurbished iPhones

Problem: Remanufacturers want to increase consumer interest in refurbished products, which motivates the need to understand which product features are important to buyers of refurbished products such as mobile phones. Research Questions: This study addresses two questions. First, which product features are most important for buyers of refurbished iPhones? Second, how do those preferences differ from the preferences of buyers of new iPhones? Methods: Online reviews of iPhones are obtained and converted into a document–term matrix. Using this text model, three subsets of features are identified using statistical analysis of frequency of mention: most frequent, average, and least frequent. A logistic regression (LR) model is then used to identify which features are most predictive of whether a review is for a new or refurbished phone. Results: Buyers of refurbished phones mention battery health, screen/display, shell condition, and brand significantly more often than other features. Directly contrasting reviews of refurbished versus new phones shows that shell condition, brand, speaker, and charger are found to be the most predictive product features indicated in reviews for refurbished phones. Of those, the shell condition is significantly more predictive than the others. Implications: The results identify product features that remanufacturers of iPhones can emphasize to increase customer demand.

Anisi, Atefeh↗

New Measurements of the Lyα Forest Continuum and Effective Optical Depth with LyCAN and DESI Y1 Data

Abstract We present the Ly α Continuum Analysis Network (LyCAN), a convolutional neural network that predicts the unabsorbed quasar continuum within the rest-frame wavelength range of 1040–1600 Å based on the red side of the Ly α emission line (1216–1600 Å). We developed synthetic spectra based on a Gaussian mixture model representation of nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) coefficients. These coefficients were derived from high-resolution, low-redshift ( z < 0.2) Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) quasar spectra. We supplemented this COS-based synthetic sample with an equal number of DESI Year 5 mock spectra. LyCAN performs extremely well on testing sets, achieving a median error in the forest region of 1.5% on the DESI mock sample, 2.0% on the COS-based synthetic sample, and 4.1% on the original COS spectra. LyCAN outperforms principal component analysis (PCA) and NMF-based prediction methods using the same training set by 40% or more. We predict the intrinsic continua of 83,635 DESI Year 1 spectra in the redshift range of 2.1 ≤ z ≤ 4.2 and perform an absolute measurement of the evolution of the effective optical depth. This is the largest sample employed to measure the optical depth evolution to date. We fit a power law of the form τ ( z ) = τ 0 ( 1 + z ) γ to our measurements and find τ 0 = (2.46 ± 0.14) × 10 −3 and γ = 3.62 ± 0.04. Our results show particular agreement with high-resolution, ground-based observations around z = 2, indicating that LyCAN is able to predict the quasar continuum in the forest region with only spectral information outside the forest.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The inversion of VLF-LF sounder data to obtain D-region electron-density distributions

The direct problem is to compute reflection coefficients for an assumed electron-density profile, using a full-wave solution. The inverse problem is treated numerically, using derivatives of the reflection matrix with respect to model parameters. A technique for the rapid computation of the derivatives is described. An algorithm for determining resolution in the profile is discussed.

Shellman, C. H.↗

Theoretical study of the butadiynyl and cyanoethynyl radicals - Support for the identification of C3N in IRC + 10216

Quantum-mechanical calculations, using the matrix Hartree-Fock model, have been performed for the butadiynyl and cyanoethynyl radicals. A rotation constant of 4753 MHz is calculated for C4H, while for C3N the value 4955 MHz is obtained. These may be compared with the rotation constant of 4947.5 MHz derived from the recently observed doublets in the millimeter-wave spectrum of IRC + 10216, suggesting the cyanoethynyl radical as the carrier species of these lines. The electric dipole moment and hyperfine coupling constants of both species are predicted.

Wilson, S.↗

Theoretical study of isocyanoacetylene and the isocyanoethynyl radical

Quantum mechanical calculations, using the matrix Hartree-Fock model, have been performed to obtain estimates of the rotation constants of the isocyanoacetylene molecule and the isocyanoethynyl radical which may be detectable in space. A rotation constant of 5076 MHz is calculated for HC2NC, while for the radical C2NC the value 5458 MHz is obtained.

Wilson, S.↗

Theoretical study of HSiO/+/ and HOSi/+/

Results are reported for quantum-mechanical studies of the ions HSiO(+) and HOSi(+). The equilibrium geometries, rotation constants, and relative stabilities of these ions are determined using the matrix Hartree-Fock model with a basis set of Slater exponential functions. Optimum bond lengths are calculated, and an empirical correction to the computed bond lengths is introduced. The isomer HOSi(+) is found to be more stable than HSiO(+). A frequency of 35.77 GHz is obtained for the J = 1-0 transition of HOSi(+) by assuming that the vibration-rotation interaction constants for this isomer are the same as those for HCP.

Wilson, S.↗

Petrology of Apollo 16 breccia 66075

66075 is a coherent, light matrix breccia with a seriate fabric and is composed of large lithic, mineral and glass clasts in a matrix of lithic, mineral and glass fragments. The lithic clasts are ANT-suite rocks and a texturally diverse suite of impact-generated melt-rocks. The mineral fragments in the matrix and the mineral clasts are mostly plagioclase with subordinate amounts of pyroxene and olivine. The mineral compositions and/or bulk compositions of most of the components of the breccia, as well as the U-Pb isotopic systematics, are compatible with an origin involving impact-melting and fragmentation of an ANT-suite protolith. The major element composition of the breccia matrix can be successfully modeled in terms of mixing the observed clast types. Previously suggested components such as 'dunite' and 'KREEP' are absent or occur in very low abundance.

Quick, J. E.↗

A mathematical model for efficient estimation of aircraft motions

In the usual formulation of the aircraft state-estimation problem, motions along a flight trajectory are represented by a plant consisting of nonlinear state and measurement models. Problem solution using this formulation requires that both state- and measurement-dependent Jacobian matrices be evaluated along any trajectory. In this paper it is shown that a set of state variables can be chosen to realize a linear state model of very simple form, such that all nonlinearities appear in the measurement model. The potential advantage of the new formulation is computational: the Jacobian matrix corresponding to a linear state model is constant, a feature that should outweigh the fact that the measurement model is more complicated than in the conventinal formulation. To compare the modeling methods, aircraft motions from typical flight-test and accident data were estimated, using each formulation with the same off-line (smoothing) algorithm. The results of these experiments, reported in the paper, demonstrate clearly the computational superiority of the linear state-variable formulation. The procedure advocated here may be extended to other nonlinear estimation problems, including on-line (filtering) applications.

Bach, R. E., Jr.↗

Interlaminar fracture toughness of thermoplastic composites

Edge delamination tension and double cantilever beam tests were used to characterize the interlaminar fracture toughness of continuous graphite-fiber composites made from experimental thermoplastic polyimides and a model thermoplastic. Residual thermal stresses, known to be significant in materials processed at high temperatures, were included in the edge delamination calculations. In the model thermoplastic system (polycarbonate matrix), surface properties of the graphite fiber were shown to be significant. Critical strain energy release rates for two different fibers having similar nominal tensile properties differed by 30 to 60 percent. The reason for the difference is not clear. Interlaminar toughness values for the thermoplastic polyimide composites (LARC-TPI and polyimidesulfone) were 3 to 4 in-lb/sq in. Scanning electron micrographs of the EDT fracture surfaces suggest poor fiber/matrix bonding. Residual thermal stresses account for up to 32 percent of the strain energy release in composites made from these high-temperature resins.

Hinkley, J. A.↗

Response of stiffened panels for applications to acoustic fatigue

The surface protection systems of aerospace and aircraft structures are often constructed from discretely stiffened panels. This paper presents an analytical study on dynamic stress response of these structures to random surface flow and acoustic loads. To account for aerodynamic heating of high speed flow, thermal effects are included in the structural model. A generalized transfer matrix procedure is developed to obtain the required dynamic response solutions. Numerical results include spectral densities of stress, response root mean square values and fatigue damage for a variety of loading and thermal conditions.

Vaicaitis, R.↗

Analysis of interlaminar fracture in composites under combined loading

Delamination is a predominant failure mode in continuous fiber reinforced laminated composite structures. One type of delamination is the transverse crack tip delamination which originates at the tip of transverse matrix cracks. An analytical model based on the sublaminate approach and fracture mechanics is developed to study the growth of such delaminations. Plane strain conditions are assumed and estimates are provided for the total strain energy release rate as well as the mode 1 and mode 2 contribution. The energy release rate estimates are used in combination with a simple failure law to predict critical delamination growth strains and stresses. These predictions are compared with experimental data on T300/934 Graphite Epoxy (+ or - 25/90 nano seconds) laminates in the range n=.5 to 8. A good agreement is demonstrated for the range of n where the experimental observations indicate transverse crack tip delamination to be the predominant failure mode.

Armanios, Erian A.↗

Orthotropic elasto-plastic behavior of AS4/APC-2 thermoplastic composite in compression

Uniaxial compression tests were performed on off-axis coupon specimens of unidirectional AS4/APC-2 thermoplastic composite at various temperatures. The elasto-plastic and strength properties of AS4/APC-2 composite were characterized with respect to temperature variation by using a one-parameter orthotropic plasticity model and a one-parameter failure criterion. Experimental results show that the orthotropic plastic behavior can be characterized quite well using the plasticity model, and the matrix-dominant compressive strengths can be predicted very accurately by the one-parameter failure criterion.

Sun, C. T.↗

Interlaminar fracture toughness of thermoplastic composites

Edge delamination tension and double cantilever beam tests were used to characterize the interlaminar fracture toughness of continuous graphite-fiber composites made from experimental thermoplastic polyimides and a model thermoplastic. Residual thermal stresses, known to be significant in materials processed at high temperatures, were included in the edge delamination calculations. In the model thermoplastic system (polycarbonate matrix), surface properties of the graphite fiber were shown to be significant. Cricital strain energy release rates for two different fibers having similar nominal tensile properties differed by 30 to 60 percent. The reason for the difference is not clear. Interlaminar toughness values for the thermoplastic polyimide composites (LARC-TPI and polyimidesulfone) were 3 to 4 in-lb/sq in. Scanning electron micrographs of the EDT fracture surfaces suggest poor fiber/matrix bonding. Residual thermal stresses account for up to 32 percent of the strain energy release in composites made from these high-temperature resins.

Hinkley, Jeffrey A.↗

Thermoviscoplastic response of Ti-15-3 under various loading conditions

The long term objective is to develop a combined experimental analytic methodology for predicting the thermoviscoplastic behavior of the neat (i.e., unreinforced) titanium matrix. Once a constitutive model which adequately describes the behavior of titanium has been identified, the viscoplastic behavior of unidirectional composites will be predicted through the use of the rule-of-mixtures. A crucial aspect of the study is the selection of a constitutive model to describe the thermoviscoplastic behavior of titanium.

Tuttle, M. E.↗

Development of graphite/copper composites utilizing engineered interfaces

In situ measurements of graphite/copper alloy contact angles were made using the sessile drop method. The interfacial energy values obtained from these measurements were then applied to a model for the fiber matrix interfacial debonding phenomenon found in graphite/copper composites. The formation obtained from the sessile drop tests led to the development of a copper alloy that suitably wets graphite. Characterization of graphite/copper alloy interfaces subjected to elevated temperatures was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Auger Electron Spectroscopy, and X Ray Diffraction analyses. These analyses indicated that during sessile drop tests conducted at 1130 C for 1 hour, copper alloys containing greater than 0.98 at pct chromium form continuous reaction layers of approx. 10 microns in thickness. The reaction layers are adherent to the graphite surface. The copper wets the reaction layer to form a contact angle of 60 deg or less. X ray diffraction results indicate that the reaction layer is Cr3C2.

Devincent, Sandra M.↗