Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “LU factorization”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14

EXAFS and molecular dynamics simulation studies of Cu-Zr metallic glass: Short-to-medium range order and glass forming ability

Highlights: • Atomic structures of Cu{sub 100−x}Zr{sub x} MGs were studied by EXAFS and MD simulations. • The change of GFA with composition is not dominated by the SRO and MROs. • An apparent reduction of “soft region” at the local high-GFA compositions. - Abstract: Atomic structures of Cu{sub 100−x}Zr{sub x} (x = 41.18–66.67) metallic glasses were investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It is demonstrated that both the fraction and average volume of the typical atomic clusters, characterized by Voronoi cells, are of compositional dependence. With the increasing of Zr content, the fraction of Cu and Zr centered Voronoi clusters with coordination number lower than 11 and 14 respectively increases, while that of clusters with larger coordination numbers reduces. Among the major Voronoi clusters, the Cu-centered icosahedra are distinctive. Their average volume is far smaller than that of the other Cu-centered Voronoi cells with the same coordination number. More importantly, they prefer to interlink into pentagon-rich icosahedral super-clusters. However, compared with their neighbors, the glasses with x = 44 and x = 50 exhibit no other particularity in Cu-centered icosahedra than a slightly enhanced interlink at x = 50 although glass forming ability (GFA) reaches a local maximum at these two compositions, indicating that there are other factors dominating the GFA change with composition. A significant reduction in free volume for the loosely packed regions takes place at x = 44 and x = 50, due to which the corresponding Cu-Zr metallic glasses have the maximum microhardness.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Emergence of liquid following laser melting of gold thin films

X-ray structural science is undergoing a revolution driven by the emergence of X-ray Free-electron Laser (XFEL) facilities. The structures of crystalline solids can now be studied on the picosecond time scale relevant to phonons, atomic vibrations which travel at acoustic velocities. In the work presented here, X-ray diffuse scattering is employed to characterize the time dependence of the liquid phase emerging from femtosecond laser-induced melting of polycrystalline gold thin films using an XFEL. In a previous analysis of Bragg peak profiles, we showed the supersonic disappearance of the solid phase and presented a model of pumped hot electrons carrying energy from the gold surface to scatter at internal grain boundaries. This generates melt fronts propagating relatively slowly into the crystal grains. By conversion of diffuse scattering to a partial X-ray pair distribution function, we demonstrate that it has the characteristic shape obtained by Fourier transformation of the measured F ( Q ). The diffuse signal fraction increases with a characteristic rise-time of 13 ps, roughly independent of the incident pump fluence and consequent final liquid fraction. This suggests the role of further melt-front nucleation processes beyond grain boundaries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Analysis of the Long-Term Performance Degradation of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules in Tropical Climates

For this study, the long-term performance degradation of five different types of commercial crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) modules (one sample for each type) in the tropics, or more specifically the tropical rainforest climate 'Af' by the Koppen climate classification (Singapore), is investigated over a period of seven years, based on outdoor I-V measurements at 10-s intervals. The degradation rates of these c-Si PV modules, based on the temperature-corrected performance ratio, range from -0.03 to -0.47%/year, which satisfy the products' performance warranty. Further analysis of the short-circuit current (I sc), open-circuit voltage, and fill factor for these modules shows that the performance degradation is mainly attributed to the l sc loss. Lastly, the possible causes of the module performance deterioration are also discussed.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

FOXK1 plays an oncogenic role in the development of esophageal cancer

Forkhead box k1 (FOXK1) is a member of the FOX class of transcription factors and it is dysregulated in many solid tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. However, the expression status of FOXK1 and its clinical significance in esophageal cancer (EC) is still uncertain. Our study aimed at investigating the significance of FOXK1 expression in human EC and its biological function in the development of EC. We found that FOXK1 was overexpressed in EC tissues compared with corresponding non-tumor tissues using immunohistochemistry. And high FOXK1 expression was related to poor differentiation of EC. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that high FOXK1 expression may result in poor prognosis of EC patients. Furthermore, overexpression of FOXK1 in EC9706 cell inhibited cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation and migration, and suppression of FOXK1 in EC109 cell obtained reverse results. Our data suggest that FOXK1 plays an oncogenic role in EC pathogenesis and can serve as a therapeutic target for patients with EC. - Highlights: • It's the first time investigating the relationship between FOXK1 and esophageal cancer (EC). • FOXK1 could inhibit cell apoptosis and promote cell proliferation and migration of EC in vitro. • FOXK1 plays an oncogenic role in EC pathogenesis and can serve as a therapeutic target for patients with EC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The use of strain to tailor electronic thermoelectric transport properties: A first principles study of 2H-phase CuAlO 2

Using first principles calculations, the use of strain to adjust electronic transport and the resultant thermoelectric (TE) properties is discussed using 2H phase CuAlO 2 as a test case. Transparent oxide materials, such as CuAlO 2 , a p-­type transparent conducting oxide (TCO), have recently been studied for high temperature thermoelectric power generators and coolers for waste heat. Given TCO materials with relative ease of fabrication, low cost of materials, and non-­toxicity, the ability to tailor them to specific temperature ranges, power needs, and size requirements, through the use of strain opens an interesting avenue. We find that strain can have a significant effect on these properties, in some cases detrimental and in others beneficial, including the potential for n-­type power factors larger than the highest p-type case. The physical reasons for this behavior are explained in the terms of the thermoelectric transport distribution and the Landauer distribution of modes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Scaled ILU Smoothers for Navier-Stokes Pressure Projection

Incomplete LU (ILU) smoothers are effective in the algebraic multigrid (AMG) V-cycle for reducing high-frequency components of the error. However, the requisite direct triangular solves are comparatively slow on GPUs. Previous work has demonstrated the advantages of Jacobi iteration as an alternative to direct solution of these systems. Depending on the threshold and fill-level parameters chosen, the factors can be highly nonnormal and Jacobi is unlikely to converge in a low number of iterations. We demonstrate that row scaling can reduce the departure from normality, allowing us to replace the inherently sequential solve with a rapidly converging Richardson iteration. There are several advantages beyond the lower compute time. Scaling is performed locally for a diagonal block of the global matrix because it is applied directly to the factor. Further, an ILUT Schur complement smoother maintains a constant GMRES iteration count as the number of MPI ranks increases, and thus parallel strong-scaling is improved. Our algorithms have been incorporated into hypre, and we demonstrate improved time to solution for linear systems arising in the Nalu-Wind and PeleLM pressure solvers. For large problem sizes, GMRES+AMG executes at least five times faster when using iterative triangular solves compared with direct solves on massively parallel GPUs.

algebraic multigrid↗

Orientation of Space Station Freedom electrical power system in environmental effects assessment

The orientation effects of six Space Station Freedom Electrical Power System (EPS) components are evaluated for three environmental interactions: aerodynamic drag, atomic oxygen erosion, and orbital debris impact. Designers can directly apply these orientation factors to estimate the magnitude of the examined environment and the environmental effects for the EPS component of interest. The six EPS components are the solar array, photovoltaic module radiator, integrated equipment assembly, solar dynamic concentrator, solar dynamic radiator, and beta gimbal.

Lu, Cheng-Yi↗

Multi-zonal Navier-Stokes code with the LU-SGS scheme

The LU-SGS (lower upper symmetric Gauss Seidel) algorithm has been implemented into the Compressible Navier-Stokes, Finite Volume (CNSFV) code and validated with a multizonal Navier-Stokes simulation of a transonic turbulent flow around an Onera M6 transport wing. The convergence rate and robustness of the code have been improved and the computational cost has been reduced by at least a factor of 2 over the diagonal Beam-Warming scheme.

Klopfer, G. H.↗

Explainable machine learning for hydrogen diffusion in metals and random binary alloys

Hydrogen diffusion in metals and alloys plays an important role in the discovery of new materials for fuel cell and energy storage technology. While analytic models use hand-selected features that have clear physical ties to hydrogen diffusion, they often lack accuracy when making quantitative predictions. Machine learning models are capable of making accurate predictions, but their inner workings are obscured, rendering it unclear which physical features are truly important. To develop interpretable machine learning models to predict the activation energies of hydrogen diffusion in metals and random binary alloys, we create a database for physical and chemical properties of the species and use it to fit six machine learning models. Our models achieve root-mean-squared errors between 98–119 meV on the testing data and accurately predict that elemental Ru has a large activation energy, while elemental Cr and Fe have small activation energies. By analyzing the feature importances of these fitted models, we identify relevant physical properties for predicting hydrogen diffusivity. While metrics for measuring the individual feature importances for machine learning models exist, correlations between the features lead to disagreement between models and limit the conclusions that can be drawn. Instead grouped feature importance, formed by combining the features via their correlations, agree across the six models and reveal that the two groups containing the packing factor and electronic specific heat are particularly significant for predicting hydrogen diffusion in metals and random binary alloys. In conclusion, this framework allows us to interpret machine learning models and enables rapid screening of new materials with the desired rates of hydrogen diffusion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The roles of hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 and iron regulatory protein 1 in iron uptake induced by acute hypoxia

Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and transferrin receptor (TfR1) are vital proteins for cellular iron uptake. These proteins have hypoxia-responsive elements (HREs) in their 5‘-regulatory region, and they are regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) transcriptionally under hypoxic condition. Besides, iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) regulates DMT1 and TfR1 by binding to iron-responsive elements (IREs) present in their mRNAs to control cellular iron homeostasis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Molecular Glue Discovery: Current and Future Approaches

The intracellular interactions of biomolecules can be maneuvered to redirect signaling, reprogram the cell cycle, or decrease infectivity using only a few dozen atoms. Such "molecular glues," which can drive both novel and known interactions between protein partners, represent an enticing therapeutic strategy. Here, we review the methods and approaches that have led to the identification of small-molecule molecular glues. We first classify current FDA-approved molecular glues to facilitate the selection of discovery methods. We then survey two broad discovery method strategies, where we highlight the importance of factors such as experimental conditions, software packages, and genetic tools for success. In conclusion, we hope that this curation of methodologies for directed discovery will inspire diverse research efforts targeting a multitude of human diseases.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

How Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Transport-Related Diesel Consumption in the U.S.?

Understanding how energy usage reacts to the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to making strategic policy decisions. This study aims to quantify the pandemic’s influences on diesel consumption and explore the potential causes of the differences across regions. We found various levels of reduction in diesel consumption at the state level during the pandemic in the U.S. Many factors, including COVID-19 cases and commodities being moved, are associated with these reductions. In particular, at the state level, more truck/train shipping of minerals, coal, and forest products associates with fewer truck activities and greater decreases in diesel consumption.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Preparation and upconversion properties of rare earth doped core-shell Y(OH)3 and β-NaYF4 hybrid nanorods

Highlights: • Er{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+}-doped Y(OH)3@β-NaYF4@β-NaYF4 hybrid nanorods swere synthesized. • Upconversion intensity increases dramatically by ion exchange reaction, and it can be further enhanced through coating inert shells. • Formation mechanisms of the core-shell nanorods are discussed, as well as their upconversion properties. - Abstract: Er{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+}-doped Y(OH){sub 3}@β-NaYF{sub 4} core-shell nanorods are synthesized through in situ ion exchange reaction using Y(OH){sub 3} nanorods as templates. Further, inert shells of β-NaYF{sub 4} without activated dopants are coated by a facile hydrothermal method. Upconversion intensity increases dramatically by ion exchange reaction, and it can be further enhanced through coating inert shells. The maximal enhanced factor of inert coating reaches 6.58. On the basis of the structural tests and spectral data, formation mechanisms of the core-shell nanorods are discussed, as well as their upconversion properties.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Critical Practices in Rigorously Assessing the Inherent Activity of Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts

Accurate activity measurements for electrocatalytic materials are the backbone of impactful electrocatalyst research. Inherent to accurate measurements is the correct accounting of the active catalyst sites and the design of experiments to ensure that these sites are participating in the measured reaction. Improvements in electrocatalyst activity for fuel cell reactions (hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction) are essential for the widespread adoption of this carbon-neutral energy source. Activities for these half-reactions can be reported in a variety of ways including specific activities, mass activities, volumetric activities, and half-wave potentials. These values are traditionally measured with a rotating disk electrode (RDE) in which the electrocatalyst is supported on a porous active layer film attached to the RDE. To accurately measure electrocatalyst activity with an RDE, two major sources of errors must be addressed: (i) accurate electrochemical surface area (ECSA) quantification and (ii) fast diffusion of reactants through the active layer film. In this contribution, we first aim to detail through RDE experiments and mass transport modeling the potential errors that can be observed when these factors are not properly addressed. We then present recommendations and discuss techniques for properly constructing electrocatalyst thin films and characterizing the ECSA on monometallic and novel alloy electrocatalysts. These practices, when adopted, ensure greater confidence and reliability in reports of electrocatalyst activity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transition form factors: γ * + p → Δ ( 1232 ) , Δ ( 1600 )

We report that electroproduction form factors describing the γ * p → Δ + ( 1232 ) , Δ + ( 1600 ) transitions are computed using a fully dynamical diquark-quark approximation to the Poincaré-covariant three-body bound-state problem in relativistic quantum field theory. In this approach, the Δ ( 1600 ) is an analogue of the Roper resonance in the nucleon sector, appearing as the simplest radial excitation of the Δ ( 1232 ) . Precise measurements of the γ * p → Δ + ( 1232 ) transition already exist on 0 ≤ Q 2 ≲ 8 GeV 2 , and the calculated results compare favorably with the data outside the meson-cloud domain. The predictions for the γ * p → Δ + ( 1600 ) magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole transition form factors are consistent with the empirical values at the real photon point, and extend to Q 2 ≈ 6 m p 2 , enabling a meaningful direct comparison with experiment once analysis of existing data is completed. In both cases, the electric quadrupole form factor is particularly sensitive to deformation of the Δ -baryons. Interestingly, while the γ * p → Δ + ( 1232 ) transition form factors are larger in magnitude than those for γ * p → Δ + ( 1600 ) in some neighborhood of the real photon point, this ordering is reversed on Q 2 ≳ 2 m p 2 , suggesting that the γ * p → Δ + ( 1600 ) transition is more localized in configuration space.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A data mining approach to investigate food groups related to incidence of bladder cancer in the BLadder cancer Epidemiology and Nutritional Determinants International Study

Abstract At present, analysis of diet and bladder cancer (BC) is mostly based on the intake of individual foods. The examination of food combinations provides a scope to deal with the complexity and unpredictability of the diet and aims to overcome the limitations of the study of nutrients and foods in isolation. This article aims to demonstrate the usability of supervised data mining methods to extract the food groups related to BC. In order to derive key food groups associated with BC risk, we applied the data mining technique C5.0 with 10-fold cross-validation in the BLadder cancer Epidemiology and Nutritional Determinants study, including data from eighteen case–control and one nested case–cohort study, compromising 8320 BC cases out of 31 551 participants. Dietary data, on the eleven main food groups of the Eurocode 2 Core classification codebook, and relevant non-diet data (i.e. sex, age and smoking status) were available. Primarily, five key food groups were extracted; in order of importance, beverages (non-milk); grains and grain products; vegetables and vegetable products; fats, oils and their products; meats and meat products were associated with BC risk. Since these food groups are corresponded with previously proposed BC-related dietary factors, data mining seems to be a promising technique in the field of nutritional epidemiology and deserves further examination.

Nutrition & Dietetics↗

A bioactive supramolecular and covalent polymer scaffold for cartilage repair in a sheep model

Regeneration of hyaline cartilage in human-sized joints remains a clinical challenge, and it is a critical unmet need that would contribute to longer healthspans. Injectable scaffolds for cartilage repair that integrate both bioactivity and sufficiently robust physical properties to withstand joint stresses offer a promising strategy. We report here on a hybrid biomaterial that combines a bioactive peptide amphiphile supramolecular polymer that specifically binds the chondrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1) and crosslinked hyaluronic acid microgels that drive formation of filament bundles, a hierarchical motif common in natural musculoskeletal tissues. The scaffold is an injectable slurry that generates a porous rubbery material when exposed to calcium ions once placed in cartilage defects. The hybrid material was found to support in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of encapsulated stem cells in response to sustained delivery of TGFβ-1. Using a sheep model, we implanted the scaffold in shallow osteochondral defects and found it can remain localized in mechanically active joints. Evaluation of resected joints showed significantly improved repair of hyaline cartilage in osteochondral defects injected with the scaffold relative to defects injected with the growth factor alone, including implantation in the load-bearing femoral condyle. These results demonstrate the potential of the hybrid biomimetic scaffold as a niche to favor cartilage repair in mechanically active joints using a clinically relevant large-animal model.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗