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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

FORTRAN 4 computer program for calculating critical speeds of rotating shafts

A FORTRAN 4 computer program, written for the IBM DCS 7094/7044 computer, that calculates the critical speeds of rotating shafts is described. The shaft may include bearings, couplings, extra masses (nonshaft mass), and disks for the gyroscopic effect. Shear deflection is also taken into account, and provision is made in the program for sections of the shaft that are tapered. The boundary conditions at the ends of the shaft can be fixed (deflection and slope equal to zero) or free (shear and moment equal to zero). The fixed end condition enables the program to calculate the natural frequencies of cantilever beams. Instead of using the lumped-parameter method, the program uses continuous integration of the differential equations of beam flexure across different shaft sections. The advantages of this method over the usual lumped-parameter method are less data preparation and better approximation of the distribution of the mass of the shaft. A main feature of the program is the nature of the output. The Calcomp plotter is used to produce a drawing of the shaft with superimposed deflection curves at the critical speeds, together with all pertinent information related to the shaft.

Trivisonno, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A study of the Sabatier-methanation reaction kinetics

The kinetics of the Sabatier methanation reaction, the reduction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen to methane and water, was investigated for 58 percent nickel on kieselguhr catalyst and 20 percent ruthenium on alumina catalyst. Differential rate data from an experimental program were correlated with a power function rate equation both for forward and reverse reactions. The kinetic parameters of activation energy, frequency rate constant and reaction order were determined for the rate equation. The values of these parameters were obtained from an Arrhenius plot of the experimental differential rate data. Also the carbon monoxide side reaction effect was measured and included in the correlation of parameters. The reaction was found to fit the rate equation experimentally within the temperature range 421 K, where the reaction effectively begins, the 800 K where the reaction rate drops and departs from the rate equation form.

Verostko, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Phototransistors Development and their Applications to Lidar

Custom-designed two-micron phototransistors have been developed using Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE), Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) techniques under Laser Risk Reduction Program (LRRP). The devices were characterized in the Detector Characterization Laboratory at NASA Langley Research Center. It appears that the performance of LPE- and MBE-grown phototransistors such as responsivity, noise-equivalent-power, and gain, are better than MOCVD-grown devices. Lidar tests have been conducted using LPE and MBE devices under the 2-micrometer CO2 Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) Instrument Incubator Program (IIP) at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, Colorado. The main focus of these tests was to examine the phototransistors performances as compared to commercial InGaAs avalanche photodiode by integrating them into the Raman-shifted Eye-safe Aerosol Lidar (REAL) operating at 1.543 micrometers. A simultaneous measurement of the atmospheric backscatter signals using the LPE phototransistors and the commercial APD demonstrated good agreement between these two devices. On the other hand, simultaneous detection of lidar backscatter signals using MBE-grown phototransistor and InGaAs APD, showed a general agreement between these two devices with a lower performance than LPE devices. These custom-built phototransistors were optimized for detection around 2-micrometer wavelength while the lidar tests were performed at 1.543 micrometers. Phototransistor operation at 2-micron will improve the performance of a lidar system operating at that wavelength. Measurements include detecting hard targets (Rocky Mountains), atmospheric structure consisting of cirrus clouds and boundary layer. These phototransistors may have potential for high sensitivity differential absorption lidar measurements of carbon dioxide and water vapor at 2.05-micrometers and 1.9-micrometers, respectively.

Abedin, M. N.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Automatic Differentiation in MetaPhysicL and Its Applications in MOOSE

Efficient solution via Newton’s method of nonlinear systems of equations requires an accurate representation of the Jacobian, corresponding to the derivatives of the component residual equations with respect to the degrees of freedom. In practice these systems of equations often arise from spatial discretization of partial differential equations used to model physical phenomena. These equations may involve domain motion or material equations that are complex functions of the systems’ degrees of freedom. Computing the Jacobian by hand in these situations is arduous and prone to error. Finite difference approximations of the Jacobian or its action are prone to truncation error, especially in multiphysics settings. Symbolic differentiation packages may be used, but often result in an excessive number of terms in realistic model scenarios. An alternative to symbolic and numerical differentiation is automatic differentiation (AD), which propagates derivatives with every elementary operation of a computer program, corresponding to continual application of the chain rule. Automatic differentiation offers the guarantee of an exact Jacobian at a relatively small overhead cost. In this work, we outline the adoption of AD in the Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) via the MetaPhysicL package. We describe the application of MOOSE’s AD capability to several sets of physics that were previously infeasible to model via hand-coded or Jacobian-free simulation techniques, including arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian and level-set simulations of laser melt pools, phase-field simulations with free energies provided through neural networks, and metallic nuclear fuel simulations that require inner Newton loop calculation of nonlinear material properties.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1989

Surface characterization and testing II; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, Aug. 10, 11, 1989

Various papers on surface characterization and testing are presented. Individual topics addressed include: simple Hartmann test data interpretation, optimum configuration of the Offner null corrector, system for phase-shifting interferometry in the presence of vibration, fringe variation and visibility in speckle-shearing interferometry, functional integral representation of rough surfaces, calibration of surface heights in an interferometric optical profiler, image formation in common path differential profilometers, SEM of optical surfaces, measuring surface profiles with scanning tunneling microscopes, surface profile measurements of curved parts, high-resolution optical profiler, scanning heterodyne interferometer with immunity from microphonics, real-time crystal axis measurements of semiconductor materials, radial metrology with a panoramic annular lens, surface analysis for the characterization of defects in thin-film processes, Spacelab Optical Viewport glass assembly optical test program for the Starlab mission, scanning differential intensity and phase system for optical metrology.

Greivenkamp, John E.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Linearization Techniques for Controlled Piecewise Deterministic Markov Processes; Application to Zubov's Method

We aim at characterizing domains of attraction for controlled piecewise deterministic processes using an occupational measure formulation and Zubov's approach. Firstly, we provide linear programming (primal and dual) formulations of discounted, infinite horizon control problems for PDMPs. These formulations involve an infinite-dimensional set of probability measures and are obtained using viscosity solutions theory. Secondly, these tools allow to construct stabilizing measures and to avoid the assumption of stability under concatenation for controls. The domain of controllability is then characterized as some level set of a convenient solution of the associated Hamilton-Jacobi integral-differential equation. The theoretical results are applied to PDMPs associated to stochastic gene networks. Explicit computations are given for Cook's model for gene expression.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Scrutinizing Variables for Checkpoint Using Automatic Differentiation

Checkpoint/Restart (C/R) saves the running state of the programs periodically, which consumes considerable time and system resources. We observe that not every piece of data is involved in the computation in typical HPC applications; such unused data should be excluded from checkpointing for better storage and compute efficiency. We propose a systematic approach that leverages automatic differentiation (AD) to scrutinize every element within variables (e.g., arrays) necessary for checkpointing. This allows us to identify critical and uncritical elements and eliminate uncritical elements from checkpointing. Specifically, we inspect every single element within a variable necessary for checkpointing with an AD tool to determine whether the element has an impact on the application output or not. We validate our approach with all benchmarks from the NPB suite. We visualize the distribution of critical and uncritical elements within a variable with respect to its binary impact (yes or no) on the application output.

Huang, Xin [Kobe University]↗
DOE OSTI2018

A novel role for Bcl2l13 in promoting beige adipocyte biogenesis

Highlights: • Bcl2l13 expression is induced in Browning of white adipose tissues in Mice. • Knockdown of Bcl2l13 in beige adipocytes represses adipogenesis and thermogenic programing. • Bcl2l13 induces thermogenic programing by regulating mitochondrial dynamic and biogenesis. Bcl2l13 is a member of the Bcl-2 family that has been found to play a central role in regulating apoptosis. Recently Bcl2l13 has been reported to induce mitophagy as a functional mammalian homolog of Atg32. However, the role of Bcl2l13 in adipose tissue has not been investigated yet. In the present study, we found that Bcl2l13 expression was increased in white adipose tissue browning process stimulated by cold exposure or β3-adrenergic agonist CL-316,243 in vivo as well as during brown adipocytes differentiation in vitro. Moreover, Bcl2l13 disruption dramatically inhibited the browning program of preadipocytes, evidenced by reduced Prdm16, Ucp1, Dio2 and Adrb3 expression. Our findings revealed that the inhibition effect of Bcl2l13 disruption on browning program may be independent of altering autophagy activity, but through regulating mitochondrial dynamic and biogenesis, supported by decreased mitochondrial fission/fussion genes, PGC-1α and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes expression. Taken together, our study uncovered a novel function of Bcl2l13 in adipocytes differentiation and promoting browning program.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Chapter 10: Peak Demand and Time-Differentiated Energy Savings Cross-Cutting Protocol. The Uniform Methods Project: Methods for Determining Energy Efficiency Savings for Specific Measures

Savings from electric energy efficiency measures and programs are often expressed in terms of annual energy and presented as kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year). However, for a full assessment of the value of these savings, it is usually necessary to consider the measure or program's impact on peak demand as well as time-differentiated energy savings. This cross-cutting protocol describes methods for estimating the peak demand and time-differentiated energy impacts of measures implemented through energy efficiency programs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1979

Numerical calculations of high-altitude differential charging: Preliminary results

A two dimensional simulation program was constructed in order to obtain theoretical predictions of floating potential distributions on geostationary spacecraft. The geometry was infinite-cylindrical with angle dependence. Effects of finite spacecraft length on sheath potential profiles can be included in an approximate way. The program can treat either steady-state conditions or slowly time-varying situations, involving external time scales much larger than particle transit times. Approximate, locally dependent expressions were used to provide space charge, density profiles, but numerical orbit-following is used to calculate surface currents. Ambient velocity distributions were assumed to be isotropic, beam-like, or some superposition of these.

Laframboise, J. G.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Source-to-Source Automatic Differentiation of OpenMP Parallel Loops

This article presents our work toward correct and efficient automatic differentiation of OpenMP parallel worksharing loops in forward and reverse mode. Automatic differentiation is a method to obtain gradients of numerical programs, which are crucial in optimization, uncertainty quantification, and machine learning. The computational cost to compute gradients is a common bottleneck in practice. For applications that are parallelized for multicore CPUs or GPUs using OpenMP, one also wishes to compute the gradients in parallel. Here, we propose a framework to reason about the correctness of the generated derivative code, from which we justify our OpenMP extension to the differentiation model. We implement this model in the automatic differentiation tool Tapenade and present test cases that are differentiated following our extended differentiation procedure. Performance of the generated derivative programs in forward and reverse mode is better than sequential, although our reverse mode often scales worse than the input programs.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dynamic Programming and Error Estimates for Stochastic Control Problems with Maximum Cost

This work is concerned with stochastic optimal control for a running maximum cost. A direct approach based on dynamic programming techniques is studied leading to the characterization of the value function as the unique viscosity solution of a second order Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation with an oblique derivative boundary condition. A general numerical scheme is proposed and a convergence result is provided. Error estimates are obtained for the semi-Lagrangian scheme. These results can apply to the case of lookback options in finance. Moreover, optimal control problems with maximum cost arise in the characterization of the reachable sets for a system of controlled stochastic differential equations. Some numerical simulations on examples of reachable analysis are included to illustrate our approach.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Proximal Galerkin: A Structure-Preserving Finite Element Method for Pointwise Bound Constraints

The proximal Galerkin finite element method is a high-order, low iteration complexity, nonlinear numerical method that preserves the geometric and algebraic structure of pointwise bound constraints in infinite-dimensional function spaces. This paper introduces the proximal Galerkin method and applies it to solve free boundary problems, enforce discrete maximum principles, and develop a scalable, mesh-independent algorithm for optimal design with pointwise bound constraints. This paper also introduces the latent variable proximal point (LVPP) algorithm, from which the proximal Galerkin method derives. When analyzing the classical obstacle problem, we discover that the underlying variational inequality can be replaced by a sequence of second-order partial differential equations (PDEs) that are readily discretized and solved with, e.g., the proximal Galerkin method. Throughout this work, we arrive at several contributions that may be of independent interest. These include (1) a semilinear PDE we refer to as the entropic Poisson equation; (2) an algebraic/geometric connection between high-order positivity-preserving discretizations and certain infinite-dimensional Lie groups; and (3) a gradient-based, bound-preserving algorithm for two-field, density-based topology optimization. The complete proximal Galerkin methodology combines ideas from nonlinear programming, functional analysis, tropical algebra, and differential geometry and can potentially lead to new synergies among these areas as well as within variational and numerical analysis. Open-source implementations of our methods accompany this work to facilitate reproduction and broader adoption.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS1990

An adaptive grid algorithm for one-dimensional nonlinear equations

Richards' equation, which models the flow of liquid through unsaturated porous media, is highly nonlinear and difficult to solve. Step gradients in the field variables require the use of fine grids and small time step sizes. The numerical instabilities caused by the nonlinearities often require the use of iterative methods such as Picard or Newton interation. These difficulties result in large CPU requirements in solving Richards equation. With this in mind, adaptive and multigrid methods are investigated for use with nonlinear equations such as Richards' equation. Attention is focused on one-dimensional transient problems. To investigate the use of multigrid and adaptive grid methods, a series of problems are studied. First, a multigrid program is developed and used to solve an ordinary differential equation, demonstrating the efficiency with which low and high frequency errors are smoothed out. The multigrid algorithm and an adaptive grid algorithm is used to solve one-dimensional transient partial differential equations, such as the diffusive and convective-diffusion equations. The performance of these programs are compared to that of the Gauss-Seidel and tridiagonal methods. The adaptive and multigrid schemes outperformed the Gauss-Seidel algorithm, but were not as fast as the tridiagonal method. The adaptive grid scheme solved the problems slightly faster than the multigrid method. To solve nonlinear problems, Picard iterations are introduced into the adaptive grid and tridiagonal methods. Burgers' equation is used as a test problem for the two algorithms. Both methods obtain solutions of comparable accuracy for similar time increments. For the Burgers' equation, the adaptive grid method finds the solution approximately three times faster than the tridiagonal method. Finally, both schemes are used to solve the water content formulation of the Richards' equation. For this problem, the adaptive grid method obtains a more accurate solution in fewer work units and less computation time than required by the tridiagonal method. The performance of the adaptive grid method tends to degrade as the solution process proceeds in time, but still remains faster than the tridiagonal scheme.

Gutierrez, William E.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Certification for Small Wind Turbine Installers: What's the Hang Up?; Preprint

Several programs have been implemented to support the advancement of a professional, mature small wind industry and to ensure that this industry moves forward in a sustainable direction. The development of a standard for small wind turbine systems and the creation of the Small Wind Certification Council support small wind technology that is reliable and safe. Consumers and incentive programs willultimately rely on certification to differentiate among systems sold in the U.S. market. Certification of small wind installers is yet another component deemed necessary for this industry to expand. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, under the guidance and funding support of the U.S. Department of Energy, supported the development of small wind system installer certification provided viathe North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. However, the small wind community is not supportive of the installer certification. There are currently only nine certified installers in the U.S. pool. This paper provides an overview of the installer certification program and why more small wind turbine installers are not pursuing this certification.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Integrated Data Collection Analysis (IDCA) Program - SSST Testing Methods

The Integrated Data Collection Analysis (IDCA) program is conducting a proficiency study for Small- Scale Safety and Thermal (SSST) testing of homemade explosives (HMEs). Described here are the methods used for impact, friction, electrostatic discharge, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis during the IDCA program. These methods changed throughout the Proficiency Test and the reasons for these changes are documented in this report. The most significant modifications in standard testing methods are: 1) including one specified sandpaper in impact testing among all the participants, 2) diversifying liquid test methods for selected participants, and 3) including sealed sample holders for thermal testing by at least one participant. This effort, funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is putting the issues of safe handling of these materials in perspective with standard military explosives. The study is adding SSST testing results for a broad suite of different HMEs to the literature. Ultimately the study will suggest new guidelines and methods and possibly establish the SSST testing accuracies needed to develop safe handling practices for HMEs. Each participating testing laboratory uses identical test materials and preparation methods wherever possible. The testing performers involved are Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, (NSWC IHD), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RXQL). These tests are conducted as a proficiency study in order to establish some consistency in test protocols, procedures, and experiments and to compare results when these testing variables cannot be made consistent.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Repository performance confirmation.

Repository performance confirmation links the technical bases of repository science and societal acceptance. This paper explores the myriad aspects of what has been labeled performance confirmation in U.S. programs, which involves monitoring as a collection of distinct activities combining technical and social significance in radioactive waste management. This paper is divided into four parts: (1) A distinction is drawn between performance confirmation monitoring and other testing and monitoring objectives; (2) A case study illustrates confirmation activities integrated within a long-term testing and monitoring strategy for Yucca Mountain; (3) A case study reviews compliance monitoring developed and implemented for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant; and (4) An approach for developing, evaluating and implementing the next generation of performance confirmation monitoring is presented. International interest in repository monitoring is exhibited by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme 'Monitoring Developments for Safe Repository Operation and Staged Closure' (MoDeRn) Project. The MoDeRn partners are considering the role of monitoring in a phased approach to the geological disposal of radioactive waste. As repository plans advance in different countries, the need to consider monitoring strategies within a controlled framework has become more apparent. The MoDeRn project pulls together technical and societal experts to assimilate a common understanding of a process that could be followed to develop a monitoring program. A fundamental consideration is the differentiation of confirmation monitoring from the many other testing and monitoring activities. Recently, the license application for Yucca Mountain provided a case study including a technical process for meeting regulatory requirements to confirm repository performance as well as considerations related to the preservation of retrievability. The performance confirmation plan developed as part of the Yucca Mountain license application identified a broad suite of monitoring activities. A revision of the plan was expected to winnow the number of activities down to a manageable size. As a result, an objective process for the next stage of performance confirmation planning was developed as an integral part of an overarching long-term testing and monitoring strategy. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant compliance monitoring program at once reflects its importance to stakeholders while demonstrating adequate understanding of relevant monitoring parameters. The compliance criteria were stated by regulation and are currently monitored as part of the regulatory rule for disposal. At the outset, the screening practice and parameter selection were not predicated on a direct or indirect correlation to system performance metrics, as was the case for Yucca Mountain. Later on, correlation to performance was established, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant continues to monitor ten parameters originally identified in the compliance certification documentation. The monitoring program has proven to be effective for the technical intentions and societal or public assurance. The experience with performance confirmation in the license application process for Yucca Mountain helped identify an objective, quantitative methodology for this purpose. Revision of the existing plan would be based on findings of the total system performance assessment. Identification and prioritization of confirmation activities would then derive from performance metrics associated with performance assessment. Given the understanding of repository performance confirmation, as reviewed in this paper, it is evident that the performance confirmation program for the Yucca Mountain project could be readily re-engaged if licensing activities resumed.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗