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At least 991 records · Page 55

Flow induction by pressure forces

A dual experimental/computational approach to the fluid mechanics of complex interactions that take place in a rotary-jet ejector is presented. The long-range goal is to perform both detailed flow mapping and finite element computational analysis. The described work represents an initial finding on the experimental mapping program. Test results on the hubless rotary-jet are discussed.

Garris, C. A.↗

From force chains to nonclassical nonlinear dynamics in cemented granular materials

In this letter, we present evidence for a mechanism responsible for the nonclassical nonlinear dynamics observed in many cemented granular materials that are generally classified as mesoscopic nonlinear elastic materials. We demonstrate numerically that force chains are created within the complex grain-pore network of these materials when subjected to dynamic loading. The interface properties between grains along with the sharp and localized increase of the stress occurring at the grain-grain contacts leads to a reversible decrease of the elastic properties at macroscopic scale and peculiar effects on the propagation of elastic waves when grain boundary properties are appropriately considered. These effects are observed for relatively small amplitudes of the elastic waves, i.e., within tens of microstrain, and relatively large wavelengths, i.e., orders of magnitude larger than the material constituents. The mechanics are investigated numerically using the hybrid finite-discrete-element method and match those observed experimentally using nonlinear resonant ultrasound spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Some Basic Concepts of Wave-Particle Interactions in Collisionless Plasmas

The physical concepts of wave-particle interactions in a collisionless plasma are developed from first principles. Using the Lorentz force, starting with the concepts of gyromotion, particle mirroring and the loss-cone, normal and anomalous cyclotron resonant interactions, pitch-angle scattering, and cross-field diffusion are developed.

wave-particle interactions Plasmas↗

Parallel software support for computational structural mechanics

The application of the parallel programming methodology known as the Force was conducted. Two application issues were addressed. The first involves the efficiency of the implementation and its completeness in terms of satisfying the needs of other researchers implementing parallel algorithms. Support for, and interaction with, other Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) researchers using the Force was the main issue, but some independent investigation of the Barrier construct, which is extremely important to overall performance, was also undertaken. Another efficiency issue which was addressed was that of relaxing the strong synchronization condition imposed on the self-scheduled parallel DO loop. The Force was extended by the addition of logical conditions to the cases of a parallel case construct and by the inclusion of a self-scheduled version of this construct. The second issue involved applying the Force to the parallelization of finite element codes such as those found in the NICE/SPAR testbed system. One of the more difficult problems encountered is the determination of what information in COMMON blocks is actually used outside of a subroutine and when a subroutine uses a COMMON block merely as scratch storage for internal temporary results.

Jordan, Harry F.↗

Range-Specific High-Resolution Mesoscale Model Setup: Data Assimilation

Mesoscale weather conditions can have an adverse effect on space launch, landing, and ground processing at the Eastern Range (ER) in Florida and Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) in Virginia. During summer, land-sea interactions across Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) lead to sea breeze front formation, which can spawn deep convection that can hinder operations and endanger personnel and resources. Many other weak locally driven low-level boundaries and their interactions with the sea breeze front and each other can also initiate deep convection in the KSC/CCAFS area. Some of these other boundaries include the Indian River breeze front, Banana River breeze front, outflows from previous convection, horizontal convective rolls, convergence lines from other inland bodies of water such as Lake Okeechobee, the trailing convergence line from convergence of sea breeze fronts due to the shape of Cape Canaveral, frictional convergence lines from the islands in the Bahamas, convergence lines from soil moisture differences, convergence lines from cloud shading, and others. All these subtle weak boundary interactions often make forecasting of operationally important weather very difficult at KSC/CCAFS during the convective season (May-Oct). These convective processes often build quickly, last a short time (60 minutes or less), and occur over small distances, all of which also poses a significant challenge to the local forecasters who are responsible for issuing weather advisories, watches, and warnings. Surface winds during the transition seasons of spring and fall pose the most difficulties for the forecasters at WFF. They also encounter problems forecasting convective activity and temperature during those seasons. Therefore, accurate mesoscale model forecasts are needed to aid in their decision making. Both the ER and WFF would benefit greatly from high-resolution mesoscale model output to better forecast a variety of unique weather phenomena. Global and national scale models cannot properly resolve important local-scale weather features at each location due to their horizontal resolutions being much too coarse. Therefore, a properly tuned model at a high resolution is needed to provide improved capability. This task is a multi-year effort in which the Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) will tune the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model individually for each range. The goal of the first year, the results of which are in this report, was to tune the WRF model based on the best model resolution and run time while using reasonable computing capabilities. To accomplish this, the ER and WFF supported the tasking of the AMU to perform a number of sensitivity tests in order to determine the best model configuration for operational use at each of the ranges to best predict winds, precipitation, and temperature (Watson 2013). This task is a continuation of that work and will provide a recommended local data assimilation (DA) and numerical forecast model design optimized for the ER and WFF to support space launch activities. The model will be optimized for local weather challenges at both ranges.

Global and national scale models↗

Tollmien-Schlichting/vortex interactions in compressible boundary layer flows

The weakly nonlinear interaction of oblique Tollmien-Schlichting waves and longitudinal vortices in compressible, high Reynolds number, boundary-layer flow over a flat plate is considered for all ranges of the Mach number. The interaction equations comprise of equations for the vortex which is indirectly forced by the waves via a boundary condition, whereas a vortex term appears in the amplitude equation for the wave pressure. The downstream solution properties of interaction equations are found to depend on the sign of an interaction coefficient. Compressibility is found to have a significant effect on the interaction properties; principally through its impact on the waves and their governing mechanism, the triple-deck structure. It is found that, in general, the flow quantities will grow slowly with increasing downstream co-ordinate; i.e. in general, solutions do not terminate in abrupt, finite-distance 'break-ups'.

Blackaby, Nicholas D.↗

Water accelerated self-healing of hydrophobic copolymers

Previous studies have shown that copolymer compositions can significantly impact self-healing properties. This was accomplished by enhancement of van der Waals (vdW) forces which facilitate self-healing in relatively narrow copolymer compositional range. In this work we report the acceleration of self-healing in alternating/random hydrophobic acrylic-based copolymers in the presence of confined water molecules. Under these conditions competing vdW interactions do not allow H 2 O-diester H-bonding, thus forcing nBA side groups to adapt L-shape conformations, generating stronger dipole-dipole interactions resulting in shorter inter-chain distances compared to ‘key-and-lock’ associations without water. The perturbation of vdW forces upon mechanical damage in the presence of controllable amount of confined water is energetically unfavorable leading the enhancement of self-healing efficiency of hydrophobic copolymers by a factor of three. The concept may be applicable to other self-healing mechanisms involving reversible covalent bonding, supramolecular chemistry, or polymers with phase-separated morphologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Galilean invariance restoration on the lattice

We consider the breaking of Galilean invariance due to different lattice cutoff effects in moving frames and a nonlocal smearing parameter, which is used in the construction of the nuclear lattice interaction. The dispersion relation and neutron-proton scattering phase shifts are used to investigate the Galilean invariance breaking effects and ways to restore it. For S-wave channels, 1 S 0 and 3 S 1 , we present the neutron-proton scattering phase shifts in moving frames calculated using both Lüscher's formula and the spherical wall method, as well as the dispersion relation. For the P and D waves, we present the neutron-proton scattering phase shifts in moving frames calculated using the spherical wall method. Furthermore, we find that the Galilean invariance breaking effects stemming from the lattice artifacts partially cancel those caused by the nonlocal smearing parameter. Due to this cancellation, the Galilean invariance breaking effect is small, and the Galilean invariance can be restored by introducing Galilean invariance restoration operators.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Direct measurement of thermal Knudsen forces in rarefied gas environments

At micro- and nanoscales, momentum transfer between surfaces is influenced by various physical mechanisms, including quantum fluctuations, electromagnetic interactions, electric charges, and the dynamics of (rarefied) gases. Under non-isothermal conditions, rarefied gases give rise to thermal Knudsen forces whose magnitudes strongly depend on the gas species and surface characteristics. Knudsen forces are particularly relevant in nanotechnology, optical manipulation, and aerospace systems, where gas rarefaction occurs due to highly confined geometries, sub-micrometer length scales, and reduced particle densities. Despite their significance, predictive modeling of Knudsen forces is limited by a lack of comprehensive experimental data across diverse materials and surface morphologies. Here, in this work, we present a highly sensitive and adaptable measurement platform capable of directly quantifying Knudsen forces using a suspended, interchangeable micro-cantilever within controlled rarefied helium and nitrogen environments. The system integrates optical fiber interferometry to precisely capture out-of-plane displacements at sub-micrometer resolution, driven by Knudsen forces. From the empirical data, we derive a robust correlation linking the magnitudes of Knudsen forces to energy accommodation coefficients, offering deeper insights into the underlying gas–surface interaction mechanisms.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Single element magnetic suspension actuator

The invention, a single element magnetic suspension actuator with bidirectional force capability along a single axis, includes an electromagnet and a nonmagnetic suspended element. A permanent magnet mounted on the suspended element interacts with a magnetic field established by the electromagnet to produce bidirectional forces in response to a variable force command voltage V (sub FC) applied to the electromagnet. A sensor measures the position of the suspended element on the single axis which is a function of force command voltage V (sub FC).

Groom, Nelson J.↗

Magnetic Properties and Mössbauer Investigations of La{sub 0.67}Sr{sub 0.33}Fe{sub x}Mn{sub 1−x}O{sub 3} (x = 0 and 0.5) Perovskites

We report magnetic phase separation in pure La{sub 0.67}Sr{sub 0.33}Fe{sub x}Mn{sub 1−x}O{sub 3} (x = 0 and 0.5) ceramic samples. Rhombohedral crystal structures obtained with R3C space group show no significant changes in the lattice structures due to the close values of ionic radii of Fe{sup 3+} and Mn{sup 3+} ions. However, significant changes occur in the magnetic properties due to competing ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions because of the presence of Fe{sup 3+} substitution. The FM double exchange interactions (DE) (Mn{sup 3+}–O–Mn{sup 4+}) appears suppressed by AFM superexchange interactions (Fe{sup 3+}–O–Mn{sup 4+}, Fe{sup 3+}–O–Fe{sup 3+}, Mn{sup 4+}–O–Mn{sup 4+}). The saturation magnetization for x = 0 has the highest value of approximately 80 emu/g at 2 K, which dropped significantly to approximately 5 emu/g at 2 K for the x = 0.5 sample. The coercivity (H{sub c}) for x = 0.5 increased from 161 Oe at 300 K to 786 Oe at 2 K compared with that of x = 0 which varied from 110 to 150 Oe. A value of H{sub c}(0) = 1.5 ± 0.04 kOe was extrapolated from the model fit to the temperature dependence of H{sub c}. The temperature-dependent {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements show the presence of Fe in two different environments that have an AFM Fe{sup 3+}–O–Mn{sup 4+} and Fe{sup 3+/2+}–O–Fe{sup 3+/2+} coordination. The unequal fraction population of Fe ions at both AFM environments seems to increase the exchange bias effect.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High-Resolution Mesoscale Model Setup for the Eastern Range and Wallops Flight Facility

Mesoscale weather conditions can have an adverse effect on space launch, landing, ground processing, and weather advisories, watches, and warnings at the Eastern Range (ER) in Florida and Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) in Virginia. During summer, land-sea interactions across Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) lead to sea breeze front formation, which can spawn deep convection that can hinder operations and endanger personnel and resources. Many other weak locally-driven low-level boundaries and their interactions with the sea breeze front and each other can also initiate deep convection in the KSC/CCAFS area. These convective processes often last 60 minutes or less and pose a significant challenge to the local forecasters. Surface winds during the transition seasons (spring and fall) pose the most difficulties for the forecasters at WFF. They also encounter problems forecasting convective activity and temperature during those seasons. Therefore, accurate mesoscale model forecasts are needed to better forecast a variety of unique weather phenomena. Global and national scale models cannot properly resolve important local-scale weather features at each location due to their horizontal resolutions being much too coarse. Therefore, a properly tuned local data assimilation (DA) and forecast model at a high resolution is needed to provide improved capability. To accomplish this, a number of sensitivity tests were performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in order to determine the best DA/model configuration for operational use at each of the space launch ranges to best predict winds, precipitation, and temperature. A set of Perl scripts to run the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI)/WRF in real-time were provided by NASA's Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT). The GSI can analyze many types of observational data including satellite, radar, and conventional data. The GSI/WRF scripts use a cycled GSI system similar to the operational North American Mesoscale (NAM) model. The scripts run a 12-hour pre-cycle in which data are assimilated from 12 hours prior up to the model initialization time. A number of different model configurations were tested for both the ER and WFF by varying the horizontal resolution on which the data assimilation was done. Three different grid configurations were run for the ER and two configurations were run for WFF for archive cases from 27 Aug 2013 through 10 Nov 2013. To quantify model performance, standard model output will be compared to the Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System (MADIS) data. The MADIS observation data will be compared to the WRF forecasts using the Model Evaluation Tools (MET) verification package. In addition, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction's Stage IV precipitation data will be used to validate the WRF precipitation forecasts. The author will summarize the relative skill of the various WRF configurations and how each configuration behaves relative to the others, as well as determine the best model configuration for each space launch range.

Watson, Leela R.↗

Two-pion exchange as a leading-order contribution in chiral effective field theory

Pion exchange is the central ingredient to nucleon-nucleon interactions used in nuclear structure calculations, and one-pion exchange (OPE) enters at leading order in chiral effective field theory. In the 2S+1 L J = 1 S 0 partial wave, however, OPE and a contact term needed for proper renormalization fail to produce the qualitative, and quantitative, features of the scattering phase shifts. Cutoff variation also revealed a surprisingly low breakdown momentum Λ b ≈ 330 MeV in this partial wave. Here we show that potentials consisting of OPE, two-pion exchange (TPE), and a single contact address these problems and yield accurate and renormalization group (RG) invariant phase shifts in the 1 S 0 partial wave. Here, we demonstrate that a leading-order potential with TPE can be systematically improved by adding a contact quadratic in momenta. For momentum cutoffs Λ ≲ 500 MeV, the removal of relevant physics from TPE loops needs to be compensated by additional contacts to keep RG invariance. Inclusion of the Δ isobar degree of freedom in the potential does not change the strong contributions of TPE.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

High-Performance Modeling and Simulation of Anchoring in Granular Media for NEO Applications

NASA is interested in designing a spacecraft capable of visiting a near-Earth object (NEO), performing experiments, and then returning safely. Certain periods of this mission would require the spacecraft to remain stationary relative to the NEO, in an environment characterized by very low gravity levels; such situations require an anchoring mechanism that is compact, easy to deploy, and upon mission completion, easy to remove. The design philosophy used in this task relies on the simulation capability of a high-performance multibody dynamics physics engine. On Earth, it is difficult to create low-gravity conditions, and testing in low-gravity environments, whether artificial or in space, can be costly and very difficult to achieve. Through simulation, the effect of gravity can be controlled with great accuracy, making it ideally suited to analyze the problem at hand. Using Chrono::Engine, a simulation pack age capable of utilizing massively parallel Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) hardware, several validation experiments were performed. Modeling of the regolith interaction has been carried out, after which the anchor penetration tests were performed and analyzed. The regolith was modeled by a granular medium composed of very large numbers of convex three-dimensional rigid bodies, subject to microgravity levels and interacting with each other with contact, friction, and cohesional forces. The multibody dynamics simulation approach used for simulating anchors penetrating a soil uses a differential variational inequality (DVI) methodology to solve the contact problem posed as a linear complementarity method (LCP). Implemented within a GPU processing environment, collision detection is greatly accelerated compared to traditional CPU (central processing unit)- based collision detection. Hence, systems of millions of particles interacting with complex dynamic systems can be efficiently analyzed, and design recommendations can be made in a much shorter time. The figure shows an example of this capability where the Brazil Nut problem is simulated: as the container full of granular material is vibrated, the large ball slowly moves upwards. This capability was expanded to account for anchors of different shapes and penetration velocities, interacting with granular soils.

Quadrelli, Marco B.↗

Absorption and Transport Effects Induced in Plasmas by the Interaction of Electrons with Laser Speckles

Here, we show that the ponderomotive force associated with laser speckles can scatter electrons in a laser-produced plasma in a manner similar to Coulomb scattering. Analytic expressions for the effective collision rates are given. The electron-speckle collisions become important at high laser intensity or during filamentation, affecting both long- and short-pulse laser intensity regimes. As an example, we find that the effective collision rate in the laser-overlap region of hohlraums on the National Ignition Facility is expected to exceed the Coulomb collision rate by 1 order of magnitude, leading to a fundamental change to the electron transport properties. At the high intensities characteristic of short-pulse laser-plasma interactions (I ≳ 10 17 W cm –2 ), the scattering is strong enough to cause the direct absorption of laser energy, generating hot electrons with energy scaling as E ≈ 1.44 (I/10 18 W cm –2 ) 1/2 MeV , close to experimentally observed results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Programming van der Waals interactions with complex symmetries into microparticles using liquid crystallinity

Asymmetric interactions such as entropic (e.g., encoded by nonspherical shapes) or surface forces (e.g., encoded by patterned surface chemistry or DNA hybridization) provide access to functional states of colloidal matter, but versatile approaches for engineering asymmetric van der Waals interactions have the potential to expand further the palette of materials that can be assembled through such bottom-up processes. We show that polymerization of liquid crystal (LC) emulsions leads to compositionally homogeneous and spherical microparticles that encode van der Waals interactions with complex symmetries (e.g., quadrupolar and dipolar) that reflect the internal organization of the LC. Experiments performed using kinetically controlled probe colloid adsorption and complementary calculations support our conclusion that LC ordering can program van der Waals interactions by ~20 k B T across the surfaces of microparticles. Because diverse LC configurations can be engineered by confinement, these results provide fresh ideas for programming van der Waals interactions for assembly of soft matter.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Equilibrium properties of a one-dimensional kinetic system.

One-dimensional systems of N = 500 and 250 particles in equilibrium are numerically simulated utilizing the method of molecular dynamics. Periodic boundary conditions are imposed. The classical two-body interaction potential is short range, repulsive and has a corresponding finite force. The equations of state are determined for densities both less and greater than one. Corresponding theoretical isochores are determined from models based on nearest-neighbor interactions and on a truncated virial expansion, and a comparison is made with the experimental isochores. Time independent radial distributions are constructed numerically and discussed. A change of state from a solidlike state to a fluid-gas state based on the penetrability of the particles is predicted. The transition temperatures are estimated from the radial distribution functions and the nearest-neighbor model. Self-diffusion is observed and the corresponding constants are determined from the velocity autocorrelation functions.

Williams, J. H.↗

The Scattering of Phonons by Infinitely Long Quantum Dislocations Segments and the Generation of Thermal Transport Anisotropy in a Solid Threaded by Many Parallel Dislocations

A canonical quantization procedure is applied to the interaction of elastic waves—phonons—with infinitely long dislocations that can oscillate about an equilibrium, straight line, configuration. The interaction is implemented through the well-known Peach–Koehler force. For small dislocation excursions away from the equilibrium position, the quantum theory can be solved to all orders in the coupling constant. We study in detail the quantum excitations of the dislocation line and its interactions with phonons. The consequences for the drag on a dislocation caused by the phonon wind are pointed out. We compute the cross-section for phonons incident on the dislocation lines for an arbitrary angle of incidence. The consequences for thermal transport are explored, and we compare our results, involving a dynamic dislocation, with those of Klemens and Carruthers, involving a static dislocation. In our case, the relaxation time is inversely proportional to frequency, rather than directly proportional to frequency. As a consequence, the thermal transport anisotropy generated on a material by the presence of a highly-oriented array of dislocations is considerably more sensitive to the frequency of each propagating mode, and, therefore, to the temperature of the material.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗