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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 703 records · Page 39

Data acquisition system for NASA LaRC impact dynamics research facility

A data system is designed to permit the simultaneous recording of 90 data channels on one 28 track magnetic tape recorder using a constant bandwidth FM multiplexing technique. Dynamic signals from transducers located in the test aircraft are amplified and fed to voltage controlled oscillators where they are converted to discrete FM signals. The signals from each group of five VCO's are fed to a mixer/distribution amplifier where they are combined into one composite signal and recorded, using direct recording techniques, on one magnetic tape recorder track. Millivolt signals from the recorders reproduce heads are amplified to one volt and then electronically switched to an FM demultiplexing system where appropriate frequency discrimination and signal filtering recover the original analog information.

Mccormick, R. F.↗

Proceedings of the 2004 Workshop on CFD Validation of Synthetic Jets and Turbulent Separation Control

The papers presented here are from the Langley Research Center Workshop on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Validation of Synthetic Jets and Turbulent Separation Control (nicknamed "CFDVAL2004"), held March 2004 in Williamsburg, Virginia. The goal of the workshop was to bring together an international group of CFD practitioners to assess the current capabilities of different classes of turbulent flow solution methodologies to predict flow fields induced by synthetic jets and separation control geometries. The workshop consisted of three flow-control test cases of varying complexity, and participants could contribute to any number of the cases. Along with their workshop submissions, each participant included a short write-up describing their method for computing the particular case(s). These write-ups are presented as received from the authors with no editing. Descriptions of each of the test cases and experiments are also included.

Rumsey, Christopher L.↗

Design and Development of Functionally Effective Human-Machine Interfaces for Firing Room Displays

This project involves creating software for support equipment used on the Space l aunch System (SLS). The goal is to create applications and displays that will be used to remotely operate equipment from the firing room and will continue to support the SLS launch vehicle to the extent of its program. These displays include design practices that help to convey information effectively, such as minimizing distractions at normal operating state and displaying intentional distractions during a warning or alarm state. The general practice for creating an operator display is to reduce the detail of unimportant aspects of the display and promote focus on data and dynamic information. These practices include using minimalist design, using muted tones for background colors, using a standard font at a readable text size, displaying alarms visible for Immediate attention, grouping data logically, and displaying data appropriately varying on the type of data. Users of these displays are more likely to stay focused on operating for longer periods by using design practices that reduce eye strain and fatigue. Effective operator displays will improve safety by reducing human errors during operation, which will help prevent catastrophic accidents. This report entails the details of my work on developing remote displays for the Hypergolics ground system. Before developing a prototype display, the design and requirements of the system are outlined and compiled into a document. Then each subsystem has schematic representations drawn tha.t meet the specifications detailed in the document. The schematics are then used as the outline to create display representations of each subsystem. Each display is first tested individually. Then the displays are integrated with a prototype of the master system, and they are tested in a simulated environment then retested in the real environment. Extensive testing is important to ensure the displays function reliably as intended.

Cho, Henry↗

Design and Development of Functionally Effective Human-Machine Interfaces for Firing Room Displays

This project involves creating software for support equipment used on the Space Launch System (SLS). The goal is to create applications and displays that will be used to remotely operate equipment from the firing room and will continue to support the SLS launch vehicle to the extent of its program. These displays include design practices that help to convey information effectively, such as minimizing distractions at normal operating state and displaying intentional distractions during a warning or alarm state. The general practice for creating an operator display is to reduce the detail of unimportant aspects of the display and promote focus on data and dynamic information. These practices include using minimalist design, using muted tones for background colors, using a standard font at a readable text size, displaying alarms visible for immediate attention, grouping data logically, and displaying data appropriately varying on the type of data. Users of these displays are more likely to stay focused on operating for longer periods by using design practices that reduce eye strain and fatigue. Effective operator displays will improve safety by reducing human errors during operation, which will help prevent catastrophic accidents. This report entails the details of my work on developing remote displays for the Hypergolic fuel servicing system. Before developing a prototype display, the design and requirements of the system are outlined and compiled into a document. Then each subsystem has schematic representations drawn that meet the specifications detailed in the document. The schematics are then used as the outline to create display representations of each subsystem. Each display is first tested individually. Then the displays are integrated with a prototype of the master system, and they are tested in a simulated environment then retested in the real environment. Extensive testing is important to ensure the displays function reliably as intended.

displays↗

Analysis of an Anemone-Type Eruption in an On-Disk Coronal Hole

We report on an eruption seen in a very small coronal hole (about 120 arcseconds across), beginning at approximately 19:00 Universal Time on March 3, 2016. The event was initially observed by an amateur astronomer (RW) in an H-alpha movie from the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG); the eruption attracted the attention of the observer because there was no nearby active region. To examine the region in detail, we use data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), provided by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) in wavelengths 193 angstroms, 304 angstroms, and 94 angstroms, and the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI). Data analysis and calibration activities such as scaling, rotation so that north is up, and removal of solar rotation are accomplished with SunPy. The eruption in low-cadence HMI data begins with the appearance of a bipole in the location of the coronal hole, followed by (apparent) expansion outwards when the intensity of the AIA wavelengths brighten; as the event proceeds, the coronal hole disappears. From high-cadence data, we will present results on the magnetic evolution of this structure, how it is related to intensity brightenings seen in the various SDO/AIA wavelengths, and how this event compares with the standard-anemone picture.

anemone↗

Development of A Crew Health and Performance System Probabilistic Risk Assessment Tool: Proof-of-Concept Approach

The crew health and performance (CHP) system represents the span of technological interventions and tested processes and procedures that in combination address the human risk to space flight. The Human Research Program (HRP) mental model of the CHP system breaks the capabilities needed to meet NASA human flight systems standards into specific categories (i.e., countermeasures, behavioral health, medical intervention). These categories are further broken down into specific sub-groups generally associated with the human system risks that these capabilities seek to mitigate. Like the approach used to develop the Integrated Medical Model (IMM) and the Medical Extensible Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Analysis Tool (MEDPRAT), HRP tasked NASA GRC’s Cross-Cutting Computational Modeling Project with developing a CHP probabilistic risk assessment tool, the CHP-PRA. The CHP-PRA model seeks to quantify and relatively assess the human risk state within the crew health and performance domain, using a combination of knowledge about human system risks and technology and practices likely to be applied during space flight missions. This modeling system will incorporate customer and stakeholder feedback and be flexible enough to address multiple different questions about important low-level mission-specific parameters. This presentation will introduce the initial concept and development timeline for this tool and demonstrate proof-of-concept through an application addressing a specific human risk question posed within the Artemis program.

Risk analysis↗

Flutter Prediction Report in Support of the High Angle Working Group at the Third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop

This paper presents a summary of the computational flutter results associated with the AIAA third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop (AePW-3) High Angle Working Group (HAWG). The computational results are compared against the experimental data collected during the Pitch and Plunge Apparatus (PAPA) Benchmark Supercritical Wing (BSCW) test campaign conducted in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) at NASA Langley Research Center thirty years ago. During that test several flutter points were identified at transonic conditions. One of these points, specifically near Mach 0.8 and 5° angle of attack, became a focal point of the computational challenge with in HAWG. Various fidelity time-domain, Reduced Order Model (ROM) and Linearized Frequency Domain (LFD) methods were used by seven participating teams. While there are encouraging trends in the computational results, the range of the predicted flutter dynamic pressure is still quite large due to the stall flutter mechanism. A description of each participating team’s software and methods is included.

Pawel Chwalowski↗

Shock-Buffet Prediction Report in Support of the High Angle Working Group at the Third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop

This paper presents a summary of the computational shock-buffet results associated with the third Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop (AePW-3) High-Angle Working Group. The computational results are compared against experimental data collected during the Oscillating Turn Table (OTT) Benchmark Supercritical Wing (BSCW) test campaign conducted in NASA Langley Research Center Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) in early 2000. In addition to experimental forced oscillation data, unsteady pressure data was collected at a single spanwise station at transonic Mach numbers, several values of dynamic pressure, and fixed angles of attack. It is acknowledged that the current experimental data are limited, but future experiments are planned to obtain pressure data at two wingspan stations in addition to unsteady Pressure Sensitive Paint (uPSP). With that, the computational results presented here are considered to be semi-blind. The results are presented in the form of time-varying pressure coefficients, running-mean values of the pressure coefficients, Power Spectral Density (PSD) and Strouhal number computations. The results are split into two parts. In the first part, the computational results obtained by each team using their flow solvers and grids are compared. In the second part, a single computational tool was used to compute unsteady pressure on participant-generated grids. In addition, a description of each participating team’s software and methods is included.

Pawel Chwalowski↗

Safe Operational Envelope for the LSMS Family of Cable-Driven Cranes

The Lightweight Surface Manipulation System, or LSMS, is a family of long-reach cable-actuated robotic cranes. They are designed for planetary surface operations on the Moon and Mars. Their low structural weight and compact packaging reduces the fuel costs associated with space travel. The LSMS can be operated by humans, who can be on site or remotely, or autonomously. The goal of this research is to help human operators and path planning algorithms avoid unsafe states during operation. To this end, this work leverages a geometrical model of the LSMS and formulates a new dynamic model. These are later used to define the safe operational envelope for the LSMS family. The paper classifies the constraints that define the safe operational envelope in three groups: motor constraints, geometric constraints, and cable tension constraints. Keeping the cables under tension is necessary to maintain controllability over the joint angles. Two types of loss of tension events are identified for each of the cables. First, an excessive reel out of the cables can lead to a loss of tension, where the LSMS links behave like a pendulum. Second, an excessive reel in of the cables can lead to a link tip-over. This can cause a violent clash between the links on the LSMS. The paper visualizes these constraints for the LSMS-L35, the smallest robot within the family.

LSMS↗

Toward a classification of PT-symmetric quantum systems: From dissipative dynamics to topology and wormholes

Studies of many-body non-Hermitian parity-time (PT)-symmetric quantum systems are attracting a lot of interest due to their relevance in research areas ranging from quantum optics and continuously monitored dynamics to Euclidean wormholes in quantum gravity and dissipative quantum chaos. While a symmetry classification of non-Hermitian systems leads to 38 universality classes, we show that, under certain conditions, PT-symmetric systems are grouped into 24 universality classes. We identify 14 of them in a coupled two-site Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model and confirm the classification by spectral analysis using exact diagonalization techniques. Intriguingly, in 4 of these 14 universality classes, AIII ν , BDI ν † , BDI + + ν , and CI − − ν , we identify a basis in which the SYK Hamiltonian has a block structure in which some blocks are rectangular, with ν ∈ N the difference between the number of rows and columns. We show analytically that this feature leads to the existence of ν robust purely eigenvalues, whose level statistics follow the predictions of Hermitian random matrix theory for classes A, AI, BDI, and CI, respectively. We have recently found that this ν is a topological invariant, so these classes are topological. By contrast, nontopological real eigenvalues display a crossover between Hermitian and non-Hermitian level statistics. Similarly to the case of Lindbladian dynamics, the reduction of universality classes leads to unexpected results, such as the absence of Kramers degeneracy in a given sector of the theory. Another novel feature of the classification scheme is that different sectors of the PT-symmetric Hamiltonian may have different symmetries. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Cassini Observations of Plasmoid Structure and Dynamics: Implications for the Role of Magnetic Reconnection in Magnetospheric Circulation at Saturn

We survey the Cassini magnetometer data during the deep tail orbits in 2006, and find 34 direct encounters with plasmoids. They occur as single, isolated events but also in groups of two or more plasmoids as is frequently observed at Earth . We show a case study example of three such plasmoids over three hours, where we estimate an upper limit of 5.68 GWb of flux closure, and derive a reconnection rate over this interval of 526 kV. We show the results of a superposed epoch analysis of al1 34 plasmoids indicating that, on average, plasmoids at Saturn are approix.8 min in duration and they tend toward a loop-like, as opposed to flux rope-like topology, with little or no axial core magnetic field. Our analysis shows that plasmoids at Saturn are followed by an extended interval of the post-plasmoid plasma sheet (PPPS) lasting approx.58 min. The average open magnetic flux disconnected by the continued reconnet:tion following plasmoid formation that creates the PPPS is approx.3 GWb. We calculate expected recurrence rates for plasmoids, and compare these with a derived observational recurrence rate of one plasmoid every approx.2.4 days, explaining the reasons why the spacecraft has not observed as many plasmoids as we predict will be released. We conclude that the Cassini magnetometer measurements require a combination of Vasyliunas-type closed-flux plasma sheet and Dungey-type open-flux lobe reconnection to account for the observed properties of the plasmoids and PPPS in Saturn's magnetotail.

Jackman, C. M.↗

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Liquid and Polymer Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices

Advancing beyond current lithium-ion technology is necessary in order to enable energy storage devices for electric airplanes. Electrolyte stability is a key limiting factor, yet the design of improved electrolytes remains a formidable challenge. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are a powerful tool for studying electrolytes, since they can be used to evaluate structural, thermodynamic, and transport properties, and can provide molecular-level detail often inaccessible to experimental techniques. Our computational materials groups at the NASA Ames Research Center has developed models and methods to accurately simulate both liquid and polymer electrolytes.We report the results from atomistic MD simulations of several electrolyte materials, with lithium salts dissolved in ionic liquids, dimethoxyethane (DME), and polyethylene oxide (PEO). For improved accuracy, we employ polarizable models, where each atom is given an environment-dependent atomic dipole. The simulations accurately predict bulk transport properties, including viscosity, diffusion, and ionic conductivity, in quantitative agreement with available experimental data. Moreover, the simulations provide important insights into the solvation structure of the lithium ions.We also report the results from coarse-grained MD simulations of polyanion electrolytes. In order to more efficiently capture the longer length- and time-scales of these systems, we employ a generic bead-spring model. These simulations provide important insight into how the polymer chain architecture and ionic interaction strengths affect the ionic aggregation behavior and cation dynamics. Despite the simplicity of the model, the simulations yield qualitative agreement with experimental data for similar systems.

Abbott, Lauren J.↗

LC-Opt: Benchmarking Reinforcement Learning and Agentic AI for End-to-End Liquid Cooling Optimization in Data Centers

Liquid cooling is critical for thermal management in high-density data centers with the rising AI workloads. However, machine learning-based controllers are essential to unlock greater energy efficiency and reliability, promoting sustainability. We present LC-Opt, a Sustainable Liquid Cooling (LC) benchmark environment, for reinforcement learning (RL) control strategies in energy-efficient liquid cooling of high-performance computing (HPC) systems. Built on the baseline of a high-fidelity digital twin of Oak Ridge National Lab's Frontier Supercomputer cooling system, LC-Opt provides detailed Modelica-based end-to-end models spanning site-level cooling towers to data center cabinets and server blade groups. RL agents optimize critical thermal controls like liquid supply temperature, flow rate, and granular valve actuation at the IT cabinet level, as well as cooling tower (CT) setpoints through a Gymnasium interface, with dynamic changes in workloads. This environment creates a multi-objective real-time optimization challenge balancing local thermal regulation and global energy efficiency, and also supports additional components like a heat recovery unit (HRU). We benchmark centralized and decentralized multi-agent RL approaches, demonstrate policy distillation into decision and regression trees for interpretable control, and explore LLM-based methods that explain control actions in natural language through an agentic mesh architecture designed to foster user trust and simplify system management. LC-Opt democratizes access to detailed, customizable liquid cooling models, enabling the ML community, operators, and vendors to develop sustainable data center liquid cooling control solutions.

Naug, Avisek [Hewlett Packard Enterprise]↗

Reduction of truncation errors in modal analysis

A condensation method and computer program are described for large discrete parameter vibration analysis of complex structures that greatly reduces truncation errors and provides accurate definition of modes in a selected frequency range. A dynamic transformation is obtained from the partitioned equations of motion that relates modes not explicitly in the condensed solution to the retained modes at a selected system frequency. The generalized mass and stiffness matrices, obtained with existing modal synthesis methods, are reduced using this transformation and solved. Revised solutions are then obtained using new transformations at the calculated eigenvalues and are also used to assess the accuracy of the results. Computations are made tractable by simplified forms of the transformation that result with various modal synthesis methods. Three examples using the dynamic transformation in conjunction with a General Electric stiffness coupling method and the method of Craig and Bampton indicate large reductions in truncation errors and demonstrate the method for sequential groups of modes.

Kuhar, E. J.↗

Dynamic phenomena in sunspots

A detailed summary of observed dynamic phenomena associated with sunspots is presented, together with a description of the observational techniques and available analytical formulations for the processes under study. The phenomena detected thus far are grouped into aperiodic events and oscillations and waves. Aperiodic phenomena comprise umbral flares, the superpenumbra, and inverse Evershed flow. Internal, aperiodic manifestations include penumbral grains, the photospheric penumbral dark fibrils, Evershed flow, umbral dots, the inhomogeneity of the umbral magnetic field, and umbral turbulence. Oscillations and flashes are seen in the umbra, while running waves and dark puffs have been detected in the penumbra, and oscillations are located in the photosphere. All the observed features are evidence of mass motion and change on time scales of less than an hour.

Moore, R. L.↗

Gravity jitter response slosh wave excitation on the fluid in a rotating dewar

The present study investigates the dynamical behavior of fluids, in particular, the effect of surface tension on partially filled fluids in a rotating dewar in a microgravity environment. It is shown that there is a group of wave trains, both in longitudinal and transverse modes, with various frequencies and wavelengths of slosh waves generated by the restoring field force field of gravity jitters and centrifugal forces. The longest wave periods of slosh waves, either the longitudinal or transverse modes, are found to be responsible for the production of wave modes with the highest ratio of maximum wave amplitude to wavelength. The lower frequency slosh waves are the wave modes with higher wave energy than that of the higher frequency slosh waves.

Hung, R. J.↗

An algebraic cluster model based on the harmonic oscillator basis

We discuss the semimicroscopic algebraic cluster model introduced recently, in which the internal structure of the nuclear clusters is described by the harmonic oscillator shell model, while their relative motion is accounted for by the Vibron model. The algebraic formulation of the model makes extensive use of techniques associated with harmonic oscillators and their symmetry group, SU(3). The model is applied to some cluster systems and is found to reproduce important characteristics of nuclei in the sd-shell region. An approximate SU(3) dynamical symmetry is also found to hold for the C-12 + C-12 system.

Levai, Geza↗

Solar-System Tests of Gravitational Theories

We are engaged in testing gravitational theory by means of observations of objects in the solar system. These tests include an examination of the Principle Of Equivalence (POE), the Shapiro delay, the advances of planetary perihelia, the possibility of a secular variation G in the "gravitational constant" G, and the rate of the de Sitter (geodetic) precession of the Earth-Moon system. These results are consistent with our preliminary results focusing on the contribution of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), which were presented at the seventh Marcel Grossmann meeting on general relativity. The largest improvement over previous results comes in the uncertainty for (eta): a factor of five better than our previous value. This improvement reflects the increasing strength of the LLR data. A similar analysis presented at the same meeting by a group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory gave a similar result for (eta). Our value for (beta) represents our first such result determined simultaneously with the solar quadrupole moment from the dynamical data set. These results are being prepared for publication. We have shown how positions determined from different planetary ephemerides can be compared and how the combination of VLBI and pulse timing information can yield a direct tie between planetary and radio frames. We have continued to include new data in our analysis as they became available. Finally, we have made improvement in our analysis software (PEP) and ported it to a network of modern workstations from its former home on a "mainframe" computer.

Shapiro, Irwin↗