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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 217 records · Page 12

Identification of Performance Shaping Factor Lag and Linger Effects for Dynamic Human Reliability Analysis: Application of Experimental Data

Many researchers have emphasized the importance of dynamic probabilistic safety assessment (PSA), which highlights the necessity of studies for dynamic human reliability analysis (HRA). Dynamic HRA concentrates on a dynamic account of human actions or how performance shaping factors (PSFs) can dynamically modify the human error probability (HEP) over time. In contrast, existing static HRA does not consider human actions as changes over time or event progressions. Accordingly, previous research on dynamic HRA conceptually suggested PSF lag and linger effects to treat dependence between operator actions in dynamic HRA versus existing approaches. As follow-up research, this study attempted to identify PSF lag and linger effects for dynamic HRA on the basis of experimental data. Firstly, mathematical models for PSF lag and linger effects were developed based on a literature survey in the field of biology. Secondly, we analyzed experimental scenarios from a control room study to identify operator actions considered in PSA. Lastly, based on the experimental data, the effect of the stress PSF with lag and linger effects was compared to that without PSF lag and linger effects. This paper concludes with an overall discussion of PSF lag and linger effects based on the relation between the stress PSF and error occurrence.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Radiation Imaging with Event Camera

Neuromorphic or event-based imaging is a new, commercially available sensor technology inspired by how the human eye works. Instead of measuring frames at a fixed rate, the camera measures changes in pixel intensity asynchronously. This difference in readout architecture results in a high dynamic range and low latency. Event-based cameras have been used in a variety of applications, including object tracking, navigation, and lidar technologies. However, event-based cameras have not been adequately researched for their ability to image high-energy particles. This report explores the use of an event camera for imaging alpha, beta, and X-rays particles, when coupled with scintillator screens to convert high-energy particles into visible light. Methods to process event data were developed and are presented here, along with the results. The event camera can measure alpha and beta particles with comparable performance to that of a conventional camera. Event cameras can also image higher-activity sources and offer the possibility of discriminating particle interaction types on the basis of timing differences, which typical cameras cannot do. Additionally, event cameras can image objects with an X-ray source when the source strength dynamically changes but does not create a high-contrast image during static X-ray measurement.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Digital coded exposure formation of frames from event-based imagery

Abstract Event-driven neuromorphic imagers have a number of attractive properties including low-power consumption, high dynamic range, the ability to detect fast events, low memory consumption and low band-width requirements. One of the biggest challenges with using event-driven imagery is that the field of event data processing is still embryonic. In contrast, decades worth of effort have been invested in the analysis of frame-based imagery. Hybrid approaches for applying established frame-based analysis techniques to event-driven imagery have been studied since event-driven imagers came into existence. However, the process for forming frames from event-driven imagery has not been studied in detail. This work presents a principled digital coded exposure approach for forming frames from event-driven imagery that is inspired by the physics exploited in a conventional camera featuring a shutter. The technique described in this work provides a fundamental tool for understanding the temporal information content that contributes to the formation of a frame from event-driven imagery data. Event-driven imagery allows for the application of arbitrary virtual digital shutter functions to form the final frame on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The proposed approach allows for the careful control of the spatio-temporal information that is captured in the frame. Furthermore, unlike a conventional physical camera, event-driven imagery can be formed into any variety of possible frames in post-processing after the data is captured. Furthermore, unlike a conventional physical camera, coded-exposure virtual shutter functions can assume arbitrary values including positive, negative, real, and complex values. The coded exposure approach also enables the ability to perform applications of industrial interest such as digital stroboscopy without any additional hardware. The ability to form frames from event-driven imagery in a principled manner opens up new possibilities in the ability to use conventional frame-based image processing techniques on event-driven imagery.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Machine learning–based extreme event attribution

The observed increase in extreme weather has prompted recent methodological advances in extreme event attribution. We propose a machine learning–based approach that uses convolutional neural networks to create dynamically consistent counterfactual versions of historical extreme events under different levels of global mean temperature (GMT). We apply this technique to one recent extreme heat event (southcentral North America 2023) and several historical events that have been previously analyzed using established attribution methods. We estimate that temperatures during the southcentral North America event were 1.18° to 1.42°C warmer because of global warming and that similar events will occur 0.14 to 0.60 times per year at 2.0°C above preindustrial levels of GMT. Additionally, we find that the learned relationships between daily temperature and GMT are influenced by the seasonality of the forced temperature response and the daily meteorological conditions. Our results broadly agree with other attribution techniques, suggesting that machine learning can be used to perform rapid, low-cost attribution of extreme events.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Site-specific interrogation of an ionic chiral fragment during photolysis using an X-ray free-electron laser

Abstract Short-wavelength free-electron lasers with their ultrashort pulses at high intensities have originated new approaches for tracking molecular dynamics from the vista of specific sites. X-ray pump X-ray probe schemes even allow to address individual atomic constituents with a ‘trigger’-event that preludes the subsequent molecular dynamics while being able to selectively probe the evolving structure with a time-delayed second X-ray pulse. Here, we use a linearly polarized X-ray photon to trigger the photolysis of a prototypical chiral molecule, namely trifluoromethyloxirane (C 3 H 3 F 3 O), at the fluorine K-edge at around 700 eV. The created fluorine-containing fragments are then probed by a second, circularly polarized X-ray pulse of higher photon energy in order to investigate the chemically shifted inner-shell electrons of the ionic mother-fragment for their stereochemical sensitivity. We experimentally demonstrate and theoretically support how two-color X-ray pump X-ray probe experiments with polarization control enable XFELs as tools for chiral recognition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exploring the synergy of kinematics and dynamics for collider physics

In collider experiments, an event is characterized by two distinct yet mutually complementary features: the “global features” and the “local features.” Kinematic information such as the event topology of a hard process, masses, and spins of particles comprises global features spanning the entire phase space. This global feature can be inferred from reconstructed objects. In contrast, representations of particles in gauge groups, such as quantum chromodynamics (QCD), offer localized features revealing the dynamics of an underlying theory. These local features, particularly observed in the patterns of radiation as raw data in various detector components, complement the global kinematic features. We propose a simple but effective neural network architecture that seamlessly integrates information from both kinematics and QCD to enhance the signal sensitivity at colliders. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Ban, Kayoung (ORCID:000000019691877X)↗

Adatom-Driven Oxygen Intermixing during the Deposition of Oxide Thin Films by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Thin film deposition from the vapor phase is a complex process involving adatom adsorption, movement, and incorporation into the growing film. While simulations have been able to capture key aspects of these processes to reproduce film morphology, these models typically ignore any subsurface diffusion that occurs. The results of these diffusion and intermixing processes are often observed experimentally, but cannot be explained by invoking bulk lattice diffusion at the deposition temperature. In this work, we present quantitative experimental data that reveals anion and cation intermixing over long length scales during the deposition of epitaxial Fe 2 O 3 and Cr 2 O 3 films and heterostructures by oxygen-plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. We track this diffusion by incorporating well-defined tracer layers containing 18 O and/or 57 Fe, and measure their redistribution on the nanometer scale with atom probe tomography. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest potential intermixing events, which are then examined via nudged elastic band calculations. These reveal that adatoms on the film surface act to “pull up” subsurface O and Fe. Subsequent ring-like rotation mechanisms involving both adatom and subsurface anions then facilitate their mixing. A simple model incorporating these events qualitatively agrees with the experimental intermixing results. In addition to film deposition, these intermixing mechanisms may to be operant during other surface-mediated processes such as heterogeneous catalysis and corrosion.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Decentralized modular hybrid supervisory control for the formation of unmanned helicopters

Abstract Formation control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) requires them to tightly cooperate to reach and keep the formation, while avoiding collision. This paper proposes a novel decentralized hybrid supervisory control approach for the formation control of multiple UAVs. This is achieved by developing a symbolic motion planning technique to polarly partition the motion space resulting in a finite state discrete event model for the motion dynamics of each UAV. Then, a modular discrete supervisor is designed for different components of the formation mission including reaching the formation, keeping the formation, and collision avoidance. Further, for the collision avoidance mechanism, a novel top‐down decomposition‐based approach is developed to design local supervisors decentralizedly. It is formally proved that with the proposed top‐down decomposition‐based approach, the (locally) supervised UAVs, as a whole, can cooperatively satisfy the desired (global) collision avoidance specification. The proposed decentralized supervisory control algorithm is also verified through a hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulator for the formation control of unmanned helicopters.

Karimoddini, Ali↗

The influence of boundary and edge-plasma modeling in computations of axisymmetric vertical displacement

A number of previously published studies apply extended-MHD computations to model macroscopic dynamics of tokamak vertical displacement events (VDEs). The characteristic plasma-wall contact and resistive-wall diffusion imply sensitivity to boundary conditions in a general sense, but which conditions have significant influence depends on how the plasma is modeled. This work examines these dependencies by comparing results of axisymmetric extended-MHD computations with different sets of boundary conditions, plasma thermal-conduction models, and wall resistivity values. The geometry and plasma parameters of the computations represent a modest-sized tokamak. The forced-displacement scenario and computational setup are similar to those used in previous 3D computations. The results show that for a given wall resistivity, the VDE time-scale is most sensitive to variations in the boundary and thermal-conduction parameters that affect electron thermal transport. The electrical conductivity depends on electron temperature, and the dependence on thermal transport stems from its influence on the electrical circuit that includes the open-field halo current. Lastly, conditions that lead to hotter, broader halo regions slow the evolution. Significant sensitivity to the boundary condition on plasma flow-velocity exists when electron thermal conduction is restricted and electron energy loss is convective, which is expected for conditions at the entrance of the magnetic presheath.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DEHP− extractant binding to trivalent lanthanide Er3+: Fast binding accompanied by concerted angular motions of hydration water

Solvent extraction of trivalent rare earth metal ions by organophosphorus extractants proceeds via binding of phosphoric acid headgroups to the metal ion. Water molecules in the tightly bound first hydration shell of the metal ions must be displaced by oxygen atoms from phosphoric acid headgroups. Here, we use classical molecular dynamics simulations to explore the event in which a fully hydrated Er3+ binds to its first phosphoric acid headgroup. Approach of the headgroup into the region between the first and second hydration shells leads to a fast ejection of a water molecule that is accompanied by reordering of the hydration water molecules, including discretization of their angular positions and collective rotation about the metal ion. The water molecule ejected from the first shell is located diametrically opposite from the binding oxygen. Headgroup binding places a headgroup oxygen closer to Er3+ than its first hydration shell and creates a loosely bound water that subsequently exchanges between the first shell and its environment. This second exchange of water also occurs at discrete angular positions. This geometrical aspect of binding may be of relevance to understanding the binding and transport of ion–extractant complexes that are expected to occur at the organic–aqueous liquid–liquid interface used in solvent extraction processes.

Chemistry↗

MHD simulations of cold bubble formation from 2/1 tearing mode during massive gas injection in a tokamak

Massive gas injection (MGI) experiments have been carried out in many tokamaks to study disruption dynamics and mitigation schemes. Two events often observed in those experiments are the excitation of the m = 2, n = 1 magnetohydrodynamic mode, and the formation of cold bubble structure in the temperature distribution before the thermal quench (TQ). Here m is the poloidal mode number, n the toroidal mode number. The physics mechanisms underlying those phenomena, however, have not been entirely clear. In this work, our recent NIMROD simulations of the MGI process in a tokamak have reproduced the main features of both events, which has allowed us to examine and establish the causal relation between them. In these simulations, the 3/1 and 2/1 islands are found to form successively after the arrival of impurity ion cold front at the corresponding q = 3 and q = 2 rational surfaces. At the interface between impurity and plasma, a local thin current sheet forms due to an enhanced local pressure gradient and moves inward following the gas cold front, this may contribute to the formation of a dominant 2/1 mode. Following the growth of the 2/1 tearing mode, the impurity penetration into the core region inside the q = 2 surface gives rise to the formation of the cold bubble temperature structure and initiates the final TQ. Here, a subdominant 1/1 mode developed earlier near the q = 1 surface alone does not cause such a cold bubble formation, however, the exact manner of the preceding impurity penetration depends on the nature of the 1/1 mode: kink-tearing or quasi-interchange.

2/1 tearing mode↗

Utilization of event shape in search of the chiral magnetic effect in heavy-ion collisions

The search for the chiral magnetic effect (CME) has been a subject of great interest in the field of high-energy heavy-ion collision physics, and various observables have been proposed to probe the CME. Experimental observables are often contaminated with background contributions arising from collective motions (specifically elliptic flow) of the collision system. We present a method study of event-shape engineering (ESE) that projects the CME-sensitive γ 112 correlator and its variations (γ 132 and γ 123 ) to a class of events with minimal flow. We discuss the realization of the zero-flow mode, the sensitivity on the CME signal, and the corresponding statistical significance for Au + Au, Ru + Ru, and Zr + Zr collisions at √s NN = 200 GeV with a multiphase transport model, as well as a new event generator, event-by-event anomalous-viscous fluid dynamics.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Fourier coefficients of noninterdependent collective motions in heavy-ion collisions

Here, we present a scenario in heavy-ion collisions where different modes of collective motions are noninterdependent, driven by factorized actions in the created nuclear medium. Such physics mechanisms could each dominate at a distinct evolution stage, or coexist simultaneously. If the probability of particle emission is modulated by each nondependent collective motion with a single-harmonic Fourier expansion, the particle azimuthal distribution should be the product of all these expansions. Consequently, nonleading cross terms between collectivity modes appear, and their contributions to experimental observables could be significant. In particular, we argue that the chiral magnetic effect (CME) and elliptic flow can develop separately, with their convolution affecting the observable that is sensitive to the shear-induced CME. We will use the event-by-event anomalous-viscous fluid dynamics model to illustrate the effects of this scenario. Besides giving insights into searches for the CME, we also propose feasible experimental tests based on conventional flow harmonics, and demonstrate the emergence of nonleading cross terms with a multiphase transport model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Disturbance–diversity relationships of microbial communities change based on growth substrate

Disturbance events can impact ecological community dynamics. Understanding how communities respond to disturbances and how those responses can vary is a challenge in microbial ecology. In this study, we grew a previously enriched specialized microbial community on either cellulose or glucose as a sole carbon source and subjected them to one of five different disturbance regimes of varying frequencies ranging from low to high. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we show that the community structure is largely driven by substrate, but disturbance frequency affects community composition and successional dynamics. When grown on cellulose, bacteria in the genera Cellvibrio, Lacunisphaera, and Asticcacaulis are the most abundant microbes. However, Lacunisphaera is only abundant in the lower disturbance frequency treatments, while Asticcacaulis is more abundant in the highest disturbance frequency treatment. When grown on glucose, the most abundant microbes are two Pseudomonas sequence variants and a Cohnella sequence variant that is only abundant in the highest disturbance frequency treatment. Communities grown on cellulose exhibited a greater range of diversity (1.95–7.33 Hill 1 diversity) that peaks at the intermediate disturbance frequency treatment or one disturbance every 3 days. Communities grown on glucose, however, ranged from 1.63 to 5.19 Hill 1 diversity with peak diversity at the greatest disturbance frequency treatment. These results demonstrate that the dynamics of a microbial community can vary depending on substrate and the disturbance frequency and may potentially explain the variety of diversity–disturbance relationships observed in microbial systems.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Molecule Origins of Dipolar Character in Excited Electronic States

The molecular level origins for symmetry breaking in the excited state of symmetrical quadrupolar molecules, particularly in polar solvents, was investigated using time-dependent density functional theory approaches. Molecules of the form ADA (A/D electron accepting/donating respectively), have been shown to break their symmetry upon excitation, producing an intramolecular charge transfer event and permanent dipole. Current research indicates that polar solvents stabilize the charge transfer event thereby producing asymmetrical solvent dynamics on opposite ends of the molecules. In this work key structural features of the molecule were identified including (1) incorporation of cyano groups, (2) rotation of grafted phenyl rings, and (3) the length of the conjugated R group chain. More specifically, incorporation of cyano groups appears to decrease the magnitude of the dipole in the excited state, thereby indicating that solvent interactions at these groups do not stabilize the charge transfer. While the rotation of the phenyl groups appears to be necessary to break the symmetry of the excited state in the molecule.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Photoconversion in Disordered Semiconductors: Spatial, Spectral, and Temporal Insights through Nonlinear Microscopy (Final Technical Report)

Conversion of solar photons to useable energy requires two processes to occur successfully in a light-harvesting material: 1) the initial photoexcited state must efficiently produce excited states that are free to move, and 2) those states must be transported to a new location where they can do useful work before any potential is lost as heat. The core focus of this project examined the spatial and energetic dynamics of these two primary events of photoconversion in solution-processed semiconducting materials. The electronic properties of these systems are complex and strongly influenced by the cumulative interaction of local morphology and composition, along with defects, interfaces, and trap sites. It is therefore important to interrogate these systems at the local level, where structural and compositional heterogeneity can be precisely correlated to variation in functionality. Utilizing ultrafast laser spectroscopy coupled together with optical microscopy, this project examined how excited states and free charges spatially and energetically evolve on length scales between 10 nanometers and 10 microns and on timescales from 50 femtoseconds to 1 nanosecond. Insights gained from measurements made on these characteristic length and time scales provided new insight into how macroscopic functionality in disordered photovoltaic materials emerges from the interplay of nanoscale and mesoscale interactions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Sunfolding NREL High Wind Test Site Project (Final Report)

Wind speeds at the NREL National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) vary dramatically from summer to winter. Wind speeds are low over the summer and high over the winter. The data collected from this site will allow validation of the survivability of the Sunfolding tracker under high wind events, increased understanding of the dynamic behavior of the Sunfolding tracker at different wind speeds.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Radar Studies of Convective Dynamics (CONVECT) Field Campaign Report

The U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility’s third ARM Mobile Facility (AMF3)-Bankhead National Forest (BNF) field deployment site and surrounding region offer a significant advantage for convective cloud studies. The higher mid-tropospheric humidity promotes frequent clouds, and when coupled with seasonal variability in convective environments, promotes isolated convection and severe thunderstorms, organized convection in the summertime, and strongly sheared convection during transitional seasons. The CONVECT field experiment was designed to provide unique, high-spatiotemporal-resolution microphysical and dynamical observations of severe weather events. The CONVECT scientific objectives align well with the AMF3-BNF site science plan.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗