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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 1,531 records · Page 85
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Superconductor to exciton condensate transition in a model copper-oxide material

Abstract Superconductivity and exciton condensation are fundamental phenomena in condensed matter physics, associated with the condensation of electron–electron and electron–hole pairs, respectively, into coherent quantum states. In this study, we present evidence of a superconductor to exciton condensate transition within the context of the three-band Hubbard model of copper-oxide-like materials. As the electron–electron repulsion increases, the superconducting phase is superseded by exciton condensation. In support of theoretical predictions—not yet realized experimentally—we observe the coexistence of the two condensates in the vicinity of the transition where the quantum states become a superposition of electron–electron and electron–hole condensates. Coexistence is rigorously computed from large eigenvalues and their eigenvectors in both the two-electron reduced density matrix (2-RDM) and the particle-hole RDM, which we obtain from a direct variational ground-state energy minimization with respect to the 2-RDM by semidefinite programming. We further discern that adjacent d orbitals and intervening p orbitals facilitate electron–electron pairing between copper orbitals, thereby supporting the superexchange mechanism for superconductivity. These observations suggest the feasibility of witnessing a superconductor to exciton condensate transition in copper-oxide analogs, bearing significant implications for identifying materials conducive to efficient transport processes.

Schouten, Anna O. (ORCID:0000000264255219)↗
NASA NTRS1985

Performance of the Dsa's Subcarrier Demodulation Digital Loop

The subcarrier demodulation digital loop is part of the baseband assembly. The subcarrier demodulator is a fourth-order Costas-type loop corresponding to a type 2 analog loop in terms of steady state response. The expected value and the variance of the error signal are determined as functions of the input SNR. A Nyquist sampling rate of the input signal is assumed. From the integro-difference equations a mixed s/z domain block diagram is obtained. From the loop's transfer function a set of gains for the loop filter is obtained. Also, a set of state equations is presented for future reference. Finally, the noise-equivalent bandwidths are calculated for normalized computation times of 0, 0.25 and 0.5. The subcarrier demodulator analyzed tracks a parabolic phase input with finite steady state error. Since at each update instant the loop gains are adjusted to compensate for the variations in SNR of the input signal, the noise-equivalent bandwidth is maintained constant.

Simon, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Combined control-structure optimization

An approach for combined control-structure optimization keyed to enhancing early design trade-offs is outlined and illustrated by numerical examples. The approach employs a homotopic strategy and appears to be effective for generating families of designs that can be used in these early trade studies. Analytical results were obtained for classes of structure/control objectives with linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) costs. For these, researchers demonstrated that global optima can be computed for small values of the homotopy parameter. Conditions for local optima along the homotopy path were also given. Details of two numerical examples employing the LQR control cost were given showing variations of the optimal design variables along the homotopy path. The results of the second example suggest that introducing a second homotopy parameter relating the two parts of the control index in the LQG/LQR formulation might serve to enlarge the family of Pareto optima, but its effect on modifying the optimal structural shapes may be analogous to the original parameter lambda.

Salama, M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

The mechanics of brittle granular materials with coevolving grain size and shape

The influence of particle shape on the mechanics of sand is widely recognized, especially in mineral processing and geomechanics. However, most existing continuum theories for engineering applications do not encompass the morphology of the grains and its evolution during comminution. Similarly, the relatively few engineering models accounting for grain-scale processes tend to idealize particles as spheres, with their diameters considered as the primary and sole geometric descriptor. This paper inspires a new generation of constitutive laws for crushable granular continua with arbitrary, yet evolving, particle morphology. We explore the idea of introducing multiple grain shape descriptors into Continuum Breakage Mechanics (CBM), a theory originally designed to track changes in particle size distributions during confined comminution. We incorporate the influence of these descriptors on the elastic strain energy potential and treat them as dissipative state variables. In analogy with the original CBM, and in light of evidence from extreme fragmentation in nature, the evolution of the additional shape descriptors is postulated to converge towards an attractor. Comparisons with laboratory experiments, discrete element analyses and particle-scale fracture models illustrate the encouraging performance of the theory. The theory provides insights into the feedback among particle shape, compressive yielding and inelastic deformation in crushable granular continua. These results inspire new questions that should guide future research into crushable granular systems using particle-scale imaging and computations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer pairing of composite fermions

Topological pairing of composite fermions has led to remarkable ideas, such as excitations obeying non-Abelian braid statistics and topological quantum computation. Here, we construct a p-wave paired Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) wave function for composite fermions in the torus geometry, which is a convenient geometry for formulating momentum space pairing as well as for revealing the underlying composite-fermion Fermi sea. Following the standard BCS approach, we minimize the Coulomb interaction energy at half filling in the lowest and the second Landau levels, which correspond to filling factors ν = 1/2 and ν = 5/2 in GaAs quantum wells, by optimizing two variational parameters that are analogous to the gap and the Debye cut-off energy of the BCS theory. Our results show no evidence for pairing at ν = 1/2 but a clear evidence for pairing at ν = 5/2. To a good approximation, the highest overlap between the exact Coulomb ground state at ν = 5/2 and the BCS state is obtained for parameters that minimize the energy of the latter, thereby providing support for the physics of composite-fermion pairing as the mechanism for the 5/2 fractional quantum Hall effect. We discuss the issue of modular covariance of the composite-fermion BCS wave function, and calculate its Hall viscosity and pair correlation function. By similar methods, we look for but do not find an instability to s-wave pairing for a spin-singlet composite-fermion Fermi sea at half-filled lowest Landau level in a system where the Zeeman splitting has been set to zero.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Quench Detection and Monitoring System for Superconducting Magnets at Fermilab

A quench detection system was developed for protecting and monitoring the superconducting solenoids for the Muon-to-Electron Conversion Experiment (Mu2e) at Fermilab. The quench system was designed for a high level of dependability and long-term continuous operation. It is based on three tiers: Tier-I, FPGA-based Digital Quench Detection (DQD); Tier-II, Analog Quench Detection (AQD); and Tier-3, the quench controls and data management system. The Tier-I and Tier-II are completely independent and fully redundant systems. The Tier-3 system is based on National Instruments (NI) C-RIO and provides the user interface for quench controls and data management. It is independent from Tiers I & II. The DQD provides both quench detection and quench characterization (monitoring) capability. Both DQD and AQD have built-in high voltage isolation and user programmable gains and attenuations. The DQD and AQD also includes user configured current dependent thresholding and validation times. A 1 st article of the three-tier system was fully implemented on the new Fermilab magnet test stand for the HL-LHC Accelerator Up-grade Project (AUP). It successfully provided quench protection and monitoring (QPM) for a cold superconducting bus test in November 2020. The Mu2e quench detection design has since been implemented for production testing of the AUP magnets. A detailed description of the system along with results from the AUP superconducting bus test will be presented.

monitoring↗
NASA NTRS1992

Helicopter noise prediction - The current status and future direction

The paper takes stock of the progress, assesses the current prediction capabilities, and forecasts the direction of future helicopter noise prediction research. The acoustic analogy approach, specifically, theories based on the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equations, are the most widely used for deterministic noise sources. Thickness and loading noise can be routinely predicted given good plane motion and blade loading inputs. Blade-vortex interaction noise can also be predicted well with measured input data, but prediction of airloads with the high spatial and temporal resolution required for BVI is still difficult. Current semiempirical broadband noise predictions are useful and reasonably accurate. New prediction methods based on a Kirchhoff formula and direct computation appear to be very promising, but are currently very demanding computationally.

Brentner, Kenneth S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

A deterministic particle method for one-dimensional reaction-diffusion equations

We derive a deterministic particle method for the solution of nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations in one spatial dimension. This deterministic method is an analog of a Monte Carlo method for the solution of these problems that has been previously investigated by the author. The deterministic method leads to the consideration of a system of ordinary differential equations for the positions of suitably defined particles. We then consider the time explicit and implicit methods for this system of ordinary differential equations and we study a Picard and Newton iteration for the solution of the implicit system. Next we solve numerically this system and study the discretization error both analytically and numerically. Numerical computation shows that this deterministic method is automatically adaptive to large gradients in the solution.

Mascagni, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2003

Intelligent Machines in the 21st Century: Automating the Processes of Inference and Inquiry

The last century saw the application of Boolean algebra toward the construction of computing machines, which work by applying logical transformations to information contained in their memory. The development of information theory and the generalization of Boolean algebra to Bayesian inference have enabled these computing machines. in the last quarter of the twentieth century, to be endowed with the ability to learn by making inferences from data. This revolution is just beginning as new computational techniques continue to make difficult problems more accessible. However, modern intelligent machines work by inferring knowledge using only their pre-programmed prior knowledge and the data provided. They lack the ability to ask questions, or request data that would aid their inferences. Recent advances in understanding the foundations of probability theory have revealed implications for areas other than logic. Of relevance to intelligent machines, we identified the algebra of questions as the free distributive algebra, which now allows us to work with questions in a way analogous to that which Boolean algebra enables us to work with logical statements. In this paper we describe this logic of inference and inquiry using the mathematics of partially ordered sets and the scaffolding of lattice theory, discuss the far-reaching implications of the methodology, and demonstrate its application with current examples in machine learning. Automation of both inference and inquiry promises to allow robots to perform science in the far reaches of our solar system and in other star systems by enabling them to not only make inferences from data, but also decide which question to ask, experiment to perform, or measurement to take given what they have learned and what they are designed to understand.

Knuth, Kevin H.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Deep material network via a quilting strategy: visualization for explainability and recursive training for improved accuracy

Recent developments integrating micromechanics and neural networks offer promising paths for rapid predictions of the response of heterogeneous materials with similar accuracy as direct numerical simulations. The deep material network is one such approaches, featuring a multi-layer network and micromechanics building blocks trained on anisotropic linear elastic properties. Once trained, the network acts as a reduced-order model, which can extrapolate the material’s behavior to more general constitutive laws, including nonlinear behaviors, without the need to be retrained. However, current training methods initialize network parameters randomly, incurring inevitable training and calibration errors. Here, we introduce a way to visualize the network parameters as an analogous unit cell and use this visualization to “quilt” patches of shallower networks to initialize deeper networks for a recursive training strategy. The result is an improvement in the accuracy and calibration performance of the network and an intuitive visual representation of the network for better explainability.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS2000

The faint young Sun paradox: an observational test of an alternative solar model

We report the results of deep observations at radio (3.6 cm) wavelengths of the nearby solar-type star pi 01 Ursa Majoris with the Very Large Array (VLA) intended to test an alternative theory of solar luminosity evolution. The standard model predicts a solar luminosity only 75% of the present value and surface temperatures below freezing on Earth and Mars at 4 Ga, seemingly in conflict with geologic evidence for liquid water on these planets. An alternative model invokes a compensatory mass loss through a declining solar wind that results in a more consistent early luminosity. The free-free emission from an enhanced wind around nearby young Sun-like stars should be detectable at microwave frequencies. Our observations of pi 01 UMa, a 300 million year-old solar-mass star, place an upper limit on the mass loss rate of 4-5 x 10(-11) M(solar) yr-1. Total mass loss from such a star over 4 Gyr would be less than 6%. If this star is indeed an analog of the early Sun, it casts doubt on the alternative model as a solution to the faint young Sun paradox, particularly for Mars.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗
DOE OSTI2022

Histidine methyltransferase SETD3 methylates structurally diverse histidine mimics in actin

Actin histidine N τ -methylation by histidine methyltransferase SETD3 plays an important role in human biology and diseases. Here, we report integrated synthetic, biocatalytic, biostructural, and computational analyses on human SETD3-catalyzed methylation of actin peptides possessing histidine and its structurally and chemically diverse mimics. Our enzyme assays supported by biostructural analyses demonstrate that SETD3 has a broader substrate scope beyond histidine, including N-nucleophiles on the aromatic and aliphatic side chains. Quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical molecular dynamics and free-energy simulations provide insight into binding geometries and the free energy barrier for the enzymatic methyl transfer to histidine mimics, further supporting experimental data that histidine is the superior SETD3 substrate over its analogs. This work demonstrates that human SETD3 has a potential to catalyze efficient methylation of several histidine mimics, overall providing mechanistic, biocatalytic, and functional insight into actin histidine methylation by SETD3.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Numerical fluid dynamics for FRG flow equations: Zero-dimensional QFTs as numerical test cases. II. Entropy production and irreversibility of RG flows

Herein we demonstrate that the reformulation of renormalization group (RG) flow equations as nonlinear heat equations has severe implications on the understanding of RG flows in general. We demonstrate by explicitly constructing an entropy function for a zero-dimensional Z 2 -symmetric model that the dissipative character of generic nonlinear diffusion equations is also hard-coded in the functional RG equation. This renders RG flows manifestly irreversible, revealing the semigroup property of RG transformations on the level of the flow equation itself. Additionally, we argue that the dissipative character of RG flows, its irreversibility and the entropy production during the RG flow may be linked to the existence of a so-called C– / A-function. In total, this introduces an asymmetry in the so-called RG time—in complete analogy to the thermodynamic arrow of time—and allows for an interpretation of infrared actions as equilibrium solutions of dissipative RG flows equations. The impossibility of resolving microphysics from macrophysics is evident in this framework. Furthermore, we directly link the irreversibility and the entropy production in RG flows to an explicit numerical entropy production, which is manifest in diffusive and non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) and a standard mathematical tool for the analysis of PDEs. Using exactly solvable zero-dimensional Z 2 -symmetric models, we explicitly compute the (numerical) entropy production related to the total variation nonincreasing property of the PDE during RG flows toward the infrared limit. Finally, we discuss generalizations of our findings and relations to the C– / A-theorem as well as how our work may help to construct truncations of RG flow equations in the future, including numerically stable schemes for solving the corresponding PDEs.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1975

Acquisition of quantitative physiological data and computerized image reconstruction using a single scan TV system

Single scan operation of television X-ray fluoroscopic systems allow both analog and digital reconstruction of tomographic sections from single plan images. This type of system combined with a minimum of statistical processing showed excellent capabilities for delineating small changes in differential X-ray attenuation. Patient dose reduction is significant when compared to normal operation or film recording. Flat screen, low light level systems were both rugged and light in weight, making them applicable for a variety of special purposes. Three dimensional information was available from the tomographic methods and the recorded data was sufficient when used with appropriate computer display devices to give representative 3D images.

Baily, N. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A system for automatic evaluation of simulation software

Within the field of computer software, simulation and verification are complementary processes. Simulation methods can be used to verify software by performing variable range analysis. More general verification procedures, such as those described in this paper, can be implicitly, viewed as attempts at modeling the end-product software. From software requirement methodology, each component of the verification system has some element of simulation to it. Conversely, general verification procedures can be used to analyze simulation software. A dynamic analyzer is described which can be used to obtain properly scaled variables for an analog simulation, which is first digitally simulated. In a similar way, it is thought that the other system components and indeed the whole system itself have the potential of being effectively used in a simulation environment.

Ryan, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Wall layer models for the calculation of velocity and heat transfer in turbulent boundary layers

In the computation of turbulent boundary-layer flows and internal flows, a substantial amount of mesh points and computational effort is required to adequately resolve the intense temperature and velocity profile variations in the near wall region. In this study, analytical profile approximations are obtained for the mean velocity and temperature distribution in the wall layer; these profiles are based upon consideration of the observed coherent structure of the time-dependent wall-layer flow. The profile approximations are relatively simple analytical formulae which satisfy all the required compatibility conditions at the wall and the logarithmic behavior at the edge of the wall layer. The Reynolds analogy for heat transfer is not used in the present theory. A general method for utilizing the present wall-layer profile models in a prediction method is indicated.

Walker, J. D. A.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Overall Traveling-Wave-Tube Efficiency Improved By Optimized Multistage Depressed Collector Design

Depressed Collector Design The microwave traveling wave tube (TWT) is used widely for space communications and high-power airborne transmitting sources. One of the most important features in designing a TWT is overall efficiency. Yet, overall TWT efficiency is strongly dependent on the efficiency of the electron beam collector, particularly for high values of collector efficiency. For these reasons, the NASA Glenn Research Center developed an optimization algorithm based on simulated annealing to quickly design highly efficient multistage depressed collectors (MDC's). Simulated annealing is a strategy for solving highly nonlinear combinatorial optimization problems. Its major advantage over other methods is its ability to avoid becoming trapped in local minima. Simulated annealing is based on an analogy to statistical thermodynamics, specifically the physical process of annealing: heating a material to a temperature that permits many atomic rearrangements and then cooling it carefully and slowly, until it freezes into a strong, minimum-energy crystalline structure. This minimum energy crystal corresponds to the optimal solution of a mathematical optimization problem. The TWT used as a baseline for optimization was the 32-GHz, 10-W, helical TWT developed for the Cassini mission to Saturn. The method of collector analysis and design used was a 2-1/2-dimensional computational procedure that employs two types of codes, a large signal analysis code and an electron trajectory code. The large signal analysis code produces the spatial, energetic, and temporal distributions of the spent beam entering the MDC. An electron trajectory code uses the resultant data to perform the actual collector analysis. The MDC was optimized for maximum MDC efficiency and minimum final kinetic energy of all collected electrons (to reduce heat transfer). The preceding figure shows the geometric and electrical configuration of an optimized collector with an efficiency of 93.8 percent. The results show the improvement in collector efficiency from 89.7 to 93.8 percent, resulting in an increase of three overall efficiency points. In addition, the time to design a highly efficient MDC was reduced from a month to a few days. All work was done in-house at Glenn for the High Rate Data Delivery Program. Future plans include optimizing the MDC and TWT interaction circuit in tandem to further improve overall TWT efficiency.

Vaden, Karl R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

General-purpose interface bus for multiuser, multitasking computer system

The architecture of a multiuser, multitasking, virtual-memory computer system intended for the use by a medium-size research group is described. There are three central processing units (CPU) in the configuration, each with 16 MB memory, and two 474 MB hard disks attached. CPU 1 is designed for data analysis and contains an array processor for fast-Fourier transformations. In addition, CPU 1 shares display images viewed with the image processor. CPU 2 is designed for image analysis and display. CPU 3 is designed for data acquisition and contains 8 GPIB channels and an analog-to-digital conversion input/output interface with 16 channels. Up to 9 users can access the third CPU simultaneously for data acquisition. Focus is placed on the optimization of hardware interfaces and software, facilitating instrument control, data acquisition, and processing.

Generazio, Edward R.↗