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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

Roadmap for Peridynamic Software Implementation

The application of peridynamics for engineering analysis requires an efficient and robust software implementation. Key elements include processing of the discretization, the proximity search for identification of pairwise interactions, evaluation of the con- stitutive model, application of a bond-damage law, and contact modeling. Additional requirements may arise from the choice of time integration scheme, for example esti- mation of the maximum stable time step for explicit schemes, and construction of the tangent stiffness matrix for many implicit approaches. This report summaries progress to date on the software implementation of the peridynamic theory of solid mechanics. Discussion is focused on parallel implementation of the meshfree discretization scheme of Silling and Askari [33] in three dimensions, although much of the discussion applies to computational peridynamics in general.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Final Technical Report - Use of Systems Biology Approaches to Develop Advanced Biofuel-Synthesizing Cyanobacterial Strains

The overall objective of this project was to use a systems biology approach to evaluate the potentials of a number of cyanobacterial strains for photobiological production of advanced biofuels and/or their chemical precursors. Cyanobacteria are oxygen evolving photosynthetic prokaryotes. Among them, certain unicellular species such as Cyanothece can also fix N 2 , a process that is exquisitely sensitive to oxygen. To accommodate such incompatible processes in a single cell, Cyanothece produces oxygen during the day, and creates an O 2 -limited intracellular environment during the night to perform O 2 -sensitive processes such as N 2 -fixation. Thus, Cyanothece cells are natural bioreactors for the storage of captured solar energy with subsequent utilization at a different time during a diurnal cycle. Our studies include the identification of a novel, fast-growing, mixotrophic, transformable cyanobacterium. This strain has been sequenced and will be made available to the community. In addition, we have developed genome-scale models for a family of cyanobacteria to assess their metabolic repertoire. Furthermore, we developed a method for rapid construction of metabolic models using multiple annotation sources and a metabolic model of a related organism. This method will allow rapid annotation and screening of potential phenotypes based on the newly available genome sequences of many organisms.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

Progress Report on Alloy 617 Notched Specimen Testing

Creep behavior of Alloy 617 has been extensively characterized to support the development of a draft Code Case to qualify Alloy 617 in Section III division 5 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. This will allow use of Alloy 617 in construction of nuclear reactor components at elevated temperatures and longer periods of time (up to 950°C and 100,000 hours). Prior to actual use, additional concerns not considered in the ASME code need to be addressed. Code Cases are based largely on uniaxial testing of smooth gage specimens. In service conditions, components will generally be under multi axial loading. There is also the concern of the behavior at discontinuities, such as threaded components. To address the concerns of multi axial creep behavior and at geometric discontinuities, notched specimens have been designed to create conditions representative of the states that service components experience. Two general notch geometries have been used for these series of tests: U notch and V notch specimens. The notches produce a tri axial stress state, though not uniform across the specimen. Characterization of the creep behavior of the U notch specimens and the creep rupture behavior of the V notch specimens provides a good approximation of the behavior expected of actual components. Preliminary testing and analysis have been completed and are reported in this document. This includes results from V notch specimens tested at 900°C and 800°C. Failure occurred in the smooth gage section of the specimen rather than at the root of the notch, though some damage was present at the root of the notch, where initial stress was highest. This indicates notch strengthening behavior in this material at these temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Confidence Intervals from Realizations of Simulated Nuclear Data

Various statistical techniques are discussed that can be used to assign a level of confidence in the prediction of models that depend on input data with known uncertainties and correlations. The particular techniques reviewed in this paper are: 1) random realizations of the input data using Monte-Carlo methods, 2) the construction of confidence intervals to assess the reliability of model predictions, and 3) resampling techniques to impose statistical constraints on the input data based on additional information. These techniques are illustrated with a calculation of the keff value, based on the 235 U(n, f) and 239 Pu (n, f) cross sections.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Fundamental Studies of Oxidation Reactions on Model Catalysts. Final report

This report covers the reporting period from 08/15/2003 to 08/31/2019. The research activities were focused on the oxidation of methane, nitric oxide, and propylene in addition to contributions on the kinetics, synthesis, theory and characterization of various catalytic systems. As described in the report, we were able to formulate hypotheses, construct specialized equipment and carry out experimental and theoretical work to test the hypotheses. Major advances were accomplished in the fundamental understanding of these systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Machine-Assisted Discovery of Integrable Symplectic Mappings

Integrable systems possess a hidden symmetry associated with the existence of conserved quantities known as integrals of motion. These systems play an important role in understanding general dynamics in accelerators and have potential for future designs. This work will cover two automated methods for finding integrable symplectic maps of the plane. The first algorithm is based on the observation that the evolution of an integrable system in phase space is confined to a lower-dimensional submanifold of a specific type. The second algorithm relies on an analysis of dynamical variables. Both methods rediscover some of the famous McMillan-Suris integrable mappings and ultra-discrete Painlev\'e equations. Over 100 new integrable families are presented and analyzed, some of which are isolated in the space of parameters, while others are families with one parameter (or the ratio of parameters) being either continuous or discrete. In addition, the newly discovered maps are related to a general 2D symplectic map through the use of discrete perturbation theory. A method is proposed for constructing smooth near-integrable dynamical systems based on mappings with polygon invariants.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Detection of turbidity dynamics in Tampa Bay, Florida using multispectral imagery from ERTS-1

In 1970, Congress authorized the deepening of the Tampa Bay channel (Rivers and Harbors Act of 1970) from 34 to 44 feet. In order to determine the effects of this deepening on circulation, water quality, and biota, during and after the construction, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Tampa Port Authority, has collected data and developed a digital simulation model of the bay. In addition to data collected using conventional tools, use is being made of data collected from ERTS-1. Return beam vidicon (RBV) multispectral data were collected, while a shell dredging barge was operating in the bay, and used for turbidity recognition and unique spectral signatures representative of type and amount of material in suspension. A three-dimensional concept of the dynamics of the plume was achieved by superimposing the parts of the plume recognized in each RBV band. This provides a background for automatic computer processing of ERTS data and three-dimensional modeling of turbidity plumes.

Coker, A. E.↗

Initial comparisons of solar collector performance data obtained out-of doors and with a solar simulator

A facility was constructed to evaluate solar collector performance outdoors for conditions that would be encountered by collectors if they were incorporated in a solar heating/cooling system. In addition to obtaining initial collector performance data, the outdoor facility will enable collector durability and degradation rates to be evaluated for operating periods of several months. The data obtained from the outdoor tests were compared to collector performance predicted on the basis of results obtained with a solar simulator. The performance measured outdoors was less than the predicted performance.

Vernon, R. W.↗

Initial comparisons of solar collector performance data obtained out-of doors and with a solar simulator

A facility was constructed to evaluate solar collector performance outdoors for conditions that would be encountered by collectors if they were incorporated in a solar heating/cooling system. In addition to obtaining initial collector performance data, the outdoor facility will enable collector durability and degradation rates to be evaluated for operating periods of several months. The data obtained from the outdoor tests were compared to collector performance predicted on the basis of results obtained with a solar simulator. The performance measured outdoors was less than the predicted performance.

Vernon, R. W.↗

Economic trade-offs between the performance of collector thermal performance tests on a Solar Simulator as opposed to outdoor testing

In 1976 a large Solar Simulator was designed and installed at Marshall Space Flight Center. This Solar Simulator is the largest of its type in the country and has a 'working' area of 4 ft x 8 ft. Recently completed comparison tests show excellent correlation with data collected in the natural sun. The Solar Simulator has been in operation since September 1976 and the costs of operation are now determinable together with the cost of design and construction. The authors compare the total operational costs of obtaining test data using the simulator with analogous costs of testing in the natural sun. In addition, productivity is compared.

Reily, J. C.↗

Analysis of long-term ionizing radiation effects in bipolar transistors

The ionizing radiation effects of electrons on bipolar transistors have been analyzed using the data base from the Voyager project. The data were subjected to statistical analysis, leading to a quantitative characterization of the product and to data on confidence limits which will be useful for circuit design purposes. These newly-developed methods may form the basis for a radiation hardness assurance system. In addition, an attempt was made to identify the causes of the large variations in the sensitivity observed on different product lines. This included a limited construction analysis and a determination of significant design and processes variables, as well as suggested remedies for improving the tolerance of the devices to radiation.

Stanley, A. G.↗

Shuttle considerations for the design of large space structures

Shuttle related considerations (constraints and guidelines) are compiled for use by designers of a potential class of large space structures which are transported to orbit and, deployed, fabricated or assembled in space using the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Considerations of all phases of shuttle operations from launch to ground turnaround operations are presented. Design of large space structures includes design of special construction fixtures and support equipment, special stowage cradles or pallets, special checkout maintenance, and monitoring equipment, and planning for packaging into the orbiter of all additional provisions and supplies chargeable to payload. Checklists of design issues, Shuttle capabilities constraints and guidelines, as well as general explanatory material and references to source documents are included.

Roebuck, J. A., Jr.↗

The evolution of red clump stars - Theoretical sequences

Two grids of horizontal-branch evolutionary sequences are presented which extend the grid of Sweigart and Gross (1976) to higher masses and higher metallicities. These two grids were constructed specifically for the study of red clump stars observed in intermediate-age star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds and in the Galaxy. An additional evolutionary track, with a thick hydrogen-burning shell which simulates the effect of a modest amount of mixing from the helium core into the shell at the time of the helium-core flash, is also presented. It is found that a small amount of mixing does not alter in a significant way the standard course of horizontal-branch evolution.

Seidel, E.↗

A new look at coding for APD-based direct-detection optical channels

Coding for avalanche-photodiode (APD)-based direct-detection optical channels is investigated using a simple channel model that clearly points out the difference between the signal-dependent optical noise channel model and the additive white Gaussian noise channel model. Coding and modulation are viewed as a single entity, and the coding/modulation gain (CMG) is used to analyze and construct good codes for APD-based optical receivers. It is shown that the structure of block codes, when used in conjunction with on-off keying signaling, renders these codes fairly inefficient with respect to obtaining reasonable CMG on the optical channel. In contrast, codes (or modulations) that use fewer channel ones (pulses) than information ones per block can offer substantial CMG on the optical channel. For bandwidth-constrained applications, it is proposed that pulse-position modulation be used with more than one pulse per word to obtain reasonable CMG while consuming small amounts of bandwidth.

Herro, Mark A.↗

Technology transfer and evaluation for Space Station telerobotics

The international space station (SS) must take advantage of advanced telerobotics in order to maximize productivity and safety and to reduce maintenance costs. The Automation and Robotics Division at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) has designed, developed, and constructed the Automated Robotics Maintenance of Space Station (ARMSS) facility for the purpose of transferring and evaluating robotic technology that will reduce SS operation costs. Additionally, JSC had developed a process for expediting the transfer of technology from NASA research centers and evaluating these technologies in SS applications. Software and hardware system developed at the research centers and NASA sponsored universities are currently being transferred to JSC and integrated into the ARMSS for flight crew personnel testing. These technologies will be assessed relative to the SS baseline, and, after refinements, those technologies that provide significant performance improvements will be recommended as upgrades to the SS. Proximity sensors, vision algorithms, and manipulator controllers are among the systems scheduled for evaluation.

Price, Charles R.↗

The Method of Space-time Conservation Element and Solution Element: Development of a New Implicit Solver

The method of space-time conservation element and solution element is a nontraditional numerical method designed from a physicist's perspective, i.e., its development is based more on physics than numerics. It uses only the simplest approximation techniques and yet is capable of generating nearly perfect solutions for a 2-D shock reflection problem used by Helen Yee and others. In addition to providing an overall view of the new method, we introduce a new concept in the design of implicit schemes, and use it to construct a highly accurate solver for a convection-diffusion equation. It is shown that, in the inviscid case, this new scheme becomes explicit and its amplification factors are identical to those of the Leapfrog scheme. On the other hand, in the pure diffusion case, its principal amplification factor becomes the amplification factor of the Crank-Nicolson scheme.

Chang, S. C.↗

Empirical modeling of the quiet time nightside magnetosphere

Empirical modeling of plasma pressure and magnetic field for the quiet time nightside magnetosphere is investigated. Two models are constructed for this study. One model, referred to here as T89R, is basically the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1989) but is modified by the addition of an inner eastward ring current at a radial distance of approximately 3 R(sub E) as suggested by observation. The other is a combination of the T89R model and the long version of the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1987) such that the former dominates the magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere, whereas the latter prevails in the distant tail. The distribution of plasma pressure, which is required to balance the magnetic force for each of these two field models, is computed along the tail axis in the midnight meridian. The occurrence of pressure anisotropy in the inner magnetospheric region is also taken into account by determining an empirical fit to the observed plasma pressure anisotropy. This effort is the first attempt to obtain the plasma pressure distribution in force equilibrium with magnetic stresses from an empirical field model with the inclusion of pressure anisotropy. The inclusion of pressure anisotropy alters the plasma pressure by as much as a factor of approximately 3 in the inner magnetosphere. The deduced plasma pressure profile along the tail axis is found to be in good agreement with the observed quiet time plasma pressure for geocentric distances between approximately 2 and approximately 35 R(sub E).

Lui, A. T. Y.↗

Empirical modeling of the quiet time nightside magnetosphere

Empirical modeling of plasma pressure and magnetic field for the quiet time nightside magnetosphere is investigated. Two models are constructed for this study. One model, referred to here as T89R, is basically the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1989) but is modified by the addition of an inner eastward ring current at a radial distance of approximately 3 RE as suggested by observation. The other is a combination of the T89R model and the long version of the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1987) such that the former dominates the magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere while the latter prevails in the distant tail. The distribution of plasma pressure which is required to balance the magnetic force for each of these two field models is computed along the tail axis in the midnight meridian. The occurrence of pressure anisotropy in the inner magnetospheric region is also taken into account by determining an empirical fit to the observed plasma pressure anisotropy. This represents the first effort to obtain the plasma pressure distribution in force equilibrium with magnetic stresses from an empirical field model with the inclusion of pressure anisotropy. The inclusion of pressure anisotropy alters the plasma pressure by as much as a factor of approximately 3 in the inner magnetosphere. The deduced plasma pressure profile along the tail axis is found to be in good agreement with the observed quiet time plasma pressure for geocentric distances between approximately 2 and approximately 35 RE.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗