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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 343 records · Page 19

Efficient Integration of Algebraic Constraint for Exponential Time Integration

This work is a continuation of a previous project where the high efficiency of exponential integration methods for DRMHD systems was demonstrated. Often algebraic constraints must also be enforced for DRMHD systems of interest. Straightforward application of exponential methods to DRMHD equations with constraints leads to prohibitively computationally expensive methods. In this work, we propose new exponential schemes that allow the constraints to be removed from evaluation of exponential matrix functions which drastically reduces computational complexity by eliminating the need to perform computations enforcing constraints in exponential calculations while still preserving a high order of accuracy and allowing for a large time step even when the problem is stiff. This idea is similar to the W-methods and is achieved by carefully designing a method with the desired order of accuracy, even with an incomplete Jacobian matrix used as an argument of exponential-like functions. The constraints are accounted for by including them in the evaluation of the right-hand-side forcing function of the spatially discretized system. We study performance of the new methods on test problems and outline future research directions that this work opens.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Recent Advances in the Application of Functionalized Lignin in Value-Added Polymeric Materials

The quest for converting lignin into high-value products has been continuously pursued in the past few decades. In its native form, lignin is a group of heterogeneous polymers comprised of phenylpropanoids. The major commercial lignin streams, including Kraft lignin, lignosulfonates, soda lignin and organosolv lignin, are produced from industrial processes including the paper and pulping industry and emerging lignocellulosic biorefineries. Although lignin has been viewed as a low-cost and renewable feedstock to replace petroleum-based materials, its utilization in polymeric materials has been suppressed due to the low reactivity and inherent physicochemical properties of lignin. Hence, various lignin modification strategies have been developed to overcome these problems. Herein, we review recent progress made in the utilization of functionalized lignins in commodity polymers including thermoset resins, blends/composites, grafted functionalized copolymers and carbon fiber precursors. In the synthesis of thermoset resins such as polyurethane, phenol-formaldehyde and epoxy, they are covalently incorporated into the polymer matrix, and the discussion is focused on chemical modifications improving the reactivity of technical lignins. In blends/composites, functionalization of technical lignins is based upon tuning the intermolecular forces between polymer components. In addition, grafted functional polymers have expanded the utilization of lignin-based copolymers to biomedical materials and value-added additives. Different modification approaches have also been applied to facilitate the application of lignin as carbon fiber precursors, heavy metal adsorbents and nanoparticles. These emerging fields will create new opportunities in cost-effectively integrating the lignin valorization into lignocellulosic biorefineries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Energy partitioning of gaseous ions in an electric field.

The partitioning of ion energy among thermal energy, drift energy, and random-field energy is studied by solution of the Boltzmann equation. An expansion in powers of the square of the electric field strength is obtained by Kihara's method. Numerical calculations for several ion-neutral force laws show that Wannier's constant mean-free-time model gives a reasonable first approximation. The formal extension to multicomponent mixtures is also given. The matrix elements obtained are tabulated, and can be used to study the field dependence of other moments of the ion-distribution function.

Hahn, H.-S.↗

Direct computation of optimal control of forced linear system

It is known that the optimal control of a forced linear system may be reduced to that of tracking the system without forces. The solution of the tracking problem is available via the costate variables method. This procedure is computationally expensive for large order systems. It requires solution of matrix Riccati equation and two final value problems. An alternate approach is outlined for the direct computation of the optimal control. Instead of Riccati equation, a matrix Volterra integral must be solved. For this purpose two computational schemes are described, and an illustrative example is given. The results compare favorably with the classical solution. This alternative approach may be especially useful for the control of large space structure where large order models are required.

Utku, S.↗

Diffusion Driven Combustion Waves in Porous Media

Filtration of gas containing oxidizer, to the reaction zone in a porous medium, due, e.g., to a buoyancy force or to an external pressure gradient, leads to the propagation of Filtration combustion (FC) waves. The exothermic reaction occurs between the fuel component of the solid matrix and the oxidizer. In this paper, we analyze the ability of a reaction wave to propagate in a porous medium without the aid of filtration. We find that one possible mechanism of propagation is that the wave is driven by diffusion of oxidizer from the environment. The solution of the combustion problem describing diffusion driven waves is similar to the solution of the Stefan problem describing the propagation of phase transition waves, in that the temperature on the interface between the burned and unburned regions is constant, the combustion wave is described by a similarity solution which is a function of the similarity variable x/square root of(t) and the wave velocity decays as 1/square root of(t). The difference between the two problems is that in the combustion problem the temperature is not prescribed, but rather, is determined as part of the solution. We will show that the length of samples in which such self-sustained combustion waves can occur, must exceed a critical value which strongly depends on the combustion temperature T(sub b). Smaller values of T(sub b) require longer sample lengths for diffusion driven combustion waves to exist. Because of their relatively small velocity, diffusion driven waves are considered to be relevant for the case of low heat losses, which occur for large diameter samples or in microgravity conditions, Another possible mechanism of porous medium combustion describes waves which propagate by consuming the oxidizer initially stored in the pores of the sample. This occurs for abnormally high pressure and gas density. In this case, uniformly propagating planar waves, which are kinetically controlled, can propagate, Diffusion of oxidizer decreases the wave velocity. In addition to the reaction and diffusion layers, the uniformly propagating wave structure includes a layer with a pressure gradient, where the gas motion is induced by the production or consumption of the gas in the reaction as well as by thermal expansion of the gas. The width of this zone determines the scale of the combustion wave in the porous medium.

Aldushin, A. P.↗

Cooled Ceramic Matrix Composite Panel Successfully Tested in Rocket Exhaust

Actively cooled ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components are enabling or enhancing for a broad range of hypersonic and reusable launch vehicle propulsion systems. Teaming with other NASA centers, the Air Force, and industry, the Glenn Ceramics Branch has successfully tested multiple cooled CMC panel concepts in high-heat-flux, high-pressure, flowing rocket engine combustion gas environments. Sub-element components survived multiple cycles and the severe thermal gradients imposed by combustion gas temperatures in excess of 5500 F and cryogenic hydrogen or ambient temperature water internal coolants. These demonstrations are critical for the continued development of this class of materials, and the research is expected to continue with additional concepts and increasingly larger and more complex geometries being fabricated and tested in a broad range of engine operating conditions.

Eckel, Andrew J.↗

Triangle Method for Dense ReLU Layers [SWR-25-72]

This software is an implementation of the methods for initializing and training neural networks to be more efficient per parameter, described more fully below and in the related publication: In theory, depth should make a ReLU network EXPONENTIALLY more efficient by enabling it to produce an exponential number of piecewise linear sections in its output. This reasoning is largely based on the work of mathematicians that have hand-constructed networks that make good use of depth. In practice however, even very deep ReLU networks that have been randomly initialized will behave identically to their shallow counterparts - missing an entire exponential dimension of efficiency. The triangle method is a first attempt at realizing the exponential potential of deep networks. Instead of randomly setting weights, we force pairs of neurons in each layer learn to build triangles (i.e. functions from [0,1] -> [0,1] that look like triangles). This is a very efficient pattern for generating lots of linear pieces because composing two triangular functions doubles the number of pieces with each composition. The triangle method is more than just a different initialization, it is a new paradigm of training. Instead of making direct updates to the matrix weights, we do an extra step of backpropagation to collect the derivatives of the loss function with respect to the shapes of the triangles, training them to tilt left or right. This process essentially holds the networks hand throughout the loss landscape and forces it to always use depth effectively by producing triangular shapes internally. This can produce several orders of magnitude of improvement on convex one-dimensional regression problems. Much more theoretical work is needed to realize its full potential beyond this context, but the implementation in this repository will still work in arbitrary numbers of dimensions. The file Triangle_Method.py is a generalized form of the method that will build each neuron its own custom 1-d convex activation function (with exponential efficiency). Example usage on one dimensional problems can be found in Example_Usage.ipynb and an example of using this in a real neural network can be found in Example_VGG16_CIFAR10.ipynb.

Milkert, Max [National Renewable Energy Laboratory↗

Concept of adaptive structures

The concept of adaptive structures is brought up in connection with the need in ultra lightweight structural systems to maintain desired properties and configurations without human intervention when subjected to dynamic, thermal, and other environmental forces. Examples are large antenna structures and flexible robotic structures. In the both cases such adaptivity would allow less massive structural members to be employed under normal loading conditions. During special circumstances when unusually large loads are encountered, temporary stiffening would allow the use of less sturdy structures, resulting in large savings in their cost, and in increasing their mobility and efficiency. Within the framework of a finite-dimensional representation of structural dynamics, the adaptivity can be implemented by the dependence of the stiffness matrix (k) upon the expected load (Q), or expected (programmed) changes in configurations, i.e., (k) = (k(t)) where the dependence upon time is programmed in advance. In order to sustain unexpected loads the adaptive structure can be provided by feedback force control, or by a parametrical stiffness control.

Zak, Michail↗

Equilibrium solute segregation to matrix- θ' precipitate interfaces in Al-Cu alloys from first principles

Particular combinations of solute atoms segregated to the interface of the Al and θ ' - Al 2 Cu in Al-Cu alloys can help stabilize θ ' precipitates at high temperatures. Stabilization of such precipitates is determined by a combination of thermodynamics (including driving forces for coarsening and transformation and solute segregation tendencies) and kinetic effects (including solute diffusion and interfacial mobility in the presence of interfacial solute segregation). For some alloys such as recent Al-Cu-based alloys, multiple solutes segregate in significant quantities to interfaces, and solute-solute interactions at the interface are important, with multiple types of solutes competing for similar interfacial sites. To treat this situation, we develop and apply a statistical mechanics approach to calculate the temperature-dependent equilibrium solute atoms distribution near the coherent and semicoherent interfaces between the Al matrix and the θ ' - Al 2 Cu precipitates. The developed approach is applied to the investigation of Si, Mn, and Zr segregation at the interface, as particular combinations of these elements affect the thermal stability of the θ ' precipitates. We demonstrate that because Si and Mn atoms segregate on the same semicoherent interface, the presence of Si reduces the concentration of Mn solutes at the interface. Si atoms preferably occupy the first layer of the interface and compete with Mn atoms for one type of particular sites in the layer. Mn atoms preferably occupy the second layer of the semicoherent interface, and the Mn-Mn interaction plays an important role in their distribution. Zr atoms mostly segregate on one of the two nonequivalent sites of the second layer of the coherent interface. Due to symmetry properties of the coherent interface, the calculations show that the segregation Zr of atoms to this interface will likely lead to the formation of L 1 2 ordered Al 3 Zr layer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Integrins, tensegrity, and mechanotransduction

Physical forces, such as those due to gravity, play an important role in tissue development and remodeling. Yet, little is known about how individual cells sense mechanical signals or how they transduce them into a chemical response. Rather than listing the numerous signal pathways that have been found to be sensitive to mechanical stimulation, we need to place potential molecular signaling mechanisms within the context of the entire cell. The model presented is based on the concept that cells use tensegrity architecture to organize their cytoskeleton and stabilize their form. Studies with stick and string tensegrity cell models predict that living cells are hard-wired to respond immediately to external mechanical stresses. This hard-wiring exists in the form of discrete cytoskeletal filament networks that mechanically couple specific cell surface receptors, such as integrins, to nuclear matrix scaffolds and to potential transducing molecules that physically associate with the cytoskeleton. If these signaling molecules do function in a "solid-state", then mechanical stresses may be transduced into biochemical responses through force-dependent changes in cytoskeletal geometry or through local alterations in thermodynamic or kinetic parameters. Changes in cytoskeletal tension (prestress) also may play a role in signal amplification and adaptation. Recent experimental results are described which provide direct support for the tensegrity theory.

Review↗

Time Series Classification for Locating Forced Oscillation Sources

Here, this article presents a machine learning based time-series classification method for using synchrophasor measurements to locate the source of forced oscillation (FO) for fast disturbance removal. First, multivariate time series (MTS) matrices are constructed by the most informative measurements selected by sequential feature selection from each power plant. Then, the Mahalanobis matrix is trained such that the Mahalanobis distance between the MTSs from the same class (i.e., with the same FO source location) are minimized and from different classes (i.e., with different FO source locations) are maximized. This allows MTSs to be classified by classifiers with class membership corresponding to the location of each FO source. To meet the runtime requirements of online matching, class templates are constructed to reduce data size and improve matching efficiency. To account for uncertainty in identifying the exact beginning of an FO event, dynamic time warping is used to align the out-of-sync MTSs. IEEE 39bus and WECC 179bus systems are used for algorithm development and validation. Simulation results demonstrate that the algorithm meets online operation runtime requirement with high accuracy using misaligned data sets.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Many-Body Potential for Simulating Self-Assembly of Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles in a Polymer Matrix

Many-body interactions between polymer-grafted nanoparticles (NPs) play a key role in promoting their assembly into low-dimensional structures within polymer melts, even when the particles are spherical and isotropically grafted. However, capturing such interactions in simulations of NP assembly is very challenging because explicit modeling of the polymer grafts and melt chains is highly computationally expensive, even using coarse-grained models. Here, we develop a many-body potential for describing the effective interactions between spherical polymer-grafted NPs in a polymer matrix through a machine-learning approach. The approach involves using permutationally invariant polynomials to fit two- and three-body interactions derived from the potential of mean force calculations. The potential developed here reduces the computational cost by several orders of magnitude, thereby, allowing us to explore assembly behavior over large length and time scales. We show that the potential not only reproduces previously known assembled phases such as 1D strings and 2D hexagonal sheets, which generally cannot be achieved using isotropic two-body potentials, but can also help discover interesting phases such as networks, clusters, and gels. We demonstrate how each of these assembly morphologies intrinsically arises from a competition between two- and three-body interactions. Our approach for deriving many-body effective potentials can be readily extended to other colloidal systems, enabling researchers to make accurate predictions of their behavior and dissect the role of individual interaction energy terms of the overall potential in the observed behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Proton isovector helicity PDF at NNLO and the twist-3 moment $\tilde{d}$ 2 from lattice QCD at physical quark masses

We present a lattice quantum chromodynamics calculation of the 𝑥-dependent isovector quark helicity parton distribution function (PDF) of the proton in the large momentum effective theory (LaMET) framework. Through operator product expansion (OPE) we also extract the $\tilde{d}$ 2 moment of the twist-3 PDF 𝑔 𝑇 ⁡(𝑥) for the first time in the $\overline{MS}$ scheme, which is proportional to the average color Lorentz force experienced by the quark in the proton. This calculation is performed on a lattice of spacing 𝑎 =0.076 fm at physical quark masses. The quasi-PDF matrix elements are measured in proton states boosted to momenta 𝑃 𝑧 ={0,0.25,1.02,1.53} GeV. We first extract the lowest few helicity PDF moments from the renormalization-group (RG) invariant ratios of the matrix elements with OPE. Combined with the matrix elements relevant for 𝑔 𝑇 ⁡(𝑥), we obtain $\tilde{d}$$^{u-d}_2$⁡(2 GeV) =0.0024⁢(46) at next-to-leading order in $\overline{MS}$. Then, the helicity quasi-PDF matrix elements are renormalized in the hybrid scheme with linear renormalon resummation and Fourier transformed to the 𝑥-space after an asymptotic extrapolation. The quasi-PDF is perturbatively matched to the $\overline{MS}$ PDF with RG and threshold resummations at next-to-leading power and next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracies. After resummations, we determine the PDF in the region 𝑥 ∈[0.25,0.75]. The end-point regions are then parametrized, combined with the LaMET prediction at moderate 𝑥, and fitted to the short-distance matrix elements in coordinate space.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Manipulation based on sensor-directed control: An integrated end effector and touch sensing system

A hand/touch sensing system is described that, when mounted on a position-controlled manipulator, greatly expands the kinds of automated manipulation tasks that can be undertaken. Because of the variety of coordinate conversions, control equations, and completion criteria, control is necessarily dependent upon a small digital computer. The sensing system is designed both to be rugged and to sense the necessary touch and force information required to execute a wide range of manipulation tasks. The system consists of a six-axis wrist sensor, external touch sensors, and a pair of matrix jaw sensors. Details of the construction of the particular sensors, the integration of the end effector into the sensor system, and the control algorithms for using the sensor outputs to perform manipulation tasks automatically are discussed.

Hill, J. W.↗

Spatially random models, estimation theory, and robot arm dynamics

Spatially random models provide an alternative to the more traditional deterministic models used to describe robot arm dynamics. These alternative models can be used to establish a relationship between the methodologies of estimation theory and robot dynamics. A new class of algorithms for many of the fundamental robotics problems of inverse and forward dynamics, inverse kinematics, etc. can be developed that use computations typical in estimation theory. The algorithms make extensive use of the difference equations of Kalman filtering and Bryson-Frazier smoothing to conduct spatial recursions. The spatially random models are very easy to describe and are based on the assumption that all of the inertial (D'Alembert) forces in the system are represented by a spatially distributed white-noise model. The models can also be used to generate numerically the composite multibody system inertia matrix. This is done without resorting to the more common methods of deterministic modeling involving Lagrangian dynamics, Newton-Euler equations, etc. These methods make substantial use of human knowledge in derivation and minipulation of equations of motion for complex mechanical systems.

Rodriguez, G.↗

Integrated modeling and analysis of a space-truss article

MSC/NASTRAN is being used in the Controls-Structures Interaction (CSI) program at NASA Langley Research Center as a key analytical tool for structural analysis as well as the basis for control law development, closed-loop performance evaluation, and system safety checks. Guest investigators from academia and industry are performing dynamics and control experiments on a flight-like deployable space truss called Mini-Mast to determine the effectiveness of various active-vibration control laws. MSC/NASTRAN was used to calculate natural frequencies and mode shapes below 100 Hz to describe the dynamics of the 20-meter-long lightweight Mini-Mast structure. Gravitational effects contribute significantly to structural stiffness and are accounted for through a two-phase solution in which the differential stiffness matrix is calculated and then used in the eigensolution. Reduced modal models are extracted for control law design and evaluation of closed-loop system performance. Predicted actuator forces from controls simulations are then applied to the extended model to predict member loads and stresses. These pre-test analyses reduce risks associated with the structural integrity of the test article, which is a major concern in closed-loop control experiments due to potential instabilities.

Alan E Stockwell↗

Critical speeds and forced response solutions for active magnetic bearing turbomachinery, part 2

The need for better performance of turbomachinery with active magnetic bearings has necessitated a study of such systems for accurate prediction of their vibrational characteristics. A modification of existing transfer matrix methods for rotor analysis is presented to predict the response of rotor systems with active magnetic bearings. The position of the magnetic bearing sensors is taken into account and the effect of changing sensor position on the vibrational characteristics of the rotor system is studied. The modified algorithm is validated using a simpler Jeffcott model described previously. The effect of changing from a rotating unbalance excitation to a constant excitation in a single plane is also studied. A typical eight stage centrifugal compressor rotor is analyzed using the modified transfer matrix code. The results for a two mass Jeffcott model were presented previously. The results obtained by running this model with the transfer matrix method were compared with the results of the Jeffcott analysis for the purposes of verification. Also included are plots of amplitude versus frequency for the eight stage centrifugal compressor rotor. These plots demonstrate the significant influence that sensor location has on the amplitude and critical frequencies of the rotor system.

Rawal, D.↗

Building complex simulations rapidly using MATRIX(x): The Space Station redesign

MSFC's quick response to the Space Station redesign effort last year required the development of a computer simulation to model the attitude and station-keeping dynamics of a complex body with rotating solar arrays in orbit around the Earth. The simulation was written using a rapid-prototyping graphical simulation and design tool called MATRIX(x) and provided the capability to quickly remodel complex configuration changes by icon manipulation using a mouse. The simulation determines time-dependent inertia properties, and models forces and torques from gravity-gradient, solar radiation, and aerodynamic disturbances. Surface models are easily built from a selection of beams, plates, tetrahedrons, and cylinders. An optimization scheme was written to determine the torque equilibrium attitudes that balance gravity-gradient and aerodynamic torques over an orbit, and propellant-usage estimates were determined. The simulation has been adapted to model the attitude dynamics for small spacecraft.

Carrington, C. K.↗