Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Computer applications”

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 379 records · Page 21

Toward Managing HPC Burst Buffers Effectively: Draining Strategy to Regulate Bursty I/O Behavior

HPC (high-performance computing) applications usually show bursty I/O behaviors. In order to expedite the applications, permanent storage systems are usually provisioned to serve such I/O bursts. Approaching the era of exascale computing, non-volatile RAM is introduced as burst buffers, to absorb the bursty bulk data and relax the I/O provisioning requirement of the permanent storage systems. However, without judiciously draining the burst buffers, I/O bursts are passed down to the underlying storage systems, which causes severe I/O contention issues.In order to minimize the I/O provisioning requirement and resolve the issues caused by I/O bursts, we propose a proactive draining scheme to manage the draining process of distributed node-local burst buffers. In addition, we develop an I/O provisioning model to predict the minimized I/O provisioning requirement for permanent storage systems. Evaluation results show that applying the proactive draining scheme largely relaxes the I/O provisioning requirement while preserving the I/O performance of underlying storage systems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics at NASA Ames Research Center

The field of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has advanced to the point where it can now be used for many applications in fluid mechanics research and aerospace vehicle design. A few applications being explored at NASA Ames Research Center will be presented and discussed. The examples presented will range in speed from hypersonic to low speed incompressible flow applications. Most of the results will be from numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes or Euler equations in three space dimensions for general geometry applications. Computational results will be used to highlight the presentation as appropriate. Advances in computational facilities including those associated with NASA's CAS (Computational Aerosciences) Project of the Federal HPCC (High Performance Computing and Communications) Program will be discussed. Finally, opportunities for future research will be presented and discussed. All material will be taken from non-sensitive, previously-published and widely-disseminated work.

Holst, Terry L.↗

CESDIS

CESDIS, the Center of Excellence in Space Data and Information Sciences was developed jointly by NASA, Universities Space Research Association (USRA), and the University of Maryland in 1988 to focus on the design of advanced computing techniques and data systems to support NASA Earth and space science research programs. CESDIS is operated by USRA under contract to NASA. The Director, Associate Director, Staff Scientists, and administrative staff are located on-site at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The primary CESDIS mission is to increase the connection between computer science and engineering research programs at colleges and universities and NASA groups working with computer applications in Earth and space science. Research areas of primary interest at CESDIS include: 1) High performance computing, especially software design and performance evaluation for massively parallel machines; 2) Parallel input/output and data storage systems for high performance parallel computers; 3) Data base and intelligent data management systems for parallel computers; 4) Image processing; 5) Digital libraries; and 6) Data compression. CESDIS funds multiyear projects at U. S. universities and colleges. Proposals are accepted in response to calls for proposals and are selected on the basis of peer reviews. Funds are provided to support faculty and graduate students working at their home institutions. Project personnel visit Goddard during academic recess periods to attend workshops, present seminars, and collaborate with NASA scientists on research projects. Additionally, CESDIS takes on specific research tasks of shorter duration for computer science research requested by NASA Goddard scientists.

Source record↗

Application of essentially nonoscillatory methods to aeroacoustic flow problems

A finite-difference essentially nonoscillatory (ENO) method has been applied to several of the problems prescribed for the workshop sponsored jointly by the Institute for Computer Applications in Science and Engineering and by NASA Langley Research Center entitled 'Benchmark Problems in Computational Aeroacoustics'. The workshop focused on computational challenges specific to aeroacoustics. Among these are long-distance propagation of a short-wavelength disturbance, propagation of small-amplitude disturbances, and nonreflective boundary conditions. The shock capturing-capability inherent to the ENO method effectively eliminates oscillations near shock waves without the need to add and tune dissipation or filter terms. The method-of-lines approach allows the temporal and spatial operators to be chosen separately in accordance with the demands of a particular problem. The ENO method was robust and accurate for all problems in which the propagating wave was resolved with 8 or more points per wavelength. The finite-wave-model boundary condition, a local nonlinear acoustic boundary condition, performed well for the one-dimensional problems. The buffer-domain approach performed well for the two-dimensional test problem. The amplitude of nonphysical reflections were less than 1 percent of the exiting wave's amplitude.

Atkins, Harold L.↗

Constrained variational optimization of counting-time allocation in sequential scattering measurements: Application to Bonse–Hart USANS

Sequential scattering measurements are often performed under a fixed experimental-time budget, even though the expected count rate varies strongly across the measured coordinate. When the dwell time at each measurement position can be controlled independently, this variation creates a general resource-allocation problem: how should the available time be distributed to minimize the uncertainty of the reconstructed profile? We formulate this problem as a constrained variational optimization for measurements governed by Poisson counting statistics. When each measurement is treated independently, minimizing the averaged squared relative uncertainty yields an inverse-square-root intensity allocation. The formulation is then generalized to include correlations between neighboring measurements and an instrumental resolution operator, leading to an allocation criterion that equalizes the marginal reduction in posterior uncertainty per unit measurement time. Bonse–Hart ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS), in which reciprocal space is sampled sequentially through analyzer-angle stepping, provides an experimentally grounded application. Computational benchmarking shows that the optimized allocation outperforms uniform-time and constant-relative-error strategies, while application to an experimentally measured graphite USANS profile from the Spallation Neutron Source, using Poisson resampling under alternative schedules, demonstrates how counting time should be redistributed toward weak-intensity regions under an identical total duration. The resulting framework applies to sequential scattering and related scanning measurements whenever local dwell times are adjustable and directly determine the measurement uncertainties, and when the relevant correlation and instrumental-response models are available.

Tung, Chi-Huan [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000221972074)↗

Understanding Spin Coherence in Polyoxometalate-Based Molecular Qubits

This research advances the understanding of spin decoherence mechanisms and addresses the grand challenges in quantum information science of generating and stabilizing quantum states that may be manipulated with single-atom precision. It is accomplished using unique capabilities developed at PNNL for ion soft landing and spatially resolved vibrational spectroscopy of well-defined supported molecular qubit (MQ) arrays. It addresses knowledge gaps impeding the development of MQ-based quantum devices by answering two scientific questions: 1) Can we minimize spin-lattice relaxation rates by tuning the substrate-MQ interface? 2) What is the optimum number of spin centers that enables sufficient coherent signal generation prior to decoherence through inter-MQ and MQ-support interactions? The objective is to develop predictive design principles for prolonging spin coherence lifetimes in arrays of optically-addressable MQs for quantum computing applications.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Pan Air Geometry Management System (PAGMS): A data-base management system for PAN AIR geometry data

A data-base management system called PAGMS was developed to facilitate the data transfer in applications computer programs that create, modify, plot or otherwise manipulate PAN AIR type geometry data in preparation for input to the PAN AIR system of computer programs. PAGMS is composed of a series of FORTRAN callable subroutines which can be accessed directly from applications programs. Currently only a NOS version of PAGMS has been developed.

Hall, J. F.↗

Quantum computing Floquet energy spectra

Quantum systems can be dynamically controlled using time-periodic external fields, leading to the concept of Floquet engineering, with promising technological applications. Computing Floquet energy spectra is harder than only computing ground state properties or single time-dependent trajectories, and scales exponentially with the Hilbert space dimension. Especially for strongly correlated systems in the low frequency limit, classical approaches based on truncation break down. Here, we present two quantum algorithms to determine effective Floquet modes and energy spectra. We combine the defining properties of Floquet modes in time and frequency domains with the expressiveness of parametrized quantum circuits to overcome the limitations of classical approaches. We benchmark our algorithms and provide an analysis of the key properties relevant for near-term quantum hardware.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

The SCEC Unified Community Velocity Model Software Framework

Crustal seismic-velocity models and datasets play a key role in regional 3D numerical earthquake ground-motion simulation, full waveform tomography, and modern physics-based probabilistic earthquake-hazard analysis, as well as in other related fields, including geophysics and earthquake engineering. Most of these models and datasets, often collectively identified as Community Velocity Models (CVMs), synthesize information from multiple sources and are delivered to users in variable formats, including computer applications that allow for interactive querying of material properties, namely P- and S-wave velocities and density ρ. Computational users often require massive and repetitive access to velocity models and datasets, and such access is often unpractical and difficult due to a lack of standardized methods and procedures. To overcome these issues and to facilitate access by the community to these models, the Southern California Earthquake Center developed the Unified CVM (UCVM) software framework, an open-source collection of tools that enables users to access one or more seismic-velocity models, while providing a standard query interface. Here, we describe the research challenges that motivated the development of UCVM, its software design, development approach, and basic capabilities, as well as a few examples of seismic-modeling applications that use UCVM.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

The NASA/Baltimore Applications Project (BAP). Computer aided dispatch and communications system for the Baltimore Fire Department: A case study of urban technology application

An engineer and a computer expert from Goddard Space Flight Center were assigned to provide technical assistance in the design and installation of a computer assisted system for dispatching and communicating with fire department personnel and equipment in Baltimore City. Primary contributions were in decision making and management processes. The project is analyzed from four perspectives: (1) fire service; (2) technology transfer; (3) public administration; and (5) innovation. The city benefitted substantially from the approach and competence of the NASA personnel. Given the proper conditions, there are distinct advantages in having a nearby Federal laboratory provide assistance to a city on a continuing basis, as is done in the Baltimore Applications Project.

Levine, A. L.↗

Application of computer-aided aircraft design in a multidisciplinary environment.

Applications of a multidisciplinary system of computer programs to selected analytical and optimization problems encountered in an aircraft design are described. The depth of the analyses and optimizations permits such detailed output as individual stringer sizes and pressure distributions. Data flow from one program to another is performed in a hands-off manner in the modular and open-ended system. Numerical examples show how this automation permits multidisciplinary trade-off studies, typical of a preliminary design process to be based on such a level of detail in each discipline that normally would not be available at this stage of the process.

Fulton, R. E.↗

Hybrid Quantum Mechanical, Molecular Mechanical, and Machine Learning Potential for Computing Aqueous-Phase Adsorption Free Energies on Metal Surfaces

Performing reliable computer simulations of elementary processes occurring at metal–water interfaces is pivotal for novel catalyst design in sustainable energy applications. Computational catalyst design hinges on the ability to reliably and efficiently compute the potential energy surface (PES) of the system. Here, due to the large system sizes needed for studying processes at liquid water–metal interfaces, these systems can currently not be described using density functional theory (DFT). In this work, we used a hybrid quantum mechanical, molecular mechanical, and machine learning potential for studying the adsorption behavior of phenol, atomic hydrogen, 2-butanol, and 2-butanone on the (0001) facet of Ru under reducing conditions when Ru is not oxidized. Specifically, we describe the adsorbate and the surrounding metal atoms at the DFT level of theory. Here, we also considered the electrostatic field effect of the water molecules on adsorbate–metal interactions. Next, for the water–water and water–adsorbate interactions, we used established classical force fields. Finally, for the water–Ru surface interaction, for which no reliable force fields have been published, we used Behler–Parrinello high-dimensional neural network potentials (HDNNPs). Employing this setup, we used our explicit solvation for metal surface (eSMS) approach to compute the aqueous-phase effect on the low-coverage adsorption of selected molecules and atoms on the (0001) facet of Ru. In agreement with previous experimental and computational studies of oxygenated molecules over transition metal facets, we found that liquid water destabilizes the tested adsorbates on Ru(0001). Interestingly, our findings indicate that adsorbates on Ru are less affected by the presence of an aqueous phase than on other transition metals (e.g., Pt), highlighting the necessity of experimental investigations of Ru-based catalytic systems in liquid water.

Adsorption↗

Perturbative readout-error mitigation for near-term quantum computers

Readout errors on near-term quantum computers can introduce significant error to the empirical probability distribution sampled from the output of a quantum circuit. These errors can be mitigated by classical postprocessing given the access of an experimental response matrix that describes the error associated with the measurement of each computational basis state. However, the resources required to characterize a complete response matrix and to compute the corrected probability distribution scale exponentially with the number of qubits, n . In this work, we modify standard matrix inversion techniques using perturbative approximations with significantly reduced complexity and bounded error when the likelihood of high-order bit-flip events is strongly suppressed. Given a characteristic error rate q , we discuss a method to recover the probability of the all-zeros bit string p 0 by sampling only a small subspace of the response matrix before inverting readout error, resulting in a relative speedup of poly [ 2 n / ( n w ) ] , which we motivate using a simplified error model for which the approximation incurs only O ( q w ) error for some integer w . We then provide a generalized technique to efficiently recover full output distributions with O ( q w ) error in the perturbative limit. These approximate techniques for readout-error correction may greatly accelerate near-term quantum computing applications.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

GADRAS-DRF 18.6 User's Manual

The Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software–Detector Response Function (GADRAS-DRF) application computes the response of gamma-ray and neutron detectors to incoming radiation. This manual provides step-by-step procedures to acquaint new users with the use of the application. The capabilities include characterization of detector response parameters, plotting and viewing measured and computed spectra, analyzing spectra to identify isotopes, and estimating source energy distributions from measured spectra. GADRAS-DRF can compute and provide detector responses quickly and accurately, giving users the ability to obtain usable results in a timely manner (a matter of seconds or minutes).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

GADRAS-DRF 18.5 User's Manual

The Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software--Detector Response Function (GADRAS-DRF) application computes the response of gamma-ray and neutron detectors to incoming radiation. This manual provides step-by-step procedures to acquaint new users with the use of the application. The capabilities include characterization of detector response parameters, plotting and viewing measured and computed spectra, analyzing spectra to identify isotopes, and estimating source energy distributions from measured spectra. GADRAS-DRF can compute and provide detector responses quickly and accurately, giving users the ability to obtain usable results in a timely manner (a matter of seconds or minutes).

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Theoretical Studies of Elementary Hydrocarbon Species and Their Reactions

The research program supported by this DOE grant carried out both methodological development and computational applications of first-principles theoretical chemistry based on quantum mechanical wavefunctions, as directed toward understanding and harnessing the fundamental chemical physics of combustion. To build and refine the world’s database of thermochemistry, spectroscopy, and chemical kinetics, predictive and definitive computational methods are needed that push the envelope of modern electronic structure theory. The application of such methods has been made to gain comprehensive knowledge of the paradigmatic reaction networks by which the n- and i-propyl, t-butyl, and n-butyl radicals are oxidized by O 2 . Numerous ROO and QOOH intermediates in these R + O 2 reaction systems have been characterized along with the interconnecting isomerization transition states and the barriers leading to fragmentation. Other combustion-related intermediates have also been studied, including methylsulfinyl radical, cyclobutylidene, and radicals derived from acetaldehyde and vinyl alcohol. Theoretical advances have been achieved and made available to the scientific community by implementation into PSI4, an open-source electronic structure computer package emphasizing automation, advanced libraries, and interoperability. We have pursued the development of universal explicitly correlated methods applicable to general electronic wavefunctions, as well as a framework that allows multideterminant reference functions to be expressed as a single determinant from quasiparticle operators. Finally, a rigorous analytical tool for correlated wavefunctions has been created to elucidate dispersion interactions, which play essential roles in many areas of chemistry, but whose effects are often masked and enigmatic. Our research decomposes and analyzes the coupled-cluster electron correlation energy in molecular systems as a function of interelectronic distance. Concepts are emerging that can be used to explain the influence of dispersion on the thermochemistry of large hydrocarbons, including fuels important to combustion technologies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Binding kinetics of harmonically confined random walkers

Diffusion-mediated binding of molecules under the influence of discrete spatially confining potentials is a commonly encountered scenario in systems subjected to explicit fields or implicit fields arising from tethering restraints. Here, in this work, we derive analytical expressions for the mean binding time of two random walkers geometrically confined by means of two harmonic potentials in one- and two-dimensional systems, which show excellent agreement with Brownian dynamics simulations. As a demonstration of its utility, we use this theory to maximize the communication speed in existing DNA walkers, obtaining quantitative agreement with previously reported experimental findings. The analytical expressions derived in this paper are broadly applicable to diverse systems, providing ways to characterize communication processes and optimize the rate of signal propagation for sensing and computing applications at the nanoscale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗