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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

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NASA NTRS1995

Dissipative rendering and neural network control system design

Model-based control system designs are limited by the accuracy of the models of the plant, plant uncertainty, and exogenous signals. Although better models can be obtained with system identification, the models and control designs still have limitations. One approach to reduce the dependency on particular models is to design a set of compensators that will guarantee robust stability to a set of plants. Optimization over the compensator parameters can then be used to get the desired performance. Conservativeness of this approach can be reduced by integrating fundamental properties of the plant models. This is the approach of dissipative control design. Dissipative control designs are based on several variations of the Passivity Theorem, which have been proven for nonlinear/linear and continuous-time/discrete-time systems. These theorems depend not on a specific model of a plant, but on its general dissipative properties. Dissipative control design has found wide applicability in flexible space structures and robotic systems that can be configured to be dissipative. Currently, there is ongoing research to improve the performance of dissipative control designs. For aircraft systems that are not dissipative active control may be used to make them dissipative and then a dissipative control design technique can be used. It is also possible that rendering a system dissipative and dissipative control design may be combined into one step. Furthermore, the transformation of a non-dissipative system to dissipative can be done robustly. One sequential design procedure for finite dimensional linear time-invariant systems has been developed. For nonlinear plants that cannot be controlled adequately with a single linear controller, model-based techniques have additional problems. Nonlinear system identification is still a research topic. Lacking analytical models for model-based design, artificial neural network algorithms have recently received considerable attention. Using their universal approximation property, neural networks have been introduced into nonlinear control designs in several ways. Unfortunately, little work has appeared that analyzes neural network control systems and establishes margins for stability and performance. One approach for this analysis is to set up neural network control systems in the framework presented above. For example, one neural network could be used to render a system to be dissipative, a second strictly dissipative neural network controller could be used to guarantee robust stability.

Gonzalez, Oscar R.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Electro-Thermal Simulation Studies of SiC Junction Diodes Containing Screw Dislocations Under High Reverse-Bias Operation

The objective of this work was to conduct a modeling study of SiC P-N junction diodes operating under high reverse biased conditions. Analytical models and numerical simulation capabilities were to be developed for self-consistent electro-thermal analysis of the diode current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. Data from GRC indicate that screw dislocations are unavoidable in large area SiC devices, and lead to changes in the SiC diode electrical response characteristics under high field conditions. For example, device instability and failures linked to internal current filamentation have been observed. The physical origin of these processes is not well understood, and quantitative projections of the electrical behavior under high field and temperature conditions are lacking. Thermal calculations for SiC devices have not been reported in the literature either. So estimates or projections of peak device temperatures and power limitations do not exist. This numerical study and simulation analysis was aimed at resolving some of the above issues. The following tasks were successfully accomplished: (1) Development of physically based models using one- and two-dimensional drift-diffusion theory for the transport behavior and I-V characteristics; (2) One- and two-dimensional heat flow to account for internal device heating. This led to calculations of the internal temperature profiles, which in turn, were used to update the electrical transport parameters for a self-consistent analysis. The temperature profiles and the peak values were thus obtainable for a given device operating condition; (3) Inclusion of traps assumed to model the presence of internal screw dislocations running along the longitudinal direction; (4) Predictions of the operating characteristics with and without heating as a function of applied bias with and without traps. Both one and two-dimensional cases were implemented; (5) Assessment of device stability based on the operating characteristics. The presence of internal non-uniformities, particularly filamentary structures, was probed and demonstrated; (6) Cause and physical origins of filamentary behavior and unstable I-V characteristics were made transparent; (7) It was demonstrated that diodes containing defects would be more prone to thermal breakdown associated with the temperature dependent decrease in the thermal conductivity; and (8) Finally, negative differential resistance (S-shaped NDR) which can potential lead to device instability and filamentary behavior was shown to occur for diodes containing a line of defects such as could be associated with a screw dislocation line.

Joshi, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Stagnation Flow in Streamer Boundaries

It is possible for flow tubes adjacent to closed magnetic field lines on the boundaries of streamers to have spreading factors that change rapidly according to height. Mathematical models in this thin layer are prone to uncertainties. In this paper we use an analytical model of magnetically closed and adjacent open regions to calculate the spreading factor close to the closed field lines and near the flow on the open field lines. We recovered the shape of the closed field region, or helmet, and show the evolution of the helmet under increasing temperature. We also show why and when stagnation flow can occur in the area of the cusp at the top of the helmet.

Suess, S. T.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Ultrasonic/Sonic Driller/Corer (USDC) as a Subsurface Sampler and Sensors Platform for Planetary Exploration Applications

The search for existing or past life in the Universe is one of the most important objectives of NASA's mission. For this purpose, effective instruments that can sample and conduct in-situ astrobiology analysis are being developed. In support of this objective, a series of novel mechanisms that are driven by an Ultrasonic/Sonic actuator have been developed to probe and sample rocks, ice and soil. This mechanism is driven by an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator that impacts a bit at sonic frequencies through the use of an intermediate free-mass. Ultrasonic/Sonic Driller/Corer (USDC) devices were made that can produce both core and powdered cuttings, operate as a sounder to emit elastic waves and serve as a platform for sensors. For planetary exploration, this mechanism has the important advantage of requiring low axial force, virtually no torque, and can be duty cycled for operation at low average power. The advantage of requiring low axial load allows overcoming a major limitation of planetary sampling in low gravity environments or when operating from lightweight robots and rovers. The ability to operate at duty cycling with low average power produces a minimum temperature rise allowing for control of the sample integrity and preventing damage to potential biological markers in the acquired sample. The development of the USDC is being pursued on various fronts ranging from analytical modeling to mechanisms improvements while considering a wide range of potential applications. While developing the analytical capability to predict and optimize its performance, efforts are made to enhance its capability to drill at higher power and high speed. Taking advantage of the fact that the bit does not require rotation, sensors (e.g., thermocouple and fiberoptics) were integrated into the bit to examine the borehole during drilling. The sounding effect of the drill was used to emit elastic waves in order to evaluate the surface characteristics of rocks. Since the USDC is driven by piezoelectric actuation mechanism it can designed to operate at extreme temperature environments from very cold as on Titan and Europa to very hot as on Venus. In this paper, a review of the latest development and applications of the USDC will be given.

sampling↗

NASA NTRS2017

Sensitivity Analysis Method to Address User Disparities in the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Decision makers often face complex problems, which can seldom be addressed well without the use of structured analytical models. Mathematical models have been developed to streamline and facilitate decision making activities, and among these, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) constitutes one of the most utilized multi-criteria decision analysis methods. While AHP has been thoroughly researched and applied, the method still shows limitations in terms of addressing user profile disparities. A novel sensitivity analysis method based on local partial derivatives is presented here to address these limitations. This new methodology informs AHP users of which pairwise comparisons most impact the derived weights and the ranking of alternatives. The method can also be applied to decision processes that require the aggregation of results obtained by several users, as it highlights which individuals most critically impact the aggregated group results while also enabling to focus on inputs that drive the final ordering of alternatives. An aerospace design and engineering example that requires group decision making is presented to demonstrate and validate the proposed methodology.

Marie Ivanco↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

TPSAS-NF1676L-32188-DND

Engineers rely on a wide variety of modern thermal tools to model thermal problems; many of these tools offer graphical “front ends” whereby users formulate their analytical models using a CAD interface. Behind the scenes, the analysis is performed on a thermal network – this is true whether the analyst uses finite differencing or finite element methodologies. While graphical front ends are very powerful, understanding the resulting thermal network representation used for a model gives the user the ability to check or even modify the models at a basic level. Additionally, there are instances where an engineer may prefer to develop network models from scratch or use heritage code that does not have a graphical front end. Some front-end programs output thermal networks in the widely used SINDA format; our lesson will focus on this input format.

Steven L Rickman↗

NASA NTRS2020

Dust and gas absorption in the High Mass X-ray Binary IGR J16318−4848

Context. With an absorption column density on the order of 10(exp 24)per sq. cm, IGR J16318-4848 is one of the most extreme cases of a highly obscured High Mass X-ray Binary. Besides the overall continuum absorption, the source spectrum exhibits a strong iron and nickel fluorescence line complex at 6.4 keV. Previous empirical modeling of these features and comparison with radiative transfer simulations raised questions about the structure and covering fraction of the absorber and the profile of the fluorescence lines. Aims. We aim at a self-consistent description of the continuum absorption, the absorption edges and the fluorescent lines to constrain properties of the absorbing material, such as ionization structure and geometry. We further investigate the effects of dust absorption on the observed spectra and the possibility of fluorescent emission from dust grains. Methods. We use XMM-Newton and NuSTAR spectra to first constrain empirically the incident continuum and fluorescence lines. Next, we use XSTAR to construct a customized photoionization model where we vary the ionization parameter, column density, and covering fraction. In a third step, we model the absorption and fluorescence in a dusty olivine absorber and employ both, a simple analytical model for the fluorescent line emission and Monte Carlo radiative transfer, spectral shapes and line fluxes that are very close to the data are generated. Results. Our empirical spectral modeling is in agreement with previous works. Our second model, the single gas absorber does not describe the observational data. In particular, irrespective of the ionization state or column density of the absorber, a much higher covering fraction than previously estimated is needed to produce the strong fluorescence lines and the large continuum absorption. A dusty, spherical absorber (modeled as consisting of olivine dust, although the nature of dust cannot be constrained) is well able to produce the observed continuum absorption and edges. Conclusions. A dense, dusty absorber in the direct vicinity of the source consisting of dust offers a consistent description of both the strong continuum absorption and the strong emission features in the X-ray spectrum of IGR J16318􀀀4848. In particular, for low optical depth of individual grains the dust will contribute significantly to the fluorescent emission, which is the case for typical densities and grain size distribution models.

Ralf Ballhausen↗

NASA NTRS2022

Modeling Broadband Phase Noise from Extended Targets in a 170 GHz Cloud-Imaging Radar

VIPR (Vapor Inside-cloud Profiling Radar) is a differential absorption radar operating over 155-175 GHz, covering a portion of the lower frequency flank of the 183 GHz water vapor absorption resonance. Transmitting at a ~1.9 mm wavelength, VIPR is highly sensitive to scattering from small particles comprising clouds and precipitation. Variation of VIPR’s cloud and precipitation echo power with frequency is often dominated by water vapor absorption, allowing humidity profiles to be retrieved along the radar’s beam path. One confounding effect in practical measurements is phase noise carried by the radar’s transmit signal, which can result in strong range sidelobes extending from bright targets and obscuring the echo signals of more weakly scattering clouds. Here we show that the magnitude and shape of phase-noise induced clutter from extended, bright cloud signals can be accurately modeled using a combination of empirical measurements of surface-echo phase noise and an analytic model based on the phase-noise sidelobe magnitude from a theoretical point target. This improved understanding of a potential clutter source in millimeter-wave imagine radar can lead to better performance modeling, and it provides motivation to improve the phase noise of very high frequency local oscillators.

Cooper, Ken B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A crack-closure model for predicting fatigue crack growth under aircraft spectrum loading

The present paper is concerned with the development and application of an analytical model of cyclic crack growth that includes the effects of crack closure. The model was based on a concept like the Dugdale model, but was modified to leave plastically deformed material in the wake of the advancing crack tip. The model was used to correlate crack growth rates under constant-amplitude loading and to predict crack growth under aircraft spectrum loading on 2219-T851 aluminum alloy plate material. The predicted crack growth lives agreed well with experimental data. The ratio of predicted-to-experimental lives ranged from 0.66 to 1.48.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A multiple-scales model of the shock-cell structure of imperfectly expanded supersonic jets

The present investigation is concerned with the development of an analytical model of the quasi-periodic shock-cell structure of an imperfectly expanded supersonic jet. The investigation represents a part of a program to develop a mathematical theory of broadband shock-associated noise of supersonic jets. Tam and Tanna (1982) have suggested that this type of noise is generated by the weak interaction between the quasi-periodic shock cells and the downstream-propagating large turbulence structures in the mixing layer of the jet. In the model developed in this paper, the effect of turbulence in the mixing layer of the jet is simulated by the addition of turbulent eddy-viscosity terms to the momentum equation. Attention is given to the mean-flow profile and the numerical solution, and a comparison of the numerical results with experimental data.

Tam, C. K. W.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Modeling and Mitigation of Multi-Loops Related Device Overvoltage in Three Level Active Neutral Point Clamped Converter

This paper establishes an analytical model for the device drain-source overvoltage related to the two loops in three level active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) converters. Taking into account the non-linear device output capacitance, two commonly used modulations are investigated in detail. The result shows that the line switching frequency device usually has higher overvoltage, and the switching speed of the high switching frequency device is not strongly influenced by the multiple loops. By keeping the non-active clamping switch off, the effect of the non-linear device output capacitance can be significantly mitigated, which helps reduce the overvoltage. Moreover, the loop inductance can be reduced with vertical loop layout and magnetic cancellation in PCB and busbar design. A 500 kVA 3L-ANPC converter using SiC MOSFETs is built and tested. The experimental results validate the overvoltage model of the two modulations as well as the busbar design. With the non-active clamping switch off, the overvoltage of both the high and line switching frequency devices is significantly reduced, which helps achieve higher switching speed.

Model↗

DOE OSTI2023

Virtual sensing of wind turbine hub loads and drivetrain fatigue damage, Virtuelle Sensoren für die Messung von Hauptwellenlasten und Ermüdungsschäden im Antriebstrang von Windenergieanlagen

Abstract: This paper presents a Digital Twin for virtual sensing of wind turbine aerodynamic hub loads, as well as monitoring the accumulated fatigue damage and remaining useful life in drivetrain bearings based on measurements of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and the drivetrain condition monitoring system (CMS). The aerodynamic load estimation is realized with data-driven regression models, while the estimation of local bearing loads and damage is conducted with physics-based, analytical models. Field measurements of the DOE 1.5 research turbine are used for model training and validation. The results show low errors of 6.4% and 1.1% in the predicted damage at the main and the generator side high-speed bearing respectively. Zusammenfassung: In diesem Aufsatz wird ein digitaler Zwilling für Windenergieanlagen vorgestellt, welcher die virtuelle Erfassung der Hauptwellenlasten und die Zustandsüberwachung von Ermüdungschäden und der verbleibende Nutzungsdauer der Antriebsstranglager ermöglicht. Der digital Zwilling nutzt Messdaten des Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems und des Zustandsüberwachungssystems des Antriebsstranges (CMS). Die Berechnung der Hauptwellenlasten ist mit datenbasierten Regressionsmodellen umgesetzt, während die Berechnung der Lagerkräfte und der Ermüdungsschaden mit physikbasierten Modelle durchgeführt wird. Für die Modellentwicklung und -validierung werden Feldmessdaten der DOE 1.5MW Turbine eingesetzt. Die Abweichungen in den Ermüdungsschäden am Hauptwellenlager und am Generatorwellenlager betragen lediglich 6,4% beziehungsweise 1,1%.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Ensemble cure kinetics network (ECK-Net): A method to derive cure kinetics of thermosetting resin

This paper introduces an Ensemble Cure Kinetics Network (ECK-Net), a neural network (NN)–based framework for modeling the cure kinetics of thermosetting resins within a phenomenological context. ECK-Net replaces traditional analytic models, which require extensive chemical insight and multiple isothermal/non-isothermal experiments, with a data-driven surrogate that maps nonlinear relationships between temperature, degree of cure, and reaction rate from differential scanning calorimetry data. The proposed approach predicts input-dependent kinetic coefficients of a generalized nth-order reaction equation rather than reaction rates directly, enabling a single unified model to represent various epoxy systems without relying on iso-conversional analysis or predefined functional forms. To ensure robustness, multiple independently trained networks under different random initializations are blended through an ensemble strategy, effectively mitigating the stochastic variability inherent to neural networks. The framework is validated using experimental datasets from multiple resin systems, including aerospace-grade materials (Toray 3900-2, Cycom 5320-1, and Hexcel 8552) and a windmill-grade resin (RIMR 035c). The model accurately reproduces the temporal evolution of the degree of cure under manufacturers’ recommended cure cycles across all tested resins systems, yielding Pearson’s correlation coefficients of 0.992, 0.994, 0.993, 0.997, respectively. To demonstrate process-level applicability, the trained network was implemented within the Abaqus environment to simulate out-of-autoclave (OOA) curing process of the CFRP panel composed of Toray T830H-6K/3900-2D prepreg. The simulation results showed excellent agreement with experimental temperature response (maximum peak temperature, simulation: 189.6 °C, experiment: 188.5 °C) and the final degree of cure (simulation: 0.948, experiment: 0.960 ± 0.013), confirming ECK-Net’s capability as a reliable alternative to conventional cure kinetics modeling methods.

Composite curing↗

DOE OSTI2024

A coarse-grained model of clay colloidal aggregation and consolidation with explicit representation of the electrical double layer

The aggregation of clay minerals in liquid water exemplifies colloidal self-assembly in nature. These negatively charged aluminosilicate platelets interact through multiple mechanisms with different sensitivities to particle shape, surface charge, aqueous chemistry, and interparticle distance and exhibit complex aggregation structures. Experiments have difficulty resolving the associated colloidal assemblages at the scale of individual particles. Conversely, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide detailed insight on clay colloidal interaction mechanisms, but they are limited to systems containing a few particles. We develop a new coarse-grained (CG) model capable of representing assemblages of hundreds of clay particles with accuracy approaching that of MD simulations, at a fraction of the computational cost. Our CG model is parameterized based on MD simulations of a pair of smectite clay particles in liquid water. A distinctive feature of our model is that it explicitly represents the electrical double layer (EDL), i.e., the cloud of charge-compensating cations that surrounds the clay particles. Our model captures the simultaneous importance of long-range colloidal interactions (i.e., interactions consistent with simplified analytical models, already included in extant clay CG models) and short-range interactions such as ion correlation and surface and ion hydration effects. The resulting simulations correctly predict, at low solid-water ratios, the existence of ordered arrangements of parallel particles separated by water films with a thickness up to ~10 nm and, at high solid-water ratios, the coexistence of crystalline and osmotic swelling states, in agreement with experimental observations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Dynamics of long-lived (axionic) domain walls and its cosmological implications

Here, we perform an updated analysis on a long-lived domain wall (DW) network, which may apply to a broad class of axion models. By simulating an axion-like scalar field on a 3D lattice and fitting an analytical model for the DW evolution, we identify the leading energy loss mechanisms of the DWs and compute the spectrum of axions emitted from the network. The contribution from the DWs to axion-like dark matter (DM) density is derived, with viable parameter space given. The application to both QCD axions and general axion-like particles (ALPs) is considered. Due to the new approaches taken, while our results bear consistency with earlier literature, notable discrepancies are also revealed, such as the specifics about DW decay rate which impacts the prediction for DM abundance, which may have a profound impact on axion phenomenology at large.

Cosmic strings↗

DOE OSTI2021

Thermodynamics of Light Management in Near-Field Thermophotovoltaics

We evaluate near-field thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy-conversion systems focusing in particular on their open-circuit voltage (V OC ). Unlike previous analyses based largely on numerical simulations with fluctuational electrodynamics, here, we develop an analytic model that captures the physics of near-field TPV systems and can predict their performance metrics. Using our model, we identify two opportunities of TPV systems operating in the near field. First, we show analytically that enhancement of radiative recombination is a natural consequence of operating in the near field. Second, we note that, owing to photon recycling and minimal radiation leakage in near-field operation, the PV cell used in near-field TPV systems can be much thinner compared to those used in solar PV systems. Since nonradiative recombination is a volumetric effect, use of a thinner cell reduces nonradiative losses per unit area. The combination of these two opportunities leads to increasingly large values of V OC as the TPV vacuum gap decreases. Hence, although operation in the near-field was previously perceived to be beneficial for electrical power-density enhancement, here, we emphasize that thin-film near-field TPVs are also significantly advantageous in terms of V OC and consequently conversion efficiency as well as power density. We provide numerical results for an InAs-based thin-film TPV that exhibits efficiency >50% at an emitter temperature as low as 1100 K.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2023

The DESI PRObabilistic Value-added Bright Galaxy Survey (PROVABGS) Mock Challenge

The PRObabilistic Value-added Bright Galaxy Survey (PROVABGS) catalog will provide measurements of galaxy properties, such as stellar mass ($M*$), star formation rate (SFR), stellar metallicity (Z), and stellar age ($t_{age}$), for >10 million galaxies of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Bright Galaxy Survey. Full posterior distributions of the galaxy properties will be inferred using state-of-the-art Bayesian spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling of DESI spectroscopy and Legacy Surveys photometry. In this work, we present the SED model, the neural emulator for the model, and the Bayesian inference framework of PROVABGS. Furthermore, we apply the PROVABGS SED modeling on realistic synthetic DESI spectra and photometry, constructed using the L-Galaxies semi-analytic model. We compare the inferred galaxy properties to the true values of the simulation using a hierarchical Bayesian framework to quantify accuracy and precision. Overall, we accurately infer the true $M*$, SFR, Z, and $t_{age}$ of the simulated galaxies. However, the priors on galaxy properties induced by the SED model have a significant impact on the posteriors, which we characterize in detail. This work also demonstrates that a joint analysis of spectra and photometry significantly improves the constraints on galaxy properties over photometry alone and is necessary to mitigate the impact of the priors. With the methodology presented and validated in this work, PROVABGS will maximize information extracted from DESI observations and extend current galaxy studies to new regimes and unlock cutting-edge probabilistic analyses. https://github.com/changhoonhahn/provabgs/

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1977

Formulation of consumables management models: Mission planning processor payload interface definition

Consumables models required for the mission planning and scheduling function are formulated. The relation of the models to prelaunch, onboard, ground support, and postmission functions for the space transportation systems is established. Analytical models consisting of an orbiter planning processor with consumables data base is developed. A method of recognizing potential constraint violations in both the planning and flight operations functions, and a flight data file storage/retrieval of information over an extended period which interfaces with a flight operations processor for monitoring of the actual flights is presented.

Torian, J. G.↗