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Results for “Design optimization”

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 1,081 records · Page 60
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Technical Design and Optimization of a HLW-Repository in the Gorleben Salt Dome including Detailed Design of the Sealing System - 13305

The preliminary safety analysis for a HLW repository at Gorleben, the potential repository site in Germany, takes into account an updated set of data on the amounts and types of expected heat generating waste, the documented results of the exploration of the Gorleben salt dome, and the 'Safety Requirements Governing the Final Disposal of Heat-Generating Radioactive Waste' as at 30 September 2010. A repository design was developed for two emplacement concepts (drift disposal and borehole disposal) mainly influenced by the thermal impact of the heat-generating waste on the host rock and taking into account mining constrains. According to the objective to create the conditions for a safe containment of the waste containers in the host rock, a closure concept consisting of backfilling and sealing measures was developed. The repository was designed in such a way that retrievability requirements can be met for all waste containers within the operating phase of the repository. In addition, it could be shown that sufficient measures for ensuring subcriticality are provided both during the operational and the post-closure phases of the repository. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2014

Novel free-form hohlraum shape design and optimization for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion

The hohlraum shape attracts considerable attention because there is no successful ignition method for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion at the National Ignition Facility. The available hohlraums are typically designed with simple conic curves, including ellipses, parabolas, arcs, or Lame curves, which allow only a few design parameters for the shape optimization, making it difficult to improve the performance, e.g., the energy coupling efficiency or radiation drive symmetry. A novel free-form hohlraum design and optimization approach based on the non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) model is proposed. In the present study, (1) all kinds of hohlraum shapes can be uniformly represented using NURBS, which is greatly beneficial for obtaining the optimal available hohlraum shapes, and (2) such free-form uniform representation enables us to obtain an optimal shape over a large design domain for the hohlraum with a more uniform radiation and higher drive temperature of the fuel capsule. Finally, a hohlraum is optimized and evaluated with respect to the drive temperature and symmetry at the Shenguang III laser facility in China. The drive temperature and symmetry results indicate that such a free-form representation is advantageous over available hohlraum shapes because it can substantially expand the shape design domain so as to obtain an optimal hohlraum with high performance.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2017

Automated Sensitivity Analysis of Interplanetary Trajectories for Optimal Mission Design

This work describes a suite of Python tools known as the Python EMTG Automated Trade Study Application (PEATSA). PEATSA was written to automate the operation of trajectory optimization software, simplify the process of performing sensitivity analysis, and was ultimately found to out-perform a human trajectory designer in unexpected ways. These benefits will be discussed and demonstrated on sample mission designs.

trajectory design↗
NASA NTRS1987

An integrated approach for friction damper design

A procedure is outlined for determining the optimal design of friction dampers for high speed turbomachinery blading. The procedure includes: an integration of bench test results with finite element analysis and a single mode blade model to ensure accuracy of the analytical model and improve reliability of the friction damper design; an extension of the single mode blade model to predict the engine behavior of friction dampers; and a new way of viewing analytical and experimental results to determine optimal design parameters when the levels of excitation and damping in the system are unknown. Analysis and experiments are performed on a test disk in order to demonstrate and verify the accuracy of the design procedure.

Cameron, T. M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design and Optimization of High-frequency Transformer for Isolated Single-Stage Three-Phase AC/DC Converter using Bidirectional Switches

This paper presents the design and optimization of the high-frequency transformer for an isolated single-stage threephase AC/DC converter enabled by the 4H-SiC BiDirectional Field Effect Transistor (BiDFET). Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is used to perform a multiobjective optimization to minimize loss, weight, and volume. A 20 kW, 50 kHz hardware prototype based on the selected optimal point is characterized by a power amplifier. The finite element analysis simulation results are also presented to validate the core magnetic flux density and winding electric field strength. The experimental prototype was tested at 800 Vdc/480 Vrms at 10 kW rated power.

BiDFET, High-frequency transformer, Multiobjective↗
DOE OSTI2026

Consequential improvement acquisition function for efficient multi-fidelity Bayesian optimization

Abstract Surrogate-based Bayesian optimization has been widely applied in design optimization to increase sampling efficiency. However, the cost for each evaluation of the objective function can still be very high when physical experiments or large-scale simulations are involved. Multi-fidelity Bayesian optimization is the new approach to further improve the sampling efficiency by reducing the number of expensive samples at the highest fidelity level and supplementing them with less expensive ones at low-fidelity levels. In this paper, a new consequential improvement (CI) acquisition function is proposed to allow for the simultaneous selection of the solution and the fidelity level in problems with a known hierarchy of fidelity levels. The new CI acquisition function incorporates the consequential effectiveness of objective improvement with the considerations of cost, accuracy, and validity differences between high- and low-fidelity samples in engineering practice. The new method of multi-fidelity Bayesian optimization based on the CI is demonstrated with several analytical and simulation-based design examples. In the simulation-based design optimization example, the results show that the CI acquisition function has a decisive advantage in the sampling efficiency over the other methods of multi-fidelity Bayesian optimization with simultaneous selection. The results indicate that the proposed method is particularly advantageous in solving high-dimensional problems and when large cost ratios between high- and low-fidelity evaluations exist and high-fidelity validation is mandatory. Furthermore, the method robustly avoids the prevalent issue of over sampling at low-fidelity levels.

Aydogdu, Ibrahim [Georgia Institute of Technology,↗
NASA NTRS2013

Doppler Lidar System Design via Interdisciplinary Design Concept at NASA Langley Research Center - Part I

Optimized designs of the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) instrument for Autonomous Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) were accomplished via Interdisciplinary Design Concept (IDEC) at NASA Langley Research Center during the summer of 2013. Three branches in the Engineering Directorate and three students were involved in this joint task through the NASA Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars (LARSS) Program. The Laser Remote Sensing Branch (LRSB), Mechanical Systems Branch (MSB), and Structural and Thermal Systems Branch (STSB) were engaged to achieve optimal designs through iterative and interactive collaborative design processes. A preliminary design iteration was able to reduce the power consumption, mass, and footprint by removing redundant components and replacing inefficient components with more efficient ones. A second design iteration reduced volume and mass by replacing bulky components with excessive performance with smaller components custom-designed for the power system. Mechanical placement collaboration reduced potential electromagnetic interference (EMI). Through application of newly selected electrical components and thermal analysis data, a total electronic chassis redesign was accomplished. Use of an innovative forced convection tunnel heat sink was employed to meet and exceed project requirements for cooling, mass reduction, and volume reduction. Functionality was a key concern to make efficient use of airflow, and accessibility was also imperative to allow for servicing of chassis internals. The collaborative process provided for accelerated design maturation with substantiated function.

Boyer, Charles M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the design of optimal controllers with certain structural constraints

This paper considers the problem of designing certain structurally constrained optimal regulators for linear systems subjected to additive white process noise and measurement noise. Three types of controller structures are considered, using direct output feedback, prespecified time constant filters, and optimal dynamic compensators. Necessary conditions are obtained for minimizing quadratic performance criteria. The techniques are demonstrated by application to a helicopter/slung load system, and a flexible space station.

Joshi, S. M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design and Optimization of the Direct Recycling of Spent Li-Ion Battery Cathode Materials

Direct regeneration of spent Li-ion batteries based on the hydrothermal relithiation of cathode materials is a promising next-generation recycling technology. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach at a large scale, we systematically design and optimize the process parameters to minimize both energy and raw material costs. Specifically, the effects of regenerative processing parameters on the composition, structure, and electrochemical performance of the regenerated cathode materials are investigated via systematic characterization and testing. From this analysis, it was found that the raw material costs can be substantially reduced by either replacing the typically employed 4 M LiOH solution by a cost-effective mixture of 0.1 M LiOH and 3.9 M KOH or recycling of the concentrated 4 M LiOH for continuous relithiation processes. Finally, life cycle analysis suggests that this strategy results in reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to an increased potential revenue, particularly when compared with hydro- and pyrometallurgical recycling methods.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Bayesian optimal experimental design for constitutive model calibration

Computational simulation is increasingly relied upon for high/consequence engineering decisions, which necessitates a high confidence in the calibration of and predictions from complex material models. However, the calibration and validation of material models is often a discrete, multi-stage process that is decoupled from material characterization activities, which means the data collected does not always align with the data that is needed. To address this issue, an integrated workflow for delivering an enhanced characterization and calibration procedure—Interlaced Characterization and Calibration (ICC)—is introduced and demonstrated. Further, this framework leverages Bayesian optimal experimental design (BOED), which creates a line of communication between model calibration needs and data collection capabilities in order to optimize the information content gathered from the experiments for model calibration. Eventually, the ICC framework will be used in quasi real-time to actively control experiments of complex specimens for the calibration of a high-fidelity material model. This work presents the critical first piece of algorithm development and a demonstration in determining the optimal load path of a cruciform specimen with simulated data. Calibration results, obtained via Bayesian inference, from the integrated ICC approach are compared to calibrations performed by choosing the load path a priori based on human intuition, as is traditionally done. The calibration results are communicated through parameter uncertainties which are propagated to the model output space (i.e. stress–strain). In these exemplar problems, data generated within the ICC framework resulted in calibrated model parameters with reduced measures of uncertainty compared to the traditional approaches.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Additive manufacturing: Toward holistic design

Here, additive manufacturing offers unprecedented opportunities to design complex structures optimized for performance envelopes inaccessible under conventional manufacturing constraints. Additive processes also promote realization of engineered materials with microstructures and properties that are impossible via traditional synthesis techniques. Enthused by these capabilities, optimization design tools have experienced a recent revival. The current capabilities of additive processes and optimization tools are summarized briefly, while an emerging opportunity is discussed to achieve a holistic design paradigm whereby computational tools are integrated with stochastic process and material awareness to enable the concurrent optimization of design topologies, material constructs and fabrication processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Optimization-based Design for Manufacturing

This report provides detailed documentation of the algorithms that where developed and implemented in the Plato software over the course of the Optimization-based Design for Manufacturing LDRD project.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1978

Methods used for Space Shuttle SRB thrust shape design

Optimization of the Space Shuttle trajectory is discussed with reference to the low acceleration profile required for Shuttle missions. Static tests of the nominal flight curve are described in terms of impulse requirements, vacuum thrust, and burn time. Attention is given to BARF (Burning Anomaly Rate Factor), and it is noted that mandrel fabrication is intended to include the flexibility to counter BARF, should it occur. Test results are presented in which both BARF and specific impulse are considered as independent variables. It was found that no erosive burning occurred, BARF did not occur, specific impulse was on the order of 265 sec, and flow anomalies in the star region produced head-to-aft stagnation pressure drops in excess of theoretical predictions. In other areas, good agreement is noted between theoretical prediction and empirical data.

Baker, J.↗
NASA NTRS2014

EVA Suit R and D for Performance Optimization

Designing a planetary suit is very complex and often requires difficult trade‐offs between performance, cost, mass, and system complexity. To verify that new suit designs meet requirements, full prototypes must be built and tested with human subjects. However, numerous design iterations will occur before the hardware meets those requirements. Traditional draw‐prototype‐test paradigms for R&D are prohibitively expensive with today's shrinking Government budgets. Personnel at NASA are developing modern simulation techniques which focus on human‐centric designs by creating virtual prototype simulations and fully adjustable physical prototypes of suit hardware. During the R&D design phase, these easily modifiable representations of an EVA suit's hard components will allow designers to think creatively and exhaust design possibilities before they build and test working prototypes with human subjects. It allows scientists to comprehensively benchmark current suit capabilities and limitations for existing suit sizes and sizes that do not exist. This is extremely advantageous and enables comprehensive design down‐selections to be made early in the design process, enables the use of human performance as design criteria, and enables designs to target specific populations

Cowley, Matthew S.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Thrust-optimized blade design for wind turbines

A wind rotor is disclosed that produces energy optimally for a given thrust overturning moment. By designing rotors with suboptimal aerodynamic efficiency, they can have optimal thrust performance, which will reduce the substructure cost and/or enable greater energy capture for a given substructure.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Design and optimization of nanoparticle-pigmented solar selective absorber coatings for high-temperature concentrating solar thermal systems

In this paper, we present a systematic approach for the design and optimization of nanoparticle-pigmented solar selective absorbers for operation at 750 °C. Using the scattering and absorption cross-sections calculated by Lorenz-Mie scattering theory as input, we employ a four-flux radiative transfer method to investigate the solar selectivity mechanism and optimize the optical-to-thermal conversion efficiency (η therm ) as a function of the metallic nanoparticle material, the nanoparticle diameter, the volume fraction, and the coating thickness. Among the nanoparticle material candidates in this study, C54-TiSi 2 is the best option with an optimized η therm = 87.0% for a solar concentration ratio of C = 100 and η therm = 94.4% for C = 1000 at 750 °C. NiSi is also a promising candidate comparable to TiSi 2 in thermal efficiency, Experimentally, an un-optimized 200 nm-diameter TiSi 2 nanoparticle-silicone solar selective coating has already achieved η therm = 89.8% for C = 1000 at 750 °C. This performance is consistent with the theoretical model and close to the thermal efficiency of the commercial Pyromark 2500 coatings (90.1%). We also demonstrate that Ni/NiSi core-shell structures embedded in the SiO 1.5 matrix is thermally stable at 750 °C for 1000 h in air. Lastly, these results indicate that silicide cermet coatings are promising to achieve high optical performance and high temperature thermal stability simultaneously.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗