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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 613 records · Page 34

Adaptive workflow for simulation of RF heaters

Accurate RF (Radio Frequency) simulations of fusion systems like ITER require the definition of high-fidelity analysis geometries that include detailed antenna, reactor wall, and physics regions. Here, this paper will describe a workflow for the execution of adaptive high-performance simulations of RF fusion systems. In this workflow, the simulation input consists of a CAD model attributed with the needed analysis attributes. The analysis mesh is automatically generated and the analysis steps are executed using the time-harmonic Maxwell's equations solved using high-order Nédélec finite elements. A patch recovery-based error estimator is used to drive a conforming mesh adaptation procedure.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Interface Design for Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

With the rise of thin-film photovoltaics, the research community brought the interfaces within the device into the spotlight for performance enhancements. This Perspective lays out why this notion is especially applicable for solar cells based on metal halide perovskite (MHP) absorber materials, for which we reach a significant improvement of device functionality and stability through the means of engineering the energetics and electronic properties at the interface. After examining recent key developments in chemical and electronic structure characterization of MHPs that led to this avenue, we will iterate the next steps toward interlayer tailoring and analysis. The future goal is to derive a comprehensive model for interface energetics in perovskite solar cells and to set up respective design rules for stable high-efficiency cells. This approach also pertains to the broader scope of MHP-based optoelectronic devices for which charge carrier transport across the interfaces and surface recombination play a major role.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Development of the prototype pneumatic transfer system for ITER neutron activation system

The neutron activation system (NAS) measures neutron fluence at the first wall and the total neutron flux from the ITER plasma, providing evaluation of the fusion power for all operational phases. The pneumatic transfer system (PTS) is one of the key components of the NAS for the proper operation of the system, playing a role of transferring encapsulated samples between the capsule loading machine, irradiation stations, counting stations, and disposal bin. For the validation and the optimization of the design, a prototype of the PTS was developed and capsule transfer tests were performed with the developed system.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Energetic ion transport by microturbulence is insignificant in tokamaks

Energetic ion transport due to microturbulence is investigated in magnetohydrodynamic-quiescent plasmas by way of neutral beam injection in the DIII-D tokamak [J. L. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002)]. A range of on-axis and off-axis beam injection scenarios are employed to vary relevant parameters such as the character of the background microturbulence and the value of E{sub b}/T{sub e}, where E{sub b} is the energetic ion energy and T{sub e} the electron temperature. In all cases, it is found that any transport enhancement due to microturbulence is too small to observe experimentally. These transport effects are modeled using numerical and analytic expectations that calculate the energetic ion diffusivity due to microturbulence. It is determined that energetic ion transport due to coherent fluctuations (e.g., Alfvén eigenmodes) is a considerably larger effect and should therefore be considered more important for ITER.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Role of microtearing mode in DIII-D and future high- β p core plasmas

This paper provides modeling evidence for a new variant of microturbulence instability that regulates the electron thermal fluxes in the transport barrier region of DIII-D "high β p " discharges. This scenario is being investigated as a possible scenario for future steady-state reactors, and thus it is essential to understand the physics processes which govern its performance in order to confidently extrapolate to future devices. Additional analysis examining the extrapolation of this scenario to ITER shows that while the new microtearing mode identified here is unlikely to be unstable in that regime (due to increased temperatures and reduced collisionality), the large shift in magnetic axis (Shafranov shift) that arises in these plasmas may still favor stabilization of common ballooning instabilities which peak on the low field side, but destabilize electrostatic slab modes on the high field side.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Using the optimal combined index weight ratio to improve the probability of anomaly detection in big area additive manufacturing

Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) of composites requires significant time, energy, and material, so it is critical to reduce production inefficiencies to make functional parts without multiple iterations. Statistical process control coupled with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a powerful technique that provides a quick, computationally inexpensive, and intuitive way for operators to detect defects that form in a manufacturing process without massive datasets. Recently, a combined index that is a weighted sum of the Hotelling's T 2 and squared residual error statistics has been proposed that can be monitored in one chart, improving interpretation accuracy and simplicity. However, the literature does not offer a formal method to optimise the weights. Here, we introduce two new approaches to the traditional weight selection approach using simulated and BAAM image data. Approach 1 uses a theoretically motivated optimum inspired by probabilistic principal component analysis. Approach 2 systematically varies the ratio of the weights to find the optimum. We show that approach 1 delivers optimal anomaly detection performance in select cases while approach 2 fares better in practice. Surprisingly, we also show that choosing a more complex PCA model has a minimal negative impact on anomaly detection performance compared to a more simplistic model.

3-dimensional printing↗

Communication-Avoiding Parallel Sparse-Dense Matrix-Matrix Multiplication

Multiplication of a sparse matrix with a dense matrix is a building block of an increasing number of applications in many areas such as machine learning and graph algorithms. However, most previous work on parallel matrix multiplication considered only both dense or both sparse matrix operands. This paper analyzes the communication lower bounds and compares the communication costs of various classic parallel algorithms in the context of sparse-dense matrix-matrix multiplication. We also present new communication-avoiding algorithms based on a 1D decomposition, called 1.5D, which - while suboptimal in dense-dense and sparse-sparse cases - outperform the 2D and 3D variants both theoretically and in practice for sparse-dense multiplication. Our analysis separates one-time costs from per iteration costs in an iterative machine learning context. Experiments demonstrate speedups up to 100x over a baseline 3D SUMMA implementation and show parallel scaling over 10 thousand cores.

Koanantakool, Penporn↗

Preliminary Failure Modes and Effects Analysis of the US Massive Gas Injection Disruption Mitigation System Design

This report presents the results of a preliminary failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) of a candidate design for the ITER Disruption Mitigation System. This candidate is the Massive Gas Injection System that provides machine protection in a plasma disruption event. The FMEA was quantified with “generic” component failure rate data as well as some data calculated from operating facilities, and the failure events were ranked for their criticality to system operation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Modelling feedbacks between human and natural processes in the land system

Abstract. The unprecedented use of Earth's resources by humans, in combination with increasing natural variability in natural processes over the past century, is affecting the evolution of the Earth system. To better understand natural processes and their potential future trajectories requires improved integration with and quantification of human processes. Similarly, to mitigate risk and facilitate socio-economic development requires a better understanding of how the natural system (e.g. climate variability and change, extreme weather events, and processes affecting soil fertility) affects human processes. Our understanding of these interactions and feedback between human and natural systems has been formalized through a variety of modelling approaches. However, a common conceptual framework or set of guidelines to model human–natural-system feedbacks is lacking. The presented research lays out a conceptual framework that includes representing model coupling configuration in combination with the frequency of interaction and coordination of communication between coupled models. Four different approaches used to couple representations of the human and natural system are presented in relation to this framework, which vary in the processes represented and in the scale of their application. From the development and experience associated with the four models of coupled human–natural systems, the following eight lessons were identified that if taken into account by future coupled human–natural-systems model developments may increase their success: (1) leverage the power of sensitivity analysis with models, (2) remember modelling is an iterative process, (3) create a common language, (4) make code open-access, (5) ensure consistency, (6) reconcile spatio-temporal mismatch, (7) construct homogeneous units, and (8) incorporating feedback increases non-linearity and variability. Following a discussion of feedbacks, a way forward to expedite model coupling and increase the longevity and interoperability of models is given, which suggests the use of a wrapper container software, a standardized applications programming interface (API), the incorporation of standard names, the mitigation of sunk costs by creating interfaces to multiple coupling frameworks, and the adoption of reproducible workflow environments to wire the pieces together.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

A first-look machine analysis of ERTS-1 data

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. The preliminary analysis of a black and white image of channel 5 data together with tapes from the multispectral scanner is discussed. Four sub-projects based on the initial analysis are discussed. The sub-projects are the analysis by multispectral pattern recognition techniques of the full frame and two particular subframes and a study of the data quality. The procedures for conducting the study and the limitations in analyzing the data are examined. Methods for improving the analysis of the frames by first and second iteration are presented.

Landgrebe, D. A.↗

Design of bonded joints in composite materials

The primary form of joining high strength advanced composite materials is adhesive bonded joints. The stepped bonded joint is an efficient configuration where the adhesive and composite matrix are co-cured. A design procedure for this type of joint is described along with the analysis technique upon which it is based. A modified elastic analysis accounts for the nonlinear behavior of the adhesive. A computer program with minimum running time and simplified input is utilized for analysis and becomes an efficient link in an iterative design procedure. Comparisons between analytical results and test results are shown. Material properties which are needed for design and methods of measuring these properties are discussed.

Corvelli, N.↗

Optimal reusable-tug and expendable-kickstage trajectories for high-energy planetary missions including correction for nodal precession

Equations are derived by using branched trajectory optimization techniques and the maximum principle to maximize the payload capability of a reusable tug/expendable kickstage vehicle configuration for planetary missions. The two stages and the payload are launched into a low earth orbit by a single space shuttle. The analysis includes correction for precession of the orbit. This correction is done by the tug. The tug propels the payload and the kickstage to an energy beyond earth escape and returns within a specified time to the precessed orbit. After separating from the tug, the kickstage accelerates the payload to the required injection conditions. Planetary injection conditions are specified by the mission energy and a fixed declination and right ascension of the outgoing asymptote. The multipoint boundary value problem resulting from the analysis is solved by a Newton-Raphson iteration technique. Partial derivatives of the boundary conditions are obtained by perturbing the initial conditions one at a time, integrating the trajectory and adjoint equations, and observing the changes in boundary conditions. Maximum payload capability is derived for two typical mission energies. In addition, the variations of several mission and stage parameters are also examined.

Borsody, J.↗

SIFT - Design and analysis of a fault-tolerant computer for aircraft control

SIFT (Software Implemented Fault Tolerance) is an ultrareliable computer for critical aircraft control applications that achieves fault tolerance by the replication of tasks among processing units. The main processing units are off-the-shelf minicomputers, with standard microcomputers serving as the interface to the I/O system. Fault isolation is achieved by using a specially designed redundant bus system to interconnect the processing units. Error detection and analysis and system reconfiguration are performed by software. Iterative tasks are redundantly executed, and the results of each iteration are voted upon before being used. Thus, any single failure in a processing unit or bus can be tolerated with triplication of tasks, and subsequent failures can be tolerated after reconfiguration. Independent execution by separate processors means that the processors need only be loosely synchronized, and a novel fault-tolerant synchronization method is described.

Wensley, J. H.↗

Experimental and finite element study of a standing torus under normal and tangential loads

The effect of a combined external load consisting of a normal component and a tangential braking force applied to an inflated torus is addressed. Experimental results obtained by photographic study of the contact area between the torus and load plate are presented as well as measurements of the vertical and horizontal displacement of the torus under load. A numerical procedure for displacement analysis is developed in which the finite element program STAGS (Structural Analysis of General Shells) is used in an iterative manner to produce a flat, horizontal footprint surface under force loading. The redistributed force distribution obtained by the iterative process is displayed along with computed meridional and circumferential stresses. Finally, an extension of the iterative method is introduced which eliminates the need to experimentally determine the footprint area.

Flugrad, D. R.↗

Improving the convergence rate of parabolic ADI methods

The rate of convergence to steady state of parabolic Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) solvers is analyzed in terms of the L(2)-norms of the residuals. The analysis allows one to predict the number of iterations necessary for convergence as function of the Courant number, Lambda. A simple modification of existing ADI codes is devised. It improves the convergence rate substantially and is insensitive to the Courant number in a large range of Lambda.

Abarbanel, S. S.↗

Structural efficiency study of composite wing rib structures

A series of short stiffened panel designs which may be applied to a preliminary design assessment of an aircraft wing rib is presented. The computer program PASCO is used as the primary design and analysis tool to assess the structural efficiency and geometry of a tailored corrugated panel, a corrugated panel with a continuous laminate, a hat stiffened panel, a blade stiffened panel, and an unstiffened flat plate. To correct some of the shortcomings in the PASCO analysis when shear is present, a two step iterative process using the computer program VICON is used. The loadings considered include combinations of axial compression, shear, and lateral pressure. The loading ranges considered are broad enough such that the designs presented may be applied to other stiffened panel applications. An assessment is made of laminate variations, increased spacing, and nonoptimum geometric variations, including a beaded panel, on the design of the panels.

Swanson, Gary D.↗

Run-time parallelization and scheduling of loops

Run time methods are studied to automatically parallelize and schedule iterations of a do loop in certain cases, where compile-time information is inadequate. The methods presented involve execution time preprocessing of the loop. At compile-time, these methods set up the framework for performing a loop dependency analysis. At run time, wave fronts of concurrently executable loop iterations are identified. Using this wavefront information, loop iterations are reordered for increased parallelism. Symbolic transformation rules are used to produce: inspector procedures that perform execution time preprocessing and executors or transformed versions of source code loop structures. These transformed loop structures carry out the calculations planned in the inspector procedures. Performance results are presented from experiments conducted on the Encore Multimax. These results illustrate that run time reordering of loop indices can have a significant impact on performance. Furthermore, the overheads associated with this type of reordering are amortized when the loop is executed several times with the same dependency structure.

Saltz, Joel H.↗