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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 NTRSDate not supplied

Understanding the Role of CFD, Including RANS, DES, LES and DNS, in Hypersonic Propulsion Design and Analysis

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has matured to the point where it is becoming ubiquitous in the design and analysis of aerospace vehicles and their propulsion systems. The current state-of-the-art of CFD in hypersonic propulsion design and analysis as well as a historical perspective of its development over the last 50 years is presented. The current state-of-the-art for the design of finite rate chemically reacting turbulent hypersonic flow is shown to currently be Reynolds averaged simulations (RAS) where the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RAS) equations are solved to obtain steady state solutions. An overview of the physical modeling techniques employed by RAS for the simulation of hypersonic chemically reacting flow are presented. However, scale resolving simulation techniques, such as detached eddy simulation (DES), large eddy simulations (LES), hybrid RAS/LES and direct numerical simulations (DNS), are becoming becoming powerful tools for point design analysis. One example of such a scale resolving technique, hybrid RAS/LES, will be briefly described as well as how it can be used to help address model form uncertainties in RAS.

Hypersonic↗
DOE OSTI2017

Particle-in-cell simulations of an RF emission mechanism associated with hypervelocity impact plasmas

Radio frequency (RF) emission from hypervelocity impacts has been detected in multiple experiments, but the physical mechanism responsible is not well understood. Plasma is created by these impacts and rapidly expands into the surrounding vacuum; it’s been argued that the observed RF emission is associated with a process in the plasma. A recent model proposes that coherent oscillations from a large scale charge separation due to the expansion of the plasma can produce RF. Here in this article, we use a discontinuous Galerkin particle-in-cell technique to simulate this process. Initial conditions are drawn from hydrocode impact simulations, and the results are compared to experimental measurements. Under the assumption that there exists a difference in bulk speed of electrons and ions at a certain point in the expansion, we do find that radiation is produced by the plasma.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Realistic simulations of spin squeezing and cooperative coupling effects in large ensembles of interacting two-level systems

We describe an efficient numerical method for simulating the dynamics of interacting spin ensembles in the presence of dephasing and decay. The method builds on the discrete truncated Wigner approximation for isolated systems, which combines the mean-field dynamics of a spin ensemble with a Monte Carlo sampling of discrete initial spin values to account for quantum correlations. Here we show how this approach can be generalized for dissipative spin systems by replacing the deterministic mean-field evolution by a stochastic process, which describes the decay of coherences and populations while preserving the length of each spin. We demonstrate the application of this technique for simulating nonclassical spin-squeezing effects or the dynamics and steady states of cavity QED models with 10 5 interacting two-level systems. This opens up the possibility to perform accurate real-scale simulations of a diverse range of experiments in quantum optics or with solid-state spin ensembles under realistic laboratory conditions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2026

Neutrino beam bunch structure reconstruction with precision timing in the ICARUS liquid argon time projection chamber

The ICARUS detector has been operating smoothly since 2021 as the far detector in the Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab, collecting neutrino interactions from both the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) and off-axis from the Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam. Analysis of neutrino interactions in ICARUS requires mitigation of substantial cosmogenic backgrounds. This is achieved by using an external Cosmic Ray Tagger (CRT) and a Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) system embedded in the liquid argon. The intrinsic neutrino beam bunch structure, inherited time structure from the Radio Frequency (RF) system used to accelerate the protons, can be resolved at the ICARUS detector using precise timing information. Located at shallow depth, ICARUS is exposed to a high flux of cosmic rays that can be mistaken for neutrino interactions. To mitigate this background, the CRT and a 3-meter-thick concrete overburden were installed. To better model backgrounds, ICARUS makes use of an overlay technique where simulated neutrino events are superimposed on detector beam-off data. PMTs installed within a Time Projection Chamber detect argon scintillation light emitted by high energy charged particles passing through the chamber and provide the event timing of neutrino interactions. The nanosecond-level beam bunch structure is reconstructed with the PMT system and can be used to further understand backgrounds and enhance neutrino physics capabilities. In this thesis, I will discuss background mitigation techniques using precision timing and present a novel technique to select neutrino events from our unbiased data stream using the beam bunch structure.

Heggestuen, Anna [Colorado State U.] (ORCID:000000↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simulating topological quantum gates in two-dimensional magnet-superconductor hybrid structures

The creation of topological quantum gates using Majorana zero modes—an outstanding problem in the field of topological quantum computing—relies on our ability to control the braiding process in time and space. Here, we propose two-dimensional magnet-superconductor hybrid structures as a new platformfor the successful implementation of topologically protected √σ z -, σ z - and σ x -quantum gates using Majorana zero modes. Employing a novel theoretical formalism to compute the full timedependent many-body wave-function and utilizing a braiding protocol motivated by recent advances in electron-spin-resonance techniques we simulate quantum gates in 2D systems up to 600 sites, on timescales from a few femto- to nanoseconds. We demonstrate that the braiding process can be visualized in time and space by computing the non-equilibrium local density of states, which is proportional to the time-dependent differential conductance measured in scanning tunneling spectroscopy experiments, allowing us to directly image Majorana world lines.

Superconducting properties and materials↗
NASA NTRS2005

Using Dynamic Simulations and Automated Decision Tools to Design Lunar Habitats

This paper describes the role of transient simulations, heuristic techniques, and closed loop integrated control in designing and sizing habitat life support systems. The integration of these three elements allows for more accurate requirements to be derived in advance of hardware choices. As a test case, we used a typical lunar surface habitat. Large numbers of habitat configurations were rapidly tested and evaluated using automated decision support tools. Through this process, preliminary sizing for habitat life support systems were derived. Our preliminary results show that by using transient simulations and closed loop control , we substantially reduced the system mass required to meet mission goals. This has greater implications for general systems analyses and for life support systems. It is likely that transient models, realtime integrated control, and other analyses capable of capturing the uncertainties of systems can be useful for systems analyses much earlier in the system development life cycle than has previously been considered.

Bell, Scott↗
NASA NTRS1993

Project ARGO: Gas phase formation in simulated microgravity

The ARGO study investigated the reduced incidence of joint pain decompression sickness (DCS) encountered in microgravity as compared with an expected incidence of joint pain DCS experienced by test subjects in Earth-based laboratories (unit gravity) with similar protocols. Individuals who are decompressed from saturated conditions usually acquire joint pain DCS in the lower extremities. Our hypothesis is that the incidence of joint pain DCS can be limited by a significant reduction in the tissue gas micronuclei formed by stress-assisted nucleation. Reductions in dynamic and kinetic stresses in vivo are linked to hypokinetic and adynamic conditions of individuals in zero g. We employed the Doppler ultrasound bubble detection technique in simulated microgravity studies to determine quantitatively the degree of gas phase formation in the upper and lower extremities of test subjects during decompression. We found no evidence of right-to-left shunting through pulmonary vasculature. The volume of gas bubble following decompression was examined and compared with the number following saline contrast injection. From this, we predict a reduced incidence of DCS on orbit, although the incidence of predicted mild DCS still remains larger than that encountered on orbit.

Powell, Michael R.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Advanced Retrieval Demonstrations of the Hanford Waste End Effector - 19383

This paper describes advanced retrieval demonstrations of the Hanford Waste End Effector (HWEE) at the Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) Cold Test Facility conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in co-operation with the U.S. Department of Energy - Office of River Protection and WRPS. The HWEE is a water-based scarifier originally developed by PNNL for the U.S. Department of Energy tank retrieval systems in the 1990's as the confined sluicing end effector and later used with additional development in the waste retrieval of tanks at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The HWEE is being assessed for potential use in Hanford tank retrievals because it is expected to use less water during waste retrieval than other water-based methods (e.g., sluicing) previously used in Hanford tanks. This is primarily because the HWEE uses three rotating high-pressure jets for dislodging the waste and a high-velocity conveyance system to retrieve the water and the waste locally at the point of waste dislodging. The retrieval demonstrations build on previous development testing (Phase I) completed in 2017 by addressing key tank waste challenges, including retrieval of a mixed layered simulant and retrieval of uneven simulant profiles like that found near tank walls. The tests involved retrieval of water and kaolin (sludge) simulant to determine pumping rate, dilution factors, and a demonstration of vertical pumping capability. Upgrades to the HWEE for Phase II testing included a more robust inlet screen, internal flush jet modification for lower water usage, and removal of the external flush mole that was not used during Phase I retrieval testing. In addition, a rotational positioning capability was added to the three-dimensional gantry to gain additional movement capability and flexibility needed to implement more complex retrieval mining techniques. Two simulant configuration options using existing simulant materials were defined to represent key Hanford tank waste properties: 1) layered waste (e.g., strong crust over weaker sediment) and 2) topography that is representative of tank waste (uneven surface). Historical information from Hanford waste, including tank history, sampling reports, and images, was investigated to define the simulant characteristics and physical configuration. Using the layered simulant configuration, retrieval tests focused on demonstrating the same operational parameters irrespective of simulant strength. The focus of the topographical retrieval test was to demonstrate the ability to clean next to the tank wall using a tilted HWEE and to demonstrate water confinement using a specific mining strategy. This paper will describe the Phase II test equipment, instrumentation, simulant preparation procedures, and testing methodology. Testing results that will be presented include HWEE water usage versus operating pressure, simulant characterization data, dilution ratios, and retrieval rates. Reaction forces and other factors that would affect the remote operation of the HWEE will also be presented. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1999

Automated Testing Experience of the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) Controller

System controllers must be fail-safe, low cost, flexible to software changes, able to output health and status words, and permit rapid retest qualification. The system controller designed and tested for the aerospike engine program was an attempt to meet these requirements. This paper describes (1) the aerospike controller design, (2) the automated simulation testing techniques, and (3) the real time monitoring data visualization structure. Controller cost was minimized by design of a single-string system that used an off-the-shelf 486 central processing unit (CPU). A linked-list architecture, with states (nodes) defined in a user-friendly state table, accomplished software changes to the controller. Proven to be fail-safe, this system reported the abort cause and automatically reverted to a safe condition for any first failure. A real time simulation and test system automated the software checkout and retest requirements. A program requirement to decode all abort causes in real time during all ground and flight tests assured the safety of flight decisions and the proper execution of mission rules. The design also included health and status words, and provided a real time analysis interpretation for all health and status data.

Larson, Richard R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Simulated hail impact testing of photovoltaic solar panels

Techniques used to simulate and study the effect of hail on photovoltaic solar panels are described. Simulated hail stones (frozen ice spheres projected at terminal velocity) or steel balls were applied by air guns, gravity drop, or static loading. Tests with simulated hail and steel balls yielded different results. The impact strength of 10 commercially available flat-plate photovoltaic modules was tested. It was found that none of the six panel designs incorporating clear potting silicone material as the outermost layer remained undamaged by 1-in. simulated hailstones, while a photovoltaic module equipped with a 0.188-in.-thick acrylic cover sheet would be able to withstand the impact of a 2-in.-diameter hailstone.

Moore, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Chip level simulation of fault tolerant computers

Chip level modeling techniques, functional fault simulation, simulation software development, a more efficient, high level version of GSP, and a parallel architecture for functional simulation are discussed.

Armstrong, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Unsteady flowfield simulation of ducted prop-fan configurations

A technique for the simulation of unsteady flows in and around complex rotating machinery is presented. Additional domain decomposition mechanisms are introduced which extend the range of applicability of software developed for the time-accurate simulation of rotating machinery flowfields. The flow models uses the unsteady 3D Euler equations, discretized as a finite-volume method, utilizing a high-resolution approximate Riemann solver for cell interface flux definitions. Multiblock domain decomposition is used to partition the field radially, axially, as well as circumferentially into an ordered arrangement of blocks which exhibit varying degrees of similarity. A general high-order numerical scheme is applied to satisfy the geometric conservation law. Two configurations are presented - ducted single rotation prop-fan and a rotor-deswirl vane combination which form a single stage fan. Comparisons are made to other numerical solutions for these geometries and to available experimental data.

Janus, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Shock interference prediction using direct simulation Monte Carlo

The shock interaction produced when an incident shock impinges on an inlet cowl lip is investigated for a cowl lip radius of 0.1 in. and flight conditions of Mach 15 and 35-km altitude. This problem is of interest in the design of hypersonic flight vehicles because the interference heating at the cowl lip surface from such a shock interaction is expected to be very high and the design of adequate thermal protection in this region will be challenging. Noncontinuum effects may be significant at this combination of altitude and small dimensions. If this is so, a computational solution based on the Navier-Stokes equations could significantly overpredict the surface heating on the cowl lip. Therefore, a kinetic theory solution technique, direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC), is used to predict the flowfield and surface heating. The details of modeling this problem and some preliminary results are presented. The same qualitative flow patterns are seen with DSMC and a continuum solution of the shock interference case, but the peak heating predicted with DSMC is somewhat lower.

Carlson, Ann B.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Understanding Formation of Irradiation-Induced Defects through 4D-STEM, Electron Tomography, and WBDF-STEM

A major challenge in advancing nuclear materials for next-generation fission and proposed fusion reactors is to comprehensively understand the formation of irradiation-induced defects. Here it is essential to correlate the evolution of irradiation-induced defects and the degradation of mechanical properties, as they collectively dictate the material's lifespan and ensure nuclear safety. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) based techniques have emerged as indispensable tools for irradiation-induced defect characterization, offering high spatial resolution imaging and chemical analysis, such as electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). These techniques have been effectively used to obtain an atomic-scale view of the defect structure. Recent advances in electron microscopy, particularly in 4D-STEM, offer detailed insight into microstructural evolution by capturing full 2D diffraction patterns at every pixel position. Using high-speed direct electron detectors, this technology generates a four-dimensional dataset, overcoming the limitations of traditional STEM imaging.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2007

An Approach to Improved Credibility of CFD Simulations for Rocket Injector Design

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has the potential to improve the historical rocket injector design process by simulating the sensitivity of performance and injector-driven thermal environments to. the details of the injector geometry and key operational parameters. Methodical verification and validation efforts on a range of coaxial injector elements have shown the current production CFD capability must be improved in order to quantitatively impact the injector design process.. This paper documents the status of an effort to understand and compare the predictive capabilities and resource requirements of a range of CFD methodologies on a set of model problem injectors. Preliminary results from a steady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS), an unsteady Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes (URANS) and three different Large Eddy Simulation (LES) techniques used to model a single element coaxial injector using gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen propellants are presented. Initial observations are made comparing instantaneous results, corresponding time-averaged and steady-state solutions in the near -injector flow field. Significant differences in the flow fields exist, as expected, and are discussed. An important preliminary result is the identification of a fundamental mixing mechanism, accounted for by URANS and LES, but missing in the steady BANS methodology. Since propellant mixing is the core injector function, this mixing process may prove to have a profound effect on the ability to more correctly simulate injector performance and resulting thermal environments. Issues important to unifying the basis for future comparison such as solution initialization, required run time and grid resolution are addressed.

Tucker, Paul K.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Passive Dust Mitigation Technologies Being Developed for Demonstration Under Patch Plate Materials Compatibility Analysis Task

With the Artemis program, we are planning longer stays on the surface, with more activities that have the potential to put the astronauts and equipment in contact with greater quantities of lunar dust. The success of these missions will depend on our understanding of material interactions with lunar dust and the development of ways to mitigate dust effects in cases where exposure to dust will lead to failure of components, unacceptable loss of power or thermal control, unacceptable loss of visibility, or health issues. Passive dust mitigation by coating or surface alteration is one method that is being developed and demonstrated under the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Game Changing Technology, Dust Mitigation Program as part of the Patch Plate Materials Compatibility Assessment Task. The goal of the task is to alter the surfaces of materials in order to passively reduce the adhesion of dust, demonstrate their performance in relevant ground-based tests using lunar simulants, and prepare them for demonstration through experiment on the lunar surface. Optically transparent, sputter deposited, work function matching coatings are being developed to reduce adhesion of dust to windows, lenses and display panels by matching the minimum energy to remove an electron from the surface to that of lunar dust in order to reduce adhesion due to charge transfer. Low surface energy coatings and surfaces for thermal control are also being developed to reduce the bonding of dust with the surface enabling it to be removed more easily. Conductive coatings with the ability to shed dust more easily are being developed for use with the active Electrodynamic Dust Shield technology to help reduce the power needed to remove dust from the surface. Passive dust mitigation surfaces for metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium are being developed that reduce the area of dust contact with the surfaces through topographical modification using laser ablation patterning to impart hierarchical topographies with nanometer to micrometer length scales in a single step. Topographically modified polymeric materials, both those with extensive space heritage and those with lower technology readiness levels, are also being evaluated. Space suit fabric surfaces that can reduce dust penetration into and through the fabric are also being investigated as well as pristine and topographically modified ceramic materials that exhibit high wear resilience. An overview of the passive dust mitigation surfaces and coatings being developed under this task, ground testing being conducted using lunar simulants, characterization techniques, and materials preparation for flight sample delivery for integration into the Alpha Space Regolith Adherence Characterization experiment going to the lunar surface on a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) lander in 2023 will be discussed.

Lunar dust, passive mitigation, lunar simulant, co↗
NASA NTRS1989

Multiple symbol differential detection of uncoded and trellis coded MPSK

A differential detection for MPSK, which uses a multiple symbol observation interval, is presented and its performance analyzed and simulated. The technique makes use of maximum-likelihood sequence estimation of the transmitted phases rather than symbol-by-symbol detection as in conventional differential detection. As such the performance of this multiple symbol detection scheme fills the gap between conventional (two-symbol observation) differentially coherent detection of MPSK and ideal coherent of MPSK with differential encoding. The amount of improvement gained over conventional differential detection depends on the number of phases, M, and the number of additional symbol intervals added to the observation. What is particularly interesting is that substantial performance improvement can be obtained for only one or two additional symbol intervals of observation. The analysis and simulation results presented are for uncoded and trellis coded MPSK.

Divsalar, Dariush↗
NASA NTRS1991

Computer graphics testbed to simulate and test vision systems for space applications

A system was developed for displaying computer graphics images of space objects and the use of the system was demonstrated as a testbed for evaluating vision systems for space applications. In order to evaluate vision systems, it is desirable to be able to control all factors involved in creating the images used for processing by the vision system. Considerable time and expense is involved in building accurate physical models of space objects. Also, precise location of the model relative to the viewer and accurate location of the light source require additional effort. As part of this project, graphics models of space objects such as the Solarmax satellite are created that the user can control the light direction and the relative position of the object and the viewer. The work is also aimed at providing control of hue, shading, noise and shadows for use in demonstrating and testing imaging processing techniques. The simulated camera data can provide XYZ coordinates, pitch, yaw, and roll for the models. A physical model is also being used to provide comparison of camera images with the graphics images.

Cheatham, John B.↗