Results for “Response surface model” — Page 57

NASA NTRS1975

Summary of theoretical and experimental investigation of grating type, silicon photovoltaic cells

Theoretical and experimental aspects are summarized for single crystal, silicon photovoltaic devices made by forming a grating pattern of p/n junctions on the light receiving surface of the base crystal. Based on the general semiconductor equations, a mathematical description is presented for the photovoltaic properties of such grating-like structures in a two dimensional form. The resulting second order elliptical equation is solved by computer modeling to give solutions for various, reasonable, initial values of bulk resistivity, excess carrier concentration, and surface recombination velocity. The validity of the computer model is established by comparison with p/n devices produced by alloying an aluminum grating pattern into the surface of n-type silicon wafers. Current voltage characteristics and spectral response curves are presented for cells of this type constructed on wafers of different resistivities and orientations.

Chen, L. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Theoretical analysis of Al/x/Ga/1-x/As-GaAs graded band-gap solar cell

A practical theoretical analysis of an n/p graded band-gap Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs solar cell indicates that the presence of a built-in electric field acting on holes in the surface layer increases the hole collection efficiency of a nearly optimum cell to a maximum of 97.8%. The electric field is created by the band-gap gradient and serves to reduce the surface hole recombination by 97% and reduce the bulk hole recombination by 80%, compared to a similar GaAs cell. These reduced losses increase cell response substantially for wavelengths less than 0.59 micron and yield a maximum air-mass-zero efficiency of 17.7% (not corrected for a 13% front-surface contact). The model includes an optimized antireflection coating, series resistance, and junction-recombination current.

Hutchby, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Troposphere-stratosphere (surface-55 km) monthly winter general circulation statistics for the Northern Hemisphere Four year averages

In response to theoretically predicted anthropogenic depletion of stratospheric ozone, there has been, in recent years, an increased effort in stratospheric modeling. For comparison between models and observations, it is not sufficient to only compare the morphology of model-generated parameters with observed parameter values. Model-generated statistics should also be compared with observation. It is one of the objectives of the present investigation to discuss a data set which can be used for this purpose for the Northern Hemisphere troposphere and stratosphere. However, the investigation is mainly concerned with a presentation of some of the general circulation statistics derived with the aid of the data set. Attention is given to winter monthly general circulation statistics which were derived from four years of daily 1200 GMT NOAA/NMC Northern Hemisphere analyses.

Geller, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Simulation of MEMS for the Next Generation Space Telescope

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is developing optical micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) components for potential application in Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) science instruments. In this work, we present an overview of the electro-mechanical simulation of three MEMS components for NGST, which include a reflective micro-mirror array and transmissive microshutter array for aperture control for a near infrared (NIR) multi-object spectrometer and a large aperture MEMS Fabry-Perot tunable filter for a NIR wide field camera. In all cases the device must operate at cryogenic temperatures with low power consumption and low, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible, voltages. The goal of our simulation efforts is to adequately predict both the performance and the reliability of the devices during ground handling, launch, and operation to prevent failures late in the development process and during flight. This goal requires detailed modeling and validation of complex electro-thermal-mechanical interactions and very large non-linear deformations, often involving surface contact. Various parameters such as spatial dimensions and device response are often difficult to measure reliably at these small scales. In addition, these devices are fabricated from a wide variety of materials including surface micro-machined aluminum, reactive ion etched (RIE) silicon nitride, and deep reactive ion etched (DRIE) bulk single crystal silicon. The above broad set of conditions combine to be a formidable challenge for space flight qualification analysis. These simulations represent NASA/GSFC's first attempts at implementing a comprehensive strategy to address complex MEMS structures.

Mott, Brent↗

NASA NTRS2002

Soil Moisture and Snow Cover: Active or Passive Elements of Climate?

A key question in the study of the hydrologic cycle is the extent to which surface effects such as soil moisture and snow cover are simply passive elements or whether they can affect the evolution of climate on seasonal and longer time scales. We have constructed ensembles of predictability studies using the NCAR CCM3 in which we compared the relative roles of initial surface and atmospheric conditions over the central and western U.S. in determining the subsequent evolution of soil moisture and of snow cover. We have also made sensitivity studies with exaggerated soil moisture and snow cover anomalies in order to determine the physical processes that may be important. Results from simulations with realistic soil moisture anomalies indicate that internal climate variability may be the strongest factor, with some indication that the initial atmospheric state is also important. The initial state of soil moisture does not appear important, a result that held whether simulations were started in late winter or late spring. Model runs with exaggerated soil moisture reductions (near-desert conditions) showed a much larger effect, with warmer surface temperatures, reduced precipitation, and lower surface pressures; the latter indicating a response of the atmospheric circulation. These results suggest the possibility of a threshold effect in soil moisture, whereby an anomaly must be of a sufficient size before it can have a significant impact on the atmospheric circulation and hence climate. Results from simulations with realistic snow cover anomalies indicate that the time of year can be crucial. When introduced in late winter, these anomalies strongly affected the subsequent evolution of snow cover. When introduced in early winter, however, little or no effect is seen on the subsequent snow cover. Runs with greatly exaggerated initial snow cover indicate that the high reflectively of snow is the most important process by which snow cover cart impact climate, through lower surface temperatures and increased surface pressures. In early winter, the amount of solar radiation is very small and so this albedo effect is inconsequential while in late winter, with the sun higher in the sky and period of daylight longer, the effect is much stronger.

Oglesby, Robert J.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Impacts of Air-Sea Interaction on Tropical Cyclone Track and Intensity

The influence of hurricane-ocean coupling on intensity and track of tropical cyclones (TCs) is investigated through idealized numerical experiments using a coupled hurricane-ocean model. The focus is placed on how air-sea interaction affects TC tracks and intensity. It is found that the symmetric sea surface temperature (SST) cooling is primarily responsible for the TC weakening in the coupled experiments because the induced asymmetric circulation associated with the asymmetric SST anomalies is weak and shallow. The track difference between the coupled and fixed SST experiments is generally small because of the competing processes. One is associated with the modified TC asymmetries. The asymmetric SST anomalies - weaken the surface fluxes in the rear and enhance the fluxes in the front. As a result, the enhanced diabatic heating is located on the southern side for a westward-moving TC, tending to shift the TC southward. The symmetric SST anomalies weakens the TC intensity and thus the dymmetrization process, leading to more prominent TC asymmetries. The other is associated with the weakening of the beta drift resulting from the weakening of the TC outer strength. In the coupled experiment, the weakening of the beta drift leads to a more northward shift. By adjusting the vortex outer strength of the initial vortices, the beta drift can vary while the effect of air-sea interaction changes little. Two types of track differences simulated in the previous numerical studies are obtained.

Wu, Liguang↗

NASA NTRS2022

Observation Impact and Information Retention in the Lower Troposphere of the GMAO GEOS Data Assimilation System

In this study, we have assessed the effectiveness of the use of existing observing systems in the lower troposphere in the GEOS hybrid–4DEnVar data assimilation system through a set of observing system experiments. The results show that microwave radiances have a large impact in the Southern Hemisphere and Tropical ocean, but the large influence is mostly observed above 925 hPa and dissipates relatively quickly with longer forecast lead times. Conventional data information holds better in the forecast ranging from the surface to 100 hPa, depending on the field evaluated, in the Northern Hemisphere and lowest model levels in the Tropics. Infrared radiances collectively have much less impact in the lower troposphere. Removing surface observations has small but persistent impact on specific humidity in the upper atmosphere, but small or negligible impact on planetary boundary layer (PBL) height and temperature. The model responses to the incremental analysis update (IAU) forcing are also analyzed. In the IAU assimilation window, the physics responds strongly to the IAU forcing in the lower troposphere, and the changes of physics tendency in the lower troposphere and hydrodynamics tendency in the mid- and upper troposphere are viewed as beneficial to the reduction of state error covariance. In the subsequent forecast, the model tendencies continue to deviate further from the original free forecast with forecast lead times around 300–400 hPa, but physics tendency has showed signs of returning to its original free forecast mechanisms at 1-day forecast in the lower troposphere.

GEOS↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Analysis of PICA-NuSil at the Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HyMETS)

Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) gained heritage during theStardust mission and is the baseline thermal protection system (TPS) material for missions to Mars. However, PICA is friable, so a thin layer of siloxane resin (NuSil) is applied to the surface of the heat shield to suppress the spread of particulate matter during cleanroom activities. Until recently, the thermochemical response of NuSil had not been accounted for in material response models. Therefore, a test campaign was executed at the Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HyMETS) facility to investigate the material response of NuSil and provide crucial insight for model development. Finally, salient results from an experiment supported by the AsteroidThreat Assessment Project (ATAP) will be discussed, which probed the materialr esponse of the Tamdakht meteorite and notable analogs.

Brody K. Bessire↗

DOE OSTI2023

Air Classification of Forest Residue for Tissue and Ash Separation Efficiency

The goal of this Case Study was to evaluate the performance of air classification of logging residues toward meeting conversion CMAs for carbon and ash contents, as compared to the static status quo Base Case system in which the residues are first dried and then ground in a hammer mill with a 6 mm screen and fines less than 1.18 mm are removed. Also considered were moisture and ash impacts on throughput and Overall Operating Effectiveness (OOE), as well as delivered feedstock cost and minimum fuel selling price (MFSP). Laboratory data on the impacts of fan speed and moisture content on the separation efficiency of soil ash, needles and bark from white wood were received from FCIC Subtask 5.2: Preprocessing, High Temperature Conversion Preprocessing (Jordan Klinger and Tiasha Bhattacharjee, INL). Average throughput and energy consumption data were obtained from the Bioenergy Feedstock National User Facility (BFNUF) (Neal Yancey, INL) for the same air classifier. These data were utilized to develop the necessary response surface equations to perform throughput analysis using discrete event simulation. Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium. Because the Base Case status quo system utilizes drying prior to grinding, we modeled the Case Study with drying prior to air classification and subsequent grinding of the separated white wood to isolate the individual quality and cost impacts of air classification relative to the Base Case system.

CMA↗

NASA NTRS2013

Engineering Evaluation of International Low Impact Docking System Latch Hooks

The international Low Impact Docking System (iLIDS) provides a structural arrangement that allows for visiting vehicles to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) (Fig 1). The iLIDS docking units are mechanically joined together by a series of active and passive latch hooks. In order to preserve docking capability at the existing Russian docking interfaces, the iLIDS latch hooks are required to conform to the existing Russian design. The latch hooks are classified as being fail-safe. Since the latch hooks are fail-safe, the hooks are not fracture critical and a fatigue based service life assessment will satisfy the structural integrity requirements. Constant amplitude fatigue testing to failure on four sets of active/passive iLIDS latch hooks was performed at load magnitudes of 10, 11, and 12 kips. Failure analysis of the hook fatigue failures identified multi-site fatigue initiation that was effectively centered about the hook mid-plane (consistent with the 3D model results). The fatigue crack initiation distribution implies that the fatigue damage accumulation effectively results in a very low aspect ratio surface crack (which can be simulated as thru-thickness crack). Fatigue damage progression resulted in numerous close proximity fatigue crack initiation sites. It was not possible to determine if fatigue crack coalescence occurs during cyclic loading or as result of the fast fracture response. The presence of multiple fatigue crack initiation sites on different planes will result in the formation of ratchet marks as the cracks coalesce. Once the stable fatigue crack becomes unstable and the fast fracture advances across the remaining ligament and the plane stress condition at a free-surface will result in failure along a 45 deg. shear plane (slant fracture) and the resulting inclined edge is called a shear lip. The hook thickness on the plane of fatigue crack initiation is 0.787". The distance between the shear lips on this plane was on the order of 0.48" and it was effectively centered about the mid-plane of the section. The numerous ratchet marks between the shear lips on the fracture initiation plane are indicative of multiple fatigue initiation sites within this region. The distribution of the fatigue damage about the centerline of the hook is consistent with the analytical results that demonstrate peak stress/strain response at the mid-plane that decreases in the direction of the hook outer surfaces. Scanning electron microscope images of the failed sections detected fatigue crack striations in close proximity to the free surface of the hook radius. These findings were documented at three locations on the fracture surface : 1) adjacent to the left shear lip, 2) adjacent to the right shear lip, and 3) near the centerline of the section. The features of the titanium fracture surface did not allow for a determination of a critical crack size via identification of the region where the fatigue crack propagation became unstable. The fracture based service life projections where benchmarked with strain-life analyses. The strainrange response in the hook radius was defined via the correlated finite element models and the modified method of universal slopes was incorporated to define the strain-life equation for the titanium alloy. The strain-life assessment confirmed that the fracture based projections were reasonable for the loading range of interest. Based upon the analysis and component level fatigue test data a preliminary service life capability for the iLIDS active and passive hooks of 2 lifetimes is projected (includes a scatter factor of 4).

Martinez, J.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Learning to Predict Crystal Plasticity at the Nanoscale: Deep Residual Networks and Size Effects in Uniaxial Compression Discrete Dislocation Simulations

The density and configurational changes of crystal dislocations during plastic deformation influence the mechanical properties of materials. These influences have become clearest in nanoscale experiments, in terms of strength, hardness and work hardening size effects in small volumes. The mechanical characterization of a model crystal may be cast as an inverse problem of deducing the defect population characteristics (density, correlations) in small volumes from the mechanical behavior. In this work, we demonstrate how a deep residual network can be used to deduce the dislocation characteristics of a sample of interest using only its surface strain profiles at small deformations, and then statistically predict the mechanical response of size-affected samples at larger deformations. As a testbed of our approach, we utilize high-throughput discrete dislocation simulations for systems of widths that range from nano- to micro- meters. We show that the proposed deep learning model significantly outperforms a traditional machine learning model, as well as accurately produces statistical predictions of the size effects in samples of various widths. By visualizing the filters in convolutional layers and saliency maps, we find that the proposed model is able to learn the significant features of sample strain profiles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2023

Modeling and Simulation of the Angel Upper Limb Offload Device: Branching Into New Methods

BACKGROUND: The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) provides an analog environment for extravehicular activity (EVA) testing and training. Discomfort has been observed during longer suited test sessions. While the subject’s core is offloaded during surface EVA evaluations, his/her arms experience full Earth gravity and can become overly fatigued, especially during suited tests which involve reaching and prolonged arm extensions. A device (ARGOS Negation of Gravitational Effects on the Limbs: ANGEL) to offload the weight of the arms and suit sleeves is being developed by JSC’s Flight Systems Branch of the Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division. Previously we have shared preliminary modeling of that device and kinematics based on motion capture data. Here we present an alternative approach to determine device kinematics by calculating ANGEL component angles with an OpenSim plugin. We compare calculated angles to inverse kinematics (IK) derived ones with the goal of validating the model. This new method can be further informative for device design and analytically testing different configurations to achieve desired reduced gravity conditions (e.g., lunar gravity (Lg) or Martian gravity (Mg)). We have compared calculated angles with IK-derived angles in tests with a shirt-sleeve subject positioned in a test stand with a Mark-III Hard Upper Torso (HUT) and Portable Life Support System (PLSS) mockup and arm weights to emulate the weight of the suit sleeve as well as a suited subject in ARGOS with a Mark-III suit. A variety of upper body tasks were completed in the former and full-body tasks in the latter. METHODS AND RESULTS: To model the offload device, we augment the OpenSim human model topology with the offload mechanism components and joints, using CAD models to represent the mechanism graphically. The joint angles of the device are calculated in the OpenSim plugin by modeling how the components configure themselves under the offloading spring tension given a particular IK-derived arm position. There are four ANGEL components with a total of 5 degrees of freedom (DOFs), each component has a single DOF except for the cuff which is modeled as 2 DOFs. The sickle/yaw bracket and cuff rotation angles are determined statically based on the assumptions that the sickle will track the attachment point of the cuff and that the cuff will rotate such that the attachment point is at its highest point. The cuff tilt, linker and V-bracket angles are then determined by optimizing their positions to approach a mechanical equilibrium. The calculated linker angle is compared to three different methods of determining the linker line-of-force kinematically (from V-bracket to center-cuff, cuff highest point or marker-derived position). Given the joint angles of the device, the spring force and resulting force on the arm is computed by the plugin and applied as an external load in inverse dynamics (ID) to enable study of overall shoulder joint torques as well as offload achieved. We verify the calculated joint angles by using the inverse kinematic data. The average difference in angles is the smallest for the V-bracket and linker, around 1 to 5 degrees for most trials. The resulting offload and shoulder torque are comparable between calculated and IK-derived angles. In summary, we have developed a method to calculate the joint angles of an exoskeleton-like upper limb offloading device currently in development. We have also developed a custom plugin which will be a valuable tool to optimize device configurations for a desired gravitational environment, probe the offload achieved for motions recorded outside of our test suite, and inform future design improvements.

L B Nilsson↗

NASA NTRS2023

Modeling and Simulation of The Angel Upper Limb Offload Device: Branching into New Methods

BACKGROUND: The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) provides an analog environment for extravehicular activity (EVA) testing and training. Discomfort has been observed during longer suited test sessions. While the subject’s core is offloaded during surface EVA evaluations, his/her arms experience full Earth gravity and can become overly fatigued, especially during suited tests which involve reaching and prolonged arm extensions. A device (ARGOS Negation of Gravitational Effects on the Limbs: ANGEL) to offload the weight of the arms and suit sleeves is being developed by JSC’s Flight Systems Branch of the Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division. Previously we have shared preliminary modeling of that device and kinematics based on motion capture data. Here we present an alternative approach to determine device kinematics by calculating ANGEL component angles with an OpenSim plugin. We compare calculated angles to inverse kinematics (IK) derived ones with the goal of validating the model. This new method can be further informative for device design and analytically testing different configurations to achieve desired reduced gravity conditions (e.g., lunar gravity (Lg) or Martian gravity (Mg)). We have compared calculated angles with IK-derived angles in tests with a shirt-sleeve subject positioned in a test stand with a Mark-III Hard Upper Torso (HUT) and Portable Life Support System (PLSS) mockup and arm weights to emulate the weight of the suit sleeve as well as a suited subject in ARGOS with a Mark-III suit. A variety of upper body tasks were completed in the former and full-body tasks in the latter. METHODS AND RESULTS: To model the offload device, we augment the OpenSim human model topology with the offload mechanism components and joints, using CAD models to represent the mechanism graphically. The joint angles of the device are calculated in the OpenSim plugin by modeling how the components configure themselves under the offloading spring tension given a particular IK-derived arm position. There are four ANGEL components with a total of 5 degrees of freedom (DOFs), each component has a single DOF except for the cuff which is modeled as 2 DOFs. The sickle/yaw bracket and cuff rotation angles are determined statically based on the assumptions that the sickle will track the attachment point of the cuff and that the cuff will rotate such that the attachment point is at its highest point. The cuff tilt, linker and V-bracket angles are then determined by optimizing their positions to approach a mechanical equilibrium. The calculated linker angle is compared to three different methods of determining the linker line-of-force kinematically (from V-bracket to center-cuff, cuff highest point or marker-derived position). Given the joint angles of the device, the spring force and resulting force on the arm is computed by the plugin and applied as an external load in inverse dynamics (ID) to enable study of overall shoulder joint torques as well as offload achieved. We verify the calculated joint angles by using the inverse kinematic data. The average difference in angles is the smallest for the V-bracket and linker, around 1 to 5 degrees for most trials. The resulting offload and shoulder torque are comparable between calculated and IK-derived angles. In summary, we have developed a method to calculate the joint angles of an exoskeleton-like upper limb offloading device currently in development. We have also developed a custom plugin which will be a valuable tool to optimize device configurations for a desired gravitational environment, probe the offload achieved for motions recorded outside of our test suite, and inform future design improvements.

L B Nilsson↗

NASA NTRS2023

Evaluation of EPIC Oxygen Bands Stability With Radiative Transfer Simulations Over the South Pole

The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) onboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite orbiting the Sun at the Lagrange-1 point was launched without onboard calibration systems. Vicarious calibration is conducted for 8 of the 10 UV/VIS/NIR channels using other low earth orbiting satellite instruments, while its two O 2 bands (688 nm and 764nm) rely on indirect moon-view calibrations because the same narrow-band O 2 bands are not readily available from other in-flight instruments. This study compares EPIC measurements from the four O 2 bands aiming at examining sensor stability over a uniquely suited location, i.e., the permanently snow-covered South Pole. The study utilizes radiative transfer model simulations with in-situ atmospheric soundings taken at South Pole during months of December and January from 2015 to 2022. The absolute discrepancy between the model simulations and observations is less than 1.0% for the two reference bands, but 5.75% and 15.63% for the 688nm, and 764 nm absorption bands, respectively. The simulated A-band and B-band ratios are 16.09% and 4.74% higher than that from the observations. Various sensitivities are conducted to estimate possible contributions to the discrepancies from input atmospheric profiles, spectral surface albedos and surface BRDF. While none of the input uncertainties is likely to account for the large discrepancies in the oxygen absorption bands, a small shift in the instrument response function could be the main reason for these biases. On the other hand, the model simulations are able to capture systematic variations with observed angular measurements and explain the multi-year trends found in observed O 2 band ratios due to satellite orbit shifting. When model simulated contributions from the angle variations are deducted from the observed O 2 band ratios, the residual O 2 band ratios are found to be stable since 2015.

EPIC↗

NASA NTRS1977

Combustion response modeling for composite solid propellants

A computerized mathematical model of the combustion response function of composite solid propellants was developed with particular attention to the contributions of the solid phase heterogeneity. The one-dimensional model treats the solid phase as alternating layers of ammonium perchlorate and binder, with an exothermic melt layer at the surface. Solution of the Fourier heat equation in the solid provides temperature and heat flux distributions with space and time. The problem is solved by conserving the heat flux at the surface from that produced by a suitable model of the gas phase. An approximation of the BDP flame model is utilized to represent the gas phase. By the use of several reasonable assumptions, it is found that a significant portion of the problem can be solved in closed form. A method is presented by which the model can be applied to tetramodal particle size distributions. A computerized steady-state version of the model was completed, which served to validate the various approximations and lay a foundation for the combustion response modeling. The combustion response modeling was completed in a form which does not require an iterative solution, and some preliminary results were acquired.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2005

AO/NAO Response to Climate Change: Respective Influences of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Climate Changes - 1

We utilize the GISS Global Climate Middle Atmosphere Model and 8 different climate change experiments, many of them focused on stratospheric climate forcings, to assess the relative influence of tropospheric and stratospheric climate change on the extratropical circulation indices (Arctic Oscillation, AO; North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO). The experiments are run in two different ways: with variable sea surface temperatures (SSTs) to allow for a full tropospheric climate response, and with specified SSTs to minimize the tropospheric change. The results show that tropospheric warming (cooling) experiments and stratospheric cooling (warming) experiments produce more positive (negative) AO/NAO indices. For the typical magnitudes of tropospheric and stratospheric climate changes, the tropospheric response dominates; results are strongest when the tropospheric and stratospheric influences are producing similar phase changes. Both regions produce their effect primarily by altering wave propagation and angular momentum transports, but planetary wave energy changes accompanying tropospheric climate change are also important. Stratospheric forcing has a larger impact on the NAO than on the AO, and the angular momentum transport changes associated with it peak in the upper troposphere, affecting all wavenumbers. Tropospheric climate changes influence both the A0 and NAO with effects that extend throughout the troposphere. For both forcings there is often vertical consistency in the sign of the momentum transport changes, obscuring the difference between direct and indirect mechanisms for influencing the surface circulation.

Rind, D.↗

NASA NTRS2014

A Modular Approach to Model Oscillating Control Surfaces Using Navier Stokes Equations

The use of active controls for rotorcraft is becoming more important for modern aerospace configurations. Efforts to reduce the vibrations of helicopter blades with use of active-controls are in progress. Modeling oscillating control surfaces using the linear aerodynamics theory is well established. However, higher-fidelity methods are needed to account for nonlinear effects, such as those that occur in transonic flow. The aeroelastic responses of a wing with an oscillating control surface, computed using the transonic small perturbation (TSP) theory, have been shown to cause important transonic flow effects such as a reversal of control surface effectiveness that occurs as the shock wave crosses the hinge line. In order to account for flow complexities such as blade-vortex interactions of rotor blades higher-fidelity methods based on the Navier-Stokes equations are used. Reference 6 presents a procedure that uses the Navier-Stokes equations with moving-sheared grids and demonstrates up to 8 degrees of control-surface amplitude, using a single grid. Later, this procedure was extended to accommodate larger amplitudes, based on sliding grid zones. The sheared grid method implemented in EulerlNavier-Stokes-based aeroelastic code ENS AERO was successfully applied to active control design by industry. Recently there are several papers that present results for oscillating control surface using Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. References 9 and 10 report 2-D cases by filling gaps with overset grids. Reference 9 compares integrated forces with the experiment at low oscillating frequencies whereas Ref. 10 reports parametric studies but with no validation. Reference II reports results for a 3D case by modeling the gap region with a deformed grid and compares force results with the experiment only at the mid-span of flap. In Ref. II grid is deformed to match the control surface deflections at the section where the measurements are made. However, there is no indication in Ref. II that the gaps are explicitly modeled as in Ref. 6. Computations using overset grids are reported in Ref. 12 for a case by adding moving control surface to an existing blade but with no validation either with an experiment or another computation.

Navier↗

DOE OSTI2026

Response of marine post-frontal clouds to Gulf Stream variability

Understanding how Gulf Stream variation influences cloud morphology is critical for evaluating cloud feedback in the western North Atlantic Ocean and beyond, where mesoscale air-sea interactions dominate. This study investigates the impact of altered mean sea surface temperature (SST) and SST gradients on post-frontal cloud characteristics during cold-air outbreaks, using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Three sensitivity experiments are conducted: a control simulation (default SST), Plus4 (uniform SST increase of 4 K), and Gradplus (SST gradient enhanced by 25 %, centered around mean SST). Results reveal distinctly different responses in boundary layer dynamics and cloud macro-physics. In Plus4, a warmer and moister boundary layer reduces total cloud cover but promotes larger cloud sizes and elongated cloud streets, with diminished liquid water and enhanced ice-phase hydrometeors. Conversely, Gradplus amplifies impacts in the upwind colder SST regions, yielding a drier, colder boundary layer, weaker energy transport, and higher liquid water path but reduced ice water content and cloud lines. Tracer analysis highlights that SST modifications alter airmass sources near cloud tops due to the entrainment of ambient air, with Plus4 amplifying boundary layer contributions to cloud-top regions. These findings underscore the spatially varying effects of SST gradients and mean SST on cloud organization and microphysics, emphasizing the need to resolve ocean-atmosphere coupling in global models to improve the prediction of marine cloud feedback under warming scenarios.

AIR-SEA INTERACTION↗