Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Class generation”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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

At least 343 records · Page 19

Dynamo Effect and Turbulence in Hydrodynamic Weyl Metals

The dynamo effect is a class of macroscopic phenomena responsible for generating and maintaining magnetic fields in astrophysical bodies. It hinges on the hydrodynamic three-dimensional motion of conducting gases and plasmas that achieve high hydrodynamic and/or magnetic Reynolds numbers due to the large length scales involved. The existing laboratory experiments modeling dynamos are challenging and involve large apparatuses containing conducting fluids subject to fast helical flows. Here we propose that electronic solid-state materials—in particular, hydrodynamic metals—may serve as an alternative platform to observe some aspects of the dynamo effect. Motivated by recent experimental developments, this Letter focuses on hydrodynamic Weyl semimetals, where the dominant scattering mechanism is due to interactions. We derive Navier-Stokes equations along with equations of magnetohydrodynamics that describe the transport of a Weyl electron-hole plasma appropriate in this regime. We estimate the hydrodynamic and magnetic Reynolds numbers for this system. The latter is a key figure of merit of the dynamo mechanism. We show that it can be relatively large to enable observation of the dynamo-induced magnetic field bootstrap in an experiment. Lastly, we generalize the simplest dynamo instability model—the Ponomarenko dynamo—to the case of a hydrodynamic Weyl semimetal and show that the chiral anomaly term reduces the threshold magnetic Reynolds number for the dynamo instability.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dataset documenting reaction-induced changes to five fractured foamed wellbore cement cores during CO2 fluid flow

This dataset consists of reconstructed CT scans for four fractured foamed cement cores, generated in the lab using Portland Class H cement, and associated processed data. The cements were exposed to reactive brines, and CT scans were take at different time points through the experiment. The CT imaging allows for the tracking of dissolution-induced changes to fracture morphology, as well as alteration and dissolution in the cement matrix.

Computed Tomography↗

Analysis of Dust Samples Collected from an In-Service Interim Storage System at the Maine Yankee Nuclear Site.

In July, 2016, the Electric Power Research Institute and industry partners performed a field test at the Maine Yankee Nuclear Site, located near Wiscasset, Maine. The primary goal of the field test was to evaluate the use of robots in surveying the surface of an in-service interim storage canister within an overpack; however, as part of the demonstration, dust and soluble salt samples were collected from horizontal surfaces within the interim storage system. The storage system is a vertical system made by NAC International, consisting of a steel-lined concrete overpack containing a 304 stainless steel (SS) welded storage canister. The canister did not contain spent fuel but rather greater-than-class-C waste, which did not generate significant heat, limiting airflow through the storage system. The surfaces that were sampled for deposits included the top of the shield plug, the side of the canister, and a shelf at the bottom of the overpack, just below the level of the pillar on which the canister sits. The samples were sent to Sandia National Laboratories for analysis. This report summarizes the results of those analyses. Because the primary goal of the field test was to evaluate the use of robots in surveying the surface of the canister within the overpack, collection of dust samples was carried out in a qualitative fashion, using paper filters and sponges as the sampling media. The sampling focused mostly on determining the composition of soluble salts present in the dust. It was anticipated that a wet substrate would more effectively extract soluble salts from the surface that was sampled, so both the sponges and the filter paper were wetted prior to being applied to the surface of the metal. Sampling was accomplished by simply pressing the damp substrate against the metal surface for two minutes, and then removing it. It is unlikely that the sampling method quantitatively collected dust or salts from the metal surface; however, both substrates did extract a significant amount of material. The paper filters collected both particles, trapped within the cellulose fibers of the filter, and salts, while the sponges collected only the soluble salts, with very few particles. Upon delivery to Sandia, both collection media were analyzed using the same methods. The soluble salts were leached from the substrates and analyzed via ion chromatography, and insoluble minerals were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The insoluble minerals were found to consist largely of terrestrially-derived mineral fragments, dominantly quartz and biotite. Large (mm-sized) aggregates of calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, and calcium aluminum silicate were also present. The aggregates had one flat, smooth surface and one well crystallized surface, and were interpreted to be efflorescence on the inside of the overpack and in the vent, formed by seepage of cement pore fluids through joints in the steel liner of the overpack. Such efflorescence was commonly observed during the boroscope inspection of the storage system at the site. The material may have flaked off and fallen to the point where the dust was collected, or may have brushed off onto the sponges when the robot was retrieved through the inlet vent. Chemical analysis showed that the soluble salts on the shield plug were Ca- and Na-rich, with lesser K and minor Mg; the anionic component was dominated by SO 4 and Cl, with minor amounts of NO 3 . The cation composition of the soluble salts from the overpack shelf and the canister surface was similar to the filter samples, but the anions differed significantly, being dominantly NO 3 with lesser Cl and only trace SO 4 . The salts appear to represent a mixture of sea-salts (probably partially converted to nitrates and sulfates by particle-gas conversion reactions) and continental salt aerosols. Ammonium, a common component in continental aerosols, was not observed and may have been lost by degassing from the canister surface or after collection during sample storage and transportation. The demonstration at Maine Yankee has shown that the robot and sampling method used for the test can successfully be used to collect soluble salts from metal surfaces within an interim storage system overpack. The results were consistent from sample to sample, suggesting that a representative sample of the soluble salts was being collected. However, it is unlikely that the salt samples collected here represent quantitative sampling of the salts on the surfaces evaluated; for that reason, chloride densities per unit area are not presented here. It should also be noted that the relevance to storage systems at the site that contain SNF may be limited, because a heat- generating canister will result in greater airflow through the overpack, affecting dust deposition rates and possibly salt compositions.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluation of a Combined Raffinate Waste Stream for Mo-99 Production

Niowave, Inc., based in Lansing, Michigan, intends to produce Mo-99 from the fission of low enriched uranium (LEU) targets. In FY20, SRNL was tasked to provide technical assistance in identifying the primary waste raffinate present in Niowave’s commercial scale system and evaluating methods for disposal. Due to limited information on Niowave’s complete flowsheet and isotope recovery plans, a combined raffinate stream including the entire radionuclide inventory from the irradiated fuel was used for this evaluation. Results of the evaluation indicated the majority of the waste generated can be expected to be Class A; however radioisotopes such as Pu-239, Cs-137, Sr-90, and some of the shorter lived (< 5 year half-life) may challenge Niowave’s ability to meet the waste acceptance criteria for land burial. With appropriate waste management strategies, it is probable that Niowave’s waste could meet Class C requirements for all constituents, with the possible exception of Pu-239. More detailed information of Niowave’s processes are needed to form a more accurate understanding required to execute and effective, economic, and feasible waste management strategy.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Expanded Capabilities and Opportunities for Virtual Beamline Code

In the 25 years since LLNL broke ground on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) - a cornerstone of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Stockpile Stewardship Program - the NIF and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate has steadily pushed the boundaries of laser physics, nonlinear optics, and photonics in service of inertial confinement fusion experiments, and advanced photon sources development. Beyond the 192 beamlines of the primary laser facility with its world-record energy and fusion yields, NIF&PS capabilities have expanded to include chirped-pulse amplification, kilojoule petawatt-class short-pulse systems to generate hard x-ray radiographic probes, high-average power lasers as secondary sources for generation or wake field particle acceleration along directed energy applications, and other scientific pursuits. The Computing Directorate partners with NIF&PS on numerous projects and technologies from diagnostic measurements and high performance control systems to data analysis, information technology infrastructure, and scientific simulation code development. “This strong collaboration enables cutting-edge science, particularly with regard to physics-based modeling and simulation,” says physicist Jean-Michel Di Nicola. One crucial capability for NIF&PS is the Virtual Beamline (VBL) laser simulation code. It can model all the major laser physics and technology involved in the design optimization, commissioning, and operations of advanced laser architectures from tabletop to NIF-scale. VBL provides researchers with high-fidelity models and high-resolution calculations of laser performance predictions—including for the entire NIF laser system, the Advanced Radiographic Capability, parts of the High Repetition-Rate Advanced Petawatt Laser System laser delivered to the Czech Republic, and the Optical Science Laser. After more than two decades of experimentally verified physics and computing enhancements, this unique workhorse code is wrapping up another major milestone: migration from Java to C++ with a flurry of user interface and optimization features, as well as laser physics and high-resolution enhancements thanks to parallel execution on Livermore Computing platforms.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Transmission Cost Allocation Practices

This technical brief summarizes approaches to allocating costs of transmission facilities between generators and loads, jurisdictions, and customer classes, and based on project drivers. The brief also discusses planning approaches, stakeholder engagement, considerations for using counterfactuals for cost allocation, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and court decisions on cost allocation proposals.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Sanford Underground Research Facility’s approach to school education, community activities, and public outreach

The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) is the deepest underground science facility in the United States. SURF hosts world-leading experiments in neutrino, astroparticle and nuclear physics, as well as projects in biology, geology, and engineering, and is home to a major excavation project making space for Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory’s Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF), which will power the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). An emphasis on outreach and education is embedded in SURF’s mission statement: “to advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations.” To achieve this mission, SURF goes beyond established science communication methods, including operating an open-to-the-public visitor center, hosting multiple public outreach events per month, and an annual city-wide science festival. Furthermore, SURF is training K-12 science educators, developing school curriculum units, and providing classroom materials, based on science researched at the laboratory. The strategic approach, specific methods, and successful outcomes of these programs, which are based on SURF’s science, location, and community, may serve as examples for effective science education, public outreach, and community engagement.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Deep learning models for interpretation of point of care ultrasound in military working dogs

Introduction: Military working dogs (MWDs) are essential for military operations in a wide range of missions. With this pivotal role, MWDs can become casualties requiring specialized veterinary care that may not always be available far forward on the battlefield. Some injuries such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, or abdominal hemorrhage can be diagnosed using point of care ultrasound (POCUS) such as the Global FAST® exam. This presents a unique opportunity for artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in the interpretation of ultrasound images. In this article, deep learning classification neural networks were developed for POCUS assessment in MWDs. Methods: Images were collected in five MWDs under general anesthesia or deep sedation for all scan points in the Global FAST® exam. For representative injuries, a cadaver model was used from which positive and negative injury images were captured. A total of 327 ultrasound clips were captured and split across scan points for training three different AI network architectures: MobileNetV2, DarkNet-19, and ShrapML. Gradient class activation mapping (GradCAM) overlays were generated for representative images to better explain AI predictions. Results: Performance of AI models reached over 82% accuracy for all scan points. The model with the highest performance was trained with the MobileNetV2 network for the cystocolic scan point achieving 99.8% accuracy. Across all trained networks the diaphragmatic hepatorenal scan point had the best overall performance. However, GradCAM overlays showed that the models with highest accuracy, like MobileNetV2, were not always identifying relevant features. Conversely, the GradCAM heatmaps for ShrapML show general agreement with regions most indicative of fluid accumulation. Discussion: Overall, the AI models developed can automate POCUS predictions in MWDs. Preliminarily, ShrapML had the strongest performance and prediction rate paired with accurately tracking fluid accumulation sites, making it the most suitable option for eventual real-time deployment with ultrasound systems. Further integration of this technology with imaging technologies will expand use of POCUS-based triage of MWDs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Interplanetary double-shock ensembles with anomalous electrical conductivity

Similarity theory is applied to the case of constant velocity, piston-driven, shock waves. This family of solutions, incorporating the interplanetary magnetic field for the case of infinite electric conductivity, represents one class of experimentally observed, flare-generated shock waves. This paper discusses the theoretical extension to flows with finite conductivity (presumably caused by unspecified modes of wave-particle interactions). Solutions, including reverse shocks, are found for a wide range of magnetic Reynolds numbers from one to infinity. Consideration of a zero and nonzero ambient flowing solar wind (together with removal of magnetic considerations) enables the recovery of earlier similarity solutions as well as numerical simulations. A limited comparison with observations suggests that flare energetics can be reasonably estimated once the shock velocity, ambient solar wind velocity and density, and ambient azimuthal Alfven Mach number are known.

Dryer, M.↗

An Atmospheric Cloud Physics Laboratory for the Space Laboratory

Results of research and engineering analyses to date show that it is feasible to develop and fly on the first Spacelab mission a multipurpose laboratory in which experiments can be performed on the microphysical processes in atmospheric clouds. The paper presents a series of tables on the Atmospheric Cloud Physics Laboratory, with attention given to experiment classes, the preliminary equipment list (particle generators, optical and imaging devices, particle detectors and characterizers, etc.), initial equipment (scientific equipment subsystems and flight support subsystems), and scientific functional requirements (the expansion chamber, the continuous flow diffusion chamber, the static diffusion chamber, the humidifier, and particle generators).

Smith, R.↗

On recent advances and future research directions for computational fluid dynamics

This paper highlights some recent accomplishments regarding CFD numerical algorithm constructions for generation of discrete approximate solutions to classes of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Following an overview of turbulent closure modeling, and development of appropriate conservation law systems, a Taylor weak-statement semi-discrete approximate solution algorithm is developed. Various forms for completion to the final linear algebra statement are cited, as are a range of candidate numerical linear algebra solution procedures. This development sequence emphasizes the key building blocks of a CFD RNS algorithm, including solution trial and test spaces, integration procedure and added numerical stability mechanisms. A range of numerical results are discussed focusing on key topics guiding future research directions.

Baker, A. J.↗

A reusable knowledge acquisition shell: KASH

KASH (Knowledge Acquisition SHell) is proposed to assist a knowledge engineer by providing a set of utilities for constructing knowledge acquisition sessions based on interviewing techniques. The information elicited from domain experts during the sessions is guided by a question dependency graph (QDG). The QDG defined by the knowledge engineer, consists of a series of control questions about the domain that are used to organize the knowledge of an expert. The content information supplies by the expert, in response to the questions, is represented in the form of a concept map. These maps can be constructed in a top-down or bottom-up manner by the QDG and used by KASH to generate the rules for a large class of expert system domains. Additionally, the concept maps can support the representation of temporal knowledge. The high degree of reusability encountered in the QDG and concept maps can vastly reduce the development times and costs associated with producing intelligent decision aids, training programs, and process control functions.

Westphal, Christopher↗

Graph Partitioning for Parallel Applications in Heterogeneous Grid Environments

The problem of partitioning irregular graphs and meshes for parallel computations on homogeneous systems has been extensively studied. However, these partitioning schemes fail when the target system architecture exhibits heterogeneity in resource characteristics. With the emergence of technologies such as the Grid, it is imperative to study the partitioning problem taking into consideration the differing capabilities of such distributed heterogeneous systems. In our model, the heterogeneous system consists of processors with varying processing power and an underlying non-uniform communication network. We present in this paper a novel multilevel partitioning scheme for irregular graphs and meshes, that takes into account issues pertinent to Grid computing environments. Our partitioning algorithm, called MiniMax, generates and maps partitions onto a heterogeneous system with the objective of minimizing the maximum execution time of the parallel distributed application. For experimental performance study, we have considered both a realistic mesh problem from NASA as well as synthetic workloads. Simulation results demonstrate that MiniMax generates high quality partitions for various classes of applications targeted for parallel execution in a distributed heterogeneous environment.

Bisws, Rupak↗

Design Study for a Mars Geyser Hopper

The Mars Geyser Hopper is a design reference missions (DRMs) for a Discovery-class spacecraft using Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) power source. The Geyser Hopper is a mission concept that will investigate the springtime carbon-dioxide geysers found in regions around the south pole of Mars. The Geyser Hopper design uses Phoenix heritage systems and approach, but uses a single ASRG as the power source, rather than twin solar arrays, and is designed to last over a one-year stay on the South Pole. The spacecraft will land at a target landing area near the south pole of Mars, and have the ability to "hop" after a summertime landing to reposition itself close to a geyser site, and wait through the winter until the first sunlight of spring to witness first-hand the geyser phenomenon.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗

Phase Transitions in Planning Problems: Design and Analysis of Parameterized Families of Hard Planning Problems

There are two common ways to evaluate algorithms: performance on benchmark problems derived from real applications and analysis of performance on parametrized families of problems. The two approaches complement each other, each having its advantages and disadvantages. The planning community has concentrated on the first approach, with few ways of generating parametrized families of hard problems known prior to this work. Our group's main interest is in comparing approaches to solving planning problems using a novel type of computational device - a quantum annealer - to existing state-of-the-art planning algorithms. Because only small-scale quantum annealers are available, we must compare on small problem sizes. Small problems are primarily useful for comparison only if they are instances of parametrized families of problems for which scaling analysis can be done. In this technical report, we discuss our approach to the generation of hard planning problems from classes of well-studied NP-complete problems that map naturally to planning problems or to aspects of planning problems that many practical planning problems share. These problem classes exhibit a phase transition between easy-to-solve and easy-to-show-unsolvable planning problems. The parametrized families of hard planning problems lie at the phase transition. The exponential scaling of hardness with problem size is apparent in these families even at very small problem sizes, thus enabling us to characterize even very small problems as hard. The families we developed will prove generally useful to the planning community in analyzing the performance of planning algorithms, providing a complementary approach to existing evaluation methods. We illustrate the hardness of these problems and their scaling with results on four state-of-the-art planners, observing significant differences between these planners on these problem families. Finally, we describe two general, and quite different, mappings of planning problems to QUBOs, the form of input required for a quantum annealing machine such as the D-Wave II.

Problems↗

New Mission Concept: Compton Telescope with Coded Aperture Mask (GECCO) for MeV Gamma-ray Astronomy

The Galactic Explorer with a Coded Aperture Mask Compton Telescope (GECCO) is a novel Explorer-class concept for a next-generation telescope covering the poorly explored hard X-ray and soft gamma-ray energy regimes. The instrument is based on a novel CdZnTe imaging calorimeter and a deployable coded aperture mask, which enable it to reach 1 arcmin angular resolution and 1% energy resolution. GECCO will connect the arcminute angular resolution observations from X-ray telescopes to high-energy images of the Galactic plane provided by Fermi-LAT, and will focus on the exploration of heavily populated sky regions such as the Galactic Center and the Carina and Cygnus regions to decipher the nature of their emission. These measurements will probe with unprecedented capabilities the possible origin of this emission as dark matter, new types of sources, or currently unresolved populations of point sources. Uncoded observations with GECCO’s Compton telescope will provide wide field-of-view sky monitoring for transient events, synergizing with gravitational wave and high-energy neutrino facilities. In addition, GECCO will conduct a high-sensitivity search for the positron sources in the Galactic Center responsible for the enigmatic 511 keV positron annihilation line excess, will search for as-yet untested candidates for dark matter, will detect and identify high-redshift blazars with excellent angular resolution, and will explore Galactic chemical evolution and sites of explosive element synthesis.

Alexander A Moiseev↗

Muon Campus at Fermilab

The Muon Campus at Fermilab provides world class accelerator infrastructure supporting the next generation intensity frontier experiments. The anti-proton source from the Tevatron era was converted to the present day Muon Campus at the end of the collider program in 2011. Currently, the Muon Campus delivers highly polarized muon beams to the Muon g-2 experiment and in a few years, it will provide muon beams to the Mu2e experiment. The Muon g-2 experiment is a high precision test of the standard model; it is precise enough to measure QED, Weak, and QCD Standard Model contributions.The Muon g-2 experiment looks for a significant deviation from the Standard Model whereas the Mu2e experiment looks for rare processes using high intensity muon beams. The Muon g-2 experiment has measured the anomalous magnetic moment of muons to an unprecedented 460 ppb precision with Run 1 data. The experiment has completed 5 runs, accumulating 19$\times$ Brookhaven E821 data set. The Mu2e experiment has completed the construction phase and first beam to the Diagnostic Absorber was run on April 14, 2022. Installation and commissioning of the Mu2e experiment will begin in 2023 and beam commissioning and physics run is currently planned for 2026.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗