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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 73 records · Page 4

An experimental study on gas-liquid phase fluid migration in hydrate-bearing sediments during hydrate dissociation

Natural gas hydrate production tests face problems such as severe sand blockage, poor gas-liquid phase separation, and significant land subsidence. This is because of the insufficient understanding of the complex phase transition and gas-liquid multi-phase fluid migration during hydrate dissociation. In hydrate-bearing sediment systems, hydrate phase transition couples with gas-liquid fluid migration. The phase transition causes changes in pore structure, which in turn modifies porous infiltration parameters and fluid flow capacity. Meanwhile, alterations in phase interfaces affect key parameters like surface tension and wettability. Gas-liquid fluid migration influences heat and mass transfer, thus affecting phase equilibrium and dissociation rates. To bridge the gap in describing gas-liquid fluid migration during hydrate dissociation in experiments, this research innovatively integrated an unsteady-state gas displacement by water and a quantitative hydrate dissociation process, independently developed a multi-phase seepage experimental system suitable for hydrate dissociation and determined the relationship between seepage parameters and hydrate saturation under different porosity. The results are as follows: a) Core samples with higher initial porosity show a greater recovery rate of fluid flow capacity. b) The retarding effect of multi-phase fluid has a more significant impact on the migration of the wetting phase fluid (water) than that of the non-wetting phase fluid (methane). c) During hydrate dissociation, the evolution of absolute permeability shows an “S-shaped” pattern, and the evolution of relative permeability shows a “wiring-harness” pattern. In conclusion, the findings can provide a theoretical basis for preventing geological disasters and for geotechnical engineering design during hydrate production.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Reconstruction framework advancements to support streaming for the ePIC detector at the EIC

The ePIC collaboration adopted the JANA2 framework to manage its reconstruction algorithms. This framework has since evolved substantially in response to ePIC’s needs. There have been three main design drivers: integrating cleanly with the Podio-based data models and other layers of the key4hep stack, enabling external configuration of existing components, and supporting timeframe splitting for streaming readout. The result is a unified component model featuring a new declarative interface for specifying inputs, outputs, parameters, services, and resources. This interface enables the user to instantiate, configure, and wire components via an external file. One critical new addition to the component model is a hierarchical decomposition of data boundaries into levels such as Run, Timeframe, PhysicsEvent, and Subevent. Two new component abstractions, Folder and Unfolder, are introduced in order to traverse this hierarchy, e.g. by splitting or merging. The pre-existing components can now operate at different event levels, and JANA2 will automatically construct the corresponding parallel processing topology. This means that a user may write an algorithm once, and configure it at runtime to operate on timeframes or on physics events. Overall, these changes mean that the user requires less knowledge about the framework internals, obtains greater flexibility with configuration, and gains the ability to reuse the existing abstractions in new streaming contexts.

Brei, Nathan [Thomas Jefferson National Accelerato↗

Chemistry of MOS-LSI radiation hardening

The objective of this task was to obtain chemical information on MOS test samples. Toward this end, high resolution X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) has been the primary techniques used to characterize the chemistry and structure of the SiO2/Si interface for a variety of MOS structures with differing degrees of susceptibility to damage by ionizing radiation. The major accomplishments of this program are: (1) the identification of a structurally distinct region of SiO2 in the near-interfacial region of thermal SiO2 on Si; (2) the identification in the near-interfacial region of SiO2 structural differences between radiation hard and soft gate oxides; (3) the direct observation of radiation-induced damage sites in thermal SiO2 with XPS using in situ electron stress; (4) the correlation of suboxide state distributions at the SiO2/Si interface with processing parameters and radiation susceptibility; (5) the development of a chemical mechanism for radiation-induced interface state generation in SiO2/Si structures; and (6) the development benign chemical profiling techniques which permit the investigation of oxide/semiconductor structures using surface sensitive electron spectroscopic techniques.

Grunthaner, P.↗

Plasma parameters and the reduction potential at a plasma-liquid interface

We report nonthermal plasmas in contact with liquids have been shown to generate a variety of reactive species capable of initiating reduction–oxidation (redox) reactions at the electrochemically active plasma–liquid interface. In conventional electrochemical cells, selective redox chemistry is achieved by controlling the reduction potential at the solid electrode–electrolyte interface by applying a bias via an external circuit. In the case of plasma–liquid systems, an analogous means of tuning the reduction potential near the interface has not clearly been identified. When treated as a floating surface, the liquid is expected to adopt a net negative charge to balance the flux of hot electrons and relatively cold positive ions. The reduction potential near the plasma–liquid interface is hypothesized to be proportional to the floating potential, which can be approximated using an analytical model provided the plasma parameters are known. Herein, we present a framework for correlating the electron density and electron temperature of a noble gas plasma jet to the reduction potential near the plasma–liquid interface. The plasma parameters were acquired for an argon atmospheric plasma jet in contact with an aqueous solution by means of laser Thomson scattering. The reduction potential was determined using identical reference electrodes to measure the potential difference between the plasma–liquid interface and bulk solution. Interestingly, the measured reduction potentials near the plasma–liquid interface were found to be in good agreement with the model-predicted values determined using the plasma parameters obtained from the Thomson scattering experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Structural control research and experiments at NASA/LaRC

Research progress in the area of structural dynamics and control using the flexible beam facility at the NASA Langley Research Center is reviewed. Particular attention is placed on the progress in adaptive control and reliability improvements using advanced control concepts. Both theoretical and experimental results are given to indicate the nature of the work being undertaken. In the adaptive control area, emphasis is placed on parameter and system identification and in comparison of competing on-line algorithms. Also, results are presented for on-line modal control laws that are interfaced to a parameter identification scheme. This provides an on-line distributed adaptive control system. In the reliability area, a design process is outlined that incorporates reliability over the design mission life.

Montgomery, R. C.↗

Structural control research and experiments at NASA/LaRC

The advances made in the area of structural dynamics and control using the flexible beam facility at the NASA Langley Research Center are surveyed. Spectral attention is given to the progress in adaptive control and reliability improvements using advanced control concepts. Both theoretical and experimental results are given to delineate the nature of the work being undertaken. With regard to adaptive control, emphasis is placed on parameter and system identification and on comparisons between competing on-line algorithms. In addition, results are presented for on-line modal control laws that are interfaced to a parameter identification scheme. This gives an on-line distributed adaptive control system. With regard to reliability, a design process is outlined that incorporates reliability over the design mission life.

Montgomery, R. C.↗

Investigation into Interfacial Mixing Behavior of Blown Powder Deposited Inconel 625-Copper Alloy Bimetallic for Improvement of Bimetallic Joint Strength

Use of laser blown powder, directed energy deposition (DED) provides a method for fabrication of bimetallic functional materials for high heat flux applications. However, this relatively new process currently has a low technology readiness level (TRL). Key to increasing the TRL is a better understanding of the factors that control mixing of the bi-metallic materials at the interface. The resulting interfaces in specimens obtained from three vendors were characterized using optical and electron microscopy with electron dispersion spectroscopy in addition to mechanical testing. Based on the range of process parameters and resulting interfaces, a model is being developed to predict interfacial mixing for development of specifications for improved and repeatable microstructures.

Additive Manufacturing↗

User-Friendly Interface Developed for a Web-Based Service for SpaceCAL Emulations

A team at the NASA Glenn Research Center is developing a Space Communications Architecture Laboratory (SpaceCAL) for protocol development activities for coordinated satellite missions. SpaceCAL will provide a multiuser, distributed system to emulate space-based Internet architectures, backbone networks, formation clusters, and constellations. As part of a new effort in 2003, building blocks are being defined for an open distributed system to make the satellite emulation test bed accessible through an Internet connection. The first step in creating a Web-based service to control the emulation remotely is providing a user-friendly interface for encoding the data into a well-formed and complete Extensible Markup Language (XML) document. XML provides coding that allows data to be transferred between dissimilar systems. Scenario specifications include control parameters, network routes, interface bandwidths, delay, and bit error rate. Specifications for all satellite, instruments, and ground stations in a given scenario are also included in the XML document. For the SpaceCAL emulation, the XML document can be created using XForms, a Webbased forms language for data collection. Contrary to older forms technology, the interactive user interface makes the science prevalent, not the data representation. Required versus optional input fields, default values, automatic calculations, data validation, and reuse will help researchers quickly and accurately define missions. XForms can apply any XML schema defined for the test mission to validate data before forwarding it to the emulation facility. New instrument definitions, facilities, and mission types can be added to the existing schema. The first prototype user interface incorporates components for interactive input and form processing. Internet address, data rate, and the location of the facility are implemented with basic form controls with default values provided for convenience and efficiency using basic XForms operations. Because different emulation scenarios will vary widely in their component structure, more complex operations are used to add and delete facilities.

Liszka, Kathy J.↗

Vapor condensation on liquid surface due to laminar jet-induced mixing: The effects of system parameters

The effects of system parameters on the interface condensation rate in a laminar jet induced mixing tank are numerically studied. The physical system consists of a partially filled cylindrical tank with a slightly subcooled jet discharged from the center of the tank bottom toward the liquid-vapor interface which is at a saturation temperature corresponding to the constant tank pressure. Liquid is also withdrawn from the outer part of the tank bottom to maintain the constant liquid level. The jet velocity is selected to be low enough such that the free surface is approximately flat. The effect of vapor superheat is assumed to be negligible. Therefore, the interface condensation rate can be determined from the resulting temperature field in the liquid region alone. The nondimensional form of the steady state conservation equations are solved by a finite difference method for various system parameters including liquid height to tank diameter ratio, tank to jet diameter ratio, liquid inflow to outflow area ratio, and a heat leak parameter which characterizes the uniform wall heat flux. Detailed analyses based on the numerical solutions are performed and simplified equations are suggested for the prediction of condensation rate.

Lin, Chin-Shun↗

Vapor condensation on liquid surface due to laminar jet-induced mixing - The effects of system parameters

The effects of system parameters on the interface condensation rate in a laminar jet induced mixing tank are numerically studied. The physical system consists of a partially filled cylindrical tank with a slightly subcooled jet discharged from the center of the tank bottom toward the liquid-vapor interface which is at a saturation temperature corresponding to the constant tank pressure. Liquid is also withdrawn from the outer part of the tank bottom to maintain the constant liquid level. The jet velocity is selected to be low enough such that the free surface is approximately flat. The effect of vapor superheat is assumed to be negligible. Therefore, the interface condensation rate can be determined from the resulting temperature field in the liquid region alone. The nondimensional form of the steady state conservation equations are solved by a finite difference method for various system parameters including liquid height to tank diameter ratio, tank to jet diameter ratio, liquid inflow to outflow area ratio, and a heat leak parameter which characterizes the uniform wall heat flux. Detailed analyses based on the numerical solutions are performed and simplified equations are suggested for the prediction of condensation rate.

Lin, Chin-Shun↗

Fiber reinforced solids possessing great fracture toughness: The role of interfacial strength

The high tensile strength characteristic of strong interfacial filament/matrix bonding can be combined with the high fracture toughness of weak interfacial bonding, when the filaments are arranged to have alternate sections of high and low shear stress (and low and high toughness). Such weak and strong areas can be achieved by appropriate intermittent coating of the fibers. An analysis is presented for toughness and strength which demonstrates, in broad terms, the effects of varying the coating parameters of concern. Results show that the toughness of interfaces is an important parameter, differences in which may not be shown up in terms of interfacial strength. Some observations are made upon methods of measuring the components of toughness in composites.

Atkins, A. G.↗

Rapid Optimization of Total Variation with Applications in Imaging, Additive Manufacturing, and Qualification

Total Variation optimization penalizes the gradient of a control variable or state. While this work focuses on image processing in particular, it has also found applications in inverse problems and topology optimization. In image processing, the goal is to maintain faithfulness to the original image while denoising and/or deblurring. Additionally, bilevel optimization over the spatially varying regularization weights can illuminate interfaces such as damage regions and other anomalies. We will address two fundamental challenges with TV-optimization: (i) the typical slow convergence of existing TV-optimization methods, and (ii) the selection of spatially varying TV parameters to promote interface detection. Additionally, we will apply such techniques to image data collected in additive manufacturing. In said context, stochasticity in build events induces flaws in the manufactured piece, compromising the integrity of said part. There is a critical need for in-situ monitoring to spot anomalies once they form, and in this setting we apply our total variation and hyperparameter solvers. We will develop a customized algorithm based on for extreme-scale TV-optimization that achieves super-linear or quadratic-convergence, a critical property for real-time, image-by-image analysis. A worst-case outcome is a preprocessing step that enhances image quality in-situ, specifically for out-of-focus and noisy images.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Interface shape in Czochralski grown crystals - Effect of conduction and radiation

A sequential modular computational scheme has been proposed for the calculation of temperature profiles in the melt and crystal including the melt-crystal interface shape and the crystal pulling rate for a fixed crystal radius. The heat transfer in the melt is assumed to occur by conduction only. The shape of melt-gas meniscus, described by Laplace-Young equation, is incorporated in the model and its effects on interface shape and pulling rate are examined. Further, the model incorporates the detailed radiation interaction among the various surfaces in the puller using the Gebhart enclosure theory which accounts for both direct and reflected radiation. The effects of various process parameters on the interface shape and the pulling rate have been investigated. The results of this study indicate that the shape of the melt-gas meniscus has a significant effect on the pulling rate and the interface shape in conformity with earlier studies. Further, it is shown that a simple radiation model (Stefan's model) is inadequate to model the radiation heat exchange in the Czochralski puller apparatus and the detailed Gebhart analysis is necessary for accurate calculation of both the temperature profile in the crystal as well as the interface shape.

Srivastava, R. K.↗

Skin-stiffener interface stresses in composite stiffened panels

A model and solution method for determining the normal and shear stresses in the interface between the skin and the stiffener attached flange were developed. An efficient, analytical solution procedure was developed and incorporated in a sizing code for stiffened panels. The analysis procedure described provides a means to study the effects of material and geometric design parameters on the interface stresses. These stresses include the normal stress, and the shear stresses in both the longitudinal and the transverse directions. The tendency toward skin/stiffener separation may therefore be minimized by choosing appropriate values for the design variables. The most important design variables include the relative bending stiffnesses of the skin and stiffener attached flange, the bending stiffness of the stiffener web, and the flange width. The longitudinal compressive loads in the flange and skin have significant effects on the interface stresses.

Wang, J. T. S.↗

Penalty-Based Finite Element Interface Technology for Analysis of Homogeneous and Composite Structures

An effective and robust interface element technology able to connect independently modeled finite element subdomains has been developed. This method is based on the use of penalty constraints and allows coupling of finite element models whose nodes do not coincide along their common interface. Additionally, the present formulation leads to a computational approach that is very efficient and completely compatible with existing commercial software. A significant effort has been directed toward identifying those model characteristics (element geometric properties, material properties, and loads) that most strongly affect the required penalty parameter, and subsequently to developing simple 'formulae' for automatically calculating the proper penalty parameter for each interface constraint. This task is especially critical in composite materials and structures, where adjacent sub-regions may be composed of significantly different materials or laminates. This approach has been validated by investigating a variety of two-dimensional problems, including composite laminates.

Averill, Ronald C.↗

Coupled Reactor Multiphysics and Mass Scalability Assessment for Crewed Megawatt-Class NEP System Architectures

Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) is an in-space propulsion technology capable of enabling opposition and conjunction class crewed Mars missions. NEP subsystems include the reactor for heat generation, a power conversion system (PCS), power management and distribution (PMAD), electric propulsion subsystem (EPS), and a primary heat rejection system. Specific mass, or αe (kg / kWe), is a key performance parameter (KPP) of the propulsion system which is directly scalable with the performance and mass estimates for individual components. To inform technology maturation planning, full system and component level parametric modeling is ongoing to explore the design trade space and illustrate the effect of subsystem design choices on the system KPPs. In this study, scaling of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) reactor designs is assessed through coupled reactor physics and thermal hydraulics analyses. Scaling analyses evaluate the impact of system performance parameters (power level, interface temperatures) on mass for direct gas cooled, pumped liquid metal, and passively cooled heat pipe reactor concepts. Each concept requires specific geometries and working fluids to reach the performance goals of PCS interface conditions (temperature, pressure, flow rate) and system mass. The reactor assembly includes the active core (fuel, moderator, cladding, working fluid), axial and radial neutron reflectors, control drums, structural support / pressure vessel, and external radiation shielding. Each of these components are parametrically sized based on performance parameters for a megawatt-class power cycle. Results of this scaling analysis increase NEP propulsion system modeling fidelity and ultimately aim to support technology down-selection along with related technology development planning. The reactor and shield αe are a function of several PCS design choices, and reactor scaling with these parameters must be considered to enable an informed decision on reactor geometry and working fluid combination.

Nuclear Electric Propulsion↗

Coupled Reactor Multiphysics and Mass Scalability Assessment for Crewed Megawatt-Class NEP System Architectures

Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) is an in-space propulsion technology capable of enabling opposition and conjunction class crewed Mars missions. NEP subsystems include the reactor for heat generation, a power conversion system (PCS), power management and distribution, electric propulsion system, and heat rejection system. Specific mass, or α (kg/kWe), is a key performance parameter (KPP) of the propulsion system which is directly scalable with the performance and mass predictions for each individual component. To inform technology maturation planning activities, full system and component level parametric modeling is ongoing to explore the design trade space and illustrate the effect of subsystem design choices on the system KPPs. In this study, scaling of high-assay, low-enriched uranium reactor designs is assessed through coupled reactor physics and thermal hydraulics analyses. Scaling analyses evaluate the impact of system performance parameters (power level, interface temperatures) on mass for direct gas cooled, pumped liquid metal, and passively-cooled heat pipe reactor concepts. Each concept requires specific geometries, fluids, and power conversion interface conditions (temperature, pressure, flow rate) to meet desired performance and mass. The reactor assembly includes the active core (fuel, moderator, cladding, working fluid), axial and radial neutron reflectors, control drums, structural support / pressure vessel, and external radiation shielding. Each of these components are parametrically sized based on performance parameters for a megawatt-class power cycle. Results of this scaling analysis increase NEP propulsion system modeling fidelity and ultimately aim to support concept down-selection along with related technology development planning. The reactor and shield α are a function of several PCS and heat rejection system design choices, and reactor scaling with these parameters must be considered to enable an informed decision on an optimal reactor geometry and working fluid combination.

Nuclear Electric Propulsion↗