Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “domination number”

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 775 records · Page 43

Scalability of Parallel Spatial Direct Numerical Simulations on Intel Hypercube and IBM SP1 and SP2

The implementation and performance of a parallel spatial direct numerical simulation (PSDNS) approach on the Intel iPSC/860 hypercube and IBM SP1 and SP2 parallel computers is documented. Spatially evolving disturbances associated with the laminar-to-turbulent transition in boundary-layer flows are computed with the PSDNS code. The feasibility of using the PSDNS to perform transition studies on these computers is examined. The results indicate that PSDNS approach can effectively be parallelized on a distributed-memory parallel machine by remapping the distributed data structure during the course of the calculation. Scalability information is provided to estimate computational costs to match the actual costs relative to changes in the number of grid points. By increasing the number of processors, slower than linear speedups are achieved with optimized (machine-dependent library) routines. This slower than linear speedup results because the computational cost is dominated by FFT routine, which yields less than ideal speedups. By using appropriate compile options and optimized library routines on the SP1, the serial code achieves 52-56 M ops on a single node of the SP1 (45 percent of theoretical peak performance). The actual performance of the PSDNS code on the SP1 is evaluated with a "real world" simulation that consists of 1.7 million grid points. One time step of this simulation is calculated on eight nodes of the SP1 in the same time as required by a Cray Y/MP supercomputer. For the same simulation, 32-nodes of the SP1 and SP2 are required to reach the performance of a Cray C-90. A 32 node SP1 (SP2) configuration is 2.9 (4.6) times faster than a Cray Y/MP for this simulation, while the hypercube is roughly 2 times slower than the Y/MP for this application. KEY WORDS: Spatial direct numerical simulations; incompressible viscous flows; spectral methods; finite differences; parallel computing.

Joslin, Ronald D.↗

Concentration Measurements in Self-Excited, Momentum-Dominated Helium Jets

Flow structure of momentum-dominated pure helium jets discharged vertically into ambient air was investigated using high-speed rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) technique. Effects of the operating parameters, i.e., Reynolds number (Re) and Richardson number (Ri), on the oscillatory behavior of the flow were examined over a range of experimental conditions. To seek the individual effect of these parameters, one of them was fixed and the other was varied with certain constraints. Measurements revealed highly periodic oscillations in the laminar region as well as high regularity in transition and turbulent regions. Maximum spectral power profiles at different axial locations indicated the oscillation amplitude increasing until the breakdown of the jet in the turbulent regime. The transition from the laminar to turbulent flow was also investigated. Fast Fourier transform analysis performed in the transition regime showed that the flow oscillates at a unique frequency, which was the same in the upstream laminar flow region. Measured deflection angle data were used in Abel inversion algorithm to construct the helium concentration fields. Instantaneous helium concentration contours revealed changes in the flow structure and evolution of vortical structures during an oscillation cycle. Temporal evolution plots of helium concentration at different axial location showed repeatable oscillations at all axial and radial locations up to the turbulent regime. A cross-correlation technique, applied to find the spatial displacements of the vortical structures, provided correlation coefficient peaks between consecutive schlieren images. Results show that the vortical structure convected and accelerated only in the axial direction.

Yildirim, Bekir Sedat↗

Omni-gravity Hydroponics for Space Exploration

As part of the NASA Plant Water Management technology demonstration experiments, a capillary fluidics hydroponic system that can function in a variety of gravity environments has been developed and tested for crop production in space. A passive liquid delivery method is employed that drastically reduces the number of contaminable moving parts providing a high reliability solution requiring minimal resources for operation. The terrestrial, lunar, and Martian environments are managed in a ‘gravity-dominated mode,’ while the low-gravity transit and orbit environments are managed in a ‘capillary fluidics mode,’ where the role of gravity is replaced by the equally passive effects of surface tension, conduit shape, and wettability. The unique considerations for priming, germination, aeration, nutrient supply, root accommodation, layout, crew interaction, etc. are highlighted. Design guides for system function are provided along with high Technology Readiness Level demonstrations of the system during terrestrial and drop tower tests. Long duration tests are planned on short schedule aboard the International Space Station in 2019.

gravity↗

A simplified Mach number scaling law for helicopter rotor noise

Mach number scaling laws are derived for the rotational and the high-frequency broadband noise from helicopter rotors. The rotational scaling law is obtained directly from the theory of Lowson and Ollerhead (1969) by exploiting the properties of the dominant terms in the expression for the complex Fourier coefficients of sound radiation from a point source. The scaling law for the high-frequency broadband noise is obtained by assuming that the noise sources are acoustically compact and computing the instantaneous pressure due to an element on an airfoil where vortices are shed. Experimental results on the correlation lengths for stationary airfoils are extended to rotating airfoils. On the assumption that the correlation length varies as the boundary layer displacement thickness, it is found that the Mach number scaling law contains a factor of Mach number raised to the exponent 5.8. Both scaling laws were verified by model tests.

Aravamudan, K. S.↗

Incompressible boundary-layer stability analysis of LFC experimental data for sub-critical Mach numbers

An incompressible boundary-layer stability analysis of Laminar Flow Control (LFC) experimental data was completed and the results are presented. This analysis was undertaken for three reasons: to study laminar boundary-layer stability on a modern swept LFC airfoil; to calculate incompressible design limits of linear stability theory as applied to a modern airfoil at high subsonic speeds; and to verify the use of linear stability theory as a design tool. The experimental data were taken from the slotted LFC experiment recently completed in the NASA Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel. Linear stability theory was applied and the results were compared with transition data to arrive at correlated n-factors. Results of the analysis showed that for the configuration and cases studied, Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) amplification was the dominating disturbance influencing transition. For these cases, incompressible linear stability theory correlated with an n-factor for TS waves of approximately 10 at transition. The n-factor method correlated rather consistently to this value despite a number of non-ideal conditions which indicates the method is useful as a design tool for advanced laminar flow airfoils.

Berry, S. A.↗

Transition Delay via Vortex Generators in a Hypersonic Boundary Layer at Flight Conditions

The potential of realizable, stationary streaks undergoing non-modal growth to stabilize a hypersonic boundary-layer flow and, subsequently, delay the laminar-turbulent transition onset, is studied via numerical computations. The geometry and flow conditions are selected to match a relevant trajectory location from the ascent phase of the HIFiRE-1 flight experiment, namely, a 7-degree half-angle cone with 2.5 mm nose radius, freestream Mach number of 5.30, freestream unit Reynolds number equal to 13.42 x 10(exp 6)/m, and wall-to-adiabatic temperature ratio of approximately 0.35 over most of the test article. This paper investigates flow modifications induced by wall-mounted vortex generators (VGs), followed by an analysis of the modal instability of the perturbed, streaky boundary-layer flow. Results are presented both for a single array of VGs that was designed on the basis of optimal growth theory and for a VG configuration involving two separate arrays with opposite orientations that ware designed to provide staged control of flow instabilities while simultaneously reducing the amplification of streak instabilities resulting from the control devices. Earlier research had shown that the onset of transition during the HIFiRE-1 flight experiment, which did not include any control devices, correlated with an amplification factor of N = 14.7 for the planar Mack modes. If one assumes that the transition N -factor is not affected by the introduction of the VGs, then the control configurations based on a single array of VGs and two separate arrays would result in a transition delay of 17% and 40%, respectively. These findings suggest a passive flow control s to induce streaks that would delay transition in hypersonic boundary dominated by Mack-mode instabilities.

Incompressible boundary layer↗

Internal Shock Interactions in Propulsion/Airframe Integrated Three-Dimensional Sidewall Compression Scramjet Inlets

The advantages and design requirements of propulsion/airframe integration for high Mach number flight have led to extensive study of the three-dimensional sidewall compression scramjet inlet in recent years. Recent research publications have indicated testing over a broad range of Mach number (2 to 18) in a variety of test gases, such as air, helium, and tetrafluoromethane. Multiple experimental techniques have been employed to obtain detailed internal shock interaction data, performance data, and inlet starting limits. Computational fluid dynamics has been effectively used for preliminary parametric studies as well as in parallel with experiments to aid in the explanation of unusual or unexpected flow phenomena. Inlets of this genre afford a relatively simple, generic geometry while producing a highly complex, three-dimensional flow field dominated by shock/shock and shock/boundary layer interactions. While the importance of the viscous effects in high speed inlet interactions is recognized, the present work addresses in a parametric fashion the inviscid effects of leading edge sweep, sidewall compression, and inflow Mach number on the internal shock structure in terms of inlet compression and mass capture. In the process, the source of the of the Mach number invariance with leading edge sweep for a constant sidewall compression class of inlet is identified, and a previously undocumented spillage phenomenon in a constant effective wedge angle class of inlets is discussed.

Holland, Scott D.↗

Five-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Data Processing, Sky Maps, and Basic Results

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) is a Medium-Class Explorer (MIDEX) satellite aimed at elucidating cosmology through full-sky observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The WMAP full-sky maps of the temperature and polarization anisotropy in five frequency bands provide our most accurate view to date of conditions in the early universe. The multi-frequency data facilitate the separation of the CMB signal from foreground emission arising both from our Galaxy and from extragalactic sources. The CMB angular power spectrum derived from these maps exhibits a highly coherent acoustic peak structure which makes it possible to extract a wealth of information about the composition and history of the universe. as well as the processes that seeded the fluctuations. WMAP data have played a key role in establishing ACDM as the new standard model of cosmology (Bennett et al. 2003: Spergel et al. 2003; Hinshaw et al. 2007: Spergel et al. 2007): a flat universe dominated by dark energy, supplemented by dark matter and atoms with density fluctuations seeded by a Gaussian, adiabatic, nearly scale invariant process. The basic properties of this universe are determined by five numbers: the density of matter, the density of atoms. the age of the universe (or equivalently, the Hubble constant today), the amplitude of the initial fluctuations, and their scale dependence. By accurately measuring the first few peaks in the angular power spectrum, WMAP data have enabled the following accomplishments: Showing the dark matter must be non-baryonic and interact only weakly with atoms and radiation. The WMAP measurement of the dark matter density puts important constraints on supersymmetric dark matter models and on the properties of other dark matter candidates. With five years of data and a better determination of our beam response, this measurement has been significantly improved. Precise determination of the density of atoms in the universe. The agreement between the atomic density derived from WMAP and the density inferred from the deuterium abundance is an important test of the standard big bang model. Determination of the acoustic scale at redshift z = 1090. Similarly, the recent measurement of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) in the galaxy power spectrum (Eisenstein et al. 2005) has determined the acoustic scale at redshift z approx. 0.35. When combined, these standard rulers accurately measure the geometry of the universe and the properties of the dark energy. These data require a nearly flat universe dominated by dark energy consistent with a cosmological constant. Precise determination of the Hubble Constant, in conjunction with BAO observations. Even when allowing curvature (Omega(sub 0) does not equal 1) and a free dark energy equation of state (w does not equal -1), the acoustic data determine the Hubble constant to within 3%. The measured value is in excellent agreement with independent results from the Hubble Key Project (Freedman et al. 2001), providing yet another important consistency test for the standard model. Significant constraint of the basic properties of the primordial fluctuations. The anti-correlation seen in the temperature/polarization (TE) correlation spectrum on 4deg scales implies that the fluctuations are primarily adiabatic and rule out defect models and isocurvature models as the primary source of fluctuations (Peiris et al. 2003).

Weiland, J.L.↗

Role of Scaffold Architecture and Excess Surface Polymer Layers in a 3D-Interconnected Ceramic/Polymer Composite Electrolyte

3D-interconnected ceramic/polymer composite electrolytes offer promise to combine the benefits of both ceramic and polymer electrolytes. However, an in-depth understanding of the role of the ceramic scaffold's architecture, and the associated polymer/ceramic interfaces on the electrochemical properties of such composite electrolytes is still incomplete. Here, these factors are systematically evaluated using an interconnected composite electrolyte with a tunable and well-defined architecture. The ionic conductivity of the ceramic scaffold is strongly dependent on its porosity and tortuosity, as demonstrated experimentally and via theoretical modeling. The connectivity of the ceramic framework avoids the high interfacial impedance at the polymer/ceramic electrolyte interface within the composite. However, this work discovers that the interfacial impedance between the bulk composite and excess surface polymer layers of the composite membrane dominates the overall impedance, resulting in a 1–2 order drop of ionic conductivity compared to the ceramic scaffold. Despite the high impedance interfaces, an improved Li + transference number is found compared to the neat polymer (0.29 vs 0.05), attributed to the ceramic phase's contributions toward ion transport. Further, this leads to flatter overpotentials in lithium symmetric cell cycling. These results are expected to guide future research directions toward scalable manufacturing of composite electrolytes with optimized architecture and interfaces.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Aerosol Influences on Cloud Water: Insights From ARM EPCAPE Observations With Explainable Machine Learning

This study employs an explainable machine learning (ML) framework (XGBoost-SHapley Additive exPlanations analysis) to investigate controlling factors on cloud liquid water path (LWP) using EPCAPE observations near the California coast. Aerosols are found to be the dominant factor explaining LWP variability, surpassing meteorological factors (MFs). By isolating aerosol effects from meteorological influences, the ML reveals a negative linear relationship between LWP and cloud droplet number concentration (Nd) in log space, likely driven by entrainment drying via evaporation-entrainment feedback. This aligns with the negative regime of the inverted-V relationship reported in previous studies, while no positive LWP responses are found due to a limited number of precipitating cases in EPCAPE. Furthermore, the sensitivity of LWP to Nd shows a non-linear dependence on MFs like moisture contrast between surface and free troposphere and lower-tropospheric stability. This occurs due to the interplay between the MFs' direct effects on entrainment drying and indirect effects through LWP adjustments.

EPCAPE observations↗

Unveiling the structure and electronic characteristics of amorphous GeS for high performance threshold switching

Ovonic threshold switching selectors are widely studied owing to the essential application in high density phase-change memory. Amorphous GeS is proposed as a potential candidate for the excellent performance. However, the knowledge of amorphous GeS is still insufficient up to date. Here, we have studied the structure and electronic characteristics of GeS in the amorphization process, by using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The results indicate that the amorphous GeS is mainly made up of Ge–S bonds. The Ge- and S-centered clusters are dominantly in the form of octahedral structures in liquid GeS. Furthermore, during the amorphization process, most of Ge-centered clusters become highly coordinated octahedrons while a small number of Ge-centered clusters change to tetrahedrons, and the S-centered clusters deviate from the octahedral structure gradually. In addition, the large bandgap and the relatively small mid-gap states in amorphous GeS lead to a high switching voltage.

42 ENGINEERING↗

𝐽/𝜓-meson–nucleon scattering length from threshold photoproduction on light nuclei

The quality of recent Short-Range Correlations/Color-Transparency (SRC/CT) Collaboration 𝐽/𝜓 photoproduction data off a 4 He target from Hall D at Jefferson Laboratory, combined with the feasibility of measuring the reaction close to the free-nucleon energy threshold, opens the door to using incoherent 𝐽/𝜓 photoproduction to explore a variety of interesting physics aspects. An example is the estimation of the 𝐽/𝜓 𝑝 scattering length |𝛼 𝐽/𝜓 𝑝 | on the bound proton, obtained using the vector meson dominance model. The new experiment E12–25–002, conducted by the SRC/CT Collaboration, was recently approved in Hall D with the GlueX spectrometer, which will significantly enhance the number of reconstructed 𝐽/𝜓 mesons. Using a plane-wave theoretical model to generate quasidata, we estimated that the experiment could achieve a result of |𝛼 𝐽/𝜓 𝑝 | = 3.08 ± 0.45 mfm. This value can be compared to an extraction based on the free proton data from the GlueX Collaboration, |𝛼 𝐽/𝜓 𝑝 | = 3.08 ± 0.55 mfm. A comparison between the two would provide an opportunity to evaluate the effects of medium modification in light nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Electron-phonon drag enhancement of transport properties from a fully coupled ab initio Boltzmann formalism

We present a combined treatment of the nonequilibrium dynamics and transport of electrons and phonons by carrying out ab initio calculations of the fully coupled electron and phonon Boltzmann transport equations. We find that the presence of mutual drag between the two carriers causes the thermopower to be enhanced and dominated by the transport of phonons, rather than electrons as in the traditional semiconductor picture. Drag also strongly boosts the intrinsic electron mobility, thermal conductivity and the Lorenz number. Impurity scattering is seen to suppress the drag enhancement of the thermal and electrical conductivities, while having weak effects on the enhancement of the Lorenz number and thermopower. We demonstrate these effects in n-doped 3C-SiC at room temperature, and explain their origins. This work establishes the roles of microscopic scattering mechanisms in the emergence of strong drag effects in the transport of the interacting electron-phonon gas.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Difference equation for superradiance

The evolution of a completely excited system of N two-level atoms, distributed over a large region and interacting with all modes of radiation field, is studied. The distinction between r-conserving (RC) and r-nonconserving (RNC) processes is emphasized. Considering the number of photons emitted as the discrete independent variable, the evolution is described by a partial difference equation. Numerical solution of this equation shows the transition from RNC dominance at the beginning to RC dominance later. This is also a transition from incoherent to coherent emission of radiation.

Lee, C. T.↗

Transition from incoherence to coherence in the spontaneous emission of extended systems

Using the results of a previous paper, we study the evolution of a completely excited system of N two-level atoms, distributed in a circular cylinder with dimensions much larger than the wavelength, interacting with all modes of radiation field. We emphasize the distinction between r-conserving (rC) and r-nonconserving (rNC) processes (r is the so-called cooperation number). Considering the number of photons emitted as the discrete independent variable, the evolution is described by a partial difference equation. Numerical solutions of this equation show the transition from rNC dominance at the beginning to rC dominance later. This is also a transition from incoherent to coherent emission of radiation.

Lee, C. T.↗

Baffle aperture design study of hollow cathode equipped ion thrusters

A simple theoretical model which can be used as an aid in the design of the baffle aperture region of a hollow cathode equipped ion thruster was developed. An analysis of the ion and electron currents in both the main and cathode discharge chambers is presented. From this analysis a model of current flow through the aperture, which is required as an input to the design model, was developed. This model was verified experimentally. The dominant force driving electrons through the aperture was the force due to the electrical potential gradient. The diffusion process was modeled according to the Bolm diffusion theory. A number of simplifications were made to limit the amount of detailed plasma information required as input to the model to facilitate the use of the model in thruster design. This simplified model gave remarkably consistant results with experimental results obtained with a given thruster geometry over substantial changes in operating conditions. The model was uncertain to about a factor of two for different thruster cathode region geometries. The design usefulness was limited by this factor of two uncertainty and by the accuracy to which the plasma parameters required as inputs to the model were specified.

Brophy, J. R., Jr.↗

The oxygen polar corona

At high-latitude regions, energetic oxygen atoms are produced by a nonthermal mechanism associated with precipitated energetic atomic oxygen ions during disturbed periods. The upward moving nonthermal atoms can redistribute themselves at higher altitudes. For the storm of December 17, 1971, assuming the energetic O(+) ions are uniformly precipitated between 50 deg and 70 deg magnetic latitudes, the nonthermal oxygen atoms become dominant over the ambient at about 700 km on the dayside and at about 600 km on the nightside at 60 deg magnetic latitude. Globally, a high-number-density atomic oxygen corona appears between 50 deg and 70 deg magnetic latitudes above the exobase, and the maximum is located at a few degrees poleward from the center of the band (63 deg magnetic latitude).

Yee, J. H.↗

The Voyager 1 EUV spectrum of the Io plasma torus

The Voyager 1 EUV spectrum of the hot Io plasma torus obtained before encounter in 1979 at a range of 4,800,000 km is analyzed in terms of a collisional model with improved collision strengths. Model calculations are based entirely on steady-state equilibrium between electron excitation-deactivation and radiative decay in the subspecies structure, and plasma temperature and species number densities are derived by fitting model spectra to the observations. Lines of S II, S III, S IV, O II, and O III are found to be dominant in the plasma torus, at torus half width densities of 44, 160, 220, 50, and 340/cu cm, respectively, and lines of S V and K III may also be present. An effective electron temperature of 80,000 K is estimated for the central dense region near 6 Jupiter radii. Model calculations are in substantial agreement with other spectroscopic observations of the hot torus; however, the observations exhibit strong morphological differences with recent ground-based observations of S II emission, and calculated ion densities differ from in situ Voyager 1 plasma science measurements.

Shemansky, D. E.↗