Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “coordinate computing”

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 739 records · Page 41

Lift & Learn: Physics-informed machine learning for large-scale nonlinear dynamical systems

In this work, we present Lift & Learn, a physics-informed method for learning low-dimensional models for large-scale dynamical systems. The method exploits knowledge of a system’s governing equations to identify a coordinate transformation in which the system dynamics have quadratic structure. This transformation is called a lifting map because it often adds auxiliary variables to the system state. The lifting map is applied to data obtained by evaluating a model for the original nonlinear system. This lifted data is projected onto its leading principal components, and low-dimensional linear and quadratic matrix operators are fit to the lifted reduced data using a least-squares operator inference procedure. Analysis of our method shows that the Lift & Learn models are able to capture the system physics in the lifted coordinates at least as accurately as traditional intrusive model reduction approaches. This preservation of system physics makes the Lift & Learn models robust to changes in inputs. Numerical experiments on the FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron activation model and the compressible Euler equations demonstrate the generalizability of our model.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Machine learning for the identification of phase transitions in interacting agent-based systems: A Desai-Zwanzig example

Deriving closed-form analytical expressions for reduced-order models, and judiciously choosing the closures leading to them, has long been the strategy of choice for studying phase- and noise-induced transitions for agent-based models (ABMs). In this paper, we propose a data-driven framework that pinpoints phase transitions for an ABM—the Desai-Zwanzig model—in its mean-field limit, using a smaller number of variables than traditional closed-form models. To this end, we use the manifold learning algorithm Diffusion Maps to identify a parsimonious set of data-driven latent variables, and we show that they are in one-to-one correspondence with the expected theoretical order parameter of the ABM. We then utilize a deep learning framework to obtain a conformal reparametrization of the data-driven coordinates that facilitates, in our example, the identification of a single parameter-dependent ordinary differential equation (ODE) in these coordinates. Additionally, we identify this ODE through a residual neural network inspired by a numerical integration scheme (forward Euler). We then use the identified ODE—enabled through an odd symmetry transformation—to construct the bifurcation diagram exhibiting the phase transition.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Advanced Laboratory and Field Arrays: Technical Report for Performance Enhancement for Marine Energy Converter (MEC) Arrays (Task 5)

Task 5 consisted of two parts, wave energy converter (WEC) arrays and current energy converter (CEC) arrays. The two parts of the project were executed independently, and this report covers only the work on WECs. In this part of the task, the team characterized the behavior of and developed control schemes for wave energy converter (WEC) arrays that improved performance (i.e., maximized aggregate power generation and reduced the levelized cost of energy) over baseline, non-coordinated control approaches. Specifically, for WEC arrays: the team developed optimal layouts of arrays that considered the effect of WEC placement within an array on coordinated array control with real-time estimation schemes. The numerical codes developed through this task were made available to users for array design. These tools utilized existing commercial software as well as software developed within the project team.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Cluster Configuration Spaces of Finite Type

For each Dynkin diagram $D$, we define a ''cluster configuration space'' ${\mathcal{M}}_D$ and a partial compactification ${\widetilde {\mathcal{M}}}_D$. For $D = A_{n-3}$, we have ${\mathcal{M}}_{A_{n-3}} = {\mathcal{M}}_{0,n}$, the configuration space of $n$ points on ${\mathbb P}^1$, and the partial compactification ${\widetilde {\mathcal{M}}}_{A_{n-3}}$ was studied in this case by Brown. The space ${\widetilde {\mathcal{M}}}_D$ is a smooth affine algebraic variety with a stratification in bijection with the faces of the Chapoton-Fomin-Zelevinsky generalized associahedron. The regular functions on ${\widetilde {\mathcal{M}}}_D$ are generated by coordinates $u_\gamma$, in bijection with the cluster variables of type $D$, and the relations are described completely in terms of the compatibility degree function of the cluster algebra. As an application, we define and study cluster algebra analogues of tree-level open string amplitudes.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Impacts of the morphology of new neighborhoods on microclimate and building energy

In anticipation of emerging global urbanization and consequent increases in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, better understanding and quantification of climate effects on energy use in cities are needed, requiring coordinated research into large-scale, regional, and microclimate impacts to and from the city structure. The methodology described here addresses this need by (1) demonstrating a process for creating and testing example morphologies for new neighborhoods for their impact on local and regional meteorology within a two-way-coupled four-domain nested mesoscale weather model (6 km horizontal resolution outer domain, 90 m horizontal innermost domain) and (2) allocating resulting building-level meteorological profiles to each building in a neighborhood for parallel computation of building-by-building energy use. Our Chicago Loop test case shows that the morphology of even a small new added development to a neighborhood affects not only its own microclimate, but also the microclimate of the original neighborhood to which the development was added, and that these changes in microclimate affect both neighborhoods’ building energy use. Furthermore, this method represents an important step toward quantifying and analyzing the relationships among climatic conditions, urban morphology, and energy use and using these relationships to inform energy-efficient urban development and planning.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Interplay of Surface and Interior Modes in Exciton–Phonon Coupling at the Nanoscale

Exciton-phonon coupling (EXPC) plays a key role in the optoelectronic properties of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs), but a microscopic picture of EXPC is still lacking, particularly regarding the magnitude and scaling with NC size, the dependence on phonon frequency, and the role of the NC surface. The computational complexity associated with accurately describing excitons and phonons has limited previous theoretical studies of EXPC to small NCs, noninteracting electron-hole models, and/or a small number of phonon modes. We develop an atomistic approach for describing EXPC in NCs of experimentally relevant sizes. We validate our approach by calculating the reorganization energies, a measure of EXPC, for CdSe and CdSe-CdS core-shell NCs, finding good agreement with experimental measurements. We demonstrate that exciton formation distorts the NC lattice primarily along the coordinates of low-frequency acoustic modes. Modes at the NC surface play a significant role in smaller NCs while interior modes dominate for larger systems.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Complete quasilinear model for the acceleration-driven lower hybrid drift instability and a computational assessment of its validity

A complete quasilinear model is derived for the electrostatic acceleration-driven lower hybrid drift instability in a uniform two-species low-beta plasma in which current is perpendicular to the background magnetic field. The model consists of coupled nonlinear velocity space diffusion equations for the volume-averaged ion and electron distribution functions. Each species' diffusion coefficient depends on a time-evolving spectral density of the electric-field energy per unit volume and a time-evolving dispersion relation. The dispersion relation is expressed analytically in integral form without the use of asymptotic limits and applies to arbitrary distribution functions, so long as they can be expressed as a function of one velocity coordinate, e.g., f⁡(vy) or f⁡(v⊥). The quasilinear model conserves energy and is complete in that it fully describes the evolution of the distribution functions, including resonant and nonresonant particle-wave interactions, while accounting for distribution-function-dependent mixed-complex frequencies. Further, the quasilinear diffusion model is solved numerically and self-consistently using a Crank-Nicolson temporal discretization and a second-order finite-volume velocity-space discretization. Numerical solutions are compared to nonlinear fourth-order accurate continuum kinetic Vlasov-Poisson simulations. Evolution of electric-field energy, growth rates, distribution functions, and diffusion coefficients are shown to be in agreement with Vlasov simulations. The quasilinear model is shown to predict anomalous transport terms, like resistivity and heating, to within a factor of order unity. Discrepancies between the quasilinear model and Vlasov simulations are assessed and attributed primarily to lack of damping in the quasilinear description and to the use of unperturbed-orbit susceptibilities in the linear theory dispersion relation. The results illuminate the predictive accuracy of the quasilinear model, place approximate bounds on its validity, and provide much needed vetting of quasilinear theory's ability to predict the nonlinear state of a microturbulent plasma.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Investigation of the iodate sorption mechanism by CoAl LDH through experiments and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

Radioiodine released during the nuclear-fuel cycle constitutes a persistent radiological hazard. In this study, the IO 3 – uptake mechanism of CoAl LDH was resolved by combining pH-controlled sorption experiments, synchrotron XAFS, and DFT-based AIMD simulations. At pH close to 6, approximately 90% of IO 3 – was removed, and the equilibrium distribution coefficient reached about 1.7 × 10 4 mL g –1 . EXAFS analysis indicated an average iodine–oxygen bond length of 1.81 Å and a coordination number near 3, with the fit R-factor equal to 0.002. The simulations faithfully reproduced the experimental spectrum and revealed transient proton hopping events that generated metastable I–O–H species inside the interlayer, thereby confirming nitrate-to-iodate exchange as the controlling capture pathway. Atomic density profiles and radial distribution functions further showed that IO 3 – adopt an end-on orientation perpendicular to the hydroxide sheets, while water molecules mediate proton migration without disturbing the host lattice. In conclusion, the integrated experimental–computational evidence demonstrates that CoAl LDH can rapidly and selectively sequester IO 3 – under near-neutral conditions, offering atomic scale guidance for the rational engineering of layered sorbents for advanced radioactive-waste treatment.

Kang, Jaehyuk [Jeju National Univ. (Korea, Republi↗

Simulating Crystallization in a Colloidal System Using State Predictive Information Bottleneck Based Enhanced Sampling

Here, we investigate crystal nucleation in supersaturated colloid suspensions using enhanced molecular dynamics simulations augmented with machine learning techniques. The simulations reveal that crystallization in the model colloidal system studied here, with particles interacting through a repulsive screened Coulomb Yukawa potential, proceeds from vapor to dense liquid droplet to crystalline phases across multiple high barriers. Employing a one-dimensional reaction coordinate derived from the State Predictive Information Bottleneck framework, our simulations capture back-and-forth phase transitions across multiple barriers effectively in biased metadynamics simulations. We obtain relative free energy differences between different phases and also quantify the roles of different molecular level features in driving the phase changes.

Chemistry↗

Cooperative Activation of CO 2 and Epoxide by a Heterobinuclear Al–Fe Complex via Radical Pair Mechanisms

Activation of inert molecules like CO 2 is often mediated by cooperative chemistry between two reactive sites within a catalytic assembly, the most common form of which is Lewis acid/base bifunctionality observed in both natural metalloenzymes and synthetic systems. Here, we disclose a heterobinuclear complex with an Al–Fe bond that instead activates CO 2 and other substrates through cooperative behavior of two radical intermediates. The complex L dipp (Me)AlFp (2, L dipp = HC{(CMe)(2,6- i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 N)} 2 , Fp = FeCp(CO) 2 , Cp = η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) was found to insert CO 2 and cyclohexene oxide, producing L dipp Al(Me)(μ:κ 2 -O 2 C)Fp (3) and L dipp Al(Me)(μ-OC 6 H 10 )Fp (4), respectively. Detailed mechanistic studies indicate unusual pathways in which (i) the Al–Fe bond dissociates homolytically to generate formally Al II and Fe I metalloradicals, then (ii) the metalloradicals add to substrate in a pairwise fashion initiated by O-coordination to Al. The accessibility of this unusual mechanism is aided, in part, by the redox noninnocent nature of L dipp that stabilizes the formally Al II intermediates, instead giving them predominantly Al III -like physical character. The redox noninnocent nature of the radical intermediates was elucidated through direct observation of L dipp Al(Me)(OCPh 2 ) (22), a metalloradical species generated by addition of benzophenone to 2. Complex 22 was characterized by X-band EPR, Q-band EPR, and ENDOR spectroscopies as well as computational modeling. As a result, the “radical pair” pathway represents an unprecedented mechanism for CO 2 activation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Layered Coordination Architecture for Resilient Restoration of Power Distribution Systems

The current practices for restoring critical services in the distribution system during a disaster, align with the traditional centralized ideology of distribution systems operations. A central processor evaluates the distribution system after a disruption and attains a restoration plan. However, the centralized operational paradigm is susceptible to single-point failures, requires full situational awareness of the distribution system, and poses scalability challenges for large multifeeder distribution systems. This motivates a distributed decision-making paradigm where multiple agents solve smaller subproblems and jointly coordinate their individual decisions to achieve the global/network-level objective. Toward this goal, we propose a layered architecture for distributed algorithms for resilience and a two-stage distributed algorithm for distribution system restoration. The proposed distributed decision-making framework enables the bottom-up restoration of the distribution system using all available resources, including distributed generation, while only requiring local awareness and limited communications with neighboring connected regions. The proposed framework is robust to single-point failures, enables autonomy using distributed algorithms, and had reduced computational cost compared to centralized optimization solutions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Distributed Small-Signal Stability Conditions for Inverter-Based Unbalanced Microgrids

The proliferation of inverter-based generation and advanced sensing, controls, and communication infrastructure have facilitated accelerated deployment of microgrids. A coordinated network of microgrids can maintain reliable power delivery to critical facilities during extreme events. Low-inertia offered by the power-electronics–interfaced energy resources, however, can present significant challenges to ensuring stable operation of the microgrids. In this work, distributed small-signal stability conditions for inverter-based microgrids are developed that involve the droop-controller parameters and the network parameters (e.g. line impedances, loads). The distributed closed-form parametric stability conditions derived in this paper can be verified in a computationally efficient manner, facilitating reliable design and operations of networks of microgrids. Dynamic phasor models have been used to capture the effects of electromagnetic transients. Furthermore, numerical results are presented, along with PSCAD simulations, to validate the analytical stability conditions. Effects of design choices, such as the conductor types, and inverter sizes, on the small-signal stability of inverter-based microgrids are investigated to derive useful engineering insights.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Geometric deep learning of RNA structure

RNA molecules adopt three-dimensional structures that are critical to their function and of interest in drug discovery. Few RNA structures are known, however, and predicting them computationally has proven challenging. We introduce a machine learning approach that enables identification of accurate structural models without assumptions about their defining characteristics, despite being trained with only 18 known RNA structures. The resulting scoring function, the Atomic Rotationally Equivariant Scorer (ARES), substantially outperforms previous methods and consistently produces the best results in community-wide blind RNA structure prediction challenges. By learning effectively even from a small amount of data, our approach overcomes a major limitation of standard deep neural networks. Because it uses only atomic coordinates as inputs and incorporates no RNA-specific information, this approach is applicable to diverse problems in structural biology, chemistry, materials science, and beyond.

Townshend, Raphael J. L.↗

An efficient second-order adaptive procedure for inserting CAD geometries into hexahedral meshes using volume fractions

Here, this paper is concerned with inserting three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) geometries into meshes composed of hexahedral elements using a volume fraction representation. An adaptive procedure for doing so is presented. The procedure consists of two steps. The first step performs spatial acceleration using a k-d tree. The second step involves subdividing individual hexahedra in an adaptive mesh refinement (AMR)-like fashion and approximating the CAD geometry linearly (as a plane) at the finest subdivision. The procedure requires only two geometric queries from a CAD kernel: determining whether or not a queried spatial coordinate is inside or outside the CAD geometry and determining the closest point on the CAD geometry’s surface from a given spatial coordinate. We prove that the procedure is second-order accurate for sufficiently smooth geometries and sufficiently refined background meshes. We demonstrate the expected order of accuracy is achieved with several verification tests and illustrate the procedure’s effectiveness for several exemplar CAD geometries.

Adaptive↗

Structurally Constrained Evolutionary Algorithm for the Discovery and Design of Metastable Phases

Metastable materials are abundant in nature and technology, showcasing remarkable properties that inspire innovative materials design. However, traditional crystal structure prediction methods, which rely solely on energetic factors to determine a structure’s fitness, are not suitable for predicting the vast number of potentially synthesizable phases that represent a local minimum corresponding to a state in thermodynamic equilibrium. Here, we present a new approach for the prediction of metastable phases with specific structural features, and interface this method with the XTALOPT evolutionary algorithm. Our method relies on structural features that include the local crystalline order (e.g., the coordination number or chemical environment), and symmetry (e.g., Bravais lattice and space group) to filter the breeding pool of an evolutionary crystal structure search. The effectiveness of this approach is benchmarked on three known metastable systems: XeN 8 , with a two-dimensional polymeric nitrogen sublattice, brookite TiO 2 , and a high pressure BaH 4 phase that was recently characterized. Additionally, a newly predicted metastable melaminate salt, P1¯WC 3 N 6 , was found to possess an energy that is lower than two phases proposed in a recent computational study. Here, the method presented here could help in identifying the structures of compounds that have already been synthesized, and developing new synthesis targets with desired properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Analytic Nuclear Gradients Including Oriented External Electric Fields in a Molecule-Fixed Frame

Electric-field-assisted chemistry has attracted much attention in recent years, particularly in the context of oriented external electric fields for controlling molecular structure and reactivity. Such fields have been explored in a wide range of applications, including switching materials, nanoparticles, controllable catalysts, medicines, and clinical therapies. However, the determination of fixed fields in the laboratory frame becomes ineffective for flexible molecules, as conformational changes can significantly alter the relative orientation between the applied field and molecular structure. In this work, we propose two molecular reference frames─the principal axis frame and the local reference frame─to define oriented electric fields within the molecular framework. These coordinate systems powerfully eliminate ambiguities in the relative orientation between the applied field and the molecule. Analytic nuclear gradients in the presence of external electric fields are derived and implemented, with an initial application to field-dependent geometry optimizations of cis - and trans -formanilide. Analysis of the resulting field-induced equilibrium structures reveals distinct structural responses, validating the accuracy and robustness of the proposed formalism. The analytic gradient framework enables systematic investigations of molecular properties and reactivity under arbitrarily oriented electric fields, opening new opportunities for computational modeling and rational design in electric-field-controlled chemistry.

electric fields↗

Hydrogen bonds and dispersion forces serving as molecular locks for tailored Group 11 bis(amidine) complexes

A flexible polydentate bis(amidine) ligand LH 2 , LH 2 = {CH 2 NH( t Bu)C=N-2-(6-MePy)} 2 , operates as a molecular lock for various coinage metal fragments and forms the dinuclear complexes [LH 2 (MCl) 2 ], M = Cu (1), Au (2), the coordination polymer [{(LH 2 ) 2 (py) 2 (AgCl) 3 }(py) 3 ] n (3), and the dimesityl-digold complex [LH 2 (AuMes) 2 ] (4) by formal insertion of MR fragments (M = Cu, Ag, Au; R = Cl, Mes) into the N–H∙∙∙N hydrogen bonds of LH 2 in yields of 43–95%. Complexes 1, 2, and 4 adopt C 2 -symmetrical structures in the solid state featuring two interconnected 11-membered rings that are locked by two intramolecular N–H∙∙∙R–M hydrogen bonds. QTAIM analyses of the computational geometry-optimized structures 1a, 2a, and 4a reveal 13, 11, and 22 additional bond critical points, respectively, all of which are related to weak intramolecular attractive interactions, predominantly representing dispersion forces, contributing to the conformational stabilization of the C2-symmetrical stereoisomers in the solid state. Variable-temperature 1 H NMR spectroscopy in combination with DFT calculations indicate a dynamic conformational interconversion between two C 2 -symmetrical ground state structures in solution (ΔG ‡ c = 11.1–13.8 kcal mol –1 ), which is accompanied by the formation of an intermediate possessing C i symmetry that retains the hydrogen bonds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Method for Extrapolating CMM Data

This report provides a method for evaluating coordinate measuring machine (CMM) data and extrapolating the data to estimate the dimensions of a cylindrical component beyond the sampled measurements. The theoretical basis is provided, and a calculational method is presented. The report also provides detailed, formatted, printed, and plotted representations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗