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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Fourth order difference methods for hyperbolic IBVP's

Fourth order difference approximations of initial-boundary value problems for hyperbolic partial differential equations are considered. We use the method of lines approach with both explicit and compact implicit difference operators in space. The explicit operator satisfies an energy estimate leading to strict stability. For the implicit operator we develop boundary conditions and give a complete proof of strong stability using the Laplace transform technique. We also present numerical experiments for the linear advection equation and Burgers' equation with discontinuities in the solution or in its derivative. The first equation is used for modeling contact discontinuities in fluid dynamics, the second one for modeling shocks and rarefaction waves. The time discretization is done with a third order Runge-Kutta TVD method. For solutions with discontinuities in the solution itself we add a filter based on second order viscosity. In case of the non-linear Burger's equation we use a flux splitting technique that results in an energy estimate for certain different approximations, in which case also an entropy condition is fulfilled. In particular we shall demonstrate that the unsplit conservative form produces a non-physical shock instead of the physically correct rarefaction wave. In the numerical experiments we compare our fourth order methods with a standard second order one and with a third order TVD-method. The results show that the fourth order methods are the only ones that give good results for all the considered test problems.

Gustafsson, Bertil↗
DOE OSTI2022

Universality aspects of quantum corrections to transverse momentum broadening in QCD media

We study non-linear quantum corrections to transverse momentum broadening (TMB) of a fast parton propagating in dense QCD matter in the leading logarithmic approximation. These non-local corrections yield an anomalous super-diffusive behavior characterized by a heavy tailed distribution which is associated with Lévy random walks. Using a formal analogy with the physics of traveling waves, we show that at late times the transverse momentum distribution tends to a universal scaling regime. We derive analytic solutions in terms of an asymptotic expansion around the scaling limit for both fixed and running coupling. We note that our analytic approach yields a good agreement with the exact numerical solutions down to realistic values of medium length. Finally, we discuss the interplay between system size and energy dependence of the diffusion coefficient $\hat{q}$ and its connection with the gluon distribution function that is manifest at large transverse momentum transfer.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Emulating 2D Materials with Magnons

Spin waves (magnons) in two-dimensional (2D) materials have received increasing interest due to their unique states and potential for tunability. However, many interesting features of these systems, including Dirac points and topological states, occur at high frequencies, where experimental probes are limited. Here, we study a crystal formed by patterning a hexagonal array of holes in a perpendicularly magnetized thin film. Through simulation, we find that the magnonic band structure imitates that of graphene, but additionally has some kagomelike character and includes a few flat bands. Surprisingly, its nature can be understood using a nine-band tight-binding Hamiltonian. This clear analogy to 2D materials enables band-gap engineering in 2D, topological magnons along 1D phase boundaries, and spectrally isolated modes at 0D point defects. Interestingly, the 1D phase boundaries allow access to the valley degree of freedom through a magnonic analog of the quantum valley Hall insulator. These approaches can be extended to other magnonic systems, but are potentially more general due to the simplicity of the model, which resembles existing results from electron, phonon, photon, and cold-atom systems. This finding brings the physics of spin waves in 2D materials to more experimentally accessible scales, augments it, and outlines a few principles for controlling magnonic states.

Ferrimagnets↗
DOE OSTI2026

Understanding carbon sourcing and transport originating from the helicon antenna surfaces during high-power helicon discharge in DIII-D Tokamak

The high-power helicon wave system in the DIII-D tokamak could potentially introduce new plasma–material interaction (PMI) challenges owing to rectified RF sheath potentials that develop near the antenna and surrounding plasma-facing components. We present the first application of the STRIPE (Simulated Transport of RF Impurity Production and Emission) framework to helicon-induced PMIs, extending previous STRIPE studies of ICRH antennas by incorporating net erosion, local re-deposition, and three-dimensional global impurity transport. The integrated workflow couples SOLPS, COMSOL, RustBCA, GITR, and GITRm to simulate carbon erosion, re-deposition, and impurity transport for two experimentally constrained DIII-D H-mode helicon operating scenarios with different antenna–plasma gaps, coupled RF powers, and edge plasma conditions. COMSOL predicts rectified RF sheath potentials of 1–5 kV localized near the lower portion of the antenna, where the magnetic field intersects the surface at grazing incidence. Carbon self-sputtering dominates the erosion source, whereas RF-accelerated D + ions contribute approximately 1% of the total gross erosion. The smaller-gap operating scenario exhibits substantially stronger gross erosion, enhanced local re-deposition (∼12%), and a larger confined carbon inventory owing to increased plasma accessibility and broader RF sheath coverage. Comparison with available DIII-D measurements shows no distinct change in the global carbon signal that correlates with the helicon RF pulse, consistent with the simulations indicating that the helicon-generated carbon source remains small compared with the existing background carbon inventory under the present graphite-wall operating conditions. These results demonstrate the capability of STRIPE to integrate RF sheath modeling, plasma transport, surface interaction physics, and three-dimensional impurity transport for the interpretation of helicon-induced PMIs. The study further identifies the principal sources of modeling uncertainty, including grazing-angle RF sheath physics, slow-wave resolution, plasma-background extrapolation, and trace-impurity transport assumptions, providing a framework for future validation and model development.

Kumar, Atul [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL),↗
DOE OSTI2021

Multiphenomenology explosion monitoring (MultiPEM): a general framework for data interpretation and yield estimation

SUMMARY An underground nuclear explosion (UNE) couples mechanical energy into crustal rock, which propagates as seismic and acoustic waves. These different physical phenomena transport, by different pathways, to standoff detectors at varying distances. The transport pathways attenuate the original signal but in different ways. Enabled by correct statistical weighting, signal attenuation models can be used to combine these disparate sensor data to estimate the yield of an UNE. Contemporaneous statistical models, used in yield estimation, can be improved with an advanced partition of error for these physical signal propagation models. We present an advanced multivariate approach to error modelling of multiphenomenology physical signatures. In addition to measurement error, our error model represents physical model biases as random with a physics-based covariance structure. To illustrate this proposed framework, we demonstrate the estimation of explosion yield using openly available seismic and acoustic data from chemical single-point explosions.

Williams, Brian J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Microscopic calculation of fission product yields for odd-mass nuclei

Fission data are essential inputs to reaction networks involved in nucleosynthesis simulations and nuclear forensics. In such applications as well as in the description of multichance fission, the characteristics of fission for odd-mass nuclei are just as important as those for even-even nuclei. The fission theories that aim at explicitly describing fission dynamics are typically based on some variant of the nuclear mean-field theory. In such cases, the treatment of systems with an odd number of particles is markedly more involved, both formally and computationally. In this article, we use the blocking prescription of the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory with Skyrme energy functionals to compute the deformation properties of odd-mass uranium isotopes. We show that the resulting fission fragment distributions depend quite significantly on the spin of the odd neutron. By direct calculation of the spin distribution of the fissioning nucleus, we propose a methodology to rigorously predict the charge and mass distributions in odd-mass nuclei.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Deep Koopman Neural Network for Analyzing High-Energy-Density Simulations of Electrical Wire Explosions

Megaampere-scale electrical wire experiments (EWEs) provide a platform for studying magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instability growth in magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) devices. Even when nonlinear simulations of these experiments can digitally reproduce much of the experimentally observed instability growth, interpreting the results and understanding mode growth and evolution can be non-trivial. As a first step toward providing better interpretation of these simulation features, this work investigates the use of a deep neural network that uses Koopman operator theory to analyze the dynamics of pulsed-power-driven explosions of EWEs. This deep neural network is trained on 1-D resistive MHD simulations of EWEs. This neural network learns to transform the nonlinear data into a lower-dimensional representation where the time dynamics are linear. Layers of this neural network are shown to learn features of the simulations, including the locations of shock waves and different physical regimes of the simulation. Using the learned features, the network can compress a time state of the simulation consisting of 5120 data point into a 36-parameter lower-dimensional latent space embedding. Furthermore, these embeddings are shown to be clustered in the latent space by initial radius and time state.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

FAIR Data and Interpretable AI Framework for Architectured Metamaterials (Final Report)

This research program established a transformative framework for the discovery and design of mechanical metamaterials, which are architected structures engineered to control physical phenomena like sound and vibration in ways natural materials cannot. To overcome the traditional reliance on trial-and-error, the project developed an interpretable Artificial Intelligence (AI) framework that moves beyond "black box" models to reveal the specific geometric patterns—such as "unit-cell templates"—that govern a material’s performance. A major breakthrough was the development of a hierarchical design method, which allows a single material to block vibrations across multiple frequency ranges simultaneously by layering patterns at different scales without them interfering with one another. This was further expanded to include irregular, graph-based designs that use spanning tree algorithms to ensure structural connectivity while allowing for customized, direction-dependent properties like stiffness and acoustic impedance. Beyond design, the project addressed the practicalities of real-world production by developing uncertainty quantification techniques that account for manufacturing defects and material variability, reducing the need for expensive physical testing by orders of magnitude. To speed up the discovery process, the team implemented Gaussian Process Regression and other surrogate models that provide accurate performance predictions at a fraction of the traditional computational cost. The AI-generated designs were successfully validated through fabrication of physical samples and wave propagation experiments, confirming their ability to accurately guide or reflect waves as predicted. By contributing these tools and high-quality FAIR benchmark datasets to the wider scientific community, this work provides a scalable foundation for advancing technologies in aerospace vibration control, medical imaging, and noise reduction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1973

A theoretical study of aerodynamic noise generation

Study focuses on physical mechanism of waves in fluid such as air. Strong interaction between energy of wave and fluid particle motion causes energy of wave to be dissipated. Dissipation depends not only on momentum, time-rate, and force, but also upon nature and magnitude of entropic-flow effects.

Peter, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Auroral plasma waves

A review is given of auroral plasma wave phenomena, starting with the earliest ground-based observations and ending with the most recent satellite observations. Two types of waves are considered, electromagnetic and electrostatic. Electromagnetic waves include auroral kilometric radiation, auroral hiss, ELF noise bands, and low-frequency electric and magnetic noise. Electrostatic waves include upper hybrid resonance emissions, electron cyclotron waves, lower hybrid waves, ion cyclotron waves and broadband electrostatic noise. In each case, a brief overview is given describing the observations, the origin of the instability, and the role of the waves in the physics of the auroral acceleration region.

Gurnett, Donald A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

NASA's initial flight missions in the Small Explorer Program

A new component of NASA's Explorer Program has been initiated in order to provide research opportunities characterized by small, quick-turn-around, and frequent space missions. Objectives include the launching of one or two payloads per year, depending on mission cost and availability of funds and launch vehicles. The four missions chosen from the proposals solicited by the Small Explorer Announcement Opportunity are discussed in detail. These include the Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) designed to carry out energetic particle studies of outstanding questions in the fields of space plasma, solar, heliospheric, cosmic ray, and middle atmospheric physics; the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS), which will conduct both pointed and survey observations of dense galactic molecular clouds; the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer (FAST); and the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS).

Rasch, Nickolus O.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Solar Spicules: A Review of Recent Models and Targets for Future Observations

Since their discovery over 100 years ago, there have been many suggestions for the origin and development of solar spicules. Because the velocities of spicules are comparable to the sound and Alfven speeds of the low chromosphere, linear theory cannot fully describe them. Consequently, detailed tests of theoretical ideas had to await the development of computing power that only became available during the 1970s. This work reviews theories for spicules and spicule-like features over approximately the past 25 years, with an emphasis on the models based on nonlinear numerical simulations. These models have given us physical insight into wave propagation in the solar atmosphere, and have helped elucidate how such waves, and associated shock waves, may be capable of creating motions and structures on magnetic flux tubes in the lower solar atmosphere. So far, however, it has been difficult to reproduce the most- commonly -quoted parameters for spicules with these models, using what appears to be the most suitable input parameters. A key impediment to developing satisfactory models has been the lack of reliable observational information, which is a consequence of the small angular size and transient lifetime of spicules. I close with a list of key observational questions to be addressed with space-based satellites, such as the currently operating TRACE satellite, and especially the upcoming Solar-B mission. Answers to these questions will help determine which, if any, of the current models correctly explains spicules.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Solar Spicules: A Review of Recent Models and Targets for Future Observations

Since their discovery over 100 years ago, there have been many suggestions for the origin and development of solar spicules. Because the velocities of spicules are comparable to the sound and Alfven speeds of the low chromosphere, linear theory cannot fully describe them. Consequently, detailed tests of theoretical ideas had to await the development of computing power that only became available during the 1970s. This work reviews theories for spicules and spicule-like features over approximately the past 25 years, with an emphasis an the models based on nonlinear numerical simulations. These models have given us physical insight into wave propagation in the solar atmosphere and have helped elucidate how such waves, and associated shock waves, may be capable of creating motions and structures on magnetic flux tubes in the lower solar atmosphere. So far, however, it has been difficult to reproduce the most commonly quoted parameters for spicules with these models, using what appears to be the most suitable input parameters. A key impediment to developing satisfactory models has been the lack of reliable observational information, which is a consequence of the small angular size and transient lifetime of spicules. I close with a list of key observational questions to be addressed with space-based satellites, such as the currently operating Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) satellite, and especially the upcoming Solar-B mission. Answers to these questions will help determine which, if any, of the current models correctly explains spicules.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Can the Hypothesis 'Photon Interferes only with Itself' be Reconciled with Superposition of Light from Multiple Beams or Sources?

Any superposition effect as measured (SEM) by us is the summation of simultaneous stimulations experienced by a detector due to the presence of multiple copies of a detectee each carrying different values of the same parameter. We discus the cases with light beams carrying same frequency for both diffraction and multiple beam Fabry-Perot interferometer and also a case where the two superposed light beams carry different frequencies. Our key argument is that if light really consists of indivisible elementary particle, photon, then it cannot by itself create superposition effect since the state vector of an elementary particle cannot carry more than one values of any parameter at the same time. Fortunately, semiclassical model explains all light induced interactions using quantized atoms and classical EM wave packet. Classical physics, with its deeper commitment to Reality Ontology, was better prepared to nurture the emergence of Quantum Mechanics and still can provide guidance to explore nature deeper if we pay careful attention to successful classical formulations like Huygens-Fresnel diffraction integral.

Roychoudhuri, Chandrasekhar↗
NASA NTRS2011

Acoustic Absorption in Porous Materials

An understanding of both the areas of materials science and acoustics is necessary to successfully develop materials for acoustic absorption applications. This paper presents the basic knowledge and approaches for determining the acoustic performance of porous materials in a manner that will help materials researchers new to this area gain the understanding and skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to this field of study. Beginning with the basics and making as few assumptions as possible, this paper reviews relevant topics in the acoustic performance of porous materials, which are often used to make acoustic bulk absorbers, moving from the physics of sound wave interactions with porous materials to measurement techniques for flow resistivity, characteristic impedance, and wavenumber.

Kuczmarski, Maria A.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Acoustic Emission Analysis Applet (AEAA) Software

NASA Glenn Research and NASA White Sands Test Facility have developed software supporting an automated pressure vessel structural health monitoring (SHM) system based on acoustic emissions (AE). The software, referred to as the Acoustic Emission Analysis Applet (AEAA), provides analysts with a tool that can interrogate data collected on Digital Wave Corp. and Physical Acoustics Corp. software using a wide spectrum of powerful filters and charts. This software can be made to work with any data once the data format is known. The applet will compute basic AE statistics, and statistics as a function of time and pressure (see figure). AEAA provides value added beyond the analysis provided by the respective vendors' analysis software. The software can handle data sets of unlimited size. A wide variety of government and commercial applications could benefit from this technology, notably requalification and usage tests for compressed gas and hydrogen-fueled vehicles. Future enhancements will add features similar to a "check engine" light on a vehicle. Once installed, the system will ultimately be used to alert International Space Station crewmembers to critical structural instabilities, but will have little impact to missions otherwise. Diagnostic information could then be transmitted to experienced technicians on the ground in a timely manner to determine whether pressure vessels have been impacted, are structurally unsound, or can be safely used to complete the mission.

Nichols, Charles T.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermoacoustic Thermal Management for Electric Aircraft

Electric aircraft research and development is on the rise, necessitating an avant-garde thermal management system to effectively dissipate and reuse the typically wasted low-grade thermal energy generated on electric aircraft. Hence, the Thermal Recovery Exergy Efficient System (TREES) was successfully modeled, designed, built, and tested at NASA Glenn Research Center (NASA GRC) to demonstrate a solution. TREES demonstrates the ability to transport and amplify acoustic energy over various distances, with minimal energy dissipation, while creating a thermoacoustic heat pump that can deliver and absorb thermal energy. The in-house rig is now being utilized as a diagnostics testbed to understand the underlying physics of traveling wave thermoacoustics and to enhance future thermal management technology development.

Thermoacoustics↗