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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 1,801 records · Page 100

Model for scattering with proliferating resonances: Many coupled square wells

We present a multichannel model for elastic interactions, composed of an arbitrary number of coupled finite square-well potentials, and derive semianalytic solutions for its scattering behavior. Despite the model's simplicity, it is flexible enough to include many coupled short-ranged resonances in the vicinity of the collision threshold, as is necessary to describe ongoing experiments in ultracold molecules and lanthanide atoms. Here, we also introduce a simple but physically realistic statistical ensemble for parameters in this model. We compute the resulting probability distributions of nearest-neighbor resonance spacings and analyze them by fitting to the Brody distribution. We quantify the ability of alternative distribution functions, for resonance spacing and resonance number variance, to describe the crossover regime. The analysis demonstrates that the multichannel square-well model with the chosen ensemble of parameters naturally captures the crossover from integrable to chaotic scattering as a function of closed-channel coupling strength.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Theoretical Analysis of Resonant Tunneling Enhanced Field Emission

In this paper, we develop an exact analytical quantum theory for field emission from surfaces with a nearby quantum well, by solving the one-dimensional time-independent Schrödinger equation. The quantum well, which may be introduced by ions, atoms, nanoparticles, etc., is simplified as a square potential well with depth H, width d, and distance to the surface L. The theory is used to analyze the effects of the quantum well (d, H, and L), the cathode properties (work function W and Fermi energy E F ), and dc field F. It is found that the quantum well can lead to resonant tunneling enhanced field emission up to several orders of magnitude larger than that from bare cathode surfaces. In the meantime, the electron-emission-energy spectrum is significantly narrowed. The strong enhancement region is bounded by the conditions eFL + H ≥ W + C and eFL ≤ W, with e being the elementary charge (positive) and C a constant dependent on dc field F. It is also found that the linear shift of resonance peaks in the electron-emission-energy spectrum with dc field F follows ε p =ε p⁢0 –e⁢FL, with ε p⁢0 being approximately the eigenenergies for electrons confined in a square potential well without a dc field. Finally, the theory provides insights for the design of high-efficiency field emitters, which can produce a high current and highly collimated electron beams.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Possible role of grain-boundary and dislocation structure for the magnetic-flux trapping behavior of niobium: A first-principles study

In this work, first-principles methods were used to understand magnetic flux trapping at vacancies, dislocations, and grain boundaries in high-purity superconducting niobium. Full-potential linear augmented plane-wave methods were applied in progressively greater complexity, starting at simple vacancies and extending to screw dislocations and tilt grain boundaries to analyze the effects of magnetic field on the superconducting state surrounding these defects. Density-functional theory calculations identified changes in electronic structure at the dislocation core and different types of symmetric tilt grain boundaries relative to bulk niobium. Electron redistribution enhanced nonparamagnetic effects and thus perturb superconductivity, resulting in local conditions suitable for premature flux penetration and subsequently flux pinning. Since the coherence length of superconducting niobium at 0 K is significantly larger than the lattice parameter, the effects of line and planar defects in niobium are predicted to be stronger for defect clusters than single defects in isolation, which is consistent with recent experimental observations. Controlling accumulation or depletion of charge at the defects, e.g., by segregation of an impurity atom, can mitigate these tendencies thus increasing the quality of superconducting niobium.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Polarizing Oxygen Vacancies in Insulating Metal Oxides under a High Electric Field

We demonstrate a thermodynamic formulation to quantify defect formation energetics in an insulator under high electric field. As a model system, we analyzed neutral oxygen vacancies (color centers) in alkaline-earth-metal binary oxides using density functional theory, Berry phase calculations, and maximally localized Wannier functions. Work of polarization lowers the field dependent electric Gibbs energy of formation of this defect. This is attributed mainly to the ease of polarizing the two electrons trapped in the vacant site, and secondarily to the defect induced reduction in bond stiffness and softening of phonon modes. In conclusion, the formulation and analysis have implications for understanding the behavior of insulating oxides in electronic, magnetic, catalytic, and electrocaloric devices under high electric field.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

BigData Express: Toward Schedulable, Predictable, and High-Performance Data Transfer

Big Data has emerged as a driving force for scientific discoveries. Large scientific instruments (e.g., colliders, and telescopes) generate exponentially increasing volumes of data. To enable scientific discovery, science data must be collected, indexed, archived, shared, and analyzed, typically in a widely distributed, highly collaborative manner. Data transfer is now an essential function for science discoveries, particularly within big data environments. Although significant improvements have been made in the area of bulk data transfer, the currently available data transfer tools and services can not successfully address the high-performance and time-constraint challenges of data transfer required by extreme-scale science applications for the following reasons: disjoint end-to-end data transfer loops, cross-interference between data transfers, and existing data transfer tools and services are oblivious to user requirements (deadline and QoS requirements). Fermilab has been working on the BigData Express project to address these problems. BigData Express seeks to provide a schedulable, predictable, and high-performance data transfer service for big data science. The BigData Express software is being deployed and evaluated at multiple research institutions, which include UMD, StarLight, FNAL, KISTI, KSTAR, SURFnet, Ciena, and other sites. Meanwhile, the BigData Express research team is collaborating with the StarLight International/National Communications Exchange Facility to deploy BigData Express at various research platforms, including Pacific Research Platform, National Research Platform, and Global Research Platform. It is envisioned that we are working toward building a high-performance data transfer federation for big data science.

Lu, Qiming↗

Local adaptation of switchgrass drives trait relations to yield and differential responses to climate and soil environments

Abstract Switchgrass, a potential biofuel crop, is a genetically diverse species with phenotypic plasticity enabling it to grow in a range of environments. Two primary divergent ecotypes, uplands and lowlands, exhibit trait combinations representative of acquisitive and conservative growth allocation strategies, respectively. Whether these ecotypes respond differently to various types of environmental drivers remains unclear but is crucial to understanding how switchgrass varieties will respond to climate change. We grew two upland, two lowland, and two intermediate/hybrid cultivars of switchgrass at three sites along a latitudinal gradient in the central United States. Over a 4‐year period, we measured plant functional traits and biomass yields and evaluated genotype‐by‐environment (G × E) interaction effects by analyzing switchgrass responses to soil and climate variables. We found substantial evidence of G × E interactions on biomass yield, primarily due to deviations in the response of the southern lowland cultivar Alamo, which produced more biomass in hotter and drier environments relative to other cultivars. While lowland cultivars had the highest potential for yield, their yields were more variable year‐to‐year compared to other cultivars, suggesting greater sensitivity to environmental perturbations. Models comparing soil and climate principal components as explanatory variables revealed soil properties, especially nutrients, to be most effective at predicting switchgrass biomass yield. Also, positive correlations between biomass yield and conservative plant traits, such as high stem mass and tiller height, became stronger at lower latitudes where the climate is hotter and drier, regardless of ecotype. Lowland cultivars, however, showed a greater predisposition to exhibit these conservative traits. These results suggest switchgrass trait allocation trade‐offs that prioritize aboveground biomass production are more tightly associated in hot, dry environments and that lowland cultivars may exhibit a more specialized strategy relative to other cultivars. Altogether, this research provides essential knowledge for improving the viability of switchgrass as a biofuel crop.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Investigating the Relative Contribution from Tropical Indo-Pacific SST to Asian Monsoon Precipitation Variability Using LIM

Abstract A critical issue is determining the factors that control the year-to-year variability in precipitation over southern Asia. In this study, we employ a cyclostationary linear inverse model (CS-LIM) to quantify the relative contribution of tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) to the interannual variability of the Asian monsoon, especially Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR). Through a series of CS-LIM experiments, we isolate the impacts of the direct forcing from Pacific SSTAs, Indian Ocean SSTAs, and their interaction on Asian monsoon rainfall variability. Our results reveal distinct patterns of influence with the direct forcing from the Pacific (Indian) Ocean tending to enhance (reduce) the magnitude of precipitation variability, while the Indo-Pacific interaction acts to strongly damp the variability of Asian monsoon precipitation, especially over India. We further investigate these specific impacts on ISMR by analyzing the relationship between tropical Indo-Pacific SSTAs and the leading three empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of ISMR. The results from our CS-LIM experiments indicate that the direct forcing from El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) enhances the variability of the first and third EOFs, while the Indian Ocean SSTA opposes ENSO’s effects, which is consistent with previous studies. Our new results show that the tropical Indo-Pacific interaction strongly damps ISMR variability, which is due to the ENSO-induced Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) opposing the direct impacts from ENSO on ISMR. Additionally, reduced ENSO amplitude and duration associated with the Indo-Pacific interaction may also contribute to the damping effect on ISMR, but this requires further study to understand the relevant mechanisms.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗

Hydropower Biological Evaluation Toolset (HBET) Version 3.0: User Guide

The Hydropower Biological Evaluation Tools (HBET) software package, developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), is designed to assemble, organize, and process data collected by Sensor Fish and live fish. HBET enable users to characterize the hydraulic conditions of hydropower structures and estimate fish injury and mortality rates from various stressors. Future updates of the software may support other technologies, such as bead tracking in physical models and computational fluid dynamics. The HBET program can be customized to analyze different hydraulic applications, including turbines, spillways, weirs, pumped storage, and other user-defined functions, and therefore, help researchers, turbine designers, hydropower operators, and regulators better evaluate hydropower structures regarding their environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Added content to the user guide about the new feature for predicting absolute injury rates.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Field emission energy distributions of hydrogen and deuterium on the /100/ and /110/ planes of tungsten.

Total energy distributions of field emitted electrons from the tungsten (110) and (100) planes as a function of coverage by hydrogen and deuterium have been recorded utilizing a spherical deflection energy analyzer. The elastic tunneling resonance spectrum gives a plot of the 'local density of states' in the adsorbate. The inelastic tunneling spectrum reveals those discrete excitation energies available in the adsorbate-substrate complex. These spectroscopic data have been used to infer the chemical nature of the binding states which have been observed in the flash desorption spectrum of hydrogen from tungsten.

Plummer, E. W.↗

Interstellar molecular hydrogen observed in the ultraviolet spectrum of delta Scorpii

The ultraviolet spectrogram of delta Scorpii is analyzed for its interstellar molecular hydrogen signatures. Plots of the measured relative flux as a function of wavelength show the positions of the hydrogen lines in the Lyman and Werner bands. In general, each observed band is composed of transitions arising from the lowest rotational level and the first excited rotational level of the ground state, and of a single transition arising from the J = 1 level of the ground state only. Column densities of H2 molecules as well as cloud temperature are deduced.

Smith, A. M.↗

An analysis of the accuracy of a parameter optimization

The numerical operations involved in a currently used optimization technique are discussed and analyzed with special attention to the numerical accuracy. Alternative methods for deriving linear system transfer functions, finding the relationships between the transfer function coefficients and the design parameters, and solving a matrix equation are presented for more accurate and cost effective solutions.

Baram, Y.↗

National law enforcement telecommunications network

Alternative approaches are analyzed to a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications Network (NALECOM) designed to service all state-to-state and state-to-national criminal justice communications traffic needs in the United States. Network topology options were analyzed, and equipment and personnel requirements for each option were defined in accordance with NALECOM functional specifications and design guidelines. Evaluation criteria were developed and applied to each of the options leading to specific conclusions. Detailed treatments of methods for determining traffic requirements, communication line costs, switcher configurations and costs, microwave costs, satellite system configurations and costs, facilities, operations and engineering costs, network delay analysis and network availability analysis are presented. It is concluded that a single regional switcher configuration is the optimum choice based on cost and technical factors. A two-region configuration is competitive. Multiple-region configurations are less competitive due to increasing costs without attending benefits.

Reilly, N. B.↗

Vibrational and rotational relaxation in mixtures of water vapor and oxygen

Experimental measurements of sound absorption in air, measurements of ultrasonic absorption in H2O/O2 mixtures at 500 K, and experimental measurements in mixtures of H2O with other impurities have been analyzed to determine the energy transfer rates in mixtures of O2 and H2O as a function of temperature. A set of energy transfer rate coefficients was found that give results consistent with all the experimental data examined and with vibrational energy transfer theory. The rotational relaxation time for H2O/O2 mixtures was determined from the 500 K ultrasonic measurements.

Bass, H. E.↗

Image reconstruction by parametric cubic convolution

Cubic convolution, which has been discussed by Rifman and McKinnon (1974), was originally developed for the reconstruction of Landsat digital images. In the present investigation, the reconstruction properties of the one-parameter family of cubic convolution interpolation functions are considered and thee image degradation associated with reasonable choices of this parameter is analyzed. With the aid of an analysis in the frequency domain it is demonstrated that in an image-independent sense there is an optimal value for this parameter. The optimal value is not the standard value commonly referenced in the literature. It is also demonstrated that in an image-dependent sense, cubic convolution can be adapted to any class of images characterized by a common energy spectrum.

Park, S. K.↗

Delta function excitation of waves in the earth's ionosphere

Excitation of the earth's ionosphere by delta function current sheets is considered, and the temporal and spatial evolution of wave packets is analyzed for a two-component collisional F2 layer. Approximations of an inverse Fourier-Laplace transform via saddle point methods provide plots of typical wave packets. These illustrate cold plasma wave theory and may be used as a diagnostic tool since it is possible to relate specific features, e.g., the frequency of a modulation envelope, to plasma parameters such as the electron cyclotron frequency. It is also possible to deduce the propagation path length and orientation of a remote radio beacon.

Vidmar, R. J.↗

The effect of turbulence on lidar backscattered signal fluctuations

CO2 lidar measurements being subjected to uncertainties caused by strong fluctuations were explained to appear primarily due to speckle effects whereas turbulence was to be negligible. Spectral cross correlation measurements performed in the near IR and in the visible show that the main contribution to the fluctuation for the above lidar wavelengths originates from the atmospheric turbulence. The standard deviation of the fluctuation signal was measured for the two wavelengths simultaneously. A typical curve representing mid-summer day changes in the value of sigma as a function of time is shown. The results, indicating the strong dependence on the turbulence, is analyzed and discussed.

Fastig, S.↗

Observations of the Jovian UV aurora by Voyager

The observations of the Jovian aurora made by the Voyager UV spectrometer (UVS) during 1979 are analyzed, with special consideration given to the model fitting process. Several different estimates of the function specifying auroral arc geometry were tried, with the Broadfoot et al. (1981) estimate, found by probing with the tip of the UVS slit, giving the best agreement; this agreement is slightly better than the agreement with the Io torus footprint computed by Roederer et al. (1977). The results suggest that the UVS observations are more sensitive to the surface field geometry than are the Voyager flyby in situ observations. The results of a study of intensity maximum positions indicate that the particles exciting the spatially variable portion of the aurora are drifting west, implying either that these particles are electrons or that they are positive ions drifting east more slowly than the corotation lag of the Io torus region carries them to the west. The latter case is most consistent with the high-energy charged particle measurements.

Herbert, Floyd↗

Knowledge representation and user interface concepts to support mixed-initiative diagnosis

The Remote Maintenance Monitoring System (RMMS) provides automated support for the maintenance and repair of ModComp computer systems used in the Launch Processing System (LPS) at Kennedy Space Center. RMMS supports manual and automated diagnosis of intermittent hardware failures, providing an efficient means for accessing and analyzing the data generated by catastrophic failure recovery procedures. This paper describes the design and functionality of the user interface for interactive analysis of memory dump data, relating it to the underlying declarative representation of memory dumps.

Sobelman, Beverly H.↗

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