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Determination of Solution Accuracy of Numerical Schemes as Part of Code and Calculation Verification
No full textThis investigation is concerned with the accuracy of numerical schemes for solving partial differential equations used in science and engineering simulation codes. Richardson extrapolation methods for steady and unsteady problems with structured meshes are presented as part of the verification procedure to determine code and calculation accuracy. The local truncation error de- termination of a numerical difference scheme is shown to be a significant component of the veri- fication procedure as it determines the consistency of the numerical scheme, the order of the numerical scheme, and the restrictions on the mesh variation with a non-uniform mesh. Genera- tion of a series of co-located, refined meshes with the appropriate variation of mesh cell size is in- vestigated and is another important component of the verification procedure. The importance of mesh refinement studies is shown to be more significant than just a procedure to determine solu- tion accuracy. It is suggested that mesh refinement techniques can be developed to determine con- sistency of numerical schemes and to determine if governing equations are well posed. The present investigation provides further insight into the conditions and procedures required to effec- tively use Richardson extrapolation with mesh refinement studies to achieve confidence that sim- ulation codes are producing accurate numerical solutions
Evolution of 2D Potts Model Grain Microstructures from an Initial Hillert Size Distribution
No full textGrain growth experiments and simulations exhibit self-similar grain size distributions quite different from that derived via a mean field approach by Hillert [ 1]. To test whether this discrepancy is due to insufficient anneal times, two different two-dimensional grain structures with realistic topologies and Hillert grain size distributions are generated and subjected to grain growth via the Monte Carlo Potts Model (MCPM). In both cases, the observed self-similar grain size distributions deviate from the initial Hillert form and conform instead to that observed in MCPM grain growth simulations that start from a random microstructure. This suggests that the Hillert grain size distribution is not an attractor
Numerical Models of Broad-Bandwidth Nanosecond Optical Parametric Oscillators
No full textWe present three new methods for modeling broad-bandwidth, nanosecond optitcal parametric oscillators in the plane-wave approximation. Each accounts for the group-velocity differences that determine the operating linewidth of unseeded optical parametric oscillators, and each allows the signal and idler waves to develop from quantum noise. The first two methods are based on split-step integration methods in which nonlinear mixing and propagation are calculated separately on alternate steps. One method relies on Fourier transforming handle propagation, wiih mixing integrated over a the fields between t and u to Az step: the other transforms between z and k= in the propagation step, with mixing integrated over At. The third method is based on expansion of the three optical fields in terms of their respective longitudinal empty cavity modes, taking into account the cavity boundary condi- tions. Equations describing the time development of the mode amplitudes are solved to yield the time dependence of the three output fields. These plane-wave models exclude diffractive effects, but can be readily extended to include them
A Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystal with Stop Band Between at 1.35 and 1.95 Microns
No full textA combination of advanced silicon processing techniques were used to create three- dimensional (3D) photonic crystals with a 180 nano-meter minimum dimension. The resulting 3D crystal displays a strong stop band at optical wavelengths, L=l .35- 1.95pm. This is the smallest 3D crystal ever achieved with a complete 3D photonic band gap
Task 7.1 - Strategic Planning
No full textThe objective of this activity is to understand the potentialities, limitations, and status of competing energy technologies in terms of scientific basis, state of development, technical barriers, cost, efficiency, policy treatment, and environmental performance for the purpose of planning and evaluating research activities under the Cooperative Agreement. This work is performed under the direction of the EERC Director and Associate Directors to provide guidance in planning the broad outline for future research under the Cooperative Agreement in keeping with industry needs and national goals
Chemically Selective Coated Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) Array for Detection of Volatile Organic Chemicals
No full textLiquid flow cells have been fabricated to prepare an array of QCMS operating simultaneously for detection and identification of VOCS in water. TWO signals, a tlequency response and a damping voltage response, were obtained per resonator. A blank QCM was used as a reference to account for changes in liquid density and viscosity. Nine different polymer coatings applied using a spin coat technique have been examined for VOC response under liquid flow conditions. A matrix of three classes of VOCS were examined for each coating with four chemicals in each class. The three classes of VOCS are polar, nonpolar and chlorinated. A pattern recognition technique, called visually empirical region of influence (VERI), was used to cluster the responses in n-dimensional space. Chemicals within a class varying by only one methyl group (e.g., toluene and xylene) are easily discriminated using only two different coatings with three different QCM responses. All chemicak were easily separated and detected with a total of 5 films and 6 responses with >99% accuracy
Russia-U.S. Joint Program on the Safe Management of Nuclear Materials: Approaches to Prioritizing the Lab to Lab Project
No full textThe U.S. and Russian weapons dismantlement process is producing hundreds of tons of excess plutonium (Pu) and highly enriched uranium (HEU) fissile materials. The nuclear operations associated with the final disposition of these materials will be occurring in both countries for decades. A significant accident during these operations could delay the disposition process. Russia- U.S. collaborative efforts to address safety issues associated with disposition processes have been ongoing since 1993. The experience of these collaborative efforts have demonstrated the need for a systematic and formalized approach to identifjring and prioritizing collaborative projects. A systematic approach to the successfid implementation of a formal program will require the definition of year by year program objectives, specific technical program areas, a process for the prioritization and selection of projects, and identification of performance measures to evaluate the success of projects. Specialized working groups established for each technical area are needed to define research priorities, review research proposals, and recommend proposals for tiding. A systematic approach to the establishment of a formal U.S.-Russia cooperative program will serve to ensure the safety and continuity of disposition processes and reduce the nuclear proliferation risks presented by this material. The U.S. and Russian weapons dismantlement process is producing hundreds of tons of excess plutonium (Pu) and highly enriched uranium (HEU) fissile materials. The U.S. and Russia are both converting and blending HEU into low enriched uranium (LEU) for use in existing reactors. Russia also plans to fiel reactors with excess Pu. The U.S. is on a two-path approach for the disposition of excess Pu: (1) use of Pu in existing reactors and/or (2) immobilization of the Pu in glass or ceramics followed by geologic disposal. The fissile nuclear materials storage, handling, processing, and transportation processes associated with the disposition process will be occurring in both countries for decades. A significant accident at any point in the process could significantly delay the disposition process. Russia-U.S. collaborative efforts to address safety issues associated with nuclear processes required for the disposition of excess weapons grade nuclear materials were initiated in response to the 1993 Tomsk-7 accident. A joint Russia-U.S. team evaluated the causes of an explosion in a nuclear fuel reprocessing tank at the Tomsk-7
Modal Parameter Extraction Using Natural Excitation Response Data
No full textThe use of natural excitation response data for the extraction of modal parameters has been an alluring idea for many years, The primary reason is that it offers the real world inputs (both spatial and temporal) and the associated responses of the system without the cost of a complex excitation system. The use of NExT allows for a linear representation of the system at operating levels, which is ideal for predictive linear simulation. The NExT parameter estimation methods have relied on using standard modal parameter extraction routines that do not exploit the special model form of NExT data. A parameter estimation method is developed here that is consistent with the form, thereby providing a more robust estimator in the presence of noise. This paper presents the basic methods used in NExT as well as some of the critical issues when using NExT
Distinguishability of Biological Material Using Ultraviolet Multi-Spectral Fluorescence
No full textRecent interest in the detection and analysis of biological samples by spectroscopic methods has led to questions concerning the degree of distinguishability and biological variability of the ultraviolet (W) fluorescent spectra from such complex samples. We show that the degree of distinguishability of such spectra is readily determined numerically
GaN Stress Evolution During Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition
No full textThe evolution of stress in gallium nitride films on sapphire has been measured in real- time during metal organic chemical vapor deposition. In spite of the 161%0 compressive lattice mismatch of GaN to sapphire, we find that GaN consistently grows in tension at 1050"C. Furthermore, in-situ stress monitoring indicates that there is no measurable relaxation of the tensile growth stress during annealing or thermal cycling