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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 793 records · Page 44

Magnetic field control of the intraband optical absorption in two-dimensional quantum rings

Linear and nonlinear optical absorption coefficients of the two-dimensional semiconductor ring in the perpendicular magnetic field B are calculated within independent electron approximation. Characteristic feature of the energy spectrum are crossings of the levels with adjacent nonpositive magnetic quantum numbers as the intensity B changes. It is shown that the absorption coefficient of the associated optical transition is drastically decreased at the fields corresponding to the crossing. Proposed model of the Volcano disc allows to get simple mathematical analytical results, which provide clear physical interpretation. An interplay between positive linear and intensity-dependent negative cubic absorption coefficients is discussed; in particular, critical light intensity at which additional resonances appear in the total absorption dependence on the light frequency is calculated as a function of the magnetic field and levels' broadening.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Lattice model of linear telechelic polymer melts. I. Inclusion of chain semiflexibility in the lattice cluster theory

The lattice cluster theory (LCT) for the thermodynamics of polymer systems has recently been reformulated to treat strongly interacting self-assembling polymers composed of fully flexible linear telechelic chains [J. Dudowicz and K. F. Freed, J. Chem. Phys. 136, 064902 (2012)]. Here, we further extend the LCT for linear telechelic polymer melts to include a description of chain semiflexibility, which is treated by introducing a bending energy penalty whenever a pair of consecutive bonds from a single chain lies along orthogonal directions. An analytical expression for the Helmholtz free energy is derived for the model of semiflexible linear telechelic polymer melts. The extension provides a theoretical tool for investigating the influence of chain stiffness on the thermodynamics of self-assembling telechelic polymers, and for further exploring the influence of self-assembly on glass formation in such systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Turbulent Spot Pressure Fluctuation Wave Packet Model

Wave packet analysis provides a connection between linear small disturbance theory and subsequent nonlinear turbulent spot flow behavior. The traditional association between linear stability analysis and nonlinear wave form is developed via the method of stationary phase whereby asymptotic (simplified) mean flow solutions are used to estimate dispersion behavior and stationary phase approximation are used to invert the associated Fourier transform. The resulting process typically requires nonlinear algebraic equations inversions that can be best performed numerically, which partially mitigates the value of the approximation as compared to a more complete, e.g. DNS or linear/nonlinear adjoint methods. To obtain a simpler, closed-form analytical result, the complete packet solution is modeled via approximate amplitude (linear convected kinematic wave initial value problem) and local sinusoidal (wave equation) expressions. Significantly, the initial value for the kinematic wave transport expression follows from a separable variable coefficient approximation to the linearized pressure fluctuation Poisson expression. The resulting amplitude solution, while approximate in nature, nonetheless, appears to mimic many of the global features, e.g. transitional flow intermittency and pressure fluctuation magnitude behavior. A low wave number wave packet models also recover meaningful auto-correlation and low frequency spectral behaviors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Status Report on Photothermal Radiometry Development

Thermal transport properties such as thermal conductivity and diffusivity, are critical parameters in the development of improved nuclear fuels and components. It is well known that thermal transport properties change temporally and spatially due to dynamic microstructural evolution as a result of neutron irradiation. Laser based photothermal techniques are an ideal candidate for thermal properties measurement of irradiated materials because they are non contact, non destructive and can be performed remotely. In this report, we present the progress in the development of a photothermal radiometry (PTR) system to measure the thermal diffusivity of solid samples. The PTR technique measures the local temperature response from a modulated heat source by detecting the sample radiation heat flux. Initially, a well developed thermal wave analytical model was fit to the data to obtain the thermal diffusivity. However, systematic errors from the diffraction effect and non linearity issues resulted in thermal diffusivity measurements higher than literature values. These effects have been studied, an improved analytical model has been developed, and the physics behind the phenomena are still under investigation. A procedure for optimizing measurements from the benchtop system has been provided.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Scaling Input Distributions for Probabilistic Models - 19472

It is important to address scaling issues when building models to support risk-based decisions for radioactive waste disposal sites. Currently, probabilistic risk assessment and probabilistic performance assessment models are run for multiple realizations where each realization uses one value from each input distribution over the entire modeled time. The input distributions represent the current state of knowledge in the mean of the input variable over the spatial region of interest and over the time period of the model run. This paper focuses on the time factor in input distribution scaling because it presents more serious conceptual and distributional challenges than the spatial factor. One of the challenges in temporal scaling is the effect of non-linearity on propagation of distribution uncertainty through to uncertainty in results. Radioactive waste disposal models tend to have both linear and non-linear components in their models. Dose assessment calculations are typically represented by linear models, while contaminant transport models have linear and non-linear components. In principle, temporal scaling of input parameter distributions for a linear model is straightforward, but scaling of input distributions for non-linear models is not. This paper uses examples to investigate the effects of input distribution temporal scaling on simple linear and non-linear models. Different scaling scenarios were investigated by comparing three analysis tools: analytical mathematical representations, statistical software programming, and GoldSim Monte Carlo simulation software. R statistical software is an open source statistical programming language often used for statistical analyses and graphical representation of data. GoldSim is a robust probabilistic dynamic modeling platform used in performance assessment modeling of radioactive waste sites. A simple linear model, a quadratic model and a multiplicative model were the cases explored for each of these tools. For the three analysis tools considered and with each of the scaling cases, 1,000 realizations were implemented from distributions of the random variables of interest. This is a sufficient number of realizations for simple models to capture the model space. An annual temporal resolution of a 100-year simulation period was chosen for all models and analysis tools. The effects of temporal scaling were demonstrated by investigating two different options for time scaling. Option 1 was set up so that the input distributions represented the expected value on an annual time scale, and a new value from that distribution was chosen every year (at every time step which equaled a year) for 100 years. In Option 2, the input distributions were scaled to represent the expected mean value of the input variable over the 100 years of simulation, and one value from that distribution was chosen for the entire elapsed time. Results show agreement across the three analysis tools. As expected, the linear models have identical results for the two different scaling Options, and the non-linear models diverge in the results for different time scale implementation. The implications of this work point to the need for careful consideration of input distribution temporal scaling. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Dynamics of Majorana fermions in two-dimensions

A Majorana fermion is the single fermionic particle that is its own antiparticle. Its dynamics is determined by the Majorana equation where the spinor field (ψ) is by definition equal to its charge-conjugate field (ψ{sub c}). Here, we study the dynamics of Majorana fermions in the presence of the most general static external field in 1+1 dimensions, which is just a scalar potential, by implementing for the first time the methods of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. In particular, for potentials for which shape invariance holds, we show how to obtain analytical solutions. We find that although this equation does have bound states, it does not have stationary states. The approach is illustrated with a linear potential.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Error associated with a reduced order linear model of a spur gear pair

The paper proposes a reduced-order analytical model of a spur gear pair which consists of two identical spur gears, two identical flexible shafts, and four identical rolling element bearings of a given radial stiffness. The error associated with the undamped eigensolution is estimated by a comparison with a benchmark finite element model.

Kahraman, A.↗

Linear impact of thermal inhomogeneities on mesoscale atmospheric flow with zero synoptic wind

An analytical evaluation of the perturbations to mesoscale atmospheric flows induced by thermal inhomogeneities in the convective boundary layer is presented. The time evolution of these perturbations as a function of the intensity and of the horizontal and vertical scales of the diabatic forcing is studied. The problem is approached using Laplace transform theory for the time behavior and Green function theory for the spatial structure. Results show that the growth of the atmospheric perturbations closely follows the growth of the convective boundary layer; the transient being characterized by a number of inertia-gravity oscillations of decreasing intensity. The vertical scale is determined by the depth of the convective boundary layer; and the horizontal scale is determined by the local Rossby deformation radius. Sinusoidally periodic thermal forcing induce periodic atmospheric cells of the same horizontal scale. The intensity of mesoscale cells increases for increasing values of the wave number, reaches its maximum value when the wavelength of the forcing is of the order of the local Rossby radius, and then decreases as the wavelength of the forcing decreases.

Dalu, G. A.↗

Analysis of Formation Flying in Eccentric Orbits Using Linearized Equations of Relative Motion

Geometrical methods for formation flying design based on the analytical solution to Hill's equations have been previously developed and used to specify desired relative motions in near circular orbits. By generating relationships between the vehicles that are intuitive, these approaches offer valuable insight into the relative motion and allow for the rapid design of satellite configurations to achieve mission specific requirements, such as vehicle separation at perigee or apogee, minimum separation, or a specific geometrical shape. Furthermore, the results obtained using geometrical approaches can be used to better constrain numerical optimization methods; allowing those methods to converge to optimal satellite configurations faster. This paper presents a set of geometrical relationships for formations in eccentric orbits, where Hill.s equations are not valid, and shows how these relationships can be used to investigate formation designs and how they evolve with time.

Lane, Christopher↗

Neutron production from ultrashort pulse lasers using linear and circular polarization

An implicit 2D3V particle-in-cell code is used to study proton and deuteron acceleration from an ultrathin CD foil with thickness between 20 and 200 nm using linear and circular polarization. The proton and deuteron beams drive nuclear fusion reactions from converter foils in a pitcher-catcher set-up. The neutron yield for three representative reactions d - d, d - Li, and p - Li has been calculated analytically using the total neutron production cross section and ion stopping power. For linear polarization, maximum normalized neutron yield of Y{sub d-d}=3.4x10{sup 6}, Y{sub d-Li}=3.2x10{sup 7}, and Y{sub p-Li}=6.8x10{sup 6} neutrons/J laser energy has been calculated at the optimum foil thickness of 50 nm. For circular polarization, the optimum foil thickness is 20 nm, for which the corresponding neutron yields are Y{sub d-d}=1.9x10{sup 6}, Y{sub d-Li}=2.0x10{sup 7}, and Y{sub p-Li}=2.7x10{sup 6}, respectively. The laser polarization strongly affects the neutron production; for our regime, i.e., intensity I=1x10{sup 21} W/cm{sup 2}, pulse duration {tau}{sub FWHM}=30 fs, and laser energy {epsilon}{sub laser}=3.8 J, both the conversion efficiency of laser energy into ion kinetic energy and neutron yield are higher for linear polarization. Only for ultrathin ({approx}20 nm) foils in the radiation pressure acceleration regime, circular and linear polarizations yield comparable results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

APPLICATION OF THE FAVOR-OCI FRACTURE MECHANICS COMPUTER PROGRAM TO ASME CODE SECTION XI, IWB-3610 FLAW ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA EVALUATIONS

This paper presents an overview of added features in a new version of the FAVOR (Fracture Analysis of Vessels Oak Ridge) computer code called FAVOR-OCI. The original FAVOR code was developed at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) under the sponsorship of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). FAVOR is applied by US and international nuclear power industries to perform deterministic and probabilistic fracture mechanics analyses of commercial nuclear reactor pressure vessels (RPVs). Appli-cations of FAVOR are focused on insuring that the structural integrity of aging, and increasingly embrittled, RPVs is main-tained throughout their licensed service life. Based on the final ORNL release of FAVOR, v16.1, FAVOR-OCI extends existing deterministic features of FAVOR while preserving all prev-iously-existing probabilistic capabilities of FAVOR.The objective of this paper is to describe new deterministic features in FAVOR-OCI that can be applied to analytical evaluations of planar flaws. These evaluations are consistent with the acceptance criteria of ASME Code, Section XI, Article IWB-3610, including Subarticles IWB-3611 (acceptance based on flaw size) and IWB-3612 (acceptance based on applied stress intensity factor). The linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) capabilities of FAVOR-OCI also incorporate the analytical procedures presented in the Nonmandatory Appendix A, Analysis of Flaws, Article A-3000, Method of KI Determination, for both surface and subsurface (embedded) flaws.The paper describes a computational methodology for determining critical values of fracture-related parameters that satisfy ASME Code Section XI acceptance criteria for flaws exposed to multiple thermal-hydraulic transients. These com-pute-intensive analyses can be carried out with a single execution of FAVOR-OCI. The new methodology determines critical values by solving for either the point of tangency or point of intersection between applied KI versus time histories and a user-selected fracture toughness material property (e.g., ASME KIc, FAVOR Weibull KIc, or Master Curve Weibull KJc) for surface or subsurface flaws. Situations where warm prestress conditions apply can also be addressed. The paper highlights a need for this new capability via applications to a recent independent review of safety cases for RPVs in two Belgian nuclear power plants (NPPs). That review required ASME Section XI assessments of several thousand embedded, quasi-laminar flaws in the wall of each RPV. Analysis results provided by the new capability contributed to the technical bases compiled from several sources by the Belgian nuclear regulatory agency (FANC) and eventually used by FANC to justify the restart of these NPPs.

Dickson, Terry L.↗

Linear and Order Statistics Combiners for Pattern Classification

Several researchers have experimentally shown that substantial improvements can be obtained in difficult pattern recognition problems by combining or integrating the outputs of multiple classifiers. This chapter provides an analytical framework to quantify the improvements in classification results due to combining. The results apply to both linear combiners and order statistics combiners. We first show that to a first order approximation, the error rate obtained over and above the Bayes error rate, is directly proportional to the variance of the actual decision boundaries around the Bayes optimum boundary. Combining classifiers in output space reduces this variance, and hence reduces the 'added' error. If N unbiased classifiers are combined by simple averaging. the added error rate can be reduced by a factor of N if the individual errors in approximating the decision boundaries are uncorrelated. Expressions are then derived for linear combiners which are biased or correlated, and the effect of output correlations on ensemble performance is quantified. For order statistics based non-linear combiners, we derive expressions that indicate how much the median, the maximum and in general the i-th order statistic can improve classifier performance. The analysis presented here facilitates the understanding of the relationships among error rates, classifier boundary distributions, and combining in output space. Experimental results on several public domain data sets are provided to illustrate the benefits of combining and to support the analytical results.

Tumer, Kagan↗

Sandwich beam compressive test method

Tests presented show that the sandwich beam in four-point bending could be used to obtain reliable compressive elastic constants for graphite/polyimide laminates although some difficulties were encountered measuring composite compressive strengths. Data were obtained for ultimate stress, ultimate strain, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio values in 117K, room temperature, and 589K test environments for the HTS1/PMR-15 material system. A total of 36 compressive tests on various laminates were performed. Also, 24 tensile tests on the same laminate orientations were performed to obtain input to the analytical portion of this program. A portion of the beam test section was analyzed using a linear elastic finite element computer program to predict the stress state in the graphite/polyimide composite. The influence of the honeycomb core of this stress state was analytically determined.

Shuart, M. J.↗

Speed-of-light pulses in the massless nonlinear Dirac equation with a potential

In this work, we consider the massless nonlinear Dirac (NLD) equation in 1 + 1 dimension with scalar-scalar self-interaction g 2 2 ( Ψ ¯ Ψ ) 2 in the presence of three external electromagnetic real potentials V ( x ) , a potential barrier, a constant potential, and a potential well. By solving numerically the NLD equation, we find different scenarios depending on initial conditions, namely, propagation of the initial pulse along one direction, splitting of the initial pulse into two pulses traveling in opposite directions, and focusing of two initial pulses followed by a splitting. For all considered cases, the final waves travel with the speed of light and are solutions of the massless linear Dirac equation. During these processes the charge and the energy are conserved, whereas the momentum is conserved when the solutions possess specific symmetries. For the case of the constant potential, we derive exact analytical solutions of the massless NLD equation that are also solutions of the massless linearized Dirac equation. Decay or growth of the initial pulse is also predicted from the evolution of the charge for the case of a non-zero imaginary part of the potential.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Neural control of magnetic suspension systems

The purpose of this research program is to design, build and test (in cooperation with NASA personnel from the NASA Langley Research Center) neural controllers for two different small air-gap magnetic suspension systems. The general objective of the program is to study neural network architectures for the purpose of control in an experimental setting and to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. The specific objectives of the research program are: (1) to demonstrate through simulation and experimentation the feasibility of using neural controllers to stabilize a nonlinear magnetic suspension system; (2) to investigate through simulation and experimentation the performance of neural controllers designs under various types of parametric and nonparametric uncertainty; (3) to investigate through simulation and experimentation various types of neural architectures for real-time control with respect to performance and complexity; and (4) to benchmark in an experimental setting the performance of neural controllers against other types of existing linear and nonlinear compensator designs. To date, the first one-dimensional, small air-gap magnetic suspension system has been built, tested and delivered to the NASA Langley Research Center. The device is currently being stabilized with a digital linear phase-lead controller. The neural controller hardware is under construction. Two different neural network paradigms are under consideration, one based on hidden layer feedforward networks trained via back propagation and one based on using Gaussian radial basis functions trained by analytical methods related to stability conditions. Some advanced nonlinear control algorithms using feedback linearization and sliding mode control are in simulation studies.

Gray, W. Steven↗

Extremum seeking for optimal control problems with unknown time-varying systems and unknown objective functions

We consider the problem of optimal feedback control of an unknown, noisy, time-varying, dynamic system that is initialized repeatedly. Examples include a robotic manipulator which must perform the same motion, such as assisting a human, repeatedly and accelerating cavities in particle accelerators which are turned on for a fraction of a second with given initial conditions and vary slowly due to temperature fluctuations. In this paper, we present an approach that applies to systems of practical interest. The method presented here is model independent; does not require knowledge of the objective function; is robust to measurement noise; is applicable for any set of initial conditions; is applicable to simultaneously controlling an arbitrary number of parameters; and may be implemented with a broad range of continuous or discontinuous functions such as sine or square waves. For systems with convex cost functions we prove that our algorithm will produce controllers that approach the minimal cost. For linear systems we reproduce the cost minimizing linear quadratic regulator optimal controller that could have been designed analytically had the system and cost function been known. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm with simulation studies of noisy and time-varying systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Hypo-Elastic Model for Lung Parenchyma

A simple elastic isotropic constitutive model for the spongy tissue in lung is derived from the theory of hypoelasticity. The model is shown to exhibit a pressure dependent behavior that has been interpreted by some as indicating extensional anisotropy. In contrast, we show that this behavior arises natural from an analysis of isotropic hypoelastic invariants, and is a likely result of non-linearity, not anisotropy. The response of the model is determined analytically for several boundary value problems used for material characterization. These responses give insight into both the material behavior as well as admissible bounds on parameters. The model is characterized against published experimental data for dog lung. Future work includes non-elastic model behavior.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗