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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 1,495 records · Page 83

Ultra-Sensitive Transition-Edge Sensors (TESs) for Far-IR/Submm Space-Borne Spectroscopy

We have built surface micromachined thin-film metallized Si(x)N(y) optical absorbers for transition-edge sensors (TESs) suitable for the Background - Limited far-IR/Submm Spectrograph (BLISS). BLISS is a broadband (38 micrometers - 433 micrometers), grating spectrometer consisting of five wavebands each with a modest resolution of R (is) approx. 1000. Because BLISS requires the effective noise equivalent power (NEP) of the TES to be below 10 (exp 19) W/Hz(exp 1/2), our TESs consist of four long (1000 micrometers), narrow (0.4 micrometers ), and thin (0.25 micrometers ) Si(x) N(y) support beams that reduce the thermal conductance G between the substrate and the optical absorber. To reduce the heat capacity of the absorber and make the response time tau fast enough for BLISS, our absorbers are patterned into a mesh geometry with a fill factor of less than 10%. We use a bilayer of Ti/Au to make the effective impedance of the absorber match the impedance of the incoming radiation for each band. Measurements of the response time of the metallized absorbers to heat pulses show that their heat capacity exceeds the predictions of the Debye model. Our results are suggestive that the surface of the low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) Si(x)N(y) used in the absorbers' construction is the source of microstates that dominate the heat capacity.

far-IR spectrometer↗

Approach for Structurally Clearing an Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flap for Flight

The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flap was flown on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Gulfstream GIII testbed at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. This smoothly curving flap replaced the existing Fowler flaps creating a seamless control surface. This compliant structure, developed by FlexSys Inc. in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, supported NASA objectives for airframe structural noise reduction, aerodynamic efficiency, and wing weight reduction through gust load alleviation. A thorough structures airworthiness approach was developed to move this project safely to flight. A combination of industry and NASA standard practice require various structural analyses, ground testing, and health monitoring techniques for showing an airworthy structure. This paper provides an overview of compliant structures design, the structural ground testing leading up to flight, and the flight envelope expansion and monitoring strategy. Flight data will be presented, and lessons learned along the way will be highlighted.

flight test↗

Approach for Structurally Clearing an Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flap for Flight

The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flap was flown on the NASA Gulfstream GIII test bed at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. This smoothly curving flap replaced the existing Fowler flaps creating a seamless control surface. This compliant structure, developed by FlexSys Inc. in partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory, supported NASA objectives for airframe structural noise reduction, aerodynamic efficiency, and wing weight reduction through gust load alleviation. A thorough structures airworthiness approach was developed to move this project safely to flight.

complaint trailing edge flap↗

Evaluation of Load Analysis Methods for NASAs GIII Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Project

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), and FlexSys Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan) have collaborated to flight test the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flaps. These flaps were installed on a Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (GAC) GIII aircraft and tested at AFRC at various deflection angles over a range of flight conditions. External aerodynamic and inertial load analyses were conducted with the intention to ensure that the change in wing loads due to the deployed ACTE flap did not overload the existing baseline GIII wing box structure. The objective of this paper was to substantiate the analysis tools used for predicting wing loads at AFRC. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models and distributed mass inertial models were developed for predicting the loads on the wing. The analysis tools included TRANAIR (full potential) and CMARC (panel) models. Aerodynamic pressure data from the analysis codes were validated against static pressure port data collected in-flight. Combined results from the CFD predictions and the inertial load analysis were used to predict the normal force, bending moment, and torque loads on the wing. Wing loads obtained from calibrated strain gages installed on the wing were used for substantiation of the load prediction tools. The load predictions exhibited good agreement compared to the flight load results obtained from calibrated strain gage measurements.

Aerodynamic Loads↗

Longitudinal Aerodynamic Modeling of the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flaps on a GIII Airplane and Comparisons to Flight Data

A pair of compliant trailing edge flaps was flown on a modified GIII airplane. Prior to flight test, multiple analysis tools of various levels of complexity were used to predict the aerodynamic effects of the flaps. Vortex lattice, full potential flow, and full Navier-Stokes aerodynamic analysis software programs were used for prediction, in addition to another program that used empirical data. After the flight-test series, lift and pitching moment coefficient increments due to the flaps were estimated from flight data and compared to the results of the predictive tools. The predicted lift increments matched flight data well for all predictive tools for small flap deflections. All tools over-predicted lift increments for large flap deflections. The potential flow and Navier-Stokes programs predicted pitching moment coefficient increments better than the other tools.

aerodynamics↗

Aerodynamic Flight-Test Results for the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge

The aerodynamic effects of compliant flaps installed onto a modified Gulfstream III airplane were investigated. Analyses were performed prior to flight to predict the aerodynamic effects of the flap installation. Flight tests were conducted to gather both structural and aerodynamic data. The airplane was instrumented to collect vehicle aerodynamic data and wing pressure data. A leading-edge stagnation detection system was also installed. The data from these flights were analyzed and compared with predictions. The predictive tools compared well with flight data for small flap deflections, but differences between predictions and flight estimates were greater at larger deflections. This paper describes the methods used to examine the aerodynamics data from the flight tests and provides a discussion of the flight-test results in the areas of vehicle aerodynamics, wing sectional pressure coefficient profiles, and air data.

aerodynamics↗

Assessment of Edge-Based Viscous Method for Corner-Flow Solutions on Graphics Processing Units

A highly efficient, edge-based viscous (EBV) discretization method has been recently implemented in a practical, unstructured-grid, node-centered, finite-volume flow solver and evaluated for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulations. In comparison to a well-established cell-based viscous (CBV) method, the EBV method has demonstrated multifold acceleration of all viscous-kernel computations on general unstructured mixed-element grids. The viscous kernels include evaluation of viscous fluxes, diffusion terms in turbulence models, and the corresponding Jacobian terms. In this paper, an EBV implementation of a nonlinear extension of the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model, SA-neg-QCR2000, is presented and verified. The SA-neg-QCR2000 model is used for simulating turbulent corner flows. Previously reported EBV computations have been conducted on traditional computing architectures based on central processing units (CPU). This paper assesses benefits of the EBV method on modern high-performance computing architectures based on graphics processing units (GPU). The GPU implementations of the CBV and EBV methods are verified by comparing solutions and iterative convergence with those observed in CPU computations on the same grids. A comprehensive assessment of the EBV speedup on CPU and GPU architectures is presented for established benchmark corner flows, namely, a supersonic flow through a long square duct and a subsonic flow around a NASA juncture flow model.

CFD↗

Applications of Flow Control to Wing High-Lift Leading Edge Devices on a Commercial Aircraft

Active flow control was applied to the leading edge region of a representative future short/medium-range twin-engine airplane to improve aerodynamic performance during high-lift operations. The study is aimed at enhanced lift over the practical angle of attack range, including stall, and at reduced drag. These benefits translate to airplane performance improvements, such as longer range or larger payload. Various flow control applications were explored using Computational Fluid Dynamics and the aerodynamic performance enhancements were benchmarked against the baseline configuration. The computational analyses are used to quantify aerodynamic benefits, as well as the input required for actuation. The results were used in a system integration study for identifying potential practical implementations, which are described in a companion paper. Combined with the integration analysis, the objective of this project is to identify the most promising flow control candidates that potentially provide material net airplane level enhancements using onboard fluidic sources. Depending on the implementation of active flow control, the current study indicates that up to 1.5% net improvement in L/D at takeoff and 4% increase in maximum lift during landing are potentially achievable, after accounting for factors of system integration.

CFD↗

Assessment of Edge-Based Viscous Method for Corner-Flow Solutions on Graphics Processing Units

A highly efficient, edge-based viscous (EBV) discretization method has been recently implemented in a practical, unstructured-grid, node-centered, finite-volume flow solver and evaluated for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulations. In comparison to a well-established cell-based viscous (CBV) method, the EBV method has demonstrated multifold acceleration of all viscous-kernel computations on general unstructured mixed-element grids. The viscous kernels include evaluation of viscous fluxes, diffusion terms in turbulence models, and the corresponding Jacobian terms. In this paper, an EBV implementation of a nonlinear extension of the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model, SA-neg-QCR2000, is presented and verified. The SA-neg-QCR2000 model is used for simulating turbulent corner flows. Previously reported EBV computations have been conducted on traditional computing architectures based on central processing units (CPU). This paper assesses benefits of the EBV method on modern high-performance computing architectures based on graphics processing units (GPU). The GPU implementations of the CBV and EBV methods are verified by comparing solutions and iterative convergence with those observed in CPU computations on the same grids. A comprehensive assessment of the EBV speedup on CPU and GPU architectures is presented for established benchmark corner flows, namely, a supersonic flow through a long square duct and a subsonic flow around a NASA juncture flow model.

CFD↗

Implementation of a Hybrid Edge Node-Centroid Node Approach for the Generation of Reduced Thermal Models

Reduced thermal models are often required for delivery to organizations that manage observatory or launch models at the highest levels of assembly. However, the effort to generate reduced models, and verify against their detailed counterparts, is a challenge that has not yet been conclusively solved. Higher level organizations often place a limit on the number of nodes for delivered models with the assumption that smaller models generally result in less computation time. However, the burden of producing and verifying the accuracy of the reduced models is placed primarily on the lower-level organizations, which in turn consumes resources needed to produce these models. Limiting the total number of allowable nodes may also prevent users from taking full advantage of software capabilities that allow for faster generation of models, such as finite elements, which generally require more nodes than older centroid based models. A methodology using Thermal Desktop was described in 2010 which used: (1) finite elements and edge nodes for a conduction matrix, (2) centroid nodes for capacitance and radiative computations, and (3) the super network feature to produce a conduction matrix based only on the centroid nodes. At that time, the methodology was clear, but the implementation would have had to be done manually; however, with the inclusion of the OpenTD Application Programming Interface, this methodology can now be implemented programmatically and for the first time, be a viable approach for the generation of reduced models. The approach was implemented and developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the Capture, Containment, and Return System (CCRS) payload on the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) as part of the Mars Sample Return mission, resulting in the TCYEE tool. ERO features a spacecraft bus provided by Airbus through the European Space Agency with node limitations on the delivered CCRS model provided by GSFC. TCYEE was used to generate the reduced model for this delivery and the predictions compared favorably to the detailed model currently in use for the thermal performance evaluation. Furthermore, TCYEE is being explored for potential use on the Roman Space Telescope (RST) for the generation of reduced models for delivery to the launch provider, which also has node limit requirements on the RST observatory model for use in launch simulation analyses. This paper describes the methodology, its implementation, and compares the performance of reduced models generated by TCYEE to their detailed counterparts.

Thermal Desktop↗

On the Validity of the Tada Stress Intensity Factor Solution for the Single Edge Notch Tension Specimen With Pinned Ends

The validity of the Tada stress intensity factor (K Tada ) for pinned-ends single edge notch tension [SEN(T)] specimens is assessed via a combined experimental-modeling approach. Analysis of fatigue crack growth rate reductions during constant-∆K Tada loading demonstrates that specific combinations of alloy stiffness, geometry, and loading result in the true K deviating below K Tada . Geometrically non-linear, 3-dimensional finite element calculations confirm mild-to-strong influences of these parameters, which are not captured by K Tada . Most existing pinned SEN(T) data are found to use parameters where KTada is not significantly reduced, but the present results underscore the need for a more broadly applicable K solution.

Non-linear FEA↗

Implementation of a Hybrid Edge Node-Centroid Node Approach for the Generation of Reduced Thermal Models

Reduced thermal models are often required for delivery to organizations that manage observatory or launch models at the highest levels of assembly. However, the effort to generate reduced models, and verify against their detailed counterparts, is a challenge that has not yet been conclusively solved. Higher level organizations often place a limit on the number of nodes for delivered models with the assumption that smaller models generally result in less computation time. However, the burden of producing and verifying the accuracy of the reduced models is placed primarily on the lower-level organizations, which in turn consumes resources needed to produce these models. Limiting the total number of allowable nodes may also prevent users from taking full advantage of software capabilities that allow for faster generation of models, such as finite elements, which generally require more nodes than older centroid based models. A methodology using Thermal Desktop was described in 2010 which used: (1) finite elements and edge nodes for a conduction matrix, (2) centroid nodes for capacitance and radiative computations, and (3) the super network feature to produce a conduction matrix based only on the centroid nodes. At that time, the methodology was clear, but the implementation would have had to be done manually; however, with the inclusion of the OpenTD API, this methodology can now be implemented programmatically and for the first time, be a viable approach for the generation of reduced models. The approach was implemented and developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the Capture, Containment, and Return System (CCRS) payload on the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) as part of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, resulting in the TCYEE tool. ERO features a spacecraft bus provided by Airbus through the European Space Agency (ESA) with node limitations on the delivered CCRS model provided by GSFC. TCYEE was used to generate the reduced model for this delivery and the predictions compared favorably to the detailed model currently in use for the thermal performance evaluation. Furthermore, TCYEE is being explored for potential use on the Roman Space Telescope (RST) for the generation of reduced models for delivery to the launch provider, which also has node limit requirements on the RST observatory model for use in launch simulation analyses. This paper describes the methodology, its implementation, and compares the performance of reduced models generated by TCYEE to their detailed counterparts.

Thermal desktop↗

Conservation Voltage Reduction with Distributed Energy Resource Management System, Grid-Edge, and Legacy Devices: Preprint

Distribution utilities use conservation voltage reduction (CVR) to obtain energy savings and lower peak demand by reducing bus voltages. Traditionally, the CVR is accomplished by controlling the legacy assets such as load tap changers, voltage regulators, and capacitor banks. The deployment of the advanced distribution management system (ADMS) and distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) enables the integration of distributed energy resources into the distribution networks and provide the grid services including CVR. This paper studies the coordinated operation of an ADMS and a DERMS in achieving CVR and voltage regulation. A commercial ADMS uses legacy devices and Edge-of-Network Grid Optimization (ENGO) devices to obtain energy savings through CVR. A prototype DERMS dispatches the photovoltaic smart inverters based on real-time optimal power low to ensure voltage regulation across the feeder. The results show that the coordinated operation of ADMS and DERMS is effective in achieving CVR and voltage regulation. Specifically, energy savings of up to 4.7% are observed in the real utility distribution system used in this study.

advanced distribution management system↗

Integer Sequences from Configurations in the Hausdorff Metric Geometry via Edge Covers of Bipartite Graphs

The Hausdorff metric provides a way to measure the distance between nonempty compact sets in $\mathbb{R}^N$, from which we can build a geometry of sets. This geometry is very different than the standard Euclidean geometry and provides many interesting results. In this paper we focus on line segments in this geometry, where pairs of disjoint sets $A$ and $B$ satisfying certain distance conditions have the property that there are exactly $m$ different sets on the line segment $\overline{AB}$ at every distance from $A$, where $m$ can assume many values different than one. We provide new families of sets that generate previously unrecorded integer sequences via these values of $m$ by connecting the values of $m$ to the number of edge coverings of a graph corresponding to the sets $A$ and $B$.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Tailoring the Weight of Surface and Intralayer Edge States to Control LUMO Energies

Abstract The energies of the frontier molecular orbitals determine the optoelectronic properties in organic films, which are crucial for their application, and strongly depend on the morphology and supramolecular structure. The impact of the latter two properties on the electronic energy levels relies primarily on nearest‐neighbor interactions, which are difficult to study due to their nanoscale nature and heterogeneity. Here, an automated method is presented for fabricating thin films with a tailored ratio of surface to bulk sites and a controlled extension of domain edges, both of which are used to control nearest‐neighbor interactions. This method uses a Langmuir–Schaefer‐type rolling transfer of Langmuir layers (rtLL) to minimize flow during the deposition of rigid Langmuir layers composed of π‐conjugated molecules. Using UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that the rtLL method advances the deposition of multi‐Langmuir layers and enables the production of films with defined morphology. The variation in nearest‐neighbor interactions is thus achieved and the resulting systematically tuned lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies (determined via square‐wave voltammetry) enable the establishment of a model that functionally relates the LUMO energies to a morphological descriptor, allowing for the prediction of the range of accessible LUMO energies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Smart connected worker edge platform for smart manufacturing: Part 2—Implementation and on‐site deployment case study

Abstract In this paper, we describe specific deployments of the Smart Connected Worker (SCW) Edge Platform for Smart Manufacturing through implementation of four instructive real‐world use cases that illustrate the role of people in a Smart Manufacturing paradigm through which affordable, scalable, accessible, and portable (ASAP) information technology (IT) acquires and contextualizes data into information for transmission to operation technologies (OT). For case one, the platform captures the relationships between energy consumption and human workflows for improved energy productivity while workers interact with machines during semiconductor manufacturing. The platform utilizes human cognition to identify anomalous machine behavior for root cause analysis of system faults via neural network (NN) that recognize alarm postures of workers with cameras. For case two, a smart assembly line is demonstrated for state monitoring and fault detection. Machine learning (ML) models are used to recognize system states and identify fault scenarios with human intervention. For case three, the platform monitors human–machine interactions to classify manufacturing machine states for proper operations and energy productivity. Internal energy states of individual or collections of manufacturing equipment are determined via NN based algorithms that disaggregate signals associated with smart metering typically deployed at manufacturing facilities. These methods predict the real time energy profile of each machine from the total energy profile of a manufacturing site. For case four, a software defined sensor system built with scientific workflow engines is demonstrated for contextualizing data from laser surface refraction for characterization, and diagnostics in the processing of additively manufactured titanium alloy.

Donovan, Richard P.↗

Metal–Organic Frameworks at the Edge of Stability: Mediating Node Distortion to Access Metastable Nanoparticle Polymorphs

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as unconventional precursors for nanoparticle synthesis, with potential to leverage their tunable structures and chemistry to achieve nanomaterials with structures and compositions inaccessible via traditional synthetic routes. Here we use in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and pair distribution function (PDF) measurements to investigate how the dynamic structure of MOFs at the edge of stability influences their transformation into different metastable polymorphs. Our study reveals that the local structural features of metal-oxo MOF nodes at elevated temperatures are linked to the resulting nanoparticle structures formed under mild conditions. Focusing on the titanium-based MOF MIL-125, we demonstrate that manipulating the chemical environment to facilitate transformation of the Ti8 node geometry promotes formation of metastable, nanometer-scale TiO2 brookite rather than the more common anatase and rutile TiO2 polymorphs typically produced through MOF pyrolysis at high temperature. These findings highlight the potential to harness the MOF topology and chemical environment to design and control node distortions and enable access to exotic metastable nanoparticle states.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗