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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 667 records · Page 37

X-56A MUTT: Aeroservoelastic Modeling

For the NASA X-56a Program, Armstrong Flight Research Center has been developing a set of linear states space models that integrate the flight dynamics and structural dynamics. These high order models are needed for the control design, control evaluation, and test input design. The current focus has been on developing stiff wing models to validate the current modeling approach. The extension of the modeling approach to the flexible wings requires only a change in the structural model. Individual subsystems models (actuators, inertial properties, etc.) have been validated by component level ground tests. Closed loop simulation of maneuvers designed to validate the flight dynamics of these models correlates very well flight test data. The open loop structural dynamics are also shown to correlate well to the flight test data.

Modeling↗

Dynamic magnetic structure of large amplitude Alfvenic variations in the solar wind

The dynamic structure of large-amplitude Alfven disturbances of the interplanetary magnetic field is examined by transforming one-hour intervals of Explorers 33 and 35 magnetometer data from the solar ecliptic coordinate system to a coordinate system defined by the principal axes of the variance matrix. It is demonstrated how some interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations observed by both Explorers are consistent with local properties theoretically predicted for plane large-amplitude Alfven waves by Barnes and Hollweg (1974). The different types of angular motion of the magnetic field component normal to the direction of minimum variance may be indicative of the detailed conditions of the solar coronal plasma in the regions generating the Alfven waves, or some aspect of local generation.

Lichtenstein, B. R.↗

Structure and dynamics of water confined in nanoporous carbon

We study the structure and dynamics of water confined in a nanoporous graphitic carbon structure using molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations. The carbon structure is generated by a reactive MD simulation of oxidation of a silicon carbide nanoparticle. We embed water molecules in the nanopores and study structural and dynamical properties of nanoconfined water as a function of temperature. MD simulation results indicate the presence of high-density water (HDW) and low-density water. Radial distribution functions and spatial density functions indicate that the second solvation shell of the HDW is broken. We calculate the self-diffusion coefficient of confined water molecules as a function of temperature and find a significant decrease in the diffusion of water molecules around T = 190K. The cage correlation function c(t) of confined water molecules at T = 200K exhibits stretched exponential decay, c(t) = exp[–(t/τ) β ], with β = 0.43, which matches exactly with the theoretical prediction β = 3/7. Finally, the self-intermediate scattering function at T = 200K indicates differences in small-scale and large-scale dynamics of water molecules.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Flight Dynamics of Flexible Aircraft with Aeroelastic and Inertial Force Interactions

This paper presents an integrated flight dynamic modeling method for flexible aircraft that captures coupled physics effects due to inertial forces, aeroelasticity, and propulsive forces that are normally present in flight. The present approach formulates the coupled flight dynamics using a structural dynamic modeling method that describes the elasticity of a flexible, twisted, swept wing using an equivalent beam-rod model. The structural dynamic model allows for three types of wing elastic motion: flapwise bending, chordwise bending, and torsion. Inertial force coupling with the wing elasticity is formulated to account for aircraft acceleration. The structural deflections create an effective aeroelastic angle of attack that affects the rigid-body motion of flexible aircraft. The aeroelastic effect contributes to aerodynamic damping forces that can influence aerodynamic stability. For wing-mounted engines, wing flexibility can cause the propulsive forces and moments to couple with the wing elastic motion. The integrated flight dynamics for a flexible aircraft are formulated by including generalized coordinate variables associated with the aeroelastic-propulsive forces and moments in the standard state-space form for six degree-of-freedom flight dynamics. A computational structural model for a generic transport aircraft has been created. The eigenvalue analysis is performed to compute aeroelastic frequencies and aerodynamic damping. The results will be used to construct an integrated flight dynamic model of a flexible generic transport aircraft.

Nguyen, Nhan T.↗

Solving the Structure and Dynamics of Metal Nanoparticles by Combining X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy and Atomistic Structure Simulations

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is a premiere method for analysis of the structure and structural transformation of nanoparticles. Extraction of analytical information about the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of metal–metal bonds from EXAFS spectra requires special care due to their markedly non-bulk-like character. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in the first-principles modeling of structure and properties of nanoparticles. Here, we summarize new approaches for EXAFS data analysis that incorporate particle structure modeling into the process of structural refinement.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Model reduction in a subset of the original states

A model reduction method is investigated to provide a smaller structural dynamic model for subsequent structural control design. A structural dynamic model is assumed to be derived from finite element analysis. It is first converted into the state space form, and is further reduced by the internal balancing method. Through the co-ordinate transformation derived from the states that are deleted during reduction, the reduced model is finally expressed with the states that are members of the original states. Therefore, the states in the final reduced model represent the degrees of freedom of the nodes that are selected by the designer. The procedure provides a more practical implementation of model reduction for applications in which specific nodes, such as sensor and/or actuator attachment points, are to be retained in the reduced model. Thus, it ensures that the reduced model is under the same input and output condition as the original physical model. The procedure is applied to two simple examples and comparisons are made between the full and reduced order models. The method can be applied to a linear, continuous and time-invariant model of structural dynamics with nonproportional viscous damping.

Yae, K. H.↗

RNA structures and dynamics with Å resolution revealed by x-ray free-electron lasers

RNA macromolecules, like proteins, fold to assume shapes that are intimately connected to their broadly recognized biological functions; however, because of their high charge and dynamic nature, RNA structures are far more challenging to determine. We introduce an approach that exploits the high brilliance of x-ray free-electron laser sources to reveal the formation and ready identification of angstrom-scale features in structured and unstructured RNAs. Previously unrecognized structural signatures of RNA secondary and tertiary structures are identified through wide-angle solution scattering experiments. With millisecond time resolution, we observe an RNA fold from a dynamically varying single strand through a base-paired intermediate to assume a triple-helix conformation. While the backbone orchestrates the folding, the final structure is locked in by base stacking. This method may help to rapidly characterize and identify structural elements in nucleic acids in both equilibrium and time-resolved experiments.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Detailed Multidimensional Simulations of the Structure and Dynamics of Flames

Numerical simulations in which the various physical and chemical processes can be independently controlled can significantly advance our understanding of the structure, stability, dynamics and extinction of flames. Therefore, our approach has been to use detailed time-dependent, multidimensional, multispecies numerical models to perform carefully designed computational experiments of flames on Earth and in microgravity environments. Some of these computational experiments are complementary to physical experiments performed under the Microgravity Program while others provide a fundamental understanding that cannot be obtained from physical experiments alone. In this report, we provide a brief summary of our recent research highlighting the contributions since the previous microgravity combustion workshop. There are a number of mechanisms that can cause flame instabilities and result in the formation of dynamic multidimensional structures. In the past, we have used numerical simulations to show that it is the thermo-diffusive instability rather than an instability due to preferential diffusion that is the dominant mechanism for the formation of cellular flames in lean hydrogen-air mixtures. Other studies have explored the role of gravity on flame dynamics and extinguishment, multi-step kinetics and radiative losses on flame instabilities in rich hydrogen-air flames, and heat losses on burner-stabilized flames in microgravity. The recent emphasis of our work has been on exploring flame-vortex interactions and further investigating the structure and dynamics of lean hydrogen-air flames in microgravity. These topics are briefly discussed after a brief discussion of our computational approach for solving these problems.

Patnaik, G.↗

Multinucleon structure and dynamics via quantum computing

We propose a framework for computing the structure and dynamics for second-quantized many-nucleon Hamiltonians on quantum computers. We develop an oracle-based Hamiltonian input model that computes the many-nucleon states and nonzero Hamiltonian matrix elements of the many-nucleon system. With our Fock-state based input model, we show how to implement the sparse matrix simulation algorithms to calculate the dynamics of the second-quantized many-nucleon Hamiltonian. Based on the dynamics simulation methods, we also present the methodology for structure calculations of the many-nucleon system. In this work, we provide an explicit circuit design of our input model of the second-quantized Hamiltonian within a direct encoding scheme that maps the occupation of each available single-particle state in the many-nucleon state to the state of specific qubit in a quantum register. Here, we analyze our method and provide the asymptotic cost in computing resources for structure and dynamics calculations of many-nucleon systems. For pedagogical purposes, we demonstrate our input model with two model problems in restricted model spaces.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Lattice Dynamics and Structural Phase Transitions in Eu 2 O 3

Using the density functional theory, we study the structural and lattice dynamical properties of europium sesquioxide (Eu 2 O 3 ) in the cubic, trigonal, and monoclinic phases. The obtained lattice parameters and energies of the Raman modes show a good agreement with the available experimental data. The Eu-partial phonon density of states calculated for the cubic structure is compared with the nuclear inelastic scattering data obtained from a 20 nm thick Eu 2 O 3 film deposited on a YSZ substrate. A small shift of the experimental spectrum to higher energies results from a compressive strain induced by the substrate. On the basis of lattice and phonon properties, we analyze the mechanisms of structural transitions between different phases of Eu 2 O 3 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Collaborative Proposal: Improving understanding of the internal structure and dynamics of deep convection using ARM observations and large eddy simulations

Recent observational and large eddy simulation (LES) modeling studies have nearly unanimously supported the view of deep cumulus convection being composed of a series of quasi-spherical bubbles of buoyant air, known as moist thermals. Despite the prevalence of moist thermals in deep convection, a comprehensive theory for the dynamics of these structures is lacking. Most current conceptual models for cumulus convection are based on canonical scaling theories for dry thermals or plumes; however, there is considerable evidence that the behavior of moist thermals differs markedly from these theories. Furthermore, the theoretical basis for most cumulus parameterizations originates from the plume conceptual model, and therefore these parameterizations are inconsistent with the real structure of moist convection. Motivated by the aforementioned knowledge gaps, this “end-to-end” research effort use theory, observations, numerical simulations, and direct improvements to the Zhang-McFarlane (ZM) convection scheme in the global climate Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) to address the following research questions: What key environmental parameters determine whether or not shallow convection will transition into deep convection, in the context of thermal-like updrafts? What factors regulate the size of thermals within cumulus updrafts? How does vertical wind shear influence thermal behavior, and as a consequence, vertical velocity and mass flux profiles and the shallow-to-deep convective transition? What are the critical processes that determine updraft vertical velocities and their connection to the vertical mass flux profile for thermal-like updrafts? Idealized LES modeling will be used in conjunction with theoretical models for the core properties of thermal-like updrafts to better understand key processes that regulate thermal ascent rates and entrainment properties. Thermal-tracking procedures will be used to characterize the behavior of thermals within the LES, and recently developed direct measures of entrainment and detrainment will be used to quantify entrainment/detrainment rates. Building from these results, we will analyze the structure of moist thermals from hemispheric range-height indicator scans taken during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) field campaign, and from “real case” LES of CACTI events. This combined modeling and observational analysis will provide essential validation for the existing body of research on moist thermal dynamics, which is based primarily on modeling studies. With the insight gained from the aforementioned activities, we will modify the Zhang-McFarlane convection scheme to improve its representation of updraft vertical velocity and entrainment rate profiles. These process-level changes will be tested in the Community Atmosphere Model to assess the impact on global climate simulations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Community Fabric: Visualizing communities and structure in dynamic networks

We present Community Fabric, a novel visualization technique for simultaneously visualizing communities and structure within dynamic networks. In dynamic networks, the structure of the network is continuously evolving throughout time and these underlying topological shifts tend to lead to communal changes. Community Fabric helps the viewer more easily interpret and understand the interplay of structural change and community evolution in dynamic graphs. To achieve this, we take a new approach, hybridizing two popular network and community visualizations. Community Fabric combines the likes of the Biofabric static network visualization method with traditional community alluvial flow diagrams to visualize communities in a dynamic network while also displaying the underlying network structure. Our approach improves upon existing state-of-the-art techniques in several key areas. We describe the methodologies of Community Fabric, implement the visualization using modern web-based tools, and apply our approach to three example data sets.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Development and Validation of a Multidisciplinary Tool for Accurate and Efficient Rotorcraft Noise Prediction (MUTE)

A physics-based, systematically coupled, multidisciplinary prediction tool (MUTE) for rotorcraft noise was developed and validated with a wide range of flight configurations and conditions. MUTE is an aggregation of multidisciplinary computational tools that accurately and efficiently model the physics of the source of rotorcraft noise, and predict the noise at far-field observer locations. It uses systematic coupling approaches among multiple disciplines including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD), and high fidelity acoustics. Within MUTE, advanced high-order CFD tools are used around the rotor blade to predict the transonic flow (shock wave) effects, which generate the high-speed impulsive noise. Predictions of the blade-vortex interaction noise in low speed flight are also improved by using the Particle Vortex Transport Method (PVTM), which preserves the wake flow details required for blade/wake and fuselage/wake interactions. The accuracy of the source noise prediction is further improved by utilizing a coupling approach between CFD and CSD, so that the effects of key structural dynamics, elastic blade deformations, and trim solutions are correctly represented in the analysis. The blade loading information and/or the flow field parameters around the rotor blade predicted by the CFD/CSD coupling approach are used to predict the acoustic signatures at far-field observer locations with a high-fidelity noise propagation code (WOPWOP3). The predicted results from the MUTE tool for rotor blade aerodynamic loading and far-field acoustic signatures are compared and validated with a variation of experimental data sets, such as UH60-A data, DNW test data and HART II test data.

Liu, Yi↗

Structure and dynamics of $\mathrm{Fe_{90}}$$\mathrm{Si_3}$$\mathrm{O_7}$ liquids close to Earth's liquid core conditions

Using an artificial neural-network machine learning interatomic potential, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations to study the structure and dynamics of $\mathrm{Fe_{90}}$$\mathrm{Si_3}$$\mathrm{O_7}$ liquid close to the Earth's liquid core conditions. Here, the simulation results reveal that the short-range structural order (SRO) in the $\mathrm{Fe_{90}}$$\mathrm{Si_3}$$\mathrm{O_7}$ liquid is very strong. About 80% of the atoms are arranged in crystallinelike SRO motifs. In particular, ~ $70$% of Fe-centered clusters can be classified as either hexagonal-close-packed-like or icosahedrallike SRO motifs. The SRO clusters centered on Fe, Si, or O atoms are strongly intermixed and homogenously distributed throughout the liquid. The atomic structure of the liquid and the fractions of dominant SRO clusters are not sensitive to pressure/temperature used in the simulations except that the SRO of the O-centered clusters is enhanced close to inner core pressures. The O-diffusion coefficient is about two to three times larger than the Fe and Si ions and increases more rapidly in the deeper core regions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effects of Rotation on Internal Structure and Dynamics of Main-Sequence Stars

Current state-of-the-art computer simulations allow us to build 3D dynamical and radiative models of stars from physical first principles with a high degree of realism. The radiative 3D dynamical stellar models obtained with the StellarBox code take into account the effects of turbulence, stellar abundances, a realistic equation of state, and radiative energy transport. In this talk, I will discuss the effects of rotation on the turbulent dynamics and surface structure for a 1.47Msun star for rotational periods of 1 and 14 days. The simulations are performed with the computational domain at various latitudes. The models reproduce stellar granulation, the subsurface shear layer, structural changes in convection, and the tachocline, which is the interface between the inner radiative zone and the outer convection zone and plays a crucial role in stellar variability. In particular, the model results reveal the formation of differential rotation and meridional circulation.

SMD↗

Thermodynamics, dynamics, and structure of supercritical water at extreme conditions

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand the thermodynamic, dynamic, and structural changes in supercritical water across the Frenkel line and the melting line have been performed. The two-phase thermodynamic model [J. Phys. Chem. B(2010), 114(24), 8191-8198] and the velocity autocorrelation functions are used to locate the Frenkel line and to calculate the thermodynamic and dynamic properties. The Frenkel lines obtained from the two-phase thermodynamic model and the velocity autocorrelation criterion do not agree with each other. Structural characteristics and the translational diffusion dynamics of water suggest that this inconsistency could arise from the two oscillatory modes in water, which are associated with the bending of hydrogen bonds and intermolecular collisions inside the first coordination shell. Finally, the overall results lead us to conclude that the universality of the Frenkel line as a dynamic crossover line from rigid to nonrigid fluids is preserved in water.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗