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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 991 records · Page 55

Approximation solution of Schrodinger equation for Q-deformed Rosen-Morse using supersymmetry quantum mechanics (SUSY QM)

The approximate analytical solution of Schrodinger equation for Q-Deformed Rosen-Morse potential was investigated using Supersymmetry Quantum Mechanics (SUSY QM) method. The approximate bound state energy is given in the closed form and the corresponding approximate wave function for arbitrary l-state given for ground state wave function. The first excited state obtained using upper operator and ground state wave function. The special case is given for the ground state in various number of q. The existence of Rosen-Morse potential reduce energy spectra of system. The larger value of q, the smaller energy spectra of system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Design and convergence analysis of the conforming virtual element method for polyharmonic problems

In the recent years, there has been a tremendous interest to numerical methods that approximate partial differential equations (PDEs) on computational meshes with arbitrarily-shaped polygonal/polyhedral (polytopal, for short) elements. A nonexhaustive list of such methods include the Mimetic Finite Difference method [4, 9, 21, 24, 28, 33, 35, 62, 64–67], the Polygonal Finite Element Method [68, 73, 74], the polygonal Discontinuous Galerkin Finite Element Methods [5, 7, 8, 10, 13–15, 18, 36, 38, 39, 41, 50], the Hybridizable Discontinuous Galerkin and Hybrid High-Order Methods [46–48, 51], the Gradient Discretization method [49, 53, 54], the Finite Volume Method [52], and the BEM-based FEM [71]. An alternative approach that also proved to be very successful is provided by the Virtual Element method (VEM), which was originally proposed in [19] for the numerical treatment of second-order elliptic problems [43, 44], and readily extended to linear and nonlinear elasticity [22, 25, 56], plate bending problems [37], Cahn-Hilliard equation [3], Stokes equations [2], Laplace-Beltrami equation [55], Darcy-Brinkam equation [76], discrete topology optimization problems [6], fracture networks problems [29], eigenvalue problems [59, 75]. The mixed virtual element formulation was proposed in [20, 34]; the nonconforming Virtual element formulations was proposed for second-order elliptic problems in [16], and later extended to general advection-reaction-diffusion problems, Stokes equation, the biharmonic problems, the iegenvalue problem, and the Schrodinger equation in [11, 30, 42, 45, 58, 80]. The p- and hp-version of the VEM were developed in [26, 27] and efficient multigrid methods for the resulting linear system of equations in [12]. A posteriori error estimates can be found in [40].

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Applicability of linearized-theory attached-flow methods to design and analysis of flap systems at low speeds for thin swept wings with sharp leading edges

Low-speed experimental force and data on a series of thin swept wings with sharp leading edges and leading and trailing-edge flaps are compared with predictions made using a linearized-theory method which includes estimates of vortex forces. These comparisons were made to assess the effectiveness of linearized-theory methods for use in the design and analysis of flap systems in subsonic flow. Results demonstrate that linearized-theory, attached-flow methods (with approximate representation of vortex forces) can form the basis of a rational system for flap design and analysis. Even attached-flow methods that do not take vortex forces into account can be used for the selection of optimized flap-system geometry, but design-point performance levels tend to be underestimated unless vortex forces are included. Illustrative examples of the use of these methods in the design of efficient low-speed flap systems are included.

Carlson, Harry W.↗

Advanced Multilevel Monte Carlo Methods

This article reviews the application of some advanced Monte Carlo techniques in the context of multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC). MLMC is a strategy employed to compute expectations, which can be biassed in some sense, for instance, by using the discretization of an associated probability law. The MLMC approach works with a hierarchy of biassed approximations, which become progressively more accurate and more expensive. Additionally, using a telescoping representation of the most accurate approximation, the method is able to reduce the computational cost for a given level of error versus i.i.d. sampling from this latter approximation. All of these ideas originated for cases where exact sampling from couples in the hierarchy is possible. This article considers the case where such exact sampling is not currently possible. We consider some Markov chain Monte Carlo and sequential Monte Carlo methods, which have been introduced in the literature, and we describe different strategies that facilitate the application of MLMC within these methods.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Interfacing Relativistic and Nonrelativistic Methods: A Systematic Sequence of Approximations

A systematic sequence of approximations for the introduction of relativistic effects into nonrelativistic molecular finite-basis set calculations is described. The theoretical basis for the approximations is the normalized elimination of the small component (ESC) within the matrix representation of the modified Dirac equation. The key features of the normalized method are the retention of the relativistic metric and the ability to define a single matrix U relating the pseudo-large and large component coefficient matrices. This matrix is used to define a modified set of one- and two-electron integrals which have the same appearance as the integrals of the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. The first approximation fixes the ratios of the large and pseudo-large components to their atomic values, producing an expansion in atomic 4-spinors. The second approximation defines a local fine-structure constant on each atomic centre, which has the physical value for centres considered to be relativistic and zero for nonrelativistic centres. In the latter case, the 4-spinors are the positive-energy kinetic al ly-balanced solutions of the Levy-Leblond equation, and the integrals involving pseudo-large component basis functions on these centres, are set to zero. Some results are presented for test systems to illustrate the various approximations.

Dyall, Ken↗

Overcoming element quality dependence of finite elements with adaptive extended stencil FEM (AES‐FEM)

Summary The finite element methods (FEMs) are important techniques in engineering for solving partial differential equations, but they depend heavily on element shape quality for stability and good performance. In this paper, we introduce the Adaptive Extended Stencil Finite Element Method (AES‐FEM) as a means for overcoming this dependence on element shape quality. Our method replaces the traditional basis functions with a set of generalized Lagrange polynomial basis functions , which we construct using local weighted least‐squares approximations. The method preserves the theoretical framework of FEM and allows imposing essential boundary conditions and integrating the stiffness matrix in the same way as the classical FEM. In addition, AES‐FEM can use higher‐degree polynomial basis functions than the classical FEM, while virtually preserving the sparsity pattern of the stiffness matrix. We describe the formulation and implementation of AES‐FEM and analyze its consistency and stability. We present numerical experiments in both 2D and 3D for the Poisson equation and a time‐independent convection–diffusion equation. The numerical results demonstrate that AES‐FEM is more accurate than linear FEM, is also more efficient than linear FEM in terms of error versus runtime, and enables much better stability and faster convergence of iterative solvers than linear FEM over poor‐quality meshes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Conley, Rebecca↗

A sensitive method for measuring atmospheric concentrations of sulfur dioxide

A new method for measuring tropospheric sulfur dioxide concentrations is proposed which is based on the mist chamber sampling method. At the present stage of development, the detection limit of the method is approximately 20 parts per trillion for a 45-min sampling time, with lower concentrations detectable with lower precision. The overall reproducibility of the method (+/-95 percent confidence intervals) is estimated at +/-10 percent. The technique is relatively simple, inexpensive, and lightweight, making it ideally suited for numerous field applications in atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemical studies from both ground-based and airborne platforms.

Klemm, O.↗

URANS Application with CFL3D

This case was run using CFL3D, a multi-zone Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes code developed at NASA Langley [1]. It solves the thin-layer form of the Navier-Stokes equations in each of the (selected) coordinate directions. It can use 1-to-1, patched, or overset grids, and employs local time step scaling, grid sequencing, and multigrid to accelerate convergence to steady state. In time-accurate mode, CFL3D has the option to employ dual-time stepping with subiterations and multigrid, and it achieves second order temporal accuracy. CFL3D is a finite volume method. It uses third-order upwind-biased spatial differencing on the convective and pressure terms, and second-order differencing on the viscous terms; it is globally second-order spatially accurate. The flux difference-splitting (FDS) method of Roe is employed to obtain fluxes at the cell faces. It is advanced in time with an implicit three-factor approximate factorization method.

Rumsey, C. L.↗

RANS and URANS Application with CFL3D

This case was run using CFL3D, a multi-zone Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes code developed at NASA Langley [1]. It solves the thin-layer form of the Navier-Stokes equations in each of the (selected) coordinate directions. It can use 1-to-1, patched, or overset grids, and employs local time step scaling, grid sequencing, and multigrid to accelerate convergence to steady state. In time-accurate mode, CFL3D has the option to employ dual-time stepping with subiterations and multigrid, and it achieves second order temporal accuracy. CFL3D is a finite volume method. It uses third-order upwind-biased spatial differencing on the convective and pressure terms, and second-order differencing on the viscous terms; it is globally second-order spatially accurate. The flux difference-splitting (FDS) method of Roe is employed to obtain fluxes at the cell faces. It is advanced in time with an implicit three-factor approximate factorization method.

Rumsey, C. L.↗

Study of the thermodynamic properties of CeO{sub 2} from ab initio calculations: The effect of phonon-phonon interaction

The thermodynamic properties of CeO{sub 2} have been reevaluated by a simple but accurate scheme. All our calculations are based on the self-consistent ab initio lattice dynamical (SCAILD) method that goes beyond the quasiharmonic approximation. Through this method, the effects of phonon-phonon interactions are included. The obtained thermodynamic properties and phonon dispersion relations are in good agreement with experimental data when considering the correction of phonon-phonon interaction. We find that the correction of phonon-phonon interaction is equally important and should not be neglected. At last, by comparing with quasiharmonic approximation, the present scheme based on SCAILD method is probably more suitable for high temperature systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

On estimating the curvature attributes and strain invariants of deformed surface through radial basis functions

Numerical methods in approximation of derivatives on regular or irregular gridded and scattered data points are of significance in the study of numerous problems in engineering and geoscience. A mathematically accurate and stable method is assessed to compute the differential quantities, while being flexible and easy to implement. Strain-invariant parameters in deformation analysis and curvature attributes in geometrical analysis of approximated surfaces are independent quantities which could be derived numerically through radial basis functions (RBFs) for scattered data points. Approximation of a function or its derivatives through RBFs is highly correlated to its shape parameter which depends on the number and distribution of the particles on the support domain. A procedure to find the optimal shape parameter for RBFs in the influence domain of each nodal point together with the presentation of a manner of calculating the curvature attributes and strain parameters through Gaussian RBFs is proposed here. Results indicate a significant improvement in the approximation accuracy of strain parameters and curvature attributes, while this approximation is more stable when RBFs with optimal shape parameter are implemented rather than the traditional moving least squares.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Evaluation of pressure reconstruction techniques for Model Order Reduction in incompressible convective heat transfer

This paper compares pressure reconstruction strategies in Model Order Reduction for incompressible flows with convective heat transfer. The Navier-Stokes equation are reduced along with the passive scalar transport equation for the temperature using the POD-Galerkin technique. Six different pressure reconstruction methods are evaluated, two of which are novel to the best of the authors’ knowledge. Accurate pressure reconstruction is key to avoid error buildup in when solving for the conservation of linear momentum at the reduced level. The six approaches are compared using Direct Numerical Simulations of convective heat exchange processes in a 3D Backward Facing Step with a heated cylinder. Additionally, when comparing time-averaged metrics, we observe that the reconstruction methods that approximate the reduced pressure field using techniques borrowed from full order models (mechanical analogy, pressure Poisson, and velocity supremizers) yield higher errors than the methods that seek to stabilize the reduced systems (reduced residual stabilization, artificial divergence, and Uzawa operator).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Robust determination of the chemical potential in the pole expansion and selected inversion method for solving Kohn-Sham density functional theory

Fermi operator expansion (FOE) methods are powerful alternatives to diagonalization type methods for solving Kohn-Sham density functional theory (KSDFT). One example is the pole expansion and selected inversion (PEXSI) method, which approximates the Fermi operator by rational matrix functions and reduces the computational complexity to at most quadratic scaling for solving KSDFT. Unlike diagonalization type methods, the chemical potential often cannot be directly read off from the result of a single step of evaluation of the Fermi operator. Hence multiple evaluations are needed to be sequentially performed to compute the chemical potential to ensure the correct number of electrons within a given tolerance. This hinders the performance of FOE methods in practice. In this paper, we develop an efficient and robust strategy to determine the chemical potential in the context of the PEXSI method. The main idea of the new method is not to find the exact chemical potential at each self-consistent-field (SCF) iteration but to dynamically and rigorously update the upper and lower bounds for the true chemical potential, so that the chemical potential reaches its convergence along the SCF iteration. Instead of evaluating the Fermi operator for multiple times sequentially, our method uses a two-level strategy that evaluates the Fermi operators in parallel. In the regime of full parallelization, the wall clock time of each SCF iteration is always close to the time for one single evaluation of the Fermi operator, even when the initial guess is far away from the converged solution. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the new method using examples with metallic and insulating characters, as well as results from ab initio molecular dynamics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Two-Stage Reduction Of Dynamical Models

No longer necessary to solve eigenvalue problems of high order. Component-mode projection-and-assembly model-reduction (COMPARE) method provides approximation of dynamics of vibrations of complicated, multiple flexible bodies by use of mathematical models of reduced order. Incorporates component-mode synthesis (CMS) method and enhanced projection-and-assembly (EP&A) method, described in "Enhanced Method of Reduction of Dynamical Models" (NPO-18402), providing for somewhat simplified two-stage process in which order of applicable mathematical models reduced. Reduced-order models used to design algorithms of control systems to suppress vibrations or otherwise control structure.

Lee, Allan Y.↗

Nonlinear Fourier analysis for discontinuous conductivities: Computational results

Two reconstruction methods of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) are numerically compared for nonsmooth conductivities in the plane based on the use of complex geometrical optics (CGO) solutions to D-bar equations involving the global uniqueness proofs for Calderón problem exposed in Nachman (1996) [43] and Astala and Päivärinta (2006) [6]: the Astala–Päivärinta theory-based low-pass transport matrix method implemented in Astala et al. (2011) [3] and the shortcut method which considers ingredients of both theories. The latter method is formally similar to the Nachman theory-based regularized EIT reconstruction algorithm studied in Knudsen et al. (2009) [34] and several references from there. New numerical results are presented using parallel computation with size parameters larger than ever, leading mainly to two conclusions as follows. First, both methods can approximate piecewise constant conductivities better and better as the cutoff frequency increases, and there seems to be a Gibbs-like phenomenon producing ringing artifacts. Second, the transport matrix method loses accuracy away from a (freely chosen) pivot point located outside of the object to be studied, whereas the shortcut method produces reconstructions with more uniform quality.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

High-temperature electronic structure with the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green's function method [High Temperature Electronic Structure with KKR]

Modeling high-temperature (tens or hundreds of eV), dense plasmas is challenging due to the multitude of non-negligible physical effects including significant partial ionization and multisite effects. These effects cause the breakdown or intractability of common methods and approximations used at low temperatures, such as pseudopotentials or plane-wave basis sets. Here we explore the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green's function method at these high-temperature conditions. The method is all electron, does not rely on pseudopotentials, and uses a spherical harmonic basis set, and so avoids the aforementioned limitations. Finally, it is found to be accurate for solid density aluminum and iron plasmas when compared to a plane-wave method at low temperature, while being able to access high temperatures.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗