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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 631 records · Page 35

Numerical studies of transverse curvature effects on transonic flow stability

A numerical study of transverse curvature effects on compressible flow temporal stability for transonic to low supersonic Mach numbers is presented for axisymmetric modes. The mean flows studied include a similar boundary-layer profile and a nonsimilar axisymmetric boundary-layer solution. The effect of neglecting curvature in the mean flow produces only small quantitative changes in the disturbance growth rate. For transonic Mach numbers (1-1.4) and aerodynamically relevant Reynolds numbers (5000-10,000 based on displacement thickness), the maximum growth rate is found to increase with curvature - the maximum occurring at a nondimensional radius (based on displacement thickness) between 30 and 100.

Macaraeg, M. G.↗

Development of a global model for atmospheric backscatter at CO2 wavelengths

The effect of gravitational sedimentation on the atmospheric aerosol size distribution has been simulated using a one layer numerical model. A nonlinear curve fitting program is being developed to study aerosol size parameters. The Sage/Sam 2 data establishing the geographical and temporal variations of aerosol concentration in the troposphere are being studied. The basic version of the Sam 2 program and the alternative version of the Sage 2 program are operational. Above 6 km, latitudinal differences are more important in determining aerosol concentration than surface conditions.

Source record↗

Spatial Metadata for Global Change Investigations Using Remote Sensing

Satellite and aircraft-borne remote sensors have gathered petabytes of data over the past 30+ years. These images are an important resource for establishing cause and effect relationships between human-induced land cover changes and alterations in climate and other biophysical patterns at local to global scales. However, the spatial, temporal, and spectral characteristics of these datasets vary, thus complicating long-term studies involving several types of imagery. As the geographical and temporal coverage, the spectral and spatial resolution, and the number of individual sensors increase, the sheer volume and complexity of available data sets will complicate management and use of the rapidly growing archive of earth imagery. Mining this vast data resource for images that provide the necessary information for climate change studies becomes more difficult as more sensors are launched and more imagery is obtained.

Emerson, Charles W.↗

Arctic sea ice microwave signature and geophysical processes study

Studies on the validation and utilization of ERS-1 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) derived liquid and solid ocean information and the study of the interregional, regional, and temporal variation of the microwave signatures of sea ice and snow, are reported. Initial interests are focused on the accuracy of the estimates of ice type, ice form, deformation state, or thickness, and the ability to retrieve ice physical property information. Two in situ campaigns were conducted for the purpose of 'truth' ERS-1 SAR products and to gather data in support of the above science studies.

Onstott, Robert G.↗

Computational Study of Variable Fuel-Air Ratio and Hydrogen Doping in a Rotating Detonation Engine

Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) hold great promise as a technology for powering aviation engines. The pressure gain that results from continuously traversing detonation waves enables high theoretical performance compared to deflagration-based combustion. However, the harsh operating conditions inside an RDE restrict the availability of suitable experimental diagnostics to study these systems in detail and the range of spatial and temporal scales render numerical simulations of these systems difficult. In this study, we have combined adaptive mesh refinement and a robust shock-capturing approach to study RDE systems computationally using the compressible, reactive solver PeleC. Multi-species transport along with compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved in the model along with finite-rate chemistry. Complex geometries are represented using an embedded boundary method with second-order spatial accuracy and the system is evolved in time using a second-order Runge-Kutta method. We present studies of a methane-air RDE system that is doped with varying levels of hydrogen. Our analysis focusses on how fuel mixture and doping levels effect the detonation flame structure and the generation of multiple wave modes.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Subgrid modelling for two-dimensional turbulence using neural networks

Here in this investigation, a data-driven turbulence closure framework is introduced and deployed for the subgrid modelling of Kraichnan turbulence. The novelty of the proposed method lies in the fact that snapshots from high-fidelity numerical data are used to inform artificial neural networks for predicting the turbulence source term through localized grid-resolved information. In particular, our proposed methodology successfully establishes a map between inputs given by stencils of the vorticity and the streamfunction along with information from two well-known eddy-viscosity kernels. Through this we predict the subgrid vorticity forcing in a temporally and spatially dynamic fashion. Our study is both a priori and a posteriori in nature. In the former, we present an extensive hyper-parameter optimization analysis in addition to learning quantification through probability-density-function-based validation of subgrid predictions. In the latter, we analyse the performance of our framework for flow evolution in a classical decaying two-dimensional turbulence test case in the presence of errors related to temporal and spatial discretization. Statistical assessments in the form of angle-averaged kinetic energy spectra demonstrate the promise of the proposed methodology for subgrid quantity inference. In addition, it is also observed that some measure of a posteriori error must be considered during optimal model selection for greater accuracy. The results in this article thus represent a promising development in the formalization of a framework for generation of heuristic-free turbulence closures from data.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Comparisons of Crosswind Velocity Profile Estimates Used in Fast-Time Wake Vortex Prediction Models

Five methods for estimating crosswind profiles used in fast-time wake vortex prediction models are compared in this study. Previous investigations have shown that temporal and spatial variations in the crosswind vertical profile have a large impact on the transport and time evolution of the trailing vortex pair. The most important crosswind parameters are the magnitude of the crosswind and the gradient in the crosswind shear. It is known that pulsed and continuous wave lidar measurements can provide good estimates of the wind profile in the vicinity of airports. In this study comparisons are made between estimates of the crosswind profiles from a priori information on the trajectory of the vortex pair as well as crosswind profiles derived from different sensors and a regional numerical weather prediction model.

Pruis, Mathew J.↗

Rapid organic carbon spiraling in a headwater stream linked with streamflow, biogeochemistry, and canopy phenology

Headwater streams are abundant worldwide and important to global biogeochemical cycles, serving as critical processors and transporters of C. C spiraling is a useful way to understand the retention and mineralization of organic C (OC) in streams. However, analyses of seasonal and interannual variability in OC spiraling are currently limited. In this study, we aimed to understand the temporal patterns and driving mechanisms of OC spiraling, which will inform our understanding of future OC changes under climate change. We used 7 y of daily data in a small headwater stream (Walker Branch, Tennessee, USA) to assess seasonal and interannual variability in OC spiraling length (S OC ) and mineralization velocity (v fOC ), as well as their potential related variables. On average, S OC in Walker Branch was ~10× shorter than in previously studied small streams, indicating strong connections between the water column and the benthic environment where OC mineralization mostly takes place. OC spiraling was faster during the more biologically active periods of spring and autumn compared with more elongated OC spiraling in summer and winter, when OC retention was lower and downstream transport was higher. Gross primary production (GPP) was most strongly related to S OC and v fOC . Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and NO 3 − were also positively and negatively related to v fOC , respectively. Trends toward earlier and longer canopy cover and reduced GPP and PAR may result in longer S OC and slower v fOC , reducing localized instream processing of OC and potentially shunting more OC downstream. However, long-term observations indicate reduced NO 3 − at Walker Branch, suggesting opposing effects to those of GPP and PAR, leading to faster v fOC and greater OC retention. Time-series analyses of OC spiraling in streams can enhance our understanding of current and future responses of OC processing and downstream transport to climate change, as well as implications for downstream OC dynamics.

biological activity↗

Sao Paulo Lightning Mapping Array (SP-LMA): Network Assessment and Analyses for Intercomparison Studies and GOES-R Proxy Activities

A 12 station Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) network was deployed during October 2011 in the vicinity of Sao Paulo, Brazil (SP-LMA) to contribute total lightning measurements to an international field campaign [CHUVA - Cloud processes of tHe main precipitation systems in Brazil: A contribUtion to cloud resolVing modeling and to the GPM (GlobAl Precipitation Measurement)]. The SP-LMA was operational from November 2011 through March 2012 during the Vale do Paraiba campaign. Sensor spacing was on the order of 15-30 km, with a network diameter on the order of 40-50km. The SP-LMA provides good 3-D lightning mapping out to 150 km from the network center, with 2-D coverage considerably farther. In addition to supporting CHUVA science/mission objectives, the SP-LMA is supporting the generation of unique proxy data for the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), on NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R: scheduled for a 2015 launch). These proxy data will be used to develop and validate operational algorithms so that they will be ready to use on "day1" following the GOES-R launch. As the CHUVA Vale do Paraiba campaign opportunity was formulated, a broad community-based interest developed for a comprehensive Lightning Location System (LLS) intercomparison and assessment study, leading to the participation and/or deployment of eight other ground-based networks and the space-based Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS). The SP-LMA data is being intercompared with lightning observations from other deployed lightning networks to advance our understanding of the capabilities/contributions of each of these networks toward GLM proxy and validation activities. This paper addresses the network assessment including noise reduction criteria, detection efficiency estimates, and statistical and climatological (both temporal and spatially) analyses for intercomparison studies and GOES-R proxy activities.

Bailey, J. C.↗

Developing a landscape of urban building energy use with improved spatiotemporal representations in a cool-humid climate

Urban buildings account for up to 75% of total energy use in the United States (U.S.). Understanding urban building energy use is important for developing feasible options to mitigate energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, an improved bottom-up building energy use model, named City Building Energy Use Model (City-BEUM), was developed to estimate building energy use for all buildings in Polk County, Iowa. First, 28 commercial and 6 residential building prototypes were designed by combing Assessor's parcel data and building footprint data. Then, the EnergyPlus in the CityBEUM was calibrated for all building prototypes using the U.S. Energy Information Administration's survey data, monthly utility meter data, and actual weather data. Finally, spatial and temporal variations of building energy use in the study area were estimated using the CityBEUM. Results indicate that the spatial variation of building energy use in the study area can be captured using the CityBEUM. With the monthly-calibrated model, the temporal pattern of urban building energy use can be well represented. The comparison of building energy use using the Typical Meteorological Year and actual weather data demonstrates the importance of using actual weather data in building energy modeling for an improved temporal representation.

CityBEUM, Urban building energy use, High spatiote↗

A dataset of 30 m annual vegetation phenology indicators (1985–2015) in urban areas of the conterminous United States

Medium-resolution satellite observations show great potential for characterizing seasonal and annual dynamics of vegetation phenology in urban domains from local to regional and global scales.However, most previous studies were conducted using coarse-resolution data,which are inadequate for characterizing the spatio-temporal dynamics of vegetation phenology in urban domains. In this study, we produced an annual vegetation phenology dataset in urban ecosystems for the conterminous United States (US), using all available Landsat images on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. First, we characterized the long-term mean seasonal pattern of phenology indicators of the start of season (SOS) and the end of season (EOS), using a double logistic model. Then, we identified the annual variability of these two phenology indicators by measuring the difference of dates when the vegetation index in a specific year reaches the same magnitude as its long-term mean. The derived phenology indicators agree well with in situ observations from the PhenoCam network and Harvard Forest. Comparing with results derived from the moderate-resolution imaging spectro-radiometer (MODIS) data, our Landsat-derived phenology indicators can provide more spatial details. Also, we found the temporal trends of phenology indicators (e.g., SOS) derived from Landsat and MODIS are consistent overall, but the Landsat-derived results from 1985 offer a longer temporal span compared to MODIS from 2001 to present. In general, there is a spatially explicit pattern of phenology indicators from the north to the south in cities in the conterminous US, with an overall advanced SOS in the past 3 decades. The derived phenology product in the US urban domains at the national level is of great use for urban ecology studies for its medium spatial resolution (30 m) and long temporal span (30 years).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Temporal reflection from short pump pulses inside a dispersive nonlinear medium: the impact of pump parameters

We have studied, through a series of experiments and numerical simulations, how temporal reflection from an intense pump pulse inside a photonic crystal fiber is affected by parameters of the pump pulse used to form a moving high-index boundary. We used femtosecond pump pulses, which slow down inside the fiber as their spectrum red-shifts because of intrapulse Raman scattering. Temporal reflection of probe pulses occurs from such decelerating pump pulses. We changed the width and chirp of our pump pulses with a 4f pulse shaper capable of providing both spectral filtering and frequency chirping. We found that temporal refection exhibited novel features, to our knowledge, when pump pulses were made wider or chirped. In both cases, two or more reflected pulses were produced at different wavelengths in a specific range of the initial pump-probe delays. Furthermore, numerical simulations reveal that the origin of such novel features is related to the complex nonlinear evolution of pump pulses inside optical fibers.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Ionizing photon interactions modulate the optical properties of crystals with femtosecond scale temporal resolution

In this work, we continue our study of a new method for the detection of ionizing radiation with the potential for a dramatic improvement in coincidence time resolution (CTR) for time-of-flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET) using the modulation of a material's optical properties instead of the scintillation mechanism. Our previous work has shown that for non-scintillation materials such as bismuth silicon oxide (BSO) and cadmium telluride (CdTe), their refractive index can be modulated by annihilation photon interactions. Additionally, the ultrafast nature of this process however remains unexplored. The ionizing radiation-induced charge carriers alter the local band structure in these materials, thus changing the complex refractive index. This mechanism is routinely used at the linac coherent light source (LCLS) facility of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to measure x-ray pulse arrival times with femtosecond scale resolution for photon energies between 0.5 and 10 keV. The method described here follows that example by using a frequency chirped visible continuum pulse to provide a monotonic wavelength-to-time mapping by which one can measure the time-dependent refractive index modulation. In addition, we describe an interference-based measurement setup that allows for significantly improved sensitivity while preserving a timing precision of approximately 10 fs (σ) when measuring the arrival time of below 10 keV x-ray pulses with yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystal. The method is presented in the context of ToF-PET application with further discussions on the potential CTR achievable if a similar detection concept is adopted for detecting 511 keV photons. Semi-empirical analysis indicates that the predicted CTR achievable is on the order of 1 ps (FWHM).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Characterizing thermal-induced temporal drift in deployed quantum fiber networks

We study temperature-induced fiber-delay drifts affecting entanglement fidelity in deployed quantum systems. Using field data and simulations, we model timing uncertainties and evaluate their impact on coincidence detection, revealing critical challenges for robust quantum networks.

Alshowkan, Muneer [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000264293450)↗

On the temporal development of a plasma sheath

This work studies a one-dimensional model for the time-dependent behavior caused by placing an uncharged conducting surface in contact with a uniform equilibrium plasma. Both the probe potential and plasma response are unknown a priori but are specified through a set of self-consistent model equations and boundary conditions. Some numerical and analytical consequences of this model are investigated. In particular, such issues are considered as (1) the formation and expansion of a quasi-neutral region connecting the non-neutral sheath to the distant undisturbed plasma; (2) the validity of assuming the existence of a sheath edge; and (3) the role of both static and dynamic Bohm criteria in the theory of unsteady sheath development.

Cipolla, J. W., Jr.↗

Density and white light brightness in looplike coronal mass ejections - Temporal evolution

Three ambient coronal models suitable for studies of time-dependent phenomena were used to investigate the propagation of coronal mass ejections initiated in each atmosphere by an identical energy source. These models included those of a static corona with a dipole magnetic field, developed by Dryer et al. (1979); a steady polytropic corona with an equatorial coronal streamer, developed by Steinolfson et al. (1982); and Steinolfson's (1988) model of heated corona with an equatorial coronal streamer. The results indicated that the first model does not adequately represent the general characteristics of observed looplike mass ejections, and the second model simulated only some of the observed features. Only the third model, which included a heating term and a streamer, was found to yield accurate simulation of the mess ejection observations.

Steinolfson, R. S.↗

Observational evidence for chromospheric footpoint penetration of nonthermal electrons during two well-observed flares

Recent advances have enabled simultaneous H-alpha and X-ray observations with substantially improved spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. In this paper a study is conducted of two events observed as part of a coordinated observing program between the Solar Maximum Mission and Sacramento Peak Observatory: the flares of 1456 UT, 7 May 1980 and 1522 UT, 24 June 1980. Using recently developed physical models of static flare chromospheres, and corresponding theoretical H-alpha line profiles, effects of intense nonthermal electron heating can be distinguished from those of high conduction and pressure from the overlying flare corona. Both flares show the signature of intense chromospheric heating by fast electrons, temporally correlated with X-ray light curves at E greater than 27keV, and spatially associated with X-ray emission sites at E greater than 16 keV. Interpreting the H-alpha line profile observations using the theoretical H-alpha line profiles, values of the thick-target input power contained in nonthermal electrons that are observationally indistinguishable (within a factor of 2-3) from those inferred from the X-ray data are inferred. Although these events are small, the energy flux values are large: of order 10 to the 11th ergs per sq cm per s above 20 keV.

Canfield, R. C.↗