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At least 1,459 records · Page 81

Spark Channel Dynamics of Electrostatic Discharges (Rev. 1) [Slides]

To model spark discharges, this work implemented, verified, and validated: 1-D radial conservative Lagrangian hydrodynamic scheme (with heat conduction); Eddington/P1 radiative transfer approximation, time-implicit scheme; RLC circuit solver, time-implicit scheme (adaptable to other circuit types). Novel analytics EOS fit for air up to temperatures of ~150,000 K. Novel "seed" electron concept to initialize finite conductivity in spark without pre-heating the air in the channel, as typically used in spark modeling literature. Reasonable, if conservative (from an engineering viewpoint), agreement with experimental data for indirect (circuit) and direct (interferometry) measurements of spark. Many potential avenues of future work: Two-temperature dryodynamics (requires two-temperature EOS development); 2-D axisymmetric geometry for axial (z) variation, modeling delectric electrodes; Kinetic equations for time-dependent charged species populations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Hydro-particle-mesh Code for Efficient and Rapid Simulations of the Intracluster Medium

We introduce the cosmological HYPER code based on an innovative hydro-particle-mesh (HPM) algorithm for efficient and rapid simulations of gas and dark matter. For the HPM algorithm, we update the approach of Gnedin & Hui to expand the scope of its application from the lower-density intergalactic medium (IGM) to the higher-density intracluster medium (ICM). While the original algorithm tracks only one effective particle species, the updated version separately tracks the gas and dark matter particles, as they do not exactly trace each other on small scales. For the approximate hydrodynamics solver, the pressure term in the gas equations of motion is calculated using robust physical models. In particular, we use a dark matter halo model, ICM pressure profile, and IGM temperature–density relation, all of which can be systematically varied for parameter-space studies. We show that the HYPER simulation results are in good agreement with the halo model expectations for the density, temperature, and pressure radial profiles. Simulated galaxy cluster scaling relations for Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) and X-ray observables are also in good agreement with mean predictions, with scatter comparable to that found in hydrodynamic simulations. HYPER also produces lightcone catalogs of dark matter halos and full-sky tomographic maps of the lensing convergence, SZ effect, and X-ray emission. These simulation products are useful for testing data analysis pipelines, generating training data for machine learning, understanding selection and systematic effects, and for interpreting astrophysical and cosmological constraints.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Development of an x-ray radiography platform to study laser-direct-drive energy coupling at the National Ignition Facility

A platform has been developed to study laser-direct-drive energy coupling at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) using a plastic sphere target irradiated in a polar-direct-drive geometry to launch a spherically converging shock wave. To diagnose this system evolution, eight NIF laser beams are directed onto a curved Cu foil to generate Heα line emission at a photon energy of 8.4 keV. These x rays are collected by a 100-ps gated x-ray imager in the opposing port to produce temporally gated radiographs. The platform is capable of acquiring images during and after the laser drive launches the shock wave. A backlighter profile is fit to the radiographs, and the resulting transmission images are Abel inverted to infer radial density profiles of the shock front and to track its temporal evolution. Here, the measurements provide experimental shock trajectories and radial density profiles that are compared to 2D radiation-hydrodynamic simulations using cross-beam energy transfer and nonlocal heat-transport models.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Hydrodynamics of coalescing binary neutron stars: Ellipsoidal treatment

We employ an approximate treatment of dissipative hydrodynamics in three dimensions to study the coalescence of binary neutron stars driven by the emission of gravitational waves. The stars are modeled as compressible ellipsoids obeying a polytropic equation of state; all internal fluid velocities are assumed to be linear functions of the coordinates. The hydrodynamics equations then reduce to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations for the evolution of the principal axes of the ellipsoids, the internal velocity parameters, and the binary orbital parameters. Gravitational radiation reaction and viscous dissipation are both incorporated. We set up exact initial binary equilibrium configurations and follow the transition from the quasi-static, secular decay of the orbit at large separation to the rapid dynamical evolution of the configurations just prior to contact. A hydrodynamical instability resulting from tidal interactions significantly accelerates the coalescence at small separation, leading to appreciable radial infall velocity and tidal lag angles near contact. This behavior is reflected in the gravitational waveforms and may be observable by gravitational wave detectors under construction. In cases where the neutron stars have spins which are not aligned with the orbital angular momentum, the spin-induced quadrupole moment can lead to precession of the orbital plane and therefore modulation of the gravitational wave amplitude even at large orbital radius. However, the amplitude of the modulation is small for typical neutron star binaries with spins much smaller than the orbital angular momentum.

Lai, Dong↗

Observational Signatures of Planets in Protoplanetary Disks: Temperature Structures in Spiral Arms

High-resolution imaging of protoplanetary disks has unveiled a rich diversity of spiral structure, some of which may arise from disk-planet interaction. Using 3D hydrodynamics with β cooling to a vertically stratified background, as well as radiative-transfer modeling, we investigate the temperature rise in planet-driven spirals. In rapidly cooling disks, the temperature rise is dominated by a contribution from stellar irradiation, 0.3%–3% inside the planet radius but always < 0.5% outside. When cooling time equals or exceeds dynamical time, however, this is overwhelmed by hydrodynamic PdV work, which introduces a ~10%–20% perturbation within a factor of ~2 from the planet’s orbital radius. We devise an empirical fit of the spiral amplitude Δ(T)=(M{sub p}/M{sub th}){sup c}(f{sub PdV}e{sup -t{sub a}{sub r}{sub m}/t{sub c}}+f{sub rad}) to take into account both effects. Where cooling is slow, we find also that temperature perturbations from buoyancy spirals—a strictly 3D, nonisothermal phenomenon—become nearly as strong as those from Lindblad spirals, which are amenable to 2D and isothermal studies. Our findings may help explain observed thermal features in disks like TW Hydrae and CQ Tauri, and underscore that 3D effects have a qualitatively important effect on disk structure.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The delayed-detonation model of Type Ia supernovae. 2: The detonation phase

The investigation, by use of two-dimensional numerical hydrodynamics simulations, of the 'delayed detonation' mechanism of Khokhlov for the explosion of Type Ia supernovae is continued. Previously we found that the deflagration is insufficient to unbind the star. Expansion shuts off the flame; much of this small production of iron group nuclei occurs at lower densities, which reduces the electron-capture problem. Because the degenerate star has an adiabatic exponent only slightly above 4/3, the energy released by deflagration drives a pulsation of large amplitude. During the first expansion phase, adiabatic cooling shuts off the burning, and a Rayleigh-Taylor instability then gives mixing of high-entropy ashes with low-entropy fuel. During the first contraction phase, compressional heating reignites the material. The burning was allowed to develop into a detonation in these nonspherical models. The detonation grows toward spherical symmetry at late times. At these densities (rho approx. 10(exp 7) to 10(exp 8) g cm(exp -3)), either Ni-56 or nuclei of the Si-Ca group are the dominant products of the burning. The bulk yields are sensitive to the density of the star when the transition to detonation occurs. The relevance of the abundances, velocities, mixing, and total energy release to the theory and interpretation of Type Ia supernovae is discussed.

Arnett, David↗

Thermal effects mediating the flow induced by laser-induced optical breakdown

Here, a short focused laser pulse can generate a hot plasma, which expands then contracts and can eject a hot jet, the speed and direction of which is sensitive to the details of the plasma kernel. The coupling of thermal and chemical nonequilibrium plasma mechanisms with this hydrodynamic development is assessed with detailed simulations of a two-temperature, three-species plasma model. Time scales for electron recombination, thermal relaxation, and diffusion are compared to that of the plasma expansion to anticipate conditions in which these mechanisms might affect the vorticity generation that leads to the ultimate flow pattern. The effect of these mechanisms are analyzed through comparison with corresponding inert-gas and equilibrium models. Thermal-nonequilibrium effects are found to be weak due to rapid relaxation of the heavy-particle and electronic temperatures. In contrast, chemical equilibration occurs at a rate comparable to the expansion and thereby enhance both it and subsequent hydrodynamic mechanisms as the energy stored in ion formation during the preceding breakdown is released by electron recombination. Thermal conduction, enhanced by high-temperature free electrons, weakens the ejection.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

How Hospitable are Space Weather Affected Habitable Zones? The Role of Ion Escape

Atmospheres of exoplanets in the habitable zones around active young G-K-M stars are subject to extreme X-ray and EUV (XUV) (Extreme Ultraviolet) fluxes from their host stars that can initiate atmospheric erosion. Atmospheric loss affects exoplanetary habitability in terms of surface water inventory, atmospheric pressure, the efficiency of greenhouse warming, and the dosage of the UV surface irradiation. Thermal escape models suggest that exoplanetary atmospheres around active K-M stars should undergo massive hydrogen escape, while heavier species including oxygen will accumulate forming an oxidizing atmosphere. Here, we show that non-thermal oxygen ion escape could be as important as thermal, hydrodynamic H escape in removing the constituents of water from exoplanetary atmospheres under supersolar XUV irradiation. Our models suggest that the atmospheres of a significant fraction of Earth-like exoplanets around M dwarfs and active K stars exposed to high XUV fluxes will incur a significant atmospheric loss rate of oxygen and nitrogen, which will make them uninhabitable within a few tens to hundreds million years, given a low replenishment rate from volcanism or cometary bombardment. Our non-thermal escape models have important implications for the habitability of the Proxima Centauri's terrestrial planet.

radiation mechanisms↗

Computational Analysis of Different Sparging Systems and their Influence in the Fluid-Dynamic Behavior of Bubble Column Reactors

Bubble column bioreactors are being actively considered for gas fermentation applications, specifically for CO2 utilization, and sugars to fuels conversion. Their main advantages include good mass transfer without any moving parts and low-cost of operation and maintenance. However, the design and scale-up of such reactors is challenging specifically for carbon capture applications where a mixture of gases (e.g. CO2/CO/H2) with variable solubilities is used. The overall performance of scaled-up bioreactors (e.g., mass transfer rate) is largely affected by gas holdup, bubble size distribution (BSD), and multiphase hydrodynamics. We investigate the effect of gas sparger designs on the performance of these large-scale bioreactors using computational fluid dynamics simulations in this work, so as to improve CO2 conversion at scale. The gas distribution systems in bubble column reactors not only determines operational regime, but also affects the evolution of the BSD, which in turn influences interfacial mass transfer and ultimately the efficiency of the gas-liquid exchange process. In addition to the BSD, uniformity in gas sparging affects gas holdup and bubble residence time which constitute important metrics of performance in gas-liquid systems. In this work, we use computational models to simulate high fidelity representations of different sparger designs and their effect on the operation of a bubble column reactor. Four different types of spargers have been selected for the computational study (Fig. 1): ladder, multi-ring, single-ring and toroidal. Their effect on superficial velocity, gas holdup mixing efficiency, and BSD will be evaluated in this work. The model uses a multiphase Eulerian framework similar to [1] and include a composition of mixtures of H2/CO/CO2 gases, common in fermentation applications.

BIOMASS FUELS,MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Stochastic fluctuations in relativistic fluids: Causality, stability, and the information current

We develop a general formalism for introducing stochastic fluctuations around thermodynamic equilibrium which takes into account, for the first time, recent developments in the causality and stability properties of relativistic hydrodynamic theories. The method is valid for any covariantly stable theory of relativistic viscous fluid dynamics derived from a covariant maximum entropy principle. We illustrate the formalism with some applications, showing how it could be used to consistently introduce fluctuations in a model of relativistic heat diffusion and in conformally invariant Israel-Stewart theory in a general hydrodynamic frame. Furthermore, the latter example is used to study the hydrodynamic frame dependence of the symmetric two-point function of fluctuations of the energy-momentum tensor.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A new effective theory for stochastic relativistic hydrodynamics

Thermal fluctuations are a fundamental feature of dissipative systems that are essential for understanding physics near the expected critical point of QCD and in small systems. When such fluctuations are modeled naively in relativistic systems, strange features can appear such as negative self-correlation functions. We construct an effective theory for nonlinear stochastic relativistic hydrodynamics that ensure a well-posed mathematical formulation. Using Crooks fluctuation theorem, we derive a symmetry of the effective action that incorporates fluctuations through a suitable free energy functional. For divergence type theories, the action can then be fully specified using a single vector generating current. The equations of motion obtained using this procedure are guaranteed to be flux conservative and symmetric hyperbolic when the dynamics is causal. This ensures that these equations are well-posed (for suitable initial data) and are in a form that can easily be simulated, including with Metropolis techniques.

Mullins, Nicki [University of Illinois at Urbana-C↗

Multiplicity dependence of (multi-)strange hadrons in oxygen-oxygen collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ TeV using EPOS4 and AMPT

It is anticipated that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will collect data from oxygen-oxygen (O+O) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7 TeV to explore the effects observed in high multiplicity proton-proton (p+p) and proton-lead (p+pb) collisions that closely related to lead-lead (Pb+Pb) collisions. Furthermore, these effects include azimuthal asymmetries in particle production, as well as variations in the abundances and momentum distributions across different hadron species, which are indicative of collective particle production mechanisms induced by the interactions in the presence of a QGP. The upcoming data on O+O collisions at the LHC are expected to constrain the model parameters and refine our understanding of theoretical models. In this work, the predicted transverse momentum (p T ) spectra, rapidity density distributions (dN/dy), particle yield ratios, and p T -differential ratios of (multi)strange hadrons produced in O+O collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7 TeV using AMPT and EPOS4 models are presented. AMPT focuses on preformed hadronic interactions, while EPOS4 incorporates a QGP phase. Stronger radial flow in EPOS4 as compared to AMPT is also observed. AMPT incorporates some flow effects, but the implementation of full hydrodynamic flow in EPOS4 appears to be significantly more effective in reproducing the existing experimental data. Both models predict the final state multiplicity overlap with p+p, p+pb, and Pb+Pb collisions.

Heavy-ion collisions↗

Local Lagrangian reduced-order modeling for the Rayleigh-Taylor instability by solution manifold decomposition

The Rayleigh-Taylor instability is a classical hydrodynamic instability of great interest in various disciplines of science and engineering, including astrophysics, atmospheric sciences and climate, geophysics, and fusion energy. Analytical methods cannot be applied to explain the long-time behavior of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, and therefore, numerical simulation of the full problem is required. However, in order to capture the growth of amplitude of perturbations accurately, both the spatial and temporal discretizations need to be extremely fine for traditional numerical methods, and long-time simulation may become prohibitively expensive. In this paper, we propose efficient reduced order model techniques to accelerate the simulation of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in compressible gas dynamics. Here, we introduce a general framework for decomposing the solution manifold to construct the temporal domain partition and temporally-local reduced order model construction with varying Atwood number. We propose two practical approaches in this framework, namely decomposition by physical time and by penetration distance. Numerical results are presented to examine the performance of the proposed approaches.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Rheology of dense fiber suspensions: Origin of yield stress, shear thinning, and normal stress differences

We use high-fidelity computational model of fiber suspension to investigate suspension rheology. We investigate the interplay between the hydrodynamic, noncontact attractive and repulsive, and interfiber contact interactions. The shear-thinning viscosity and finite yield stress obtained from the Immerse Boundary Method simulations align quantitatively with experimental findings from the literature. The study demonstrates that attractive interactions lead to both yield stress and shear thinning behavior in rigid fiber suspensions. This discovery holds significance as it contributes to the ongoing debate on the source of yield stress in fiber suspensions. The proposed model is used to quantify normal stresses in addition to shear thinning and yield stress.

Ardekani, Arezoo↗

Control Design for a Marine Hydrokinetic Cycloturbine Vehicle

Abstract Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) cycloturbines generate sustainable power by exploiting tidal currents. By powering the turbines and using pitching foils for control, a vehicle comprised of MHK cycloturbines also has the ability to station keep and maneuver. The vehicle consists of four counter-rotating cycloturbines, with hydrofoils oriented perpendicular to the flow in a paddlewheel configuration. Lift and drag generated from these foils sum together to produce thrust. An experimentally tuned simulation model that solves the six-degrees-of-freedom rigid body equations of motion for the MHK vehicle subject to hydrodynamic, hydrostatic, and propulsive forces is used to aid the design of vehicle controllers. Global feedback controllers are initially designed by applying classical control methods to an approximate linear model of the system dynamics. A higher performing nonlinear controller is designed using the nonlinear dynamic inversion (NDI) method. NDI accounts for the nonlinearities of the MHK system and therefore is suitable for a wide range of operating conditions. The response of the classical and NDI controllers to speed, depth, roll, pitch, and yaw commands are evaluated and compared in simulation. The classical controller outperforms the NDI controller for small amplitude maneuvers, although the degradation with NDI is minor. However, in the nonlinear operating regime the NDI controller outperforms the classical controller and the classical controller exhibits instability.

Automation & Control Systems↗

Modeling the Interaction of Laser-Produced Proton Beams with Matter

A major goal of this project is to significantly increase our understanding of isochoric heating of matter using laser produced proton beams, and the associated high energy density (HED) and warm dense matter (WDM) regimes generated. This will benefit research fields such as planetary science, fusion energy, plasma physics, and material science. For example, it will enhance our understanding of WDM properties of iron and silica under conditions encountered in planetary interiors and diagnostic components in fusion devices exposed to high fluxes of energetic plasma ions. The project is motivated by recent experiments that irradiated Si targets with proton beams generated by the 20 TW-laser at the SLAC MEC end-station. The HED/WDM states are probed using the 50 fs hard X-rays available in the 3rd harmonic of the LCLS. As part of this project, results from the phase contrast X-ray imaging, which shows the generation of compression waves that produces rear surface spallation, are compared with results from the 3D multi-physics multi- material code, PISALE, that combines Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) hydrodynamics with Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR). This comparison required modifications to several physics models in the PISALE (Pacific Island Structured-AMR with ALE) code. An important aspect of this project is the continued training of graduate students in HED physics and in conducting complex multiphysics simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Modeling of vortex generated sound in solid propellant rocket motors

There is considerable evidence based on both full scale firings and cold flow simulations that hydrodynamically unstable shear flows in solid propellant rocket motors can lead to acoustic pressure fluctuations of significant amplitude. Although a comprehensive theoretical understanding of this problem does not yet exist, procedures were explored for generating useful analytical models describing the vortex shedding phenomenon and the mechanisms of coupling to the acoustic field in a rocket combustion chamber. Since combustion stability prediction procedures cannot be successful without incorporation of all acoustic gains and losses, it is clear that a vortex driving model comparable in quality to the analytical models currently employed to represent linear combustion instability must be formulated.

Flandro, G. A.↗

Enhanced hydrodynamic transport in near magic angle twisted bilayer graphene

Using the semiclassical quantum Boltzmann theory and employing the Dirac model with twist angle-dependent Fermi velocity, we obtain results for the electrical resistivity, the electronic thermal resistivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and the Wiedemann-Franz ratio in near magic angle twisted bilayer graphene, as functions of doping density (around the charge-neutrality point) and modified Fermi velocity $\tilde{v}$. The $\tilde{v}$ dependence of the relevant scattering mechanisms, i.e., electron-hole Coulomb, long-range impurities, and acoustic gauge phonons, is considered in detail. We find a range of twist angles and temperatures, where the combined effect of momentum-nonconserving collisions (long-range impurities and phonons) is minimal, opening a window for the observation of strong hydrodynamic transport. In this work, several experimental signatures are identified, such as a sharp dependence of the electric resistivity on doping density and a large enhancement of the Wiedemann-Franz ratio and the Seebeck coefficient.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗