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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 253 records · Page 14

Lagrangian particle model for 3D simulation of pellets and SPI fragments in tokamaks

A 3D numerical model for the ablation of pellets and shattered pellet injection (SPI) fragments in tokamaks in the plasma disruption mitigation and fueling parameter space has been developed based on the Lagrangian particle code [R. Samulyak, X. Wang, H.-S. Chen, Lagrangian Particle Method for Compressible Fluid Dynamics, J. Comput. Phys., 362 (2018), 1-19]. The pellet code implements the low magnetic Reynolds number MHD equations, kinetic models for the electronic heating, a pellet surface ablation model, an equation of state that supports multiple ionization states, radiation, and a model for grad-B drift of the ablated material across the magnetic field. The Lagrangian particle algorithm is highly adaptive, capable of simulating a large number of fragments in 3D while eliminating numerical difficulties of dealing with the tokamak background plasma. The code has achieved good agreement with theory for spherically symmetric ablation flows. Axisymmetric simulations of neon and deuterium pellets in magnetic fields ranging from 1 to 6 Tesla have been compared with previous simulations using the FronTier code, and very good agreement has also been obtained. Furthermore, the main physics contribution of the paper is a detailed study of the influence of 3D effects, in particular grad-B drift, on pellet ablation rates and properties of ablation clouds. Smaller reductions of ablation rates in magnetic fields compared to axially symmetric simulations have been demonstrated because the ablated material is not confined to narrowing channels in the presence of grad-B drift. Contribution of various factors in the grad-B drift model has also been quantified.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

An Efficient Electrochemical Tanks-in-Series Model for Lithium Sulfur Batteries

This article applies and efficiently implements the Tanks-in-Series methodology ( J. Electrochem. Soc. , 167 , 013534 (2020)) to generate a computationally efficient electrochemical model for Lithium-Sulfur batteries. The original Tank model approach for Lithium-ion batteries is modified to account for porosity changes with time. In addition, an exponential scaling method is introduced that enables efficient simulation of the model equations to address the wide range of time constants present for different reactions in the Lithium-Sulfur system. The Tank Model achieves acceptable voltage error even for transport-limited discharged conditions. Predictions of internal electrochemical variables are examined, and electrochemical implications of the approximations discussed. This suggests significant potential for real-time applications such as optimal charging, cell-balancing, and estimation, and represents a step forward in efforts to incorporate detailed electrochemical models in advanced Battery Management Systems for Lithium-Sulfur batteries.

Parke, Caitlin D. (ORCID:0000000177324044)↗

Air turbulence measurements in and below cumulus congestus over mountainous terrain

Consideration is given to the definition and application to air turbulence measurements over mountainous terrain of the ensemble averaging operator in the second-order turbulent transfer model of moist, precipitating mesoscale systems developed by Manton and Cotton (1977) as a first step in the formulation of a unified mesoscale turbulence theory. The use of running means to smooth out point-to-point data variability is proposed as a means of avoiding certain of the problems associated with ensemble averaging, and is applied to airborne velocity measurements in cumulus congestus over South Park, Colorado. It is found that, in general, vertical transport of any cloud parameter will be primarily eddy transport in the mesoscale modeling of cloud processes.

Cotton, W. R.↗

Real-time dynamics and control strategies for space operations of flexible structures

This project (NAG9-574) was meant to be a three-year research project. However, due to NASA's reorganizations during 1992, the project was funded only for one year. Accordingly, every effort was made to make the present final report as if the project was meant to be for one-year duration. Originally, during the first year we were planning to accomplish the following: we were to start with a three dimensional flexible manipulator beam with articulated joints and with a linear control-based controller applied at the joints; using this simple example, we were to design the software systems requirements for real-time processing, introduce the streamlining of various computational algorithms, perform the necessary reorganization of the partitioned simulation procedures, and assess the potential speed-up realization of the solution process by parallel computations. The three reports included as part of the final report address: the streamlining of various computational algorithms; the necessary reorganization of the partitioned simulation procedures, in particular the observer models; and an initial attempt of reconfiguring the flexible space structures.

Park, K. C.↗

What the Polar Cap Tells Us about the Substorm Growth Phase

The polar cap region in the 30 to 60 minute period prior to the onset of the auroral substorm has been examined using global images from the Polar Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) to look for observational evidence of processes related to the substorm growth phase. In particular, the area of the polar cap has been measured to determine changes in its size in relation to the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). It was found that the size of the polar cap region increases during the growth phase even if the IMF has no southward component. Three phenomena have been observed to produce the increase in the size of the polar cap: (1) motion of the auroral oval to lower latitude, (2) thinning of the auroral oval, and (3) reduction of intense auroral precipitation in the polar cap region. The first phenomenon has been considered to be a result of the growth of the tail lobe magnetic field and the second is related to the thinning of the plasma sheet. Both of these have been supported by in situ observational evidence and are consistent with current models of substorm development. However, the third phenomenon appears to be unrelated to the first two and does not appear to be the result of opening of the polar cap flux tubes to the solar wind IMF. This reduction of auroral precipitation provides evidence of a growth phase process, or change in auroral precipitation processes, that is not explained by current substorm models.

Brittnacher, M. J.↗

Enhanced liquid metal wetting on oxide surfaces via patterned particles

Liquid metals typically do not intrinsically wet oxide surfaces due to chemical dissimilarity, preventing the formation of well-bonded interfaces in many applications. This paper investigates how the wetting and spreading of liquid silver (Ag) droplets on oxide surfaces can be enhanced via patterned nickel (Ni) particles using multiscale modeling. First, a force field (FF) for an Ag/yttria-stabilized-zirconia system was developed by fitting the interfacial binding energy to density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. Then, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using these FF parameters revealed that the good wetting of Ag on Ni caused Ag droplets to be attracted to the Ni particles, promoting spreading. Thus, the optimal hexagonal Ni pattern was shown to enhance the wetting area by 224% compared to a bare oxide surface. Second, an analytical model predicting the maximum possible enhancement in wetting area as a function of the intrinsic wetting angle, size of the Ag droplet, and size of the Ni particles was derived and validated with MD simulations, to generalize this method to other substrates. Here, both the analytical model and MD results suggested that the ability of Ni patterns to enhance the Ag wetting area becomes more significant as the wettability of substrate becomes worse.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Space-Based Near-Infrared CO2 Measurements: Testing the Orbiting Carbon Observatory Retrieval Algorithm and Validation Concept Using SCIAMACHY Observations over Park Falls, Wisconsin

Space-based measurements of reflected sunlight in the near-infrared (NIR) region promise to yield accurate and precise observations of the global distribution of atmospheric CO2. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) is a future NASA mission, which will use this technique to measure the column-averaged dry air mole fraction of CO2 (XCO2) with the precision and accuracy needed to quantify CO2 sources and sinks on regional scales (approx.1000 x 1000 sq km and to characterize their variability on seasonal timescales. Here, we have used the OCO retrieval algorithm to retrieve XCO2 and surface pressure from space-based Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) measurements and from coincident ground-based Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) measurements of the O2 A band at 0.76 mm and the 1.58 mm CO2 band for Park Falls,Wisconsin. Even after accounting for a systematic error in our representation of the O2 absorption cross sections, we still obtained a positive bias between SCIAMACHY and FTS XCO2 retrievals of approx.3.5%. Additionally, the retrieved surface pressures from SCIAMACHY systematically underestimate measurements of a calibrated pressure sensor at the FTS site. These findings lead us to speculate about inadequacies in the forward model of our retrieval algorithm. By assuming a 1% intensity offset in the O2 A band region for the SCIAMACHY XCO2 retrieval, we significantly improved the spectral fit and achieved better consistency between SCIAMACHY and FTS XCO2 retrievals. We compared the seasonal cycle of XCO2 at Park Falls from SCIAMACHY and FTS retrievals with calculations of the Model of Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry/Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (MATCH/CASA) and found a good qualitative agreement but with MATCH/CASA underestimating the measured seasonal amplitude. Furthermore, since SCIAMACHY observations are similar in viewing geometry and spectral range to those of OCO, this study represents an important test of the OCO retrieval algorithm and validation concept using NIR spectra measured from space. Finally, we argue that significant improvements in precision and accuracy could be obtained from a dedicated CO2 instrument such as OCO, which has much higher spectral and spatial resolutions than SCIAMACHY. These measurements would then provide critical data for improving our understanding of the carbon cycle and carbon sources and sinks.

carbon dioxide↗

Fisher's Peak Ecological Forecasting: Mapping Biomass to Inform Conservation Planning of a Future State Park in Southern Colorado

Fisher’s Peak is a 77.5 km2 property southeast of Trinidad, Colorado that is planned to become Colorado’s newest state park. The area has experienced limited anthropogenic disturbance and is home to an abundance of unique habitats and species. A rapid, approximately 900 m change in elevation over the extent of the area nurtures a variety of plants and animals, including the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. In 2019, the State of Colorado obtained Fisher’s Peak with plans to make it Colorado’s second largest state park. A diverse group of collaborators, including the Colorado State Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy, worked closely to design the state park to maximize recreation opportunity while conserving the property’s rich habitats and biodiversity. The Fisher’s Peak Ecological Forecasting Team utilized Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys, in situ forest inventory data, and Earth observations from Landsat8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), Sentinel-1 C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (C-SAR), Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI), Advanced Land Observing Satellite 2 (ALOS-2) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR-2) and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) to quantify and map biomass over the extent of the study area. The results from modeling biomass had an out-of-bag root mean square error of 55 Mg/ha and an R2 of 12. The resulting map indicates areas where carbon storage on the property is high, informing decision-making processes for future park development. While more in situ training data may improve modeling capacity for biomass in the Fisher’s Peak area, this work represents a feasible attempt to better understand biomass distribution using earth observation.

DEVELOP Tech Paper↗

Fisher's Peak Ecological Forecasting - Mapping Biomass to Inform Conservation Planning of a Future State Park in Southern Colorado

Fisher’s Peak is a 77.5 km2 property southeast of Trinidad, Colorado that is planned to become Colorado’s newest state park. The area has experienced limited anthropogenic disturbance and is home to an abundance of unique habitats and species. A rapid, approximately 900 m change in elevation over the extent of the area nurtures a variety of plants and animals, including the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. In 2019, the State of Colorado obtained Fisher’s Peak with plans to make it Colorado’s second largest state park. A diverse group of collaborators, including the Colorado State Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy, worked closely to design the state park to maximize recreation opportunity while conserving the property’s rich habitats and biodiversity. The Fisher’s Peak Ecological Forecasting Team utilized Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys, in situ forest inventory data, and Earth observations from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), Sentinel-1 C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (C-SAR), Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI), Advanced Land Observing Satellite 2 (ALOS-2) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR-2) and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) to quantify and map biomass over the extent of the study area. The results from modeling biomass had an out-of-bag root mean square error of 55 Mg/ha and an R2 of 12. The resulting map indicates areas where carbon storage on the property is high, informing decision-making processes for future park development. While more in situ training data may improve modeling capacity for biomass in the Fisher’s Peak area, this work represents a feasible attempt to better understand biomass distribution using earth observation

Lauren Lad↗

Computational determination of a primary diffusion mode in γ U-10Mo under irradiation

Low enriched uranium (< 20 % 235 U)-molybdenum (U-Mo) monolithic fuel is the primary candidate for high performance research and test reactors, and is in the process of being qualified to replace highly enriched uranium (≥ 20 % 23 5U) fuel. As part of the qualification process, it is critical to understand and predict the behavior of fission gas bubbles under irradiation, which affects fuel swelling and fuel failure. Mechanistic fuel models are being developed that can both reproduce the existing experimental data for fuel swelling, and be further applied to irradiation conditions beyond the experimental scope. Diffusion of species under irradiation conditions is an important parameter in the mechanistic fuel models; however, no temperature-relevant experimental diffusion data exists. In the present work, radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficients of U, Mo, and Xe in λU-10wt.%Mo were calculated in the temperature range between 300 K and 1400 K via rate-theory models and molecular dynamics simulations with an embedded-atom method interatomic potential for the U-Mo-Xe system. Accordingly, total diffusion coefficients under relevant irradiation conditions are determined using previously obtained intrinsic thermal diffusion and radiation-driven diffusion coefficients, as well as the newly calculated radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficients presented herein. Radiation-enhanced diffusion of U and Mo was dominant in the intermediate temperature range, whereas radiation-enhanced diffusion of Xe did not significantly contribute to total diffusion of Xe at the relevant fission rate densities. Radiation-enhanced diffusion of Xe became faster than both intrinsic thermal diffusion and radiation-driven diffusion at a fission rate density of 5 x 10 22 fissions/m 3 /s, which is higher than the typical fission rate density range in research reactors. The temperature regime that radiation-enhanced diffusion of each element dominated was dependent on the fission rate density. Finally, the total diffusion coefficients of U, Mo, and Xe, updated in this work, will be utilized as parameters in the mechanistic fuel models to help predict the behavior of fission gas bubbles under irradiation more accurately.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Debye Dielectric Model Function for Seawater Based on Expanded L-Band Measurement Data Set

New seawater dielectric measurements have recently been made over a broad range of salinities and temperatures at the George Washington University (GW). These measurements have been used to refine the existing dielectric model function of seawater for salinity retrieval. The mathematical structure of the new model function has been investigated to: (a) look for a physical basis for the mathematical form; and (b) to optimize the accuracy of data fitting. The Debye model has been chosen to represent the dielectric constant of seawater as a function of salinity (S), temperature (T) and frequency (f). The retrieved salinity using the Debye model has good agreement with the in-situ data collected by Argo floats. The global differences in retrieved salinity and in-situ data will be presented at the meeting.

ocean salinity↗

Probing energetic light dark matter with multi-particle tracks signatures at DUNE

The search for relativistic scattering signals of cosmogenic light dark matter at terrestrial detectors has received increasing attention as an alternative approach to probe dark-sector physics. Large-volume neutrino experiments are well motivated for searches of dark matter that interacts very weakly with Standard Model particles and/or that exhibits a small incoming flux. We perform a dedicated signal sensitivity study for a detector similar to the one proposed by the DUNE Collaboration for cosmogenic dark-matter signals resulting from a non-minimal multi-particle dark-sector scenario. The liquid argon time projection chamber technology adopted for the DUNE detectors is particularly suited for searching for complicated signatures owing to good measurement resolution and particle identification, as well as dE/dx measurements to recognize merged tracks. Taking inelastic boosted dark matter as our benchmark scenario that allows for multiple visible particles in the final state, we demonstrate that the DUNE far detectors have a great potential for probing scattering signals induced by relativistic light dark matter. Detector effects and backgrounds have been estimated and taken into account. Model-dependent and model-independent expected sensitivity limits for a DUNE-like detector are presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗