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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.

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At least 1,045 records · Page 58
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Search for pair-produced vector-like leptons in final states with third-generation leptons and at least three b quark jets in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

The first search is presented for vector-like leptons (VLLs) in the context of the “4321 model”, an ultraviolet-complete model with the potential to explain existing B physics measurements that are in tension with standard model predictions. The analyzed data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 96.5 fb − 1 , were recorded in 2017 and 2018 with the CMS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV . Final states with ≥3 b -tagged jets and two third-generation leptons (ττ, τ ν τ , or ν τ ν τ ) are considered. Upper limits are derived on the VLL production cross section in the VLL mass range 500–1050 GeV. The maximum likelihood fit prefers the presence of signal at the level of 2.8 standard deviations, for a representative VLL mass point of 600 GeV. As a consequence, the observed upper limits are approximately double the expected limits.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

The impact of anisotropic redshift distributions on angular clustering

A leading way to constrain physical theories from cosmological observations is to test their predictions for the angular clustering statistics of matter tracers, a technique that is set to become ever more central with the next generation of large imaging surveys. Interpretation of this clustering requires knowledge of the projection kernel, or the redshift distribution of the sources, and the typical assumption is an isotropic redshift distribution for the objects. However, variations in the kernel are expected across the survey footprint due to photometric variations and residual observational systematic effects. Here, we develop the formalism for anisotropic projection and present several limiting cases that elucidate the key aspects. We quantify the impact of anisotropies in the redshift distribution on a general class of angular two-point statistics. In particular, we identify a mode-coupling effect that can add power to auto-correlations, including galaxy clustering and cosmic shear, and remove it from certain cross-correlations. If the projection anisotropy is primarily at large scales, the mode-coupling depends upon its variance as a function of redshift; furthermore, it is often of similar shape to the signal. In contrast, the cross-correlation of a field whose selection function is anisotropic with another one featuring no such variations — such as CMB lensing — is immune to these effects. We discuss explicitly several special cases of the general formalism including galaxy clustering, galaxy-galaxy lensing, cosmic shear and cross-correlations with CMB lensing, and publicly release a code to compute the biases.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Learning in Modal Space: Solving Time-Dependent Stochastic PDEs Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks

One of the open problems in scientific computing is the long-time integration of nonlinear stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs), especially with arbitrary initial data. We address this problem by taking advantage of recent advances in scientific machine learning and the spectral dynamically orthogonal (DO) and borthogonal (BO) methods for representing stochastic processes. The recently introduced DO/BO methods reduce the SPDE to solving a system of deterministic PDEs and a system of stochastic ordinary differential equations. Specifically, we propose two new physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) for solving time-dependent SPDEs, namely the neural network (NN)-DO/BO methods. The proposed methods incorporate the DO/BO constraints into the loss function (along with the modal decomposition of the SPDE) with an implicit form instead of generating explicit expressions for the temporal derivatives of the DO/BO modes. Hence, the NN-DO/BO methods can overcome some of the drawbacks of the original DO/BO methods. For example, we do not need the assumption that the covariance matrix of the random coefficients is invertible as in the original DO method, and we can remove the assumption of no eigenvalue crossing as in the original BO method. Moreover, the NN-DO/BO methods can be used to solve time-dependent stochastic inverse problems with the same formulation and same computational complexity as for forward problems. Furthermore, we demonstrate the capability of the proposed methods via several numerical examples, namely: (1) A linear stochastic advection equation with deterministic initial condition: we obtain good results with the proposed methods, while the original DO/BO methods cannot be applied directly in this case. (2) Long-time integration of the stochastic Burgers' equation: we show the good performance of NN-DO/BO methods, especially the effectiveness of the NN-BO approach for such problems with many eigenvalue crossings during the whole time evolution, while the original BO method fails. (3) Nonlinear reaction diffusion equation: we consider both the forward problem and the inverse problems, including very noisy initial point values, to investigate the flexibility of the NN-DO/BO methods in handling inverse and mixed type problems. Taken together, these simulation results demonstrate that the NN-DO/BO methods can be employed to effectively quantify uncertainty propagation in a wide range of physical problems, but future work should address the efficiency issue of PINNs for forward problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Performance assessment of long-legged tightly-baffled divertor geometries in the ARC reactor concept

Extremely intense power exhaust channels are projected for tokamak-based fusion power reactors; a means to handle them remains to be demonstrated. Advanced divertor configurations have been proposed as potential solutions. Recent modelling of tightly baffled, long-legged divertor geometries for the divertor test tokamak concept, ADX, has shown that these concepts may access passively stable, fully detached regimes over a broad range of parameters. The question remains as to how such divertors may perform in a reactor setting. To explore this, numerical simulations are performed with UEDGE for the long-legged divertor geometry proposed for the ARC pilot plant conceptual design - a device with projected heat flux power width (λq||) of 0.4 mm and power exhaust of 93 MW - first for a simplified Super-X divertor configuration (SXD) and then for the actual X-point target divertor (XPTD) being proposed. It is found that the SXD, combined with 0.5% fixed-fraction neon impurity concentration, can produce passively stable, detached divertor regimes for power exhausts in the range of 80-108 MW - fully accommodating ARC's power exhaust. The XPTD configuration is found to reduce the strike-point temperature by a factor of ~10 compared to the SXD for small separations (~1.4λq||) between main and divertor X-point magnetic flux surfaces. Even greater potential reductions are identified for reducing separations to ~1λq|| or less. The power handling response is found to be insensitive to the level of cross-field convective or diffusive transport assumed in the divertor leg. By raising the separatrix density by a factor of 1.5, stable fully detached divertor solutions are obtained that fully accommodate the ARC exhaust power without impurity seeding. To our knowledge, this is the first time an impurity-free divertor power handling scenario has been obtained in edge modelling for a tokamak fusion power reactor with λq|| of 0.4 mm.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1979

Closed Loop solar array-ion thruster system with power control circuitry

A power control circuit connected between a solar array and an ion thruster receives voltage and current signals from the solar array. The control circuit multiplies the voltage and current signals together to produce a power signal which is differentiated with respect to time. The differentiator output is detected by a zero crossing detector and, after suitable shaping, the detector output is phase compared with a clock in a phase demodulator. An integrator receives no output from the phase demodulator when the operating point is at the maximum power but is driven toward the maximum power point for non-optimum operation. A ramp generator provides minor variations in the beam current reference signal produced by the integrator in order to obtain the first derivative of power.

Gruber, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Line-by-line transport calculations for Jupiter entry probes

Line-by-line calculations of the radiative transport for a condition near peak heating for entry of the Galileo probe into the Jovian atmosphere are described. The discussion includes a thorough specification of the atomic and molecular input data used in the calculations that could be useful to others working in the field. The results show that the use of spectrally averaged cross sections for diatomic absorbers such as CO and C2 in the boundary layer can lead to an underestimation (by as much as 29%) of the spectral flux at the stagnation point. On the other hand, for the turbulent region near the cone frustum on the probe, the flow tends to be optically thin, and the spectrally averaged results commonly used in coupled radiative transport-flow field calculations are in good agreement with the present line-by-line results. It is recommended that these results be taken into account in sizing the final thickness of the Galileo's heat shield.

Arnold, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Sensors for Precise Tracking

Sun-sensor optical system uses four pairs of pentaprisms to simplify alinement and reduce mechanical-stability requirements. Cross-shaped windows in field stop enhance sensitivity of signal detectors to changes in angular position. Two virtual images viewed by telescopes mark position and orientation of occulter panel. Reflector vertex, point source and corresponding virtual image are all equally spaced along a straight line.

Zehnpfenning, T. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analytic investigation of effect of end-wall contouring on stator performance

Calculations show improved stator performance when the tip end wall was contoured so that the inlet area was greater than the exit area. Comparisons are made with previously published experimental data. The results of a parametric analysis of the effect contour geometry on the efficiency of a highly loaded axial stator are given. The maximum stator efficiency gain is about 0.8 percentage point, and this represents a 22 percent reduction in stator losses. The degree to which endwall contouring reduces the forces driving secondary flows was also examined. The driving forces for both cross channel and radial secondary flow were reduced.

Boyle, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Flow in coronal loops with a mass source

This research studies the flow of plasma inside a coronal loop in which an injection of plasma through the lateral surface is permitted. The flow is assumed steady and polytropic. The problem covers two cases: (a) upflow at one footpoint, downflow at the other; (b) downflow at both footpoints. The first case can be shown to be quite similar to that of a mass-conserving flow with variable cross section; the second, instead, is characterized by solutions with a different type of topology; its main new feature is the obvious fact that all the solutions pass through a single point going from negative to positive velocities. In this second case the density ratio between footpoints and top can be much smaller than in a mass conserving flow. This can explain some properties of observed loops.

Noci, G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Simulating Line-Of-Sight Radar Returns

Computational method developed to model return signals of ground-mapping radar system for use in simulations where terrain is polygonal form commonly used with computer-generated imagery (CGI). Approach involves fast rejection of polygons not visible to radar return. Technique used to determine which objects in scene visible from specified vantage point and also to determine movements of robot arms avoiding obstacles. Test circles used in algorithm quickly rejects terrain features not traversed by radar line of sight. If circle does not cross line of sight, then all mountains in it rejected.

Moran, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Algebraic grid generation about wing-fuselage bodies

An algebraic procedure for generating boundary-fitted grids about wing-fuselage configurations is presented. A wing-fuselage configuration consists of two aircraft components specified by cross sections and mathematically represented by Coons' patches. Several grid blocks are constructed to cover the entire region surrounding the configuration, and each grid block maps into a computational cube. Grid points are first determined on the six boundary surfaces of a block and then in the interior. Grid points on the surface of the configuration are derived from the intersection of planes with the Coons' patch definition. Approximate arc length distributions along the resulting grid curves concentrate and disperse grid points. The two-boundary technique and transfinite interpolation are used to determine grid points on the remaining boundary surfaces and block interiors.

Smith, R.E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Dynamical characteristics of tropical plumes

The effect of the barotropic interaction of tropical waves on the initial development of tropical plumes is investigated. A tropical plume from January 1979 is studied using FGGE data. The zonal wind, planetary-scale features, and relative vorticity are analyzed. An one-layer, shallow water, grid point model is utilized to examine the stability of inviscid, horizontally-sheared, barotropic basic states with respect to synoptic-scale perturbation. The data reveal a localized strengthening of cross-equatorial flow in some regions.

Askue, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Quantitative fluorescence measurements of the OH radical in high pressure methane flames

A method for quantifying laser-induced fluorescence signals from the OH radical in high-pressure flames is presented. The fluorescence signal per unit OH mole fraction is modeled as a function of temperature, pressure, and overall flame stoichiometry. Known values of the collisional quenching cross sections as a function of temperature are used to model the electronic quench rate. The reverse A - X (1.0) Q15 transition is used with broadband collection to measure single-point fluorescence produced by a pulsed Nd:YAG-pumped, frequency-doubled dye laser. Laser absorption and thermocouples are used to measure absolute OH concentration and temperature, respectively, which are used to confirm the validity of the model. Measurements are made in CH4/O2/N2 flames up to 10 atm.

Battles, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The Physics of Turbulence in the Boundary Layer

The geometry of the velocity field in a numerically simulated incompressible turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate at Re theta=670 has been studied using the invariants of the velocity gradient tensor. These invariants are computed at every grid point in the flow and used to form the discriminant. Of primary interest are those regions in the flow where the discriminant is positive; regions where, according to the characteristic equation, the eigenvalues of the velocity gradient tensor are complex. An observer moving with a frame of reference which is attached to a fluid particle lying within such a region would see a local flow pattern of the type stable-focus-stretching or unstable-focus-compressing. When the flow is visualized this way, continuous, connected, large-scale structures are revealed that extend from the point just below the buffer layer out to the beginning of the wake region. These structures are aligned with the mean shear close to the wall and arch in the cross-stream direction away from the wall. In some cases the structures observed are very similar to to the hairpin eddy vision of boundary layer structure proposed by Theodorsen. That the structure of the flow is revealed more effectively by the discriminant rather than by the vorticity is important and adds support to recent observations of the discriminant in a channel flow simulation. Of particular importance is the fact that the procedure does not require the use of an arbitrary threshold in the discriminant. Further analysis using computer flow visualization shows a high degree of spatial correlation between regions of positive discriminant, extreme negative pressure fluctuations and large instantaneous values of Reynolds shear stress.

Kline, Stephen↗
NASA NTRS2010

Solar Array Disturbances to Spacecraft Pointing During the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), the first spacecraft to support NASA s return to the Moon, launched on June 18, 2009 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle. It was initially inserted into a direct trans-lunar trajectory to the Moon. After a five day transit to the Moon, LRO was inserted into the Lunar orbit and successfully lowered to a low altitude elliptical polar orbit for spacecraft commissioning. Successful commissioning was completed in October 2009 when LRO was placed in its near circular mission orbit with an approximate altitude of 50km. LRO will spend at least one year orbiting the Moon, collecting lunar environment science and mapping data, utilizing a suite of seven instruments to enable future human exploration. The objective is to provide key science data necessary to facilitate human return to the Moon as well as identification of opportunities for future science missions. LRO's instrument suite will provide the high resolution imaging data with sub-meter accuracy, highly accurate lunar cartographic maps, mineralogy mapping, amongst other science data of interest. LRO employs a 3-axis stabilized attitude control system (ACS) whose primary control mode, the "Observing Mode", provides Lunar nadir, off-nadir, and inertial fine pointing for the science data collection and instrument calibration. This controller combines the capability of fine pointing with on-demand large angle full-sky attitude reorientation. It provides simplicity of spacecraft operation as well as additional flexibility for science data collection. A conventional suite of ACS components is employed in the Observing Mode to meet the pointing and control objectives. Actuation is provided by a set of four reaction wheels developed in-house at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Attitude feedback is provided by a six state Kalman filter which utilizes two SELEX Galileo Star Trackers for attitude updates, and a single Honeywell Miniature Inertial Measurement Unit (MIMU) to provide body rates for attitude propagation. Rate is computed by differentiating accumulated angle provided by the MIMU. The Observing Mode controller is required to maintain fine pointing while a large fully-articulated solar array (SA) maintains its panel normal to the solar incidence. This paper describes the disturbances to the attitude control resulting from the SA articulation. Observing Mode performance in the presence of this disturbance was assessed while the spacecraft was in an initial elliptical low altitude orbit during the commissioning phase, which started about two weeks after launch and lasted for 90 days. LRO demonstrated excellent pointing performance during Observing Mode nadir and inertial attitude target operations during this phase. Transient LRO attitude errors observed during commissioning resulted primarily from three sources, Diviner instrument calibrations, RW zero crossings, and SA articulation. Even during times of considerable disturbance from SA articulation, the attitude errors were maintained below the statistical attitude error requirement level of 15 arc-sec (3 sigma).

Calhoun, Philip↗
NASA NTRS2016

Shift of the Magnetopause Reconnection Line to the Winter Hemisphere Under Southward IMF Conditions: Geotail and MMS Observations

At 02:13 UT on 18 November 2015 when the geomagnetic dipole was tilted by -27deg, the MMS spacecraft observed southward reconnection jets near the subsolar magnetopause under southward and dawnward interplanetary magnetic field conditions. Based on four-spacecraft estimations of the magnetic field direction near the separatrix and the motion and direction of the current sheet, the location of the reconnection line was estimated to be approx.1.8 R(sub E) or further northward of MMS. The Geotail spacecraft at GSM Z approx. 1.4 R(sub E) also observed southward reconnection jets at the dawnside magnetopause 30-40 min later. The estimated reconnection line location was northward of GSM Z approx.2 R(sub E). This crossing occurred when MMS observed purely southward magnetic fields in the magnetosheath. The simultaneous observations are thus consistent with the hypothesis that the dayside magnetopause reconnection line shifts from the subsolar point toward the northem (winter) hemisphere due to the effect of geomagnetic dipole tilt.

Kitamura, N.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Feasibility Study of a Carbon Dioxide Breathing, Solid-Fueled Ramjet for Martian Descent and Landing of Human Class Payloads

This study analyzes the cross-range capabilities of solid-fueled ramjets in a Martian atmosphere for applications in entry, descent, and landing. Trajectories and engine operability are characterized using Mach and dynamic pressure operational points. It is predicted that use of atmosphere-breathing propulsion will enable access to additional surface latitudes without the need for orbital plane changes. Development of an integrated design environment facilitates preliminary ramjet design and analysis, and enables sensitivity studies to identify high impact areas of technology development. In addition, additive manufacturing supports prototyping, rapid ground testing, and allows for utilization of complex geometries.

Shi Broadwell↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Wind Tunnel PSD and MVD Characterization Using New 1D2D Optical Array Probes

This work explores characterization of the liquid clouds using a combination of a forward scattering probe and two Optical Array Probes. Current OAP probes provide particle shape, size, and number concentration from two-dimensional shadow images. However, past studies have shown that such images are subject to distortion when outside of the focal plane. This affects the retrieval of particle size distributions, particularly in the Supercooled Large Droplet size range. In this article, the use of a Droplet Measurement Technologies Cloud Droplet Probe and two new OAPs produced by Science Engineering Associates, is examined using wind tunnel data, to assess suitability for use in a wind tunnel calibration in SLD conditions. The new OAP probes exploit a flexible and simple grey scale imaging method to eliminate some present shortcomings of commonly used OAPs, and to reduce correction factors. Spinning disk measurements were used to specify probe depth of field, and average size errors. Composite spectra covering the nominal 2-3200 µm size range were formed by crossing over from the CDP to 1D2D-X at 48 µm, and then to the 1D2D-Y at about 400 µm. A good overlap was found at the crossover points without any artificial scaling. Composite spectra adequately closed the liquid water content distribution, and provided integrated LWCs within about 35% of the hot-wire LWCs used for tunnel calibration. This discrepancy was at least partially attributed to LWC underestimation by the hot-wire at high MVD. A model of probe performance was used to show an example of expected accuracy of ideal probes subject to the same OAP distortions and using the same mitigating procedures and corrections, predicting PSD Median Volume Diameter and integrated LWC errors of less than 10%.

Aircraft Icing↗