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At least 1,621 records · Page 90

Validation of Special Sensor Microwave Imager Monthly-Mean Wind Speed From July 1987 to December 1989

Since July 1987 the Remote Sensing Systems, Santa Rosa, California, routinely computes from first principles the wind speed from Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) measurements of the intensity of microwave radiation emitted at the ocean surface. The accuracy of monthly-mean SSM/I wind speeds is determined by comparisons with moored-buoy wind measurements, which were recorded by four different institutions at 44 sites in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during July 1987 to December 1989. All results for 1988 were virtually identical with 1989. The range of monthly mean moored-buoy wind speeds was 2-10 m s^(-1). During 1987, the equatorial matchups were not equivalent with 1998 and 1989, and the cause remains unknown. The root-mean-square (rms) difference of 697 monthly-mean matchups of the composite 1988 and 1989 data set was 1.2 m s^(-1). The rms differences were smaller in the equatorial zone and higher in middle latitudes, in accord with the monthly standard deviation. At middle latitudes the time series of rms differences displayed an annual cycle. In the equatorial zone the agreement between SSM/I and in situ data was better in regions with a lesser amount of clouds, and vice versa. For SSM/I monthly standard deviations of 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 m s^(-1), the average absolute values of the monthly-mean difference between SSM/I and moored-buoy wind speeds were 0.6, 0.9, and 1.4 m s^(-1), respectively.

Halpern, D.↗

Domain knowledge-informed, process-mapping AI graph for designing Fe-based alloys

<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Continuous improvement in efficiency of a power plant relies on designing materials for use at increasingly higher temperature and/or pressure, for 100,000s hours of operation. Due to complexity, non-linearity and high-dimensionality of the problem, traditional Machine Learning (ML) approaches require unreasonably large datasets for the data-driven model development. Science-based material and process engineering complements hard data with, sometimes soft and intuitive, empirical domain knowledge. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used in this study to incorporate such knowledge into computational graph architecture (process-mimicking artificial neuron design, causal layer and graph structures, ensemble modeling of latent states) and learning procedures (variable transformation, fuzzy physics pre-training and freezing of deep layers, virtual microstructure representation, and adversarial multi-objective optimization). The first alloys design pathways suggested by the AI tool (pyroMind) passed a preliminary engineering review on soundness and transparency.</span>

Romanov, Vyacheslav↗

Neutral Pion Electroproduction and development of a Neutral Particle Spectrometer

Protons and neutrons, i.e. nucleons, are the basic building blocks of the matter in the visible universe. The strong force binds the nucleons to form nuclei. The electromagnetic force forms the atoms by binding the electrons with the nuclei. The electromagnetic interaction is well understood by Quantum Electrodynamics (QED), which shows the most precise predictability amongst all the theories in physics. In QED, charges interact with each other by exchanging photons. The Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) describes the strong interaction. Its degrees of freedom are quarks and gluons, the fundamental constituents of the nucleons. The quarks interact with each other by exchanging gluons. However, unlike QED, the gluons interact amongst themselves. This feature of self bindings of the gluons confines the quarks and gluons in the nucleons/hadrons, never to be seen as free. In order to study some of the features of QCD, such as confinement or the structure of the nucleon, one usually needs to rely on experiments. Electromagnetic probes, governed by the well-understood QED, are excellent tools to probe the nucleon. In general, different scales, e.g. electron beam energies, probe different regions of the nucleon. At low energy, of the order of a few GeV, the electron probes the nucleon in the valence quark region. As its energy increases, the electron probes the sea quark and gluon regions. The study of the nucleon structure in all these regions is needed to fully understand QCD. Form factors and parton distribution functions measured from elastic scattering and deep inelastic scattering of leptons off nucleons have provided a partial view of the internal structure of the nucleon. In the mid-1990s, Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) were developed. These new objects are a generalization of the form factors and parton distribution functions, but contain richer information on the nucleon internal structure. GPDs are accessible experimentally by deep exclusive reactions. Deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) and deeply virtual meson production (DVMP) are some examples. The first dedicated DVCS/DVMP experiment took place in 2004 in Hall A at The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, i.e. Jefferson Lab, in Virginia, U.S.A. A new DVCS/DVMP experiment, after the beam energy upgrade of Jefferson Lab, was carried out in Hall A in a wider kinematic range. Its data were taken from 2014 to 2016. In Hall C at Jefferson Lab, the next DVCS/DVMP experiment will take place. The Hall C experiment will further exploit the kinematic range with higher precision. A Neutral Particle Spectrometer (NPS) is in development to measure DVCS/DVMP events under high background conditions. Jefferson Lab will provide the highest precision data in the valence quark region for various exclusive reactions. The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) is a future experimental facility currently planned to start operations around 2030 in the U.S.A. Its high energy and high luminosity will probe the sea quark and gluon regions providing answers to the outstanding questions of QCD, in particular in the region where matter is dominated by gluons. First of all, this document describes the data analysis and results of the Hall A neutral pion electroproduction off the proton, from the data taken in 2014-2016. Later, some of the developments towards the construction of the electromagnetic calorimeter of the NPS for the upcoming DVCS/DVMP experiment in Hall C are presented. Finally, one of the candidate materials for the EIC calorimeter, a glass scintillator, will be briefly introduced. I have participated to all these projects, in collaboration with many colleagues. I present in this thesis my contributions to each of these projects. My contributions to the neutral pion data analysis were focused on background subtractions on the calorimeter, acceptance calculations, and the estimation of the systematic uncertainty associated to the event selection cuts. Some necessary information on calibrations of the detectors and data analysis methods are also described. In the NPS project, I performed background dose calculations and energy and position resolution studies of the calorimeter, all using Monte Carlo simulations, with realistic geometries of the experimental apparatus. Characterization of the crystals of the calorimeter was also done. Additionally, I measured the radiation hardness of some glass scintillator in its early stage of development. In order to have a future reference when the glass calorimeter prototype will be tested, I simulated the energy resolution of the prototype.

Ko, Ho-San↗

Adaptive primal–dual control for distributed energy resource management

With the increased adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution networks, their coordinated control with a DER management system (DERMS) that provides grid services (e.g., voltage regulation, virtual power plant) is becoming more necessary. One particular type of DERMS using primal–dual control has recently been found to be very effective at providing multiple grid services among an aggregation of DERs; however, the main parameter, the primal–dual step size, must be manually tuned for the DERMS to be effective, which can take a considerable amount of engineering time and labor. To this end, we design a simple method that self-tunes the step size(s) and adapts it to changing system conditions. Additionally, it gives the DER management operator the ability to prioritize among possibly competing grid services. Here we evaluate the automatic tuning method on a simulation model of a real-world feeder in Colorado with data obtained from an electric utility. Through a variety of scenarios, we demonstrate that the DERMS with automatically and adaptively tuned step sizes provides higher-quality grid services than a DERMS with a manually tuned step size.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

The Dynamic Networks Experiments: Virtual Experiments to Quantify Gains in Nuclear Explosion Monitoring

We describe an ongoing series of virtual experiments conducted collaboratively by four United States National Laboratories: Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. These Dynamic Network Experiments (DNEs) provide an experimental framework to evaluate the potential impact of new research tools on nuclear explosion monitoring. The second DNE (DNE2), completed in 2024, exploited waveform data (seismic, infrasound, and electromagnetic) that was recorded by multi-modal sensors within and near the Nevada National Security Site and synthetic radionuclide signatures over multiple time periods. During the execution of DNE2, we processed and analyzed data through a multi-stage event processing pipeline that ingested raw data, performed quality control, detected signals, built events from these signals, located these events, and characterized the events’ source types and sizes. For each stage and over the entire event processing pipeline, we evaluated performance changes by comparing the performance of new data processing methods, models, and algorithms against a baseline. We also performed an additional execution phase to assess event processing pipeline function, speed, and efficiency against that of an expert analyst, including computational and manual efforts. Finally, we assessed the impact and effort of modern computing infrastructure on the monitoring pipeline. This paper describes key elements of the DNEs, from formulation through execution, as demonstrated in DNE2. The DNEs introduce several novel concepts to quantitatively measure the potential impact of new methods on explosion monitoring, including the collaborative design of multi-modal datasets, performance and logistical metrics, and integrated analyses.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Simulation of the BEAVRS benchmark using VERA

The Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) is being developed by the Consortium for the Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL). Here, VERA is used to perform the Benchmark for Evaluation and Validation of Reactor Simulations (BEAVRS), which provides two cycles’ worth of operating power history, along with a full, detailed description of the geometry, and measured data. Cycle 1 and 2 are simulated with VERA and the results are compared to the measured zero power physics tests, critical boron concentration, and flux maps.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Understanding the EMC effect with tagged DIS measurements

Understanding the modification of quarks in nucleons within nuclei (EMC effect) is a longstanding open question in nuclear physics. Recent experimental results from electron scattering at Jefferson Lab strengthen the correlation between the EMC effect and short- range correlated pairs (SRC) of nucleons in nuclei. That means that the EMC effect is probably driven by the high-momentum highly-virtual nucleons of the SRC pairs. This connection can be tested experimentally by measuring electron deep inelastic scattering from a nucleon and detecting its correlated SRC partner nucleon (tagging). This allows us to measure the quark modification of high-momentum nucleons. Two tagged experiments on deuterium are underway at Jefferson Lab of which one already took data and the other will take data in the upcoming years. In my talk, I will present the current knowledge of the EMC effect and its correlation to SRC pair and the status of the tagged measurements at Jefferson Lab.

Hauenstein, Florian↗

Understanding the EMC effect with tagged DIS measurements

Understanding the modification of quarks in nucleons within nuclei (EMC effect) is a longstanding open question in nuclear physics. Recent experimental results from electron scattering at Jefferson Lab strengthen the correlation between the EMC effect and short- range correlated pairs (SRC) of nucleons in nuclei. That means that the EMC effect is probably driven by the high-momentum highly-virtual nucleons of the SRC pairs. This connection can be tested experimentally by measuring electron deep inelastic scattering from a nucleon and detecting its correlated SRC partner nucleon (tagging). This allows us to measure the quark modification of high-momentum nucleons. Two tagged experiments on deuterium are underway at Jefferson Lab of which one already took data and the other will take data in the upcoming years. In my talk, I will present the current knowledge of the EMC effect and its correlation to SRC pairs, the status of the tagged measurements at Jefferson Lab, and simulation results for tagged measurements at the EIC.

Hauenstein, Florian↗

High-precision measurement of the W boson mass with the CMS experiment at the LHC

In the standard model of particle physics, the masses of the carriers of the weak interaction, the W and Z bosons, are uniquely related. Physics beyond the standard model could change this relationship through the effects of quantum loops of virtual particles, thus making it of great importance to measure these masses with the highest possible precision. Although the mass of the Z boson is known to the remarkable precision of 22 parts per million (2.0 MeV), the W boson mass is known much less precisely, given the difficulty of the measurement. A global fit to electroweak data, used to predict the W boson mass in the standard model, yields an uncertainty of 6 MeV. Reaching a comparable experimental precision would be a sensitive and fundamental test of the standard model. Furthermore, a precision measurement of the W boson mass performed by the CDF Collaboration at the Fermilab Tevatron has challenged the standard model by significantly disagreeing with the prediction of the global electroweak fit and the average of other $m_\mathrm{W}$ measurements. We report the first W boson mass measurement by the CMS Collaboration at the CERN LHC, based on a data sample collected in 2016 at the proton-proton collision energy of 13 TeV. The W boson mass is measured using a large sample of W$\toμν$ events via a highly granular binned maximum likelihood fit to the kinematic properties of the muons produced in the W$^{+}$ and W$^{-}$ boson decays. The significant in situ constraints of theoretical inputs and their corresponding uncertainties, together with an accurate determination of the experimental effects, lead to a precise W boson mass measurement, $m_\mathrm{W} =$ 80$\,$360.2 $\pm$ 9.9 MeV, in agreement with the standard model prediction.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

A comparison of EUV spectroheliograms and photospheric magnetograms

A comparison of EUV data from an experiment on the OSO-6 satellite with photospheric magnetograms from Kitt Peak National Observatory indicates relationships between the strength of the photospheric magnetic field and density in the overlying corona in quiet and in active regions, distinctly differing from previous notions. In addition, the photospheric field beneath a coronal hole is found to be virtually identical to that beneath normal quiet regions.

Gurman, J. B.↗

Flight evaluation of the effect of winglets on performance and handling qualities of a single-engine general aviation airplane

A flight evaluation was conducted to determine the effects of winglets on the performance and handling qualities of a light, single-engine general aviation airplane. The performance measurements were made with a pace airplane to provide calibrated airspeeds; uncalibrated panel instruments in the test airplane were used to provide additional quantitative performance data. These tests were conducted with winglets on and off during the same day to measure relative performance effects. Handling qualities were evaluated by means of pilot comments. Winglets increased cruise speed 8 knots (5.6 percent) at 3962 m (13,000 ft) density altitude and 51 percent maximum continuous power setting. Maximum speed at 3962 m was virtually unchanged. Rate of climb increased approximately 6 percent, or 0.25 m/sec (50 ft/min), at 1524 m (5000 ft). Stall speed was virtually unchanged. Handling qualities were favorably affected.

Holmes, B. J.↗

A New Method for Laminar Boundary Layer Transition Visualization in Flight: Color Changes in Liquid Crystal Coatings

The visualization of laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition plays an important role in flight and wind tunnel aerodynamic testing of aircraft wing and body surfaces. Visualization can help provide a more complete understanding of both transition location as well as transition modes; without visualization, the transition process can be very difficult to understand. In the past, the most valuable transition visualization methods for fight applications included sublimating chemicals and oil flows. Each method has advantages and limitations. In particular, sublimating chemicals are impractical to use in subsonic applications much above 20,000 feet because of the greatly reduced rates of sublimation at lower temperatures (less than -4 degrees Fahrenheit). Both oil flow and sublimating chemicals have the disadvantage of providing only one good data point per flight. Thus, for many important flight conditions, transition visualization has not been readily available. This paper discusses a new method for visualizing transition in fight by the use of liquid crystals. The new method overcomes the limitations of past techniques, and provides transition visualization capability throughout almost the entire altitude and speed ranges of virtually all subsonic aircraft flight envelopes. The method also has wide applicability for supersonic transition visualization in flight and for general use in wind tunnel research over wide subsonic and supersonic speed ranges.

Holmes, Bruce J.↗

Tektite-like bodies at Lonar Crater, India - Implications for the origin of tektites

Homogeneous dense glass bodies (both irregular and splash form) with high silica contents (about 67 pct SiO2) occur in the vicinity of Lonar Crater, India. Their lack of microlites and mineral remnants and their uniform chemical composition virtually preclude a volcanic origin. They are similar to tektites reported in the literature. While such a close association of tektite-like bodies with impact craters is already known (Aouelloul Crater, Mauritania; Zhamanshin Crater, U.S.S.R.), the tektite-like bodies at Lonar Crater are unique in that they occur in an essentially basaltic terrain. Present geochemical data are consistent with these high silica glass bodies being impact melt products of two-thirds basalt and one-third local intertrappean sediment (chert). The tektite-like bodies of the impact craters Lonar, Zhamanshin, and Aouelloul are generally similar. Strong terrestrial geochemical signatures reflect the target rock REE patterns and abundance ratios and demonstrate their terrestrial origin resulting from meteorite impact, as has been suggested by earlier workers.

Murali, A. V.↗

ZIP3D: An elastic and elastic-plastic finite-element analysis program for cracked bodies

ZIP3D is an elastic and an elastic-plastic finite element program to analyze cracks in three dimensional solids. The program may also be used to analyze uncracked bodies or multi-body problems involving contacting surfaces. For crack problems, the program has several unique features including the calculation of mixed-mode strain energy release rates using the three dimensional virtual crack closure technique, the calculation of the J integral using the equivalent domain integral method, the capability to extend the crack front under monotonic or cyclic loading, and the capability to close or open the crack surfaces during cyclic loading. The theories behind the various aspects of the program are explained briefly. Line-by-line data preparation is presented. Input data and results for an elastic analysis of a surface crack in a plate and for an elastic-plastic analysis of a single-edge-crack-tension specimen are also presented.

Shivakumar, K. N.↗

Advanced construction management for lunar base construction - Surface operations planner

The study proposes a conceptual solution and lays the framework for developing a new, sophisticated and intelligent tool for a lunar base construction crew to use. This concept integrates expert systems for critical decision making, virtual reality for training, logistics and laydown optimization, automated productivity measurements, and an advanced scheduling tool to form a unique new planning tool. The concept features extensive use of computers and expert systems software to support the actual work, while allowing the crew to control the project from the lunar surface. Consideration is given to a logistics data base, laydown area management, flexible critical progress scheduler, video simulation of assembly tasks, and assembly information and tracking documentation.

Kehoe, Robert P.↗

Budget analysis of FIFE 1987 sonde data

Mean thermodynamic profiles are presented for the daytime convective boundary layer evolution for three groups of sunny days in late June and early July, August, and October using data from the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP) Field Experiment (FIFE) 1987 Kansas experiment. Budget models for the mixed layer evolution and the boundary layer rise are used to estimate the boundary layer top entrainment parameter. A value of A(sub R) = 0.44 +/- 0.21 is found for the mean ratio of the inversion level virtual heat flux to the surface virtual heat flux.

Betts, Alan K.↗

2000 Survey of Distributed Spacecraft Technologies and Architectures for NASA's Earth Science Enterprise in the 2010-2025 Timeframe

The study investigates NASA's Earth Science Enterprise needs for Distributed Spacecraft Technologies in the 2010-2025 timeframe. In particular, the study focused on the Earth Science Vision Initiative and extrapolation of the measurement architecture from the 2002-2010 time period. Earth Science Enterprise documents were reviewed. Interviews were conducted with a number of Earth scientists and technologists. fundamental principles of formation flying were also explored. The results led to the development of four notional distribution spacecraft architectures. These four notional architectures (global constellations, virtual platforms, precision formation flying, and sensorwebs) are presented. They broadly and generically cover the distributed spacecraft architectures needed by Earth Science in the post-2010 era. These notional architectures are used to identify technology needs and drivers. Technology needs are subsequently grouped into five categories: Systems and architecture development tools; Miniaturization, production, manufacture, test and calibration; Data networks and information management; Orbit control, planning and operations; and Launch and deployment. The current state of the art and expected developments are explored. High-value technology areas are identified for possible future funding emphasis.

Ticker, Ronald L.↗

ISS Radiation Shielding and Acoustic Simulation Using an Immersive Environment

The International Space Station Environment Simulator (ISSES) is a virtual reality application that uses high-performance computing, graphics, and audio rendering to simulate the radiation and acoustic environments of the International Space Station (ISS). This CAVE application allows the user to maneuver to different locations inside or outside of the ISS and interactively compute and display the radiation dose at a point. The directional dose data is displayed as a color-mapped sphere that indicates the relative levels of radiation from all directions about the center of the sphere. The noise environment is rendered in real time over headphones or speakers and includes non-spatial background noise, such as air-handling equipment, and spatial sounds associated with specific equipment racks, such as compressors or fans. Changes can be made to equipment rack locations that produce changes in both the radiation shielding and system noise. The ISSES application allows for interactive investigation and collaborative trade studies between radiation shielding and noise for crew safety and comfort.

Verhage, Joshua E.↗