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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

Neural Networks for Nuclear Reactions in MAESTROeX

We demonstrate the use of neural networks to accelerate the reaction steps in the MAESTROeX stellar hydrodynamics code. A traditional MAESTROeX simulation uses a stiff ODE integrator for the reactions; here, we employ a ResNet architecture and describe details relating to the architecture, training, and validation of our networks. Our customized approach includes options for the form of the loss functions, a demonstration that the use of parallel neural networks leads to increased accuracy, and a description of a perturbational approach in the training step that robustifies the model. We test our approach on millimeter-scale flames using a single-step, 3-isotope network describing the first stages of carbon fusion occurring in Type Ia supernovae. We train the neural networks using simulation data from a standard MAESTROeX simulation, and show that the resulting model can be effectively applied to different flame configurations. This work lays the groundwork for more complex networks, and iterative time-integration strategies that can leverage the efficiency of the neural networks.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Generalized Adaptive Artificial Neural Networks

Mathematical model of supervised learning by artificial neural network provides for simultaneous adjustments of both temperatures of neurons and synaptic weights, and includes feedback as well as feedforward synaptic connections. Extension of mathematical model described in "Adaptive Neurons For Artificial Neural Networks" (NPO-17803). Dynamics of neural network represented in new model by less-restrictive continuous formalism.

Tawel, Raoul↗

Learning constitutive relations using symmetric positive definite neural networks

In this work, we present a new neural-network architecture, called the Cholesky-factored symmetric positive definite neural network (SPD-NN), for modeling constitutive relations in computational mechanics. Instead of directly predicting the stress of the material, the SPD-NN trains a neural network to predict the Cholesky factor of the tangent stiffness matrix, based on which the stress is calculated in incremental form. As a result of this special structure, SPD-NN weakly imposes convexity on the strain energy function, satisfies the second order work criterion (Hill's criterion) and time consistency for path-dependent materials, and therefore improves numerical stability, especially when the SPD-NN is used in finite element simulations. Depending on the types of available data, we propose two training methods, namely direct training for strain and stress pairs and indirect training for loads and displacement pairs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of SPD-NN on hyperelastic, elasto-plastic, and multiscale fiber-reinforced plate problems from solid mechanics. The generality and robustness of SPD-NN make it a promising tool for a wide range of constitutive modeling applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Machine learning and atomic layer deposition: Predicting saturation times from reactor growth profiles using artificial neural networks

In this work, we explore the application of deep neural networks to the optimization of atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes. In particular, we focus on a one-shot optimization problem, where we try to predict the optimal dose time that leads to saturation everywhere in the reactor based on thickness values measured at different points of an ALD reactor after a single trial growth. In order to tackle this problem, we introduce a dataset designed to train neural networks to predict saturation times based on these inputs for a cross-flow ALD reactor. Here, we then explore the predictive ability of artificial neural networks of different depths and sizes using a separate testing dataset to evaluate their accuracies. The results obtained show that networks trained using stochastic gradient descent methods can accurately predict saturation times without requiring any additional information on the surface kinetics. This provides a viable approach to minimize the number of experiments required to optimize new ALD processes in a known reactor, and it highlights the way machine learning can be leveraged for thin film growth and manufacturing. While the datasets and training procedure depend on the reactor geometry, the trained neural networks provide a general surrogate model connecting thickness values and trial dose times with optimal saturation times that can be reused for different ALD processes within the same reactor.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Bayesian tensorized neural networks with automatic rank selection

Tensor decomposition is an effective approach to compress over-parameterized neural networks and to enable their deployment on resource-constrained hardware platforms. However, directly applying tensor compression in the training process is a challenging task due to the difficulty of choosing a proper tensor rank. In order to address this challenge, this paper proposes a low-rank Bayesian tensorized neural network. Our Bayesian method performs automatic model compression via an adaptive tensor rank determination. We also present approaches for posterior density calculation and maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation for the end-to-end training of our tensorized neural network. Here, we provide experimental validation on a two-layer fully connected neural network, a 6-layer CNN and a 110-layer residual neural network where our work produces 7.4x to 137x more compact neural networks directly from the training while achieving high prediction accuracy.

Low-rank tensor↗

Neural network error correction for solving coupled ordinary differential equations

A neural network is presented to learn errors generated by a numerical algorithm for solving coupled nonlinear differential equations. The method is based on using a neural network to correctly learn the error generated by, for example, Runge-Kutta on a model molecular dynamics (MD) problem. The neural network programs used in this study were developed by NASA. Comparisons are made for training the neural network using backpropagation and a new method which was found to converge with fewer iterations. The neural net programs, the MD model and the calculations are discussed.

Shelton, R. O.↗

A Feasibility Study of Synthesizing Subsurfaces Modeled with Computational Neural Networks

This paper investigates the feasibility of synthesizing substructures modeled with computational neural networks. Substructures are modeled individually with computational neural networks and the response of the assembled structure is predicted by synthesizing the neural networks. A superposition approach is applied to synthesize models for statically determinate substructures while an interface displacement collocation approach is used to synthesize statically indeterminate substructure models. Beam and plate substructures along with components of a complicated Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) model are used in this feasibility study. In this paper, the limitations and difficulties of synthesizing substructures modeled with neural networks are also discussed.

Wang, John T.↗

A Survey: Handling Irregularities in Neural Network Acceleration with FPGAs

In the last decade, Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) has penetrated virtually every aspect of science, technology, and business. Many types of DNNs have been and continue to be developed, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Net- works (RNNs), and Graph Neural Networks (GNNs). The overall problem for all of these Neural Networks (NNs) is that their target applications generally pose stringent constraints on latency and throughput, while also having strict accuracy requirements. There have been many previous efforts in creating hardware to accelerate NNs. The problem designers face is that optimal NN models typically have significant irregularities, making them hardware-unfriendly. In this paper, we first define the problems in NN acceleration by characterizing common irregularities in NN processing into 4 types; then we summarize the existing works that handle the four types of irregularities efficiently using hardware, especially FPGAs; finally, we provide a new vision of next-generation FPGA-based NN acceleration: that the emerging heterogeneity in the next-generation FPGAs is the key to achieving higher performance.

Geng, Tong↗

AutoAtlas: Neural Network for 3D Unsupervised Partitioning and Representation Learning

Here we present a novel neural network architecture called AutoAtlas for fully unsupervised partitioning and representation learning of 3D brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) volumes. AutoAtlas consists of two neural network components: one neural network to perform multi-label partitioning based on local texture in the volume, and a second neural network to compress the information contained within each partition. We train both of these components simultaneously by optimizing a loss function that is designed to promote accurate reconstruction of each partition, while encouraging spatially smooth and contiguous partitioning, and discouraging relatively small partitions. We show that the partitions adapt to the subject specific structural variations of brain tissue while consistently appearing at similar spatial locations across subjects. AutoAtlas also produces very low dimensional features that represent local texture of each partition. We demonstrate prediction of metadata associated with each subject using the derived feature representations and compare the results to prediction using features derived from FreeSurfer anatomical parcellation. Since our features are intrinsically linked to distinct partitions, we can then map values of interest, such as partition-specific feature importance scores onto the brain for visualization.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Verification and Validation Methodology of Real-Time Adaptive Neural Networks for Aerospace Applications

Recent research has shown that adaptive neural based control systems are very effective in restoring stability and control of an aircraft in the presence of damage or failures. The application of an adaptive neural network with a flight critical control system requires a thorough and proven process to ensure safe and proper flight operation. Unique testing tools have been developed as part of a process to perform verification and validation (V&V) of real time adaptive neural networks used in recent adaptive flight control system, to evaluate the performance of the on line trained neural networks. The tools will help in certification from FAA and will help in the successful deployment of neural network based adaptive controllers in safety-critical applications. The process to perform verification and validation is evaluated against a typical neural adaptive controller and the results are discussed.

Gupta, Pramod↗

The use of artificial neural networks in experimental data acquisition and aerodynamic design

It is proposed that an artificial neural network be used to construct an intelligent data acquisition system. The artificial neural networks (ANN) model has a potential for replacing traditional procedures as well as for use in computational fluid dynamics validation. Potential advantages of the ANN model are listed. As a proof of concept, the author modeled a NACA 0012 airfoil at specific conditions, using the neural network simulator NETS, developed by James Baffes of the NASA Johnson Space Center. The neural network predictions were compared to the actual data. It is concluded that artificial neural networks can provide an elegant and valuable class of mathematical tools for data analysis.

Meade, Andrew J., Jr.↗

Posterior Regularized Bayesian Neural Network incorporating soft and hard knowledge constraints

Neural Networks (NNs) have been widely used in supervised learning due to their ability to model complex nonlinear patterns, often presented in high-dimensional data such as images and text. However, traditional NNs often lack the ability for uncertainty quantification. Bayesian NNs (BNNS) could help measure the uncertainty by considering the distributions of the NN model parameters. Besides, domain knowledge is commonly available and could improve the performance of BNNs if it can be appropriately incorporated. In this work, we propose a novel Posterior-Regularized Bayesian Neural Network (PR-BNN) model by incorporating different types of knowledge constraints, such as the soft and hard constraints, as a posterior regularization term. Furthermore, we propose to combine the augmented Lagrangian method and the existing BNN solvers for efficient inference. Furthermore, the experiments in simulation and two case studies about aviation landing prediction and solar energy output prediction have shown the knowledge constraints and the performance improvement of the proposed model over traditional BNNs without the constraints.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Optical Calibration Process Developed for Neural-Network-Based Optical Nondestructive Evaluation Method

A completely optical calibration process has been developed at Glenn for calibrating a neural-network-based nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method. The NDE method itself detects very small changes in the characteristic patterns or vibration mode shapes of vibrating structures as discussed in many references. The mode shapes or characteristic patterns are recorded using television or electronic holography and change when a structure experiences, for example, cracking, debonds, or variations in fastener properties. An artificial neural network can be trained to be very sensitive to changes in the mode shapes, but quantifying or calibrating that sensitivity in a consistent, meaningful, and deliverable manner has been challenging. The standard calibration approach has been difficult to implement, where the response to damage of the trained neural network is compared with the responses of vibration-measurement sensors. In particular, the vibration-measurement sensors are intrusive, insufficiently sensitive, and not numerous enough. In response to these difficulties, a completely optical alternative to the standard calibration approach was proposed and tested successfully. Specifically, the vibration mode to be monitored for structural damage was intentionally contaminated with known amounts of another mode, and the response of the trained neural network was measured as a function of the peak-to-peak amplitude of the contaminating mode. The neural network calibration technique essentially uses the vibration mode shapes of the undamaged structure as standards against which the changed mode shapes are compared. The published response of the network can be made nearly independent of the contaminating mode, if enough vibration modes are used to train the net. The sensitivity of the neural network can be adjusted for the environment in which the test is to be conducted. The response of a neural network trained with measured vibration patterns for use on a vibration isolation table in the presence of various sources of laboratory noise is shown. The output of the neural network is called the degradable classification index. The curve was generated by a simultaneous comparison of means, and it shows a peak-to-peak sensitivity of about 100 nm. The following graph uses model generated data from a compressor blade to show that much higher sensitivities are possible when the environment can be controlled better. The peak-to-peak sensitivity here is about 20 nm. The training procedure was modified for the second graph, and the data were subjected to an intensity-dependent transformation called folding. All the measurements for this approach to calibration were optical. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of the vibration modes were measured using heterodyne interferometry, and the modes themselves were recorded using television (electronic) holography.

Decker, Arthur J.↗

Do Neural Networks Trained with Topological Features Learn Different Internal Representations?

There is a growing body of work that leverages features extracted via topological data analysis to train machine learning models. While this field, sometimes known as topological machine learning (TML), has seen some notable successes, an understanding of how the process of learning from topological features differs from the process of learning from raw data is still limited. In this work, we begin to address one component of this larger issue by asking whether a model trained with topological features learns internal representations of data that are fundamentally different than those learned by a model trained with the original raw data. To quantify ``different'', we exploit two popular metrics that can be used to measure the similarity of the hidden representations of data within neural networks, neural stitching and centered kernel alignment. From these we draw a range of conclusions about how training with topological features does and does not change the representations that a model learns. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we find that structurally, the hidden representations of models trained and evaluated on topological features differ substantially compared to those trained and evaluated on the corresponding raw data. On the other hand, our experiments show that in some cases, these representations can be reconciled (at least to the degree required to solve the corresponding task) using a simple affine transformation. We conjecture that this means that neural networks trained on raw data may extract some limited topological features in the process of making predictions.

McGuire, Sarah L.↗

Neural network for processing both spatial and temporal data with time based back-propagation

Neural networks are computing systems modeled after the paradigm of the biological brain. For years, researchers using various forms of neural networks have attempted to model the brain's information processing and decision-making capabilities. Neural network algorithms have impressively demonstrated the capability of modeling spatial information. On the other hand, the application of parallel distributed models to the processing of temporal data has been severely restricted. The invention introduces a novel technique which adds the dimension of time to the well known back-propagation neural network algorithm. In the space-time neural network disclosed herein, the synaptic weights between two artificial neurons (processing elements) are replaced with an adaptable-adjustable filter. Instead of a single synaptic weight, the invention provides a plurality of weights representing not only association, but also temporal dependencies. In this case, the synaptic weights are the coefficients to the adaptable digital filters. Novelty is believed to lie in the disclosure of a processing element and a network of the processing elements which are capable of processing temporal as well as spacial data.

Villarreal, James A.↗

Communications and control for electric power systems: Power system stability applications of artificial neural networks

This report investigates the application of artificial neural networks to the problem of power system stability. The field of artificial intelligence, expert systems, and neural networks is reviewed. Power system operation is discussed with emphasis on stability considerations. Real-time system control has only recently been considered as applicable to stability, using conventional control methods. The report considers the use of artificial neural networks to improve the stability of the power system. The networks are considered as adjuncts and as replacements for existing controllers. The optimal kind of network to use as an adjunct to a generator exciter is discussed.

Toomarian, N.↗

Uncertainty propagation in feed-forward neural network models

We develop new uncertainty propagation methods for feed-forward neural network architectures with leaky ReLU activation functions subject to random perturbations in the input vectors. In particular, we derive analytical expressions for the probability density function (PDF) of the neural network output and its statistical moments as a function of the input uncertainty and the parameters of the network, i.e., weights and biases. A key finding is that an appropriate linearization of the leaky ReLU activation function yields accurate statistical results even for large perturbations in the input vectors. This can be attributed to the way information propagates through the network. We also propose new analytically tractable Gaussian copula surrogate models to approximate the full joint PDF of the neural network output. To validate our theoretical results, we conduct Monte Carlo simulations and a thorough error analysis on a multi-layer neural network representing a nonlinear integro-differential operator between two polynomial function spaces. Our findings demonstrate excellent agreement between the theoretical predictions and Monte Carlo simulations.

MLP networks↗

Optimizing neural networks

A system and method design and optimize neural networks. The system and method include a data store that stores a plurality of gene vectors that represent diverse and distinct neural networks and an evaluation queue stored with the plurality of gene vectors. Secondary nodes construct, train, and evaluate the neural network and automatically render a plurality of fitness values asynchronously. A primary node executes a gene amplification on a select plurality of gene vectors, a crossing-over of the amplified gene vectors, and a mutation of the crossing-over gene vectors automatically and asynchronously, which are then transmitted to the evaluation queue. The process continuously repeats itself by processing the gene vectors inserted into the evaluation queue until a fitness level is reached, a network's accuracy level plateaus, a processing time period expires, or when some stopping condition or performance metric is met or exceeded.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗