SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Wave Function”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 937 records · Page 52

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2020

Heat Loss Correction Factor for Fireball Yield Measurements

Fireball yield calculations are performed using Taylor’s radius equation. However, at early times, the x-ray diffusion process has a significant effect on the size of the fireball, and at late times the shock wave degenerates into an acoustic wave. Thus, earlier research determined that the range of validity for Taylor’s equation was in the scaled time regime of 0.004–0.008 s. So, when performing a yield calculation, the only values that are analyzed are those that lie within that range of validity. While Taylor’s equations offer an approximation of the scaled yield, they also rely on several assumptions. For example, the equations assume that the shock wave is adiabatic, when, in fact, the first light pulse on the nuclear test films, which occurs as the shock wave is forming, suggests that the shock wave is not adiabatic. Furthermore, the amount of heat loss from the shock wave that occurs prior to the scaled time regime of 0.004–0.008 s can change significantly as a function of air density. This may cause the shock wave radius to be smaller relative to the assumed adiabatic shock wave. Therefore, the objective of this project was to determine the correction factor for heat transfer, which should be applied in order to produce a more accurate approximation of the weapon’s yield.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

DOE OSTI2025

Shear-Wave Radiation Patterns from Explosive and Earthquake Sources in Scattering, Heterogeneous Media

Distinguishing whether a seismic event is an earthquake or an explosion is a core problem in explosion monitoring. For simplistic models, earthquakes produce a predictable S-wavefield based on their radiation pattern, while an explosion produces no S-wavefield. However, observations from nuclear tests show that explosions can produce significant S-wave energy on both horizontal components. We perform numerical experiments using SPECFEM to constrain when an S-wavefield generated from an explosion might differ from one produced by an earthquake. We generate the S-wavefield for our explosions by placing the source location within a small region consisting of large velocity heterogeneities. For the 2D cases investigated here, a crucial condition is that the size of the region of heterogeneities must be much smaller (approximately 1/12th) than the minimum wavelength of the wavefield for our simulation setups. We investigate both isotropic heterogeneities and anisotropic heterogeneities. Initial results demonstrate that the heterogeneous region lowers the P/S amplitude ratios of an explosion. The presence of strong anisotropic heterogeneities near the source can also produce an S-wavefield with similar amplitudes to the P-wavefield. Lastly, we show that S-wave polarization angles vary as a function of azimuth and distance for explosive sources in the presence of small-scale heterogeneities.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Multiwavelength Bulge–Disk Decomposition for the Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031). I. Morphology

A panchromatic investigation of morphology for the early-type spiral galaxy M81 is presented in this paper. We perform bulge–disk decomposition in M81 images at a total of 20 wave bands from far-UV to near-IR (NIR) obtained with GALEX, Swift, Sloan Digital Sky Survey, WIYN, Two Micron All Sky Survey, Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, and Spitzer. Morphological parameters such as Sérsic index, effective radius, position angle, and axis ratio for the bulge and the disk are thus derived at all of the wave bands, which enables quantifying the morphological K -correction for M81 and makes it possible to reproduce images for the bulge and the disk in the galaxy at any wave band. The morphology as a function of wavelength appears as a variable-slope trend of the Sérsic index and the effective radius, in which the variations are steep at UV–optical and shallow at optical–NIR bands; the position angle and the axis ratio keep invariable at least at optical–NIR bands. It is worth noting that the Sérsic index for the bulge reaches ~4–5 at optical and NIR bands, but drops to ~1 at UV bands. This difference brings forward a caveat that a classical bulge is likely misidentified for a pseudobulge or no bulge at high redshifts where galaxies are observed through rest-frame UV channels with optical telescopes. The next work of this series is planned to study spatially resolved spectral energy distributions for the bulge and the disk, respectively, and thereby explore stellar population properties and star formation/quenching history for the galaxy composed of the subsystems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete: Elastic Property Imaging Through Full-Waveform Inversion

Concrete is a vital material in construction—especially in the nuclear industry, where it is used in critical structures such as containment vessels. Over time, concrete can degrade due to harsh operational and environmental conditions, necessitating that its elastic properties be accurately evaluated to ensure structural integrity and safety. Traditional nondestructive evaluation methods such as ultrasound-based techniques often rely on simplifying assumptions that may not hold true for concrete. This paper presents an advanced ultrasound-based method that uses elastic full-waveform inversion (EFWI) to create detailed images of concrete’s mechanical properties. By accurately modeling wave behaviors such as scattering and reflection, we aim to overcome the limitations of conventional ultrasonic-based methods. In this work, the imaging problem involved reconstructing the various elastic properties of a heterogenous concrete block with three steel rebars embedded in it. The ultrasonic measurements were synthetically generated from multiple sources and receivers, and the reconstruction process was performed using a gradient-based optimization algorithm. Our approach leveraged EFWI to reconstruct high-resolution images of the pressure wave speed, shear wave speed, and density. Multiple misfit functions—including L2-norm, cross-correlation (CC), and L1-norm—combined with total variation (TV) regularization and parameter constraints using a Sigmoid function—were explored for the reconstruction. The results demonstrated that using the L1-norm misfit function in conjunction with TV regularization and Sigmoid constraints significantly improved the reconstruction quality in comparison to traditional methods. This approach provided clearer images with fewer artifacts and better captured background heterogeneity. Our findings highlight that, when properly designed, EFWI carries great potential for providing comprehensive, more accurate, and more reliable assessments of concrete conditions, as is crucial for the maintenance and safety of nuclear power plant structures.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Initial conceptual demonstration of control co-design for WEC optimization

Abstract While some engineering fields have benefited from systematic design optimization studies, wave energy converters have yet to successfully incorporate such analyses into practical engineering workflows. The current iterative approach to wave energy converter design leads to sub-optimal solutions. This short paper presents an open-source MATLAB toolbox for performing design optimization studies on wave energy converters where power take-off behavior and realistic constraints can be easily included. This tool incorporates an adaptable control co-design approach, in that a constrained optimal controller is used to simulate device dynamics and populate an arbitrary objective function of the user’s choosing. A brief explanation of the tool’s structure and underlying theory is presented. To demonstrate the capabilities of the tool, verify its functionality, and begin to explore some basic wave energy converter design relationships, three conceptual case studies are presented. In particular, the importance of considering (and constraining) the magnitudes of device motion and forces in design optimization is shown.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2021

Spin wave interference detection via inverse spin Hall effect

Here, in this Letter, we present experimental data that demonstrate a spin wave interference detection using an inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). Two coherent spin waves are excited in a yttrium-iron garnet waveguide by continuous microwave signals. The initial phase difference between the spin waves is controlled by the external phase shifter. The ISHE voltage is detected at a distance of 2 and 4 mm away from the spin wave generating antennas by an attached Pt layer. Experimental data show ISHE voltage oscillation as a function of the phase difference between the two interfering spin waves. This experiment demonstrates an intriguing possibility of using ISHE in a spin wave logic circuit converting a spin wave phase into an electric signal.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2025

Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Poles Subjected to Wind, Surges, and Waves

Prestressed concrete (PC) poles are becoming popular choices to support coastal power transmission systems. However, the existing literature does not offer a detailed analysis of the effectiveness of PC poles in terms of long-term vulnerabilities and the direct and indirect costs. This is due to (1) lack of fragility models for PC poles and (2) lack of probabilistic wind, storm surge, and wave models in coastal settings. In this study, we address these gaps through a series of Monte Carlo simulations to estimate fragility of PC poles as a function of age and hazard (wind, surges, and waves) intensity, and the development of a probabilistic hazard model based on 10,000 years of synthetic tropical cyclone data. The probabilistic hazard model is used in conjunction with high-resolution hydrodynamic models to generate realizations of coastal wind, storm surges, and waves for the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts. A comprehensive life cycle cost analysis for a service life of 70 years considering direct and indirect losses is conducted to compare the performance of a transmission line located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, when wood poles are replaced by PC poles. Results showed that aging has a minor effect on the reliability of PC poles, highlighting the advantages of replacing wood poles with PC poles, especially in coastal areas. In addition, PC poles are significantly more cost-effective compared with wood poles over their life cycle, leading to an estimated saving of $11.55 million (68.17% reduction). The results of this study provide key insight to inform decision-making processes to keep the coastal power grids resilient and cost-effective against future storm hazards.

natural disasters↗

DOE OSTI2020

Nonlinear coupling of electromagnetic and electron acoustic waves in multi-species degenerate astrophysical plasma

Nonlinear wave-coupling is studied in a multispecies degenerate astrophysical plasma consisting of two electron species (at different temperatures): a highly degenerate main component plus a smaller classical relativistic flow immersed in a static neutralizing ion background. It is shown that the high frequency electromagnetic waves through their strong nonlinear interactions with the electron-acoustic waves [sustained by a multielectron component (degenerate) plasma surrounding a compact astrophysical object] can scatter to lower frequencies so that the radiation observed faraway will be spectrally shifted downward. It is also shown that, under definite conditions, the electromagnetic waves could settle into stationary solitonic states. It is expected that the effects of such structures may persist as detectable signatures in forms of modulated micropulses in the radiation observed far away from the accreting compact object. Both these effects will advance our abilities to interpret the radiation coming out of the compact objects.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2019

Impact of the Langdon effect on crossed-beam energy transfer

The prediction that laser plasma heating distorts the electron distribution function away from Maxwellian and towards a super-Gaussian distribution dates back four decades. In conditions relevant to inertial confinement fusion, yet, no direct evidence of this so-called “Langdon effect” has previously been observed. Here, measurements of the spatially and temporally resolved Thomson scattering spectrum indicate the presence of super-Gaussian electron distribution functions that are consistent with existing theory. In such plasmas, ion acoustic wave frequencies increase monotonically with the super-Gaussian exponent. Our findings show that the measured power transfer between crossed laser beams mediated by ion acoustic waves requires a model that accounts for the non-Maxwellian electron distribution function, whereas the standard Maxwellian calculations overpredict power transfer over a wide region of parameter space. Including this effect is expected to improve the predictive capability of crossed-beam energy transfer modeling at the National Ignition Facility and may restore a larger operable design space for inertial confinement fusion experiments. Furthermore, this is expected to motivate further inquiry in other areas impacted by non-Maxwellian electron distribution functions, such as laser absorption, heat transport, and x-ray spectroscopy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

On hydromagnetic wave interactions in collisionless, high- β plasmas

We describe the interaction of parallel-propagating Alfvén waves with ion-acoustic waves and other Alfvén waves, in magnetized, high- β collisionless plasmas. This is accomplished through a combination of analytical theory and numerical fluid simulations of the Chew–Goldberger–Low (CGL) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations closed by Landau-fluid heat fluxes. An asymptotic ordering is employed to simplify the CGL-MHD equations and derive solutions for the deformation of an Alfvén wave that results from its interaction with the pressure anisotropy generated either by an ion-acoustic wave or another, larger-amplitude Alfvén wave. The difference in time scales of acoustic and Alfvénic fluctuations at high- β means that interactions that are local in wavenumber space yield little modification to either mode within the time it takes the acoustic wave to Landau damp away. Instead, order-unity changes in the amplitude of Alfvénic fluctuations can result after interacting with frequency-matched acoustic waves. Additionally, we show that the propagation speed of an Alfvén-wave packet in an otherwise homogeneous background is a function of its self-generated pressure anisotropy. This allows for the eventual interaction of separate co-propagating Alfvén-wave packets of differing amplitudes. The results of the CGL-MHD simulations agree well with these predictions, suggesting that theoretical models relying on the interaction of these modes should be reconsidered in certain astrophysical environments. Applications of these results to weak Alfvénic turbulence and to the interaction between the compressive and Alfvénic cascades in strong, collisionless turbulence are also discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Assessing spin-density wave formation in La 3 Ni 2 O 7 from electronic structure calculations

Here, we employ correlated density-functional theory methods (DFT + Hubbard U) to investigate the spin-density wave state of the bilayer Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) nickelate La 3 Ni 2 O 7 which becomes superconducting under pressure. We predict that the ground state of this bilayer RP material has traits of both the double spin-stripe and the single spin-charge stripe phases proposed in the literature as it corresponds to in-plane up/up′/down/down′ diagonal stripes with up/down being high spin (formally Ni 2+ : d 8 ), and up′ /down′ being low spin (formally Ni 3+ : d 7 ). The main feature of this solution (that is insulating even at U = 0) is the dominant role of the d x 2 −y 2 bands around the Fermi level, which would become doped with the introduction of electrons via oxygen vacancies. In spite of the similarity with cuprates in terms of the dominant role of d x 2 −y 2 bands, some differences are apparent in the magnetic ground state of La 3 Ni 2 O 7 : the antiferromagnetic out-of-plane coupling within the bilayer (linked to the d z 2 orbitals forming a spin-singlet-like configuration) is found to be the dominant one while in-plane interactions are reduced due to the stripe order of the ground state. With pressure, this striped magnetic ground state remains similar in nature but the increase in bandwidth quickly transitions La 3 Ni 2 O 7 into a metallic state with all the activity close to the Fermi level involving, to a large extent, d x 2 −y 2 orbitals. This is reminiscent of the cuprates and may provide key insights into how superconductivity arises in this material under pressure.

LaBollita, Harrison↗

DOE OSTI2025

Improving the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation via a Surrogate‐Accelerated Multi‐Objective Optimization

Accurate simulation of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) is challenging due to uncertainties in representing convectively generated gravity waves. We develop an end-to-end uncertainty quantification workflow that calibrates these gravity wave processes in E3SM for a realistic QBO. Central to our approach is a domain knowledge-informed, compressed representation of high-dimensional spatio-temporal wind fields. By employing a parsimonious statistical model that learns the fundamental frequency from complex observations, we extract interpretable and physically meaningful quantities capturing key attributes. Building on this, we train a probabilistic surrogate model that approximates the fundamental characteristics of the QBO as functions of critical physics parameters governing gravity wave generation. Leveraging the Karhunen–Loève decomposition, our surrogate efficiently represents these characteristics as a set of orthogonal features, capturing cross-correlations among multiple physics quantities evaluated at different pressure levels and enabling rapid surrogate-based inference at a fraction of the computational cost of full-scale simulations. Finally, we analyze the inverse problem using a multi-objective approach. Our study reveals a tension between amplitude and period that constrains the QBO representation, precluding a single optimal solution. To navigate this, we quantify the bi-criteria trade-off and generate a set of Pareto optimal parameter values that balance the conflicting objectives. This integrated workflow improves the fidelity of QBO simulations and offers a versatile template for uncertainty quantification in complex geophysical models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

Holomorphic waves of black hole microstructure

We obtain the largest families constructed to date of $$ \frac{1}{8} $$ 1 8 -BPS solutions of type IIB supergravity. They have the same charges and mass as supersymmetric D1-D5-P black holes, but they cap off smoothly with no horizon. Their construction relies on the structure of superstratum states, but allows the momentum wave to have an arbitrary shape. Each family is based on an arbitrary holomorphic function of one variable. More broadly, we show that the most general solution is described by two arbitrary holomorphic functions of three variables. After exhibiting several new families of such “holomorphic superstrata,” we reformulate the BPS backgrounds and equations in holomorphic form and show how this simplifies their structure. The holomorphic formulation is thus both a fundamental part of superstrata as well as an effective tool for their construction. In addition, we demonstrate that holomorphy provides a powerful tool in establishing the smoothness of our solutions without constraining the underlying functions. We also exhibit new families of solutions in which the momentum waves of the superstrata are highly localized at infinity but diffuse and spread into the infra-red limit in the core of the superstratum. Our work also leads to some results that can be tested within the dual CFT.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2021

Time-reversed nonlinear acoustic downhole pore pressure measurements

Apparatus (10) and methods for measurement of pore pressure in rock formations through a metal borehole casing (32) after a well is cased and cemented, are described. Such measurements may be accomplished by using the Dynamic Acoustic Elasticity (DAE) method for characterizing nonlinear parameters by perturbing a selected rock formation region with a High Amplitude, Low Frequency (HALF) acoustic strain wave, and probing this region using a Low Amplitude, High Frequency (LAHF) acoustic wave (18), (22). Time reversal techniques (36) may be employed for focusing acoustic energy into the formation in the vicinity of the pipe or open hole. The change in wave speed of the probe pulses as the HALF induced strain wave oscillation propagates through the formation, as a function of the induced strain, may be used to determine the nonlinear elastic parameters α, β, δ, and A of the pore pressure, from which the pore pressure may be determined in the region of the HALF wave.

Goodman, Harvey E.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Nonlocal elastic metasurfaces: Enabling broadband wave control via intentional nonlocality

While elastic metasurfaces offer a remarkable and very effective approach to the subwavelength control of stress waves, their use in practical applications is severely hindered by intrinsically narrow band performance. In applications to electromagnetic and photonic metamaterials, some success in extending the operating dynamic range was obtained by using nonlocality. However, while electronic properties in natural materials can show significant nonlocal effects, even at the macroscales, in mechanics, nonlocality is a higher-order effect that becomes appreciable only at the microscales. This study introduces the concept of intentional nonlocality as a fundamental mechanism to design passive elastic metasurfaces capable of an exceptionally broadband operating range. The nonlocal behavior is achieved by exploiting nonlocal forces, conceptually akin to long-range interactions in nonlocal material microstructures, between subsets of resonant unit cells forming the metasurface. These long-range forces are obtained via carefully crafted flexible elements, whose specific geometry and local dynamics are designed to create remarkably complex transfer functions between multiple units. The resulting nonlocal coupling forces enable achieving phase-gradient profiles that are functions of the wavenumber of the incident wave. The identification of relevant design parameters and the assessment of their impact on performance are explored via a combination of semianalytical and numerical models. The nonlocal metasurface concept is tested, both numerically and experimentally, by embedding a total-internal-reflection design in a thin-plate waveguide. Results confirm the feasibility of the intentionally nonlocal design concept and its ability to achieve a fully passive and broadband wave control.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Orbital selective spin waves in detwinned NaFeAs

The existence of orbital-dependent electronic correlations has been recognized as an essential ingredient to describe the physics of iron-based superconductors. NaFeAs, a parent compound of iron-based superconductors, exhibits a tetragonal-to-orthorhombic lattice distortion below T s ≈ 60 K, forming an electronic nematic phase with two 90° rotated (twinned) domains, and orders antiferromagnetically below T N ≈ 42 K. We use inelastic neutron scattering to study spin waves in uniaxial pressure-detwinned NaFeAs. By comparing the data with combined density functional theory and dynamical mean-field theory calculations, we conclude that spin waves up to an energy scale of E crossover ≈ 100 meV are dominated by d yz -d yz intraorbital scattering processes, which have the twofold (C 2 ) rotational symmetry of the underlying lattice. On the other hand, the spin wave excitations above E crossover , which have approximately fourfold (C 4 ) rotational symmetry, arise from the d xy -d xy intraorbital scattering that controls the overall magnetic bandwidth in this material. In addition, we find that the low-energy (E ≈ 6 meV) spin excitations change from approximate C 4 to C 2 rotational symmetry below a temperature T* (>T s ), while spin excitations at energies above E crossover have approximate C 4 rotational symmetry and are weakly temperature dependent. Here, these results are consistent with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, where the presence of a uniaxial strain necessary to detwin NaFeAs also raises the onset temperature T* of observable orbital-dependent band splitting to above T s , thus supporting the notion of orbital selective spin waves in the nematic phase of iron-based superconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Estimating Explosion Yields Using Moment Tensor Solutions and Seismic Moment

We report seismic moment, a measurable and well-understood quantity of seismic sources, is used to estimate the yield of explosions. Application of such a method in the past, as in the manner of m b -derived yields, has been complicated by the effect of variations in the explosion working point, depth, and secondary source effects (such as spalling and tectonic release) on the observed moment. We start using the full (six-element) moment tensor solution, which can capture the relevant source physics and, at least in theory, better isolate the primary explosion source. The moment-to-yield ratio is then estimated using an explosion source model which, provided with emplacement conditions, can relate the two parameters. We discuss the major sources of uncertainty associated with the method, and calibrate it with chemical and nuclear explosions at the Nevada National Security Site. We then apply the method to published moment tensor solutions for the six declared North Korean nuclear explosions that occurred between 2006 and 2017. The results are mostly consistent with other yield estimates made using a variety of high-frequency methods. This technique is a new approach to estimating explosive yield and simple to implement, as much of the complexity is captured by the source models.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Powering the Woods Hole X-Spar Buoy with Ocean Wave Energy—A Control Co-Design Feasibility Study

Despite its success in measuring air–sea exchange, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) X-Spar Buoy faces operational limitations due to energy constraints, motivating the integration of an energy harvesting apparatus to improve its deployment duration and capabilities. This work explores the feasibility of an augmented, self-powered system in two parts. Part 1 presents the collaborative design between X-Spar developers and wave energy researchers translating user needs into specific functional requirements. Based on requirements like desired power levels, deployability, survivability, and minimal interference with environmental data collection, unsuitable concepts are pre-eliminated from further feasibility study consideration. In part 2, we focus on one of the promising concepts: an internal rigid body wave energy converter. We apply control co-design methods to consider commercial of the shelf hardware components in the dynamic models and investigate the concept’s power conversion capabilities using linear 2-port wave-to-wire models with concurrently optimized control algorithms that are distinct for every considered hardware configuration. During this feasibility study we utilize two different control algorithms, the numerically optimal (but acausal) benchmark and the optimized damping feedback. We assess the sensitivity of average power to variations in drive-train friction, a parameter with high uncertainty, and analyze stroke limitations to ensure operational constraints are met. Our results indicate that a well-designed power take-off (PTO) system could significantly extend the WEC-Spar’s mission by providing additional electrical power without compromising data quality.

autonomous systems↗