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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2010

Broken Ergodicity in Ideal, Homogeneous, Incompressible Turbulence

We discuss the statistical mechanics of numerical models of ideal homogeneous, incompressible turbulence and their relevance for dissipative fluids and magnetofluids. These numerical models are based on Fourier series and the relevant statistical theory predicts that Fourier coefficients of fluid velocity and magnetic fields (if present) are zero-mean random variables. However, numerical simulations clearly show that certain coefficients have a non-zero mean value that can be very large compared to the associated standard deviation. We explain this phenomena in terms of broken ergodicity', which is defined to occur when dynamical behavior does not match ensemble predictions on very long time-scales. We review the theoretical basis of broken ergodicity, apply it to 2-D and 3-D fluid and magnetohydrodynamic simulations of homogeneous turbulence, and show new results from simulations using GPU (graphical processing unit) computers.

Morin, Lee↗
NASA NTRS2023

Heliocentric Distance and Solar Activity Dependence of Sustained Quasi-radial Interplanetary Magnetic Field Occurrence

Planets close to their stars experience an interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) that is dominantly quasi-radial. Our solar system serves as a laboratory to study how the occurrence of quasi-radial IMF varies away from the star and under different stellar activities. Furthermore, on time and spatial scales relevant to magnetospheric physics, solar wind variability prevails in the form of structures generated both at the Sun and locally in the interplanetary space. The stationary Parker spiral model only approximates the large-scale structure of the IMF. Deviations from the Parker spiral often result in strongly radial magnetic fields that give rise to kinetic foreshock turbulence, which in turn can impact planetary magnetospheres. The relative significance of this type of interaction can be estimated statistically based on the occurrence rate of cases where the IMF is directed along the radial direction, leading to the entire day-side magnetosphere being downstream of the ion foreshock. We use observations covering radial distances from 0.1 to 10 au and more than 2 solar cycles to quantify the prevalence of radial IMFs throughout the heliosphere. Near Earth's orbit, it is found that the occurrence rates of quasi-radial and southward IMF orientations are similar, and that the Pearson correlation coefficient is ${{ \mathcal R }}_{{xy}}\sim -0.7$ calculated between quasi-radial IMF occurrence rate and solar activity. A negative correlation is demonstrated for radial distances extending to at least Mars but not to Saturn.

Brandon L Burkholder↗
NASA NTRS1984

Large-scale flow in the dayside magnetosheath

The degree of control over plasma flow direction exerted by the compressed magnetic field in the dayside magnetosheath is examined by comparing ISEE 1 LEPEDEA data with hydrodynamic and MHD predictions. In 11 of 20 observed cases, the flow pattern followed the predictions of simple hydrodynamic theory; in the nine other cases, the flow deviated from this pattern. One case with large deflection was persistent over 1.5 hr, and its direction was consistent with a stagnation point displacement resulting from increased, asymmetric magnetic field pressure contributions during periods of low Alfven Mach number. The eight other cases of observed large deflection are consistent with either the subsolar merging line or the antiparallel merging hypothesis, but not exclusively with one or the other.

Crooker, N. U.↗
DOE OSTI2016

High‐frequency daily temperature variability in China and its relationship to large‐scale circulation

ABSTRACT Two measures of intra‐seasonal variability, indicated respectively by standard deviations ( SD ) and day‐to‐day ( DTD ) fluctuations denoted by absolute differences between adjacent 2‐day periods, as well as their relationships with large‐scale circulation patterns were investigated in China during 1962–2008 on the basis of homogenized daily temperature records from 549 local stations and reanalysis data. Our results show that both the SD and DTD of daily minimum temperatures ( T min ) in summer as well as the minimum and maximum temperatures in winter have been decreasing, while the daily maximum temperature ( T max ) variability in summer is fluctuating more, especially over southern China. In summer, an attribution analysis indicates that the intensity of the Western Pacific Subtropical High ( WPSH ) and high‐level East Asian Subtropical Jet stream ( EASJ ) are positively correlated with both SD and DTD , but the correlation coefficients are generally greater with the SD than with the DTD of the daily maximum temperature, T max . In contrast, the location of the EASJ shows the opposite correlation pattern, with intensity regarding the correlation with both SD and DTD . In winter, the Arctic Oscillation ( AO ) is negatively correlated with both the SD and DTD of the daily minimum temperature, but its intra‐seasonal variability exhibits good agreement with the SD of the T min . The Siberian High acts differently with respect to the SD and DTD of the T min , demonstrating a regionally consistent positive correlation with the SD . Overall, the large‐scale circulation can well explain the intra‐seasonal SD, but DTD fluctuations may be more local and impacted by local conditions, such as changes in the temperature itself, the land surface, and so on.

Wu, Fu‐Ting↗
NASA NTRS1984

Thermoelectric property measurements with computer controlled systems

A joint JPL-NASA program to develop an automated system to measure the thermoelectric properties of newly developed materials is described. Consideration is given to the difficulties created by signal drift in measurements of Hall voltage and the Large Delta T Seebeck coefficient. The benefits of a computerized system were examined with respect to error reduction and time savings for human operators. It is shown that the time required to measure Hall voltage can be reduced by a factor of 10 when a computer is used to fit a curve to the ratio of the measured signal and its standard deviation. The accuracy of measurements of the Large Delta T Seebeck coefficient and thermal diffusivity was also enhanced by the use of computers.

Chmielewski, A. B.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Transitions From Stochastic to Point Kinetics Models In Fissile Solutions

Fissile solutions form an integral part of the fuel cycle, being used to store and process both fresh fuel and waste. Fissile solutions are also found within Aqueous Homogeneous Reactors (AHRs) including research reactors such as CRAC and SILENE and also potential future systems which could be used for the production of medical isotopes. In the case of fissile solutions in the fuel cycle, avoiding criticality is a priority but accidents have occurred in which a significant number of fissions occurred. In the case of AHRs, a sustained neutron population and fission rate is desired. In both cases the ability to simulate transients where changes in reactivity cause the neutron population to increase are important. A popular method for the simulation of such transients is the point kinetic method which allows the capture of the major features of a transient at a fraction of the computational runtime and code complexity of more comprehensive modelling technologies. A limitation of the point kinetics method and other mainstream methods of predicting neutron behaviour is that they assume the neutron population is large enough that the mean behaviour will be observed. When the neutron population is low, however, the deviation around the mean behaviour is expected to be relatively large as there is an aleatoric uncertainty arising from the uncertain fate of individual neutrons. Such limitations are of particular importance when the reactivity of a system is rapidly increasing while the neutron population is low, which is often true in accident scenarios involving fissile solutions. This provides the motivation for the coupling of point kinetics and a probabilistic models of fissile solutions. This summary aims to explore some of the behaviours resulting from a low neutron population and rising reactivity using a coupled probabilistic and point kinetics model of a fissile solution. As the effects of a low neutron population are the primary concern of this summary, the point kinetics and thermal hydraulic models used will be relatively simple but these models should be sufficient to capture the most important behaviours of the system in the first minute or so of a transient. This work is an extension of the work found in [1]. In that work the methodology was applied to fast pulses produced by systems such as Godiva and its results were found to compare favourably to experimental and analytical results, such as the burst wait time, in [2]. This work focuses on the application of this methodology to a fissile solution but the method could be applied to a number of criticality safety or reactor operation scenarios through suitable modification of the point kinetics model and would produce a more accurate prediction of the peak power obtained when a system first becomes critical compared to the use of a standard point kinetics model. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Interannual variability in global mean sea level estimated from the CESM Large and Last Millennium Ensembles

To better understand global mean sea level (GMSL) as an indicator of climate variability and change, contributions to its interannual variation are quantified in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) Large Ensemble and Last Millennium Ensemble. Consistent with expectations, the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is found to exert a strong influence due to variability in rainfall over land (PL) and terrestrial water storage (TWS). Other important contributors include changes in ocean heat content (OHC) and precipitable water (PW). The temporal evolution of individual contributing terms is documented. The magnitude of peak GMSL anomalies associated with ENSO generally are of the order of 0.5 mm·K -1 with significant inter-event variability, with a standard deviation (σ) that is about half as large The results underscore the exceptional rarity of the 2010/2011 La Niña-related GMSL drop and estimate the frequency of such an event to be about only once in every 75 years. In addition to ENSO, major volcanic eruptions are found to be a key driver of interannual variability. Associated GMSL variability contrasts with that of ENSO as TWS and PW anomalies initially offset the drop due to OHC reductions but short-lived relative to them. Furthermore, responses up to 25 mm are estimated for the largest eruptions of the Last Millennium.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

TU-AB-BRA-04: Quantitative Radiomics: Sensitivity of PET Textural Features to Image Acquisition and Reconstruction Parameters Implies the Need for Standards

Purpose: Despite increased use of heterogeneity metrics for PET imaging, standards for metrics such as textural features have yet to be developed. We evaluated the quantitative variability caused by image acquisition and reconstruction parameters on PET textural features. Methods: PET images of the NEMA IQ phantom were simulated with realistic image acquisition noise. 35 features based on intensity histograms (IH), co-occurrence matrices (COM), neighborhood-difference matrices (NDM), and zone-size matrices (ZSM) were evaluated within lesions (13, 17, 22, 28, 33 mm diameter). Variability in metrics across 50 independent images was evaluated as percent difference from mean for three phantom girths (850, 1030, 1200 mm) and two OSEM reconstructions (2 iterations, 28 subsets, 5 mm FWHM filtration vs 6 iterations, 28 subsets, 8.6 mm FWHM filtration). Also, patient sample size to detect a clinical effect of 30% with Bonferroni-corrected α=0.001 and 95% power was estimated. Results: As a class, NDM features demonstrated greatest sensitivity in means (5–50% difference for medium girth and reconstruction comparisons and 10–100% for large girth comparisons). Some IH features (standard deviation, energy, entropy) had variability below 10% for all sensitivity studies, while others (kurtosis, skewness) had variability above 30%. COM and ZSM features had complex sensitivities; correlation, energy, entropy (COM) and zone percentage, short-zone emphasis, zone-size non-uniformity (ZSM) had variability less than 5% while other metrics had differences up to 30%. Trends were similar for sample size estimation; for example, coarseness, contrast, and strength required 12, 38, and 52 patients to detect a 30% effect for the small girth case but 38, 88, and 128 patients in the large girth case. Conclusion: The sensitivity of PET textural features to image acquisition and reconstruction parameters is large and feature-dependent. Standards are needed to ensure that prospective trials which incorporate textural features are properly designed to detect clinical endpoints. Supported by NIH grants R01 CA169072, U01 CA148131, NCI Contract (SAIC-Frederick) 24XS036-004, and a research contract from GE Healthcare.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1995

Comparison of Retracking Algorithms Using Airborne Radar and Laser Altimeter Measurements of the Greenland Ice Sheet

This paper compares four continental ice sheet radar altimeter retracking algorithms using airborne radar and laser altimeter data taken over the Greenland ice sheet in 1991. The refurbished Advanced Application Flight Experiment (AAFE) airborne radar altimeter has a large range window and stores the entire return waveform during flight. Once the return waveforms are retracked, or post-processed to obtain the most accurate altitude measurement possible, they are compared with the high-precision Airborne Oceanographic Lidar (AOL) altimeter measurements. The AAFE waveforms show evidence of varying degrees of both surface and volume scattering from different regions of the Greenland ice sheet. The AOL laser altimeter, however, obtains a return only from the surface of the ice sheet. Retracking altimeter waveforms with a surface scattering model results in a good correlation with the laser measurements in the wet and dry-snow zones, but in the percolation region of the ice sheet, the deviation between the two data sets is large due to the effects of subsurface and volume scattering. The Martin et al model results in a lower bias than the surface scattering model, but still shows an increase in the noise level in the percolation zone. Using an Offset Center of Gravity algorithm to retrack altimeter waveforms results in measurements that are only slightly affected by subsurface and volume scattering and, despite a higher bias, this algorithm works well in all regions of the ice sheet. A cubic spline provides retracked altitudes that agree with AOL measurements over all regions of Greenland. This method is not sensitive to changes in the scattering mechanisms of the ice sheet and it has the lowest noise level and bias of all the retracking methods presented.

Ferraro, Ellen J.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Holographic reconstruction of AdS exchanges from crossing symmetry

Motivated by AdS/CFT, we address the following outstanding question in large N conformal field theory: given the appearance of a single-trace operator in the O x O OPE of a scalar primary O, what is its total contribution to the vacuum four-point function (OOOO) as dictated by crossing symmetry? We solve this problem in 4d conformal field theories at leading order in 1/N. Viewed holographically, this provides a field theory reconstruction of crossing-symmetric, four-point exchange amplitudes in AdS 5 . Our solution takes the form of a resummation of the large spin solution to the crossing equations, supplemented by corrections at finite spin, required by crossing. The method can be applied to the exchange of operators of arbitrary twist τ and spin s, although it vastly simplifies for even-integer twist, where we give explicit results. The output is the set of OPE data for the exchange of all double-trace operators [OO] n,ℓ . We find that the double-trace anomalous dimensions γ n,ℓ are negative, monotonic and convex functions of ℓ, for all n and all ℓ > s. This constitutes a holographic signature of bulk causality and classical dynamics of even-spin fields. We also find that the “derivative relation” between double-trace anomalous dimensions and OPE coefficients does not hold in general, and derive the explicit form of the deviation in several cases. Finally, we study large n limits of γ n,ℓ , relevant for the Regge and bulk-point regimes.

1/N expansion↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ku-band radar threshold analysis

The statistics of the CFAR threshold for the Ku-band radar was determined. Exact analytical results were developed for both the mean and standard deviations in the designated search mode. The mean value is compared to the results of a previously reported simulation. The analytical results are more optimistic than the simulation results, for which no explanation is offered. The normalized standard deviation is shown to be very sensitive to signal-to-noise ratio and very insensitive to the noise correlation present in the range gates of the designated search mode. The substantial variation in the CFAR threshold is dominant at large values of SNR where the normalized standard deviation is greater than 0.3. Whether or not this significantly affects the resulting probability of detection is a matter which deserves additional attention.

Weber, C. L.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Indirect searches at CMS

In these proceedings, we present several new measurements of Standard Model (SM) processes, in the Higgs sector and beyond, that push the precision frontier forward at CMS. Results are presented in the context of a framework parameterizing deviations in Higgs boson couplings, as well as in the context of SM Effective Field Theory, where new analyses targeting Higgs, top, and multi-boson processes probe an increasingly diverse set of operators. Within these frameworks, CMS is efficiently exploring a large space of new physics models. No significant deviation from SM expectations is found.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Comparing Ocean Surface Boundary Vertical Mixing Schemes Including Langmuir Turbulence

Six recent Langmuir turbulence parameterization schemes and five traditional schemes are implemented in a common single-column modeling framework and consistently compared. These schemes are tested in scenarios versus matched large eddy simulations, across the globe with realistic forcing (JRA55-do,WAVEWATCH-III simulated waves) and initial conditions (Argo), and under realistic conditions as observed at ocean moorings. Traditional non-Langmuir schemes systematically underpredict large eddy simulation vertical mixing under weak convective forcing, while Langmuir schemes vary in accuracy. Under global, realistic forcing Langmuir schemes produce 6% (–1% to 14% for 90% confidence) or 5.2 m (–0.2 m to 17.4 m for 90% confidence) deeper monthly mean mixed layer depths than their non-Langmuir counterparts, with the greatest differences in extratropical regions, especially the Southern Ocean in austral summer. Discrepancies among Langmuir schemes are large (15% in mixed layer depth standard deviation over the mean): largest under wave-driven turbulence with stabilizing buoyancy forcing, next largest under strongly wave-driven conditions with weak buoyancy forcing, and agreeing during strong convective forcing. Non-Langmuir schemes disagree with each other to a lesser extent, with a similar ordering. Langmuir discrepancies obscure a cross-scheme estimate of the Langmuir effect magnitude under realistic forcing, highlighting limited understanding and numerical deficiencies. Maps of the regions and seasons where the greatest discrepancies occur are provided to guide further studies and observations.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Sensitivity of inflationary predictions to pre-inflationary phases

How sensitive are the predictions of inflation to pre-inflationary conditions when the number of efolds of inflation is not too large? In an attempt to address this question, we consider a simple model where the inflationary era is preceded by an era dominated by a radiation fluid, which is coupled to the inflaton only gravitationally and which extends back to the Planck era. We show that there is a natural generalized Bunch-Davies vacuum state for perturbations to the coupled inflaton-gravity-fluid system at early times. With this choice of initial state the model predicts interesting deviations from the standard power spectrum of single field slow-roll inflation at large scales. However, the deviations are too small to be observable in near future CMB observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tempering stochastic density functional theory

Here, we introduce a tempering approach with stochastic density functional theory (sDFT), labeled t-sDFT, which reduces the statistical errors in the estimates of observable expectation values. This is achieved by rewriting the electronic density as a sum of a "warm" component complemented by "colder" correction(s). Since the warm component is larger in magnitude but faster to evaluate, we use many more stochastic orbitals for its evaluation than for the smaller-sized colder correction(s). This results in a significant reduction in the statistical fluctuations and systematic deviation compared to sDFT for the same computational effort. We demonstrate the method's performance on large hydrogen-passivated silicon nanocrystals, finding a reduction in the systematic deviation in the energy by more than an order of magnitude, while the systematic deviation in the forces is also quenched. Similarly, the statistical fluctuations are reduced by factors of ≈4-5 for the total energy and ≈1.5-2 for the forces on the atoms. Since the embedding in t-sDFT is fully stochastic, it is possible to combine t-sDFT with other variants of sDFT such as energy-window sDFT and embedded-fragmented sDFT.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Reproducibility of calculations on Li species with correlation-consistent basis sets

Here we have found that two different basis set series, both labeled cc-pVxZ, are widely available and widely used for calculation on Li compounds such that calculations that should be the same are different, causing a reproducibility problem. Here we study the magnitude of the disagreement of these nominally-the-same basis sets for wave function and density functional calculations of Li clusters. We find deviations among the basis sets of as large as 22 millihartrees. In most cases one obtains lower energies with the noncanonical choices. Therefore, it is important to specify which version of the basis set is used for calculations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Stabilization of Low Valent Zirconium Nitrides in Titanium Nitride via Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition and Assessment of Electrochemical Properties

The increasing awareness of metal nitrides as feasible electrocatalysts in numerous energy-relevant transformations motivates greater synthetic control of mixed metal nitride compositions and their valence states. We report plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of titanium zirconium nitride, with an emphasis on the experimental parameters that influence the valence states of the two metal ions. We further examined the consequence of various ratios of Ti and Zr on the electrochemically active surface areas (ECSAs). Films with a Zr-to-Ti ratio of 1:2 or 1:1 yielded the highest ECSA; deviation from these values led to a large fraction of electrically insulating or semiconducting titanium or zirconium oxynitrides/oxides. The systematic examination establishes a fundamental structure-property relationship critical to assessing the electrochemical/electrocatalytic properties of metal nitrides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Turbulence Structures in the Very Stable Boundary Layer Under the Influence of Wind Profile Distortion

Abstract In very stable boundary layers (VSBL), a “cocktail” of submeso motions routinely result in elevated mean wind speed maxima above the ground, acting as a new source of turbulence generation. This new source of turbulent kinetic energy enhances turbulent mixing and causes mean wind profile distortion (WPD). As a results, this transient distortion in the wind profile adjusts the classical log‐law. Addressing how WPD‐induced turbulence regulates flow structures, turbulent fluxes, and transitions in stability regimes across layers remains a challenge. Eddy covariance data measured at four levels on a 62‐m tower are employed to address these questions. It is shown that the WPD initiates large turbulent eddies that penetrate downward, leading to enhanced vertical mixing and comparable turbulent transport efficiencies across layers. As a consequence, turbulence intensity and fluxes are increased. As the WPD is intensified, turbulent fluxes and turbulent flux transport caused by large eddies are also enhanced, leading to a transition from very stable to weakly stable regimes. Due to the influence of WPD‐induced large eddies, the large‐eddy turbulent Prandtl number does not deviate appreciably from unity and the partitioning between turbulent kinetic and potential energies is linearly related to the gradient Richardson number.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗