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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

Cosmic-Ray Diffusion Coefficients throughout the Inner Heliosphere from a Global Solar Wind Simulation

We use a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the solar wind to calculate cosmic-ray diffusion coefficients throughout the inner heliosphere (2 R{sub ⊙}−3 au). The simulation resolves large-scale solar wind flow, which is coupled to small-scale fluctuations through a turbulence model. Simulation results specify background solar wind fields and turbulence parameters, which are used to compute diffusion coefficients and study their behavior in the inner heliosphere. The parallel mean free path (mfp) is evaluated using quasi-linear theory, while the perpendicular mfp is determined from nonlinear guiding center theory with the random ballistic interpretation. Several runs examine varying turbulent energy and different solar source dipole tilts. We find that for most of the inner heliosphere, the radial mfp is dominated by diffusion parallel to the mean magnetic field; the parallel mfp remains at least an order of magnitude larger than the perpendicular mfp, except in the heliospheric current sheet, where the perpendicular mfp may be a few times larger than the parallel mfp. In the ecliptic region, the perpendicular mfp may influence the radial mfp at heliocentric distances larger than 1.5 au; our estimations of the parallel mfp in the ecliptic region at 1 au agree well with the Palmer “consensus” range of 0.08–0.3 au. Solar activity increases perpendicular diffusion and reduces parallel diffusion. The parallel mfp mostly varies with rigidity (P) as P{sup .33}, and the perpendicular mfp is weakly dependent on P. The mfps are weakly influenced by the choice of long-wavelength power spectra.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

ERTS-1 image contributes to understanding of geologic structures related to Managua earthquake, 1972

ERTS-1 imaged the western portion of Nicaragua on December 24, 1972, one day after the central part of the city of Managua was devastated by a major earthquake which measured 5.6 on the Richter scale. ERTS-1 images reveal sets of lineaments (which may reflect fault systems) along any one of which movement could have taken place. One set includes a line of active volcanoes that parallels the coast and constitutes the southwestern edge of the Nicaraguan Depression, a regional graben which cuts obliquely across the Central American isthmus. This trend is offset approximately 10km in a right lateral geometric sense just west of the city of Managua. A parallel lineament, north of Lake Managua, marks the northeast edge of the graben. A second set, extends northward to northwestward from the mouth of the Rio Grande (Viejo) north of Lake Managua and can be projected southward across the lake to Managua. It is this set along which geometric offset of the volcanic lineament appears to have taken place.

Carter, W. D.↗

Operation of the Institute for Computer Applications in Science and Engineering

The ICASE research program is described in detail; it consists of four major categories: (1) efficient use of vector and parallel computers, with particular emphasis on the CDC STAR-100; (2) numerical analysis, with particular emphasis on the development and analysis of basic numerical algorithms; (3) analysis and planning of large-scale software systems; and (4) computational research in engineering and the natural sciences, with particular emphasis on fluid dynamics. The work in each of these areas is described in detail; other activities are discussed, a prognosis of future activities are included.

Source record↗

Rectangular Array Of Digital Processors For Planning Paths

Prototype 24 x 25 rectangular array of asynchronous parallel digital processors rapidly finds best path across two-dimensional field, which could be patch of terrain traversed by robotic or military vehicle. Implemented as single-chip very-large-scale integrated circuit. Excepting processors on edges, each processor communicates with four nearest neighbors along paths representing travel to north, south, east, and west. Each processor contains delay generator in form of 8-bit ripple counter, preset to 1 of 256 possible values. Operation begins with choice of processor representing starting point. Transmits signals to nearest neighbor processors, which retransmits to other neighboring processors, and process repeats until signals propagated across entire field.

Kemeny, Sabrina E.↗

A distributed parallel storage architecture and its potential application within EOSDIS

We describe the architecture, implementation, use of a scalable, high performance, distributed-parallel data storage system developed in the ARPA funded MAGIC gigabit testbed. A collection of wide area distributed disk servers operate in parallel to provide logical block level access to large data sets. Operated primarily as a network-based cache, the architecture supports cooperation among independently owned resources to provide fast, large-scale, on-demand storage to support data handling, simulation, and computation.

Johnston, William E.↗

Auroral Microphysics Rocket (AMICIST) and Reflight of the Phaze Sounding Rocket

This grant was originally awarded for the flight of the AMICIST sounding rocket. However, upon launch failure of the PHAZE rocket, additional resources were placed in this grant to cover the launch of the PHAZE II rocket. AMICIST was successfully launched from the Poker Flat Range on February 24, 1995, and the PHAZE II was successfully launched also from the Poker Flat Range on February 10, 1997. The major objective of the AMICIST flight was to investigate the bursts of transverse ion acceleration occurring during aurora, commonly known as Lower Hybrid Solitary Structures, with the flight of two scientific payloads to unravel space from time effects. The data clearly showed that the structures of ion acceleration were a spatial phenomena having a scale size transverse to the local magnetic field of about 100 m. On the other hand, structures in the auroral electrons were generally observed on this flight to be temporal features that occurred at the same time at the two payloads separated by a few kilometers. The primary objective of the PHAZE rocket flight was to further study the temporal features of auroral electron precipitation having many electron detectors, some fixed in energy, that could study the distribution function of the auroral electrons on time scales of a fraction of a millisecond. A important paper on this topic has just been submitted for publication which uses the PHAZE data to show that the potential structure (electric field parallel to the magnetic field) that accelerates the auroral electrons within one Earth radius of the ground, is not static, but rather fluctuates with frequencies close to the local proton and hydrogen gyrofrequencies. The fluctuation appears to be an actual turning on and off of the electric field at these frequencies. When the potential is turned off, ambient electrons can enter the region and be accelerated along B when the potential is on creating field- aligned bursts which manifest themselves as flickering aurora seen from the ground. The on/off model can explain many of the dynamic features of the aurora which have been unexplained since man first looked up at the visual display. Much needs to be done yet to understand how ions couple into this process.

Arnoldy Roger L.↗

Mars Crustal Remanent Magnetism: An Extinct Dynamo Leaves a Record of Field Reversals in the Heavily Cratered Highlands

The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft, in a highly elliptical polar orbit about Mars, obtained vector magnetic field measurements just above the surface of Mars (altitudes > 100 kilometers). Crustal magnetization, largely confined to the most ancient, heavily cratered Mars highlands, is frequently organized in east-west trending linear features, the largest of which extends over 2000 km. A representative set of survey passes are modeled using uniformly magnetized thin plates and a generalized inverse methodology. Crustal remanent magnetization exceeds that deduced for the largest terrestrial magnetic anomalies by more than an order of magnitude. Groups of quasi-parallel linear features of alternating magnetic polarity are found. They are reminiscent of similar magnetic features associated with sea floor spreading and crustal genesis on Earth but with a much larger spatial scale.

Connerney, John E.↗

Performance of Nanotube-Based Ceramic Composites: Modeling and Experiment

The excellent mechanical properties of carbon-nanotubes are driving research into the creation of new strong, tough nanocomposite systems. In this program, our initial work presented the first evidence of toughening mechanisms operating in carbon-nanotube- reinforced ceramic composites using a highly-ordered array of parallel multiwall carbon-nanotubes (CNTs) in an alumina matrix. Nanoindentation introduced controlled cracks and the damage was examined by SEM. These nanocomposites exhibit the three hallmarks of toughening in micron-scale fiber composites: crack deflection at the CNT/matrix interface; crack bridging by CNTs; and CNT pullout on the fracture surfaces. Furthermore, for certain geometries a new mechanism of nanotube collapse in shear bands was found, suggesting that these materials can have multiaxial damage tolerance. The quantitative indentation data and computational models were used to determine the multiwall CNT axial Young's modulus as 200-570 GPa, depending on the nanotube geometry and quality.

Curtin, W. A.↗

Studies of Radiation-Driven and Buoyancy-Driven Fluid Flows and Transport

It is well known that radiative heat transport influences many types of buoyant flows due to its effect on the temperature and thus density field in the fluid medium. It is of interest to study gaseous flows driven solely by radiation in the absence of buoyancy, particularly because of its application to astrophysical flows that are well known from astronomical observations and numerical simulation. However, no laboratory-scale experiments of this phenomenon have ever been conducted. To study the possibility of obtaining such flows in the laboratory, an apparatus was built to produce large temperature differences (Delta (T)) up to 300 K in a gas confined between flat parallel plates. SF6 was used as the radiatively-active gas because its Planck absorption length is much shorter than that of any other common non-reactive gas. The NASA-Lewis 2.2 second drop tower was used to obtain reduced gravity in order to suppress buoyancy effects. To image the resulting flows, a laser shearing interferometer was employed. Initial results indicate the presence of flow that does not appear to be attributable to the residual flow resulting from buoyancy influences before the drop. For Delta(T) greater than 70 K, slight deformations in the interferometer fringes seen at lower Delta(T) became large unsteady swirls. Such behavior did not occur for radiatively-inactive gases, suggesting that a flow driven solely by radiation was obtained in SF6 and to a lesser extent in CO2. This was more pronounced at higher pressures and plate spacings, consistent with our scaling predictions.

Ronney, Paul D.↗

Studies of Radiation-Driven and Buoyancy-Driven Fluid Flows and Transport

It is well known that radiative heat transport influences many types of buoyant flows due to its effect on the temperature and thus density field in the fluid medium. It is of interest to study gaseous flows driven solely by radiation in the absence of buoyancy, particularly because of its application to astrophysical flows that are well known from astronomical observations and numerical simulation. However, no laboratory-scale experiments of this phenomenon have ever been conducted. To study the possibility of obtaining such flows in the laboratory, an apparatus was built to produce large temperature differences (Delta T) up to 300 K in a gas confined between flat parallel plates. SF6 was used as the radiatively-active gas because its Planck absorption length is much shorter than that of any other common non-reactive gas. The NASA-Lewis 2.2 second drop tower was used to obtain reduced gravity in order to suppress buoyancy effects. To image the resulting flows, a laser shearing interferometer was employed. Initial results indicate the presence of flow that does not appear to be attributable to the residual flow resulting from buoyancy influences before the drop. For Delta T greater than 70 K, slight deformations in the interferometer fringes seen at lower Delta T became large unsteady swirls. Such behavior did not occur for radiatively-inactive gases, suggesting that a flow driven solely by radiation was obtained in SF6 and to a lesser extent in CO2 This was more pronounced at higher pressures and plate spacings, consistent with our scaling predictions.

Ronney, Paul D.↗

Scaling molecular dynamics beyond 100,000 processor cores for large-scale biophysical simulations

The growing interest in the complexity of biological interactions is continuously driving the need to increase system size in biophysical simulations, requiring not only powerful and advanced hardware but adaptable software that can accommodate a large number of atoms interacting through complex force fields. To address this, we developed and implemented strategies in the GENESIS molecular dynamics package designed for large numbers of processors. Long–range electrostatic interactions were parallelized by minimizing the number of processes involved in communication. Here, a novel algorithm was implemented for nonbonded interactions to increase single instruction multiple data (SIMD) performance, reducing memory usage for ultra large systems. Memory usage for neighbor searches in real–space nonbonded interactions was reduced by approximately 80%, leading to significant speedup. Using experimental data describing physical 3D chromatin interactions, we constructed the first atomistic model of an entire gene locus (GATA4). Taken together, these developments enabled the first billion–atom simulation of an intact biomolecular complex, achieving scaling to 65,000 processes (130,000 processor cores) with 1 ns/day performance.

3D modeling↗

Modeling pre-Exascale AMR Parallel I/O Workloads via Proxy Applications

The present work investigates the modeling of preexascale input/output (I/O) workloads of Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) simulations through a simple proxy application. We collect data from the AMReX Castro framework running on the Summit supercomputer for a wide range of scales and mesh partitions for the hydrodynamic Sedov case as a baseline to provide sufficient coverage to the formulated proxy model. The non-linear analysis data production rates are quantified as a function of a set of input parameters such as output frequency, grid size, number of levels, and the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) condition number for each rank, mesh level and simulation time step. Linear regression is then applied to formulate a simple analytical model which allows to translate AMReX inputs into MACSio proxy I/O application parameters, resulting in a simple “kernel” approximation for data production at each time step. Results show that MACSio can simulate actual AMReX nonlinear “static” I/O workloads to a certain degree of confidence on the Summit supercomputer using the present methodology. The goal is to provide an initial level of understanding of AMR I/O workloads via lightweight proxy applications models to facilitate autotune data management strategies in anticipation of exascale systems.

Godoy, William↗

Potential for observing and discriminating impact craters and comparable volcanic landforms on Magellan radar images

Observations of small terrestrial craters by Seasat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) at high resolution (approx. 25 m) and of comparatively large Venusian craters by Venera 15/16 images at low resolution (1000 to 2000 m) and shorter wavelength show similarities in the radar responses to crater morphology. At low incidence angles, the responses are dominated by large scale slope effects on the order of meters; consequently it is difficult to locate the precise position of crater rims on the images. Abrupt contrasts in radar response to changing slope (hence incidence angle) across a crater produce sharp tonal boundaries normal to the illumination. Crater morphology that is radially symmetrical appears on images to have bilateral symmetry parallel to the illumination vector. Craters are compressed in the distal sector and drawn out in the proximal sector. At higher incidence angles obtained with the viewing geometry of SIR-A, crater morphology appears less compressed on the images. At any radar incidence angle, the distortion of a crater outline is minimal across the medial sector, in a direction normal to the illumination. Radar bright halos surround some craters imaged by SIR-A and Venera 15 and 16. The brightness probably denotes the radar response to small scale surface roughness of the surrounding ejecta blankets. Similarities in the radar responses of small terrestrial impact craters and volcanic craters of comparable dimensions emphasize the difficulties in discriminating an impact origin from a volcanic origin in the images. Similar difficulties will probably apply in discriminating the origin of small Venusian craters, if they exist. Because of orbital considerations, the nominal incidence angel of Magellan radar at the center of the imaging swath will vary from about 45 deg at 10 deg N latitude to about 16 deg at the north pole and at 70 deg S latitude. Impact craters and comparable volcanic landforms will show bilateral symmetry parallel to the illumination vector and will appear increasingly compressed toward higher latitudes.

Ford, J. P.↗

Massively Parallel Bayesian Model Calibration and Uncertainty Quantification with Applications to Nuclear Fuels and Materials

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program aims to develop predictive capabilities by applying computational methods to the analysis and design of advanced reactor and fuel cycle systems. This program has been providing engineering-scale support for the development of BISON, a high-fidelity and high-resolution fuel performance tool. Fuel behavior in a nuclear reactor is governed by a complex network of mechanisms interacting with various other physics aspects in the reactor system. Any model developed to represent the fuel behavior will likely be idealized resulting in uncertainties in their predictions compared to the observed data. As such, this report was motivated by the need to identify the sources of uncertainties and quantify and propagate them through the fuel model outputs. Such quantification of uncertainties will establish a level of model trustworthiness, identify approaches to improve the model trustworthiness, and even guide optimal experiment design for maximal information gain. To accomplish the uncertainty quantification for computational models, this report has relied on the Bayesian framework which provides probabilistic treatment of models their inputs and outputs. The current state-of-the-art on performing Bayesian Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) for nuclear engineering models using High Performance Computing (HPC) resources have been reviewed. Implementation of capabilities for massively parallel Bayesian UQ in Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) is discussed. Several verification cases are discussed to verify the accuracy of the quantified uncertainties using the developed computational capabilities in MOOSE. Then, the problem of quantifying the uncertainties in TRI-Structural isOtropic (TRISO) fuel silver release is addressed. For the first time, the uncertainties arising from the TRISO Fission Gas Release (FGR) model due to model inadequacy and experimental noise are quantified. Also, the Bayesian capabilities are applied to the calibration of the MATPRO creep model, a widely used model in several fuel assessment cases. The impact of the prediction uncertainties in the MATPRO model on the fuel cladding behavior as part of the TRIBULATION assessment case (which is an integral effects case) is investigated. This report concludes with a discussion on the future work for the UQ for computational models.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

SAGIPS: a physics-inspired scalable asynchronous generative inverse-problem solver

Abstract Solving large-scale inverse problems using deep-learning algorithms have become an essential part of modern research and industrial applications. The complexity of the underlying inverse problem may require the utilization of high performance computing systems which poses a challenge on the algorithmic design of the inverse problem solver. Most deep learning algorithms require, due to their design, custom parallelization techniques in order to be resource efficient while showing a reasonable convergence. In this paper we introduce a S calable A synchronous G enerative I nverse P roblem S olver (SAGIPS) on high-performance computing systems. We present a workflow that utilizes an asynchronous ring-allreduce algorithm to transfer the gradients of the generator network across multiple GPUs. Experiments with a scientific proxy application demonstrate that SAGIPS shows near linear weak scaling, together with a convergence quality that is comparable to traditional methods. The approach presented here allows leveraging Generative Adverserial Network across multiple GPUs, promising advancements in solving complex inverse problems at scale.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

GPU Acceleration of Large-Scale Full-Frequency GW Calculations

Many-body perturbation theory is a powerful method to simulate electronic excitations in molecules and materials starting from the output of density functional theory calculations. By implementing the theory efficiently so as to run at scale on the latest leadership high-performance computing systems it is possible to extend the scope of GW calculations. Here, we present a GPU acceleration study of the full-frequency GW method as implemented in the WEST code. Excellent performance is achieved through the use of (i) optimized GPU libraries, e.g., cuFFT and cuBLAS, (ii) a hierarchical parallelization strategy that minimizes CPU-CPU, CPU-GPU, and GPU-GPU data transfer operations, (iii) nonblocking MPI communications that overlap with GPU computations, and (iv) mixed precision in selected portions of the code. A series of performance benchmarks has been carried out on leadership high-performance computing systems, showing a substantial speedup of the GPU-accelerated version of WEST with respect to its CPU version. Good strong and weak scaling is demonstrated using up to 25 920 GPUs. Finally, we showcase the capability of the GPU version of WEST for large-scale, full-frequency GW calculations of realistic systems, e.g., a nanostructure, an interface, and a defect, comprising up to 10 368 valence electrons.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sub-Alfvénic Turbulence: Magnetic-to-kinetic Energy Ratio, Modification of Weak Cascade, and Implications for Magnetic Field Strength Measurements

Abstract We study the properties of sub-Alfvénic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, i.e., turbulence with Alfvén mach number M A = V L / V A < 1, where V L is the velocity at the injection scale and V A is the Alfvén velocity. We demonstrate that MHD turbulence can have different properties, depending on whether it is driven by velocity or magnetic fluctuations. If the turbulence is driven by isotropic bulk forces acting upon the fluid, i.e., is velocity driven, in an incompressible conducting fluid we predict that the kinetic energy is M A − 2 times larger than the energy of magnetic fluctuations. This effect arises from the long parallel wavelength tail of the forcing, which excites modes with k ∥ / k ⊥ < M A . We also predict that as the MHD turbulent cascade reaches the strong regime, the energy of slow modes exceeds the energy of Alfvén modes by a factor M A − 1 . These effects are absent if the turbulence is driven through magnetic fluctuations at the injection scale. We confirm our predictions with numerical simulations. Since the assumption of magnetic and kinetic energy equipartition is at the core of the Davis–Chandrasekhar–Fermi (DCF) approach to measuring magnetic field strength in sub-Alfvénic turbulence, we conclude that the DCF technique is not universally applicable. In particular, we suggest that the dynamical excitation of long azimuthal wavelength modes in the galactic disk may compromise the use of the DCF technique. We discuss alternative expressions that can be used to obtain magnetic field strength from observations and consider ways of distinguishing the cases of velocity and magnetically driven turbulence using observational data.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Development and Application of the Collaborative Optimization Architecture in a Multidisciplinary Design Environment

Collaborative optimization is a design architecture applicable in any multidisciplinary analysis environment but specifically intended for large-scale distributed analysis applications. In this approach, a complex problem is hierarchically de- composed along disciplinary boundaries into a number of subproblems which are brought into multidisciplinary agreement by a system-level coordination process. When applied to problems in a multidisciplinary design environment, this scheme has several advantages over traditional solution strategies. These advantageous features include reducing the amount of information transferred between disciplines, the removal of large iteration-loops, allowing the use of different subspace optimizers among the various analysis groups, an analysis framework which is easily parallelized and can operate on heterogenous equipment, and a structural framework that is well-suited for conventional disciplinary organizations. In this article, the collaborative architecture is developed and its mathematical foundation is presented. An example application is also presented which highlights the potential of this method for use in large-scale design applications.

Braun, R. D.↗