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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 307 records · Page 17

Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation for Representative Human Reliability Analysis Methods

The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) is the regulatory expert organization established by the Korean government to strengthen the nation’s technical capabilities relating to nuclear safety regulation. KINS oversees the technical aspects of nuclear safety regulation, including safety reviews, inspections, education, and safety research—all conducted based on technical knowledge and accumulated regulatory experience. In 2023, KINS requested that Idaho National Laboratory (INL) validates representative human reliability analysis (HRA) methods used throughout the world, thus affording KINS with a basis for determining an HRA method adequate for its domestic regulatory purposes. The present paper mainly examines INL’s efforts in this regard. The resulting INL study covered four representative HRA methods widely used by nuclear utilities and regulatory institutes. These methods were qualitatively evaluated by applying specific evaluation criteria and determining how well each method reflected critical HRA issues. For this assessment, INL benchmarked the Halden International HRA Empirical Study. Using the Halden empirical data, along with information on human failure events (HFEs), the present study employed the selected HRA methods to estimate human error probabilities (HEPs) for the HFEs. It also performed statistical analyses to compare the HEPs predicted via the HRA methods against those from the Halden empirical data.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Mars: Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Analogs

The session "Mars: Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Analogs" included the following:Physical Meaning of the Hapke Parameter for Macroscopic Roughness: Experimental Determination for Planetary Regolith Surface Analogs and Numerical Approach; Near-Infrared Spectra of Martian Pyroxene Separates: First Results from Mars Spectroscopy Consortium; Anomalous Spectra of High-Ca Pyroxenes: Correlation Between Ir and M ssbauer Patterns; THEMIS-IR Emissivity Spectrum of a Large Dark Streak near Olympus Mons; Geomorphologic/Thermophysical Mapping of the Athabasca Region, Mars, Using THEMIS Infrared Imaging; Mars Thermal Inertia from THEMIS Data; Multispectral Analysis Methods for Mapping Aqueous Mineral Depostis in Proposed Paleolake Basins on Mars Using THEMIS Data; Joint Analysis of Mars Odyssey THEMIS Visible and Infrared Images: A Magic Airbrush for Qualitative and Quantitative Morphology; Analysis of Mars Thermal Emission Spectrometer Data Using Large Mineral Reference Libraries ; Negative Abundance : A Problem in Compositional Modeling of Hyperspectral Images; Mars-LAB: First Remote Sensing Data of Mineralogy Exposed at Small Mars-Analog Craters, Nevada Test Site; A Tool for the 2003 Rover Mini-TES: Downwelling Radiance Compensation Using Integrated Line-Sight Sky Measurements; Learning About Mars Geology Using Thermal Infrared Spectral Imaging: Orbiter and Rover Perspectives; Classifying Terrestrial Volcanic Alteration Processes and Defining Alteration Processes they Represent on Mars; Cemented Volcanic Soils, Martian Spectra and Implications for the Martian Climate; Palagonitic Mars: A Basalt Centric View of Surface Composition and Aqueous Alteration; Combining a Non Linear Unmixing Model and the Tetracorder Algorithm: Application to the ISM Dataset; Spectral Reflectance Properties of Some Basaltic Weathering Products; Morphometric LIDAR Analysis of Amboy Crater, California: Application to MOLA Analysis of Analog Features on Mars; Airborne Radar Study of Soil Moisture at a Mars Analog Site: Tohachi Wash/Little Colorado River; and Antarctic Dry Valleys: Modification of Rocks and Soils and Implications for Mars The Arkaroola Mars Analogue Region, South Australia.

Source record↗

Coupled dynamics analysis of wind energy systems

A qualitative description of all key elements of a complete wind energy system computer analysis code is presented. The analysis system addresses the coupled dynamics characteristics of wind energy systems, including the interactions of the rotor, tower, nacelle, power train, control system, and electrical network. The coupled dynamics are analyzed in both the frequency and time domain to provide the basic motions and loads data required for design, performance verification and operations analysis activities. Elements of the coupled analysis code were used to design and analyze candidate rotor articulation concepts. Fundamental results and conclusions derived from these studies are presented.

Hoffman, J. A.↗

Computational simulation methods for composite fracture mechanics

Structural integrity, durability, and damage tolerance of advanced composites are assessed by studying damage initiation at various scales (micro, macro, and global) and accumulation and growth leading to global failure, quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, various fracture toughness parameters associated with a typical damage and its growth must be determined. Computational structural analysis codes to aid the composite design engineer in performing these tasks were developed. CODSTRAN (COmposite Durability STRuctural ANalysis) is used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the progressive damage occurring in composite structures due to mechanical and environmental loads. Next, methods are covered that are currently being developed and used at Lewis to predict interlaminar fracture toughness and related parameters of fiber composites given a prescribed damage. The general purpose finite element code MSC/NASTRAN was used to simulate the interlaminar fracture and the associated individual as well as mixed-mode strain energy release rates in fiber composites.

Murthy, Pappu L. N.↗

Production Agency Quality Assurance Management Execution Strategy [Thesis]

There are multiple federal directives that Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) must follow for the proper implementation of quality assurance, strategic planning, and execution of manufacturing and surveillance operations. Recent assessments identified that manufacturing in all processing areas is dynamic due to influencing scope changes, design modifications, funding adjustments, and staff attrition. In response, this project was started to develop a comprehensive PAQ execution strategy to support the success of LANL’s manufacturing mission. This project’s method for developing an updated architecture was to create an integrated, flexible, reliable, and agile strategic process. The execution plan has five deliverables: 1) an integrated schedule view of PAQ work scope, 2) a resource management plan that aligns with the required scope, 3) a metrics monitoring dashboard, 4) a project management plan for sustaining NAP 401.1A implementation, and 5) a risk management plan. The research design is a mixed-method approach focused on data collection for each deliverable. The methodology entails qualitative and quantitative research, metrics monitoring, data analysis, and the creation of a dashboard. The qualitative methods used include literature reviews and interviews. The quantitative methods include resource, financial, schedule and survey data analysis. Preliminary and final results were peer reviewed by subject matter experts both within the ALDWP organization and deployed support.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Quantitative and qualitative bone imaging: A review of synchrotron radiation microtomography analysis in bone research

All levels of the unique hierarchical structure of bone, consisting of collagen and hydroxyapatite crystals at the nanoscale to osteon/lamellae structures at the microscale, contribute to its characteristic toughness and material properties. Elements of bone's density and size contribute to bone quantity (or bone mass), whereas elements of bone's material composition, material properties, internal structure, and organization describe bone quality. Furthermore, bone quantity and quality can be degraded by factors such as aging, disease, treatments, and irradiation, compromising its ability to resist fracture and sustain loading. Accessing the morphology and architecture of bone at the microscale to quantify microstructural features and assess the degree of mineralization and path of crack propagation in bone provides crucial information on how these factors are influencing bone quantity and quality. Synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SRμCT) was first used to assess bone structure at the end of the 1990's. One of the main advantages of the technique is that it enables accurate three-dimensional (3D), non-destructive quantification of structure while traditional histomorphometry on histological sections is inherantly destructive to the sample and two-dimensional (2D). Additionally, SRμCT uses monochromatic, high-flux X-ray beams to provide high-resolution and high-contrast imaging of bone samples. This allows the quantification of small microstructural features (e.g. osteocyte lacunae, canals, trabeculae, microcracks) and direct gray value compositional mapping (e.g. mineral quantification, cement lines) with greater speed and fidelity than lab-based micro-computed tomography. In this article, we review how SRμCT has been applied to bone research to elucidate the mechanisms by which bone aging, disease, and other factors affect bone fragility and resistance to fracture.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Color postprocessing for 3-dimensional finite element mesh quality evaluation and evolving graphical workstation

Three general tasks on general-purpose, interactive color graphics postprocessing for three-dimensional computational mechanics were accomplished. First, the existing program (POSTPRO3D) is ported to a high-resolution device. In the course of this transfer, numerous enhancements are implemented in the program. The performance of the hardware was evaluated from the point of view of engineering postprocessing, and the characteristics of future hardware were discussed. Second, interactive graphical tools implemented to facilitate qualitative mesh evaluation from a single analysis. The literature was surveyed and a bibliography compiled. Qualitative mesh sensors were examined, and the use of two-dimensional plots of unaveraged responses on the surface of three-dimensional continua was emphasized in an interactive color raster graphics environment. Finally, a postprocessing environment was designed for state-of-the-art workstation technology. Modularity, personalization of the environment, integration of the engineering design processes, and the development and use of high-level graphics tools are some of the features of the intended environment.

Panthaki, Malcolm J.↗

CalWave Open Water Demo - FMEA Update Budget Period 2

The Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a qualitative reliability technique for systematically analyzing each possible failure mode within a hardware system, and identifying the resulting effect on that system, the mission, and the personnel. This submission includes an updated FMEA summary for CalWave's open water demonstration including pre- and post-mitigation results, hazard identification (HAZID) analysis, and component/function rooted FMEA.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Materials Characterization Techniques Lecture Series: X-Ray Diffraction, A Summary of LANL's Materials Capabilities in MPA-11 [Slides]

This presentation provides an overview on X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to cover background, fundamentals, limitations, best practices, applications, analysis, software, and resources. To summarize: XRD is a great tool for characterizing solid crystalline samples. X-Rays are E-Mag radiation and generate diffraction profiles based on the phase of the sample. Diffraction patterns are unique to the phase of the sample. Powder diffraction gives us better diffraction profiles. We can obtain both qualitative and quantitative data. Analysis requires us to know a little about our sample and a lot about our diffractometer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Applied Risk Analysis for Guiding Homeland Security Policy

Risk analysis methods may be qualitative, semi-quantitative, or quantitative; adopt probabilistic and statistical theories; and implement concepts from core disciplines including operations research, reliability engineering, systems engineering, and applied mathematics. These methods continue to develop and evolve and have successfully been applied to address various homeland security mission challenges in recent years. The objective of this book is to: 1) highlight the role of risk analysis for informing homeland security policy decisions, and 2) describe case studies from academia, government, and industry that apply risk analysis methods for addressing challenges within each of the DHS missions.

national security, risk assessment, risk managemen↗

Aero-acoustics of Drag Generating Swirling Exhaust Flows

Aircraft on approach in high-drag and high-lift configuration create unsteady flow structures which inherently generate noise. For devices such as flaps, spoilers and the undercarriage there is a strong correlation between overall noise and drag such that, in the quest for quieter aircraft, one challenge is to generate drag at low noise levels. This paper presents a rigorous aero-acoustic assessment of a novel drag concept. The idea is that a swirling exhaust flow can yield a steady, and thus relatively quiet, streamwise vortex which is supported by a radial pressure gradient responsible for pressure drag. Flows with swirl are naturally limited by instabilities such as vortex breakdown. The paper presents a first aero-acoustic assessment of ram pressure driven swirling exhaust flows and their associated instabilities. The technical approach combines an in-depth aerodynamic analysis, plausibility arguments to qualitatively describe the nature of acoustic sources, and detailed, quantitative acoustic measurements using a medium aperture directional microphone array in combination with a previously established Deconvolution Approach for Mapping of Acoustic Sources (DAMAS). A model scale engine nacelle with stationary swirl vanes was designed and tested in the NASA Langley Quiet Flow Facility at a full-scale approach Mach number of 0.17. The analysis shows that the acoustic signature is comprised of quadrupole-type turbulent mixing noise of the swirling core flow and scattering noise from vane boundary layers and turbulent eddies of the burst vortex structure near sharp edges. The exposed edges are the nacelle and pylon trailing edge and the centerbody supporting the vanes. For the highest stable swirl angle setting a nacelle area based drag coefficient of 0.8 was achieved with a full-scale Overall Sound Pressure Level (OASPL) of about 40dBA at the ICAO approach certification point.

Shah, P. N.↗

Model wall and recovery temperature effects on experimental heat transfer data analysis

Basic analytical procedures are used to illustrate, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the relative impact upon heat transfer data analysis of certain factors which may affect the accuracy of experimental heat transfer data. Inaccurate knowledge of adiabatic wall conditions results in a corresponding inaccuracy in the measured heat transfer coefficient. The magnitude of the resulting error is extreme for data obtained at wall temperatures approaching the adiabatic condition. High model wall temperatures and wall temperature gradients affect the level and distribution of heat transfer to an experimental model. The significance of each of these factors is examined and its impact upon heat transfer data analysis is assessed.

Throckmorton, D. A.↗

Mixed Cationic and Anionic Redox in Ni and Co Free Chalcogen-Based Cathode Chemistry for Li-Ion Batteries

Mixed cationic and anionic redox cathode chemistry is emerging as conventional cationic-redox of transition metal based layered oxides are reaching their theoretical capacity limit. However, these anionic redox in transition metal oxide-based cathodes attained by taking excess lithium has resulted in stability issues due to weak metal - oxygen ligand covalency. Here, we present an alternative approach of improving metal - ligand covalency by introducing less electronegative chalcogen ligand (sulfur) in the cathode structural framework where the metal dband penetration into ligand p-band thereby utilizing reversible mixed anionic and cationic redox chemistry. Through this design strategy, we report possibility of developing a new family of layered cathode materials when partially filled d orbital redox couples like Fe 2+/3+ are introduced in the Li-ion conducting phase (Li 2 SnS 3 ). Further, the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis are used to qualitatively identify the charge contributors at the metal and ligand sites during Li + extraction. The detailed high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and high annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) investigation reveal the multi redox induced structural modifications and its surface amorphization with nanopore formation during cycling. Findings from this study will shed light on designing Ni and Co free chalcogen cathodes and various functional materials in the chalcogen based dual anionic and cationic redox cathode avenue.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Numerical study of pure rotational fs/ps CARS coherence beating at high pressure and for multi-species rotation-vibration non-equilibrium thermometry

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) has long been the gold standard for non-intrusively measuring gas temperature in reacting flows such as flames and plasmas. Recently, the development of ultrafast hybrid fs/ps CARS has enabled the exploitation of coherence beating between neighboring spectral lines to simultaneously measure rotational and vibrational temperatures from a single pure rotational spectrum. However, the influence of non-Boltzmann vibrational state distributions and limitations due to collisional dephasing at pressures greater than 1 atm remains unclear. In this work, we use spectral simulations to investigate the effects of non-Boltzmann vibrational state distributions and the applicability of coherence beating at pressures up to 10 atm. We show that short probe pulses can be leveraged to quantify non-Boltzmann vibrational state distributions of N2. Furthermore, we demonstrate that fs/ps CARS coherence beating can simultaneously provide sensitive measurements of rotational and vibrational temperatures of both O2 and N2 in air. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to qualitatively explain the accuracy and precision comparisons between probe delays.

Chen, Timothy Y. (ORCID:0000000330269767)↗

Spatiotemporally Adaptive Compression for Scientific Dataset with Feature Preservation – A Case Study on Simulation Data with Extreme Climate Events Analysis

Scientific discoveries are increasingly constrained by limited storage space and I/O capacities. For time-series simulations and experiments, their data often need to be decimated over timesteps to accommodate storage and I/O limitations. In this paper, we propose a technique that addresses storage costs while improving post-analysis accuracy through spatiotemporal adaptive, error-controlled lossy compression. We investigate the trade-off between data precision and temporal output rates, revealing that reducing data precision and increasing timestep frequency lead to more accurate analysis outcomes. Additionally, we integrate spatiotemporal feature detection with data compression and demonstrate that performing adaptive error-bounded compression in higher dimensional space enables greater compression ratios, leveraging the error propagation theory of a transformation-based compressor. To evaluate our approach, we conduct experiments using the well-known E3SM climate simulation code and apply our method to compress variables used for cyclone tracking. Our results show a significant reduction in storage size while enhancing the quality of cyclone tracking analysis, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in comparison to the prevalent timestep decimation approach. Compared to three state-of-the-art lossy compressors lacking feature preservation capabilities, our adaptive compression framework improves perfectly matched cases in TC tracking by 26.4-51.3% at medium compression ratios and by 77.3-571.1% at large compression ratios, with a merely 5–11% computational overhead.

Gong, Qian↗

Designing Remote Monitoring for Smart Manufacturing Facilities: Hazard Identification and Classification

This study investigates the process of hazard identification in complex manufacturing environments during the design phase, emphasizing the significance of the design process in developing designs that effectively mitigate hazards in contexts with numerous variables, such as a variety of machines, sensors, actuators, and agents. Through a mixed-methods approach, the objective of this work is to understand how the evolution of design outcomes across various stages might influence a designer’s ability to recognize both standard and novel hazards. To achieve this understanding, an experimental design task was conducted with six designers from a national lab specializing in manufacturing technologies. This approach combined qualitative and quantitative data analysis from a one-hour virtual session with participants. Findings suggest that the complexity of identifying hazards in a high-dimensional design space is challenging within a limited time frame and that the identification of hazards is significantly influenced by the stage of the design task and the initial design decisions, indicating the need for extended time and strategic initial planning in the design process to enhance hazard identification.

Ballestas, Caseysimone↗

Electric Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Attributes and Development

Although more established for light-duty vehicles (LDVs), advancements in electric vehicle (EV) charging technology are being made in the medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) sector. Progress is also being made with the electrification of MD/HD vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, MD trucks, and HD trucks. The diverse set of operational requirements and duty cycles for each vocation, as well as the range in the size of fleets, present unique charging and infrastructure requirements. This report focuses on charging requirements for MD/HD vehicles and synergies with LDV infrastructure. This analysis leans toward the qualitative rather than quantitative because relevant model inputs are in development and will not be established for a few years, as EV deployments are more mature in the LDV sectors than MD/HD. The report begins with an overview of MD/HD vehicle classes and types of charging, including depot and residential charging, among others (Section 2). Section 3 analyzes the home bases (overnight dwell locations) of existing MD/HD vehicles, with an emphasis on depot and residential home bases, and discusses implications for charging infrastructure. Section 4 discusses the key characteristics for determining if, when, and where MD/HD vehicles can leverage LDV charging infrastructure rather than requiring dedicated chargers. These considerations include electricity demand, connectors, physical space requirements, payment considerations, and impacts on the grid. Section 5 summarizes shared characteristics for MD/HD vehicles that are appropriate for near-term electrification and includes a summary of the outlook of the electric MD/HD vehicle market. The conclusion (Section 6) summarizes the report's findings and outlines areas for future research.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Assessment of Potential Failure Modes and Effects for On-Board Components for Hydrogen-Powered Locomotives

Hydrogen fuel sources offer alternatives to conventional fuels in the rail transportation industry. Hydrogen powered locomotive designs utilizing either a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine can make migration to alternative fuels possible for rail transportation. Codes and standards are still in development for rail application of hydrogen and safety risks must be assessed for hydrogen locomotive applications. This report utilizes a failure mode & effects analysis framework to help qualitatively understand possible risks from a hydrogen locomotive system. Findings illustrate how a combination of three mitigations greatly reduces the risks from a hydrogen locomotive system.

08 HYDROGEN↗