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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 19 records

Dynamics of Nanoscale Grain-Boundary Decohesion in Aluminum by Molecular-Dynamics Simulation

The dynamics and energetics of intergranular crack growth along a flat grain boundary in aluminum is studied by a molecular-dynamics simulation model for crack propagation under steady-state conditions. Using the ability of the molecular-dynamics simulation to identify atoms involved in different atomistic mechanisms, it was possible to identify the energy contribution of different processes taking place during crack growth. The energy contributions were divided as: elastic energy, defined as the potential energy of the atoms in fcc crystallographic state; and plastically stored energy, the energy of stacking faults and twin boundaries; grain-boundary and surface energy. In addition, monitoring the amount of heat exchange with the molecular-dynamics thermostat gives the energy dissipated as heat in the system. The energetic analysis indicates that the majority of energy in a fast growing crack is dissipated as heat. This dissipation increases linearly at low speed, and faster than linear at speeds approaching 1/3 the Rayleigh wave speed when the crack tip becomes dynamically unstable producing periodic dislocation bursts until the crack is blunted.

Yamakov, V.↗

Probing Accuracy-Speedup Tradeoff in Machine Learning Surrogates for Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The performance promise of machine learning surrogates of molecular dynamics simulations of soft materials is significant but generally comes at the cost of acquiring large training datasets to learn the complex relationships between input soft material attributes and output properties. Under the constraint of limited high-performance computing resources, optimizing the size of the training datasets becomes paramount. Using an artificial neural network based surrogate for molecular dynamics simulations of confined electrolytes, we explore the tradeoff between surrogate accuracy and computational gains. Accuracy is assessed by computing the root-mean-square errors between the surrogate predictions and the ground truth results obtained via molecular dynamics simulations. The computational performance is judged by evaluating the speedup which incorporates the training dataset creation time. Improvement in accuracy occurs with a loss of speedup, which scales as the inverse of the training dataset size. Furthermore, the link between surrogate generalizability and the accuracy-speedup tradeoff is assessed by examining the errors incurred in surrogate predictions on unseen, interpolated input variables and developing a net speedup metric to capture the associated gains.

Anions↗

Differentiable hybrid neural network approach for enhancing reactor dynamics simulations

Reactor dynamics simulations provide essential insights into the time-dependent behavior of nuclear reactors under various operating conditions. However, high-fidelity simulations can be computationally intensive, requiring significant computational resources. Here, to address this challenge, this study employs a differentiable hybrid model that utilizes neural networks as a corrector to enhance the performance of a low-fidelity simulation, aligning its predictions with those of a high-fidelity simulation. Low-fidelity and high-fidelity simulations were obtained by adjusting the mesh size in the System Dynamics Analysis Tool. The differentiable hybrid model was trained in two approaches: time-step-wise and sequence-wise. It was then applied to simulate various transients in a molten salt reactor. Its performance was evaluated by comparing its responses to transients against those of the high-fidelity simulation. An additional approach was performed using a data-driven model to correct the low-fidelity simulation. In comparison, the differentiable hybrid model showed significant improvements in transient prediction, effectively addressing the limitations of the low-fidelity simulations. The results highlighted the robustness of the differentiable hybrid model in both training approaches. It delivered simulations that were at least 3.8 times faster than high-fidelity models. In the time-step-wise approach, it achieved at least a 39% improvement in accuracy. In the sequence-wise approach, it showed at least an 81% accuracy improvement over the full transient. This approach offers a promising path for improving computational efficiency without compromising accuracy in nuclear reactor simulations, making it suitable for real-time digital twin applications.

42 - ENGINEERING↗

Simulating Dynamics Of The Gamma-Ray Observatory Satellite

GRODY developed alongside GROSS computer program (GSC-13147), a FORTRAN dynamics-simulator program performing same functions. GRODY conceived for use in case study to assess feasibility and effectiveness of Ada programming language for development of flight-dynamics software. Designed for those familiar with analysis of attitudes of spacecraft. Supports planning of maneuvers as well as analytical testing and evaluation of attitude-determination and -control system used on board Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO) satellite. Simulates computer and control processor electronics aboard GRO satellite. Enables analyst to check and update commands sent from ground and values of parameters, obtain displays of status of simulation, interrupt simulation, analyze previous runs, and obtain printed output of simulation runs. Written mainly in Ada (99 percent) with remainder in FORTRAN.

Stark, M.↗

Experimental verification of dynamic simulation

The dynamics model here is a backhoe, which is a four degree of freedom manipulator from the dynamics standpoint. Two types of experiment are chosen that can also be simulated by a multibody dynamics simulation program. In the experiment, recorded were the configuration and force histories; that is, velocity and position, and force output and differential pressure change from the hydraulic cylinder, in the time domain. When the experimental force history is used as driving force in the simulation model, the forward dynamics simulation produces a corresponding configuration history. Then, the experimental configuration history is used in the inverse dynamics analysis to generate a corresponding force history. Therefore, two sets of configuration and force histories--one set from experiment, and the other from the simulation that is driven forward and backward with the experimental data--are compared in the time domain. More comparisons are made in regard to the effects of initial conditions, friction, and viscous damping.

Yae, K. Harold↗

Atomic Diffusion, Segregation, and Grain Boundary Migration in Nickel-Based Alloys from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Grain boundary diffusion and metal mobility in alloys control material performance in many applications and yet remain poorly understood at a mechanistic level. With advances in accessible time and length scales for computational molecular simulations, and recent force field developments, we now possess tools to help unravel those mechanisms. Using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, here we examined vacancy-mediated diffusion processes in Ni-5Cr alloy with low and high-energy grain boundaries. We show that atomic diffusion inside the grain boundary plane is about four times higher than bulk diffusion, at any temperature, and exhibits a typical Arrhenius behavior with a very small energy barrier (0~.8 eV for Cr and 0.7 eV for Ni within 1300-1600 K). Additionally, the fastest diffusing species inverts; Cr diffusion was faster than Ni in the bulk but slower in the grain boundaries. This is attributed to the creation of high cohesive energy clusters of Cr at the grain boundary. Grain boundary migration was also observed to be temperature dependent and appears to be two times higher in the 5% Cr alloy than in pure Ni, highlighting the important role of the alloying element on grain boundary motion.

Simonnin, Pauline GN↗

A Case Study on Pathogen Transport, Deposition, Evaporation and Transmission: Linking High-Fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations to Probability of Infection

A high-fidelity, low-Mach computational fluid dynamics simulation tool that includes evaporating droplets and variable-density turbulent flow coupling is well-suited to ascertain transmission probability and supports risk mitigation methods development for airborne infectious diseases such as COVID-19. A multi-physics large-eddy simulation-based paradigm is used to explore droplet and aerosol pathogen transport from a synthetic cough emanating from a kneeling humanoid. For an outdoor configuration that mimics the recent open-space social distance strategy of San Francisco, maximum primary droplet deposition distances are shown to approach 8.1 m in a moderate wind configuration with the aerosol plume transported in excess of 15 m. In quiescent conditions, the aerosol plume extends to approximately 4 m before the emanating pulsed jet becomes neutrally buoyant. A dose–response model, which is based on previous SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) data, is exercised on the high-fidelity aerosol transport database to establish relative risk at eighteen virtual receptor probe locations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The Effect of Water on the Work of Adhesion at Epoxy Interfaces by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Molecular dynamics simulation can be used to explore the detailed effects of chemistry on properties of materials. In this paper, two different epoxies found in aerospace resins are modeled using molecular dynamics. The first material, an amine-cured tetrafunctional epoxy, represents a composite matrix resin, while the second represents a 177 C-cured adhesive. Surface energies are derived for both epoxies and the work of adhesion values calculated for the epoxy/epoxy interfaces agree with experiment. Adding water -- to simulate the effect of moisture exposure -- reduced the work of adhesion in one case, and increased it in the other. To explore the difference, the various energy terms that make up the net work of adhesion were compared and the location of the added water was examined.

Hinkley, J.A.↗

Understanding Viscoelasticity of an Entangled Silicone Copolymer via Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Entangled dynamics is important for understanding rheological properties of long-chain polymers. For entangled homopolymers, the classic tube-reptation model and its refinements have been successfully applied to quantify properties like diffusion coefficient and zero-rate viscosity. However, the application of such models to copolymers has been limited despite scientific and industrial importance. Here, we study the entangled melt dynamics of poly(dimethyl-co-diphenyl)siloxane random copolymer for a range of mean-composition-ratio ϕ of the diphenyl component via long-term molecular dynamics simulation with a recently developed coarse-grained model. We found that the segmental relaxation is heterogeneous at the monomeric level because of compositional fluctuations. However, at the chain-entanglement level and higher length scales, the viscoelastic response is homogeneous with compositional dependence only through the overall diphenyl fraction ϕ. The relaxation modulus of the entangled copolymer melt conforms to the Likhtman–McLeish model, and the viscosity predicted using our current coarse-grained parameters is in good quantitative agreement with experimental data.

Copolymers↗

Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate: Interpretation of Pair Distribution Function and X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Data

The structure and transformation of hydrous amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) are key to understanding biomineralization pathways and their relationship with the properties of the resulting material. Quantitative interpretation of scattering experiments aimed at elucidating the structure of ACC is challenging, due to the amorphous nature of this material, and, therefore, requires models for the structure and the scattering physics. Here, we generate physically realistic ensembles of hydrated ACC structures and their vibrational disorder from ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations with an emphasis on enabling the consistent interpretation of the finer details of three complementary structural probes: neutron and x-ray pair distribution experiments and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). In each case, we simulate the signal directly in reciprocal space and then manipulate it into the real-space pair distribution function (PDF) or spectrum using the same procedures for the experimental and theoretical data. Good agreement with experiment was obtained across the three techniques with the simulations accounting well for all features in the spectra. Remaining small discrepancies pointed to differences between real samples and the idealized simulated systems such as deviations from the nominal CaCO3·nH2O stoichiometry. Additionally, the simulations offered a more accurate description of the local coordination environment of calcium than previous shell-by-shell fits to spectra of synthetic ACC and classical molecular dynamics simulations. This work demonstrates that AIMD is a powerful approach for extracting detailed structural information from neutron PDF, x-ray PDF, and XAS of amorphous carbonate phases.

Prange, Micah P.↗

Predicting the Dissolution Rate of Borosilicate Glasses using QSPR analysis based on molecular dynamics simulations

Quantitative Structure Property Relationship (QSPR) analysis based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is a promising approach for establishing the composition-property relationships of glass and other materials with complex structures. A series of 20 borosilicate and boroaluminosilicate glasses have been modeled by using MD simulations with recently developed effective potentials. Short- and medium-range structures of these glasses were analyzed and, based on these structural information, QSPR analysis of the initial dissolution rate (r0) was made and compared with measured r0 at 90°C and pH 9 using various structural descriptors such as percentage of bridging oxygen species, network connectivity and average ring size. The structural descriptors, Fnet, containing energetic information such as single bond strength and other structural information were also used. It was found that overall network connectivity, average ring size and Fnet give reasonable predictions of the r0 of studied glasses, given the conditions that the glasses are homogeneous and dissolve congruently. Modifying glass compositions to account preferential release of modifiers gives a better prediction for incongruently dissolving glasses. The results were compared with our recent work of predicting glass dissolution behavior from compositions using the topological-constraints-based models.

Du, Jincheng↗

Enhancing the formation of ionic defects to study the ice Ih/XI transition with molecular dynamics simulations

Ice Ih, the common form of ice in the biosphere, contains proton disorder. Its proton-ordered counterpart, ice XI, is thermodynamically stable below 72 K. However, the formation of ice XI is kinetically hindered, and experimentally it is obtained by doping with KOH. Doping creates ionic defects that promote the migration of protons and the associated change in proton configuration. In this article, we mimic the effect of doping with a bias potential that enhances the formation of ionic defects in molecular dynamics simulations. The recombination of the ions thus formed proceeds through fast migration of the hydroxide along hydrogen bond loops, providing a physical and expedite way to change the proton configuration. Here, a key ingredient of this approach is a machine learning potential trained with density functional theory data and capable of modelling molecular dissociation. We exemplify the usefulness of this idea by studying the order-disorder transition using an appropriate order parameter that distinguishes the proton environments in ice Ih and XI. We calculate the changes in free energy, enthalpy, and entropy associated with the transition. Our estimated entropy agrees with experiment within the error bars of the calculation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Domain-specific compilers for dynamic simulations of quantum materials on quantum computers

Abstract Simulation of the dynamics of quantum materials is emerging as a promising scientific application for noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers. Due to their high gate-error rates and short decoherence times, however, NISQ computers can only produce high-fidelity results for those quantum circuits smaller than some given circuit size. Dynamic simulations, therefore, pose a challenge as current algorithms produce circuits that grow in size with each subsequent time-step of the simulation. This underscores the crucial role of quantum circuit compilers to produce executable quantum circuits of minimal size, thereby maximizing the range of physical phenomena that can be studied within the NISQ fidelity budget. Here, we present two domain-specific (DS) quantum circuit compilers for the Rigetti and IBM quantum computers, specifically designed to compile circuits simulating dynamics under a special class of time-dependent Hamiltonians. The compilers outperform state-of-the-art general-purpose compilers in terms of circuit size reduction by around 25%–30% as well as wall-clock compilation time by around 40% (dependent on system size and simulation time-step). Drawing on heuristic techniques commonly used in artificial intelligence, both compilers scale well with simulation time-step and system size. Code for both compilers is open-source and packaged into a full-stack quantum simulation software with tutorials included for ease of use for future researchers wishing to perform dynamic simulations of quantum materials on quantum computers. As our DS compilers provide significant improvements in both compilation time and simulation fidelity, they provide a building block for accelerating progress toward physical quantum supremacy.

Physics↗