Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Internal Model Principle”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

Removing Basis Set Incompleteness Error in Finite-Temperature Electronic Structure Calculations: Two-Electron Systems

We investigate the basis-set-size dependence for quantities related to interacting electrons in the canonical ensemble. Calculations are performed using exact diagonalization (finite temperature full configuration interaction method) on two-electron model systems–the uniform electron gas (UEG) and the helium atom. Our data reproduce previous observations of a competition for how the internal energy converges between the ground-state correlation energy and the high-temperature kinetic energy. We explore how this can be related to component parts of the internal energy including kinetic, exchange, and correlation energies and show there is surprising nuance in how this can be broken down into mostly monotonically converging quantities. We also show that separation of the free energy into a free energy with/without correlation allows for monotonic convergence with basis set size due to the variational principle. We find that the free energy convergence matches the previously observed convergence properties of the internal energy. We discuss the free energy divergence that happens when converging a finite basis analytical hydrogen atom to the complete basis set limit and compare this to the energies of a helium atom in a large periodic box. Reducing the box size, we saw convergence trends for the helium atom that were similar to the UEG.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Enforcing detailed balance in the Borgnakke–Larsen redistribution method with temperature dependent relaxation models

For decades, it has been observed that the commonly used Borgnakke–Larsen method for energy redistribution in Direct Simulation Monte Carlo codes fails to satisfy the principle of detailed balance when coupled to a wide variety of temperature dependent relaxation models, while seemingly satisfying detailed balance when coupled to others. Many attempts have been made to remedy the issue, yet much ambiguity remains, and no consensus appears in the literature regarding the root cause of the intermittent compatibility of the Borgnakke–Larsen method with temperature dependent relaxation models. This paper alleviates that ambiguity by presenting a rigorous theoretical derivation of the Borgnakke–Larsen method's requirement for satisfying detailed balance. Specifically, it is shown that the Borgnakke–Larsen method maintains detailed balance if and only if the probability of internal-energy exchange during a collision depends only on collision invariants (e.g., total energy). Here, the consequences of this result are explored in the context of several published definitions of relaxation temperature, including translational, total, and cell-averaged temperatures. Of particular note, it is shown that cell-averaged temperatures, which have been widely discussed in the literature as a way to ensure equilibrium is reached, also fail in a similar, although less dramatic, fashion when the aforementioned relationship is not enforced. The developed theory can be used when implementing existing or new relaxation models and will ensure that detailed balance is satisfied.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Effective field theory for quasicrystals and phasons dynamics

We build an effective field theory (EFT) for quasicrystals -- aperiodic incommensurate lattice structures -- at finite temperature, entirely based on symmetry arguments and a well-define action principle. By means of Schwinger-Keldysh techniques, we derive the full dissipative dynamics of the system and we recover the experimentally observed diffusion-to-propagation crossover of the phason mode. From a symmetry point of view, the diffusive nature of the phason at long wavelengths is due to the fact that the internal translations, or phason shifts, are symmetries of the system with no associated Noether currents. The latter feature is compatible with the EFT description only because of the presence of dissipation (finite temperature) and the lack of periodic order. Finally, we comment on the similarities with certain homogeneous holographic models and we formally derive the universal relation between the pinning frequency of the phonons and the damping and diffusion constant of the phason.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Active motion of multiphase oil droplets: emergent dynamics of squirmers with evolving internal structure

Synthetic soft matter systems, when driven beyond equilibrium by active processes, offer the potential to achieve dynamical states and functions of a complexity found in living matter. Emulsions offer the basis of a simple yet versatile system for identification of the physicochemical principles underlying active soft matter, but how multiple internal phases within emulsion droplets (e.g., Janus morphologies) organize to impact emergent dynamics is not understood. Here, we create multiphase oil droplets with ultralow interfacial tensions but distinct viscosities, and drive them into motion in aqueous micellar solutions. Preferential solubilization of select components of the oil both drives the droplet motion and yields a progression of internal phase morphological states with distinct symmetries. In this work, we find the active droplets to exhibit five dynamical states during morphogenesis. By quantifying microscopic flow fields, we show that it is possible to map the diverse droplet behaviors to squirmer models of spherical microswimmers in Stokes flow, thus showing that multiphase droplets offer the basis of a versatile platform with which to study and engineer the hydrodynamics of microswimmers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evaluation and Validation of a High Spatial Resolution Satellite Soil Moisture Product over the Continental United States

The soil moisture (SM) data retrieved from the Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) satellite are available at a 9 km grid spacing since April 2015. This product can provide valuable information for research and applications in hydrology and other related fields. However, the resolution may be too coarse for applications at catchment or field scale. In this study, an established downscaling methodology, which had a major modification regarding its application on the SMAP 33 km domain, was implemented to develop a 1 km soil moisture product based on the SMAP 9 km data. The algorithm proposed here is based on the thermal inertia principle and developed by modeling the relationship between surface temperature difference and SM for different Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) classes. The model functions were established and tuned using data from the NASA’s Land Information System (LIS) North America Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) and remotely sensed VISible/InfRared (VIS/IR) reflectance data from Long Term Data Record (LTDR) AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) for the growing season months of April-September 1981–2018. These were then implemented using the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data over the Continental United States (CONUS) domain. Validation activities were carried out using in situ measurements distributed through the International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN). The validation results computed using the 1 km SM data showed that the R2, unbiased RMSE (root mean square error) and bias were improved relative to the 9 km SMAP product by 0.045, 0.018m3/m3 and 0.001m3/m3, respectively. The 1 km SM also exhibited a strong time-series autocorrelation. Further accuracy assessment analyses indicated that precipitation might contribute to the uncertainties in both the 9 km SMAP and 1 km downscaled SMAP SM products.

SMAP↗

Contribution to "AIAA Aerospace Year in Review" article

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Microgravity Science Program is dedicated to promoting our understanding of materials processing by conducting relevant experiments in the microgravity environment and supporting related modeling efforts with the intent of improving ground-based practices. Currently funded investigations include research on dopant distribution and defect formation in semiconductors, microstructural development and transitions in dendritic casting alloys, coarsening phenomena, competition between thermal and kinetic phase formation, and the formation of glassy vs. crystalline material. NASA Microgravity Materials Science Principle Investigators are selected for funding either through a proposal in response to a NASA Research Announcement or by collaborating on a team that has successfully proposed to a foreign space agency research announcement. In the latter case, a US investigator can then apply to NASA for funding through an unsolicited proposal. The International Space Station (ISS) facilities used for the experimental investigations are provided primarily by partnering with foreign agencies and often US investigators are working as a part of a larger team studying a specific area of materials science. Facilities for conducting experiments aboard the ISS include the European Space Agency (ESA) Low Gradient Facility (LGF) and the Solidification and Quench (SQF) modular inserts to the Materials Research Rack/Materials Science Laboratory and are primarily used for controlled solidification studies. The French Space Agency (CNES) provided DECLIC facility allows direct observation of morphological development in transparent materials that solidify analogously to metals. The ESA provided Electro ]Magnetic Levitator (EML) is designed to levitate, melt and then cool samples in order to determine material properties, study nucleation behavior, and document phase transitions. Finally, the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) serves as a onboard facility for supporting the hardware required to conduct a number of smaller, short-term investigations.

Grugel, Richard N.↗

ICME and In-Situ Process Monitoring for Rapid Qualification of Components Made by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Processes for Nuclear Structural Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) through selective powder bed melting of successive layers is being considered as disruptive technology for rapid production of low-cost nuclear reactor internal components with complex geometries. However, there is a potential for non-uniform distribution of physical features, such as porosity or microstructural differences, due to variations of temperature across a component build. These heterogeneities make the deployment of traditional material qualification and non-destructive evaluation of AM components difficult. This research project explored the feasibility of using in-situ process monitoring methods and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) principles as an alternate qualification methodology and approach. This project included six individual tasks: (i) design of artifacts relevant to the nuclear power industry, (ii) evaluation of laser processing and in-situ measurements, (iii) computational modeling, (iv) ex-situ microstructural characterization, (v) evaluation of scaling the methodology for large-scale structures, and (vi) development of a data package to codes and standards organizations. As a part of this research, laser powder bed fusion of metals (316L, Alloy 718, and Ti6Al4V) was explored. This document provides an overview of the research performed over three years and serves as the final U.S. Department of Energy report for this project. In the third year, the project focused on the following activities: (a) in-situ infrared and optical imaging of each layer during processing of representative stainless steel geometries; (b) development of methodologies to analyze the data; and (c) application of ICME methodologies and other experiments to estimate the relevance of defects and microstructure to tensile properties.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

ICME and In-Situ Process Monitoring for Rapid Qualification of Components Made by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Processes for Nuclear Structural Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) through selective powder bed melting of successive layers is being considered as disruptive technology for rapid production of low-cost nuclear reactor internal components with complex geometries. However, there is a potential for non-uniform distribution of physical features, such as porosity or microstructural differences, due to variations of temperature across a component build. These heterogeneities make the deployment of traditional material qualification and non-destructive evaluation of AM components difficult. This research project explored the feasibility of using in-situ process monitoring methods and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) principles as an alternate qualification methodology and approach. This project included six individual tasks: (i) design of artifacts relevant to the nuclear power industry, (ii) evaluation of laser processing and in-situ measurements, (iii) computational modeling, (iv) ex-situ microstructural characterization, (v) evaluation of scaling the methodology for large-scale structures, and (vi) development of a data package to codes and standards organizations. As a part of this research, laser powder bed fusion of metals (316L, Alloy 718, and Ti6Al4V) was explored. This document provides an overview of the research performed over three years and serves as the final U.S. Department of Energy report for this project. In the third year, the project focused on the following activities: (a) in-situ infrared and optical imaging of each layer during processing of representative stainless steel geometries; (b) development of methodologies to analyze the data; and (c) application of ICME methodologies and other experiments to estimate the relevance of defects and microstructure to tensile properties.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

ICME and In-Situ Process Monitoring for Rapid Qualification of Components Made by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Processes for Nuclear Structural Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) through selective powder bed melting of successive layers is being considered as disruptive technology for rapid production of low-cost nuclear reactor internal components with complex geometries. However, there is a potential for non-uniform distribution of physical features, such as porosity or microstructural differences, due to variations of temperature across a component build. These heterogeneities make the deployment of traditional material qualification and non-destructive evaluation of AM components difficult. This research project explored the feasibility of using in-situ process monitoring methods and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) principles as an alternate qualification methodology and approach. This project included six individual tasks: (i) design of artifacts relevant to the nuclear power industry, (ii) evaluation of laser processing and in-situ measurements, (iii) computational modeling, (iv) ex-situ microstructural characterization, (v) evaluation of scaling the methodology for large-scale structures, and (vi) development of a data package to codes and standards organizations. As a part of this research, laser powder bed fusion of metals (316L, Alloy 718, and Ti6Al4V) was explored. This document provides an overview of the research performed over three years and serves as the final U.S. Department of Energy report for this project. In the third year, the project focused on the following activities: (a) in-situ infrared and optical imaging of each layer during processing of representative stainless steel geometries; (b) development of methodologies to analyze the data; and (c) application of ICME methodologies and other experiments to estimate the relevance of defects and microstructure to tensile properties.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

ICME and In-Situ Process Monitoring for Rapid Qualification of Components Made by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Processes for Nuclear Structural Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) through selective powder bed melting of successive layers is being considered as disruptive technology for rapid production of low-cost nuclear reactor internal components with complex geometries. However, there is a potential for non-uniform distribution of physical features, such as porosity or microstructural differences, due to variations of temperature across a component build. These heterogenities make the deployment of traditional material qualification and non-destructive evaluation of AM components difficult. This research project explored the feasibility of using in-situ process monitoring methods and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) principles as an alternate qualification methodology and approach. This project included six individual tasks: (i) design of artifacts relevant to the nuclear power industry, (ii) evaluation of laser processing and in-situ measurements, (iii) computational modeling, (iv) ex-situ microstructural characterization, (v) evaluation of scaling the methodology for large-scale structures, and (vi) development of a data package to codes and standards organizations. As a part of this research, laser powder bed fusion of metals (316L, Alloy 718, and Ti6Al4V) was explored. This document provides an overview of the research performed over three years and serves as the final U.S. Department of Energy report for this project. In the third year, the project focused on the following activities: (a) in-situ infrared and optical imaging of each layer during processing of representative stainless steel geometries; (b) development of methodologies to analyze the data; and (c) application of ICME methodologies and other experiments to estimate the relevance of defects and microstructure to tensile properties.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

ICME and In-Situ Process Monitoring for Rapid Qualification of Components Made by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Processes for Nuclear Structural Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) through selective powder bed melting of successive layers is being considered as disruptive technology for rapid production of low-cost nuclear reactor internal components with complex geometries. However, there is a potential for non-uniform distribution of physical features, such as porosity or microstructural differences, due to variations of temperature across a component build. These heterogenities make the deployment of traditional material qualification and non-destructive evaluation of AM components difficult. This research project explored the feasibility of using in-situ process monitoring methods and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) principles as an alternate qualification methodology and approach. This project included six individual tasks: (i) design of artifacts relevant to the nuclear power industry, (ii) evaluation of laser processing and in-situ measurements, (iii) computational modeling, (iv) ex-situ microstructural characterization, (v) evaluation of scaling the methodology for large-scale structures, and (vi) development of a data package to codes and standards organizations. As a part of this research, laser powder bed fusion of metals (316L, Alloy 718, and Ti6Al4V) was explored. This document provides an overview of the research performed over three years and serves as the final U.S. Department of Energy report for this project. In the third year, the project focused on the following activities: (a) in-situ infrared and optical imaging of each layer during processing of representative stainless steel geometries; (b) development of methodologies to analyze the data; and (c) application of ICME methodologies and other experiments to estimate the relevance of defects and microstructure to tensile properties.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Shock Hugoniot calculations using on-the-fly machine learned force fields with ab initio accuracy

We present a framework for computing the shock Hugoniot using on-the-fly machine learned force field (MLFF) molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, we employ an MLFF model based on the kernel method and Bayesian linear regression to compute the free energy, atomic forces, and pressure, in conjunction with a linear regression model between the internal and free energies to compute the internal energy, with all training data generated from Kohn–Sham density functional theory (DFT). We verify the accuracy of the formalism by comparing the Hugoniot for carbon with recent Kohn–Sham DFT results in the literature. In so doing, we demonstrate that Kohn–Sham calculations for the Hugoniot can be accelerated by up to two orders of magnitude, while retaining ab initio accuracy. We apply this framework to calculate the Hugoniots of 14 materials in the FPEOS database, comprising 9 single elements and 5 compounds, between temperatures of 10 kK and 2 MK. We find good agreement with first principles results in the literature while providing tighter error bars. In addition, we confirm that the inter-element interaction in compounds decreases with temperature.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Tools for Design and Scale-Up of Solar Thermochemical Reactors: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-13-00530

NREL will be collaborating with the Participant on a United States - Australia Solar Energy Collaboration (USASEC) Project Number 1-USO034 "Tools for design and scale-up of solar thermochemical reactors." The grant funds for the Participant's 3.5 year project number 1-US034 commencing on 1 February 2013 have been awarded to the Participant by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and NREL will be collaborating with the Participant during the final 28 months of this project. This project seeks to provide basic knowledge required to design solar thermochemical reactors able to perform the required energy conversions. In several proposed and demonstrated reactors, concentrated sunlight directly irradiates small solid particles suspended in fluid, enabling very high heat transfer rates to the particles which are the sites of chemical reaction. The reactors, therefore, involve the complex and couple dynamics of turbulent, chemically reacting, particle-laden flows and their interaction with concentrating solar radiation. A strong understanding of these coupled interactions will be crucial important in predicting and optimizing the performance of prototype reactors, but this understanding does not yet exist, since they have never been studied in any fundamental way. The project has a assembled an internationally leading team from The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Adelaide in Australia and the NREL in the United States to address this key gap in available know-how. The project will use U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) supercomputers, among the most powerful available worldwide, with cutting-edge software tools to perform first-principles simulations of the relevant interactions. These studies will be combined with detailed laser-based measurements in Australia to provide the first comprehensive databases concerning the governing phenomena in directly irradiated solar-thermochemical reactors. The outcomes will be the basic scientific knowledge, engineering knowhow and modeling tools necessary to design new reactor concepts and then scale up from the laboratory bench to practical size systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

New Directions in Asymptotically Stable Finite-dimensional Adaptive Control of Linear Distributed Parameter Systems

Distributed Parameter Systems (DPS), such as systems described by partial differential equations, require infinite-dimensional state space descriptions to correctly model their dynamical behavior. However, any adaptive control algorithm must be finite-dimensional in order to be implemented via on-line digital computers. Finite-dimensional adaptive control of linear DPS requires stability analysis of nonlinear, time-varying, infinite-dimensional systems. The structure of nonadaptive finite-dimensional control of linear DPS is summarized as it relates to the existence of limiting systems for adaptive control. Two candidate schemes for finite-dimensional adaptive control of DPS are described and critical issues in infinite-dimensional stability analysis are discussed, in particular, the invariance principle, center manifold theory, and relationships between input-output and internal stability.

Balas, M. J.↗

First principles simulation of reacting hypersonic flow over a blunt wedge

This article presents molecular-level analysis of a reactive, near-continuum, Mach 21 nitrogen flow over a blunt wedge using the direct molecular simulation (DMS) method. The flow conditions lead to internal energy excitation and dissociation in the flow field, resulting in thermal and chemical nonequilibrium in the flow. Thermal nonequilibrium in the vibrational mode is observed to extend to the molecular level, where the vibrational energy distributions at various points in the flow field are observed to be non-Boltzmann. Furthermore, this is the first reactive DMS calculation where the wall is assumed to be isothermal and full momentum accommodation of the particles is enforced, hence incorporating viscous wall effects. Since the DMS method uses a quantum mechanically generated interaction potential as its only modeling input, all thermochemical and transport properties of the flow field can directly be attributed to the ab initio potential energy surface. Using the DMS solution as a benchmark, this article assesses the performance of Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics solutions using lower fidelity two-temperature models. Two models are chosen as points of comparison: the well-known Park two-temperature model and the recently developed modified Marrone and Treanor model.

Mechanics↗

A 3D Convective Model for the Jovian Wind Bands

In an earlier paper, we proposed that Jupiter's alternating wind bands are a manifestation of the global interaction between rotation and convection in a shallow layer. The model, however, was obtained from linearization of the 2D equations of motions. At HKUST/Hong Kong, we are now trying to study this problem by rigorous numerical simulation. Using a three-dimensional spectral numerical code, we compute models for the outermost layer of Jupiter's convective envelope. Two cases have been studied. In one the atmospheric pressure varies from 1 to 23 bar, and in the other from 1 to 115 bar. The physical parameters (internal energy flux, rotation rate) are chosen to be close to those expected, but solar heating, chemistry, as well as dynamical influences from deeper layers are ignored. The models generate wind field patterns that contain alternating jet streams with resemblance to the Jovian bands. Instantaneous values of the mean zonal flow at the equator reach 80 m/sec. Yet the mean meridional flows are less than 1% of such value. The meridional temperature profile at the cloud top level also shows a double hump structure of a few degrees (as observed) in the subtropics. Though there is not complete quantitative agreement (caused perhaps by neglected effects like solar radiation), these models demonstrate, in principle, the feasibility of generating a Jovian type wind pattern through the interaction of fast rotation and convection in a thin shell.

Mayr, H. G.↗

MACHINE LEARNING-ENABLED PREDICTION OF TRANSIENT INJECTION MAP IN AUTOMOTIVE INJECTORS WITH UNCERTAINTY QUANTIFICATION

Accurate prediction of injection profiles is a critical aspect of linking injector operation with engine performance and emissions. However, highly resolved injector simulations can take one to two weeks of wall-clock time, which is incompatible with engine design cycles with desired turnaround times of less than a day. Hence, it is important to reduce the time-to-solution of the internal flow simulations by several orders of magnitude to make it compatible with engine simulations. This work demonstrates a data-driven approach for tackling the computational overhead of injector simulations, whereby the transient injection profiles are emulated for a side-oriented, single-hole diesel injector using a Bayesian machine-learning framework. First, an interpretable Bayesian learning strategy was employed to understand the effect of design parameters on the total void fraction field. Then, autoencoders are utilized for efficient dimensionality reduction of the flowfields. Gaussian process models are finally used to predict the spatiotemporal void fraction field at the injector exit for unknown operating conditions. The Gaussian process models produce principled uncertainty estimates associated with the emulated flowfields, which provide the engine designer with valuable information of where the data-driven predictions can be trusted in the design space. The Bayesian flowfield predictions are compared with the corresponding predictions from a deep neural network, which has been transfer-learned from static needle simulations from a previous work by the authors. The emulation framework can predict the void fraction field at the exit of the orifice within a few seconds, thus achieving a speed-up factor of up to 38 x 10(6) over the traditional simulation-based approach of generating transient injection maps.

machine learning↗

Space-based Operations Grid Prototype

The Space based Operations Grid is intended to integrate the "high end" network services and compute resources that a remote payload investigator needs. This includes integrating and enhancing existing services such as access to telemetry, payload commanding, payload planning and internet voice distribution as well as the addition of services such as video conferencing, collaborative design, modeling or visualization, text messaging, application sharing, and access to existing compute or data grids. Grid technology addresses some of the greatest challenges and opportunities presented by the current trends in technology, i.e. how to take advantage of ever increasing bandwidth, how to manage virtual organizations and how to deal with the increasing threats to information technology security. We will discuss the pros and cons of using grid technology in space-based operations and share current plans for the prototype. It is hoped that early on the prototype can incorporate many of the existing as well as future services that are discussed in the first paragraph above to cooperating International Space Station Principle Investigators both nationally and internationally.

Bradford, Robert N.↗