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At least 829 records · Page 46

A long-term study of SiO (v = 1, J = 2-1) maser emission from evolved stars and Orion A

General characteristics of eight late-type stars and Orion A in the SiO (v = 1, J = 2-1) maser line are reported based on observations made with the 20-m Onsala telescope between 1977 and 1984. Five stars show periodic maser flux variations that are well correlated with the infrared light curve, and the maximum SiO intensity and the dynamic range vary significantly between different periods and sources. Some long-term variations in the center velocity of the maser emission have been noted, with Omicron Cet possibly being a member of a binary system. Grand averages have been used to study the general velocity structure, and a global SiO (v = 1, J = 2-1) profile for Mira variables shows that the strongest emission is blueshifted with respect to the stellar velocity, while as a whole the emission is redshifted. The analysis places the SiO masers in a region between the pulsating stellar atmosphere and the expanding circumstellar envelope, where the velocity structure bears no relation to the expansion velocity of the shell.

Nyman, L.-A.↗

Development of a computational aero/fluids analysis system

The Computational Aero/Fluids Analysis System (AFAS) provides the analytical capability to perform state-of-the-art computational analyses in two difficult fluid dynamics disciplines associated with the Space Shuttle program. This system provides the analysis tools and techniques for rapidly and efficiently accessing, analyzing, and reformulating the large and expanding external aerodynamic data base while also providing tools for complex fluid flow analyses of the SSME engine components. Both of these fluid flow disciplines, external aerodynamics and internal gasdynamics, required this capability to ensure that MSFC can respond in a timely manner as problems are encountered and operational changes are made in the Space Shuttle.

Kelley, P. B.↗

Variation Principles and Applications in the Study of Cell Structure and Aging

In this report we have attempted to show that "some reality lies concealed in biological variation". This "reality" has its principles, laws, mechanisms, and rules, only a few of which we have sketched. A related idea we pursued was that important information may be lost in the process of ignoring frequency distributions of physiological variables (as is customary in experimental physiology and gerontology). We suggested that it may be advantageous to expand one's "statistical field of vision" beyond simple averages +/- standard deviations. Indeed, frequency distribution analysis may make visible some hidden information not evident from a simple qualitative analysis, particularly when the effect of some external factor or condition (e.g., aging, dietary chemicals) is being investigated. This was clearly illustrated by the application of distribution analysis in the study of variation in mouse liver cellular and fine structure, and may be true of fine structural studies in general. In living systems, structure and function interact in a dynamic way; they are "inseparable," unlike in technological systems or machines. Changes in fine structure therefore reflect changes in function. If such changes do not exceed a certain physiologic range, a quantitative analysis of structure will provide valuable information on quantitative changes in function that may not be possible or easy to measure directly. Because there is a large inherent variation in fine structure of cells in a given organ of an individual and among individuals, changes in fine structure can be analyzed only by studying frequency distribution curves of various structural characteristics (dimensions). Simple averages +/- S.D. do not in general reveal all information on the effect of a certain factor, because often this effect is not uniform; on the contrary, this will be apparent from distribution analysis because the form of the curves will be affected. We have also attempted to show in this chapter that similar general statistical principles and mechanisms may be operative in biological and technological systems. Despite the common belief that most biological and technological characteristics of interest have a symmetric bell-shaped (normal or Gaussian) distribution, we have shown that more often than not, distributions tend to be asymmetric and often resemble a so-called log-normal distribution. We saw that at least three general mechanisms may be operative, i.e., nonadditivity of influencing factors, competition among individuals for a common resource, and existence of an "optimum" value for a studied characteristic; more such mechanisms could exist.

Economos, Angelos C.↗

A Synthetic Vision Preliminary Integrated Safety Analysis

This report documents efforts to analyze a sample of aviation safety programs, using the LMI-developed integrated safety analysis tool to determine the change in system risk resulting from Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) technology implementation. Specifically, we have worked to modify existing system safety tools to address the safety impact of synthetic vision (SV) technology. Safety metrics include reliability, availability, and resultant hazard. This analysis of SV technology is intended to be part of a larger effort to develop a model that is capable of "providing further support to the product design and development team as additional information becomes available". The reliability analysis portion of the effort is complete and is fully documented in this report. The simulation analysis is still underway; it will be documented in a subsequent report. The specific goal of this effort is to apply the integrated safety analysis to SV technology. This report also contains a brief discussion of data necessary to expand the human performance capability of the model, as well as a discussion of human behavior and its implications for system risk assessment in this modeling environment.

Hemm, Robert↗

The leaving or Q fraction of the murine cerebral proliferative epithelium: a general model of neocortical neuronogenesis

Neurons of neocortical layers II-VI in the dorsomedial cortex of the mouse arise in the pseudostratified ventricular epithelium (PVE) through 11 cell cycles over the six embryonic days 11-17 (E11-E17). The present experiments measure the proportion of daughter cells that leave the cycle (quiescent or Q fraction or Q) during a single cell cycle and the complementary proportion that continues to proliferate (proliferative or P fraction or P; P = 1 - Q). Q and P for the PVE become 0.5 in the course of the eighth cycle, occurring on E14, and Q rises to approximately 0.8 (and P falls to approximately 0.2) in the course of the 10th cycle occurring on E16. This indicates that early in neuronogenesis, neurons are produced relatively slowly and the PVE expands rapidly but that the reverse happens in the final phase of neuronogenesis. The present analysis completes a cycle of analyses that have determined the four fundamental parameters of cell proliferation: growth fraction, lengths of cell cycle, and phases Q and P. These parameters are the basis of a coherent neuronogenetic model that characterizes patterns of growth of the PVE and mathematically relates the size of the initial proliferative population to the neuronal population of the adult neocortex.

Non-NASA Center↗

Transmutation Scoping Studies for a Chloride Molten Salt Reactor

Over the past few years, there has been strong renewed interest from private industry, mostly from start-up enterprises, in molten salt reactor (MSR) technologies because of the unique properties of this class of reactors. These are reactors in which the fuel is homogeneously mixed with the coolant in the form of liquid salts and is circulated continuously into and out of the active core region with on-line fuel management, salt treatment, and salt processing. In response to such wide-spread interest, Argonne National Laboratory is expanding its well-established reactor modelling and simulation expertise and infrastructure to enable detailed analysis and design of MSRs. The tools being developed are able to simulate the continuous fuel flow, the complex on-line fuel management and elemental removal processes (e.g., fission product removal) using depletion steps representative of a real MSR system. Leveraging these capabilities, a parametric study on the transmutation performance of a simplified actinide-burning MSR concept that uses a chloride-based salt was performed. This type of salt has attracted attention over the more commonly discussed fluoride-based salts since no tritium is produced as a result of irradiation and it is compatible with a fast neutron spectrum. The studies discussed in this paper examine the performance of a burner MSR design with a fixed core size and power density over a range of possible fuel salt molar ratios with NaCl-MgCl2 as the carrier salt. The intent is to quantify the impact on the required transuranics content of the make-up fuel, the actinide transmutation rates, and other performance characteristics for typical burner MSR designs.

Heidet, Florent↗

Sterile Neutrino Search with the NOvA Detectors

NOvA is a two-detector experiment designed to observe neutrino oscillations from νµ toνe flavor states. Additionally, the location of the NOvA Near Detector is well situated to additionally observe short base line oscillations to sterile neutrino states. We expand upon previous NOvA sterile neutrino searches by using a covariance matrix fitting technique. This analysis is the first with NOvA to directly include neutrino interactions in the Near Detector while fitting the data. The NOvA Near Detector’s greater statistics to better constrain our Far Detector uncertainties in addition to increasing the range of Δ m$^2_{41}$ to which we are sensitive.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Fully-coupled analysis of jet mixing problems. Part 1. Shock-capturing model, SCIPVIS

A computational model, SCIPVIS, is described which predicts the multiple cell shock structure in imperfectly expanded, turbulent, axisymmetric jets. The model spatially integrates the parabolized Navier-Stokes jet mixing equations using a shock-capturing approach in supersonic flow regions and a pressure-split approximation in subsonic flow regions. The regions are coupled using a viscous-characteristic procedure. Turbulence processes are represented via the solution of compressibility-corrected two-equation turbulence models. The formation of Mach discs in the jet and the interactive analysis of the wake-like mixing process occurring behind Mach discs is handled in a rigorous manner. Calculations are presented exhibiting the fundamental interactive processes occurring in supersonic jets and the model is assessed via comparisons with detailed laboratory data for a variety of under- and overexpanded jets.

Dash, S. M.↗

Numerical Simulations of High Enthalpy Pulse Facilities

Axisymmetric flows within shock tubes and expansion tubes are simulated including the effects of finite rate chemistry and both laminar and turbulent boundary layers. The simulations demonstrate the usefulness of computational fluid dynamics for characterizing the flows in high enthalpy pulse facilities. The modeling and numerical requirements necessary to simulate these flows accurately are also discussed. Although there is a large body of analysis which explains and quantifies the boundary layer growth between the shock and the interface in a shock tube, there is a need for more detailed solutions. Phenomena such as thermochemical nonequilibrium. or turbulent transition behind the shock are excluded in the assumptions of Mirels' analysis. Additionally there is inadequate capability to predict the influence of the boundary layer on the expanded gas behind the interface. Quantifying the gas in this region is particularly important in expansion tubes because it is the location of the test gas. Unsteady simulations of the viscous flow in shock tubes are computationally expensive because they must follow features such as a shock wave over the length of the facility and simultaneously resolve the small length scales within the boundary layer. As a result, efficient numerical algorithms are required. The numerical approach of the present work is to solve the axisymmetric gas dynamic equations using an finite-volume formulation where the inviscid fluxes are computed with a upwind TVD scheme. Multiple species equations are included in the formulation so that finite-rate chemistry can be modeled. The simulations cluster grid points at the shock and interface and translate this clustered grid with these features to minimize numerical errors. The solutions are advanced at a CFL number of less than one based on the inviscid gas dynamics. To avoid limitations on the time step due to the viscous terms, these terms are treated implicitly. This requires a block tri-diagonal matrix inversion along each line of cells normal to the wall. The cost of this inversion is more than offset by the larger allowable time step. The source terms representing the finite-rate chemical kinetics are also treated implicitly. An algebraic turbulence model for compressible flow is used. The flow in a low pressure shock tube is computed and the results are compared with Mirels'analysis. The driven gas is nitrogen at 70 Pa, and the incident shock speed is approximately 2.9 km/sec so that there is little dissociation. The simulations include a laminar boundary layer and are run until the limiting flow regime is achieved. At this limit, the shock and interface travel at the same velocity because the amount of driven gas between these two features remains the same: the mass flow across the shock is equal to the mass of gas being entrained at the interface by the boundary layer. Simulations with several grids are presented to establish the grid independence of the solution, Good agreement is achieved between Mirels' correlations and the computations. This is expected since the flow conditions are chosen to be consistent with the assumptions used in Mirels' analysis. This comparison adds credibility to the numerical approach and highlights some of the differences between the theory and the detailed simulations. In addition, simulations of the HYPULSE expansion tube are presented for two operating conditions and the computations are compared to experimental data. The operating gas for both cases is nitrogen. One test condition is at a total enthalpy of 15.2 MJ/Kg and a relatively low pressure of 2 kPa. This case is characterized by a laminar boundary layer and significant chemical nonequilibrium. in the acceleration gas. The second test condition is at a total enthalpy of 10.2 MJ/Kg and a pressure of 38 kPa and is characterized by a turbulent boundary layer. The simulations compare well with experiment and reveal that the nonuniformity in pressure observed during the test time is related to variations in the boundary layer displacement thickness.

Wilson, Gregory J.↗

Communication: Charge-population based dispersion interactions for molecules and materials

We introduce a system-independent method to derive effective atomic C{sub 6} coefficients and polarizabilities in molecules and materials purely from charge population analysis. This enables the use of dispersion-correction schemes in electronic structure calculations without recourse to electron-density partitioning schemes and expands their applicability to semi-empirical methods and tight-binding Hamiltonians. We show that the accuracy of our method is en par with established electron-density partitioning based approaches in describing intermolecular C{sub 6} coefficients as well as dispersion energies of weakly bound molecular dimers, organic crystals, and supramolecular complexes. We showcase the utility of our approach by incorporation of the recently developed many-body dispersion method [Tkatchenko et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 236402 (2012)] into the semi-empirical density functional tight-binding method and propose the latter as a viable technique to study hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NEAMS Workbench Status and Capabilities

The mission of the US Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program is to develop, apply, deploy, and support state-of-the-art predictive modeling and simulation tools for the design and analysis of current and future nuclear energy systems. This is accomplished by using computing architectures that range from laptops to leadership-class facilities. The NEAMS Workbench is a new initiative that will facilitate the transition from conventional tools to highfidelity tools by providing a common user interface for model creation, review, execution, output review, and visualization for integrated codes. The Workbench can use common user input, including engineering-scale specifications that are expanded into application-specific input requirements through the use of customizable templates. The templating process can enable multifidelity analysis of a system from a common set of input data. Additionally, the common user input processor can provide an enhanced alternative application input that provides additional conveniences compared with native input, especially for legacy codes. Expansion of the integrated codes and application templates available in the Workbench will broaden the NEAMS user community and will facilitate system analysis and design. Current and planned capabilities of the NEAMS Workbench are detailed herein.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

NEAMS Workbench Status and Capabilities

The mission of the US Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program is to develop, apply, deploy, and support state-of-the-art predictive modeling and simulation tools for the design and analysis of current and future nuclear energy systems. This is accomplished by using computing architectures that range from laptops to leadership-class facilities. The NEAMS Workbench is a new initiative that will facilitate the transition from conventional tools to high fidelity tools by providing a common user interface for model creation, review, execution, output review, and visualization for integrated codes. The Workbench can use common user input, including engineering-scale specifications that are expanded into application-specific input requirements through the use of customizable templates. The templating process can enable multifidelity analysis of a system from a common set of input data. Additionally, the common user input processor can provide an enhanced alternative application input that provides additional conveniences over the native input, especially for legacy codes. Expansion of the integrated codes and application templates available in the Workbench will broaden the NEAMS user community and will facilitate system analysis and design. Current and planned capabilities of the NEAMS Workbench are detailed here.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Carbon Dioxide Utilization (CO2U) ICEF Roadmap 2.0. Draft October 2017

Last year, experts from CO 2 Sciences, Columbia University and Valence Strategic came together to develop a roadmap. That document, Carbon Dioxide Utilization ICEF Roadmap 1.0, released at the UNFCCC Marrakesh Climate Change Conference in 2016, surveyed the commercial and technical landscape of CO 2 conversion and use. The document provided extensive background and analysis and has helped to provide a foundation for additional studies, including this one.This roadmap is meant to complement and expand upon the work of its predecessor. Based in part on a workshop at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy in July 2017, it explores three distinct categories of CO 2 -based products, the technologies that can be harnessed to convert CO2 to these products, and the associated research and development needs. It also explores the complicated topic of life cycle analysis—critically important when considering the climate impacts of CO 2 conversion and use—as well as policy tools that could be used to promote CO 2 -based products.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Band diagram and rate analysis of thin film spinel LiMn 2 O 4 formed by electrochemical conversion of ALD-grown MnO

Nanoscale spinel lithium manganese oxide is of interest as a high-rate cathode material for advanced battery technologies among other electrochemical applications. In this work, the synthesis of ultrathin films of spinel lithium manganese oxide (LiMn 2 O 4 ) between 20 and 200 nm in thickness by room-temperature electrochemical conversion of MnO grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is demonstrated. The charge storage properties of LiMn 2 O 4 thin films in electrolytes containing Li + , Na + , K + , and Mg 2+ are investigated. A unified electrochemical band-diagram (UEB) analysis of LiMn 2 O 4 informed by screened hybrid density functional theory calculations is also employed to expand on existing understanding of the underpinnings of charge storage and stability in LiMn 2 O 4 . It is shown that the incorporation of Li + or other cations into the host manganese dioxide spinel structure (λ-MnO 2 ) stabilizes electronic states from the conduction band which align with the known redox potentials of LiMn 2 O 4 . Furthermore, the cyclic voltammetry experiments demonstrate that up to 30% of the capacity of LiMn 2 O 4 arises from bulk electronic charge-switching which does not require compensating cation mass transport. As a result, the hybrid ALD-electrochemical synthesis, UEB analysis, and unique charge storage mechanism described here provide a fundamental framework to guide the development of future nanoscale electrode materials for ion-incorporation charge storage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Life Cycle Analysis of Natural Gas Extraction and Power Generation

Natural gas is considered a cleaner burning and more flexible alternative to other fossil fuels today. It is used in residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation applications in addition to having an expanding role in power production. However, the primary component of natural gas is methane, which is also a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG). Methane losses from natural gas extraction vary geographically and by extraction technology. This analysis inventories the GHG emissions from extraction, processing, and transmission of natural gas to large end users, and the combustion of that natural gas to produce electricity. In addition to GHG emissions, this analysis inventories other air emissions, water quality, water use, land use, and resource energy metrics.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

An Environmental and Societal Analysis of the US Electrical Energy Industry Based on the Water–Energy Nexus

To meet rising energy demands, power plant operations will expand, influencing the interactions between the water–energy nexus and society. However, a major challenge is integration of social dimensions within electricity generation. To address this, we generate a baseline dataset using US public data (2014–2019) from the Energy Information Administration and US Bureau of Labor Statistics. We identify the rate of energy consumed, CO 2 , SO 2 and NO x emissions generated, and water used per MWh net electricity as well as employee wellbeing per unit MW capacity during electricity generation. Rates of energy consumption (MMBtu/MWh) decreased 4.9%, but water consumption and withdrawal (m 3 /MWh) both increased 0.93% and 0.31%, respectively. Emissions of CO 2 , SO 2 and NO x decreased 22.64%, 75% and 25% MT/MWh, respectively. Thermoelectric cooling withdrawal and consumption is led by natural gas (50.07%, 38.31%), coal (29.61%, 25.07%), and nuclear energies (13.55%, 18.99%). Electric power generation contributes 0.06 injuries–illnesses/TWh and 0.001 fatalities/TWh, of which fossil fuels contributed 70% and 15%, respectively. Fossil fuels led in average annual employment (0.02 employees/MW) with low cost salaries (USD 0.09/MW) likely due to high collective capacity, which is declining. Estimated rates in this study and framework will aid power industry transition and operational decision makers.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Rocket Engine Nozzle Side Load Transient Analysis Methodology: A Practical Approach

At the sea level, a phenomenon common with all rocket engines, especially for a highly over-expanded nozzle, during ignition and shutdown is that of flow separation as the plume fills and empties the nozzle, Since the flow will be separated randomly. it will generate side loads, i.e. non-axial forces. Since rocket engines are designed to produce axial thrust to power the vehicles, it is not desirable to be excited by non-axial input forcing functions, In the past, several engine failures were attributed to side loads. During the development stage, in order to design/size the rocket engine components and to reduce the risks, the local dynamic environments as well as dynamic interface loads have to be defined. The methodology developed here is the way to determine the peak loads and shock environments for new engine components. In the past it is not feasible to predict the shock environments, e.g. shock response spectra, from one engine to the other, because it is not scaleable. Therefore, the problem has been resolved and the shock environments can be defined in the early stage of new engine development. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Shi, John J.↗

NREL Analysis: Reimagining What's Possible for Clean Energy, Continuum Magazine, Summer 2015 / Issue 8

This issue of Continuum Magazine covers the depth and breadth of NREL's ever-expanding analytical capabilities. For example, in one project we are leading national efforts to create a computer model of one of the most complex systems ever built. This system, the eastern part of the North American power grid, will likely host an increasing percentage of renewable energy in years to come. Understanding how this system will work is important to its success - and NREL analysis is playing a major role. We are also identifying the connections among energy, the environment and the economy through analysis that will point us toward a 'water smart' future.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗