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At least 1,153 records · Page 64

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NASA NTRS2016

On the Connection Between Microbursts and Nonlinear Electronic Structures in Planetary Radiation Belts

Using a dynamical-system approach, we have investigated the efficiency of large-amplitude whistler waves for causing microburst precipitation in planetary radiation belts by modeling the microburst energy and particle fluxes produced as a result of nonlinear wave-particle interactions. We show that wave parameters, consistent with large amplitude oblique whistlers, can commonly generate microbursts of electrons with hundreds of keV-energies as a result of Landau trapping. Relativistic microbursts (greater than 1 MeV) can also be generated by a similar mechanism, but require waves with large propagation angles Theta (sub k)B greater than 50 degrees and phase-speeds v(sub phi) greater than or equal to c/9. Using our result for precipitating density and energy fluxes, we argue that holes in the distribution function of electrons near the magnetic mirror point can result in the generation of double layers and electron solitary holes consistent in scales (of the order of Debye lengths) to nonlinear structures observed in the radiation belts by the Van Allen Probes. Our results indicate a relationship between nonlinear electrostatic and electromagnetic structures in the dynamics of planetary radiation belts and their role in the cyclical production of energetic electrons (E greater than or equal to 100 keV) on kinetic timescales, which is much faster than previously inferred.

plasmas↗

DOE OSTI2026

Electrically tunable nonlinear light generation in plasmonic tunnel junctions

Active and efficient control of nonlinear optical processes is essential for integrated photonics, with applications in signal processing, ultrafast switching, and quantum light manipulation. While nanophotonic structures are powerful for enhancing nonlinearities, achieving wide-range electrical tunability has remained a challenge. Plasmonic tunnel junctions offer a unique path to bridge this gap because they combine extreme optical field confinement with direct electrical control in a single nanoscale device. Here, we report the first, to our knowledge, demonstration of electrically tunable second-harmonic generation (SHG) in plasmonic tunnel junctions. Using ultra-stable epitaxial heterostructures, we achieve reproducible modulation of SHG with depths up to ∼500% and magnitudes above 1.3V −1 . We identify two mechanisms, electric-field-induced SHG (EFISH) and ion migration, that can either compete or cooperate depending on junction thickness and bias, enabling both broad tunability and ferroelectric-like hysteretic switching. These findings establish plasmonic tunnel junctions as a platform for electrically controlled nonlinear optics, with potential for nanoscale light sources, reconfigurable modulators, and neuromorphic photonic devices..

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2024

SAM: A Modern System Code for Advanced Non-LWR Safety Analysis

The System Analysis Module (SAM), developed at Argonne National Laboratory and by collaborators at other organizations, is for advanced non–light water reactor safety analysis. SAM aims to provide fast-running, modest-fidelity, whole-plant transient analysis capabilities that are essential for fast-turnaround design scoping and engineering analyses of advanced reactor concepts. To facilitate code development, SAM utilizes the MOOSE object-oriented application framework, its underlying finite element library, and linear and nonlinear solvers to leverage modern advanced software environments and numerical methods. SAM aims to solve tightly coupled physical phenomena, including fission reaction, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermal-mechanical responses in advanced reactor structures, systems, and components with high accuracy and efficiency. Finally, this paper gives an overview of the SAM code development, including goals and functional requirements, physical models, current capabilities, verification and validation, software quality assurance, and examples of simulations for advanced nuclear reactor applications.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Absolute vs Convective Instabilities and Front Propagation in Lipid Membrane Tubes

Here we analyze the stability of biological membrane tubes, with and without a base flow of lipids. Membrane dynamics are completely specified by two dimensionless numbers: the well-known Föppl-von Kármán number Γ and the recently introduced Scriven-Love number SL, respectively quantifying the base tension and base flow speed. For unstable tubes, the growth rate of a local perturbation depends only on Γ, whereas SL governs the absolute versus convective nature of the instability. Furthermore, nonlinear simulations of unstable tubes reveal an initially localized disturbance result in propagating fronts, which leave a thin atrophied tube in their wake. Depending on the value of Γ, the thin tube is connected to the unperturbed regions via oscillatory or monotonic shape transitions-reminiscent of recent experimental observations on the retraction and atrophy of axons. We elucidate our findings through a weakly nonlinear analysis, which shows membrane dynamics may be approximated by a model of the class of extended Fisher-Kolmogorov equations. Our study sheds light on the pattern selection mechanism in axonal shapes by recognizing the existence of two Lifshitz points, at which the front dynamics undergo steady-to-oscillatory bifurcations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1979

The determination of atmospheric trace gases using the correlation interferometer technique

The theoretical feasibility inherent in the correlation interferometry technique is demonstrated. High signal to noise and increased information content in a given partial interferogram are attractive features of the technique. The separation of interfering gas species is overcome by a precise measurement program for spectral line parameters of methane and other species. There are optical, mechanical, and electronic difficulties with the interferometry hardware design. Flight data from Cessna 402 over southeastern Virginia during April 1978 yielded amplitude fluctuations that are explainable only as internal nonlinearities. Misalignment of the AGC/interferometer optical axis also contributed to a large error source in the flight data. It is concluded that no useful data on gas burdens was obtained from these flights.

Kindle, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Nonlinear saturation spectra of electric fields and density fluctuations in drift wave turbulence

The detection of drift waves in the nonlinear evolution of a space plasma process driven at long wavelengths is considered, adducing measurements of the electric field and density fluctuation power spectra as evidence. Since the driving mechanism is clearly at long wavelengths, the detection of drift waves suggests that they may play an important role in the transfer of wave energy from long to short wavelengths in a low beta plasma. The saturated spectral density is compared with theoretical results in order to estimate the anomalous diffusion rate. The observed spectral form and amplitude is in excellent agreement with drift wave predictions.

Kelley, M. C.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A compliant, high failure strain, fibre-reinforced glass-matrix composite

A glass-matrix composite reinforced by discontinuous graphite fibers was produced by hot pressing glass-powder-impregnated two-dimensional arrays of in-plane randomly oriented graphite fibers held together by approximately 5-10% by weight of organic binder (generally polyester). The composite tensile behavior is characterized by a highly nonlinear stress-strain curve which differs markedly from that of either unreinforced glass or a similarly reinforced epoxy-matrix composite. By virtue of this nonlinearity, the composite is able to redistribute applied stresses to achieve a high load-carrying capacity. The fibrous microstructure and the low fiber-matrix bond provide a mechanism for achieving high fracture toughness and unusually high compliance. For a 96%-silica-matrix composite, the strength is retained to over 1000 C.

Prewo, K. M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Modeling of rolling element bearing mechanics

Roller element bearings provide the primary mechanical interface between rotating and nonrotating components in the high performance turbomachinery of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Knowledge of bearing behavior under various loading and environmental conditions is essential to predicting and understanding the overall behavior of turbopumps, including rotordynamic stability, critical speeds and bearing life. The objective is to develop mathematical models and computer programs to describe the mechanical behavior of ball and cylinder roller bearings under the loading and environmental conditions encountered in the SSME and future high performance rocket engines. This includes characteristics such as nonlinear load/motion relationships, stiffness and damping, rolling element loads for life prediction, and roller and cage stability.

Greenhill, L. M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Micromechanical analysis of the failure process in ceramic matrix composites

An analysis of the effectiveness of fiber reinforcement in brittle matrix composites is presented. The analytical method allows consideration of discrete fiber distribution and examination of the development of crack growth parameters on the microscale. The problem associated with bridging zone development is addressed here; therefore, the bridging zone is considered to be smaller than the main preexisting crack, and the small scale approach is used. The mechanics of the reinforcement is accurately accounted for in the process zone of a growing crack. Closed form solutions characterizing the initial failure process are presented for linear and nonlinear force-fiber pullout displacement relationships. The implicit exact solution for the extended bridging zone is presented as well.

Rubinstein, Asher A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

On the structure of nonlinear constitutive equations for fiber reinforced composites

The structure of constitutive equations for nonlinear multiaxial behavior of transversely isotropic fiber reinforced metal matrix composites subject to proportional loading was investigated. Results from an experimental program were combined with numerical simulations of the composite behavior for complex stress to reveal the full structure of the equations. It was found that the nonlinear response can be described by a quadratic flow-potential, based on the polynomial stress invariants, together with a hardening rule that is dominated by two different hardening mechanisms.

Jansson, Stefan↗

NASA NTRS1993

Genetic learning in rule-based and neural systems

The design of neural networks and fuzzy systems can involve complex, nonlinear, and ill-conditioned optimization problems. Often, traditional optimization schemes are inadequate or inapplicable for such tasks. Genetic Algorithms (GA's) are a class of optimization procedures whose mechanics are based on those of natural genetics. Mathematical arguments show how GAs bring substantial computational leverage to search problems, without requiring the mathematical characteristics often necessary for traditional optimization schemes (e.g., modality, continuity, availability of derivative information, etc.). GA's have proven effective in a variety of search tasks that arise in neural networks and fuzzy systems. This presentation begins by introducing the mechanism and theoretical underpinnings of GA's. GA's are then related to a class of rule-based machine learning systems called learning classifier systems (LCS's). An LCS implements a low-level production-system that uses a GA as its primary rule discovery mechanism. This presentation illustrates how, despite its rule-based framework, an LCS can be thought of as a competitive neural network. Neural network simulator code for an LCS is presented. In this context, the GA is doing more than optimizing and objective function. It is searching for an ecology of hidden nodes with limited connectivity. The GA attempts to evolve this ecology such that effective neural network performance results. The GA is particularly well adapted to this task, given its naturally-inspired basis. The LCS/neural network analogy extends itself to other, more traditional neural networks. Conclusions to the presentation discuss the implications of using GA's in ecological search problems that arise in neural and fuzzy systems.

Smith, Robert E.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Model of brittle matrix composite toughening based on discrete fiber reinforcement

An analytical approach for the analysis of the effectiveness of fiber reinforcement in brittle matrix composites is presented. The analytical method allows consideration of discrete fiber distribution and examination of the development of crack growth parameters on microscale. The problem associated with the bridging zone development is addressed here; therefore, the bridging zone is considered to be smaller than the main preexisting crack, and the small scale approach is used. The mechanics of the reinforcement is accurately accounted for in the process zone of a growing crack. Closed form solutions characterizing the initial failure process are presented for linear and nonlinear force - fiber pullout displacement relationships. The implicit exact solution for the extended bridging zone is presented as well.

Rubinstein, Asher A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Observations with the ROWS instrument during the Grand Banks calibration/validation experiments

As part of a global program to validate the ocean surface sensors on board ERS-1, a joint experiment on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland was carried out in Nov. 1991. The principal objective was to provide a field validation of ERS-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) measurement of ocean surface structure. The NASA-P3 aircraft measurements made during this experiment provide independent measurements of the ocean surface along the validation swath. The Radar Ocean Wave Spectrometer (ROWS) is a radar sensor designed to measure direction of the long wave components using spectral analysis of the tilt induced radar backscatter modulation. This technique greatly differs from SAR and thus, provides a unique set of measurements for use in evaluating SAR performance. Also, an altimeter channel in the ROWS gives simultaneous information on the surface wave height and radar mean square slope parameter. The sets of geophysical parameters (wind speed, significant wave height, directional spectrum) are used to study the SAR's ability to accurately measure ocean gravity waves. The known distortion imposed on the true directional spectrum by the SAR imaging mechanism is discussed in light of the direct comparisons between ERS-1 SAR, airborne Canadian Center for Remote Sensing (CCRS) SAR, and ROWS spectra and the use of the nonlinear ocean SAR transform.

Vandemark, D.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Computational Simulation of the High Strain Rate Tensile Response of Polymer Matrix Composites

A research program is underway to develop strain rate dependent deformation and failure models for the analysis of polymer matrix composites subject to high strain rate impact loads. Under these types of loading conditions, the material response can be highly strain rate dependent and nonlinear. State variable constitutive equations based on a viscoplasticity approach have been developed to model the deformation of the polymer matrix. The constitutive equations are then combined with a mechanics of materials based micromechanics model which utilizes fiber substructuring to predict the effective mechanical and thermal response of the composite. To verify the analytical model, tensile stress-strain curves are predicted for a representative composite over strain rates ranging from around 1 x 10(exp -5)/sec to approximately 400/sec. The analytical predictions compare favorably to experimentally obtained values both qualitatively and quantitatively. Effective elastic and thermal constants are predicted for another composite, and compared to finite element results.

Goldberg, Robert K.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Effects of Combined Loads on the Nonlinear Response and Residual Strength of Damaged Stiffened Shells

The results of an analytical study of the nonlinear response of stiffened fuselage shells with long cracks are presented. The shells are modeled with a hierarchical modeling strategy and analyzed with a nonlinear shell analysis code that maintains the shell in a nonlinear equilibrium state while the crack is grown. The analysis accurately accounts for global and local structural response phenomena. Results are presented for various combinations of internal pressure and mechanical loads, and the effects of crack orientation on the shell response are described. The effects of combined loading conditions and the effects of varying structural parameters on the stress-intensity factors associated with a crack are presented.

Starnes, James H., Jr.↗

DOE OSTI2024

New solutions of coupled nonlocal NLS and coupled nonlocal mKdV equations

In this study, we provide several novel solutions of the coupled Ablowitz–Musslimani (AM) version of the nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation and the coupled nonlocal modified Korteweg–de Vries (mKdV) equation. In each case we compare and contrast the corresponding solutions of the relevant coupled local equations. Further, we provide new solutions of the coupled local NLS and coupled local mKdV equations which are not the solutions of the corresponding nonlocal equations. We also show that the nonlocal coupled (as well as uncoupled) mKdV equations have hidden Galilean invariance and admit novel solutions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2022

Fluid and hybrid simulations of the ionization instabilities in Hall thruster

Low-frequency axial oscillations in the range of 5–50 kHz stand out as a pervasive feature observed in many types of Hall thrusters. While it is widely recognized that the ionization effects play the central role in this mode, as manifested via the large-scale oscillations of neutral and plasma density, the exact mechanism(s) of the instabilities remain unclear. To gain further insight into the physics of the breathing mode and evaluate the role of kinetic effects, a one-dimensional time-dependent full nonlinear low-frequency model describing neutral atoms, ions, and electrons is developed in full fluid formulation and compared to the hybrid model in which the ions and neutrals are kinetic. Both models are quasi-neutral and share the same electron fluid equations that include the electron diffusion, mobility across the magnetic field, and the electron energy evolution. The ionization models are also similar in both approaches. Further, the predictions of fluid and hybrid simulations are compared for different test cases. Two main regimes are identified in both models: one with pure low-frequency behavior and the other one, where the low-frequency oscillations coexist with high-frequency oscillations in the range of 100–200 kHz, with the characteristic time scale of the ion channel fly-by time, 100–200 kHz. The other test case demonstrates the effect of a finite temperature of injected neutral atoms, which has a substantial suppression effect on the oscillation amplitude.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

NASA NTRS2018

The Effects of Vegetative Type, Edges, Fire History, Rainfall and Management in Fire-Maintained Habitat

The combined effects of fire history, climate, and landscape features (e.g., edges) on habitat specialists need greater focus in fire ecology studies, which usually only emphasize characteristics of the most recent fire. Florida scrub-jays are an imperiled, territorial species that prefer medium (1.2-1.7 m) shrub heights, which are dynamic because of frequent fires. We measured short, medium, and tall habitat quality states annually within 10 ha grid cells (that represented potential territories) because fires and vegetative recovery cause annual variation in habitat quality. We used multistate models and model selection to test competing hypotheses about how transition probabilities vary between states as functions of environmental covariates. Covariates included vegetative type, edges (e.g., roads, forests), precipitation, openings (gaps between shrubs), mechanical cutting, and fire characteristics. Fire characteristics not only included an annual presence/absence of fire covariate, but also fire history covariates: time since the previous fire, the longest fire-free interval, and the number of repeated fires. Statistical models with support included many covariates for each transition probability, often including fire history, interactions and nonlinear relationships. Tall territories resulted from 28 years of fire suppression and habitat fragmentation that reduced the spread of fires across landscapes. Despite 35 years of habitat restoration and prescribed fires, half the territories remained tall suggesting a regime shift to a less desirable habitat condition. Edges reduced the effectiveness of fires in setting degraded scrub and flatwoods into earlier successional states making mechanical cutting an important tool to compliment frequent prescribed fires.

Breininger, David R.↗