Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Structural models”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,189 records · Page 66

Specific Features of Nonlinear Spin Wave Localization in a Layered Ferromagnet under the Action of the Magnetic Anisotropy of Layers

A trilayer structure model has been investigated, in which uniaxial ferromagnetic layers and thin-film interfaces between them are characterized by the magnetic anisotropy. The magnetization perturbation induced in this structure is described by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a nonlinear potential, which simulates the interfaces between ferromagnetic layers. It is shown that, in this structure, two types of nonlinear spin waves can propagate along the layers, which are induced by the nonlinearity of the interfaces caused by their magnetic anisotropy. The frequencies of such localized stationary states of spin waves have been obtained in the explicit analytical form. The conditions for the existence of these states, depending on the characteristics of the layers and interfaces between them, have been established.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Physics-Informed Machine Learning from Observations for Clouds, Convection, and Precipitation Parameterizations and Analysis

Fusing learning from Earth observations from space and from the ground (e.g., ARM) with newly developed interpretable and generalizable physics-informed model structures to improve the parameterization of clouds and convection and advance the simulation, understanding and analysis of hydrological extreme events. This covers the prescribed foci of (2) predictive modeling using a hierarchy of models and (3) insight gleaned from complex data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Intrusive Uncertainty Quantification and Optimal Experiment Design in the Open-Source Pyomo Ecosystem

This contribution describes ParmEst and Pyomo.DoE, two pillars of the open-source Python-based Pyomo ecosystem for computational optimization with (partial differential) algebraic equation mathematical models. Specifically, ParmEst facilitates intrusive frequentist parameter estimation (PE) and uncertainty quantification (UQ) through built-in features, such as covariance matrix estimation, bootstrapping, and likelihood ratio tests. Complementary, Pyomo.DoE enables optimal experiment design by maximizing various metrics of the Fisher information matrix, such as A-optimality (trace), D-optimality (determinant), E-optimality (minimum eigenvalue), and ME-optimality (condition number). ParmEst and Pyomo.DoE can solve high-dimensional optimization problems by leveraging the model structure and exact derivative information. Finally, we will discuss future opportunities to integrate PE and UQ capabilities with optimization under uncertainty, including robust optimization with non-convex models via PyROS.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Vaterite Optical Petrography in Lake Sturgeon Otoliths

Vaterite occurring in fish otoliths exhibits plumose and spherulitic habits, the latter being like those grown from aqueous solutions. Vaterite spherulites are known to have sheaf-like texture and can be up to 100 μm in size. In thin section, the spherulites typically show uniaxial positive interference figures between cross-polarizers using a polarizing light microscope but without conoscopic or Bertrand lenses because the spherulites mimic the effect of these lenses. Plumose vaterite can show both uniaxial (+) and biaxial (+) interference figures with a small 2V, which suggests that crystal structural models for vaterite should have the plane of the carbonate group parallel to the optic axis or acute bisectrix. Finally, vaterite spherulites grown from aqueous solution exhibit similar structure and growth habits.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Representative Agricultural Pathways and Scenarios for Regional Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability, and Adaptation: Chapter - 5

The global change research community has recognized that new pathway and scenario concepts are needed to implement impact and vulnerability assessment where precise prediction is not possible, and also that these scenarios need to be logically consistent across local, regional, and global scales. For global climate models, representative concentration pathways (RCPs) have been developed that provide a range of time-series of atmospheric greenhouse-gas concentrations into the future. For impact and vulnerability assessment, new socio-economic pathway and scenario concepts have also been developed, with leadership from the Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium (IAMC).This chapter presents concepts and methods for development of regional representative agricultural pathways (RAOs) and scenarios that can be used for agricultural model intercomparison, improvement, and impact assessment in a manner consistent with the new global pathways and scenarios. The development of agriculture-specific pathways and scenarios is motivated by the need for a protocol-based approach to climate impact, vulnerability, and adaptation assessment. Until now, the various global and regional models used for agricultural-impact assessment have been implemented with individualized scenarios using various data and model structures, often without transparent documentation, public availability, and consistency across disciplines. These practices have reduced the credibility of assessments, and also hampered the advancement of the science through model intercomparison, improvement, and synthesis of model results across studies. The recognition of the need for better coordination among the agricultural modeling community, including the development of standard reference scenarios with adequate agriculture-specific detail led to the creation of the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) in 2010. The development of RAPs is one of the cross-cutting themes in AgMIP's work plan, and has been the subject of ongoing work by AgMIP since its creation.

agriculture↗

Are we modeling the properties of unconventional shales correctly?

Technological advancements have led to impressive growth in hydrocarbon (HC) production from unconventional shale reservoirs. However, major limiting factors in shale gas development are i) low recovery of gas in place (<20%), (ii) a rapid decline in well productivity, iii) release of contaminants, despite the use of advanced hydraulic fracturing fluids and multiple fracturing stages. This is mainly due to a lack of understanding of the nanoscale physicochemical properties of shales, especially that of kerogen, the macromolecule that is not only the source of the majority of the HC’s in shales but also holds most of the HC’s in adsorbed state. Over the last few years, a large number of studies have been published on simulating the physicochemical properties of shale utilizing molecular models of kerogen. However, the molecular models of kerogen input into these simulations are based on the kerogen “type” derived from a very limited number of shale samples. In this paper, we examine the variations that can exist in kerogen structure within a particular kerogen “type” across different shale basins and single shale basin at similar thermal maturity levels. We propose that using kerogen “type” based structural models for molecular simulations could lead to inaccurate estimation of HC reserves, HC recovery, HC production, frackability, and quantity and quality of produced water. Our study highlights the need for developing a better classification of kerogen based on its “molecular structure” instead of “type” for a more accurate prediction of physicochemical properties of shales.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

Ensemble-function relationships to dissect mechanisms of enzyme catalysis

Decades of structure-function studies have established our current extensive understanding of enzymes. However, traditional structural models are snapshots of broader conformational ensembles of interchanging states. We demonstrate the need for conformational ensembles to understand function, using the enzyme ketosteroid isomerase (KSI) as an example. Comparison of prior KSI cryogenic x-ray structures suggested deleterious mutational effects from a misaligned oxyanion hole catalytic residue. However, ensemble information from room-temperature x-ray crystallography, combined with functional studies, excluded this model. Ensemble-function analyses can deconvolute effects from altering the probability of occupying a state (P-effects) and changing the reactivity of each state (k-effects); our ensemble-function analyses revealed functional effects arising from weakened oxyanion hole hydrogen bonding and substrate repositioning within the active site. Ensemble-function studies will have an integral role in understanding enzymes and in meeting the future goals of a predictive understanding of enzyme catalysis and engineering new enzymes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Status report and preliminary results of the spacecraft control laboratory experiment

The Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment (SCOLE) was conceived to provide a physical test bed for investigation of control techniques for large flexible spacecraft. The SCOLE problem is defined as two design challenges. The first challenge is to design control laws for a mathematical model of a large antenna attached to the space shuttle by a long flexible mast. The second challenge is to design and implement a control scheme on a laboratory representation of the structure modelled in the first part. Control sensors and actuators are typical of those which the control designer would have to deal with on an actual spacecraft. The primary control processing computer is representative of the capacity and speed which may be expected in actual flight computers. A brief description is given of the laboratory apparatus along with some preliminary results of structural dynamics tests and actuator effectiveness tests.

Williams, Jeffrey P.↗

Reduced modeling of flexible structures for decentralized control

Based upon the modified finite element-transfer matrix method, this paper presents a technique for reduced modeling of flexible structures for decentralized control. The modeling decisions are carried out at (finite-) element level, and are dictated by control objectives. A simply supported beam with two sets of actuators and sensors (linear force actuator and linear position and velocity sensors) is considered for illustration. In this case, it is conjectured that the decentrally controlled closed loop system is guaranteed to be at least marginally stable.

Yousuff, A.↗

Nonlinear Pressurization and Modal Analysis Procedure for Dynamic Modeling of Inflatable Structures

An introduction and set of guidelines for finite element dynamic modeling of nonrigidized inflatable structures is provided. A two-step approach is presented, involving 1) nonlinear static pressurization of the structure and updating of the stiffness matrix and 2) hear normal modes analysis using the updated stiffness. Advantages of this approach are that it provides physical realism in modeling of pressure stiffening, and it maintains the analytical convenience of a standard bear eigensolution once the stiffness has been modified. Demonstration of the approach is accomplished through the creation and test verification of an inflated cylinder model using a large commercial finite element code. Good frequency and mode shape comparisons are obtained with test data and previous modeling efforts, verifying the accuracy of the technique. Problems encountered in the application of the approach, as well as their solutions, are discussed in detail.

Smalley, Kurt B.↗

Convergent close-coupling calculations of electron scattering on LiH

Cross sections for electron scattering on the ground state of LiH are calculated using the molecular convergent close-coupling method. The fixed-nuclei approximation is utilized, and calculations are performed at the mean internuclear separation of 3.06 𝑎 0 for projectile energies ranging from 0.1 to 500 eV. Here, a model-potential approach is utilized to treat the LiH molecule as a two-electron system, and good agreement is found with the literature for various properties of the structure model. Cross sections are presented for elastic scattering, excitation to several electronic states, and ionization. Comparison is made with existing results, and qualitative agreement is found with small close-coupling calculations at low projectile energies. Good agreement is found with first-order results at high projectile energies.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Automated fully-stressed design with NASTRAN

An automated strength sizing capability is described. The technique determines the distribution of material among the elements of a structural model. The sizing is based on either a fully stressed design or a scaled feasible fully stressed design. Results obtained from the application of the strength sizing to the structural sizing of a composite material wing box using material strength allowables are presented. These results demonstrate the rapid convergence of the structural sizes to a usable design.

Wallerstein, D. V.↗

An approach to optical structures control

The stabilization of a large, spaceborne Cassegrain telescope is examined. Modal gain factors and known characteristics of disturbances are used to determine which structural model affect line of sight (LOS) the most and are candidates for active control. THe approach is to: (1) actively control and maintain alignment of optical components; (2) place structural control actuators for optimum impact on the selected modes for active vibration control; and (3) feed back the best available estimate of LOS error for direct LOS control. Local analog loops are used for lower bandwidth control and multivariable digital control for lower bandwidth control. The control law is synthesized in the frequency domain using the characteristic gain approach. Robustness is measured by employing conicity, which is an outgrowth of the positivity approach to robust feedback system design. The feasibility of the design approach will be demonstrated by conducting a lab experiment on a structure similar to a scaled version of the telescope.

Iwens, R. P.↗

A least-squares parameter estimation algorithm for switched hammerstein systems with applications to the VOR

A "Multimode" or "switched" system is one that switches between various modes of operation. When a switch occurs from one mode to another, a discontinuity may result followed by a smooth evolution under the new regime. Characterizing the switching behavior of these systems is not well understood and, therefore, identification of multimode systems typically requires a preprocessing step to classify the observed data according to a mode of operation. A further consequence of the switched nature of these systems is that data available for parameter estimation of any subsystem may be inadequate. As such, identification and parameter estimation of multimode systems remains an unresolved problem. In this paper, we 1) show that the NARMAX model structure can be used to describe the impulsive-smooth behavior of switched systems, 2) propose a modified extended least squares (MELS) algorithm to estimate the coefficients of such models, and 3) demonstrate its applicability to simulated and real data from the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR). The approach will also allow the identification of other nonlinear bio-systems, suspected of containing "hard" nonlinearities.

Evaluation Studies↗

Tentative Evidence for Water Vapor in the Atmosphere of the Neptune-sized Exoplanet HD106315c

We present a transmission spectrum for the Neptune-sized exoplanet HD 106315c from optical to infrared wavelengths based on transit observations from the Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3, K2, and Spitzer. The spectrum shows tentative evidence for a water absorption feature in the 1.1–1.7 μm wavelength range with a small amplitude of 30 ppm (corresponding to just 0.8 ± 0.04 atmospheric scale heights). Based on an atmospheric retrieval analysis, the presence of water vapor is tentatively favored with a Bayes factor of 1.7–2.6 (depending on prior assumptions). The spectrum is most consistent with either an enhanced metallicity or high-altitude condensates, or both. Cloud-free solar composition atmospheres are ruled out at >5σ confidence. We compare the spectrum to grids of cloudy and hazy forward models and find that the spectrum is fit well by models with moderate cloud lofting or haze formation efficiency over a wide range of metallicities (1–100× solar). We combine the constraints on the envelope composition with an interior structure model and estimate that the core mass fraction is ≳0.3. With a bulk composition reminiscent of that of Neptune and an orbital distance of 0.15 au, HD 106315c hints that planets may form out of broadly similar material and arrive at vastly different orbits later in their evolution.

Exoplanet atmospheres↗

Structural Propensities in Cs2MBiX6 (M=Na, Ag; X=Cl, Br) Bismuth Halide Double Perovskites

A previously unreported low-temperature phase transition in the bismuth halide double perovskite Cs2AgBiCl6 is reported, thereby establishing trends in the structural ground state across Cs2NaBiCl6, Cs2AgBiCl6, and Cs2AgBiBr6. Using the combined toolkit of variable-temperature synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and density-functional theory–based electronic structure modeling, we demonstrate a cubic Fm¯3m → tetragonal I4/m transition upon cooling with distinct onset temperatures. Neutron powder diffraction refinements permit the unambiguously assignment of the low-temperature phase of Cs2NaBiCl6 to I4/m, correcting prior reports of an I4/mmm ground state. Cs2AgBiCl6 is also found to transforms to a structure crystallizing in the I4/m space group at low temperatures. Temperaturedependent Raman data and density-functional theory-based modeling capture the softening and freezing of out-of-phase octahedral-tilt modes and quantify relative instabilities. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at room temperature completes the characterization and helps underpin the subtle differences in covalency across the compounds. Trends in the phase transition temperature Ts and tilt magnitudes emerge from coupled effects of halide identity, M(I)–site bonding character, and a mismatch between interatomic distances. These results establish the structure– dynamics–bonding framework for tuning tilt-driven instabilities in halide double perovskites.

Tian, Haowen↗

Chromatin conformation in living cells: support for a zig-zag model of the 30 nm chromatin fiber

A new method was used to probe the conformation of chromatin in living mammalian cells. The method employs ionizing radiation and is based on the concept that such radiation induces correlated breaks in DNA strands that are in spatial proximity. Human dermal fibroblasts in G0 phase of the cell cycle and Chinese hamster ovary cells in mitosis were irradiated by X-rays or accelerated ions. Following lysis of the cells, DNA fragments induced by correlated breaks were end-labeled and separated according to size on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. A characteristic peak was obtained for a fragment size of 78 bases, which is the size that corresponds to one turn of DNA around the nucleosome. Additional peaks between 175 and 450 bases reflect the relative position of nearest-neighbor nucleosomes. Theoretical calculations that simulate the indirect and direct effect of radiation on DNA demonstrate that the fragment size distributions are closely related to the chromatin structure model used. Comparison of the experimental data with theoretical results support a zig-zag model of the chromatin fiber rather than a simple helical model. Thus, radiation-induced damage analysis can provide information on chromatin structure in the living cell. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Non-NASA Center↗

Characterization and modeling of an advanced flexible thermal protection material for space applications

This paper describes experimental and analytical characterization of a new flexible thermal protection material known as Tailorable Advanced Blanket Insulation (TABI). This material utilizes a three-dimensional ceramic fabric core structure and an insulation filler. TABI is the leading candidate for use in deployable aeroassisted vehicle designs. Such designs require extensive structural modeling, and the most significant in-plane material properties necessary for model development are measured and analytically verified in this study. Unique test methods are developed for damping measurements. Mathematical models are developed for verification of the experimental modulus and damping data, and finally, transverse properties are described in terms of the inplane properties through use of a 12-dof finite difference model of a simple TABI configuration.

Clayton, Joseph P.↗