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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 1,675 records · Page 93
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Precipitation and Release of Solar Energetic Particles from the Solar Coronal Magnetic Field

Most solar energetic particles (SEPs) are produced in the corona. They propagate through complex coronal magnetic fields subject to scattering and diffusion across the averaged field lines by turbulence. We examine the behaviors of particle transport using a stochastic 3D focused transport simulation in a potential field source surface model of coronal magnetic field. The model is applied to an SEP event on 2010 February 7. We study three scenarios of particle injection at (i) the compact solar flare site, (ii) the coronal mass ejection (CME) shock, and (iii) the EUV wave near the surface. The majority of particles injected on open field lines are able to escape the corona. We found that none of our models can explain the observations of wide longitudinal SEP spread without perpendicular diffusion. If the perpendicular diffusion is about 10% of what is derived from the random walk of field lines at the rate of supergranular diffusion, particles injected at the compact solar flare site can spread to a wide range of longitude and latitude, very similar to the behavior of particles injected at a large CME shock. Stronger pitch-angle scattering results in a little more lateral spread by holding the particles in the corona for longer periods of time. Some injected particles eventually end up precipitating onto the solar surface. Even with a very small perpendicular diffusion, the pattern of the particle precipitation can be quite complicated depending on the detailed small-scale coronal magnetic field structures, which could be seen with future sensitive gamma-ray telescopes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1977

Determination of the critical loads of shells by nondestructive methods

Two methods for determining the location of and load level to produce instability of compressed cylindrical shells are presented. The first relates the variation in the wall normal stiffness as a function of applied compressive force to the critical load. It uses the distribution of stiffness over the surface of the shell as a guide to buckle location. The second method associates the local dynamic mass with instability behavior. The test data presented show that either method will give excellent prediction capability from low-load-level data for shells of orthodox form. Neither method appears to apply to spirally stiffened shells. This is thought to be due to the fact that there is a substantial difference between the buckle pattern under axial compression and the imperfection shape induced by the normal displacement which is used to ascertain the wall stiffness and the dynamic mass.

Horton, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A self-learning rule base for command following in dynamical systems

In this paper, a self-learning Rule Base for command following in dynamical systems is presented. The learning is accomplished though reinforcement learning using an associative memory called SAM. The main advantage of SAM is that it is a function approximator with explicit storage of training samples. A learning algorithm patterned after the dynamic programming is proposed. Two artificially created, unstable dynamical systems are used for testing, and the Rule Base was used to generate a feedback control to improve the command following ability of the otherwise uncontrolled systems. The numerical results are very encouraging. The controlled systems exhibit a more stable behavior and a better capability to follow reference commands. The rules resulting from the reinforcement learning are explicitly stored and they can be modified or augmented by human experts. Due to overlapping storage scheme of SAM, the stored rules are similar to fuzzy rules.

Tsai, Wei K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Finite element analysis of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) alternate turbopump development (ATD) high pressure oxydizer turbopump (HPOTP)

A 3D model of all stationary components of the ATD HPOTP is analyzed using a superelement solution technique to obtain a better understanding of the pump behavior and to support pump testing. Emphasis is place on the methods used for determining deflections. As part of the model verification, analyses were conducted on the main housing model under proof-pressure and push-test loading conditions. The analysis at 109 percent rate power level resulted in asymmetric deformation patterns which were used to calculate operating and rub clearances. The present analysis is considered to provide the most realistic representation of the ATD HPOTP to date.

Ham-Battista, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Laser tracking for vertical control

The Global Laser Tracking Network has provided LAGEOS ranging data of high accuracy since the first MERIT campaign in late 1983 and we can now resolve centimeter-level three dimensional positions of participating observatories at monthly intervals. In this analysis, the station height estimates have been considered separately from the horizontal components, and can be determined by the strongest stations with a formal standard error of 2 mm using eight years of continuous observations. The rate of change in the vertical can be resolved to a few mm/year, which is at the expected level of several geophysical effects. In comparing the behavior of the stations to that predicted by recent models of post-glacial rebound, we find no correlation in this very small effect. Particular attention must be applied to data and survey quality control when measuring the vertical component, and the survey observations are critical components of the geodynamic results. Seasonal patterns are observed in the heights of most stations, and the possibility of secular motion at the level of several millimeters per year cannot be excluded. Any such motion must be considered in the interpretation of horizontal inter-site measurements, and can help to identify mechanisms which can cause variations which occur linearly with time, seasonally, or abruptly.

Dunn, Peter↗
NASA NTRS2010

Copoly(Imide Siloxane) Abhesive Materials with Varied Siloxane Oligomer Length

Incorporation of PDMS moieties into a polyimide matrix lowered the surface energy resulting in enhanced adhesive interactions. Polyimide siloxane materials were generated using amine-terminated PDMS oligomers of different lengths to study changes in surface migration behavior, phase segregation, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. These materials were characterized using contact angle goniometry, tensile testing, and differential scanning calorimetry. The surface migration behavior of the PDMS component depended upon the siloxane molecular weight as indicated by distinct relationships between PDMS chain length and advancing water contact angles. Similar correlations were observed for percent elongation values obtained from tensile testing, while the addition of PDMS reduced the modulus. High fidelity topographical modification via laser ablation patterning further reduced the polyimide siloxane surface energy. Initial particulate adhesion testing experiments demonstrated that polyimide siloxane materials exhibited greater abhesive interactions relative to their respective homopolyimides.

Wohl, Christopher J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Damage of prismatic lithium‐ion cells subject to bending: Test, model, and detection

Abstract The mechanically induced internal short circuit (ISC) is one of the major safety concerns of lithium‐ion batteries. Mechanical abuse tests are often performed to evaluate the integrity and safety of lithium‐ion batteries under mechanical loadings. Except for the widely explored compression‐dominated indentation tests, bending is another typical real‐world loading condition that is tension‐dominated. To investigate the mechanical damage and ISC behavior of batteries under bending, we carried out controlled three‐point bending tests in four progressive steps on prismatic battery cells with maximum deflections ranging from 38% to 76% of the cell thickness. None of the tested cells experienced an ISC. We then conducted 3D X‐ray computed tomography (CT) scanning on the bent cells after unloading. X‐ray CT images showed three out of the four tested cells have extensive cracking in the electrode layers at the bottom side (opposite to the loading head). This indicates that cracking does not necessarily lead to an ISC under bending. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also measured on the bent cells and substantial changes were observed. Both the bulk resistance and charge‐transfer resistance increased significantly after bending, which could influence the battery performance and lifespan. We then developed a detailed finite (FE) element model to further investigate the mechanical deformation and failure mechanisms. The FE model successfully predicts the load–displacement response and reproduces the deformation patterns. The findings and the FE model developed in the present study provide useful insights and tools for the battery structure and crash safety design. image

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

River stage influences on uranium transport in a hydrologically dynamic groundwater-surface water transition zone

In this study, a well-field within a uranium (U) plume in the groundwater-surface water transition zone was monitored for a 3 year period for water table elevation and dissolved solutes. The plume discharges to the Columbia River, which displays a dramatic spring stage surge resulting from snowmelt. Groundwater exhibits a low hydrologic gradient and chemical differences with river water. River water intrudes the site in spring. Specific aims were to assess the impacts of river intrusion on dissolved uranium (U aq ), specific conductance (SpC), and other solutes, and to discriminate between transport, geochemical, and source term heterogeneity effects. Time series trends for U aq and SpC were complex and displayed large temporal and well-to-well variability as a result of water table elevation fluctuations, river water intrusion, and changes in groundwater flow directions. The wells were clustered into subsets exhibiting common behaviors resulting from the intrusion dynamics of river water and the location of source terms. Hot-spots in U aq varied in location with increasing water table elevation through the combined effects of advection and source term location. Heuristic reactive transport modeling with PFLOTRAN demonstrated that mobilized U aq was transported between wells and source terms in complex trajectories, and was diluted as river water entered and exited the groundwater system. While U aq time-series concentration trends varied significantly from year-to-year as a result of climate-caused differences in the spring hydrograph, common and partly predictable response patterns were observed that were driven by water table elevation, and the extent and duration of river water intrusion.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Hierarchical semi-Markov models with duration-aware dynamics for activity sequences

Residential electricity demand at granular scales is driven by what people do and for how long. Accurately forecasting this demand for applications like microgrid management and demand response therefore requires generative models for activities that can produce realistic daily activity sequences, capturing both the timing and duration of human behavior. This paper develops a generative model of human activity sequences using nationally representative time-use diaries at a 10-min resolution. We use this model to quantify which demographic factors are most critical for improving predictive performance. We propose a hierarchical semi-Markov framework that addresses two key modeling challenges. First, a time-inhomogeneous Markov router learns the patterns of “which activity comes next.” Second, a semi-Markov hazard component explicitly models activity durations, capturing “how long” activities realistically last. To ensure statistical stability when data are sparse, the model pools information across related demographic groups and time blocks. The entire framework is trained and evaluated using survey design weights to ensure our findings are representative of the U.S. population. On a held-out test set, we demonstrate that explicitly modeling durations with the hazard component provides a substantial and statistically significant improvement over purely Markovian models. Furthermore, our analysis reveals a clear hierarchy of demographic factors: Sex, Day-Type, and Household Size provide the largest predictive gains, while Region and Season, though important for energy calculations, contribute little to predicting the activity sequence itself. The result is an interpretable and robust generator of synthetic activity traces, providing a high-fidelity foundation for downstream energy systems modeling.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Graphitization Behavior of Loblolly Pine Wood Investigated by in Situ High Temperature X-ray Diffraction

Graphitization is a complex process involving chemical and morphological changes, although the detailed mechanism for different starting materials is not well understood. In this work, in situ high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to examine the phase transition occurring between 1000 and 1500 °C in loblolly pine wood-derived carbon materials. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) was also used to study these wood-derived carbon materials. XRD data showed the disappearance of a disordered carbon phase between 1300 and 1400 °C, followed by the formation of a crystalline graphitic phase between 1400 and 1500 °C. Here, lattice parameters and the crystal structure of the loblolly pine wood-derived graphite were systematically calculated from the empirical data. The presence of a large endothermic peak at 1500 °C in the DSC thermogram supported this observation. Selected area electron diffraction patterns showed the growth of graphitic crystallites after heat treatment. EELS spectra also supported the presence of a well-developed graphite structure.

Anode materials↗
DOE OSTI2016

Microclimate Influence on Bird Arrival Behavior Field Campaign Report

Using our own prototype sensor arrays that were deployed to collect microclimate data, we were able to visualize distinct differences in temperature, wind speed, and humidity over very small ranges of distance. We collected data across four polygons within the Barrow Environmental Observatory site. Our prototype microclimate arrays were based on an Arduino microcontroller, DS18B20 temperature sensors, DHT11 relative humidity/temperature sensors, and Vernier anemometers. Data were obtained in a small grid pattern with four sensors spaced 60 cm apart along the x-axis, and moved at 60 cm increments along a y-line across a polygon. Overlaying bird nest location with such data has allowed us to better answer our research question, “How do Arctic birds choose where to nest to maximize fitness in harsh Arctic environments?”

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of Nb{sup 5+} doped BCZT ceramics

Highlights: • Average grain size of BCZT ceramic decreased with the increasing Nb{sup 5+} doping. • Dielectric constant value is enhanced with Nb{sup 5+} doping. • Dielectric loss of BCZT − x Nb{sup 5+} ceramics was less than 0.03 at room temperature (1 kHz). • Piezoelectric coefficient decreased with the increasing Nb{sup 5+} doping. • The relaxation behavior is enhanced with the doping of Nb{sup 5+}. - Abstract: This work investigated the electrical properties of Nb{sup 5+} (0.0–1.0 mol%) doped with Ba{sub 0.90}Ca{sub 0.10}Zr{sub 0.10}Ti{sub 0.90}O{sub 3} while adding 1 mol% of Ba{sub 0.90}Ca{sub 0.10}Zr{sub 0.10}Ti{sub 0.90}O{sub 3} seeds. The mixed powder was ball milled for 24 h, calcined and sintered at 1200 °C for 2 h and 1450 °C for 4 h, respectively. The XRD patterns of the ceramic samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The electrical properties of ceramics were measured and the results indicated that all samples show a pure perovskite phase with no secondary phase. Density and average grain size values were in the range of 5.60–5.71 g/cm{sup 3} and 12.62–1.86 μm, respectively. The highest dielectric constant, ϵ{sub r} at room temperature (1 kHz) was 4636 found at 1.0 mol% Nb. The dielectric loss, tan δ was less than 0.03 for all samples at room temperature (1 kHz). Other electrical properties, P{sub r}, d{sub 33} and k{sub p} values were decreased with Nb doped relates to the decreasing grain size in BCZT ceramics. Moreover, the degrees of phase transition diffuseness and relaxation behavior were observed in the higher Nb doping.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Imaging collective behavior in an rf-SQUID metamaterial tuned by DC and RF magnetic fields

In this study, we examine the collective behavior of two-dimensional nonlinear superconducting metamaterials using a non-contact spatially resolved imaging technique. The metamaterial is made up of sub-wavelength nonlinear oscillators in a strongly coupled 27x27 planar array of radio-frequency Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (rf SQUIDs). By using low-temperature laser scanning microscopy we image microwave currents in the driven SQUIDs while in non-radiating dark modes and identify the clustering and uniformity of like-oscillating meta-atoms. We follow the rearrangement of coherent patterns due to meta-atom resonant frequency tuning as a function of external dc and rf magnetic flux bias. We find that the rf current distribution across the SQUID array at zero dc flux and small rf flux reveals a low degree of coherence. By contrast, the spatial coherence improves dramatically upon increasing of rf flux amplitude, in agreement with simulation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Full-wave simulation of a three-dimensional metamaterial prism

In our article, a negative-index metamaterial prism based on a composite unit cell containing a split-ring resonator and a z-dipole is designed and simulated. The design approach combines simulations of a single unit cell to identify the appropriate cell design (yielding the desired negative-index behavior) together with subcell modeling (which simplifies the mesh representation of the resonator geometry and allows for a larger number of resonator cells to be handled). Furthermore, to describe the methodology used in designing a n = -1 refractive index prism, our results include the effective-medium parameters, the far-field scattered patterns, and the near-zone field distributions corresponding to a normally incident plane-wave excitation of the prism.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

AC Susceptibility and Superconducting Properties of Graphene Added YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−d}

The effect of graphene (G) addition on YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ}(G){sub x} (x = 0 − 0.03 wt%) has been studied using the X-ray diffraction method, scanning electron microscopy, electrical resistance versus temperature, transport critical current density J{sub c}, and AC susceptibility measurements. XRD patterns showed single-phase YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} (YBCO) for all samples. SEM micrographs showed filling of the voids between YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} grains as graphene was added. The temperature-dependent electrical resistance curves showed metallic normal state behavior and onset transition temperature T{sub conset} between 90 and 92 K for all samples. AC susceptibility measurement showed transition temperature T{sub cχ{sup ′}} between 90 and 93 K. T{sub cχ{sup ′}} was maintained or improved slightly as graphene was added. The x = 0.001 wt% showed the highest J{sub c}, i.e., 2750 A cm{sup −2} at 77 K and 5570 mA cm{sup −2} at 30 K which was 13 and 40 times higher than that of the non-added YBCO, respectively. The peak temperature T{sub p} of the imaginary part of the susceptibility χ{sup ″} was around 78–82 K for all samples indicating grain coupling was not weakened as graphene was added.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analysis of permeability change in dissolving rough fractures using depth-averaged flow and reactive transport models

Many geophysical problems and engineering applications involve fluid flow through evolving faults and fractures. These situations are typical in CO 2 injection scenarios where supercritical CO 2 or CO 2 –saturated fluids are able to dissolve the solid matrix. Dissolution or precipitation within a fracture could lead to self-reinforcing or self-limiting behavior due to feedbacks from changes in permeability (k). There is limited predictive understanding of this phenomenon. Here, we investigated the case of fracture dissolution using a two-dimensional depth-averaged reactive transport model. The model simulated an acidic fluid dissolving a three-dimensional rough fracture. We observed different dissolution patterns across a wide range of geometric properties and different Peclet and Damkohler numbers (960 cases total). Despite this variation, a persistent linear increase in k with time (t) roughly manifested once the dissolution front advanced through the fracture. The time rate of change of k (k/t) is roughly constant for all simulations. The modeled rate is consistent with a theoretical value based on the parallel plates model and with experimentally derived values. Finally, the results confirm the common presence of linear time-dependence of fracture k due to self-reinforcement.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evolution of connectivity architecture in the Drosophila mushroom body

Brain evolution has primarily been studied at the macroscopic level by comparing the relative size of homologous brain centers between species. How neuronal circuits change at the cellular level over evolutionary time remains largely unanswered. Here, using a phylogenetically informed framework, we compare the olfactory circuits of three closely related Drosophila species that differ in their chemical ecology: the generalists Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans and Drosophila sechellia that specializes on ripe noni fruit. We examine a central part of the olfactory circuit that, to our knowledge, has not been investigated in these species—the connections between projection neurons and the Kenyon cells of the mushroom body—and identify species-specific connectivity patterns. We found that neurons encoding food odors connect more frequently with Kenyon cells, giving rise to species-specific biases in connectivity. These species-specific connectivity differences reflect two distinct neuronal phenotypes: in the number of projection neurons or in the number of presynaptic boutons formed by individual projection neurons. Finally, behavioral analyses suggest that such increased connectivity enhances learning performance in an associative task. Our study shows how fine-grained aspects of connectivity architecture in an associative brain center can change during evolution to reflect the chemical ecology of a species.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Direct evidence of correlations between relaxor behavior and polar nano-regions in relaxor ferroelectrics: A case study of lead-free piezoelectrics Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3}-x%BaTiO{sub 3}

Diffuse scattering and relaxor behavior in Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3} (NBT) and NBT-5.6 at. %BaTiO{sub 3} (NBT-5.6%BT) were investigated. X-ray diffraction revealed two types of diffuse scattering in NBT: (i) broad and (ii) asymmetric L-shaped. After modification with 5.6%BT, the broad diffuse scattering patterns became narrow, and the asymmetric L-shaped ones were replaced by symmetric ones. The symmetric diffuse scattering in NBT-5.6%BT disappeared with increasing dc electric field (E) for E ≥ 9.5 kV/cm where the frequency dispersion in the dielectric constant disappeared. These results demonstrate that the relaxor characteristics are directly correlated with the diffuse scattering and the presence polar nano-regions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗