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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 361 records · Page 20

System and method for obfuscation of electronic circuits

A computer-implemented method of generating randomized electrical interconnects for an electronic circuit comprises steps of receiving a netlist of nodes of electronic components to be connected, each connection between the nodes forming an electrical interconnect; determining a list of one or more path directions for each electrical interconnect; determining a plurality of path direction distances for each electrical interconnect; generating a plurality of segments for each electrical interconnect, each segment having one path direction and a length which are selected at random; calculating a sum of the lengths of all segments of the plurality of segments in each path direction each time a segment is generated for each electrical interconnect; removing one path direction from the list of path directions when a first condition is met; and stopping the generating a plurality of segments for each electrical interconnect when a second condition is met.

Trujillo, Joshua↗

Machine Learning for Predicting Multipactor Susceptibility in Planar RF Structures

Multipactor discharge is a persistent challenge in high-power microwave (HPM) and accelerator systems, where secondary electron avalanches can cause heating, vacuum degradation, and failure. This work presents the first supervised machine learning (ML) framework for multipactor prediction, trained on high-fidelity 3D Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulation data in planar geometries. The model maps operational, geometric, and material-dependent secondary electron yield (SEY) parameters to the time-averaged electron growth rate, enabling rapid reconstruction of susceptibility charts. Among the models evaluated, tree-based ensemble methods such as Random Forest and Extra Trees demonstrate superior generalization to unseen materials compared to neural networks such as multilayer perceptron (MLP). Performance metrics, including Intersection over Union (IoU), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), and Pearson correlation, show close agreement with simulation benchmarks. Principal Component Analysis attributes generalization limits to material feature-space disjointedness.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

GenMod: A generative modeling approach for spectral representation of PDEs with random inputs

Here, we propose a method for quantifying uncertainty in high-dimensional PDE systems with random parameters, where the number of solution evaluations is small. Parametric PDE solutions are often approximated using a spectral decomposition based on polynomial chaos expansions. For the class of systems we consider (i.e., high dimensional with limited solution evaluations) the coefficients are given by an underdetermined linear system in a regression formulation. This implies additional assumptions, such as sparsity of the coefficient vector, are needed to approximate the solution. Here, we present an approach where we assume the coefficients are close to the range of a generative model that maps from a low to a high dimensional space of coefficients. Our approach is inspired be recent work examining how generative models can be used for compressed sensing in systems with random Gaussian measurement matrices. Using results from PDE theory on coefficient decay rates, we construct an explicit generative model that predicts the polynomial chaos coefficient magnitudes. The algorithm we developed to find the coefficients, which we call GenMod, is composed of two main steps. First, we predict the coefficient signs using Orthogonal Matching Pursuit. Then, we assume the coefficients are within a sparse deviation from the range of a sign-adjusted generative model. This allows us to find the coefficients by solving a nonconvex optimization problem, over the input space of the generative model and the space of sparse vectors. We obtain theoretical recovery results for a Lipschitz continuous generative model and for a more specific generative model, based on coefficient decay rate bounds. We examine three high-dimensional problems and show that, for all three examples, the generative model approach outperforms sparsity promoting methods at small sample sizes.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Random Phase Approximation Correlation Energy Using Real-Space Density Functional Perturbation Theory

We present a real-space method for computing the random phase approximation (RPA) correlation energy within Kohn–Sham density functional theory, leveraging the low-rank nature of the frequency-dependent density response operator. In particular, we employ a cubic-scaling formalism based on density functional perturbation theory that circumvents the calculation of the response function matrix, instead relying on the ability to compute its product with a vector through the solution of the associated Sternheimer linear systems. We develop a large-scale parallel implementation of this formalism using the subspace iteration method in conjunction with the spectral quadrature method while employing the Kronecker product-based method for the application of the Coulomb operator and the conjugate orthogonal conjugate gradient method for the solution of the linear systems. We demonstrate convergence with respect to key parameters and verify the method’s accuracy by comparing with plane-wave results. We show that the framework achieves good strong scaling to many thousands of processors, reducing the time to solution for a lithium hydride system with 128 electrons to around 150 s on 4608 processors.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Critical points of the random cluster model with Newman–Ziff sampling

Here, we present a method for computing transition points of the random cluster model using a generalization of the Newman–Ziff algorithm, a celebrated technique in numerical percolation, to the random cluster model. The new method is straightforward to implement and works for real cluster weight q > 0. Furthermore, results for an arbitrary number of values of q can be found at once within a single simulation. Because the algorithm used to sweep through bond configurations is identical to that of Newman and Ziff, which was conceived for percolation, the method loses accuracy for large lattices when q > 1. However, by sampling the critical polynomial, accurate estimates of critical points in two dimensions can be found using relatively small lattice sizes, which we demonstrate here by computing critical points for non-integer values of q on the square lattice, to compare with the exact solution, and on the unsolved non-planar square matching lattice. The latter results would be much more difficult to obtain using other techniques.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A Novel Pruning Method for Convolutional Neural Networks Based off Identifying Critical Filters

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are one of the most extensively used tools in machine learning, but they are still not well understood and in many cases they are over-parameterized, leading to slow inference and impeding their deployment on low-power devices. In the last few years, many methods for decreasing the number of parameters in a network by pruning its output channels have been suggested, but a very recent work has argued that random pruning of channels performs on-par with state-of-the-art pruning methods. While random and other pruning methods might be effectively used for lowering the number of parameters in a CNN, none of these methods can be used to gain any further understanding of the model that the CNN has built. In this work, we propose a novel method for pruning a network, that at the same time can lead to a better understanding of what the individual filters of the network learn about the data. The method proposed aims to keep only the filters that are "important" for a class. We define a filter as important for a class if its removal has the highest negative impact on the accuracy for that class. We demonstrate that our method is better than random pruning on two networks used on the EMNIST and CIFAR10 datasets. By analyzing the important filters, we find that the important filters in the pruned networks learn features which are more general across classes. We demonstrate the importance and applicability of that observation in two transfer-learning tasks.

Dimovska, Mihaela↗

Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms for Natural Gas Identification with Mixed Potential Electrochemical Sensor Arrays

Mixed-potential electrochemical sensor arrays consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), La 0.87 Sr 0.13 CrO 3 , Au, and Pt electrodes can detect the leaks from natural gas infrastructure. Algorithms are needed to correctly identify natural gas sources from background natural and anthropogenic sources such as wetlands or agriculture. We report for the first time a comparison of several machine learning methods for mixture identification in the context of natural gas emissions monitoring by mixed potential sensor arrays. Random Forest, Artificial Neural Network, and Nearest Neighbor methods successfully classified air mixtures containing only CH 4 , two types of natural gas simulants, and CH 4 +NH 3 with >98% identification accuracy. The model complexity of these methods were optimized and the degree of robustness against overfitting was determined. Finally, these methods are benchmarked on both desktop PC and single-board computer hardware to simulate their application in a portable internet-of-things sensor package. The combined results show that the random forest method is the preferred method for mixture identification with its high accuracy (>98%), robustness against overfitting with increasing model complexity, and had less than 10 ms training time and less than 0.1 ms inference time on single-board computer hardware.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Multilevel Hierarchical Decomposition of Finite Element White Noise with Application to Multilevel Markov Chain Monte Carlo

In this work we develop a new hierarchical multilevel approach to generate Gaussian random field realizations in an algorithmically scalable manner that is well suited to incorporating into multilevel Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms. This approach builds off of other partial differential equation (PDE) approaches for generating Gaussian random field realizations; in particular, a single field realization may be formed by solving a reaction-diffusion PDE with a spatial white noise source function as the right-hand side. While these approaches have been explored to accelerate forward uncertainty quantification tasks, e.g., multilevel Monte Carlo, the previous constructions are not directly applicable to multilevel MCMC frameworks which build fine-scale random fields in a hierarchical fashion from coarse-scale random fields. Our new hierarchical multilevel method relies on a hierarchical decomposition of the white noise source function in $L^2$ which allows us to form Gaussian random field realizations across multiple levels of discretization in a way that fits into multilevel MCMC algorithmic frameworks. After presenting our main theoretical results and numerical scaling results to showcase the utility of this new hierarchical PDE method for generating Gaussian random field realizations, this method is tested on a four-level MCMC algorithm to explore its feasibility.

algebraic multigrid↗

Effect of spectral shape on acoustic fatigue life estimates

Methods for estimating fatigue life due to random loading are briefly reviewed. These methods include a probabilistic approach in which the expected value of the rate of damage accumulation is computed by integrating over the probability density of damaging events and a method which consists of analyzing the response time history to count damaging events. It is noted that it is necessary to employ a time domain approach to perform Rainflow counting, while simple peak counting may be accomplished using the probabilistic method. Data obtained indicate that Rainflow counting produces significantly different fatigue life predictions than other methods that are commonly used in acoustic fatigue predictions. When low-frequency oscillations are present in a signal along with high-frequency components, peak counting will produce substantially shorter fatigue lives than Rainflow counting. It is concluded that Rainflow counting is capable of providing reliable fatigue life predictions for acoustic fatigue studies.

Miles, R. N.↗

Random search optimization based on genetic algorithm and discriminant function

The general problem of optimization with arbitrary merit and constraint functions, which could be convex, concave, monotonic, or non-monotonic, is treated using stochastic methods. To improve the efficiency of the random search methods, a genetic algorithm for the search phase and a discriminant function for the constraint-control phase were utilized. The validity of the technique is demonstrated by comparing the results to published test problem results. Numerical experimentation indicated that for cases where a quick near optimum solution is desired, a general, user-friendly optimization code can be developed without serious penalties in both total computer time and accuracy.

Kiciman, M. O.↗

A Multilevel, Hierarchical Sampling Technique for Spatially Correlated Random Fields

In this paper, we propose an alternative method to generate samples of a spatially correlated random field with applications to large-scale problems for forward propagation of uncertainty. A classical approach for generating these samples is the Karhunen--Loève (KL) decomposition. However, the KL expansion requires solving a dense eigenvalue problem and is therefore computationally infeasible for large-scale problems. Sampling methods based on stochastic partial differential equations provide a highly scalable way to sample Gaussian fields, but the resulting parametrization is mesh dependent. We propose a multilevel decomposition of the stochastic field to allow for scalable, hierarchical sampling based on solving a mixed finite element formulation of a stochastic reaction-diffusion equation with a random, white noise source function. Lastly, numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate the scalability of the sampling method as well as numerical results of multilevel Monte Carlo simulations for a subsurface porous media flow application using the proposed sampling method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Novel pore size-controlled, susceptibility matched, 3D-printed MRI phantoms

We report the design concept and fabrication of MRI phantoms, containing blocks of aligned microcapillaires that can be stacked into larger arrays to construct diameter distribution phantoms or fractured, to create a “powder-averaged” emulsion of randomly oriented blocks for vetting or calibrating advanced MRI methods, that is, diffusion tensor imaging, AxCaliber MRI, MAP-MRI, and multiple pulsed field gradient or double diffusion-encoded microstructure imaging methods. The goal was to create a susceptibility-matched microscopically anisotropic but macroscopically isotropic phantom with a ground truth diameter that could be used to vet advanced diffusion methods for diameter determination in fibrous tissues. Two-photon polymerization, a novel three-dimensional printing method is used to fabricate blocks of capillaries. Double diffusion encoding methods were employed and analyzed to estimate the expected MRI diameter. Susceptibility-matched microcapillary blocks or modules that can be assembled into large-scale MRI phantoms have been fabricated and measured using advanced diffusion methods, resulting in microscopic anisotropy and random orientation. This phantom can vet and calibrate various advanced MRI methods and multiple pulsed field gradient or diffusion-encoded microstructure imaging methods. We demonstrated that two double diffusion encoding methods underestimated the ground truth diameter.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A Machine Learning-Based Vulnerability Analysis for Cascading Failures of Integrated Power-Gas Systems

This article proposes a cascading failure simulation (CFS) method and a hybrid machine learning method for vulnerability analysis of integrated power-gas systems (IPGSs). The CFS method is designed to study the propagating process of cascading failures between the two systems, generating data for machine learning with initial states randomly sampled. The proposed method considers generator and gas well ramping, transmission line and gas pipeline tripping, island issue handling and load shedding strategies. Then, a hybrid machine learning model with a combined random forest (RF) classification and regression algorithms is proposed to investigate the impact of random initial states on the vulnerability metrics of IPGSs. Extensive case studies are carried out on three test IPGSs to verify the proposed models and algorithms. Simulation results show that the proposed models and algorithms can achieve high accuracy for the vulnerability analysis of IPGSs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Performance of statistical energy analysis

Statistical energy analysis (SEA) methods have been developed for high frequency modal analyses on random vibration environments. These SEA methods are evaluated by comparing analytical predictions to test results. Simple test methods are developed for establishing SEA parameter values. Techniques are presented, based on the comparison of the predictions with test values, for estimating SEA accuracy as a function of frequency for a general structure.

Davis, R. F.↗

On the Stability of a Linear System of Difference Equations with Random Parameters

We study the asymptotic behavior of solutions to a linear system of difference equation whose right-hand side at each time moment depends not only on the value at the previous moment, but also on a random parameter that takes its values in a given set. We obtain conditions of the Lyapunov stability and the asymptotic stability of the equilibrium position that are valid for all values of the random parameter or with probability 1.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Comparison of VLBI, TV and traveling clock techniques for time transfer

A three part experiment was conducted to develop and compare time transfer techniques. The experiment consisted of (1) a very long baseline interferometer (VLBI), (2) a high precision portable clock time transfer system between the two sites, and (3) a television time transfer. A comparison of the VLBI and traveling clock shows each technique can perform satisfactorily at the five nsec level. There was a systematic offset of 59 nsec between the two methods, which we attributed to a difference in epochs between VLBI formatter and station clock. The VLBI method had an internal random error of one nsec at the three sigma level for a two day period. Thus, the Mark II system performed well, and VLBI shows promise of being an accurate method of time transfer. The TV system, which had technical problems during the experiment, transferred time with a random error of about 50 nsec.

Spencer, J. H.↗