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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Hydrodynamic stability of viscoelastic fluids - Importance of fluid model, overstability, and form of disturbance.

A linearized stability analysis has been applied to a fluid flowing in a gravity field between horizontal planes in Couette flow under conditions such that the temperature of the bottom plane exceeds that of the top. It is shown that, under conditions likely to be encountered with polymer solutions, oscillatory instabilities will not be controlling. Criteria are offered for ascertaining when an analysis based upon a second-order fluid model may be expected to yield physically meaningful results. It is also shown that, for the fluid model considered, critical conditions for stability are not changed when disturbances which vary in the flow direction are substituted for those which are a function of the coordinate transverse to the flow.

Mcintire, L. V.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Non-Linear Analysis of the NASA Super Pressure Balloons: Whole Flight Simulations

Tensys have a long-established background in the shape generation and load analysis of architectural stressed membrane structures. Founded upon their inTENS finite element analysis suite, these activities have broadened to encompass 'lighter than air' structures such as aerostats, airships, hybrid air vehicles and stratospheric balloons. Tensys have acted as consultants to the NASA Super Pressure Balloon (SPB) Program since 2004. Previous papers have focussed upon the application of inTENS to the overall structural and stability analysis of pumpkin type balloons as used in the SPB Program. Particular emphasis has been placed upon the ability to study both stress and stability at all stages of a flight. As the program has developed, increasing modelling fidelity has been introduced as design refinement has moved emphasis from the overall shape to the performance of individual details. Examples include the introduction of a contact capability into inTENS to better represent the separate cap layer of film. Localised investigations have considered the consequence of local geometric anomalies introduced during fabrication and the effects of debonding of the PBO tendon within its sleeve. Analysis to date has used a material model for the polyethylene shell film developed by Dr Rand of Winzen Engineering, supported by a program of fine resolution material tests at the Balloon Research and Development Laboratory (BRDL) at the GSFC Wallops Island Facility. Based upon work first reported by Schapery, this model has been incorporated into so-called 'snapshot' analyses within inTENS. For a given elapsed time point and temperature distribution, non-linear material properties are iteratively updated for the current stress state in each individual element until changes in those material properties are insignificant. This process has to be iterative as the film stresses and material properties are interdependent. Attempts to derive a time-stepping incremental viscoelastic capability using the Schapery Rand model encountered problems when dealing with the varying temperatures associated with balloon deployment, pressurisation and diurnal behaviour. An alternative approach has been developed by Pellegrino et al at Caltech, again with support from the NASA Balloon Program Office. This is a large strain non-linear viscoelastic model that includes film out-of-plane mechanical and thermal effects. Working from a unified base, this model can be utilised for time-stepping analyses in both a modulus or compliance mode, or a combination of both. This new capability is intended to enhance the current NASA balloon design process. This paper presents the implementation of the Caltech model into a specialist finite element suite, inTENS and its application to whole flight simulations.

Wakefield, David↗
DOE OSTI2024

Velocity Dependence of Rate‐And‐State Friction in Granular Fault Gouge and Implications for Slow‐Slip Events

Abstract The standard rate‐and‐state friction (RSF) has extensively captured frictional behaviors, but it fails to explain the velocity dependence of frictional stability transition and widespread slow‐slip events (SSEs) in experiments and nature adequately. An alternative microphysical Chen‐Niemeijer‐Spiers (CNS) model can well describe the velocity dependence of frictional behaviors of granular gouges. Using the original CNS model, standard RSF parameters can be quantified microphysically. However, some micro‐parameters are not easy to estimate quantitatively, making it difficult to extrapolate to natural and experimental conditions. Here, we simplify the microphysically‐derived RSF parameters including direct effect a , evolution effect b , and critical slip distance D c , as well as equivalent values ( a eq , b eq , and D eq ). The simplified friction parameters directly illustrate their velocity dependence, namely the essentially constant a , a eq , and D c , negatively velocity‐dependent b and b eq , as well as varying D eq for different laws. They are roughly consistent with experimental results in various fault gouges. A modified CNS model is further derived from the original CNS model, establishing a direct link between the standard RSF and CNS models. The modified CNS model exhibits virtually identical frictional behaviors to the original CNS, but differs from the standard RSF at large velocity perturbations. Moreover, the linearized stability analysis indicates that the critical stiffness for the modified CNS model is velocity‐dependent. Compared with the standard RSF, the modified CNS model not only explains the velocity dependence of frictional stability transition, but also exhibits a more gradual transition for SSEs with a broader range of stiffness ratios.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
DOE OSTI2015

An integration factor method for stochastic and stiff reaction–diffusion systems

Stochastic effects are often present in the biochemical systems involving reactions and diffusions. When the reactions are stiff, existing numerical methods for stochastic reaction diffusion equations require either very small time steps for any explicit schemes or solving large nonlinear systems at each time step for the implicit schemes. Here we present a class of semi-implicit integration factor methods that treat the diffusion term exactly and reaction implicitly for a system of stochastic reaction–diffusion equations. Our linear stability analysis shows the advantage of such methods for both small and large amplitudes of noise. Direct use of the method to solving several linear and nonlinear stochastic reaction–diffusion equations demonstrates good accuracy, efficiency, and stability properties. This new class of methods, which are easy to implement, will have broader applications in solving stochastic reaction–diffusion equations arising from models in biology and physical sciences.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1996

Oscillatory Thermocapillary Convection

Stability analysis of thermocapillary convection in rectangular cavities is performed using direct numerical simulation. The influence of the Reynolds number (Re), the fluid Prandtl number (Pr) and cavity aspect ratio (Ar) on the motion is investigated. Neutral stability curves for transition to time-dependent convection are delineated in the Re-Ar plane for fluids with Pr=1.0, 4.4, 6.78, and 10. Several interesting features of these diagrams are discussed. One important conclusion is that Ar(epsilon tau) increases as Pr decreases. Thus large values of both Ar and Re are necessary to induce thermocapillary oscillations for small Pr fluids such as liquid metals and semiconductor melts. Energy analysis is also performed for the oscillatory flow in the neighborhood of critical points in order to gain insight into the mechanisms leading to instability.

Xu, Jieyong↗
DOE OSTI2018

Reliability analysis of the influence of seepage on levee stability

Reliability analysis is used to evaluate the probability of failure of a flood defence embankment subject to a blanket layer foundation condition, where high seepage forces increase the likelihood of internal erosion and slope failure. The stochastic effect of hydraulic conductivity and blanket layer thickness, in addition to soil shear strength properties, is considered for the underseepage and slope stability failure modes using the first-order reliability method. The blanket layer thickness controls the factor of safety (F) and reliability, followed by the unit weight of the blanket layer. Despite variation over orders of magnitude, hydraulic conductivity is less important than and comparable to the effect of soil shear strength parameters. Aleatory uncertainty is evaluated using fragility curves and a confidence interval on the expected value of F (stochastic F). Uncertainty in probability distribution parameters allows quantification of a subset of epistemic uncertainty and is used to construct confidence intervals for fragility.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effects of the distribution and evolution of the coefficient of friction along a fault on the assessment of the seismic activity associated with a hypothetical industrial-scale geologic CO 2 sequestration operation

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in geological formations is considered as a promising option that could limit CO 2 emissions from human activities into the atmosphere. However, there is a risk that pressure buildup inside the storage formation can induce slip along preexisting faults and create seismic event felt by the population. To prevent this to happen a geomechanical fault stability analysis should be performed, considering uncertainties of input parameters. In this paper, we investigate how the distribution of the coefficient of friction and the applied frictional law could influence the assessment of fault stability and the characteristics of potential injection-induced seismic events. Our modelling study is based on a hypothetical industrial-scale carbon sequestration project located in the Southern San Joaquin Basin in California, USA, where the stability on a major (25 km long) fault that bounds the sequestration site is assessed during 50 years of CO 2 injection. We conduct nine simulations in which the distributions of the coefficients of static and dynamic friction are changed to simulate a hardening and softening phase before and during rupture. Here, our main findings are: (i) variations in friction along the fault have an important effect on the predicted seismic activity, with maximum magnitude ranging from 1.88 to 5.88 and number of seismic events ranging from 338 to 3272; (ii) the extreme values of the coefficient of friction (lowest and highest) present along the rupture area control how much stress is accumulated before rupture; and (iii) an argillaceous caprock can prevent the development of large magnitude seismic events but favor the occurrence of a large number of smaller events.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Insights into ENSO Diversity from an Intermediate Coupled Model. Part I: Uniqueness and Sensitivity of the ENSO Mode

Abstract The basic dynamics of the spatiotemporal diversity for El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has been the subject of extensive research and, while several hypotheses have been proposed, remains elusive. One promising line of studies suggests that the observed eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) ENSO may originate from two coexisting leading ENSO modes. We show that the coexistence of unstable EP-like and CP-like modes in these studies arises from contaminated linear stability analysis due to unnoticed numerical scheme caveats. In this two-part study, we further investigate the dynamics of ENSO diversity within a Cane–Zebiak-type model. We first revisit the linear stability issue to demonstrate that only one ENSO-like linear leading mode exists under realistic climate conditions. This single leading ENSO mode can be linked to either a coupled recharge-oscillator (RO) mode favored by the thermocline feedback or a wave-oscillator (WO) mode favored by the zonal advective feedback at the weak air–sea coupling end. Strong competition between the RO and WO modes for their prominence in shaping this ENSO mode into a generalized RO mode makes it sensitive to moderate changes in these two key feedbacks. Modulations of climate conditions yield corresponding modulations in spatial pattern, amplitude, and period associated with this ENSO mode. However, the ENSO behavior undergoing this linear climate condition modulations alone does not seem consistent with the observed ENSO diversity, suggesting the inadequacy of linear dynamics in explaining ENSO diversity. A nonlinear mechanism for ENSO diversity will be proposed and discussed in Part II.

Geng, Licheng↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Experimental Setup for Mechanical Vibration Analysis Using VLC

This study explores the potential applications across various domains, including earthquake detection and warning systems, where the system’s sensitivity to ground vibrations can contribute to early seismic event detection. Additionally, the study paves the way of developing applications of VLC/T in mechanical vibration and stability analysis of engines and platforms, offering insights into structural integrity and performance optimization. These multifaceted applications underscore the adaptability and potential of VLC/T systems in diverse fields, heralding advancements in sensing, communication, and security technologies. To achieve this, in this study, Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) is proposed to represent the impact of mechanical shocks and vibrations generated by several weights dropped onto the platform with which the receiver is fixed. Even though non-contact measurement methodology is preferred for various reasons, the proposed measurement campaign obtains the data in contact form; however, the system and signal model proposed in this study could easily be extended into non-contact form. Considering the fact that the proposed measurement campaign employs off-the-shelf products, it is cost-effective and very scalable.

Yilmaz, Ahmet Mucahit↗
DOE OSTI2015

Distributed Coordinated Control of Large-Scale Nonlinear Networks

We provide a distributed coordinated approach to the stability analysis and control design of largescale nonlinear dynamical systems by using a vector Lyapunov functions approach. In this formulation the large-scale system is decomposed into a network of interacting subsystems and the stability of the system is analyzed through a comparison system. However finding such comparison system is not trivial. In this work, we propose a sum-of-squares based completely decentralized approach for computing the comparison systems for networks of nonlinear systems. Moreover, based on the comparison systems, we introduce a distributed optimal control strategy in which the individual subsystems (agents) coordinate with their immediate neighbors to design local control policies that can exponentially stabilize the full system under initial disturbances.We illustrate the control algorithm on a network of interacting Van der Pol systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1975

Design and application of squeeze film dampers for turbomachinery stabilization

The steady-state transient response of the squeeze film damper bearing was investigated. Both the steady-state and transient equations for the hydrodynamic bearing forces are derived; the steady-state equations were used to determine the damper equivalent stiffness and damping coefficients. These coefficients are used to find the damper configuration which will provide the optimum support characteristics based on a stability analysis of the rotor-bearing system. The effects of end seals and cavitated fluid film are included. The transient analysis of rotor-bearing systems was conducted by coupling the damping and rotor equations and integrating forward in time. The effects of unbalance, cavitation, and retainer springs are included. Methods of determining the stability of a rotor-bearing system under the influence of aerodynamic forces and internal shaft friction are discussed.

Gunter, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Nonlinear stability and control study of highly maneuverable high performance aircraft

The purpose was to develop and apply new nonlinear system methodologies to the stability analysis and adaptive control of high angle of attack (alpha) aircraft such as the F-18. Considerable progress is documented on nonlinear adaptive control and associated model development, identification, and simulation. The analysis considered linear and nonlinear, longitudinal, high alpha aircraft dynamics with varying degrees of approximation dependent on the purpose. In all cases, angle of attack or pitch rate was controlled primarily by a horizontal stabilizer. In most cases studied, a linear adaptive controller provided sufficient stability. However, it has been demonstrated by simulation of a simplified nonlinear model that certain large rapid maneuvers were not readily stabilized by the investigated linear adaptive control, but were controlled instead by means of a nonlinear time-series based adaptive control.

Mohler, R. R.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Viscous instability triggered by layered accretion in protoplanetary disks

Layered accretion is one of the inevitable ingredients in protoplanetary disks when disk turbulence is excited by magnetorotational instabilities (MRIs). In the accretion, disk surfaces where MRIs fully operate have a high value of disk accretion rate ( M-dot ), while the disk midplane where MRIs are generally quenched ends up with a low value of M-dot . Significant progress on understanding MRIs has recently been made by a number of dedicated MHD simulations, which requires improvement of the classical treatment of α in 1D disk models. To this end, we obtain a new expression of α by utilizing an empirical formula that is derived from recent MHD simulations of stratified disks with ohmic diffusion. It is interesting that this new formulation can be regarded as a general extension of the classical α. Armed with the new α, we perform a linear stability analysis of protoplanetary disks that undergo layered accretion, and we find that a viscous instability can occur around the outer edge of dead zones. Disks become stable in using the classical α. We identify that the difference arises from Σ-dependence of M-dot ; whereas Σ is uniquely determined for a given value of M-dot in the classical approach, the new approach leads to M-dot that is a multivalued function of Σ. We confirm our finding both by exploring a parameter space and by performing the 1D, viscous evolution of disks. We finally discuss other nonideal MHD effects that are not included in our analysis but may affect our results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analysis of a Fractal Josephson Junction with Unharmonic Current-Phase Relation

In this paper, a fractal Josephson junction with unharmonic current-phase relation is analytically and numerically analyzed. This system has two, four, or no equilibrium points depending on the external direct current source and unharmonic parameter. The stability analysis of the equilibrium points is carried out. The inclusion of unharmonic current-phase relation in an ideal Josephson junction leads to an increase in the hysteresis of current-voltage characteristics. While the inclusion of fractal characteristics in insulating layer of Josephson junction with harmonic current-phase relation leads to a decrease in the hysteresis of current-voltage characteristics. The inclusion of unharmonic current-phase relation on a fractal Josephson junction leads to an increase in the hysteresis of current-voltage characteristics. The dynamical behavior map of fractal Josephson junction with unharmonic current-phase relation in amplitude and frequency of modulation current plane is depicted. For a suitable choice of modulation parameters of external current source, fractal Josephson junction with unharmonic current-phase relation can exhibit excitable mode, bistable oscillatory mode, and periodic and chaotic behaviors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Stability of atomic-sized skyrmions in antiferromagnetic bilayers

We perform a stability analysis of an isolated atomic-sized antiferromagnetic skyrmion (AFM-Sk), formed on the superior layer of a magnetic bilayer. The coupling between both square lattices acts as an effective staggered magnetic field that stabilizes the AFM-Sk and reduces its radius. A suitable anisotropy constant of the bottom layer material keeps it close to the homogeneous AFM state. We compare the energy of the AFM-Sk with the energy of the AFM ground state. In addition, an estimation of the energy barrier that protects the skyrmion from being destabilized is provided and its value determined to be in the order of ∼300 K. The remarkable reduction in the skyrmion radius towards atomic size and avoiding an external magnetic field are key points in order to increase our ability to manipulate AFM-Sk on skyrmionic devices. Our calculations provide an insight into novel ways to create and manipulate AFM-Sk at the atomic scale.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1972

The stability of motion of satellites with flexible appendages

The mathematical formulation associated with the problem of stability of motion of a satellite consisting of a main rigid body and three (or less) pairs of flexible rods is presented. The rods are capable of flexure in two orthogonal directions. Whereas the rotational motion of the body is described by generalized coordinates depending on time alone, the elastic displacements of the rods depend both on spatial position and time. Assuming no external torques, there exist motion integrals in the form of momentum integrals. These integrals can be regarded as constraint equations relating the system velocities, and used to reduce the number of variables describing the motion. The stability analysis has been carried out by means of an extension of the Liapunov direct method. Since the elastic vibrations result in energy dissipation, it is shown that the equilibrium position is asymptotically stable if the Hamiltonian is positive definite and unstable if it can take negative values in the neighborhood of the equilibrium. Determining the sign definiteness of the Hamiltonian is complicated by the fact that it contains spatial derivatives of the elastic displacements. Two methods are presented to cope with this problem. The first, the standard modal analysis in conjunction with series truncation, develops criteria in terms of infinite series associated with the natural modes and frequencies of the elastic rods. The second, the method of integral coordinates, yields closed-form stability criteria involving the system parameters, such as the body moments of inertia, the length and mass distribution of the rods, the lowest natural frequencies of the rods, and the satellite spin velocity.

Meirovitch, L.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mitigating Injection‐Induced Seismicity Along Basement Faults by Extraction: Application to 2016–2018 Pohang Earthquakes

Abstract The risk of induced earthquake is considered as the major obstacle for sustainable subsurface energy activities. As a mitigation approach, mechanistic risk assessment can be essential to minimize the potential of seismic hazard. Coupled hydro‐mechanical modeling approach is integrated with geomechanical analysis to better assess the occurrence of seismicity induced by injection and/or extraction, which will provide a basis to update operational conditions (e.g., number and location of mitigating wells, rate and duration of operations) for mitigating earthquake nucleation. The Coulomb stability analysis and seismicity rate estimates from this generic study indicate that simultaneous extraction can relieve injection‐induced pore‐pressure buildup, but also transfer and accumulate elastic energy along the faults. Field‐scale simulation with variation in well design for the Pohang EGS site, South Korea, show that multiple wells aligned across a preexisting fault form gradients of pressure and stress fields normal to the fault, which can enhance the direct impact of diffusion process and poroelastic stressing on the fault stability perturbation. Our mechanistic study suggests multiphysics‐oriented mitigation strategies that consider (1) possible mechanical deformation, caused by hydro‐mechanical coupling effects, and (2) proper configuration of well operations based on site‐specific geological characteristics.

Chang, K. W.↗