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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 145 records · Page 8

Diffraction of radio frequency waves by spatially modulated interfaces in the plasma edge in tokamaks

We report the use of radio frequency (RF) waves in fusion plasmas for heating, for non-inductive current generation, for profile control and for diagnostics has been well established. The RF waves, excited by antenna structures placed near the wall of a fusion device, have to propagate through density fluctuations at the plasma edge. These fluctuations can modify the properties of the RF waves that propagate towards the core of the plasma. A full-wave electromagnetic computational code ScaRF based on the finite difference frequency domain (FDFD) method has been developed to study the effect of density turbulence on RF waves. The anisotropic plasma permittivity used in the scattering studies is that for a magnetized, cold plasma. The code is used to study the propagation of an RF plane wave through a modulated, spatially periodic density interface. Such an interface could arise in the edge region due to magnetohydrodynamic instability or drift waves. The frequency of the plane wave is taken to be in the range of the electron cyclotron frequency. The scattering analysis is applicable to ITER-like plasmas, as well as to plasmas in medium sized tokamaks such as TCV, ASDEX-U and DIII-D. The effect of different density contrasts across the interface and of different spatial modulations are discussed. While ScaRF is used to study a periodic density fluctuation, the code is general enough to include different varieties of density fluctuations in the edge region – such as blobs and filaments, and spatially random fluctuations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Core structure and secondary breakdown of an exploding wire in the current-pause regime

The results of experiments with rapidly exploding thin conductors inthe current-pause regime are presented. Copper wires 25μm in diameter and 12 mm in length serve as loads for a GVP pulsed generator based on a low-inductance capacitor. The generator produces current pulses of up to 10 kA with dI/dt up to 50 A/ns. A 100–800-ns current-pause regime is obtained for charging voltages of 10–15 kV. The discharge channel structure is studied by shadow photography using 0.53-μm, 10-ns second-harmonic pulses from a Nd 3+ :YAG laser. In the experiments, three types of secondary breakdown are observed, with different symmetry types, different current-pause durations, and different dependences on the energy deposited into the wire during its resistive heating. All of these breakdown types develop inside a tubular core that is produced in the current-pause stage and that remains almost undamaged by the breakdown.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Role of electric fields in the MHD evolution of the kink instability

Here, the discovery of electrostatic fields playing a crucial role in establishing plasma motion in the flux conversion and dynamo processes in reversed field pinches is revisited. In order to further elucidate the role of the electrostatic fields, a flux rope configuration susceptible to the kink instability is numerically studied with anMHDcode. Simulated nonlinear evolution of the kink instability is found to confirm the crucial role of the electrostatic fields. Anew insight is gained on the special function of the electrostatic fields: they lead the plasma towards the reconnection site at the mode resonant surface. Without this step the plasma column could not relax to its nonlinear state, since no other agent is present to perform this role. While the inductive field generated directly by the kink instability is the dominant flow driver, the electrostatic field is found to allow the motion in the vicinity of the reconnection region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Elevated Electron Temperature Coincident with Observed Fusion Reactions in a Sheared-Flow-Stabilized Z Pinch

The sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinch concept has been studied extensively and is able to produce fusion-relevant plasma parameters along with neutron production over several microseconds. In this work, we present elevated electron temperature results spatially and temporally coincident with the plasma neutron source. An optical Thomson scattering apparatus designed for the FuZE device measures temperatures in the range of 1–3 keV on the axis of the device, 20 cm downstream of the nose cone. The 17-fiber system measures the radial profiles of the electron temperature. Scanning the laser time with respect to the neutron pulse time over a series of discharges allows the reconstruction of the T e temporal response, confirming that the electron temperature peaks simultaneously with the neutron output, as well as the pinch current and inductive voltage generated within the plasma. Comparison to spectroscopic ion temperature measurements suggests a plasma in thermal equilibrium. The elevated T e confirms the presence of a plasma assembled on axis, and indicates limited radiative losses, demonstrating a basis for scaling this device toward net gain fusion conditions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Inrush Current Mitigation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Islanded Microgrids

Virtual-inertia and droop control methods are commonly used for grid-forming inverters. While the virtual inertia is used to emulate the equation of motion/frequency, if the inverter output voltage is emulated as in synchronous generators, then the method is known as the virtual synchronous generator. An inductive pulse-load, e.g., a relatively large induction motor, connection to a microgrid fed only by grid-forming inverters may lead to blackout due to high inrush currents. This article presents virtual reactance techniques to mitigate the inrush current effects and enhance the inverter’s robustness for the safe connection of inductive and dynamic loads. This article also compares the virtual inertia and droop control methods under switching inductive-dynamic loads while the proposed techniques are implemented. Experimental tests are performed considering the linear and nonlinear virtual reactance techniques, and the findings are discussed. The mitigation significantly suppresses the inrush currents while the inverters can perform a normal operation. Furthermore, the frequency and power response of the virtual inertia control with different inertia settings to a sudden change in the load is analyzed. The virtual reactance technique is tested in a laboratory-scale hardware setup of a 208V microgrid fed by 5kVA and 10kVA inverters, and the results are presented in this article.

Gursoy, Mehmetcan↗

Mitigation of Motor Stalling and FIDVR via Energy Storage Systems with Temporal Logic Specifications

The fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) phenomenon has been very common from the distribution system through the transmission system. It causes a delay on recovering significantly depressed local voltage after the fault is cleared, and it can also lead to more widespread cascading system failures. Mitigating this event with current control approaches is challenging and becoming a crucial issue. Here, a model predictive control-based strategy employing signal temporal logic specifications is proposed to help mitigate FIDVR. To this end, it investigates and extends a dynamic performance model allowing analytic insights into the system-wide impact of motor stalling and FIDVR. The proposed controller provides richer descriptions of voltage specifications addressing both magnitude and time simultaneously. We consider different control specifications with reactive power support from energy storage systems to prevent the voltage during/after the fault from dropping too low, and reduce the delay time of voltage recovery. The simulation results conducted with the IEEE 57 bus test network validate the proposed method and demonstrate the effectiveness of the mitigation strategy on FIDVR.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, causal agent of citrus Huanglongbing, is reduced by treatment with Brassinosteroids

Huanglongbing (HLB) constitutes the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide, yet no established efficient management measures exist for it. Brassinosteroids, a family of plant steroidal compounds, are essential for plant growth, development and stress tolerance. As a possible control strategy for HLB, epibrassinolide was applied to as a foliar spray to citrus plants infected with the causal agent of HLB, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’. The bacterial titers were reduced after treatment with epibrassinolide under both greenhouse and field conditions but were stronger in the greenhouse. Known defense genes were induced in leaves by epibrassinolide. With the SuperSAGE technology combined with next generation sequencing, induction of genes known to be associated with defense response to bacteria and hormone transduction pathways were identified. Lastly, the results demonstrate that epibrassinolide may provide a useful tool for the management of HLB.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Verification Of the Defense Waste Processing Facility's (DWPF) Process Digestion Methods for the Sludge Batch 8 Qualification Sample

This report contains the results and comparison of data generated from inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis of Aqua Regia (AR), Sodium Peroxide/Sodium Hydroxide Fusion Dissolution (PF) and Cold Chem (CC) method digestions and Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption analysis of Hg digestions from the DWPF Hg digestion method of Sludge Batch 8 (SB8) Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) Receipt and SB8 SRAT Product samples. The SB8 SRAT Receipt and SB8 SRAT Product samples were prepared in the SRNL Shielded Cells, and the SRAT Receipt material is representative of the sludge that constitutes the SB8 Batch or qualification composition. This is the sludge in Tank 51 that is to be transferred into Tank 40, which will contain the heel of Sludge Batch 7b (SB7b), to form the SB8 Blend composition.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Diffraction of radio frequency waves by spatially modulated interfaces in the plasma edge in tokamaks

The use of radio frequency (RF) waves in fusion plasmas for heating, for non-inductive current generation, for profile control, and for diagnostics has been well established. The RF waves, excited by antenna structures placed near the wall of a fusion device, have to propagate through density fluctuations in the plasma edge. These fluctuations can modify the properties of the RF waves that propagate towards the core of the plasma. A full-wave electromagnetic computational code ScaRF based on the finite diifference frequency domain (FDFD) method has been developed to study the effect of density turbulence on RF waves. The anisotropic plasma permittivity used in the scattering studies is that for a magnetized, cold plasma. The code is used to study the propagation of an RF plane wave through a modulated, spatially periodic density interface. Such an interface could arise in the edge region due to magnetohydrodynamic instability or drift waves. The frequency of the plane wave is taken to be in the range of the electron cyclotron frequency. The scattering analysis is applicable to ITER-like plasmas, as well as to plasmas in medium sized tokamaks such as TCV, ASDEX-U, and DIII-D. The effect of diifferent density contrasts across the interface and of diifferent spatial modulations are discussed. While ScaRF is used to study a periodic density fluctuation, the code is general enough to include diifferent varieties of density fluctuations in the edge region -- such as blobs and filaments, and spatially random fluctuations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Observations of Mercury's magnetic field

Magnetic field data obtained by Mariner 10 during the third and final encounter with the planet Mercury on 16 March 1975 were studied. A well developed bow shock and modest magnetosphere, previously observed at first encounter on 29 March 1974, were again observed. In addition, a much stronger magnetic field near closest approach, 400 gamma versus 98 gamma, was observed at an altitude of 327 km and approximately 70 deg north Mercurian latitude. Spherical harmonic analysis of the data provide an estimate of the centered planetary magnetic dipole of 4.7 x 10 to the 22nd power Gauss/cu cm with the axis tilted 12 deg to the rotation axis and in the same sense as Earth's. The interplanetary field was sufficiently different between first and third encounters that in addition to the very large field magnitude observed, it argues strongly against a complex induction process generating the observed planetary field. While a possibility exists that Mercury possesses a remanent field due to magnetization early in its formation, a present day active dynamo seems to be a more likely candidate for its origin.

Ness, N. F.↗

The role of O-type neutral lines in magnetic merging during substorms and solar flares

A model has been constructed for the magnetic field configuration of a combination of X- and O-type neutral lines in the middle of the geomagnetic tail. The main feature is a bubble centered on the O-type line, the field lines of which are not connected to the main geomagnetic field. An analytical model of the motion of charged particles in the vicinity of an O-type neutral line, with an electric field aligned parallel to it, has been constructed and analyzed. Finally it is found that two distinct mechanisms of particle acceleration may exist if a substorm is powered by the inductive emf generated when the tail's magnetic field returns to a more dipolelike configuration by flowing through a pair of X- and O-type neutral lines.

Stern, D. P.↗

Magnetic field line reconnection experiments. V - Current disruptions and double layers

An investigation is conducted of the stability of a large laboratory plasma current sheet, which has been generated in the process of magnetic field line reconnection, with respect to local current increases. Magnetic flux variations in regions remote from the current sheet generate an inductive voltage in the current loop that drops off inside the plasma in the form of a potential double layer, leading to particle acceleration with velocities much larger than those expected from the steady state electric fields in the plasma. A model for the mechanism of the current disruptions is formulated in which the potential structure leads to ion expulsion, creating a localized density drop. The associated current drop in an inductive circuit drives the potential structure, providing feedback for the disruptive instability. Similarities to, and differences from, magnetospheric substorm phenomena are noted.

Stenzel, R. L.↗

Use of an expert system data analysis manager for space shuttle main engine test evaluation

The ability to articulate, collect, and automate the application of the expertise needed for the analysis of space shuttle main engine (SSME) test data would be of great benefit to NASA liquid rocket engine experts. This paper describes a project whose goal is to build a rule-based expert system which incorporates such expertise. Experiential expertise, collected directly from the experts currently involved in SSME data analysis, is used to build a rule base to identify engine anomalies similar to those analyzed previously. Additionally, an alternate method of expertise capture is being explored. This method would generate rules inductively based on calculations made using a theoretical model of the SSME's operation. The latter rules would be capable of diagnosing anomalies which may not have appeared before, but whose effects can be predicted by the theoretical model.

Abernethy, Ken↗