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Results for “Finite Element Method”

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 OSTI2015

Localized surface phonon polariton resonances in polar gallium nitride

We demonstrate the excitation of localized surface phonon polaritons in an array of sub-diffraction pucks fabricated in an epitaxial layer of gallium nitride (GaN) on a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate. The array is characterized via polarization- and angle-dependent reflection spectroscopy in the mid-infrared, and coupling to several localized modes is observed in the GaN Reststrahlen band (13.4–18.0 μm). The same structure is simulated using finite element methods and the charge density of the modes are studied; transverse dipole modes are identified for the transverse electric and magnetic polarizations and a quadrupole mode is identified for the transverse magnetic polarization. The measured mid-infrared spectrum agrees well with numerically simulated spectra. This work could enable optoelectronic structures and devices that support surface modes at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Band structure of cavity-type hypersonic phononic crystals fabricated by femtosecond laser-induced two-photon polymerization

The phononic band diagram of a periodic square structure fabricated by femtosecond laser pulse-induced two photon polymerization is recorded by Brillouin light scattering (BLS) at hypersonic (GHz) frequencies and computed by finite element method. The theoretical calculations along the two main symmetry directions quantitatively capture the band diagrams of the air- and liquid-filled structure and moreover represent the BLS intensities. The theory helps identify the observed modes, reveals the origin of the observed bandgaps at the Brillouin zone boundaries, and unravels direction dependent effective medium behavior.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Precision Structural Engineering of Self-Rolled-up 3D Nanomembranes Guided by Transient Quasi-Static FEM Modeling

Micro- and nanoscale tubular structures can be formed by strain-induced self-rolled-up nanomembranes. Precision engineering of the shape and dimension determines the performance of devices based on this platform for electronic, optical, and biological applications. A transient quasi-static finite element method (FEM) with moving boundary conditions is proposed as a general approach to design diverse types of three-dimensional (3D) rolled-up geometries. Furthermore, this method captures the dynamic release process of membranes through etching driven by mismatch strain and accurately predicts the final dimensions of rolled-up structures. Guided by the FEM modeling, experimental demonstration using silicon nitride membranes was achieved with unprecedented precision including controlling fractional turns of a rolled-up membrane, anisotropic rolling to form helical structures, and local stress control for 3D hierarchical architectures.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Optothermal transport behavior in whispering gallery mode optical cavities

Over the past century, whispering gallery mode optical cavities have enabled numerous advances in science and engineering, such as discoveries in quantum mechanics and non-linear optics, as well as the development of optical gyroscopes and add drop filters. One reason for their widespread appeal is their ability to confine light for long periods of time, resulting in high circulating intensities. However, when sufficiently large amounts of optical power are coupled into these cavities, they begin to experience optothermal or photothermal behavior, in which the optical energy is converted into heat. Above the optothermal threshold, the resonance behavior is no longer solely defined by electromagnetics. Previous work has primarily focused on the role of the optothermal coefficient of the material in this instability. However, the physics of this optothermal behavior is significantly more complex. In the present work, we develop a predictive theory based on a generalizable analytical expression in combination with a geometry-specific COMSOL Multiphysics finite element method model. The simulation couples the optical and thermal physics components, accounting for geometry variations as well as the temporal and spatial profile of the optical field. To experimentally verify our theoretical model, the optothermal thresholds of a series of silica toroidal resonant cavities are characterized at different wavelengths (visible through near-infrared) and using different device geometries. The silica toroid offers a particularly rigorous case study for the developed optothermal model because of its complex geometrical structure which provides multiple thermal transport paths.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

A comprehensive simulation model of the performance of photochromic films in absorbance-modulation-optical-lithography

Optical lithography is the most prevalent method of fabricating micro-and nano-scale structures in the semiconductor industry due to the fact that patterning using photons is fast, accurate and provides high throughput. However, the resolution of this technique is inherently limited by the physical phenomenon of diffraction. Absorbance-Modulation-Optical Lithography (AMOL), a recently developed technique has been successfully demonstrated to be able to circumvent this diffraction limit. AMOL employs a dual-wavelength exposure system in conjunction with spectrally selective reversible photo-transitions in thin films of photochromic molecules to achieve patterning of features with sizes beyond the far-field diffraction limit. We have developed a finite-element-method based full-electromagnetic-wave solution model that simulates the photo-chemical processes that occur within the thin film of the photochromic molecules under illumination by the exposure and confining wavelengths in AMOL. This model allows us to understand how the material characteristics influence the confinement to sub-diffraction dimensions, of the transmitted point spread function (PSF) of the exposure wavelength inside the recording medium. The model reported here provides the most comprehensive analysis of the AMOL process to-date, and the results show that the most important factors that govern the process, are the polarization of the two beams, the ratio of the intensities of the two wavelengths, the relative absorption coefficients and the concentration of the photochromic species, the thickness of the photochromic layer and the quantum yields of the photoreactions at the two wavelengths. The aim of this work is to elucidate the requirements of AMOL in successfully circumventing the far-field diffraction limit.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1977

Displacement incrementation in non-linear structural analysis by the self-correcting method

The prediction of nonlinear structural behavior by the finite element method wherein buckling does not occur has received considerable attention and, with it, reasonable success has been achieved. However, the post-buckling problem has been less actively pursued probably because of the inherent numerical difficulties encountered. This note reviews very briefly the numerical methods currently being used for pre- and post-buckling analysis and presents a self-correcting approach based on load and displacement incrementation which is shown to be efficient, reliable, and easy to program. Numerical solutions are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.

Haisler, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for NonLinear Differential Systems

This talk considers simplified finite element discretization techniques for first-order systems of conservation laws equipped with a convex (entropy) extension. Using newly developed techniques in entropy symmetrization theory, simplified forms of the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element method have been developed and analyzed. The use of symmetrization variables yields numerical schemes which inherit global entropy stability properties of the PDE (partial differential equation) system. Central to the development of the simplified DG methods is the Eigenvalue Scaling Theorem which characterizes right symmetrizers of an arbitrary first-order hyperbolic system in terms of scaled eigenvectors of the corresponding flux Jacobian matrices. A constructive proof is provided for the Eigenvalue Scaling Theorem with detailed consideration given to the Euler equations of gas dynamics and extended conservation law systems derivable as moments of the Boltzmann equation. Using results from kinetic Boltzmann moment closure theory, we then derive and prove energy stability for several approximate DG fluxes which have practical and theoretical merit.

Barth, Timothy↗
DOE OSTI2016

Evaluation of CFD Methods for Simulation of Two-Phase Boiling Flow Phenomena in a Helical Coil Steam Generator

The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy charges participants in the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program with the development of advanced modeling and simulation capabilities that can be used to address design, performance and safety challenges in the development and deployment of advanced reactor technology. The NEAMS has established a high impact problem (HIP) team to demonstrate the applicability of these tools to identification and mitigation of sources of steam generator flow induced vibration (SGFIV). The SGFIV HIP team is working to evaluate vibration sources in an advanced helical coil steam generator using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the turbulent primary coolant flow over the outside of the tubes and CFD simulations of the turbulent multiphase boiling secondary coolant flow inside the tubes integrated with high resolution finite element method assessments of the tubes and their associated structural supports. This report summarizes the demonstration of a methodology for the multiphase boiling flow analysis inside the helical coil steam generator tube. A helical coil steam generator configuration has been defined based on the experiments completed by Polytecnico di Milano in the SIET helical coil steam generator tube facility. Simulations of the defined problem have been completed using the Eulerian-Eulerian multi-fluid modeling capabilities of the commercial CFD code STAR-CCM+. Simulations suggest that the two phases will quickly stratify in the slightly inclined pipe of the helical coil steam generator. These results have been successfully benchmarked against both empirical correlations for pressure drop and simulations using an alternate CFD methodology, the dispersed phase mixture modeling capabilities of the open source CFD code Nek5000.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

The effect of cell-size dispersity on the mechanical properties of closed-cell aluminum foam

Highlights: • The effect of cell-size dispersity on the Young’s modulus of foam was investigated through experiments and simulations • Crushing experiments were conducted on 27 foam specimens in order measure the relative Young’s modulus • Three types of numerical models, including monodispersed, bidispersed and polydispersed models were studied • The numerical convergence on the model size for different models was also studied • The difference among numerical results obtained from the three models was insignificant - Abstract: The mechanical properties of open-celled and closed-celled metallic foam are strongly influenced by the cellular microstructure and material properties of the base material from which the foam is made. The present study investigated the microstructure and mechanical properties of ALPORAS closed-cell Al foam. In particular, the effect of cell-size dispersity on the Young's modulus of foam was investigated through crushing experiments and numerical simulations. Crushing experiments were first conducted on two mutually perpendicular directions. Numerical models of varying cell-size dispersity and complexity were subsequently developed, including the monodispersed model that is based on the Kelvin structure, the bidispersed model, and the polydispersed model that is based on the random Laguerre tessellation algorithm. The numerical models were discretized using shell elements, and the simulations were conducted using the ABAQUS finite element method software. Relative Young's moduli with various relative densities were predicted, and the numerical convergence on the model size was studied accordingly. Numerical results obtained from all three numerical models developed were found to overestimate the experimental results by a factor of approximately 3. The difference between the numerical and experimental results can be attributed to the difference in detailed microstructural characteristics. Furthermore, the difference among numerical results obtained from the three models was insignificant.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Interfacial Strength Evaluation of Oxide Films on Carbon Steel by Using the Laser Shock Adhesion Test

We investigate the adhesion strength (interfacial strength) of the oxide film formed on a carbon steel substrate by using a laser shock adhesion test (LaSAT). A rolled carbon steel (SS400) plate is first heated at high temperature (700 °C) under the atmosphere (heat treatment) to cause the formation of oxide films about 20-50 μm thick on the steel surface. The film consisted of multiple layers, including wustite (FeO), magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}), and hematite (Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}). Next, the x-ray diffraction method was used to measure the residual stress in the film. We find that compression stress develops in the film because of a mismatch of thermal strain in between the film and substrate after the heat treatment. With LaSAT, strong elastic wave generates by a pulsed laser ablation of the substrate backside, and results in interfacial fractures in the oxide films. To monitor the normal (out-of-plane) displacement of the top surface film, a laser ultrasonic interferometer is simultaneously utilized, such that we detect film delamination and determine the critical laser energy for interfacial fracture to obtain the critical stress (interfacial strength). Furthermore, additional pulsed laser irradiation is conducted against a pre-delaminated specimen in order to examine the growth of delamination area and evaluate the interfacial fracture toughness. Finally, elastic wave propagation in the sample is computed using the finite element method (FEM) in order to evaluate the interfacial stress field, accurately. For the FEM, multiple layers in the oxide film are modeled, and the residual stress due to thermal strain mismatch is introduced. The FEM computations reveal the stress distribution around the interface and evaluate the critical stress and critical stress intensity factor for delamination. We thus quantitatively evaluate the interfacial strength and interfacial fracture toughness of the oxide film formed on carbon steel. The mechanism of interfacial fracture is also discussed on the basis of microstructures in a film with multiple layers. This result may be useful for understanding the adhesion quality of oxide film during the hot-rolling process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Non destructive technique for cracks detection by an eddy current in differential mode for steel frames

In this paper, a nondestructive technique is used as a tool to control cracks and microcracks in materials. A simulation by a numerical approach such as the finite element method is employed to detect cracks and eventually; to study their propagation using a crucial parameter such as the stress intensity factor. This approach has been used in the aircraft industry to control cracks. Besides, it makes it possible to highlight the defects of parts while preserving the integrity of the controlled products. On the other side, it is proven that the reliability of the control of defects gives convincing results for the improvement of the quality and the safety of the material. Eddy current testing (ECT) is a standard technique in industry for the detection of surface breaking flaws in magnetic materials such as steels. In this context, simulation tools can be used to improve the understanding of experimental signals, optimize the design of sensors or evaluate the performance of ECT procedures. CEA-LIST has developed for many years semi-analytical models embedded into the simulation platform CIVA dedicated to non-destructive testing. The developments presented herein address the case of flaws located inside a planar and magnetic medium. Simulation results are obtained through the application of the Volume Integral Method (VIM). When considering the ECT of a single flaw, a system of two differential equations is derived from Maxwell equations. The numerical resolution of the system is carried out using the classical Galerkin variant of the Method of Moments. Besides, a probe response is calculated by application of the Lorentz reciprocity theorem. Finally, the approach itself as well as comparisons between simulation results and measured data are presented.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Brillouin light scattering study of transverse mode coupling in confined yttrium iron garnet/barium strontium titanate multiferroic

Using the space-resolved Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy we study the transformation of dynamic magnetization patterns in a bilayer multiferroic structure. We show that in the comparison with a single yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film magnetization distribution is transformed in the bilayer structure due to the coupling of waves propagating both in an YIG film (magnetic layer) and in a barium strontium titanate slab (ferroelectric layer). We present a simple electrodynamic model using the numerical finite element method to show the transformation of eigenmode spectrum of confined multiferroic. In particular, we demonstrate that the control over the dynamic magnetization and the transformation of spatial profiles of transverse modes in magnetic film of the bilayer structure can be performed by the tuning of the wavevectors of transverse modes. The studied confined multiferroic stripe can be utilized for fabrication of integrated dual tunable functional devices for magnonic applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Modeling Resonances of Dielectric Spheres in the Terahertz Range

We have studied the resonance properties of dielectric spheres with subwavelength dimensions in the optical and terahertz frequency range. Distribution of the electric field vector in a sphere irradiated by a plane polarized wave has been numerically simulated using the finite element method. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that it is in principle possible to use resonances of various orders in dielectric spheres for the amplification of current in a conducting antenna with dimensions several times smaller than the radiation wavelength. In the case of resonances within short spectral intervals, it is possible to provide a current density gain up to 25–30 dB as compared to that in the absence of a dielectric sphere surrounding the antenna.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Influence of radiation on double conjugate diffusion in a porous cavity

The current work highlights the effect of radiation on the conjugate heat and mass transfer in a square porous cavity having a solid wall. The solid wall is placed at the center of cavity. The left surface of cavity is maintained at higher temperature T{sub w} and concentration C{sub w} whereas the right surface is maintained at T{sub c} and C{sub c} such that T{sub w}>T{sub c} and Cw>Cc. The top and bottom surfaces are adiabatic. The governing equations are solved with the help of finite element method by making use of triangular elements. The results are discussed with respect to two different heights of solid wall inside the porous medium along with the radiation parameter.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Diffusion Acceleration Schemes for Self-Adjoint Angular Flux Formulation with a Void Treatment

A Galerkin weak form for the monoenergetic neutron transport equation with a continuous finite element method and discrete ordinate method is developed based on self-adjoint angular flux formulation. This weak form is modified for treating void regions. A consistent diffusion scheme is developed with projection. Correction terms of the diffusion scheme are derived to reproduce the transport scalar flux. A source iteration that decouples the solution of all directions with both linear and nonlinear diffusion accelerations is developed and demonstrated. One-dimensional Fourier analysis is conducted to demonstrate the stability of the linear and nonlinear diffusion accelerations. Numerical results of these schemes are presented.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Plasmon Enhancement of the Electric Field in Mid-Infrared Ge/Si Quantum-Dot Photodetectors with Different Thicknesses of the Active Region

The spatial distribution of the electric field in Ge/Si photodetector heterostructures coated with a gold film containing a regular two-dimensional array of subwavelength apertures is calculated by the finite-element method. The array period and aperture diameter are 1.2 and 0.7 μm, respectively. The efficiency of field enhancement is determined for different thicknesses of the active region occupied by quantum dots. It is demonstrated that the field-enhancement factor for an electromagnetic wave incident on the structure from the side of the substrate is ~3.5 times larger than that for a wave incident from the opposite side. In the first case, the field-enhancement factor varies nonmonotonically with the thickness of the active region.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Influence of AC Loss on Stress and Strain of Superconducting Coils

The second-generation (2G) high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductors (CC) are increasingly used in power systems recently, especially in large-capacity superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES). HTSCC in superconducting energy storage coil is subjected to thermal stress which is caused by thermal contraction due to AC loss. The thermal stress will degrade the critical currents and may cause the displacement of the superconducting coil and insulating epoxy resin. In this work, the AC loss of the superconducting coil is firstly obtained by finite element method (FEM) software COMSOL with the method of iterative conductivity. Furthermore, the effect of AC loss on the superconducting coil is thus analyzed by solving the coupling problems which include magnetic field, mechanical behaviors, and heat transfer in solids. The result shows that the AC loss of the superconducting coil is concentrated in the middle of the coil and the maximum AC loss density is 5.96 × 10{sup 5} W/m{sup 3}; the maximum stress laid at the inner radius of the coil and the maximum stress is 0.01 MPa.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Influence of cementation on the yield surface of rocks numerically determined from digital microstructures

Digital Rock Physics has reached a level of maturity on the characterisation of primary properties that depend on the microstructure – such as porosity, permeability or elastic moduli – by numerically solving field equations on μCT scan images of rock. After small deformations or at depth though, most rocks eventually reach their limit of elasticity and the complementary plastic properties are needed to describe the full mechanical behaviour. Currently, determination of a rock’s yield surface from its microstructure is often restricted to semi-analytical criteria derived by limit analysis or numerical simulations performed on idealised geometries. Such simplification lacks representativeness, particularly for processes that affect directly the pore-grain interface such as the cementation phenomenon, happening during diagenesis. Eventually, only direct numerical simulation of elasto-plasticity performed on digitalised microstructures can be used to assess the strength of different cemented materials and its evolution with the alteration of the microstructure. In this study, we provide a comprehensive parametric study on the impact of cementation on rock strength for real microstructures of cemented granular materials. Compared to most previous studies, the whole yield surface is determined numerically (using Finite Element Method) in order to assess the influence of cementation for different stress-paths. The previously known tendency of rock to strengthen with increasing cementation volume is verified. New results on the influence of cement property namely Young’s modulus, friction and cohesion on the rock’s yield surface are explored. The envelopes obtained are compared to the ones obtained by experimental data and existing models. Finally, the framework presented in this study showcases the wider possibility of determining any rock’s or porous material’s yield surface from its microstructure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗