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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 649 records · Page 36

A review of modelling techniques for floating offshore wind turbines

Modelling floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) is challenging due to the strong coupling between the aerodynamics of the turbine and the hydrodynamics of the floating platform. Physical testing at scale is faced with the additional challenge of the scaling mismatch between Froude number and Reynolds number due to working in the two fluid domains, air and water. In the drive for cost-reduction of floating wind energy, designers may be seeking to move towards high-fidelity numerical modelling as a substitute for physical testing. However, the numerical engineering tools typically used for FOWT modelling are considered as mid-fidelity to low-fidelity tools, and currently lack the level of accuracy required to do so. Furthermore, there is a lack of operational FOWT data available for further development and validation. High-fidelity tools, such as CFD, have greater accuracy but are cumbersome tools and still require validation. Physical scale model testing therefore continues to play an essential role in the development of FOWTs both as a source of validation data for numerical models and as an important development step along the path to commercialization of all platform concepts. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of both numerical modelling and physical FOWT scale model testing approaches and to provide guidance on the selection of the most appropriate approach (or combination of approaches). The current state-of-the-art will be discussed along with current research trends and areas for further investigation.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Analytic techniques for solving the transport equations in electroweak baryogenesis

We develop an efficient method for solving transport equations, particularly in the context of electroweak baryogenesis. It provides fully-analytical results under mild approximations and can also test semi-analytical results, which are applicable in more general cases. Key elements of our method include the reduction of the second-order differential equations to first order, representing the set of coupled equations as a block matrix of the particle densities and their derivatives, identification of zero modes, and block decomposition of the matrix. We apply our method to calculate the baryon asymmetry of the Universe (BAU) in a Standard Model effective field theory framework of complex Yukawa couplings to determine the sensitivity of the resulting BAU to modifications of various model parameters and rates, and to estimate the effect of the commonly-used thin-wall approximation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Axion detection via superfluid 3 He ferromagnetic phase and quantum measurement techniques

We propose to use the nuclear spin excitation in the ferromagnetic A 1 phase of the superfluid 3 He for the axion dark matter detection. This approach is striking in that it is sensitive to the axion-nucleon coupling, one of the most important features of the QCD axion introduced to solve the strong CP problem. We review a quantum mechanical description of the nuclear spin excitation and apply it to the estimation of the axion-induced spin excitation rate. We also describe a possible detection method of the spin excitation in detail and show that the combination of the squeezing of the final state with the Josephson parametric amplifier and the homodyne measurement can enhance the sensitivity. It turns out that this approach gives good sensitivity to the axion dark matter with the mass of $\mathcal{O}$(1) μeV depending on the size of the external magnetic field. We estimate the parameters of experimental setups, e.g., the detector volume and the amplitude of squeezing, required to reach the QCD axion parameter space.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Improved calorimetric particle identification in NA62 using machine learning techniques

Measurement of the ultra-rare $K^+$ → $π$ +$ν$$\overline{ν}$ decay at the NA62 experiment at CERN requires high-performance particle identification to distinguish muons from pions. Calorimetric identification currently in use, based on a boosted decision tree algorithm, achieves a muon misidentification probability of 1.2×10 -5 for a pion identification efficiency of 75% in the momentum range of 15–40 GeV/c. In this work, calorimetric identification performance is improved by developing an algorithm based on a convolutional neural network classifier augmented by a filter. Muon misidentification probability is reduced by a factor of six with respect to the current value for a fixed pion-identification efficiency of 75%. Alternatively, pion identification efficiency is improved from 72% to 91% for a fixed muon misidentification probability of 10 -5 .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Improved high-throughput screening technique to rapidly isolate Chlamydomonas transformants expressing recombinant proteins

Abstract The single-celled eukaryotic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has long been a model system for developing genetic tools for algae, and is also considered a potential platform for the production of high-value recombinant proteins. Identifying transformants with high levels of recombinant protein expression has been a challenge in this organism, as random integration of transgenes into the nuclear genome leads to low frequency of cell lines with high gene expression. Here, we describe the design of an optimized vector for the expression of recombinant proteins in Chlamydomonas , that when transformed and screened using a dual antibiotic selection, followed by screening using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), permits rapid identification and isolation of microalgal transformants with high expression of a recombinant protein. This process greatly reduces the time required for the screening process, and can produce large populations of recombinant algae transformants with between 60 and 100% of cells producing the recombinant protein of interest, in as little as 3 weeks, that can then be used for whole population sequencing or individual clone analysis. Utilizing this new vector and high-throughput screening (HTS) process resulted in an order of magnitude improvement over existing methods, which normally produced under 1% of algae transformants expressing the protein of interest. This process can be applied to other algal strains and recombinant proteins to enhance screening efficiency, thereby speeding up the discovery and development of algal-derived recombinant protein products. Key points • A protein expression vector using double-antibiotic resistance genes was designed • Double antibiotic selection causes fewer colonies with more positive for phenotype • Coupling the new vector with FACS improves microalgal screening efficiency > 60%

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of bladder and ureteral trauma: indications, technique, and diagnosis

Introduction: Trauma to the genitourinary system includes blunt and penetrating injuries to bladder and ureters. These are rare injuries and are overlooked as other abdominal and pelvic injuries often take priority. Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Computed tomography has taken a central role in the imaging of the ureters and bladder. Methods: This article reviews the anatomic relationships, mechanisms of injury, and clinical presentation to help physicians determine when bladder and ureteral injuries should be suspected and further imaging should be pursued. Radiologic evaluation of bladder and ureteral injury with CT cystography and CT urography, respectively, will be reviewed. Conclusion: CT cystography and CT urography are effective tools in identifying potentially serious injuries to the genitourinary system. Timely recognition of these injuries can be crucial for the overall management and prognosis.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Urinary diversions: a primer of the surgical techniques and imaging findings

Objective: The article attempts to describe the indications, classification, and surgical anatomy of the commonly performed urinary diversion procedures, followed by the imaging protocol and radiological appearances of the normal postoperative anatomy and complications related to these procedures. Contents: Diversion procedures are used to reroute urine after cystectomy and in patients with refractory neurogenic or outlet obstruction of the urinary bladder. Broadly, these can be classified as continent and incontinent diversions. Patients with urinary diversions frequently undergo radiological investigations for the detection of complications. Commonly, a loopogram or pouchogram is performed few weeks after the surgery to look for leak, whereas CT or MRI is used for long-term follow-up. Postoperative complications can be early (within 30 days of the surgery) or delayed and include leaks, collections, strictures, calculi, parastomal hernia, small bowel obstruction, and oncologic recurrence. Conclusion: A variety of urinary diversion procedures are commonly performed and interpretation of the postsurgical anatomy can be overwhelming for the general radiologist. This article provides a basic understanding of the normal anatomy as well as a thorough discussion on the imaging protocol and radiological appearances of the potential complications associated with these procedures.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Field–potential finite-difference time-domain (FiPo FDTD) technique for computational electromagnetics

Modeling light–matter interactions at the nanoscale requires accurate handling of coupled quantum and electromagnetic systems. This coupling requires information about the electric scalar potential Φ and the magnetic vector potential A, which are not typically calculated in standard computational electromagnetics implementations. To that end, we have developed a field–potential finite-difference time-domain (FiPo FDTD) algorithm, which solves a set of first-order equations for Φ and A alongside equations for the electric and magnetic fields E and H. The FiPo Basic code is essentially conventional FDTD, but with an added module that calculates the potentials. The FiPo Hybrid code self-consistently calculates both fields and potentials and is particularly suitable for coupling with quantum electronic transport solvers because it can be sourced by the potentials themselves. To terminate the domain and mimic infinite space, we have derived and implemented a convolutional perfectly matched layer (CPML) absorbing boundary condition for FiPo FDTD whose performance is on par with state-of-the-art CPMLs for standard FDTD. We present FiPo simulation results on several example systems.

Avazpour, L. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI ↗

Machine Learning Techniques for Pile-Up Rejection in Cryogenic Calorimeters

CUORE Upgrade with Particle IDentification (CUPID) is a foreseen ton-scale array of Li 2 MoO 4 (LMO) cryogenic calorimeters with double readout of heat and light signals. Its scientific goal is to fully explore the inverted hierarchy of neutrino masses in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 100 Mo. Pile-up of standard double beta decay of the candidate isotope is a relevant background. We generate pile-up heat events via injection of Joule heater pulses with a programmable waveform generator in a small array of LMO crystals operated underground in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy. This allows to label pile-up pulses and control both time difference and underlying amplitudes of individual heat pulses in the data. We present the performance of supervised learning classifiers on data and the attained pile-up rejection efficiency.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Optimized Viewing Techniques to Minimize Radiation Damage From X-ray Imaging Systems

X-ray inspection of ball grid arrays (BGAs) is typically performed at one or more viewing angles to examine adhesion sites for errors such as voids, joint cracking, or head-in-pillow. During this inspection process, the cir cuit board assembly is subject to ionizing radiation exposure, which can cause trapped charge within oxide layers of semiconductor devices. Some x-ray machines allow for programmable inspection routines, which could be used to optimize radiation exposure to semiconductor components. Using Monte Carlo methods, x-ray inspection of a BGA was simulated to determine a range of acceptable viewing angles. Dose rates to circuit board components were estimated at each inspection angle to determine the view resulting in optimized radiation exposure. Results showed that for each BGA, the maximum unobstructed viewing times without exceeding a 5 Gy dose limit to a single part ranged from 82 to 94 minutes. Using a radiation cost function method, optimized viewing across all components was found. Here, it was observed that for a consistent dose limit applied to silicon-based components, performing inspection with BGAs facing the x-ray source was optimal. A third method was applied, assigning individual dose limits based on empirical data from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center radiation database. This method showed that optimized viewing maximizes the distance between the radiation source and highly sensitive components. It was also observed that cumulative effects from viewing two BGAs will influence viewing angles, causing the optimal view of one BGA to exist nearly 180° from the other.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

CO{sub 2} laser-induced micro-plume treatment of silicon: technique and application

A method for treating the surface of crystalline silicon (α-Si) covered with a fused silica (SiO{sub 2}) plate by a laser-induced plume arising from the absorption of CO{sub 2} laser radiation in glass is presented. The mechanism of micro-plume formation and the effect of this micro-plume on α-Si sample are considered. The α-Si processing regimes were determined that relate the depth of the formed relief to the radiation power density, the temperature of the micro-plume formed during SiO{sub 2} irradiation was measured and reached 3000 K. The diffraction phase gratings were designed, manufactured on silicon, and tested, they successfully split 10.6 μm laser beam at 0 and ± 1 diffraction orders. The method belongs to the group of direct writing methods and is easily adapted to different types of diffraction elements on the surface of Si and other materials transparent to 10 μm irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗