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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 955 records · Page 53

Parameter extraction approaches for compact modeling of thermoelectric modules

Thermoelectric (TE) cooling has experienced rapid advancements with the foundational understanding of TE materials. TE modules, compact and lightweight devices, have become the prevalent approach for implementing TE technologies. Accurately quantifying TE physical parameters (Seebeck coefficient α, thermal conductivity κ, and thermal resistance ρ) is challenging due to the dynamic temperature changes in operation. Furthermore, extracting lumped property parameters is crucial for designing energy systems using TE modules. Existing research has several limitations, such as lack of comparative analysis between prevalent formulae, reliance on potentially inaccurate vendor-supplied data, disregard for fundamental assumptions, and absence of empirical measurements. Further, this study addresses these gaps by conducting TE material characterization, comparing three existing formulae using vendor datasheets, designing a laboratory test facility for model validation and refinement, and outlining a structured data extraction procedure. The study's novelty lies in multiple key contributions: (1) a detailed comparative analysis of existing formulae for extracting TE property parameter; (2) executing experimental work in a laboratory setting to validate the model and elucidate its limitations; (3) highlighting potential risks; (4) clarifying possible assumptions from both material and engineering perspectives; and (5) considering temperature differential impacts. This comprehensive approach addresses the current research gaps and provides valuable insights into the design and application of TE modules in various energy systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The multi-assumption architecture and testbed (MAAT v1.0): R code for generating ensembles with dynamic model structure and analysis of epistemic uncertainty from multiple sources

Abstract. Here, computer models are ubiquitous tools used to represent systems across many scientific and engineering domains. For any given system, many computer models exist, each built on different assumptions and demonstrating variability in the ways in which these systems can be represented. This variability is known as epistemic uncertainty, i.e. uncertainty in our knowledge of how these systems operate. Two primary sources of epistemic uncertainty are (1) uncertain parameter values and (2) uncertain mathematical representations of the processes that comprise the system. Many formal methods exist to analyse parameter-based epistemic uncertainty, while process-representation-based epistemic uncertainty is often analysed post hoc, incompletely, informally, or is ignored. In this model description paper we present the multi-assumption architecture and testbed (MAAT v1.0) designed to formally and completely analyse process-representation-based epistemic uncertainty. MAAT is a modular modelling code that can simply and efficiently vary model structure (process representation), allowing for the generation and running of large model ensembles that vary in process representation, parameters, parameter values, and environmental conditions during a single execution of the code. MAAT v1.0 approaches epistemic uncertainty through sensitivity analysis, assigning variability in model output to processes (process representation and parameters) or to individual parameters. In this model description paper we describe MAAT and, by using a simple groundwater model example, verify that the sensitivity analysis algorithms have been correctly implemented. The main system model currently coded in MAAT is a unified, leaf-scale enzyme kinetic model of C 3 photosynthesis. In the Appendix we describe the photosynthesis model and the unification of multiple representations of photosynthetic processes. The numerical solution to leaf-scale photosynthesis is verified and examples of process variability in temperature response functions are provided. For rapid application to new systems, the MAAT algorithms for efficient variation of model structure and sensitivity analysis are agnostic of the specific system model employed. Therefore MAAT provides a tool for the development of novel or toy models in many domains, i.e. not only photosynthesis, facilitating rapid informal and formal comparison of alternative modelling approaches.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Assessment of Modeling and Nuclear Data Needs for Active Neutron Interrogation

This document is the primary deliverable for a scoping study proposed to DOE National Laboratory Announcement Number LAB 19-2114 in the NNSA research area. The study supports user applications employing active neutron interrogation by providing a science plan to improve the modeling capability and the nuclear data that radiation transport codes use. Users rely on the accuracy of the elastic scattering and non-elastic cross-sections spanning thermal energies to 14 MeV (and higher in some cases) for modeling the neutron transport through complex geometries of materials potentially composed of many elements. While the elastic scattering cross-section data are accepted for all commonly occurring elements, the non-elastic cross-section data and the associated emission data include reaction channels that require attention. The study focused on the non-elastic reactions that emit secondary, also known as prompt, gammas with the premise that many users would benefit from improved modeling of these reactions. Many users develop material assay technologies based upon gamma signatures from radiative capture, inelastic scattering, and reactions on low-Z isotopes emitting multiple particles, so the nuclear data gaps, modeling deficiencies, and recommendations for addressing the shortfalls were assessed for these reactions. Fission gammas were excluded from this study because there are other efforts underway to address known shortfalls. Follow-on efforts that successfully execute the recommendations will tangibly improve to the ability to model gamma signatures and backgrounds for user applications, such as controlled substance detection, oil-well logging, and space exploration.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Effective Vectorization with OpenMP 4.5

This paper describes how the Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) model and its extensions in OpenMP work, and how these are implemented in different compilers. Modern processors are highly parallel computational machines which often include multiple processors capable of executing several instructions in parallel. Understanding SIMD and executing instructions in parallel allows the processor to achieve higher performance without increasing the power required to run it. SIMD instructions can significantly reduce the runtime of code by executing a single operation on large groups of data. The SIMD model is so integral to the processor s potential performance that, if SIMD is not utilized, less than half of the processor is ever actually used. Unfortunately, using SIMD instructions is a challenge in higher level languages because most programming languages do not have a way to describe them. Most compilers are capable of vectorizing code by using the SIMD instructions, but there are many code features important for SIMD vectorization that the compiler cannot determine at compile time. OpenMP attempts to solve this by extending the C++/C and Fortran programming languages with compiler directives that express SIMD parallelism. OpenMP is used to pass hints to the compiler about the code to be executed in SIMD. This is a key resource for making optimized code, but it does not change whether or not the code can use SIMD operations. However, in many cases critical functions are limited by a poor understanding of how SIMD instructions are actually implemented, as SIMD can be implemented through vector instructions or simultaneous multi-threading (SMT). We have found that it is often the case that code cannot be vectorized, or is vectorized poorly, because the programmer does not have sufficient knowledge of how SIMD instructions work.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

APRES Prototype Mission Planner System Demonstration

Activity Planning with Resources for the Exploration of Space (APRES) is a mixed-initiative mission planning system for ground operations. APRES has been designed to support multi-spacecraft missions. The APRES Interface is browser-based and includes a plan editor, a timeline plan display, a temporal constraint editor, display of the state and numeric chronicles, and a violation resolution manager. Automation support is supplied by the APRES Service, which includes components that provide the following capabilities:(1) plan simulation, which determines the state and numeric chronicles (values of the model variables over time) and determines when "processes" are triggered and terminated based on world states in the execution trace, (2) violation detection of constraints and flight rules encoded in the domain model, and of the temporal constraints created by the user, (3) violation resolution suggestions as to how to fix the plan's violations via rescheduling. The user controls when and how to utilize the automation support. Demo video included with paper, runtime 8:54 in color with sound.

John L. Bresina↗

Assessing the Use of UAS-Related Terms in ASRS Using Seed Topic Modeling

Context: The NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is a voluntary confidential system that disseminates reports received from personnel involved in aviation operations after de-identifying them. These reports are used by the community to improve overall aviation system safety. Aim: We propose and execute an experiment to assess the use of seed term topic modeling over the database narratives to identify Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) reports. The use of seed term topic modeling enables users to identify groups of conceptually similar narratives associated to a topic of their interest. Method: We use a collection of narratives, expert-selected words, and report metadata that separates UAS from non-UAS reports to assess if seed topic modeling can be used to improve ASRS searches. Results: For simpler queries, seed topic search observes a higher recall and lower precision than the existing DBOL (DataBase OnLine) search in operation. However, the best results are obtained when seed topic search is used as a search suggestion system to be executed on the DBOL. Conclusion: Utilizing a combination of both the existing method and the proposed method, users can expand their search vocabulary about subjects of interest while improving the quality of results.

Text Mining↗

Assessing the Use of UAS-Related Terms in ASRS using Seeds for Topic Modeling

Context: The NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is a voluntary confidential system that disseminates reports received from personnel involved in aviation operations after de-identifying them. These reports are used by the community to improve overall aviation system safety. Aim: We propose and execute an experiment to assess the use of seed term topic modeling over the database narratives to identify Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) reports. The use of seed term topic modeling enables users to identify groups of conceptually similar narratives associated to a topic of their interest. Method: We use a collection of narratives, expert-selected words, and report metadata that separates UAS from non-UAS reports to assess if seed topic modeling can be used to improve ASRS searches. Results: For simpler queries, seed topic search observes a higher recall and lower precision than the existing DBOL (DataBase OnLine) search in operation. However, the best results are obtained when seed topic search is used as a search suggestion system to be executed on the DBOL. Conclusion: Utilizing a combination of both the existing method and the proposed method, users can expand their search vocabulary about subjects of interest while improving the quality of results.

LDA↗

Reproduction of the Yucca Mountain Project TSPA-LA Model Runs using TSPA Computing Systems

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) conducted an evaluation of total system performance assessment (TSPA) related computing systems for the previously considered Yucca Mountain Project (YMP). This was done to maintain the operational readiness of the computing infrastructure (computer hardware and software) and knowledge capability for total system performance assessment (TSPA) type analysis, as directed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), DOE 2010. This work is a continuation of the ongoing readiness evaluation reported in Lee and Hadgu (2014). The current work examined main components of the computing system identified in the previous work (Lee and Hadgu, 2014) to ensure the operational readiness of the TSPA-LA model capability on the server cluster. The TSPA computing hardware and storage system were replaced in late 2014 to maintain core capability and improve computation efficiency. One floating license of GoldSim Version 9.60.300 was installed on the upgraded cluster head node, and its distributed processing capability was mapped on the cluster processors. Other supporting software was tested and installed to support the TSPA-type analysis on the server cluster. All the TSPA-LA modeling cases were tested and verified for the model reproducibility on the upgraded 2014 server cluster (CL2014). All test runs were executed on multiple processors on the server cluster utilizing the GoldSim distributed processing capability, and all runs completed successfully. The model reproducibility verification was evaluated by two approaches: numerical value comparison and graphical comparison. The analysis demonstrated an excellent reproducibility of the TSPA-LA model runs on the upgraded server cluster. The 2014 server cluster and supporting software systems are fully operational to support TSPA- LA type analysis.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Reproduction of the Yucca Mountain Project TSPA-LA Model Runs using TSPA Computing Systems

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) conducted an evaluation of total system performance assessment (TSPA) related computing systems for the previously considered Yucca Mountain Project (YMP). This was done to maintain the operational readiness of the computing infrastructure (computer hardware and software) and knowledge capability for total system performance assessment (TSPA) type analysis, as directed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), DOE 2010. This work is a continuation of the ongoing readiness evaluation reported in Lee and Hadgu (2014). The current work examined main components of the computing system identified in the previous work (Lee and Hadgu, 2014) to ensure the operational readiness of the TSPA-LA model capability on the server cluster. The TSPA computing hardware and storage system were replaced in late 2014 to maintain core capability and improve computation efficiency. One floating license of GoldSim Version 9.60.300 was installed on the upgraded cluster head node, and its distributed processing capability was mapped on the cluster processors. Other supporting software was tested and installed to support the TSPA-type analysis on the server cluster. All the TSPA-LA modeling cases were tested and verified for the model reproducibility on the upgraded 2014 server cluster (CL2014). All test runs were executed on multiple processors on the server cluster utilizing the GoldSim distributed processing capability, and all runs completed successfully. The model reproducibility verification was evaluated by two approaches: numerical value comparison and graphical comparison. The analysis demonstrated an excellent reproducibility of the TSPA-LA model runs on the upgraded server cluster. The 2014 server cluster and supporting software systems are fully operational to support TSPA- LA type analysis.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Model Generation to Support Model-Based Testing Applied on NASA DAT - An Experience Report

Model-based Testing (MBT), where a model of the system under tests (SUT) behavior is used to automatically generate executable test cases, is a promising and versatile testing technology. Nevertheless, adoption of MBT technologies in industry is slow and many testing tasks are performed via manually created executable test cases (i.e. test programs such as JUnit). In order to adopt MBT, testers must learn how to construct models and use these models to generate test cases, which might be a hurdle. An interesting observation in our previous work is that the existing manually created test cases often provided invaluable insights for the manual creation of the testing models of the system. In this paper we present an approach that allows the tester to first create and debug a set of test cases. When the tester is happy with the test cases, the next step is to automatically generate a model from the test cases. The generated model is derived from the test cases, which are actions that the system can perform (e.g. a button clicks) and their expected outputs in form of assert statements (e.g. assert data entered). The model is a Finite State Machine (FSM) model that can be employed with little or no manual changes to generate additional test cases for the SUT. We successfully applied the approach in a feasibility study to the NASA Data Access Toolkit (DAT), which is a web-based GUI. One compelling finding is that the test cases that were generated from the automatically generated models were able to detect issues that were not detected by the original set of manually created test cases. We present the findings from the case study and discuss best practices for incorporating model generation techniques into an existing testing process.

State Machines↗

Executive Summary to the AFC Regarding the NEAMS ATF HIP

The DOE through its Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program introduced so called High Impact Problems (HIPs). A HIP is intended to make significant advancements in a particular area of nuclear research in a short period of time (3 years or less). The first HIP selected by NEAMS was in the area of Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF). The purpose of this executive summary is to compile the ATF materials investigated, computational models developed, and key findings of using the models in the engineering scale fuel code developed partially by NEAMS called BISON.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

A model for the control mode man-computer interface dialogue

A four stage model is presented for the control mode man-computer interface dialogue. It consists of context development, semantic development syntactic development, and command execution. Each stage is discussed in terms of the operator skill levels (naive, novice, competent, and expert) and pertinent human factors issues. These issues are human problem solving, human memory, and schemata. The execution stage is discussed in terms of the operators typing skills. This model provides an understanding of the human process in command mode activity for computer systems and a foundation for relating system characteristics to operator characteristics.

Chafin, R. L.↗

Multipoint-BAX: a new approach for efficiently tuning particle accelerator emittance via virtual objectives

Abstract Although beam emittance is critical for the performance of high-brightness accelerators, optimization is often time limited as emittance calculations, commonly done via quadrupole scans, are typically slow. Such calculations are a type of multipoint query , i.e. each query requires multiple secondary measurements. Traditional black-box optimizers such as Bayesian optimization are slow and inefficient when dealing with such objectives as they must acquire the full series of measurements, but return only the emittance, with each query. We propose a new information-theoretic algorithm, Multipoint-BAX , for black-box optimization on multipoint queries, which queries and models individual beam-size measurements using techniques from Bayesian Algorithm Execution (BAX). Our method avoids the slow multipoint query on the accelerator by acquiring points through a virtual objective , i.e. calculating the emittance objective from a fast learned model rather than directly from the accelerator. We use Multipoint-BAX to minimize emittance at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) and the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests II (FACET-II). In simulation, our method is 20× faster and more robust to noise compared to existing methods. In live tests, it matched the hand-tuned emittance at FACET-II and achieved a 24% lower emittance than hand-tuning at LCLS. Our method represents a conceptual shift for optimizing multipoint queries, and we anticipate that it can be readily adapted to similar problems in particle accelerators and other scientific instruments.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

A Formal Model of Partitioning for Integrated Modular Avionics

The aviation industry is gradually moving toward the use of integrated modular avionics (IMA) for civilian transport aircraft. An important concern for IMA is ensuring that applications are safely partitioned so they cannot interfere with one another. We have investigated the problem of ensuring safe partitioning and logical non-interference among separate applications running on a shared Avionics Computer Resource (ACR). This research was performed in the context of ongoing standardization efforts, in particular, the work of RTCA committee SC-182, and the recently completed ARINC 653 application executive (APEX) interface standard. We have developed a formal model of partitioning suitable for evaluating the design of an ACR. The model draws from the mathematical modeling techniques developed by the computer security community. This report presents a formulation of partitioning requirements expressed first using conventional mathematical notation, then formalized using the language of SRI'S Prototype Verification System (PVS). The approach is demonstrated on three candidate designs, each an abstraction of features found in real systems.

DiVito, Ben L.↗

Multi-Physics Simulations of Heat Pipe Micro Reactor

System Analysis Module (SAM) is under development at Argonne National Laboratory as a modern system-level modeling and simulation tool for advanced non-light water reactor safety analyses. It utilizes the object-oriented application framework MOOSE to leverage the modern software environment and advanced numerical methods. The capabilities of SAM are being extended to enable the transient modeling, analysis, and design of various advanced nuclear reactor systems. This report presents the development of new capabilities for modeling the heat pipe type reactor systems. The need for power at remote locations away from a reliable electrical grid is an important niche for nuclear energy. Heat pipe-cooled fast-spectrum nuclear reactors are well suited for these applications. The key feature of the heat pipe reactors is the use of heat pipes for heat removal from the reactor core. The heat pipe makes use of the phase change of the working fluid and transports a large amount of heat from the evaporator to the condensation end with very small temperature drops. In contrast to the traditional nuclear reactor system that makes use of pumped loop for extracting the thermal power, the heat pipe reactors make use of hundreds of heat pipes for removing the thermal power (including the decay heat) passively. This could potentially significantly improve the reliability and safety of the reactor systems. The essential part in the analysis of a heat pipe type reactor is the modeling of heat transport inside the heat pipe. The capability of SAM was extended to enable the modeling of the conventional heat pipe. The full suite of non-LWR codes for confirmatory analysis at NRC is known as the Comprehensive Reactor Analysis Bundle (CRAB). It makes use of existing NRC codes, and integrates them with several codes developed through the DOE-NE’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program. In this report, the heat pipe micro reactor is simulated using three submodules under CRAB. The MAMMOTH module is used to simulate the reactor kinetics behavior of the micro reactor; the SAM module is used to simulate the heat conduction in the reactor core and heat removal through the heat pipe heat exchangers and Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS); and the MOOSE Tensor Mechanics module is used to simulate the thermal expansion of the reactor cores. The different sub-models are coupled together using MOOSE’s MultiApp system and executed using the BlueCrab application. The new capability has been demonstrated by a steady-state operation analysis, a failure of a single central heat pipe transient analysis, and a loss of heat sink transient analysis. The fully coupled model is shown to work well.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

James Webb Space Telescope Navigation Optimization Challenges

This paper details the orbit determination, solar radiation pressure (SRP) modeling, and station-keeping maneuver planning for the NASA James Webb Space Telescope during the routine science phase of the mission. The complexities of SRP modeling driven by the vehicle’s large area, attitude profile, and attitude constraints for maneuver execution entail unique challenges for spaceflight navigation. The techniques utilized to combine predictive attitude and maneuver targeting modeling were refined using the experiences and data accumulated during and following the commissioning phase. The Navigation Team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Flight Dynamics Facility responded to these challenges and implemented methods for trajectory optimization and improving maneuver efficiency.

Flight Dynamics↗

James Webb Space Telescope Navigation Optimization Challenges

This paper details the orbit determination, solar radiation pressure (SRP) modeling, and station-keeping maneuver planning for the NASA James Webb Space Telescope during the routine science phase of the mission. The complexities of SRP modeling driven by the vehicle’s large area, attitude profile, and attitude constraints for maneuver execution entail unique challenges for spaceflight navigation. The techniques utilized to combine predictive attitude and maneuver targeting modeling were refined using the experiences and data accumulated during and following the commissioning phase. The Navigation Team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Flight Dynamics Facility responded to these challenges and implemented methods for trajectory optimization and improving maneuver efficiency.

Flight Dynamics↗

ReSpike: A Co-Design Framework for Evaluating SNNs on ReRAM-Based Neuromorphic Processors

With Moore’s law approaching its end, traditional von Neumann architectures are struggling to keep up with the exceeding performance and memory requirements of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Unconventional computing approaches such as neuromorphic computing that leverage spiking neural networks (SNNs) to perform computation are gaining traction and seek the paradigm shift necessary to sustain the increasing demands of modern applications. Novel memory technologies, such as resistive RAM (ReRAM), employ a crossbar architecture that possesses the inherent capability of efficiently computing vector-matrix multiplication—a dominant operation in SNNs. The prospect of naturally mapping SNNs to the crossbar structures provides a unique opportunity for achieving a high-performance, power-efficient neuromorphic system. In this work, we present ReSpike, which is a new framework, behavioral simulator, and architectural design based on ReRAM crossbar architectures, enabling modeling and co-design to achieve efficient execution of SNNs. We drive this co-design forward by quantifying the impact that ReRAM cell nonidealities have on the corresponding accuracy of an SNN application.

Asifuzzaman, Kazi [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000240044791)↗