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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 433 records · Page 24

Machine-learning based model reduction for partial differential equations

We develop a novel synergistic approach between model reduction and machine learning. The specific goal of this project is to aid in the construction of reduced order models for basis functions that are custom-made to represent the solution of partial differential equations. Partial differential equations (PDEs) are one of the main mathematical tools for describing physical phenomena. However, due to either efficiency or necessity, for many real-world problems, we are interested in constructing reduced order models (ROMs) which focus only on the explicit computation of subsets of the active spatio-temporal scales in the problem, while treating the interaction with the rest of the scales approximately. The task of accurate representation of such interactions (usually called memory terms) constitutes a vast area of research known as model reduction. PI Stinis has significant expertise in the construction of ROMs for complex systems. In addition, in recent work with the project key participant Qadeer, they have utilized machine learning to acquire custom-made basis functions (CBFs) to expand the solutions of PDEs. In the proposed work, we will merge the two concepts by constructing ROMs for subsets of the CBFs needed to represent the solution of a PDE. Specifically, we will use the Mori-Zwanzig model reduction formalism to construct ROMs for subsets of CBFs for nonlinear PDEs of various complexity, as well as investigate the usage of CBFs in the spectral vanishing viscosity method for problems that can form shocks in finite time. The outcome of the research is aimed to be proof-of-concept about a novel synergistic approach between model reduction and machine learning, thus advancing the field of scientific machine learning. Such a capability will benefit the efficient modeling of physical systems appearing in various areas of interest to the DOE.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Predictive Radiation Oncology – A New NCI–DOE Scientific Space and Community

With a widely attended virtual kickoff event on January 29, 2021, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Department of Energy (DOE) launched a series of 4 interactive, interdisciplinary workshops—and a final concluding “World Café” on March 29, 2021—focused on advancing computational approaches for predictive oncology in the clinical and research domains of radiation oncology. These events reflect 3,870 human hours of virtual engagement with representation from 8 DOE national laboratories and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNL), 4 research institutes, 5 cancer centers, 17 medical schools and teaching hospitals, 5 companies, 5 federal agencies, 3 research centers, and 27 universities. Here we summarize the workshops by first describing the background for the workshops. Participants identified twelve key questions—and collaborative parallel ideas—as the focus of work going forward to advance the field. These were then used to define short-term and longer-term “Blue Sky” goals. In addition, the group determined key success factors for predictive oncology in the context of radiation oncology, if not the future of all of medicine. These are: cross-discipline collaboration, targeted talent development, development of mechanistic mathematical and computational models and tools, and access to high-quality multiscale data that bridges mechanisms to phenotype. The workshop participants reported feeling energized and highly motivated to pursue next steps together to address the unmet needs in radiation oncology specifically and in cancer research generally and that NCI and DOE project goals align at the convergence of radiation therapy and advanced computing.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Energy Optimization of Light and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Cohorts of Mixed Connectivity, Automation and Propulsion System Capabilities via Meshed V2V-V2I and Expanded Data Sharing (Final Scientific and Technical Report)

Vehicle connectivity and automated driving technologies individually have the potential to decrease energy consumption and/or increase safety on light, medium or heavy duty vehicles to varying degrees depending on the traffic infrastructure and specific driving scenarios. Due to advances in sensing, perception and computing power, research and development emphasis in the mobility sector has shifted away from connectivity. Prior research has shown that driving automation with the absence of connectivity can in certain circumstances increase energy consumption. The effectiveness of synergizing connectivity and driving automation technologies is the focus of this work, specifically applied to vehicle cohorts of mixed composition, light and heavy duty, and powertrains ranging from all electric to conventional internal combustion engine. The project team is led by Michigan Technological University (MTU) and partnered with AVL Mobility Technologies Inc. (AVL), Borg Warner (BW), Traffic Technology Services (TTS), American Center for Mobility (ACM) and Navistar (NAV). The main thrusts for the team are to develop a micro-traffic simulation environment with specific VD&PT system attributes and CAV capabilities, 2) field a vehicle test fleet of mixed classification, propulsion and CAV capacity, 3) develop artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) based multi-agent optimization methods for various traffic infrastructures, 4) integrate the virtual environment and the optimization methods then deploy the system as a CAV hardware in the loop (HiL) for the vehicle test fleet and 5) conduct closed track and public road testing to validate simulation and demonstrated energy and mobility improvements at multiple scales. For a cohort of mixed vehicles, the team will demonstrate a reduction of energy consumption of 10-50% at intersection, arterial roadway and limited access highway scenarios through connectivity and automation in simulation and at a closed test track. The energy reduction objectives of the project are summarized in Table 1, indicating the infrastructure and over what distances are relevant considered. Single scenario energy reductions are not relevant and thus, the research team took the approach to vary parameters associated with the infrastructure, vehicle cohort composition and dynamic behavior to generate energy consumption distributions for both unconnected and connected scenarios.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Special Topic on High Performance Computing in Chemical Physics

Computational modeling and simulation have become indispensable scientific tools in virtually all areas of chemical, biomolecular, and materials systems research. Computation can provide unique and detailed atomic level information that is difficult or impossible to obtain through analytical theories and experimental investigations. In addition, recent advances in micro-electronics have resulted in computer architectures with unprecedented computational capabilities, from the largest supercomputers to common desktop computers. In conclusion, combined with the development of new computational domain science methodologies and novel programming models and techniques, this has resulted in modeling and simulation resources capable of providing results at or better than experimental chemical accuracy and for systems in increasingly realistic chemical environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NSUF Melt Wire Evaluations for BSU 8242 and GE Hitachi-10393 Irradiation Experiments

The Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) is the United States Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy's only designated nuclear energy user facility. Its mission is to provide nuclear energy researchers access to world-class capabilities and to facilitate the advancement of nuclear science and technology. This mission is supported by providing access to state-of-the-art experimental irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination facilities, and high-performance computing capabilities as well as technical and scientific assistance for the design and execution of projects. Two NSUF irradiation experiments, Boise State University-8242 and General Electric Hitachi, used melt wire packs to determine peak temperatures reached during irradiation testing. This report will discuss the temperature evaluation process and present the associated data.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Big Data, Big Solutions

Data—lots of data—generated in seconds and piling up on the internet, streaming and stored in countless databases. Big data is important for commerce, society and our nation’s security. Yet the volume, velocity, variety and veracity of data is simply too great for any single analyst to make sense of alone. It requires advanced, data-intensive computing. Simply put, data-intensive computing is the use of sophisticated computers to sort through mounds of information and present analysts with solutions in the form of graphics, scenarios, formulas, new hypotheses and more. This scientific capability is foundational to PNNL’s energy, environment and security missions. Senior Scientist and Division Director Bill Pike and his team are developing analytic tools that are used to solve important national challenges, including cyber systems defense, power grid control systems, intelligence analysis, climate change and scientific exploration.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

What is (quantitative) system dynamics modeling? Defining characteristics and the opportunities they create

A clear definition of system dynamics modeling can provide shared understanding and clarify the impact of the field. We introduce a set of characteristics that define quantitative system dynamics, selected to capture core philosophy, describe theoretical and practical principles, and apply to historical work but be flexible enough to remain relevant as the field progresses. The defining characteristics are: (1) models are based on causal feedback structure, (2) accumulations and delays are foundational, (3) models are equation-based, (4) concept of time is continuous, and (5) analysis focuses on feedback dynamics. We discuss the implications of these principles and use them to identify research opportunities in which the system dynamics field can advance. These research opportunities include causality, disaggregation, data science and AI, and contributing to scientific advancement. Progress in these areas has the potential to improve both the science and practice of system dynamics.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

An Efficient Bayesian Method for Advancing the Application of Deep Learning in Earth Science

Despite their wide and successful applications, deep learning (DL) models are prone to overfitting for small training datasets, produce a poor predictive performance for uncertain data, and provide point estimations without any indication of the accuracy and credibility. These limitations of the deterministic DL models hinder their effective application in Earth system science where the labelled data are sparse, noisy and incomplete with large uncertainty and where the predictive uncertainty quantification is needed for scientific understanding and policy decision making. Integration of Bayesian inference into DL models adds an estimate of uncertainty and regularization in the predictions. However, traditional Bayesian methods are computationally unaffordable and inflexible for high-dimensional problems, which limits their application to DL systems that typically have millions of model parameters. In this effort, we propose an efficient and general-purpose Bayesian inference method to advance DL model optimization and uncertainty quantification, so as to facilitate the adoption of DL in Earth sciences. In a demonstration, we integrate the proposed Bayesian method with a feedforward neural network (NN) to build a fast-to-evaluate surrogate of the complex Energy Exascale Earth System Land Model for efficient modeling. The formulated Bayesian NN, using a small number of training data, produces an accurate prediction with high credibility, whereas with the same small training size, the deterministic NN cannot yield a reasonable estimation and does not provide confidence information. The proposed Bayesian method is computationally efficient and flexible, capable of integration with diverse network variants such as convolutional NNs and recurrent NNs to advance the application of DL in Earth sciences.

Lu, Dan↗

Improving climate model coupling through a complete mesh representation: a case study with E3SM (v1) and MOAB (v5.x)

One of the fundamental factors contributing to the spatiotemporal inaccuracy in climate modeling is the mapping of solution field data between different discretizations and numerical grids used in the coupled component models. The typical climate computational workflow involves evaluation and serialization of the remapping weights during the preprocessing step, which is then consumed by the coupled driver infrastructure during simulation to compute field projections. Tools like Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF) and TempestRemap offer capability to generate conservative remapping weights, while the Model Coupling Toolkit (MCT) that is utilized in many production climate models exposes functionality to make use of the operators to solve the coupled problem. However, such multistep processes present several hurdles in terms of the scientific workflow and impede research productivity. In order to overcome these limitations, we present a fully integrated infrastructure based on the Mesh Oriented datABase (MOAB) library, which allows for a complete description of the numerical grids and solution data used in each submodel. Through a scalable advancing-front intersection algorithm, the supermesh of the source and target grids are computed, which is then used to assemble the high-order, conservative, and monotonicity-preserving remapping weights between discretization specifications. The Fortran-compatible interfaces in MOAB are utilized to directly link the submodels in the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) to enable online remapping strategies in order to simplify the coupled workflow process. We demonstrate the superior computational efficiency of the remapping algorithms in comparison with other state-of-the-science tools and present strong scaling results on large-scale machines for computing remapping weights between the spectral element atmosphere and finite volume discretizations on the polygonal ocean grids.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Synthesis of a mixed-valent tin nitride and considerations of its possible crystal structures

Recent advances in theoretical structure prediction methods and high-throughput computational techniques are revolutionizing experimental discovery of the thermodynamically stable inorganic materials. Metastable materials represent a new frontier for these studies, since even simple binary non-ground state compounds of common elements may be awaiting discovery. However, there are significant research challenges related to non-equilibrium thin film synthesis and crystal structure predictions, such as small strained crystals in the experimental samples and energy minimization based theoretical algorithms. Here, we report on experimental synthesis and characterization, as well as theoretical first-principles calculations of a previously unreported mixed-valent binary tin nitride. Thin film experiments indicate that this novel material is N-deficient SnN with tin in the mixed II/IV valence state and a small low-symmetry unit cell. Theoretical calculations suggest that the most likely crystal structure has the space group 2 (SG2) related to the distorted delafossite (SG166), which is nearly 0.1 eV/atom above the ground state SnN polymorph. This observation is rationalized by the structural similarity of the SnN distorted delafossite to the chemically related Sn{sub 3}N{sub 4} spinel compound, which provides a fresh scientific insight into the reasons for growth of polymorphs of metastable materials. In addition to reporting on the discovery of the simple binary SnN compound, this paper illustrates a possible way of combining a wide range of advanced characterization techniques with the first-principle property calculation methods, to elucidate the most likely crystal structure of the previously unreported metastable materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

SAGIPS: a physics-inspired scalable asynchronous generative inverse-problem solver

Abstract Solving large-scale inverse problems using deep-learning algorithms have become an essential part of modern research and industrial applications. The complexity of the underlying inverse problem may require the utilization of high performance computing systems which poses a challenge on the algorithmic design of the inverse problem solver. Most deep learning algorithms require, due to their design, custom parallelization techniques in order to be resource efficient while showing a reasonable convergence. In this paper we introduce a S calable A synchronous G enerative I nverse P roblem S olver (SAGIPS) on high-performance computing systems. We present a workflow that utilizes an asynchronous ring-allreduce algorithm to transfer the gradients of the generator network across multiple GPUs. Experiments with a scientific proxy application demonstrate that SAGIPS shows near linear weak scaling, together with a convergence quality that is comparable to traditional methods. The approach presented here allows leveraging Generative Adverserial Network across multiple GPUs, promising advancements in solving complex inverse problems at scale.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer and Gas Dynamics under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor

All the goals and the objectives set for the project were successfully executed and achieved and all the milestones have been successfully completed. The results that have been obtained for the first time advance the scientific and engineering knowledge and understanding of the plenum-to plenum natural convection of prismatic block nuclear reactors that is encountered during accident or abnormal operation. These have been accomplished by developing and implementing for the first time unique and flexible scaled-down separate and integrated effects experimental plenumto- plenum facility (P2PF) with dual channels at this time that has been equipped with sophisticated measurement techniques integrated in a novel way on the heated and cooled channels. The unique facility is an asset now that can be extended to research multiple channels and to study the effects of hot plumes in the plena for future projects if funding will be available. It can also be modified to research natural convection of pebble bed reactors. Hence, it complement the HTTF at Oregon State University. However, in this study, heat transfer coefficients from the inner wall surface to the flowing gas (both helium and air were used) and the radial temperature and gas velocity profiles have been measured and investigated along the height of the heated and cooled channels using in house developed wall flush mounted heat transfer probes, thermocouple with in house developed adjuster for radial movement with 1 mm increment inside the channel and hot wire anemometry with also in house developed adjuster for 1 mm radial movement inside the channel, respectively. Also advanced tracer technique has been developed to quantify also for the first time the dispersion of the gas dynamics of the hot and cold channels. The research has provided new knowledge and new benchmarking data that can be used to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes with conjugate heat transfer. The work and its results that have been performed within the budget have demonstrated their superior technical effectiveness and high economic feasibility to perform needed studies for safety analysis and assessment at least cost for these types of gas cooled very high temperature 4th generation nuclear reactors. Accordingly, the results obtained in this project and the unique facility and techniques that have been developed will benefit greatly the public by advancing the technology of the prismatic block nuclear reactors toward commercialization and to ensure they will be designed and operated safely by utilizing the obtained knowledge and having well validated CFD simulations integrated with heat transfer computations

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Using simple PID-inspired controllers for online resilient resource management of distributed scientific workflows

Scientific workflows have become mainstream for conducting large-scale scientific research. As a result, many workflow applications and Workflow Management Systems (WMSs) have been developed as part of the cyberinfrastructure to allow scientists to execute their applications seamlessly on a range of distributed platforms. Although the scientific community has addressed this challenge from both theoretical and practical approaches, failure prediction, detection, and recovery still raise many research questions. In this paper, we propose an approach inspired by the control theory developed as part of autonomic computing to predict failures before they happen, and mitigated them when possible. The proposed approach is inspired on the proportional–integral–derivative controller (PID controller) control loop mechanism, which is widely used in industrial control systems, where the controller will react to adjust its output to mitigate faults. PID controllers aim to detect the possibility of a non-steady state far enough in advance so that an action can be performed to prevent it from happening. To demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, we tackle two common execution faults of large scale data-intensive workflows—data storage overload and memory overflow. We developed a simulator, which implements and evaluates simple standalone PID-inspired controllers to autonomously manage data and memory usage of a data-intensive bioinformatics workflow that consumes/produces over 4.4 TB of data, and requires over 24 TB of memory to run all tasks concurrently. Experimental results obtained via simulation indicate that workflow executions may significantly benefit from the controller-inspired approach, in particular under online and unknown conditions. Simulation results show that nearly-optimal executions (slowdown of 1.01) can be attained when utilizing our proposed method, and faults are detected and mitigated far in advance of their occurrence.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Atmospheric Convection and Air–Sea Interactions over the Tropical Oceans: Scientific Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

Over the past thirty years, the scientific community has made considerable progress in understanding and predicting tropical convection and air-sea interactions, thanks to sustained investments in extensive in-situ and remote sensing observations, targeted field experiments, advances in numerical modeling, and vastly improved computational resources and observing technologies. Those investments would not have been fruitful as isolated advancements without the collaborative effort of the atmospheric convection and air-sea interaction research communities. In this spirit, a U.S. and International CLIVAR-sponsored workshop on “Atmospheric convection and air-sea interactions over the tropical oceans” was held May 7-9, 2019 in Boulder, CO. The 90 participants were observational and modeling experts from the atmospheric convection and air-sea interactions communities with varying degrees of experience, from early-career researchers and students to senior scientists.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

RELAP-7 Pressurizer Component Development Updates

RELAP-7 is a nuclear systems safety analysis code being developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). RELAP-7 development began in 2011 to support the Risk Informed Safety Margins Characterization (RISMC) Pathway of the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program. The overall design goal of RELAP-7 is to take advantage of the previous thirty years of advancements in computer architecture, software design, numerical methods, and physical models in order to provide capabilities needed for the RISMC methodology and to support nuclear power safety analysis. The code is being developed based on Idaho National Laboratory’s modern scientific software development framework – MOOSE (the Multi-Physics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment). The initial development goal of the RELAP-7 approach focused primarily on the development of an implicit algorithm capable of strong (nonlinear) coupling of the dependent hydrodynamic variables contained in the 1-D/2-D flow models with the various 0-D system reactor components that compose various boiling water reactor (BWR) and pressurized water reactor nuclear power plants (NPPs). As part of the efforts to expand the capability for PWR simulation, an equilibrium single-region pressurizer model has been implemented in RELAP-7. The pressurizer component can simulate pressure and water level change through insurge, spray, and heating processes. Two simple tests – one for insurge process and another for outsurge process – have been reported to demonstrate and verify the functions of the pressurizer model. The typical single-phase PWR system model presented in the first RELAP-7 milestone report has been updated, as part of system level test for the new pressurizer model. The updated PWR system model with the pressurizer component can be used for more realistic transient simulations. The addition of the equilibrium single-region pressurizer model represents the first step of developing a suite of pressurizer models with different levels of fidelities. Non-equilibrium two-region two-zone model and non-equilibrium five-region three zone model will be implemented in the near future. Cross comparison and validation will be pursued when higher fidelity pressurizer models are completed.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

EJFAT Scientific Perspective

Presented new computing model to the test by deploying the EJFAT system alongside a data-stream processing framework running the production-level CLAS12 event reconstruction application. In this experiment, a continuous stream of CLAS12 Level-1 identified events was processed in real-time using the EJFAT load balancer, distributing the workload across 90 computing nodes located across the U.S. This marks the first-ever large-scale, real-time distributed data stream processing experiment, demonstrating that scientific data-streaming pipelines can efficiently scale across four dimensions, thanks to EJFAT’s advanced hardware and software capabilities.

Gyurjyan, Vardan [Thomas Jefferson National Accele↗

A KBase Case Study on Genome-wide Transcriptomics and Plant Primary Metabolism in Sorghum

A better understanding of the genetic and metabolic mechanisms that confer stress resistance and tolerance in plants is key to engineering new crops through advanced breeding technologies. This requires a systems biology approach that builds on a genome-wide understanding of the regulation of gene expression, plant metabolism, physiology and growth. In this study, we examine the response to drought stress in Sorghum, as we leverage the tools for transcriptomics and plant metabolic modeling we have implemented at the U.S. Department of Energy Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase). KBase enables researchers worldwide to collaborate and advance research by allowing them to upload private or public data into the KBase Narrative Interface, empowering them to analyze this data using a rich, extensible array of computational and data-analytics tools, and allows them to securely share scientific workflows and conclusions. We demonstrate how to use the current RNA-seq tools in KBase, applicable to both plants and microbes, to assemble and quantify long transcripts and identify differentially expressed genes effectively. More specifically, we demonstrate the utility of the platform by identifying key genes that are differentially expressed during drought-stress in Sorghum bicolor, which is an important sustainable production crop plant. We then show how to use KBase tools to predict the membership of genes in metabolic pathways and examine expression data in the context of metabolic subsystems. We demonstrate the power of the platform by making the data analysis and interpretation available to the biologists in the reproducible, re-usable, point-and-click format of a KBase Narrative thus promoting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) guiding principles for scientific data management and stewardship.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

SPEL: Software tool for Porting E3SM Land Model with OpenACC in a Function Unit Test Framework

Most high-end computers adopt hybrid architecture, porting a large-scale scientific code onto accelerators is necessary. The paper presents a generic method for porting large-scale scientific code onto accelerators using compiler directives within a modularized function unit test platform. We have implemented the method and designed a software tool (SPEL) to port the E3SM Land Model (ELM) onto the GPUs in the Summit computer. SPEL automatically generates GPU-ready test modules for all ELM functions, such as CanopyFlux, SoilTemperature, and EcosystemDynamics. SPEL breaks the ELM into a collection of standalone unit test programs for easy code verification and further performance improvement. We further optimize several ELM test modules with advanced techniques, including memory reduction, reconstructed parallel loops, and asynchronous GPU kernel launch. We hope our study will inspire new toolkit developments that expedite large-scale scientific code porting with compiler directives.

Schwartz, Peter↗