Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “volume distribution”

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 937 records · Page 52

A Novel Analytical Population Tumor Control Probability Model Includes Cell Density and Volume Variations: Application to Canine Brain Tumor

Tumor control probability (TCP) models based on Poisson statistics characterize the distribution of surviving clonogens. Thus enabling the calculation of TCP for individuals. To mathematically describe clinically observed survival data of patient cohorts it is necessary to extend the Poisson TCP model. This is typically done by either incorporating variations of model parameters or by using an empirical logistic model. The purpose of this work is the development of an analytical population TCP model by mechanistic extension of the Possion model.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Particulate contamination spectrometer. Volume 1: Technical report

A laser particulate spectrometer (LPS) system was developed to measure the size and speed distributions of particulate (dusts, aerosols, ice particles, etc.) contaminants. Detection of the particulates was achieved by means of light scattering and extinction effects using a single laser beam to cover a size range of 0.8 to 275 microns diameter and a speed range of 0.2 to 20 meter/second. The LPS system was designed to operate in the high vacuum environment of a space simulation chamber with cold shroud temperatures ranging from 77 to 300 K.

Schmitt, R. J.↗

Appendices B thru F, volume 3

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the intermodule ventilation (IMV) systems and water distribution systems of Space Station Freedom (SSF) modules and nodes should be connected as they are interfaced with those already in operation. It was concluded that the AC configuration and attached LAB and HAB modules and nodes should be interconnected. The H2O circuits should also be interconnected. Interconnecting the air and water provides flexibility of operation and safety comparable to the Assembly Complete (AC) configuration. This requires only only that valves and ducts be provided in the AC nodes. The AC node interfaces should also be scarred to provide for water transfer across these interfaces. Penalties for not connecting the Intermodular Ventilation (IMV) system and water circuits include an additional AR unit, possible increased water storage requirements, and considerable reduction in crew flexibility.

Source record↗

LoVoCCS. II. Weak Lensing Mass Distributions, Red-sequence Galaxy Distributions, and Their Alignment with the Brightest Cluster Galaxy in 58 Nearby X-Ray-luminous Galaxy Clusters

The Local Volume Complete Cluster Survey is an ongoing program to observe nearly a hundred low-redshift X-ray-luminous galaxy clusters (redshifts 0.03 < z < 0.12 and X-ray luminosities in the 0.1–2.4 keV band L X500c > 10 44 erg s −1 ) with the Dark Energy Camera, capturing data in the u, g, r, i, z bands with a 5σ point source depth of approximately 25th–26th AB magnitudes. Here, we map the aperture masses in 58 galaxy cluster fields using weak gravitational lensing. These clusters span a variety of dynamical states, from nearly relaxed to merging systems, and approximately half of them have not been subject to detailed weak lensing analysis before. In each cluster field, we analyze the alignment between the 2D mass distribution described by the aperture mass map, the 2D red-sequence (RS) galaxy distribution, and the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG). We find that the orientations of the BCG and the RS distribution are strongly aligned throughout the interiors of the clusters: the median misalignment angle is 19° within 2 Mpc. We also observe the alignment between the orientations of the RS distribution and the overall cluster mass distribution (by a median difference of 32° within 1 Mpc), although this is constrained by galaxy shape noise and the limitations of our cluster sample size. These types of alignment suggest long-term dynamical evolution within the clusters over cosmic timescales.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Nature of gamma-prime precipitates in rheocast IN-100 alloy

The microstructures of commercial VIM-cast and rheocast (Apelian and Cheng, 1983) IN-100 superalloy are investigated optically and by two-stage replica TEM, with an emphasis on the nature of the gamma-prime (GP) precipitates. Photomicrographs at magnifications of 39, 390, 2145, and 6630 are presented and discussed. VIM-cast IN-100 has dendritic structure, 10-20-micron primary GP particles, and uniformly distributed cuboid GP precipitates of a uniform size (about 0.5 micron). Rheocast IN-100 (stirred 20 min at 350 rpm, 1291 C, and 0.0006 torr) has a nondendritic structure, 20-100-micron primary GP particles, and a smaller volume fraction of cuboid GP precipitates with a bimodal (either 1-1.5 microns or less than 0.5 micron) size distribution. Such distribution should increase fatigue-crack-nucleation resistance.

Surappa, M. K.↗

A scattering model for defoliated vegetation

A scattering model for defoliated vegetation is conceived as a layer of dielectric, finite-length cylinders with specified size and orientation distributions above an irregular ground surface. The scattering phase matrix of a single cylinder is computed, then the radiative transfer technique is applied to link volume scattering from vegetation to surface scattering from the soil surface. Polarized and depolarized scattering are computed and the effects of the cylinder size and orientation distributions are illustrated. It is found that size and orientation distributions have significant effects on the backscattered signal. The model is compared with scattering from defoliated trees and agricultural crops.

Karam, M. A.↗

High-Energy X-ray Diffraction Microscopy for Nuclear Forensics FY2022 Project Report

Morphological information on nuclear material has been identified using visible light and scanning electron microscopy. These identify qualitative differences in particle morphology. Three-dimensional imaging of materials through alternating scanning electron microscopy imaging and focused ion beam milling has also been used. Unfortunately, these techniques are time- and labor-intensive, with significant sample preparation required and lengthy analysis times. Further, the resulting 3D images are qualitative, require manual identification, and do not capture statistically-representative populations. High energy X-ray 3D imaging using a direct-beam or diffracted-beam (High-Energy Diffraction Microscopy) have been developed at the Advanced Photon Source and can produce quantitative information on grains (phase, location, etc.) and pores (size distribution, sphericity) in a material. These techniques require only minutes to characterize a sample volume and are non-destructive, thus suitable for a wide range of existing samples and for confirmatory analyses to be carried out using conventional microscopy techniques. In this first year of the project, all uranium oxide samples were synthesized and characterized using conventional analyses by the analytical chemistry laboratory. Conventional analysis methods included powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, impurity analysis via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. Impurity analysis shows a drop in boron content from UO 3 to the lowest U 3 O 8 calcination temperature, but otherwise no appreciable difference in any sample. Analysis of diffraction data shows a flip of peaks from UO 3 dominated for the 600 °C calcined sample to U 3 O 8 dominated at 700 °C and 800 °C. Analysis of scanning electron microscopy images shows that with increased calcination temperature the size distribution of particles seems to increase and broaden. Both of these last findings are in line with previously published data, though this work used significantly fewer particles to simply show similar trends instead of getting truly quantitative particle analysis. Infrared analysis similarly shows ingrowth of U 3 O 8 as calcination temperature is increased, along with depression of peaks associated with UO 3 and water. Samples were prepared for analysis at the Advanced Photon Source at beamline 1-ID. It is anticipated that analysis will occur in November of 2022. AI/ML techniques to de-noise data coming out of 1-ID during the analyses was also developed during this time using previously gathered data. Preliminary results using a self-supervision technique called Noise2Selfshow good de-noising of data. Once the uranium oxide samples are analyzed, real data will be used to test the de-noising and other AI/ML techniques that may be developed in the second year of the project.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Simulated effects of sample size and grain neighborhood on the modeling of extreme value fatigue response

Assessing the size of representative volume elements (RVEs) for fatigue-related applications is challenging. A RVE relevant to random microstructure requires a volume of material that is sufficiently large to capture the grain/phase heterogeneity that captures all statistical moments of the distribution of the driving force for fatigue crack formation at “hot spot” grains. Consequently, the large size of a microstructure RVE required to study fatigue phenomena is largely computationally intractable and difficult to explore. A more realistic objective in this work is to systematically study, as a function of the size of a statistical sample of microstructure, trends towards convergence of the simulated distribution of driving force for fatigue crack formation. Our present work accordingly leverages the recently developed open-source PRISMS-Fatigue framework to examine the trends in convergence of extreme value distributions (EVD) of Fatigue Indicator Parameters (FIPs) in progressively larger polycrystalline microstructure realizations of FCC Al alloy 7075-T6 using crystal plasticity finite element method simulations. The results are compared to the traditional method in which ensembles of statistical volume elements (SVEs) are simulated to build up statistics intended to approximate those associated with a larger volume of material. The convergence of EVDs with increase of size of a SVE of microstructure is closely related to the extent of grain nearest neighbor (NN) interactions. Accordingly, the sensitivity of the local micromechanical response at hot spot grains is quantitatively investigated by systematically varying the orientations of NN grains. Results indicate that SVEs with cubic crystallographic texture tend towards convergence of the EVD of FIPs with tens of thousands of grains while the random and rolled textures require larger volumes. Simple relationships based on microstructure parameters (e.g., Schmid Factor, grain size, NN misorientation) do not completely correlate to fatigue hot spot grains. Finally, the sensitivity of the extreme value fatigue response at hot spot grains extends to the 3rd NN when a single neighborhood grain orientation is altered.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Parallel Rendering of Large Time-Varying Volume Data

Interactive visualization of large time-varying 3D volume datasets has been and still is a great challenge to the modem computational world. It stretches the limits of the memory capacity, the disk space, the network bandwidth and the CPU speed of a conventional computer. In this SURF project, we propose to develop a parallel volume rendering program on SGI's Prism, a cluster computer equipped with state-of-the-art graphic hardware. The proposed program combines both parallel computing and hardware rendering in order to achieve an interactive rendering rate. We use 3D texture mapping and a hardware shader to implement 3D volume rendering on each workstation. We use SGI's VisServer to enable remote rendering using Prism's graphic hardware. And last, we will integrate this new program with ParVox, a parallel distributed visualization system developed at JPL. At the end of the project, we Will demonstrate remote interactive visualization using this new hardware volume renderer on JPL's Prism System using a time-varying dataset from selected JPL applications.

Garbutt, Alexander E.↗

Predicting propulsion system drag

DONBOL computer program analytically predicts axisymmetric nozzle afterbody pressure distributions and drag. Predictions are based on Neumann solution for inviscid external flow coupled with modified Reshotko-Tucker integral boundary layer technique, control volume method of Presz for calculating flow in separated region, and inviscid one dimensional solution for jet exhaust flow. Comparisons with experimental data indicate program accurately predicts pressure distributions of boattail afterbodies for which jet exhaust plume can be simulated by solid body. For other configurations, nozzle pressure drag seems to be significantly underpredicted. Method is limited to subsonic free stream mach numbers below those for which flow over body becomes sonic.

Putnam, L. E.↗

Blocky Selective Postpolymerization C–H Functionalization of Polyolefins

C–H functionalization of commodity polyolefins affords functional materials derived from a high-volume, low-cost resource. However, current postpolymerization modification strategies result in randomly distributed functionalization along the length of the polymer backbone, which has a negative impact on the crystallinity of the resultant polymers, and thus the thermomechanical properties. Here, we demonstrate an amidyl radical mediated C–H functionalization of polyolefins to access blocky microstructures, which exhibit a higher crystalline fraction, larger crystallite size, and improved mechanical properties compared to their randomly functionalized analogues. Taking inspiration from the site-selective C–H functionalization of small molecules, we leverage the steric protection provided by crystallites and target polymer functionalization to amorphous domains in a semicrystalline polyolefin gel. The beneficial outcomes of blocky functionalization are independent of the identity of the pendant functional group that is installed through functionalization. Here, the decoupling of functional group incorporation and crystallinity highlights the promise in accessing nonrandom microstructures through selective functionalization to circumvent traditional tradeoffs in postpolymerization modification, with potential impact in advanced materials and upcycling plastic waste.

Neidhart, Eliza K. [The University of North Caroli↗

Modeling the role of local crystallographic correlations in microstructures of Ti-6Al-4V using a correlated structure visco-plastic self-consistent polycrystal plasticity formulation

This paper presents a multi-level crystal plasticity-based simulation framework for modeling mechanical response and microstructure evolution of Ti-6Al-4V with α-lath/lamellar microstructures. Here, the model is a correlated structure visco-plastic self-consistent (CS-VPSC) formulation linking three scales: a single crystals micro-scale, a lath/lamellar colony meso-scale, and a lath/lamellar aggregate macro-scale. A selected hardening law for the evolution of critical resolved shear stress per slip system used in CS-VPSC is phenomenological. However, it adjusts the resistances of basal and prismatic slip systems based on the geometry of slip transfer between adjacent lamellae. Consistent with experimental evidences, the resolved shear stress on the pyramidal slip planes is dependent not only on the stress in the direction of slip but also on the two orthogonal shear stress components and the three normal stress components (non-Schmid effects). Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data in conjunction with a procedure relying on α→β phase transformation is used to construct paired variants of α-laths/lamellae satisfying their local crystallographic correlations. The procedure fits volume fractions of individual laths/lamellae with the experimental EBSD data and selects a distribution of habit planes between adjacent variants with respect to the loading direction. The simulation framework is applied to interpret the deformation behavior in tension and compression along two sample directions of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated via laser powder bed fusion. Moreover, the model is used to simulate texture evolution during rolling of the material to large strains. It is demonstrated that the model is capable of predicting plastic anisotropy/asymmetry and the concomitant texture evolution. While the model reveals a significant effect of habit plane inclination with respect to the loading direction on yield stress, the comparison of the data and model predictions shows that a random distribution of habit planes fits the flow response. It is further inferred that the tension-compression asymmetry arises from the non-Schmid effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modeling of the effects of non-equilibrium excitation and electrode geometry on H 2 /air ignition in a nanosecond plasma discharge

In this work, we present the results of two-dimensional modeling of the effects of non-equilibrium excitation and electrode geometry on H 2 /air ignition in a nanosecond plasma discharge. A multiscale adaptive reduced chemistry solver for plasma assisted combustion (MARCS-PAC) based on PASSKEy discharge modeling package and compressible multi-component reactive flow solver ASURF+ is developed and validated. This model is applied to simulate the impact of non-equilibrium plasma excitation and electrode geometry and heat loss on the dynamics of the discharge from streamer to spark and ignition kernel development in a H 2 /air mixture with a pair of cylindrical electrodes. The results show that the plasmagenerated species (N 2 (A), N 2 (B), N 2 (a'), N 2 (C), O( 1 D), O and H) in the spark and afterglow significantly accelerate the ignition kernel development. The increase of discharge voltage at the same total discharge energy promotes the non-equilibrium active species production. It is found that the production of electronically excited species at higher reduced electric field strength is more efficient in enhancing ignition in comparison to the vibrational excitation and heating. Moreover, the 2D simulation clearly reveals that the electric field and active species distribution are highly non-uniform. The streamers are initiated at the sharp outer edges of the negative and positive electrodes by a strong electric field while the electric field is much weaker at the centerline of the electrodes. Furthermore, the simulations reveal that the ignition enhancement is sensitive to the variation of electrode shape, diameter, and gap size due to the changes of electric field distribution and location of streamer formation. A cylindrical electrode produces a larger discharge volume and ignition kernel than the parabolic and spherical electrodes, when the discharge is localized near the axis of the gap. It is found that there is a non-monotonic dependence of ignition kernel size on the electrode diameter and inter-electrode distance. The increase of electrode diameter and gap size above the optimal conditions leads to the reduction of ignition kernel volume, due to the decrease of active species concentration and gas temperature. At a larger electrode surface area and electrode diameter as well as smaller electrode gap size, the heat loss to electrode plays a greater role in reducing the ignition kernel size and slowing ignition kernel development. This work provides insights and guidance to understand the kinetic enhancement of non-equilibrium plasma and the effects of electrode geometries on ignition for the optimization ignitors in advanced engines.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Insight on electrolyte infiltration of lithium ion battery electrodes by means of a new three-dimensional-resolved lattice Boltzmann model

Electrolyte filling takes place between sealing and formation in Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) manufacturing process. This step is crucial as it is directly linked to LIB quality and affects the subsequent time consuming electrolyte wetting process. Although having fast, homogeneous and complete wetting is of paramount importance, this process has not been sufficiently examined and fully understood. For instance, experimentally available data is insufficient to fully capture the complex interplay upon filling between electrolyte and air inside the porous electrode. We report here for the first time a 3D-resolved Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) model able to simulate electrolyte filling upon applied pressure of LIB porous electrodes obtained both from experiments (micro X-ray tomography) and computations (stochastic generation, simulation of the manufacturing process using Coarse Grained Molecular Dynamics and Discrete Element Method). The model allows obtaining advanced insights about the impact of the electrode mesostructures on the speed of electrolyte impregnation and wetting, highlighting the importance of porosity, pore size distribution and pores interconnectivity on the filling dynamics. Furthermore, we identify scenarios where volumes with trapped air (dead zones) appear and evaluate the impact of those on the electrochemical behavior of the electrodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

High-speed volumetric two-photon fluorescence imaging of neurovascular dynamics

Abstract Understanding the structure and function of vasculature in the brain requires us to monitor distributed hemodynamics at high spatial and temporal resolution in three-dimensional (3D) volumes in vivo. Currently, a volumetric vasculature imaging method with sub-capillary spatial resolution and blood flow-resolving speed is lacking. Here, using two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) with an axially extended Bessel focus, we capture volumetric hemodynamics in the awake mouse brain at a spatiotemporal resolution sufficient for measuring capillary size and blood flow. With Bessel TPLSM, the fluorescence signal of a vessel becomes proportional to its size, which enables convenient intensity-based analysis of vessel dilation and constriction dynamics in large volumes. We observe entrainment of vasodilation and vasoconstriction with pupil diameter and measure 3D blood flow at 99 volumes/second. Demonstrating high-throughput monitoring of hemodynamics in the awake brain, we expect Bessel TPLSM to make broad impacts on neurovasculature research.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

ScaWL: Scaling k-WL (Weisfeiler-Lehman) Algorithms in Memory and Performance on Shared and Distributed-Memory Systems

The k-dimensional Weisfeiler-Lehman (k-WL) algorithm—developed as an efficient heuristic for testing if two graphs are isomorphic—is a fundamental kernel for node embedding in the emerging field of graph neural networks. Unfortunately, the k-WL algorithm has exponential storage requirements, limiting the size of graphs that can be handled. This work presents a novel k-WL scheme with a storage requirement orders of magnitude lower while maintaining the same accuracy as the original k-WL algorithm. Due to the reduced storage requirement, our scheme allows for processing much bigger graphs than previously possible on a single compute node. For even bigger graphs, we provide the first distributed-memory implementation. Our k-WL scheme also has significantly reduced communication volume and offers high scalability. Our experimental results demonstrate that our approach is significantly faster and has superior scalability compared to five other implementations employing state-of-the-art techniques.

algorithims↗

Motility Analysis of T-Cell Histories in Activation (Matcha) v0.1.0

Despite advances in microscopy, imaging techniques only capture a very small spatial and temporal fraction of T cell activity within a tissue. For this reason, we have pursued the development of a virtual T cell model. Matcha's objective is to design virtual T cells that move like biological T cells. The virtual T cells will match the speed and turning angle distributions of biological cells. In addition, Matcha will also attempt to match the volume patrolled by the biological cells and the dependence on speed and turning angle on the previous speed.

Rouson, Damian↗