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Contact dynamics math model

The Space Station Mechanism Test Bed consists of a hydraulically driven, computer controlled six degree of freedom (DOF) motion system with which docking, berthing, and other mechanisms can be evaluated. Measured contact forces and moments are provided to the simulation host computer to enable representation of orbital contact dynamics. This report describes the development of a generalized math model which represents the relative motion between two rigid orbiting vehicles. The model allows motion in six DOF for each body, with no vehicle size limitation. The rotational and translational equations of motion are derived. The method used to transform the forces and moments from the sensor location to the vehicles' centers of mass is also explained. Two math models of docking mechanisms, a simple translational spring and the Remote Manipulator System end effector, are presented along with simulation results. The translational spring model is used in an attempt to verify the simulation with compensated hardware in the loop results.

Glaese, John R.↗

The Vortex Lattice Method for the Rotor-Vortex Interaction Problem

The rotor blade-vortex interaction problem and the resulting impulsive airloads which generate undesirable noise levels are discussed. A numerical lifting surface method to predict unsteady aerodynamic forces induced on a finite aspect ratio rectangular wing by a straight, free vortex placed at an arbitrary angle in a subsonic incompressible free stream is developed first. Using a rigid wake assumption, the wake vortices are assumed to move downsteam with the free steam velocity. Unsteady load distributions are obtained which compare favorably with the results of planar lifting surface theory. The vortex lattice method has been extended to a single bladed rotor operating at high advance ratios and encountering a free vortex from a fixed wing upstream of the rotor. The predicted unsteady load distributions on the model rotor blade are generally in agreement with the experimental results. This method has also been extended to full scale rotor flight cases in which vortex induced loads near the tip of a rotor blade were indicated. In both the model and the full scale rotor blade airload calculations a flat planar wake was assumed which is a good approximation at large advance ratios because the downwash is small in comparison to the free stream at large advance ratios. The large fluctuations in the measured airloads near the tip of the rotor blade on the advance side is predicted closely by the vortex lattice method.

Padakannaya, R.↗

Low Reynolds number wind tunnel measurements - The importance of being earnest

A method for obtaining two-dimensional aerodynamic force coefficients at low Reynolds numbers using a three-component external platform balance is presented. Regardless of method, however, the importance of understanding the possible influence of the test facility and instrumentation on the final results cannot be overstated. There is an uncertainty in the ability of the facility to simulate a two-dimensional flow environment due to the confinement effect of the wind tunnel and the method used to mount the airfoil. Additionally, the ability of the instrumentation to accurately measure forces and pressures has an associated uncertainty. This paper focuses on efforts taken to understand the errors introduced by the techniques and apparatus used at the University of Notre Dame, and, the importance of making an earnest estimate of the uncertainty. Although quantitative estimates of facility induced errors are difficult to obtain, the uncertainty in measured results can be handled in a straightforward manner and provide the experimentalist, and others, with a basis to evaluate experimental results.

Mueller, Thomas J.↗

The Effect of Ion Irradiation on Nanocrystallization and Surface Relief of a Ribbon from Fe{sub 72.5}Cu{sub 1}Nb{sub 2}Mo{sub 1.5}Si{sub 14}B{sub 9} Alloy

Using the methods of X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy, the process of crystallization of an amorphous Fe{sub 72.5}Cu{sub 1}Nb{sub 2}Mo{sub 1.5}Si{sub 14}B{sub 9} alloy irradiated with accelerated Ar{sup +} ions is investigated. It is found out that an irradiation by the Ar{sup +} ions with the energy 30 keV at the ion current density 300 μA/cm{sup 2} (fluence 3.75·10{sup 15} cm{sup –2}, irradiation time ~2 s, ion-beam short-duration heating up to 350°С, which is 150°С lower than the thermal crystallization threshold) results in a complete crystallization of this amorphous alloy (throughout the bulk of a 25 μm ribbon) followed by precipitation of solid solution crystals of α-Fe(Si), close in its composition to Fe{sub 80}Si{sub 20}, stable phase of Fe{sub 3}Si, and metastable hexagonal phases. By the methods of atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopy it is shown that nanocrystallization caused by ion irradiation is accompanied by surface relief changes both on the irradiated and unirradiated sides of the Fe{sub 72.5}Cu{sub 1}Nb{sub 2}Mo{sub 1.5}Si{sub 14}B{sub 9} alloy ribbon at the depth exceeding by a factor of 10{sup 3} that of the physical ion penetration for this material. The data obtained, taking into account a significant temperature decrease and multiple acceleration of the crystallization process, serve an evidence of the radiation-dynamic influence of accelerated ions on the metastable amorphous medium.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

GeoVision Analysis: Exploration Task Force Report

The GeoVision study effort included ground-breaking, detailed research on current and future market conditions and geothermal technologies in order to forecast and quantify the electric and non-electric deployment potentials under a range of scenarios, in addition to their impacts on the Nation’s jobs, economy and environment. Coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), the GeoVision study development relied on the collection, modeling, and analysis of robust datasets through seven national laboratory partners, which were organized into eight technical Task Force groups. The purpose of this report is to provide a central repository for the research conducted by the Exploration Task Force. The Exploration Task Force consists of four individuals representing three national laboratories: Patrick Dobson (task lead) and Christine Doughty of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Anna Wall of National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Travis McLing of Idaho National Laboratory, and Chester Weiss of Sandia National Laboratories. As part of the GeoVision analysis, our team conducted extensive scientific and financial analyses on a number of topics related to current and future geothermal exploration methods. The GeoVision Exploration Task Force complements the drilling and resource technology investigations conducted as part of the Reservoir Maintenance and Development Task Force. The Exploration Task Force however has focused primarily on early stage R&D technologies in exploration and confirmation drilling, along with an evaluation of geothermal financing challenges and assumptions, and innovative “blue-sky” technologies. This research was used to develop geothermal resource supply curves (through the use of GETEM) for use in the ReEDS capacity expansion modeling that determines geothermal technology deployment potential. It also catalogues and explores the large array of early-stage R&D technologies with the potential to dramatically reduce exploration and geothermal development costs, forming the basis of the GeoVision Technology Improvement (TI) scenario. These modeling topics are covered in detail in Potential to Penetration task force report. Most of the research contained herein has been published in peer-reviewed papers or conference proceedings and are cited and referenced accordingly. The sections that follow provide a central repository for all of the research findings of the Exploration and Confirmation Task Force. In summary, it provides a comprehensive discussion of Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS) and associated technology challenges, the risks and costs of conducting geothermal exploration, a review of existing government efforts to date in advancing early-stage R&D in both exploration and EGS technologies, as well as a discussion of promising and innovative technologies and implementation of blue-sky concepts that could significantly reduce costs, lower risks, and shorten the time needed to explore and develop geothermal resources of all types.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Fast-Running Aeroelastic Code Based on Unsteady Linearized Aerodynamic Solver Developed

The NASA Glenn Research Center has been developing aeroelastic analyses for turbomachines for use by NASA and industry. An aeroelastic analysis consists of a structural dynamic model, an unsteady aerodynamic model, and a procedure to couple the two models. The structural models are well developed. Hence, most of the development for the aeroelastic analysis of turbomachines has involved adapting and using unsteady aerodynamic models. Two methods are used in developing unsteady aerodynamic analysis procedures for the flutter and forced response of turbomachines: (1) the time domain method and (2) the frequency domain method. Codes based on time domain methods require considerable computational time and, hence, cannot be used during the design process. Frequency domain methods eliminate the time dependence by assuming harmonic motion and, hence, require less computational time. Early frequency domain analyses methods neglected the important physics of steady loading on the analyses for simplicity. A fast-running unsteady aerodynamic code, LINFLUX, which includes steady loading and is based on the frequency domain method, has been modified for flutter and response calculations. LINFLUX, solves unsteady linearized Euler equations for calculating the unsteady aerodynamic forces on the blades, starting from a steady nonlinear aerodynamic solution. First, we obtained a steady aerodynamic solution for a given flow condition using the nonlinear unsteady aerodynamic code TURBO. A blade vibration analysis was done to determine the frequencies and mode shapes of the vibrating blades, and an interface code was used to convert the steady aerodynamic solution to a form required by LINFLUX. A preprocessor was used to interpolate the mode shapes from the structural dynamic mesh onto the computational dynamics mesh. Then, we used LINFLUX to calculate the unsteady aerodynamic forces for a given mode, frequency, and phase angle. A postprocessor read these unsteady pressures and calculated the generalized aerodynamic forces, eigenvalues, and response amplitudes. The eigenvalues determine the flutter frequency and damping. As a test case, the flutter of a helical fan was calculated with LINFLUX and compared with calculations from TURBO-AE, a nonlinear time domain code, and from ASTROP2, a code based on linear unsteady aerodynamics.

Reddy, T. S. R.↗

Comments on Frequency Swept Rotating Input Perturbation Techniques and Identification of the Fluid Force Models in Rotor/bearing/seal Systems and Fluid Handling Machines

Perturbation techniques used for identification of rotating system dynamic characteristics are described. A comparison between two periodic frequency-swept perturbation methods applied in identification of fluid forces of rotating machines is presented. The description of the fluid force model identified by inputting circular periodic frequency-swept force is given. This model is based on the existence and strength of the circumferential flow, most often generated by the shaft rotation. The application of the fluid force model in rotor dynamic analysis is presented. It is shown that the rotor stability is an entire rotating system property. Some areas for further research are discussed.

Muszynska, Agnes↗

Evaluation of a CFD Method for Aerodynamic Database Development using the Hyper-X Stack Configuration

A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) study is performed on the Hyper-X (X-43A) Launch Vehicle stack configuration in support of the aerodynamic database generation in the transonic to hypersonic flow regime. The main aim of the study is the evaluation of a CFD method that can be used to support aerodynamic database development for similar future configurations. The CFD method uses the NASA Langley Research Center developed TetrUSS software, which is based on tetrahedral, unstructured grids. The Navier-Stokes computational method is first evaluated against a set of wind tunnel test data to gain confidence in the code s application to hypersonic Mach number flows. The evaluation includes comparison of the longitudinal stability derivatives on the complete stack configuration (which includes the X-43A/Hyper-X Research Vehicle, the launch vehicle and an adapter connecting the two), detailed surface pressure distributions at selected locations on the stack body and component (rudder, elevons) forces and moments. The CFD method is further used to predict the stack aerodynamic performance at flow conditions where no experimental data is available as well as for component loads for mechanical design and aero-elastic analyses. An excellent match between the computed and the test data over a range of flow conditions provides a computational tool that may be used for future similar hypersonic configurations with confidence.

Parikh, Paresh↗

Piezoelectric property of PZT nanofibers characterized by resonant piezo-force microscopy

Nano-piezoelectric materials have drawn tremendous research interest. However, characterization of their piezoelectric properties, especially measuring the piezoelectric strain coefficients, remains a challenge. Normally, researchers use an AFM-based method to directly measure nano-materials’ piezoelectric strain coefficients. But, the extremely small piezoelectric deformation, the influence from the parasitic electrostatic force, and the environmental noise make the measurement results questionable. In this paper, a resonant piezo-force microscopy method was used to accurately measure the piezoelectric deformation from 1D piezoelectric nanofibers. During the experiment, the AFM tip was brought into contact with the piezoelectric sample and set to work at close to its first resonant frequency. A lock-in amplifier was used to pick up the sample’s deformation signal at the testing frequency. By using this technique, the piezoelectric strain constant d 33 of the Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) nanofiber with a diameter of 76 nm was measured. The result showed that d 33 of this PZT nanofiber was around 387 pm/V. Meanwhile, by tracking the piezoelectric deformation phase image, domain structures inside PZT nanofibers were identified.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Vibration analysis of heated anisotropic plates with free edge conditions

Tabular and plotted results are presented (as a function of lamination angle and temperature) for the first two vibration frequencies and mode shapes of a heated, single-layer Boron/epoxy laminate. A Ritz formulation is used to determine the thermally induced in-plane forces and the out-of-plane vibration frequencies. This approach is formulated in terms of the out-of-plane displacement and the in-plane stress function; both the displacement and the stress function are expressed as simple algebraic polynomials modified to satisfy the essential boundary conditions. Heating is applied as a steady-state temperature distribution; material properties are considered to be temperature-dependent. To establish the correctness and effectiveness of the method, the in-plane forces are compared with Fourier series analytical results.

Locke, James E.↗

Prediction of static aerodynamic characteristics for space-shuttle-like and other bodies at angles of attack from 0 deg to 180 deg

An engineering-type procedure is presented for computing normal-force, axial-force, and pitching-moment coefficients for bodies at angles of attack from 0 deg to 180 deg. The procedure is ideally suited for estimating the aerodynamic characteristics of space shuttle booster-like bodies because of the wide range of angles of attack, Mach numbers, and Reynolds numbers to be encountered. The analytical formulas, plots, and references given are also applicable for shuttle orbiter, missile, and aircraft-like bodies of both circular and noncircular cross section. The method for computing normal-force and pitching-moment coefficients is based upon the original proposal of Allen that the crossflow or lift distribution over a body can be expressed as the sum of slender-body potential term and an empirical viscous crossflow term. Although experimental data from which to verify the procedure at very high angles of attack are extremely limited, the comparisons made thus far of computed with experimental results are good. In this report the procedure has been shown to be capable of predicting reasonably well the experimental variation of C sub N, C sub A, C sub m, and x sub ac/l with angle of attack for nine bodies of revolution at a free-stream Mach number of 2.86.

Jorgensen, L. H.↗

Architector for high-throughput cross-periodic table 3D complex building

Abstract Rare-earth and actinide complexes are critical for a wealth of clean-energy applications. Three-dimensional (3D) structural generation and prediction for these organometallic systems remains a challenge, limiting opportunities for computational chemical discovery. Here, we introduce Architector , a high-throughput in-silico synthesis code for s-, p-, d-, and f-block mononuclear organometallic complexes capable of capturing nearly the full diversity of the known experimental chemical space. Beyond known chemical space, Architector performs in-silico design of new complexes including any chemically accessible metal-ligand combinations. Architector leverages metal-center symmetry, interatomic force fields, and tight binding methods to build many possible 3D conformers from minimal 2D inputs including metal oxidation and spin state. Over a set of more than 6,000 x-ray diffraction (XRD)-determined complexes spanning the periodic table, we demonstrate quantitative agreement between Architector-predicted and experimentally observed structures. Further, we demonstrate out-of-the box conformer generation and energetic rankings of non-minimum energy conformers produced from Architector , which are critical for exploring potential energy surfaces and training force fields. Overall, Architector represents a transformative step towards cross-periodic table computational design of metal complex chemistry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Measurements of Aerodynamic Damping in the MIT Transonic Rotor

A method was developed and demonstrated for the direct measurement of aerodynamic forcing and aerodynamic damping of a transonic compressor. The method is based on the inverse solution of the structural dynamic equations of motion of the blade disk system in order to determine the forces acting on the system. The disturbing and damping forces acting on a given blade are determined if the equations of motion are expressed in individual blade coordinates. If the structural dynamic equations are transformed to multiblade coordinates, the damping can be measured for blade disk modes, and related to a reduced frequency and interblade phase angle. In order to measure the aerodynamic damping in this way, the free response to a known excitation is studied.

Crawley, E. F.↗

The Role of SnO2 Processing on Ionic Distribution in Double-Cation-Double Halide Perovskites

Moving toward a future of efficient, accessible, and less carbon-reliant energy devices has been at the forefront of energy research innovations for the past 30 years. Metal-halide perovskite (MHP) thin films have gained significant attention due to their flexibility of device applications and tunable capabilities for improving power conversion efficiency. Serving as a gateway to optimize device performance, consideration must be given to chemical synthesis processing techniques. Therefore, how does common substrate processing techniques influence the behavior of MHP phenomena such as ion migration and strain? Here, we demonstrate how a hybrid approach of chemical bath deposition (CBD) and nanoparticle SnO2 substrate processing significantly improves the performance of (FAPbI3)0.97(MAPbBr3)0.03 by reducing micro-strain in the SnO2 lattice, allowing distribution of K+ from K-Cl treatment of substrates to passivate defects formed at the interface and produce higher current in light and dark environments. X-ray diffraction reveals differences in lattice strain behavior with respect to SnO2 substrate processing methods. Through use of conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM), conductivity is measured spatially with MHP morphology, showing higher generation of current in both light and dark conditions for films with hybrid processing. Additionally, time-of-flight secondary ionization mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) observed the distribution of K+ at the perovskite/SnO2 interface, indicating K+ passivation of defects to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and device stability. We show how understanding the role of ion distribution at the SnO2 and perovskite interface can help reduce the creating of defects and promote a more efficient MHP device.

conductive atomic force microscopy↗

Non-linear analysis of vibrations of irregular plates

A numerical perturbation method is used to investigate the forced vibrations of irregular plates. Nonlinear terms associated with the midplane stretching are retained in the analysis. The numerical part of the method involves the use of linear, finite element techniques to determine the free oscillation mode shapes and frequencies and to obtain the linear midplane stress resultants caused by the midplane stretching. Representing the solution as an expansion in terms of these linear mode shapes, these modes and the resultants are used to determine the equations governing the time-dependent coefficients of this expansion. These equations are solved by using the method of multiple scales. Specific solutions are given for the main-resonant vibrations of an elliptical plate in the presence of internal resonances. The results indicate that modes other than the driven mode can be drawn into the steady state response. Though the excitation is composed of a single harmonic, the response may not be periodic. Moreover, the particular types of responses that can occur are highly dependent on the mode being excited and are sensitive to small geometrical changes.

Lobitz, D. W.↗

Use of Machine Learning Techniques for Iidentification of Robust Teleconnections to East African Rainfall Variability in Observations and Models

Providing advance warning of East African rainfall variations is a particular focus of several groups including those participating in the Famine Early Warming Systems Network. Both seasonal and long-term model projections of climate variability are being used to examine the societal impacts of hydrometeorological variability on seasonal to interannual and longer time scales. The NASA / USAID SERVIR project, which leverages satellite and modeling-based resources for environmental decision making in developing nations, is focusing on the evaluation of both seasonal and climate model projections to develop downscaled scenarios for using in impact modeling. The utility of these projections is reliant on the ability of current models to capture the embedded relationships between East African rainfall and evolving forcing within the coupled ocean-atmosphere-land climate system. Previous studies have posited relationships between variations in El Niño, the Walker circulation, Pacific decadal variability (PDV), and anthropogenic forcing. This study applies machine learning methods (e.g. clustering, probabilistic graphical model, nonlinear PCA) to observational datasets in an attempt to expose the importance of local and remote forcing mechanisms of East African rainfall variability. The ability of the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS5) coupled model to capture the associated relationships will be evaluated using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) simulations.

Roberts, J. Brent↗

Crack propagation in silica from reactive classical molecular dynamics simulations

Mechanistic insight into the process of crack growth can be obtained through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In this investigation of fracture propagation, a slit crack was introduced into an atomistic amorphous silica model and mode I stress was applied through far–field loading until the crack propagates. Atomic displacements and forces and an Irving–Kirkwood method with a Lagrangian kernel estimator were used to calculate the J –integral of classical fracture mechanics around the crack tip. The resulting fracture toughness (K IC ), 0.76 ± 0.16 MPa√m, agrees with experimental values. In addition, the stress fields and dissipation energies around the slit crack indicate the development of an inelastic region ~30Å in diameter. This is one of the first reports of KIC values obtained from up–scaled atomic–level energies and stresses through the J –integral. In conclusion, the application of the ReaxFF classical MD force field in this study provides the basis for future research into crack growth in multicomponent oxides in a variety of environmental conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Optimized Electromagnetic Fields Levitate Bulk Metallic Materials

The bulk metallic electromagnetic levitation technique has a promising application prospect in condensed physics and materials science. In order to resolve the problem of weak levitation force and the small size of samples, an optimized solution based on finite element analysis (FEA) is developed to seek the best electromagnetic field distribution in the levitation zone. The influence of material properties on the distribution of magnetic flux density, surface pressure, and the Lorentz force were studied by the FEA method with various sample sizes of titanium and copper balls. The levitation capability of cylindrical coil system which consists of a single-layer coil with an inner diameter of 30 mm and the levitated object with a diameter of 20 mm was analyzed. To keep a balance between the turn number and increment efficiency of force, the best number of 7 turns is confirmed. Then, two types of optimized coils were predicted by numerical simulations, and the levitation force is improved drastically. The double-layer coil displays an outstanding levitation capability owing to the strong electromagnetic field generated by multilayer turns. In addition, 5 to 50 g aluminum, titanium, copper, and nickel are levitated by the above three kinds of coils and the levitation capacities are validated from the recorded data of the minimum operating current that can levitate the samples. The experimental results show good agreements with the simulation results, and the minimum current for optimized coils is reduced efficiently.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗